Mediterranean and Greek Isle

[Nana57]

We are now planning our June 2015 cruise. We want to take private, small group tours when we are in each port. Do the companies arrange for this as I am seeing private tours that are very expensive if it's just two people. The ship tours we feel are going to be too rushed. Has anyone used the ship's tours? What was your experience with them? Rome, Cannes, Athens, Turkey, Naples. There is only one person on our roll call and I notice for Mediterranean cruises the roll calls are very small.

[Hoopster95]

We are now planning our June 2015 cruise. We want to take private, small group tours when we are in each port. Do the companies arrange for this as I am seeing private tours that are very expensive if it's just two people. The ship tours we feel are going to be too rushed. Has anyone used the ship's tours? What was your experience with them? Rome, Cannes, Athens, Turkey, Naples. There is only one person on our roll call and I notice for Mediterranean cruises the roll calls are very small.

 

Done private/ship and do-it-yourself (DIY) for various reasons:

 

• Rome: You can google private excursions here, there's a company that gets people heading to the Civitavecchia train station in the morning, and you can sign up there for a full day walking tour of Rome. (you'll have the google and research as I don't have the tour company name handy). Many DIY this day to Rome as it can be done. The biggest issue will be timing the train back, and if there's many ships in port (thus full trains), a train strike, or how about a train mechanical failure! Many opt for an RCL excursion here
  
• Cannes: Can't speak for Cannes, but did an excellent RCL excursion from Toulon to Marseille. Was not rushed and had plenty of free time.
  
• Athens: I did DIY
  
• Turkey: I assume Ephesus? Definitely have a guide for this. There are several reviews for excellent private guides and tours, but I did mine off the ship, and again it was totally excellent imo.
  
• Naples: Haven't been yet, going in Sept on a private tour booked with other CC members on line in our roll call. Pricing about 1/2 what RCL costs with similar itinerary.
  

 

I found booking excursions varies re different reasons at the various ports: pricing vs. convenience. You'll have to do some research. Bottom line there hasn't been many RCL excursions that I was totally upset with.

 

The biggest pet peeve I have encountered with RCL huge group excursions vs. smaller private is the delays on RCL tours sometimes of waiting for people who have no common sense or caring for the rest of the group (ie. you're supposed to be back on the bus at a certain time and they come back 15min late and keep everyone waiting sitting there) happens almost all the time. Often it's the same people at the various stops. I personally think that to the second on the clock you should be back the bus should leave no matter what and those people need to get a cab back to the boat by themselves. I found on smaller private tours with other CC members I have never once experienced anyone come back late and thus holding up the tour.

 

Have a great cruise! :D

[celebrity]

Go private!

If you reserve with Rome in Limo which I highly, highly recommend, you can join up with their tour sharing program on their website.

 

We used them in Rome and Naples and they are fantastic!

Saw all the major sites in Rome and RIL reserved a private guide for us at the Vatican.

Naples was a drive to the Amalfi coast in the morning, lunch in Positano and then a

Tour of Pompeii.

 

In Athens, we used Greek Taxi for our party of three. Very affordable and a great day seeing all the highlights, finishing up the day at La Plaka.

In Turkey, we shared a tour with our roll call using Ephesus Shuttle. Outstanding day with a guide in Ephesus, Mary's House, St. John's and a fabulous outdoor lunch.

 

Can't comment on Cannes as we have never been.

 

Keep in mind that it's still early in the game so your roll call will most likely pick up steam in the next few months. I has all of my tours reserved months ahead of time and was shocked at the number of people that jumped on board literally days before the cruise looking to join a tour.

 

In every instance, our tours were much more affordable, more intimate and got us to see far more than we could have experienced on any ship's tour.

 

Any questions, ask away.

[Trekker954]

We had a very active roll call for our Oct 2013 cruise. We arranged private tours with others from our ship. It was incredible. We had such great times, we even planned tours in Barcelona pre cruise. Easy getting our groups together and never had any issues getting back to the ship on time. Worked well since we were all on the same ship.

 

Fast forward to this October, doing just Greek Isles cruise (loved Santorini that much want to do it again). Our roll call is very quiet and we haven't been able to get anyone to join up for private tours. This is very unusual. So my advice is go to your roll call and get others to join your tours. Rome in Limo gives discounts if your book three or more excursions.

[crvng4mr]

We just arrived back home and I will be working on my review soon but to answer your question now, I booked all private except for Santorini which we did on our own. We used RIL for all 3 ports in Italy, PK Travel for Athens, BestOfEphesus for Turkey and Revelation Tours. I loved them all. I put it on my roll call and the spots filled up.

