Annenoz

Hi-
My SO and I will be off to Italy this summer - 3 days in Rome, 12 day cruise on Oceania to include stops in Amalfi, Sicily, Corfu, Croatia and finally Venice. Then - staying 3 days in Venice and back to the US
(We would like to pick 1 or 2 of our favorite cities to revisit next year.)
My concern:
will the "day trips" to these ports make our heads spin? I l DO ike the idea of being on a "moving hotel" and not having to pack/unpack. And I hope we can decompress on board in the evenings as we move on to the next port.
We also think we can strrrrreeeetch our decreasing US$ on a cruise.
Any comments?
Thanks!

Sicilyforever

Once you are in Sicily you must visit Taormina and Etna in a day is possible.You can hire a taxi http://www.sicilylimousineservice.com/sicily/index.htm

heartofthesouth

As much as most people will tell you not to go to the coloseum in Rome it is definitely worth at least stopping by to view it from the outside to save on some time. You MUST go see the Trevi Fountain and Piazza Navona...they aren't too far from each other..just a short walk. I have my complete 8 day travel journal and another blog on tips and tricks for visisting Rome...you might want to check it out. I just went in December and had the time of my life!

Jake1

It depends on your personality and what you need from your vacation.

My wife and I went on one cruise--we hated it. A few hours in each place just wasn't enough for us. We were bored out of our gourds while at sea--there was nothing going on aboard the ship that we couldn't have done in our home town.

But we have friends who love to cruise for a variety of reasons. Some just like to socialize on their vacation, and don't even care if they get off the ship when it reaches a port. Others are very stressed and need to be pampered and catered to for a while--before they explode! Others are afraid to go out on their own and like the security of structured vacations.

It just depends on your needs and wants.

Dukey

We've done lots of cruises and we've done lots of "on our own" and for us, both work, depending on what our needs are at the time.

I think knowing what advantages and disadvantages EACH mode offers..and IMO they BOTH have both..is key.

I don't think the day trips in any of those ports are going to overwhelm you...unless you allow them to; you already KNOW that being in one place for a few hours is limiting in terms of sightseeing and as long as you don't set your expectations too high I think your plan is fine.

We will be in China next year followed by a two-week cruise to other parts of China and southeast Asia...the combo works for us as it does for many.

IMO you don't need any further validation for your decisions....enjoy being able to go AT ALL in these days of dollar decline.

Aleta

I agree with Dukey, we've travelled to Europe on our own probably 25 times in 20 years, and we've taken 6 cruises. My husband simply is in heaven whenever we board a Crystal Cruise ship. It's NEVER dull. You have to look at the ports as overview trips, to learn about a place to which you might decide to return. The port time is very limited, but you can use your time wisely, especially of you hire your own guide to cut out the cruise tours' shopping and eating time. Our first cruise, 10 years ago was to the Baltic, a trip of a lifetime. It left us wanting more, so this year we are finally going back to Norway for a cruise of the fjords.
Each ship is different,every person with different tastes, but we found lots of activities, lots of relaxation, and we loved to dance every night.

tropicalkerry

have you gone to

www.cruisecritic.com

there is a board for Oceania cruises, and lots of info,reviews, role calls.
We took our first cruise ever, on Oceania, Venice to Barcelona, last fall. LOVED IT!!!! I'm sure you will too!

tropicalkerry

sorry, ROLL calls!