Beginning Researched & hit brick wall????

[cw2go]

Hello, this is a little about us...

 

I have begun my Med-cruise planning. At the time of travel we will be late 40's with our 16 yr old son Kyle. Kyle tends to pick our vacations and this is his next on the list. We just did an Alaska cruise and he loved it. :D He is very active and really not a history buff but for whatever reason he has mentioned this for over a year. We know ultimately this is our decission but I just love his involvment and eagerness to travel. I was a bit leary he would enjoy Alaska but was gratefully "incorrect" it was his favorite vacation to date. So here I am back to the drawing board.

 

I am attempting to be budget conscience and at the same time get our must haves achieved. This is where we are at,

 

Depart out of Barcelona 2 nights precruise with touring on our own.

Sagrata Familia, Ram Bulas, HOHO bus and beach.

 

Rome we are very comfortable doing this on our own. Train in and out. Collosseum, Roman Forum, Vatican and City, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Pantheon and Piazza Navona. Of course lunch and gelato, YUM YUM!!:p

 

Naples again we are fine with on our own travel plans. Hydrofoil over to Capri, finicular, chair lift and boat tour around island. Lunch again YUM YUM!!! If time permits maybe a taxi ride for fun, looks so cute!!!

 

Livorno we will opt for a ship tour to see Pisa/Florrence or Pisa/Beach undecided but have a direction. (Pisa is a must do for Kyle.)

 

Now this is where I hit a wall,

I really would like to go in June rather than July for better weather and we have to work around school schedules. Carnival has a great itenerary for the price but is in July. RCCL has a similar itenerary but a bit more costly ($1000 more) yet is in June. Hummm...

 

Carnival includes Sicily and Monaco

RCCL includes Provence (Toulon) and Villefranche (Nice)

Both are 7 nights and the only port I can get a feel for as to what we would be interested in is Sicily Etna and Taormina tour. Monaco I have little interest in Casino or the Grand Prix???? More so interested in Eze... maybe???

 

Now to take a cruise with carnival in June would mean adding a few nights 9 night adds Palma and Marsielles

12 night adds on Dubrovnick Croatia and Venice over night. Also adds 2 more sea days.

 

Venice would be wonderful but I am concerned about the budget and also if 2 weeks is just a little much for us. I am wanting to combine the culture and history for the experience but also a little adventure and fun to keep from getting bored. I am not sure if 12 days of historical site seeing will become over whelming and begin to blend especially for my teenager???:eek:

 

We have sailed with Carnival, RCCL and Celebrity we are more focused on Europe than any line or ship. Carnival has been our least favorite and RCCL a great fit overall. But as mentioned Carnival has a great itenerary for the price and that makes touring more affordable. Both lines tend to be super teen friendly. So any input as to ports or cruiseline experience in the med would be welcomed.

 

 

In advance thanks super bunches,

Patty

[Susan-M]

Based on what you've said, I think you are on the right track with considering the 7 day cruise and doing 2 or 3 days pre-cruise in Barcelona. Since you are leaning towards Carnival for price, why not do the July 3rd one (it's not June, but weather and crowds won't change that much during those few weeks, unless you are thinking of early June, in which case it could be a little cooler.)

 

The 12 day Carnival itinerary is nice in that Venice is included, but for 1.5 days in Venice, you are adding on 2.5 sea days ... which is OK if you have your heart set on Venice and want the sea days, but if budget and time are a concern, the shorter cruise seems to make more sense.

 

If the extra 2 ports in the 9 day Carnival cruise don't hold a lot of appeal, again, I wouldn't spend the extra money.

 

I prefer longer trips and 2 weeks is a minimum for that distance for us...but many people do it in a shorter time and enjoy it. If you do choose to go for one of the longer cruises, not to worry, you'll become engrossed in all that there is to see and do and the time will fly.

 

If like most of us you become hooked on cruising in the Med, you can plan your next trip to include the ports that you miss this time.:)

[moyaroo]

Taormina is wonderful and Monaco is just a way to get to the Cote D'Azur. Go to Eze and enjoy get YUM YUM with a view!

[Hlitner]

I will leave it to others on the overall comparison (we love days at sea). However, when comparing Villefranche and Monte Carlo you should consider that they both allow access to the same places. However, Villefranche is always a tender port and RCI has a less then stellar reputation when it comes to tendering into this port. The problem is that they give priority to their own tours and it can easily take 2 hours for independent passengers to get ashore. As to Monte Carlo, it can either be a tender port or your ship may dock.

 

Hank

[cw2go]

Based on what you've said, I think you are on the right track with considering the 7 day cruise and doing 2 or 3 days pre-cruise in Barcelona. Since you are leaning towards Carnival for price, why not do the July 3rd one (it's not June, but weather and crowds won't change that much during those few weeks, unless you are thinking of early June, in which case it could be a little cooler.)

 

The 12 day Carnival itinerary is nice in that Venice is included, but for 1.5 days in Venice, you are adding on 2.5 sea days ... which is OK if you have your heart set on Venice and want the sea days, but if budget and time are a concern, the shorter cruise seems to make more sense.

