Help with excursions while on Mediterranean cruise
 

Message: My husband and I will sailing on the Radisson Diamond Oct. 12-18. We will be going into the ports of Rome, Sorrento/Capri, Taormina, Corfu,Greece, ending in Venice.<BR>We have never been to these cities, so ANY suggestions would be greatly appreciated.<BR>Also, what you think of the ship and what room catogory do you sugest?<BR>Thank you.<BR><BR>

Radisson Diamond is Awesome- Make sure you get a cabin with a Balcony- the scenery on the Med is to die for!<BR><BR>If you need a car service to meet you at the ship in Rome,take you sightseeing and return you to ship,email me--<BR><BR>Make sure you EXTEND your cruise in Venice and stay in a nice little hotel overlooking the Grand Canal--It is one of the most Romantic cities on Earth...<BR><BR>Sorrento is nice,but very touristy-<BR>If you have more than 1 day, rent a car for the day and drive down the Amalfi Coast to Positano- the drive is awesome

We never take the cruise ship excursions. They are costly and you are tied down to their itinerary. In Rome, take the train from the port to Rome. For Sorrento/Capri, I assume you will be moored in Naples. The ferries are a short walk. Get your own ticket and wing it.

Kim:<BR><BR>We have sailed the Diamond on two occasions and it is a wonderful ship. I assume that you are starting in Rome and I would suggest a precruise stay there. You tender in at Sorrento and are taken to a dispersal area where you catch buses of taxi's etc. The Radisson excurision to Pompeii was worth the money. At Taormina, you also tender but there are taxis at the dock to take you up to Taormina. This is a don't miss, the views are breathtaking and the local lunches are wonderful. Corfu is a differant story. You dock here but the docks are close to nothing. Everything requires a taxi and some planning. Radisson offers a trip through the countryside to visit "Sissy's" palace and drops you in the old town square. You probably have an overnight in Venice. If so, you can get the flavor of Venice in a hurry. <BR>Deck Nine cabins with a balcony are a must, if you are looking for my personal preference.<BR>Bottomline, you will love the Diamond and for your next cruise look at the Mariner.

Jim's right about Corfu - the place where the cruise ships dock is a good 20 minutes walk from the main port, but, unless you're really pushed for time, I wouldn't bother with an organised excursion. Just get a taxi from the dock and ask them to drop you near the Liston, which is pretty central for all the main tourist attractions. <BR>Some suggestions for things to do - have a drink/something to eat under the arches at the Liston Cafe and watch the world go by, explore the narrow alleyways of the old town (very commercialised and touristy, but worth a visit), take a pony and trap tour of the town, visit the main fortress for a history of Corfu Town, walk around the open market near the smaller fortress to see the variety of fruit & veg and fresh fish on sale.

Thank you, thank you, this is exactly what I was looking for....Great advise from people who have actually been. Hopefully, others will respond, also. Again, thanks. <BR>

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