First suggestion is to register (free) at www.cruisecritic.com which has a lot of different forums ("boards") that cover ports of call, your specific cruise line and possiblly even your particular sailing where you can exhcange ideas and get others to join you if you prefer private trips.

Second suggestion - list your specific itinerary (ports and times in each port) so people can comment on the ports in order to offer suggestions.

Venice is easy to do on your own. How long are you in port?

Day Port Arrive Depart
Thanks. I'll add it

Sat Venice - 5:00 PM
Sun Split 8:00 AM 4:00 PM
Mon Corfu 10:00 AM 6:00 PM
Tue Santorini 4:00 PM 11:00 PM
Wed Mykonos 8:00 AM 4:00 PM
Thu Iraklion 7:00 AM 12:00 PM
Fri At Sea - -
Sat Venice 8:00 AM -

just returned from that cruise it was fantastic make sure you do the greek fiesta excursion in santorini it is worth every penny you might pay we did excursions in all ports and they were great we stuck with ncl excursions on the off chance that they might run late, which in fact they did in santorini, and they waited for us in port that is why we book with ncl. have a great trip any other questions, just ask

Thanks FP,we have to catch a train to Munich the when we get off the ship. From what I read you can disembark once the ship is cleared. Other cruises I have been on disembark you by level. What is your take on it.
Thanks

In Iraklion, you can visit Knossos on your own.

Follow patandhank's advice & sign up on the Roll Call board at CruiseCritic & see if you can hook up w/others to grab & cab & visit on your own. Also, see if anyone is setting up a Meet & Greet on-board where you can glean further info from fellow pax.
Happy cruising!

Mykonos is an easy port to do on your own. Most of the ships have a shuttle close to downtown and then all you have to do is head toward the windmills. A nice town to walk around the small alleyways to look at shops and walk up to the windmills. Have lunch in "Little Venice." Restaurants have a nice view of the ocean

Santorini we did a private tour. There were 6 of us who went together and got a guide to take us all over the island. We really enjoyed it. Stopped at a small (no big busses) winery, sat in the courtyard and sipped wine. He waited while we strolled the both towns and took in the beautiful views as well as taking us to all of the "picture stops." I highly recommend Dimitrius - info@thira-tours.com

How are the roads in Santorini? My wife becomes ill woth motion sickness if the roads are too winding and twisting. If they are pretty straight its fine. Thank you.

Hi Jacketwatch! Well I might not be much help on this question because I grew up driving on Colorado roads so I didn't think it was bad at all. Found this on You Tube that may or may not be a help for you to gauge

http://www.santorini-hotels.info/things-to-do/driving-to-oia/

Thanks Pat. Wow. Thats the kind of road that wouldaffect here so its a no go. I hear there is a cable car that goes to the top so that and a walk in town will be fine for us.
Larry

We found Venice, Split, Corfu, Santorini, and Mykonos very easy to tour on our own. I read some guidebooks, surfed the net, and compiled self-guided historical walking tours, which we enjoy.

Agree Mykonos is best seen without shore excursions. If you are interested in Delos, after getting off the shuttle bus, walk quickly to the south end of the waterfront area to the Delos boat Ticket kiosk. This boat was quite pleasant to sail on and MoSickness was not an issue. But do take water to Delos! Upon return, right in the vicinity of the Boat ticket kiosk, is an excellent Gellato stand (better than we could find in Venice) and a good internet cafe where they have 15 min for one euro (NCL charged 75 cents for each minute) One block behind these two businesses is a restaurant called the Paraportiani for a great typical Greek food lunch. This will be your best opportunity to have "typical" Greek cuisine. For Split one cost-effective alternative is, when you get off the boat go to the right (east) of the Riva area where there is a Taxi stand and tell the Taxi drivers you want to go to Salona (if you are interested in Roman ruins) The whole excursion should take you two hours and cost about 500 kuna ( I think this works out to $80 bucks) so two of you can do this excursion for 1/2 price. Be sure to negotiate the dela before you go, and it's ok to act like you are turning them down and walk away. This allows another cab driver who wants the business to run you down. Salona is a site of a small version of the Roman colloseum where, no-kidding, Christians were Martyred by feeding them to animals, so then the site was venerated by 3rd to 9 th century Christians.. very interesting. Last point: In the middle of split is a neat old church worth looking at but a strict dress code was observed. Ladies should not wear short shorts or sleeveless dresses.

We just signed up for that cruise as well!

I agree with all that has been said , however............

if you are coming into Venice on the day you are boarding the ship,then you have vistually no time for sightseeing.

I always come a day or two earlier and then get to see the place well.

When I did a cruise out of Venice I came 3 days before the cruise ship was to depart.

I saw a lot and then had a private guide for one day..to see all those extra places.

It is cheaper to pay for hotel rooms ,then it is go go back again because you missed seeing things

I also usually stay a day or two extra at the end of the cruise,if I really want to see the place well.

For example , my cruise ended in Barcelona.

No use going from the ship to the Barcelona airport, and missing Barcelona.

I realize this is extra money spent....but you are also seeing more things and places.

Hi jacketwatch
Hi patandhank

Percy's advise is spot on and besides - many hotels in Venice have a minimum two night stay - so two nights/one full day - quite doable - our ship boarded at 5 and the alilaguna water bus Line M from San marco square to the "maritima" cruise terminal was very well run and timely and got us there with time to spare. The first thing the cruise ships do is to sail slowly up the Giudecca canal and then north between the east end of Venice and the Lido - If I had to witness this sailing having NOT spent two days in Venice - I should think I would have gone insane on the spot.

Boy do I agree with you docdan!

That cruise ship sailing past St.Mark's ( Basilica) and Square, the Campanile and Doge's Palace was priceless.!!

I took some terrific picture right from the cruise ship as it slowly sailed by.

I spent a whole afternoon in Doge's Palace,then paid a few euros to go to the top of the Campanile ( Clock Tower in St.Mark's Square)...views from the top are terrific.!

Mpphred...........if you can swing it I would come at least a full day earlier. ! You won't regret it