I've checked out Princess and Holland Am. for cruises to Italy next summer. But they only do a couple of the larger ports of call in Italy. Does anybody know of any cruiseline that only does Italy?
Thanks much

You're more likely to get responses if you post your question in the Cruises forum.

You cannot see Italy from a cruise ship---the ports are not convenient.

Do you want to see Italy, or do do you really want to take cruise and have some ports of call in Italy? Either answer is OK - but if you are actually looking for a trip to Italy - then bobthenavigator is right - you will not see Italy from a cruise ship.

And if you are really more "cruise-focused" then yes, do post on the Cruise forum to get more useful advice.

Bobthenavigator:
You're just the person I wanted to get in touch with. Seems you're a wealth of information when it comes to Italy.
I would really prefer to do Italy by car. I enjoy cruising only because it's a nice way for my 80 year old mother and I to travel. On our Ireland trip, there really wasn't much time to myself since I was with my mother non-stop. The car certainly allowed us more freedom and the chance to 'experience' Ireland. But I'm pooped, so I just thought there might -just might be one cruiseline that does Italy a little better than others.
My mother is half Italian, so it may be nice if she could look up some of her long-lost relatives, and we could start from there. If the cruise thing is out, what driving itinerary would you suggest for:
-quaint villages
-seaside fishing villages
-wine country
Thanks so much
Carrie

That is a tall order. I really know very little about cruise ships, but I do know that the port cities that are used are not well positioned to see much of Italy. The exceptions are Venice and Palermo. Here are my favorite sample itineraries. I hope they help you to decide what you really want to see.
BOB the NAVIGATOR’S FAVORITE ITALY ITINERARIES
http://www.slowphotos.com/photo/show...y.php?cat=3827

1. BELLA ITALIA: Five destinations in 15 days—car & train travel
* Arrive in Milan[MXP] & depart from Venice[VCE]or vice versa.
* Itinerary to include the Italian Lakes, Ligurian coast, rural
Tuscany, Florence, & Venice. Suggested timing is 3-2-4-2-4.
* Option: Drop the coast & rent a villa in Tuscany[ 3-7-2-3].
* Best time to go: May & June or Sept. & Oct.

2. LA DOLCE VITA: Three destinations in 12 to 14 days-car & train
* Arrival & departure from Rome[ FCO] or arrival in Naples
* Itinerary to include Rome, the Amalfi coast, and Tuscany
* Best time to go: Easter to end of October
* Option: Fly into Naples & stay at 2 locations on the coast

3. CLASSIC ITALIA: Three destinations in 12 to 14 days-car & train
* Arrival & departure from Rome—may start trip in Florence
* Destinations to include Florence, Rome & Tuscany/Umbria
* Best time to go: Anytime, but May & Oct. are my favorites
* Option: Consider a weekly rental in Tuscany/Umbria

4. SICILIAN CHARMS: Five destinations in 15 days—car travel
* Connections to Catania & Palermo via Rome or gateway city.
* Itinerary to include Taormina, Siracusa, Palermo & more.
* Best time to go: March to November—May is best for flowers
* See: http://www.slowtrav.com/tr/tripreport.asp?tripid=634

5. THE VILLAGE SAMPLER: My favorite venues for those who enjoy natural beauty and quaint, small villages. Arranged north to south.
* Arrive Milan & depart Rome—car travel-- 3 nites per location
* Itinerary to include Lago Orta, Castelrotto/ Ortisei[Dolomites],
Portovenere[Liguria], Montalcino[Tuscany], & Spello[Umbria].
* Best time to go: May to October for the lakes and Dolomites
* Option: Pick 3 out of 5 and stay longer in Tuscany/Umbria.

I would like to back up and tell you I think a cruise is an excellent way to go with an 80 year old mother. Consider Windstar Cruise Lines. They are more casual, have better food, and go into smaller and more unusual ports than the Princess and Holland America. They have some terrific Italian itineraries

I'll check Windstar out. Thanks for the information. I also checked out Star Clipper cruises. They seem a bit less formal than Windstar, but I was not impressed with their itineraries.
Carrie

Where do your relatives live - unless in port cities, you will not have time to see them on day excursions from a cruise.

Instead of a cruise - consider renting an apartment or villa for a week in the general area where the family comes from. You would have a comfy place to settle and not be rushing from town to town every day. Then you could do day trips by train and come "home" each evening. That would be easy on your mom - and if she had a bad day you could relax in the cottage enjoying just "being in Italy"

This is an Italian cruise line specializing in ports inItaly...http://www.cruisecritic.com/reviews/...ruiseLineID=80

This company - http://tinyurl.com/q84dg - does Italy-only cruises. Not cheap, though.