 

You are quite early and your roll call might have more people 6 months out. we had at least 35 in ours. I hope that helps.

[lv2bcruzin]

We are now planning our June 2015 cruise. We want to take private, small group tours when we are in each port. Do the companies arrange for this as I am seeing private tours that are very expensive if it's just two people. The ship tours we feel are going to be too rushed. Has anyone used the ship's tours? What was your experience with them? Rome, Cannes, Athens, Turkey, Naples. There is only one person on our roll call and I notice for Mediterranean cruises the roll calls are very small.

We did the Rome 10 hour excursion and it was awesome! Granted 10 hours is about a week short of what is needed to view Rome, but it covered a lot in a short period of time. We had about 1 1/2 hours at the Colosseum. Even though we wanted to spend more time in Rome, the excursion was amazing and the guide was great!

 

Instead of staying in Naples we went to Pompeii which I absolutely recommend ( Naples is not that great on it's own). So much history and amazing artifacts. As a side note, I had one of the best tasting beers of my life in Pompeii :D .

Edited July 6, 2014 by lv2bcruzin

[Nana57]

Thanks for all the advice. I've been taking notes. I'll wait and see what happens on the roll call. If not, I'll contact all the private tour companies you have mentioned and look into some of the RCCL tours. But I would prefer to go with small groups.

[marci22]

I would check out the tour sharing option that someone mentioned above. I would not do ship's tours. They will be crowded, expensive, and you will always be waiting for stragglers to get back to the bus. Also, the private tours are able to get closer to drop you off at the sites as large buses must park in a certain place, farther away.

[griffy116]

I'm totally with the "go private" group. For years we used RCCL tours but this is by far better. Look at the reviews on TripAdviser if you are worried.

 

We used Ephesus Deluxe for Turkey and they were fabulous. One of the best destinations ever. Without the private guide, we wouldn't have been able to see nearly as much. There were 5 of us, but if you book it with the intent to share with others on your roll call, you can go there and post that you have booked and ask others if they are interested in joining you. The price is based on a set price for example: 4-6 passengers, etc. When you split it between 6, it's much cheaper per person. They get you there ahead of the big buses and they can give you so much information. No wasted time. We also did the House of Mary. This was the BEST private guide we've ever had..EVER. The guide's name was Esis. He had a chest with ICE cold bottles of water for us too.

 

We used a private tour company for Pompeii and added a guide (which for most of the companies is an extra 110 euros for Pompeii). We felt we would have missed out on so much without the private guide in Pompeii. Then we drove to Sorrento and Positano. Lunch on the beach in Positano was something we will always remember. Our guide was driver was incredible. My daughter forgot and left her small bag with her ID and money in the floor of the van and we called the driver. We were already back, ready to board the ship when we discovered it. The driver immediately stopped, looked for and found the bag, turned around and came back with it.

 

Our cruise started from Rome so we had several days. We had gone to Rome a couple of years ago too so we knew what we wanted to see this time. Keep in mind that the Trevi Fountain is under renovation (no water, lots of scaffolding) and will be under renovation for more than a year. Parts of the Colosseum is also under renovation, but only portions are blocked. It's important to get your tickets prior to leaving if you plan to visit the Vatican and the museum. Get there EARLY (which is why I also recommend a private driver there) as the crowd swells by the minute. We have used Bob's Limo in Rome for transfers from FCO to Rome, to the pier, and our first tour. They are incredibly professional and reliable and have good prices.

 

You are in for an incredible trip. Enjoy.

[mjldvlks]

If we had it to do today, we would most likely book a private tour. However, on our first cruise in 2007: (1) we were not quite as adventurous; and (2) particularly in Turkey, a country we had not visited before and were not familiar with, we wanted to be in the care and custody of the cruise line.

 

I say the above simply to say we booked a ship's tour for Ephesus and Miletus. It was an 8 hour tour including lunch. It was a great tour and the guide was very knowledgeable and related well to the guests. The group was something like 15-20, larger than most private excursion we have taken, but not a problem. No complaints really -- well maybe the somewhat high pressure rug demonstration/sale at the end. Just remember you don't have to go to the rug sale and if you do go, you don't have to buy anything.

[pinkroses]

We looked at this trip as a once in a lifetime. Did it June 2013. We used Rome in Limo. Absolutely the best! In Rome, Florence and the Amalfi Coast. They plan an itinerary but you can change anything you want. My son had been in Florence earlier in the year and had a favorite sandwich restaurant. The guide found it. What we liked about them was the love of country. Each guide lived in the area they escorted you through. It was so fun!!! The vehicles are immaculate and the drivers wonderful. Infact, I think there might be a whole thread devoted to this company. Look in the Europe Ports area.

