Liberty of the Seas - In depth review of our Mediterranean Cruise!!

[ucfknight07]

Hi Pam... Thanks for the great review... Your pictures are stunning!

 

I see that in Rome you used Rome in Limo.... Did you use them in Florence/Pisa as well? If not, who'd you go through? I'd like to visit both Florence and Pisa but I'm not crazy about RCI's excursion options for that...

 

Thanks for the help!

[chasinraynbowz]

What a great report. Wonderful pictures. This takes me back to my Med cruise over the summer. Keep it coming !!!! I am interested to hear you final impressions of RCCL.

 

 

Thanks so much!! I will give my final thoughts at the end. We had a bit of trouble but it all worked out.

[chasinraynbowz]

Hi Pam... Thanks for the great review... Your pictures are stunning!

 

I see that in Rome you used Rome in Limo.... Did you use them in Florence/Pisa as well? If not, who'd you go through? I'd like to visit both Florence and Pisa but I'm not crazy about RCI's excursion options for that...

 

Thanks for the help!

 

 

Thanks so much!!! In Florence/Pisa, we took one of the ships excursions. We took the Florence and Pisa full day tour. In the morning we were in Florence and walked about3 1/2 miles. After lunch (included in the price) we headed to Pisa and probably walked another mile or so. It was really a great day!

 

It took some convincing to get my family to agree to the private excursion in Rome.. lol. Now that we have done it, I am sure they will be more open to those types of tours in the future.

 

I just finished the Vatican pictures and will be posting those tomorrow.

[sidari]

Hi Pam ... good to see you enjoyed the places you visited, it is a shame that RCI chose Villafranche over Cannes as Cannes is a much nicer place,the last time we were there the Film awards were taking place.

 

We did the opposite with our trips and took the Train from Cannes to Monaco which goes through Villafranche and the following year we went to Nice, make sure the next time you visit Pisa to go up the tower because the view is really good but in general the waiting time can be the 2 hours you mentioned. The one place we were not overkeen on was Florence! a case of Venice without water for us.

Again we took the Train into Rome and did the HoHo bus there, due to time we decided not to go up the Spanish steps and decided to buy some Pizza instead close to the Trevi Fountain lol.

 

Look forward to the rest of your review.

 

Dave.

[chasinraynbowz]

Hi Pam ... good to see you enjoyed the places you visited, it is a shame that RCI chose Villafranche over Cannes as Cannes is a much nicer place,the last time we were there the Film awards were taking place.

 

We did the opposite with our trips and took the Train from Cannes to Monaco which goes through Villafranche and the following year we went to Nice, make sure the next time you visit Pisa to go up the tower because the view is really good but in general the waiting time can be the 2 hours you mentioned. The one place we were not overkeen on was Florence! a case of Venice without water for us.

Again we took the Train into Rome and did the HoHo bus there, due to time we decided not to go up the Spanish steps and decided to buy some Pizza instead close to the Trevi Fountain lol.

 

Look forward to the rest of your review.

 

Dave.

 

 

Thanks Dave! We really did enjoy all of our stops. I think our next trip over will be a land based trip. There is just so much to see. We thought about taking a week or so and doing 2 days in Rome, 2 days in Florence/Pisa and 2 days in Venice... since we missed Venice this time around.

[regnig]

Good morning Pam, just caught up with the last 2 pages. Hope the cold is better... no, hope the cold is GONE! Great pictures! :D

 

Barb

[chasinraynbowz]

Good morning Pam, just caught up with the last 2 pages. Hope the cold is better... no, hope the cold is GONE! Great pictures! :D

 

Barb

 

 

Morning Barb, no its not gone. Its a bit better, but the cough is about to drive me nuts!!

 

Thanks about the pictures. I will be posting the Vatican tonight!!

[wantocruisemore]

Quick Barcelona question. I know you emnarked there but my guess is the dock area is the same for RCCL cruise ships that stop for the day. How accessible is the dock to everything? Best way to get from dock around city to important sites?

 

Thanks, still really enjoying your review and photos.

[ucfknight07]

Thanks so much!!! In Florence/Pisa, we took one of the ships excursions. We took the Florence and Pisa full day tour. In the morning we were in Florence and walked about3 1/2 miles. After lunch (included in the price) we headed to Pisa and probably walked another mile or so. It was really a great day!

 

It took some convincing to get my family to agree to the private excursion in Rome.. lol. Now that we have done it, I am sure they will be more open to those types of tours in the future.

 

I just finished the Vatican pictures and will be posting those tomorrow.

 

Pam, I looked back through RCI's excursions for Florence/Pisa. It looks like there are two that do both Florence and Pisa. Do you recall if you did the "Exclusive Florence and Pisa"

(LV04) or "Florence and Pisa" (LV05)? They both are full day tours, but the "Exclusive" tour is almost twice the price! The Mediterranean excursions are more than I anticipated, that is if you want to do the ones that let you actually see more than just a couple sites... I'm debating the pros and cons of biting the bullet and going with the 'safe option of one of the mid-priced RCI excursions or doing a private tour, so your review of Florence and Pisa has been very helpful!

