Rose141

Hi all,

My husband and I are taking a med cruise June 2011 to celebrate my 40th b-day. I'm looking over ship excursions but am completely overwhelmed! Don't know anything about the stops (other than history on Rome) and therefor don't know what to choose. We're not even sure if we should take ship excursions at all. We enjoy roughing it on our own on trips but are afraid that we don't know enough about these places to get the most out of it in the limited amount of time. I would hate to take the risk of doing the Vatican on our own and then wind up in a three hour line watching the ship excursion group skip to the front of the line! We figure some ship excursions are worth it but some places we could probably do on our own for less. We would appreciate any suggestions anyone can give. The stops are the following:

Barcelona, Departs
Monaco 10 hrs
Livorno 11 hrs
Civitavecchia, Rome 14 hrs
Naples 11 hrs
Messina, Sicily 10 hrs
Palma de Mallorca, Spain 8 hrs
Marseilles, 9 hrs.

Aristotle

The advantages of a ship excursion are that the busses are right next to the dock and that if anything goes wrong, it is the cruise lines responsibility to get you to the ship. The down side are that they are effectively poorer value. They tend to include generous "shopping opportunities" which often means stopping for an hour or two at stores of the tour companies choosing, not shops that you might enjoy. This is often at the cost of missing important sights in the area.
You can do some homework and find private tours that offer good value. Look on the internet. We used some in Barcelona and were very pleased. If you can an individual tour - guide and car are great, and can be fairly inexpensive, especially iof you can get 3 or 4 together. These are often priced by the car, not per person. Some stops can be easily done alone. Get some good guide books - Fodors is as is Rick Steves
who gives a lot of practical info.

Viajero2

I posted a detailed, long report on independent ports traveling in Barcelona, Civitavecchia, Monte Carlo, Livorno, Palma, and Naples. Let me know if you can't find it and I will bring it up. It would take most people months of researching to compile the info I put together on that travel report (or so I hear! )

succeed

Take advantage of the knowledge of others. If you go over to Cruise Critic dot com, you can join your Roll Call and get to know others who will be on your cruise - yes, on the same ship. Chances are there will be some of them who will know about the ports in some detail, and will be more than willing to share helpful tips. You may even be able to join one or two other couples and share the cost of some private tours. Joining your Roll Call is a great way to link up with others, in advance, for friendship, information, or financial benefit.
Also, over on Cruise Critic dot com, there is a section for Ports of Call. That's where other cruisers (past and future) discuss in great detail the ins and outs of each port, including the pros and cons of ship tours. Go linger over there a bit to find out what the general advise is about each port, and even about specific ship tours and private tour providers. You can get to know quite a bit about the various locations, and places not to be missed.
Finally, I always look here on Fodors for information about specific ports. I find that Fodors offers great walking tours, articles, and itineraries. If you read through the "Sights" section for each port and take note of the "Fodors Choices" in each one, it will give you a good starting point as to what you might want to see and do. Also take a look at the "Destinations" forums here on Fodors - sometimes the questions that are asked are very insightful.
I agree with Aristotle above - you'll benefit by doing some homework. Only YOU can know what will appeal to you and what won't. The way to not miss something is to do your research in advance.

Rose141

Viajero2, Please give me that link. I looked over your list of forum topics but didn't find the right one. That would help me A LOT as I'm already getting overwhelmed!

Aristotle: Can you give me some names on the tourguides you used?

Succeed: Thanks. I'll be trying cruisecritic.com tonight!

Viajero2

Rose-- try http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-barcelona.cfm

I scribbled down logistics as we toured. I posted this info on Cruise critic also juts ion case you see it there (May 2010).

Aristotle

We used barcelonadaytours.com for a city tour - half day for three people. The guide was excellent and met our needs beautifully. The cost was less than going though the cruise line. The other was barcelonaguidebereau.com for a bus trip to Monserrat. It was well done, and we can recommend them. We had a three night stay prior to a cruise. Also our daughter did a walking tour with barcelona day tours and she was pleased.

fmpden

For a first cruise you might do a mix. Which is what we did on our first cruise 20 years ago. Now it rare to take a ship excursions. BUT -- if going on your own -- you need to do a lot of prior homework so that you get most out of the port. You cannot just walk off the ship and say, "Now what do we do?" Got to have a plan. Don't be afraid to hook up with other cruise members who may have more experience. Sign up for your ship at CruseCriitic.com. The ship excursions are expenses but all you have to do is show up and remember to get on the bus.

Good luck

diann24

We just returned from a Med. Cruise. I joined the cruisecritic as previoulsy suggested. It was the best. My husband and I met so many people who had previously traveled these ports, and put together tours independantly. They were great. I found that site to be great. The only ports we have in common is Rome and Naples. Mine were all Greek Islands. You can utilize your time in Rome greatly with 14 hours but Rome is a good distance from the Port. All tours offer pick ups at the Port and return which I would suggest. Rome has so much to offer, and of course it depends on what appeals to you. I would certainly go with a guide, who whisks you right through the lines. We arrived on a Tuesday a.m. and the lines were incredibly long to get into the Vatican. We did the Vatican, and the Colloseium in one day with time for a nice lunch and was not rushed. We opted for a private tour. Just us and another couple. When time is important you want to utilize it as wisely as possible and not feel rushed. In Naples, we did private tours with 3 vans, of couples, went to Amalfi Coast down to Positano for lunch, pompei which is a great ancient ruin if that appeals to you, with stops in Sorrento. It was an awesome place, and a wonderful day. I higly suggest that, or you can do the Isle of Capri/blue grotto etc. You need to choose one. Scoot on over to cruisecritic sign up for roll call and I am sure you will find out a lot of info with tours in the making. You do need to have a plan, and have your days planned out prior to going but you have plenty of time to plan. All winter!! Not to worry, it will all turn out fine. There were people on the ships who did the ships tours for Naples/amalfi coast and they said it was great but $$$. I think nearly 250pp. We paid $134 Euros a couple. A huge difference. Best to you and have fun.

