Andym

We did the ships Tuscan Countryside Tour to both towns. Was probably the best your we had ever taken. Had lunch in a vineyard.

We did the tour. Coach took us to first town where we picked up our guide and then we hopped town to town on a boat and had lunch. A very nice tour. I think it has changed a little now, not visiting as many of the towns.

We took the shuttle into town, free and then wandered around. Went in the churches, market (indoor and outdoor), a few nice shops, sat outside a café and had a nice coffee and just generally chilled.

When we had had enough, we wandered back to the bus stop and caught the shuttle back .

Most places had free Wi-Fi which was nice.

We did a bus tour from the ship. 2 hour drive up to the crater. very impressive as its spewing lava at the moment although this may have stopped by the time you go, or could be even more spectacular, who knows.

We have also stopped in Messina and walked through town. Some half decent stores and the Astronomical clock tower is great. its in the square across where the ship docks. Get there for noon, its spectacular. Look it up on Youtube.

Just got back from Kusadassi and we had an attempted robbery on us. Two guys got one in front and one behind and tried to get my camera off of us. Pleased to say that they didn't get anywhere with it and ran off. We have always felt safe there , but this time we were hassled to death on every street. I know you get hassled but this time it was just over the top.

The TV is a very poor offering.

We were booked with a U.S. Agent as usual and when the price dropped, I called to ask for the reduction , there has never been a problem in the past. I was told things have changed and now you are required to cancel and rebook, unfortunately loosing any perks from the previous booking. The new booking although cheaper would have had worse perks, so we kept as we was.

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Have done 3 Thomson cruises, first 2 we thought were fantastic, then we went on Celebrity. We did another Thomson with friends but vowed never to do another. Have been on other lines too, but still wouldn't do a Thomson even if it was free.

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And also if they have anything to buy. On our last few cruises, they have had no stock

I got a call today,QM2, balcony Cabin, June , Southampton to New York, with flights back on Virgin £599.

We were upgraded to AQUA but wanted to use the MDR, We like a lot of company. We did like Blu for breakfast though.

We did Celebrity, dropped off at Manarola then walked to Riomaggiori on the path of love where we picked up the boat, we then went up the coast to the other towns with a break in each one to explore. We had lunch in Monterosso and then walked to the train. Which took us to Levanto where we met the coach. I think we left about 3.30 for the ride back.

We did the ships tour, both 60. The coach trip is nice, with a stop for coffee. then you are dropped at a car park and walk downhill with your guide to the first town. If the path of love is still closed (landslide), you will be taken by boat from town to town, with time for coffee, sightseeing and lunch. At the lunch stop we asked the guide for a recommendation and we ended up in the same place as all the guides for lunch with some fantastic food. The last stop, you then walk to the train station and its a quick 5 min ride to the coach where you ride back to the ship, having a well earned nap on the way.

We really enjoyed the trip, one of the best we have taken and would go again in a heartbeat.

An alternative is Volterra and San G with lunch. That comes a very close second for us.

No, my call involved paying more. Still was a cancel and re-book and loose deposit on that cruise.

Called Celebrity yesterday, seems things have changed. Now it's cancel an rebook , but loose your deposit. She did mention about using the deposit for a future cruise, but not the one being rebooked.

This may be of interest to everyone. Toms guides are absolutely amazing http://www.tomsportguides.com/Naples-01-31-2012.pdf

Some friends of ours went here,

http://www.adriaticluxuryhotels.com/en/hotel-excelsior-dubrovnik/dining-and-leisure/

had a lovely lunch and spent some time relaxing on the beach.

Its not only a matter of How Much they are, but if they have any left. On our last 2 cruises, they have had no stock.

This is old news, the debate has been shared on here for ages.

We did San Gimignano and Volterra AND Torciano Vineyards http://www.torciano.com/USA/winery/visit-torciano/ with the cruise ships tour.

It was fantastic and as nativenyer says, the pourings were multiple, I had 13 different wines and also generous. The wines were spectacular and the owner is very proud of his wines. We had a very nice lunch and he teaches you all about pairing the wines with foods.

Leave the driving to someone else and enjoy the day

On our cruise last August, we talked with a couple who had stopped at a farmhouse outside of Harwich. the owner had picked them up at the station and dropped them back off at the Cruise ship on the following morning. They said it was a fabulous place. I'll try to find details.

I personally dont think you ahve enough time for Oia and the beach, it will be about an hour getting off the ship and at least an hour getting back on. How are you doing it yourself ?, the local Bus to Oia is easy. Check out Tomsportguides.com, a very good guide is in there for Santorini.

Why not start their day with something that not many people have done, a visit to underneath St Peters to see the actual tomb of St Peter that the basilica is based on,

http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/institutions_connected/uffscavi/documents/rc_ic_uffscavi_doc_gen-information_20090216_en.html

There is also a large statue of the sailor and girlfriend on the waterfront. If you've been to San Diego, its the same as the one there.

There is an excellent guide, google 'Toms Port Guides'