MiamiBeachMomma

What is the best way to research the options for the days in port for a 2 week cruise that has the following ports of call.... I'm overwhelmed! we leave in about a month.

Nafplion, Greece
Katakolon (Olympia), Greece
Kerkira, Nisos Kerkira (Corfu), Greece

Crotone, Italy
Syracuse, Italy
Amalfi, Italy
Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy
Livorno (Florence/Pisa), Italy
Portofino, Italy

Frejus, France
Bandol, France

Palamos, Spain
Palma de Mallorca, Spain

Kathie

Rick Steves has a book on cruise ports (actually, one for Northern Europe, one for Southern Europe) that gives info on making your own arrangements at various ports.

MiamiBeachMomma

aliced

First, besides RS cruise-port-stop book, get a full guide on these destinations from Fodors by country; read what there is to do there, decide what interests you. For example, Napflio is lovely for a lunch and a quick stroll, 2-3 hours tops. Olympia and Corfu probably longer. Our favorite source for private tours, where you're not paying the high prices thru your cruiseline, is: Tours by Locals, a British Columbia company, with loads of choices in about every country you could think of. This source came well recommended to us by travelling friends. Put in your date at a certain port in certain country, and see what pops up from which to choose -- many! You do not pay for the tour until it's taken. For a small fee you can buy add'l insurance for cancellation right up till the tour. (We cancelled Delphi as the tour to the Pelopponese that we picked was 12 hrs, and we wanted another free day in Athens). You may wish to bundle Olympia with Napflio, but believe Corfu is a bit north from the Pelopponese (sp?). Now, for Livorno, there is a very convenient bus about 2 blocks in front of the port which takes you into Florence very easily and comfortably to the main train station (Santa Maria Novella). That is one city that can be seen easily in one day, but again you must choose what sights are most important to you. If the Duomo Museum sits behind the Duomo, and is awesome; if you cannot get tix for the Uffizzi, do consider the Galileo museum, chock full of scientific discoveries by him, the Mercato there is very fun and popular, so plan on a full day in Florence. We booked this ourselves online. As to Rome, fastest and cheapest way into center of Rome is by train, but you might want to taxi to the station near the port. There are also buses, or private drivers, again you must decide what you most want to do and how much you wish to spend. We had been in Rome twice before and Florence once before so pretty much knew what we wanted. If you only want to see "highlights" then perhaps a tour with others on your cruise might work out best. Again this can be arranged via Tours by Locals, and you can post your ideas on the Cruise Critic "Roll Call" feature for your exact journey, probably some others are overwhelmed too and you can tour with them.

whitehall

You might also try this free online resource, prepared by someone who has been to at least some of the ports you list: https://www.tomsportguides.com

We found it extremely detailed, especially in ports where you might simply want to do-it-yourself. He has maps with arrows showing you the easy way to get around.

Of course, your cruise line will offer you many tempting and expensive excursions. If your ship is a large one, there likely is a message board at cruise critic website where others going on your same trip discuss sharing taxis and tours (often with fewer people, smaller price and more flexibility than the ones offered by the cruise ships. Of course, you have to be careful because the cruise ship will only wait for the "authorized" ones that you book through them. And, you can get stranded.

gbelle1

Have you checked the boards at Cruise Critic? https://boards.cruisecritic.com/You may find some information there, but you’ll also be able to connect with your shipmates.

MiamiBeachMomma

aliced

We considered CT when docked in Livorno, but tours tended to be for 8 people both thru the cruiseline and Tours by Locals; another couple got a private driver to drop them off at #1 and pick them up at #3 hours later, and it worked well. A few couples connected thru Cruise Critic rollcall to do 8-passenger van tours in Italy and France, having been to both few times we chose not to. Sienna & Lucca are beautiful cities; one was quite more direct than the other, believe shorter trip was to Lucca. We were to both these cities via prior land trips on our own. Perhaps you should explore your Roll Call and see if there is sufficient interest amongst you.

HappyTrvlr