First time Mediterranean Cruise

My family and I will be going on a Mediterranean cruise this summer on the costa cruise line we will be visiting Bari,Venice, Corfu, Mykonos, Santorini, and Dubrovnik. I would love to get some suggestions on best excursion for each stop.

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My family and I will be going on a Mediterranean cruise this summer on the costa cruise line we will be visiting Bari,Venice, Corfu, Mykonos, Santorini, and Dubrovnik. I would love to get some suggestions on best excursion for each stop.

Have you tried the Ports of Call forum here on Cruise Critic:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=603

My family and I will be going on a Mediterranean cruise this summer on the costa cruise line we will be visiting Bari,Venice, Corfu, Mykonos, Santorini, and Dubrovnik. I would love to get some suggestions on best excursion for each stop.

Hi

not sure what age your family memebers are. I dd this cruise last year but without kids.

Bari,- walk off ship and do own thisng. Bari walkable from ship, castle, cathedral, great ice cream places, wonderful quaint streets- very italian

Venice, get off ship and use water bus- get day tickets, and explore, all of venice easy to do from water bis and on foot. Agian just a great place to walk around. See if you can see the large penguin on the balcony near St Marks square.

Corfu- get ships shuttle bus or local transport ( I would have used local bus but mum wasnt keen- I use loacl transport on ay trip I dont go with parents- Mum panics!!) go to Old town, lots to see and do there- minimal costs.

Mykanos- we took ships tour to delos- it was wonderful but we like accient ruins and history in the Easten Med. This is a Tender port. We were tendered off of the ship to the harbour, then onto a small boat to the island of delos ( passing the ship) then reverse on way back- ship looked amazing as sun went down. Guide was amazing- trip was multi lingual but this gave us time to look and take photos.

Santorini- again we took ships tour to OIA - prob would do this on own as guide really just escorted us there on bus with commentry about Island and then we had free time ( short time) in OIA although its not reall very big, and then back on coach, again tender Port.

Dubrovnik- depends where it docks. If a tender is used then its outside the old part, great- get on tender and then walk around the town- can do wall walk etc. Shops take Euros and Kuna, but for wall walk had to change Euro to Kuna to pay.Did that the first time we went to Dubrovnick. Last year we docked at the Port, this then needed a shuttle to the old town, we didnt bother as had been before weather was good, ship was quite, did get off and look around the market in the port- amazing deals and quality glasswear etc for unbelievable prices ( took Euros)

Thank you for your input Latin princess, the children ages are 24,21,15 and 14. How did you enjoy the ship's activities and the food. We have been on a few Royal Caribbean and celebrity cruises. Not sure what to expect on Costa.

Thank you for your input Latin princess, the children ages are 24,21,15 and 14. How did you enjoy the ship's activities and the food. We have been on a few Royal Caribbean and celebrity cruises. Not sure what to expect on Costa.

Hi

I went with my parents and as it was port intensive didn't do much during the day as off the ship a lot. When on-board during the day, I swam, read and used the Spa

Evening we spent dancing in the many areas with live music and participated in games with the animation team.

We were never in bed before 1am usually later.

On past cruses we attended the theatre which was good.

The F1 simulation looks good- you pay extra as you do for the 4d experiences.

The teens seemed to spend a lot of time in the arcade area, in the disco and on the pool deck.

I enjoyed white night on the pool deck one evening

Time passed too quickly was never board

Food- I always enjoy the food- I love pasta and multi course eating

Breakfast- if in a hurry the buffet is fine ( now only cold items), if you have time the international breakfast in the MDR is great- they have a buffet with the same as in the buffet plus you can order cooked breakfasts from many different countries, I enjoyed the pancakes and maple syrup, and the eggs Benedict, parent enjoyed the full English each time we were in there

Lunch- lots of choice in the buffet- including burgers and fries in take away containers. There was everything from,light snacks to full on meals. MDR a nice relaxed meal- takes a little while but the food was so good and well worth it.

Afternoon tea- some nice sandwiches and cakes ( and biscuits- they were very good often took a few back to cabin for late night snack is needed)

Evening meal- dont know about buffet as that wasnt happening last year. Pizza place ever tried it, but the pizza available in buffet at lunch was good so should think it would be too. MDR great, take a while but when in good company it flies by and whats the rush anyway- the shows are timed to allow for meals so no problems here. each course it an adequate size- for my appetite, however you can order sa few or has many of each course as you like and as few or as many courses as you like. I asked for my salad course to arrive with my main course as they dont serve a lot of veg.

Waiters were very attentive

Are you on the delizosa as this was the ship with the best food out of all the one I have been on.

get the all inclusive drinks packages if you can, and your waiters will soon ( like after the first day) know what drinks to bring to the table for you. Also pop to the bar on the way back to the cabin to get dressed and get an aperitif- prosecco was my usual choice . Coffees and fruit juices available at the bars ( either on AI or to pay for) are better than those avaialble in buffet so if you have the drinks package opt for those in the mornings

Also if have the AI check out the chocolate bar for hot choc and coffee- mum liked a hot choc at the end of the evening- I found it too rich as is almost just melted choc- and I prefer non milk based drink before bed- tea or prosecco or g&t lol

Pay for restaurant- didnt use it this time as food in the MDR was so good and menu at the pay for didnt inspire- however the last 2 times we have used it , it was good. We get it as a point perk so dont have to pay, but I dont think its a big upcharge but never took notice. But like I say if the food elsewhere suits then there is no pint unless for a special occasion.

Dont miss Italian night and Gala night in the MDR- such fun!!!