Crazy planning mom

We are doing the same cruise as you the next month. We arriving 4 days early in Rome. We are taking a private tour with a guide through a company called Rome Cabs. The tour is called Seven Wonders of Ancient Rome. I don't have any excursions planned in Palma. That will be a laid back day. In Livorno, we are doing the NCL excursion that includes The Statue Of David plus climbing the Leaning Tower of Pisa. In Naples, we are doing Capri Isle of Romance. Pompeii is another popular sight from Naples. Hope this helps.

This summer, we will be embarking at Civitavecchia while most passengers board in Barcelona. I know there are only a limited number of spa passes. Do they have some spa passes set aside for people who board in Civitavecchia?

Will they be serving burgers and hot dogs on the pool deck during embarkation day lunchtime on the Epic?

Although others may disagree, I definitely would book an excursion in Livorno. I did for my trip. We are taking the one that goes to Florence to see the Statue of David and climb the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Although, there are many other good ones for that port that look interesting like the one going to Cinque Terre.

Cannes is a tender port. So, if you dont purchase an excursion from NCL, you will need to book a tender once you are on board ship. Here is a link to an explanation of what a tender is http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ship%27s_tender

In Rome, the cruise actually docks in Civitavecchia which quite far gfrom Rome. There are trains that you can take http://www.trenitalia.com/.

However,a ships excursion might be the safest. there are also private companies that do excursions in Rome and will pick you up at a cruise port such as RomeinLimo and RomeCabs. I havent used them but they have good reviews on Tripadvisor. We are booked with RomeCabs for a tour.

Here is link to a good thread re the Epic

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1252754

Go to the Epic roll call board and start a new thread. However have you tried doing a search here http://www.cruisecritic.com/rollcalls/

Keep in mind that this cruise can start in Barcelona or Cvitivecchia. So, that affects the dates of the roll calls.

Try finding your roll call on the roll call boards

Then, there are boards dedicated to the different ports. Would read posts on those.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=596

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=595

Check out some guide books like Rick Steves

https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/guidebook-updates-med-cruise

Tripadvisor is also a good source of information

Like your positive attitude !

I am scheduled to take the Epic at the end of August. The number of negative reviews of the Epic is scary. However, some of the things such as chair hogs are less important on a port intensive Europe cruise. Some people complain that there only 3 shows but considering that some days I am going to be too wiped from sightseeing to worry about seeing shows.

I would focus on those reviews of Epic in Europe since you are going in November 2016.

We are booked on the epic this summer. As I plan out way ahead, I have already booked some excursions for my family. My son is 12 now but will be 13 when we cruise. When I booked the excursions, I booked him for the child price because he was 12 but now I realize he will be 13 when we go. So, I should have paid the adult price. What should I do now? Will they just ask me for the difference when we go?

on the NCL website, 2016 prices are like 700 dollars more for the 2016 sailings rather than 2015 for the same month in each year. Any idea why?

Its an indoor market so perfect to go to in January. As far as hotels, I live in NY so I dont have too much experience staying in NYC. I have enjoyed visitng the restaurant at Refinery Hotel which is located at 63 West 38th Street, New York City, NY 10018 and it is have been piositively reviewed on Tripadvisor.

Both my Dh & DS's names are on the reservations. I booked the cruise almost 2 years out. however, since I booked it, my dm has become very ill. This is why I think I may not be able to travel. Good to know that hey could still go.

My cruise reservation is under my name. DH & DS are also listed as passengers. If I cant go, can my DH & DS still go and use the cabin we've booked?

It definitely was helpful in making my plans.

Hotel is adjacent to Borghese Gardens. Planning to walk around there while waiting for room to be ready.

We would be picked up at 715 and return to hotel 10pm

Your understanding is correct arrive in the am, rest & eat then do the tour at nite.

We ( me, dh & 13 yr old ds) will be taking a red eye nonstop from NY to Rome. I made arrangements for a car to pick us up the first evening from our hotel to do a rome at nite tour incl. Stop at the Coliseum. Friend said this is too much and not to plan anything for the 1st day. However, our time in Rome before the cruise is limited. What would you do?

We are taking the epic out of citavecchia. My husband loves to golf. I was thinking of having him play golf in Cannes. However, i have been reading it is a tender port and therefore it takes longer to get one and off the ship. Would he have time to golf in Cannes? Should i prearrange transportation to and from the port? Any companies you recommend?

My cruise in August 2015 stops in Barcelona. We want to got o camp Nou. however, NCL does not offer an excursion to there. I know we can get a cab to camp Nou. However, are there many cabs waiting out side Cap NOU to forus to take back to the ship? What do we tell the cab drive to let him know we want to go back to the ship? My spanish is pretty rusty.

Thanks for your input. We will be on Epci doing a Western med criose. I was just thinking if we are tired after a long day of touring, takeout might be nice.

Perhaps, this is a dumb question. However, do the specialty restaurants offer takeout?

Thanks for the info.