SicilyChauffeur

Hi Rose!
about Sicily, in 10 hours you can do a lot but it depends on how much you want to spend. If you choose to get a shore excursion from the ship they will charge an amount 2times bigger than a private service. The best thing to do (imho) is to join a small group of people (4 up to 10) and share a private excursion with a minivan. For instance: 8 people, 8/10 hrs from Messina to Mount Etna and Taormina with private luxury minivan and english speaking driver you spend €50,00 per person. Compared to prices on the ship you will notice the difference. hope to be helpful

Cheers
Sebastian

Retired2Cruise

Pros: Line is responsible for everything, most guides very informative!
Cons: Might not see what you want on a prepackaged tour, $$$
That said, what's your tolerance for risk, language skill level, and how deep is your wallet? Did a Med cruise in 2007. Some fat cat bragged about his limo tour of the Amalfi Coast and what he saved, but any idiot who has done any research knows how bad the traffic is! Limo missed the boat and party had to fly to Rhodes, 2 nts hotel, and meals until the ship got there.Always wondered if he picked up his party's tab??? Never do your own thing without having a recovery plan in the back of your mind. Drivers can get slammed while driving, vehicle breaks down, etc. (We had a cabbie in Rome who drove us to the airport reading a newspaper!!!) Many ports in Med are working ports and not tourist friendly. Unless you are working with a RELIABLE verified source, bite the bullet, pay the $$$, and if you don't speak the language and/or know the area, stay with the ship's tours. Work the discounts out there for basic fares (if you've already booked-watch the fare up to manadatory payment date- given the economy the price is likely to drop and you can get the savings by asking)and use the savings to cover the tours. Livorno-recommend avoiding Florence and doing Tuscan Hill Towns, Civi- definitely Rome (on your own drop-off or with group), and Naples-Pompeii. Wear clothes with zipper pockets since you'll be there at start of tourist season and pick-pockets will be gearing-up!Pick-pockets avoid folks with zippers, not worth it!Once you've been to a port and gotten the lay of the land then you can consider something else the next time you visit.
Final comment: Always know Please, Thank You, Excuse Me, Hello and Good Bye, 2 beers, 2 wines, etc. in the local language! Best wishes for a great trip and Happy 40th!!!

SicilyChauffeur

I'm very sorry about your bad experience Retired2Cruise you were very unlucky. I don't know how it works on the Amalfi coast, but at least in Sicily you make exactly the same thing as like the ship excursion, but less expensive and more customizable. Another advice (good for everyone else) i can give is: don't take local taxicabs at the exit of the terminal, you never know who they are, how they work, what car they will give you, the people who will share your excursion. In that case spendig less is not good. Safety firts, about everything. If you want to have a good experience you have to ask these following point to the Limo service:

1)What kind of car will be used. Ask for a valid document scan to see how new is the car

2)Who will be the driver. Ask for a picture of him/her and possibly ask for his facebook account so you can talk with him and test his personality and his knowledge of English

3)Where do we go?. Ask for the plan of the day with a detailed plan of places so you can check by google maps if they say the truth

4)What's the price? Ask if the price is per person OR per veichle. You'll discover that organizing excursion on your own can be more convenient than ship excursions.

these are the 4 most important points to get a good excursion and avoid bad surprises. Fat cats are everywhere and there is a lot of good people who believe only to words. Facts, first of all! The more you're smart, less you have!

Rose141

Thank you all for the info! I'm taking all of your advice and planning as I go. I've spoken to my brother, who was there a few years ago, and he weighed in very similarly as you all did. I've signed up for roll call on cruise critic as well. It seems that depending on the port, private, reputable tour companies are the way to go. I'm finding there is a world of information on this site as well as cruise critic so I'm doing my homework. My husband and I are pretty adventurous so where we can we'll do it on our own or private tours. Retired2cruise has also given me somethings to think about. Sicilychauffeur, thank for your advise-- DEFINATELY will take it into consideration when researching!

I'll continue checking back and TRULY appreciate all the replies.

patbobk

We took the Princess Grand Med tour last September and went to a lot of the same cities on your cruise. Barcelona is a wonderful city. If possible get there a day or two early and see the city and, of course the Sagrada Familia which is the Gaudi-designed church - fabulous. Many more things to see.

We don't normally take the ship's tours but I agree with Aristotle about the convenience of these tours. What you might not know is, the arranged tours bypass the long lines to the attractions especially in Rome. We took the all day tour and saw much more than people who when on their own.

In Rome, we saw all the main attractions with the ship's tour. It was pricy at $199 per person, but it was worth every penny. We went to St. Peter's in Chains and saw the Michelangelo statue of Moses; the Forum; the Coloseum and St. Peter's in the Vatican; and a nice lunch. In every case, we bypassed the long line and went right in. The tour was a hour late returning to the ship but no problem, it was their tour and they will wait for it. If you are on your own and you are late, you will miss the ship. The taxi or independent tour agency isn't going to help you if you are stuck there.

We skiped Florence and took the tour to the Cinque Terre instead which was the best. The ride goes through the Tuscan countryside which was lovely and the five little towns are picture perfect. We walked the half mile trail between two of the towns that runs along the coast. Beautiful views and scenery. Not to be missed if you like quaint old towns.

In Monaco, you can walk to the old town from the docks or walk into town to the casino. They do charge 10E to get into the casino. It's fun to just walk around the harbor and see all the yachts and the Rolls.

Hope this helps.