 

If the extra 2 ports in the 9 day Carnival cruise don't hold a lot of appeal, again, I wouldn't spend the extra money.

 

I prefer longer trips and 2 weeks is a minimum for that distance for us...but many people do it in a shorter time and enjoy it. If you do choose to go for one of the longer cruises, not to worry, you'll become engrossed in all that there is to see and do and the time will fly.

 

If like most of us you become hooked on cruising in the Med, you can plan your next trip to include the ports that you miss this time.:)

 

 

Thanks for your input, I agree and will most likely opt for the first week of July since June is not working out. Big shucky darns...:(

 

Okay now I have been reading till I my eye's hurt but am so confused about Monaco. :eek: We would like to bus from port to Nice then Eze and back to Monaco if possible??? I am looking at bus schedules and feel overwhelmed but will share with hubby when he is home since he is better with logistics than I. Is this possible with ease???

 

Once we are in Nice and Eze what route or game plan would you recommend with our son. We are healthy and pretty active so walking up hill is not a problem. Also how long would you spend at each location before getting on bus to the next???

 

We are in port as of now 9-8 nothing is set in concrete I have been known to change plans along the way :p

 

Again thank you,

Patty

[cw2go]

I will leave it to others on the overall comparison (we love days at sea). However, when comparing Villefranche and Monte Carlo you should consider that they both allow access to the same places. However, Villefranche is always a tender port and RCI has a less then stellar reputation when it comes to tendering into this port. The problem is that they give priority to their own tours and it can easily take 2 hours for independent passengers to get ashore. As to Monte Carlo, it can either be a tender port or your ship may dock.

 

Hank

 

 

Good to know about tendering Liberty is a large ship with many many passengers. All wanting to leave at the same time YIKES!!! :eek: Have to look into Monaco??? Hope to dock...

 

Thanks,

Patty

[TLCOhio]

Hello, this is a little about us... I have begun my Med-cruise planning. At the time of travel we will be late 40's with our 16 yr old son Kyle. We have sailed with Carnival, RCCL and Celebrity we are more focused on Europe than any line or ship. Carnival has been our least favorite and RCCL a great fit overall. But as mentioned Carnival has a great itenerary for the price and that makes touring more affordable. Both lines tend to be super teen friendly. So any input as to ports or cruiseline experience in the med would be welcomed. Patty

 

Hi, Patty! You've gotten some good suggestions. There are lots of options in the Med. You might consider making your cruise line options being considered a little wider. Holland America is a part of the Carnival empire and has lots of nice ships in the Med. Many of them sail out of Rome. Do you have a good, experienced travel agent who has actually done a number of cruises in the Med and worked with the various cruise line options? There's a big difference in the Carib versus Med on how things are done and approached in these two totally parts of the world. Knowledge is power. Keep researching! You'll find the right match.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

For more details, great visuals, etc., from our July 1-16 Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle Silver Cloud experiences:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1227923

[cw2go]

Hi, Patty! You've gotten some good suggestions. There are lots of options in the Med. You might consider making your cruise line options being considered a little wider. Holland America is a part of the Carnival empire and has lots of nice ships in the Med. Many of them sail out of Rome. Do you have a good, experienced travel agent who has actually done a number of cruises in the Med and worked with the various cruise line options? There's a big difference in the Carib versus Med on how things are done and approached in these two totally parts of the world. Knowledge is power. Keep researching! You'll find the right match.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

For more details, great visuals, etc., from our July 1-16 Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle Silver Cloud experiences:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1227923

 

I had a feeling an Ohioan would pop in. :D

 

To answer your question I am the travel agent and am learning with great vigor. My husband has been to the Med many times. He was US Navy for 23 yrs so he has some insight as to what we are doing and where we are going. As to other lines I am open to suggestions as I said I am a bit reluctant to use Carnival since it was our least favorite cruiseline. That being said this will need to be budget friendly and out of Barcelona, it is on the must have list. For us this time the ship experience is low in priority as far as we are concerned. Celebrity was also a consideration since we enjoyed our sailing with them to Alaska but sadly no 7 days sailings that include Pisa/Livorno. :(

 

Airfare and touring will be costly so we are shaving costs where we can and touring on our own when comfortable. I will continue to read... read... read...:D as I did with all our other vacations. I get a kick out of it and great satisfaction in the end. Call it my hobby.

 

Smiles,

Patty

[AnnieB925]

We did not find tendering to be an issue at all. Equal op was given to all people whether on a ship excursion or on our own. Don't worry about that. It's a short ride w/ plenty of tenders.:)

 

Good to know about tendering Liberty is a large ship with many many passengers. All wanting to leave at the same time YIKES!!! :eek: Have to look into Monaco??? Hope to dock...

 

Thanks,

Patty

[Oceanator]

...Rome we are very comfortable doing this on our own. Train in and out. Collosseum, Roman Forum, Vatican and City, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Pantheon and Piazza Navona. Of course lunch and gelato, YUM YUM!!:p...

