multiple ships in port

[daffodiliaz]

I'm looking to book either the May 22, 2011 NCP Epic or Carnival Magic from Barcelona. These ships will be in Barcelona, Livorno (or maybe it's Naples), and Civitavecchia on the same dates, combining for potentially over 8000 passengers.

 

I've never been to the Med, I'm wondering what affect two big ships might have on these ports. Anyone have any past experience with other ships? Does traffic get snarled and take up precious time getting to places like Rome and Florence or Pisa?

[CruiserBruce]

We were in Civi three times on our recent cruise, and in Livorno, Naples and Barcelona.

 

In Civi, there were as many as 6 ships, plus ferries come in hourly. While small, Civi handles the crowds pretty well. The transition into town is probably the choke point, but, again, things flow.

 

Livorno can really only take three, maybe four (if small) ships. But with two on our cruise, no real traffic problem. You have got to see the sailaway thru the tricky breakwaters.

 

Barcelona is the most modern of the ports you mention. It can handle 4 ships comfortably, which we had for a few hours. Traffic is not a problem.

 

Naples is probably the trickiest. Only two ships comfortably, and horrible traffic around the port.

 

Generally, the Med ports have been handling crusies for a long time, and can handle most situations. We had 5 ships in Athens and Kusadasi. Traffic was crazy at first arrival, but worked itself out. There weren't any real delays.

[jotabecu]

We have been in these ports with several ships and they can easily handle it.

Enjoy!!!

[dabear]

While the ports can handle multiple ships, those ports that require transportation to get to town, ie trains or buses can get crowded. There was a recent post on this subject in this forum concerning crowded trains from Civi to Rome

[euro cruiser]

Livorno can really only take three, maybe four (if small) ships. But with two on our cruise, no real traffic problem. You have got to see the sailaway thru the tricky breakwaters.

 

Barcelona is the most modern of the ports you mention. It can handle 4 ships comfortably, which we had for a few hours. Traffic is not a problem.

 

Naples is probably the trickiest. Only two ships comfortably, and horrible traffic around the port.

 

Actually, each of these ports can (and do) handle many more ships by using piers that are farther away from the cruise port. If you read through past postings, you'll hear about passengers who have landed several blocks away from the cruise port in Naples and in Livorno. Barcelona has two different areas where cruise ships stop, one right in town and the other, where ships begin and end cruises, a little farther out.

[daffodiliaz]

Thanks everyone. Sounds like crowded ports is a non-issue and shouldn't be factored into our decision making.

[samavarcruiser]

Yes, they will handle it, but it will be very crowded