We are doing a Med cruise in May on the Carnival Magic. The ship excursions are extremely expensive.
Does anyone have advice as to privately run tour operators that are reputable? We're willing to hook up w/ other couples to make a group of 8-10 or so. We need tours of Rome, Venice, the Amalfi coast, etc.

Any advice will be appreciated.

Thanks!
joanna

If you want to hook up with a group, register with Cruise Critic and check with the roll call on message board - cruisers there often organize group travel.

We found Venice very easy to tour on our own.
For the Amalfi Coast, we had a wonderful day with Giovanni from www.tourofitaly.com.

I agree with the recommendation to use www.cruisecritic.com as a way to connect with fellow passengers on your sailing.

Have done 2 med cruises in cities easy to just hop

off the boat and do your own thing.

In the other more remote port areas cheaper better

to hire a driver guide at the port easy from $50 per half day

shared with nice folks I met on the cruise was cheapest for me

Private tour companies are better. If you can arrange for a private tour, it is better. When comparing prices, remember that a private car usually charges for a car load - usually 2 or 3 people, while the ship's excursions are per person. We found that the price is close enough to go for the private. You gain control also - no 40% to 60% of the time spent on captive shopping. The trick is to do plenty of homework before hand. Look for advice from the net, your personal, private TA, or tour books. We have done both and I always come back feeling shortchanged by ship's excursions.

Yes, I am already on cruisecritic.

Thanks for the advice, guys.

If your stops include Rome, Venice or Florence check out Context Travel. Used them for tours in Rome and Florence and loved the experience.