[chasinraynbowz]

Quick Barcelona question. I know you emnarked there but my guess is the dock area is the same for RCCL cruise ships that stop for the day. How accessible is the dock to everything? Best way to get from dock around city to important sites?

 

Thanks, still really enjoying your review and photos.

 

 

We took a van to the port and then the bus from the port to the airport. I know the HOHO bus runs near by, but not near the where the ships are actually docked. I honestly can't tell you how far it was.

 

I was happy with Barcelona Day Tours. They were there at the airport when we landed and took us right to our hotel. I wanted to book a tour with them, but my family wanted to do the HOHO bus. BDT also picked us up at the hotel and took us to the port. Check to see how much they might charge for a tour.

[chasinraynbowz]

Pam, I looked back through RCI's excursions for Florence/Pisa. It looks like there are two that do both Florence and Pisa. Do you recall if you did the "Exclusive Florence and Pisa"

(LV04) or "Florence and Pisa" (LV05)? They both are full day tours, but the "Exclusive" tour is almost twice the price! The Mediterranean excursions are more than I anticipated, that is if you want to do the ones that let you actually see more than just a couple sites... I'm debating the pros and cons of biting the bullet and going with the 'safe option of one of the mid-priced RCI excursions or doing a private tour, so your review of Florence and Pisa has been very helpful!

 

 

We took LV05. I was very happy with it. We got to see most of the important sites in Florence and our guide was wonderful as she explained everything. We learned a lot while there. The walk is about 3 1/2 miles and you stop for periods of time while she explains what you are looking at. In Pisa, once we got to the outer wall, we were given an hour and a half on our own which was great too.

 

It was a great day!!! Glad I could be of help!!

Edited October 28, 2011 by chasinraynbowz

[ucfknight07]

We took LV05. I was very happy with it. We got to see most of the important sites in Florence and our guide was wonderful as she explained everything. We learned a lot while there. The walk is about 3 1/2 miles and you stop for periods of time while she explains what you are looking at. In Pisa, once we got to the outer wall, we were given an hour and a half on our own which was great too.

 

It was a great day!!! Glad I could be of help!!

 

Thanks for the clarification on the excursion you did in Florence/Pisa. The price for the "exclusive" tour is outrageous... I can't imagine paying almost $700 for the two of us! While this cruise will be one we won't repeat for many years, I'd rather take that kind of money and use it for a short 4-nighter here!

 

Thanks again... looking forward to the rest of your review!

[wantocruisemore]

We took a van to the port and then the bus from the port to the airport. I know the HOHO bus runs near by, but not near the where the ships are actually docked. I honestly can't tell you how far it was.

 

I was happy with Barcelona Day Tours. They were there at the airport when we landed and took us right to our hotel. I wanted to book a tour with them, but my family wanted to do the HOHO bus. BDT also picked us up at the hotel and took us to the port. Check to see how much they might charge for a tour.

 

 

Thanks, I will. We're setting up a private excursion for our stop in Cannes since we prefer to go to the Medieval Villages. We have a long day in Barcelona and although we could probably do it on our own it would be better having the tour if it is not too expensive.

 

Plus the day we're in Barcelona is my youngest DD's birthday. I want it to be special.

[chasinraynbowz]

10/19/11 - Rome (cont'd)

 

Once back in the van, Mauro called ahead and made reservations at a restaurant near the Vatican. It was great!! The food was wonderful, the staff was great and it was nice to rest, eat, drink wine and relax before our next big tour at the Vatican.

 

When finished with lunch, Mauro took us around the corner and introduced us to our guide for the Vatican. She is originally from Canada and has dual citizenship. She has done this tour for 12 years and is very passionate about it. We could not have asked for a better guide!! (Sorry, I can not remember her name for the life of me… lol)

 

We got to see St Peters Basilica (with Bernini’s pulpit), the Sistine Chapel, Hall of Tapestries, the Animal Room, Pope John the 23rd, the Pope’s room and balcony and many, many other things. It was almost information overload. The pictures tell the story!!

 

 

Our first view of the Vatican (other side of the wall)

 

 

 

The Vatican Wall

 

 

 

St Peters Basilica in the background

 

 

 

 

All of us in front of St Peters Basilica

Edited October 28, 2011 by chasinraynbowz

[chasinraynbowz]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[chasinraynbowz]

 

This used to be a fountain. Our guide told us that historians are not sure how it was cut/made. Same with the tubs above.

 

 

 

The Courtyard from inside the Vatican

 

 

 

 

 

Hall of Tapestries

[chasinraynbowz]

 

St Peter's Basilica

 

See the letters? To give you an idea of how high up they were, each letter is over 6 feet tall!!! To get the full affect, you really need to see it in person.

