arcadia cruise j415

[anticipate]

Would appreciate any thoughts on making the best use of time ashore. The ports are; Cadiz,Catania,Corfu,Dubrovnik,Venice,Korcula and Gibraltar.Thank you and best wishes.

[dontony]

Dear Cool Cruiser,

 

I am so pleased to see your message as I was beginning to think I had booked a phantom cruise after searching for fellow passengers on J415.

 

This is our first cruise so we have been trying to gain some tips regarding the whole cruise thing from various forums. Many people seem to think independent trips from the ship are preferable in many ports such as Gibraltar, Cadiz even Venice it depends on which port is used at the destination. I shall keep searching and will pass on any gems that come to light.

 

Dontony

[Growler5010]

Cadiz - we did the P & O excursion to Seville - well worth doing & as it's a good 90 minute coach journey an excursion is the best way to see it.

Catania - we did the P & O excursion on the train to the bottom slopes of Etna including a lovely lunch. Etna had erupted a few days before & was still smoking - wonderful scenery.

Corfu - on our first cruise there we did a P & O excursion to Paleokastrisa which is beautiful. Second time there we just got the shuttle into the town & had a wander - Corfu old town is lovely.

Korcula - only a small island so easy just to wander on your own. Again a beautiful town.

Dubrovnik - first time we did a P & O excursion to Cavtat - lovely place. Second time just got shuttle into town & wandered - lovely old town with great walls to walk around. Good market too.

Venice - we visit here on a regular basis on land holidays as well as cruises so have never needed to do a P & O excursion. Venice is a lovely place to wander around on your own & you can get a day ticket to get a vaporetto & spend as much time on the canals as you want.

Gibralter - first time we did a P & O excursion to the WW2 tunnels - interesting if you are a war/military buff. Visits after that we have just walked into town & done a bit of shopping - good duty free to be had here. Haven't bothered doing the rock & the apes.

Never tried booking excursions with other agents in the Med although we do on the Baltic cruises (St Petersburg) and on the USA/Caribbean cruises as they are better value than the ship's excursions.

Have a wonderful time.

[the english lady]

Venice we booked the ships walking tour, which was very interesting, and took place in the pouring rain. We learnt lots and did not just mooch around looking at shops. We had already done the must sees on a previous visit.

Cadiz we have done a HO HO bus, and a walk along the front.

Gib-well that is usually just walking around m and s!!

[anticipate]

Thank you for your replies and helpful comments. Very much appreciated.