My husband and I are going on our first cruise and want to know if we should book our excursions through RCCL or use private guides? Our ports will be:

Marseilles, France
Nice, France
Florence/Pisa, Italy
Rome, Italy
Naples, Capri, Italy

If you like private tours...any suggestions??
Thanks!

I just got back from Rome Sunday. Have not been to the other cities. We were on Holland America in 7 eastern Europe cities. First and foremost I prefer having a tour versus not having one. We did some both ways. The one day we spent in each port did not allow us to know what to do and when we toured we didn't know what we were seeing. I would recommend private guides if you can afford them. We saw Rome in 2 1/2 days with a phenomenol private guide but she is VERY expensive (50+euro per hour) but worth every dime. The experience was beyond belief. Other people tired to horn in on our tour (that is how great Daniella was). The tours arranged by the cruise line were a mixed bag. one was OK, the others were weak. Some of it was luck of the draw (in teh same city, the five buses had a range of guide competency).

Our first cruise was to the Med. as well, also on RCCL. We chose to do the excursions on our own. The ships tours cost ALOT more and you are confined to their itinerary. When you disembark there will be alot of cabbies anbd private tour operators at the dock. We did a bit of research about each port, figured out what we wanted to see, got off, cut a deal and off we went. We were on our own time and all went well. I can't recommend anyone to deal with B4 you get there but perhaps someone here can or you can find a private operator on the web and prearrange if you perfer this method. At dinner our first night our tablemates decided to do the same thing as well, i.e. wing it and I heard no complaints. In Naples there is a cool shop specializing in coral jewelery. I forgot the name unfortunately but IRC its a recommended shop by RCCL. Bon voyage. Larry

I am going on Princess in early October.
I have private tour guides booked at all the ports of call.

I will be in some of your places like Marseilles
Rome
Naples
Florence/Pisa

I do not want to do the tours off the ship..not only are they more costly but more important your are in a large group.

Did you ever tour with a group of 50-60 people on a bus.?

The tour guide is up front and you are at the back and cannot hear what he is saying or what he is pointing to!!

If the private guides are the same price as the ship tours....then at least with your private guide your are one one almost.

I will let you all know how I make out when I get back in late October

Percy

I'm really thankful for all the input!!