We did Athens with a private guide as well as Ephesus, Turkey. Turkey was with a group of 14 from our roll call. In Cannes we rented a car and drove to Nice. There is a lot of beautiful shopping in Cannes as well as gorgeous boats in the wharf. Many took a tour of Cannes, Nice and St. Paul. Santorini is also a DIY. Rent a car so you can see all of the island.

Read Mid Life Drama Queen's review. I also got alot of information from Virtual Rain's DIY in ports.

[celebrity]

We looked at this trip as a once in a lifetime. Did it June 2013. We used Rome in Limo. Absolutely the best! In Rome, Florence and the Amalfi Coast. They plan an itinerary but you can change anything you want. My son had been in Florence earlier in the year and had a favorite sandwich restaurant. The guide found it. What we liked about them was the love of country. Each guide lived in the area they escorted you through. It was so fun!!! The vehicles are immaculate and the drivers wonderful. Infact, I think there might be a whole thread devoted to this company. Look in the Europe Ports area.

We did Athens with a private guide as well as Ephesus, Turkey. Turkey was with a group of 14 from our roll call. In Cannes we rented a car and drove to Nice. There is a lot of beautiful shopping in Cannes as well as gorgeous boats in the wharf. Many took a tour of Cannes, Nice and St. Paul. Santorini is also a DIY. Rent a car so you can see all of the island.

Read Mid Life Drama Queen's review. I also got alot of information from Virtual Rain's DIY in ports.

 

Same here Pinkroses..looked at it as once in a lifetime. You know the saying, "Gi big or go home" . That was us but now that we have had the experience, we are planning a 2016 Med trip again. Life is too short..we are going for the gusto! :)

[Nana57]

Do you remember the tour company you used in Pompeli?

[celebrity]

Do you remember the tour company you used in Pompeli?

 

Don't know who you are posting to but we used Rome in Limo. Picked us up at the port of Naples, whisked us off to a tour of the Amalfi coast, stopping in Sorrento and Positano.

Had lunch at a restaurant overlooking the bay of Naples and the afternoon was spent at Pompeii where we secured a private guide at the site.

Our guide, Amorigo, even gave us a gift of a Limoncello as a thank you.

It was incredible. :)

[milolii]

We are now planning our June 2015 cruise. We want to take private, small group tours when we are in each port. Do the companies arrange for this as I am seeing private tours that are very expensive if it's just two people. The ship tours we feel are going to be too rushed. Has anyone used the ship's tours? What was your experience with them? Rome, Cannes, Athens, Turkey, Naples. There is only one person on our roll call and I notice for Mediterranean cruises the roll calls are very small.

 

We went on a similar cruise in 2013. Our roll call picked up about 3months before sailing. All of my tours of 8 were full by 2 months out. I have spreadsheet and tables with information about the tours. I can send to u if you email me at miloliihalehonu@ yahoo.com.

 

 

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[zino5]

Do you remember the tour company you used in Pompeli?

 

Just back from Med/ Greek Island cruise

 

In Naples I used AP tours

 

Turkey- Epheseus Shuttle

 

Both were outstanding

[celebrity]

Just back from Med/ Greek Island cruise

 

In Naples I used AP tours

 

Turkey- Epheseus Shuttle

 

Both were outstanding

 

We also used Ephesus Shuttle. Outstanding! Will use them again.

[Flounder8]

For those that used Ephesus Shuttle, which particular tour did you take and what did you like or not like about it. It looks like they have a lot of different private tours and I am not sure which one would be the best.

 

 

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[Flounder8]

For those that used Ephesus shuttle, which actual tour did you do and what did you like about it? Just trying to sift through all the options on their site.

 

 

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Edited July 13, 2014 by Flounder8

[celebrity]

For those that used Ephesus shuttle, which actual tour did you do and what did you like about it? Just trying to sift through all the options on their site.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

 

We were picked uo at the port and our first stop was Mary's House. We beat the crowds there and then headed to Ephesus and added the Terrace Houses for an add'l fee.

After Ephesus, we had a delicious outdoor lunch at a family owned restaurant. After that we went to St John's Basilica and drove past the Temple of Artemis. The tour concluded at the shopping area across from the ship. Our driver and guide were outstanding.

Turkey is such a beautiful and historical country. Would love to return.