 

 

 

Michelangelo's Pieta

 

 

 

Pope John Paul II tomb

 

 

 

Pope John the 23rd

[chasinraynbowz]

 

As I said earlier, the letters are 6 ft in height. See what appears to be a white oval surrounded by yellow?

 

 

That oval actually has a dove in it and the wing span is 6 feet wide too. It's all larger than life and you wouldn't realize it unless it was pointed out to you.

 

 

 

Bernini's Pulpit

 

 

 

 

 

The top of the dome is large enough for the Pulpit to fit thru if they were to lift it out.

[chasinraynbowz]

 

Tomb of Pope Alexander VII

 

 

 

See the grey building behind the brown buildings? See the second to the last window? It's the Pope's window. The window is one in the papal study. His living quarters are on the fourth floor. But his daily work is done on the third, in that study.

 

 

The balcony

 

 

After some shopping (rosaries, post cards, crosses, etc), we headed back out of the Vatican to meet up with our driver. I paid extra for our private tour of the Vatican, so I paid her at that time and included a nice tip. Mauro got us back to the ship by 5. I paid him at that time and included a nice tip for him also.

 

NOTE: After speaking to the people at the table next to us in the main dining room one night, I know we did the right thing with hiring a private tour. They told us that every tour stops for a bathroom break on the way to Rome, which takes at least an hour (I have to assume there is some shopping there) and they didn’t get to see nearly as much as we saw. They asked for my information so that the next time they come, they can do a private tour too!! The cost for the private tour, split between the 6 of us was about the same cost as the ships tour and we got to see so much more.

 

We headed up to our cabin to drop our stuff off and met Bob and Melissa in the Windjammer for dinner. What a great 3 hour dinner we had!!! Hahaha…. After that we headed to the casino for a bit and then Greg headed to the Schooner Bar for some Elton John music while I went to the Cupcake Cupboard and got me a cupcake. I think I was in bed sleeping when he finally got to our cabin!!!

Edited October 29, 2011 by chasinraynbowz

[chasinraynbowz]

10/20/11

 

Our last port, Naples. We chose the Taste of Sorrento and Pompeii tour thru the ship and I am so glad we did. I think this was our funnest excursion!!

 

We met down in Studio B and then headed to the bus. Our first stop was Pompeii. We had to go to the cameo factory first before starting our tour. He gave us 15 mins to explore (bathroom break) and then we all headed into the ruins for a wonderful tour. He was able to explain a lot to us and we got some great pictures! We lost a guest right at the end of the tour, so while we were all shopping (FUN FUN), our guide went to find her. My mom and sister bought me a cameo for my birthday present and Greg and I bought some other fun things. Once everyone was together, including our lost tourist, we all got back on the bus for our trip to Sorrento.

 

By the way, our guide was an archeologist who worked in Pompeii before doing tours.

 

 

 

 

 

Port of Naples

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mt Vesuvius

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pompeii

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 29, 2011 by chasinraynbowz

[cruisinskier]

Pam, really enjoying your review! Thanks for all the pictures, especially Monaco as we were not able to dock there back in May. Makes me want to head back to the Med......

[chasinraynbowz]

 

 

 

After 5 VERY busy days, I wished I had the energy of those kids who kept running up and down the stairs!!! lol

 

 

 

Pompeii's road and sewer!! See the crevices for the wheels?

 

 

 

A bakery

[chasinraynbowz]

 

 

 

The bed in a bordello

 

 

 

 

 

Mt Vesuvius in the background. You see the mountain behind the clouds? And then the dip and the other rise to the right? When the volcano blew up and destroyed Pompeii, it was all one large mountain and a lot taller than it is now.

[Loonbeam]

I know you may have said above, but who did you book your tour via again? Right now we're looking at RomeInLimo.. And your guide took you inside the vatican or just to the vatican?

 

 

 

After some shopping (rosaries, post cards, crosses, etc), we headed back out of the Vatican to meet up with our driver. I paid extra for our private tour of the Vatican, so I paid her at that time and included a nice tip. Mauro got us back to the ship by 5. I paid him at that time and included a nice tip for him also.

 

NOTE: After speaking to the people at the table next to us in the main dining room one night, I know we did the right thing with hiring a private tour. They told us that every tour stops for a bathroom break on the way to Rome, which takes at least an hour (I have to assume there is some shopping there) and they didn’t get to see nearly as much as we saw. They asked for my information so that the next time they come, they can do a private tour too!! The cost for the private tour, split between the 6 of us was about the same cost as the ships tour and we got to see so much more.

 

We headed up to our cabin to drop our stuff off and met Bob and Melissa in the Windjammer for dinner. What a great 3 hour dinner we had!!! Hahaha…. After that we headed to the casino for a bit and then Greg headed to the Schooner Bar for some Elton John music while I went to the Cupcake Cupboard and got me a cupcake. I think I was in bed sleeping when he finally got to our cabin!!!

[chasinraynbowz]

 

Cast of a man

 

 

 

Cast of a woman

 

 

 

Cast of a child kneeling, covering his face