Ferrers

enjoying your review and Im not even a solo traveller. we are due on the epic this sunday, looking forward to the next instalment

Hi all. I am new to the boards but I've been lurking since January. Let me apologize if there's already a thread like this, but I really couldn't find it. My husband and I are booked on the Epic from Barcelona 8/31. We're super excited because although this will be my third cruise and his second, we've never cruised anything other than Carnival. We were docked next to the behemoth Epic when we were in Nassau 3 years ago and we vowed to conquer it one day. We've booked a midship balcony on deck 10 with my sis in law and her husband in the cabin next door. They have been abroad before but they've never cruised. We've cruised, but have never been really abroad. OK, I think that's enough background :)

 

My inquiry is about shore excursions. On our previous cruises, we just found a makeshift tour guide at the port and hopped in for $20 each lol. That was in the Caribbean and Mexico. Mr. P (hubby) has some concerns about doing this in Europe, since in some places, the dock is not close to the attractions. My sis in law has what amounts to an endless supply of funds compared to us so I don't want to leave the planning up to her. She's actually quite frugal, but she'll never risk sacrificing quality so she'll spend if need be. I like to try and find quality WHILST being sensible with my cash. You know...having the sun AND the moon? Anyway, the excursions provided by NCL can get quite pricey and the ones that aren't as expensive just don't seem like as much fun.

 

What past experiences or best practices do you all have? Is it better to book shore excursions with NCL and just fork over the cash, or is there a better way to do it? I don't wanna sacrifice a good time, so we'll spend, but not $2500 US each on a private tour. I don't want to have to rush around and get lost in the shuffle on a massive tour either. And missing the boat is not an option lol. Here's what's important to us: the Leaning Tower, food, the Vatican, food, the Almafi coast, and...oh FOOD. (We love trying native foods)

 

I'm sure there's more I need to see, but like I said, I haven't been. Please give me your wisdom. Sis likes to plan ahead. Thanks!

 

(Oh and we're staying in Barcelona for the two nights prior in some apartments my sis booked. Rambla Catalunya. So any must-dos in Barcelona will help too).

 

 

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Hello, we have come to this thread a bit late but I think we are on the same cruise as you. We have booked Ap tours for a private tour of Rome including Vatican guige. We have 3 spaces left if you are interested. Details are on A P shared tours website. Look under Tebbutt

Not long to go now. Very excited