 

Patty,

 

I recommend that you re-think all the places you are planning to visit in Rome.

 

There will be time used to train in and time you'll have to train out. The Colosseum and Vatican will usually have long lines.

 

Though Rome is a walking city, you'll find that the places you have on your list are a considerable distance from each other - even if you planned it in as straight a line as you could. Add on top of that it will be hot (yes Gelato will help!). Plus, you will probably want to spend more than just a quick glance at each venue not to mention sightsee along the way.

 

I've spent about a total of two weeks in Rome on three different occasions and I still haven't properly seen all the places you mentioned. :eek:

 

Good luck on your planning.;)

[cw2go]

Patty,

 

I recommend that you re-think all the places you are planning to visit in Rome.

 

There will be time used to train in and time you'll have to train out. The Colosseum and Vatican will usually have long lines.

 

Though Rome is a walking city, you'll find that the places you have on your list are a considerable distance from each other - even if you planned it in as straight a line as you could. Add on top of that it will be hot (yes Gelato will help!). Plus, you will probably want to spend more than just a quick glance at each venue not to mention sightsee along the way.

 

I've spent about a total of two weeks in Rome on three different occasions and I still haven't properly seen all the places you mentioned. :eek:

 

Good luck on your planning.;)

 

 

Thanks so much :p I was talking today with my husband and he told me the same thing. We do have a long port time there 7am till 10pm so I thought 3 hr commmute and site see but he feels I still have it a bit overloaded. I will look it over again. I regret I cannot make the trip in June to avoid some of the heat but it just gives me an excuse for seconds and thirds of Gelato...yum yum!!!

 

Smiles,

Patty

[Susan-M]

We do have a long port time there 7am till 10pm so I thought 3 hr commmute and site see but he feels I still have it a bit overloaded. I will look it over again.

 

I don't think you have to take too much off of your list. We were there from 7-7 on our first visit and hit all on your list but the Forum and Spanish Steps. We didn't go into the Colosseum (walked around the outside instead) but had we known to get off the train at Ostiense and not the Termini, and to get tickets at Palantine Hill, I think we could have fit an inside visit in.

 

We saved the Forum and Spanish steps for our second trip to Rome, and realized that they were the right spots to cut out of our port day, in favor of the Colosseum, Vatican Museums/Sistine Chapel (Guided tour), St. Peter's, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon and Piazza Navona. Lunch was a 10 minute stop for a panini, and gelato was eaten while walking ... typical for us since we like to maximize our sightseeing time.

 

If you have a reservation for the Vatican, that will eliminate the waiting time there.

 

Good luck with your plans .. sounds like you've made good progress already!:)

[cbowler]

Yes, DEFINITELY get your Vatican tickets on-line before you leave. You'll save loads of time that can be put to use seeing other sights! Have fun!

[cw2go]

Thanks to you all! Yes I am planning on getting tickets for what I can in advance. I am very much a planner so for me this is a new project. I am still reading...reading...reading. Got a new puppy so took a break for a few days but will be back at it soon.

 

Smiles,

Patty

[catllar]

just a point to bear in mind is that school vacations start in France beginning of July. Don't know about other countries, however, but certainly true here - so might be a few more people around.

[daryleann]

I, too, was wondering how I would get to see everything in one day! If you are young enough to think you will be back on yet another cruise - and I surely hope we are :) then I would save the Vatican area for another time. Forum and Colosseum are one ticket price and in the same area. Vatican et al is other side of river. Perhaps the next trip will be in fall or early spring so lines are a bit less. :D

This is just my opinion :cool:

[CruisingGoddess]

I thought you might be interested in reading my review of our Royal Caribbean cruise we took in November to get ideas:

 

http://moonprincess.com/travel/royal-caribbean-mediterranean-cruise-2009/

 

We flew into Barcelona a day early. The cruise left from Barcelona and went to Naples (Pompeii/Sorrento/Amalfi Coast/Capri), Rome, Florence/Pisa, Villefranche (Nice, Cannes, Monaco), and Marseille.

 

I hope it can help you get ideas and choose your cruise!

[cw2go]

I thought you might be interested in reading my review of our Royal Caribbean cruise we took in November to get ideas:

 

http://moonprincess.com/travel/royal-caribbean-mediterranean-cruise-2009/

 

We flew into Barcelona a day early. The cruise left from Barcelona and went to Naples (Pompeii/Sorrento/Amalfi Coast/Capri), Rome, Florence/Pisa, Villefranche (Nice, Cannes, Monaco), and Marseille.

 

I hope it can help you get ideas and choose your cruise!

 

 

Hey Rebecca this is Patty I already did... I am the one who went to Alaska right before you but thanks a ton. I posted on your awesome reviews :p

[CruisingGoddess]

Hey Rebecca this is Patty I already did... I am the one who went to Alaska right before you but thanks a ton. I posted on your awesome reviews :p

 

Sorry, Patty! I didn't recognize your CC name! :D