Porto Santo Stefano

First of all: The majority of the people here on Thorn Tree would likely shoot themself before going on a mediterean cruise. So head better to the following forum for answers about "Ports of Call"
http://boards.cruisecritic.com

Second, it's a pretty small port and you either head on land and just wander around the small village, maybe take a dip at a beach. Or go on either a board tour (probably Elba or Tuscany) or rent a car and go by yourself to explore some nice sights in the Tuscany Region (if there's even enough time for it; and there is a car rental place at that little village of Porto Santo Stefano)

By looking on the map, you might also hop on a ferry to the Island of Giglio, famous for the site of the Costa Concordia incident.

I aasume it must be a rather small ship - anything larger would go to Civitavecchia which is the main port for Rome. The island on which S Stefano lies is quite pretty but you could drive all the way round in under an hour. There is a causeway to Orbetello and at the very far distant end of Orbetello - perhaps 8 or 9 km from S Stefano is a train station on the main line from Rome to Pisa, though there aren't too many trains stopping there. My guess is you have 2 choices - have a wonder round and hope the weather's good or go on an organised excursion. There is a bus service round the island which I think is run by Tiemme but you could google for details.

Porto Santo Stefano isn't on an island but on Monte Argentario promontory. The suggestion to hire a car and drive t is a good one; the streets are narrow but the view is spectacular; though you can't drive around the promontory. The other village on Monte Argentario is Porto d'Ercole. Orbetello is a nice place, so is the small beach town of Talamone, north of Argentario.

Thank you, everyone. Does anyone know how to find a reputable driver? If you were to rent a car, would you do so in advance?

Yes, I would book in advance, especially in July/August. Hiring a driver is very uncommon and expensive in Italy, especially for a trip for leisure; if you want it, try googling NCC Porto Santo Stefano (NCC is Noleggio Con Conducente, i.e. car hire with driver).

There's a Hertz car rental in Porto Santo Stefano: https://www.hertz.co.uk/p/car-hire/italy/porto_santo_stefano, be aware it's closed on Saturday afternoons and Sundays.

The NCC, as I suspected, is available only for transfers to/from airports and railway stations; in any case, this seems to be the closest one: http://transferargentariogrosseto.blogspot.it.

This other page, in Italian only, has a list of local taxi drivers, with the ones located in Monte Argentario (the borough to which Porto Santo Stefano belongs) on top:

https://www.tuttocitta.it/taxi/monte-argentario/strada-provinciale-di-porto-santo-stefano

You don't say what month (in summer my rec may be different because it is HOT) or how long the stop is. It would also be helpful to know what the ship advertises as options so we know what to compare to.
The roads on the promontory are quite windy--it is slow driving.
What are you looking to do? See sites or sit on a beach (as there are some quite nice ones in the area)?

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