We will have one day off of a cruise ship in Dubrovnik - and we did visit the city once many years ago and traversed the whole of the city walls at that time. This time, we want to go to Cavtat, and then hopefully still have a couple hours to hang out in the Stari Grad of Dubrovnik with no specific destination. I think I've figured out that the bus station (for the bus to Cavtat) is pretty close to the cruise ship dock, but the "ferry" boats leave from the far side of the old town. Does anyone have experience or thoughts as to whether going by boat or by bus between Dubrovnik and Cavtat is better in terms of efficiency? Once in Cavtat, how best to enjoy a couple hours?

With a couple of hours, I would stay in the pedestrian center and enjoy the waterfront promenade. Perhaps have lunch and / or enjoy drinks by the beach. With more time you can walk up the hill to the Racic Family Mausoleum. I came by car from Montenegro but in the center is where the ferries from Dubrovnik dock; I've walked by it.

For an important history lesson, I recommend visiting War Photo Limited in Dubrovnik. It includes a permanent exhibit, located on the top floor, which is a collection of photos from the war in the former Yugoslavia in the 1990's. There is also a temporary exhibit on the first floor which when we were there was about the Vietnam War.

We also took the cable car to the top of Mt. Srd, where we had drinks at Cafe Panorama, The views are spectacular!!!!

And the 14th century Franciscan Monastery is very interesting with a lovely cloister.