Has anyone taken Princess tours in the Mediterranean?

[BJS]

Not looking for pros and cons about ship's excursions just comments about tours if you have taken any Princess tours.

 

Venice, Kusadasi, Athens, Naples, Rome, Livorno, Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Casablanca, Gibraltar, Cannes, Valletta, Messina are the ports we will be stopping at.

 

Thanks

 

Future cruises:

Sept. 04 Star Princess x 2

Jan. 05 Diamond Princess

July 05 Star Princess

Aug. 05 Star Pincess

 

Past cruises:

04 Dawn Princess x 2

03 Grand,Sun,Tahitian,

Royal Princess x 2,Island Princess

01 Ryndam x 2

00 Sky Princess

79 Sitmar's Fairwind

[KAJOKG]

We took a Med cruise on the Golden and enjoyed it. The ship's excursions are quite good, but most are very long. We ended our cruise in Barcelona, and that was my favorite city...it's interesting and just beautiful. We didn't go to all the ports your cruise is going too, but we did go to some. WE enjoyed Gibraltar, even though we had been there before. I think I could have passed the Monte Carlo excursion...we had been there too, but the excursion didn't do it justice. If you haven't been there, though, by all means go. The most enjoyable excursion for me was the Tuscany tour in Italy. If you want to see Europe, and if you take the ship's tours, plan on a long day. In retrospect, I am glad we took the ship's tours. To try to do some of the cities on your own wastes precious time. The only problem I have with touring Europe on a cruise is that there just isn't enough time to get the real flavor of the country. I prefer Europe on our own or on a land tour. That doesn't necessarily mean that cruising to those ports isn't worth while....it certainly is, and it's an inspiration for more in depth travel.

 

KB

 

NCL NORWAY - 2000

GOLDEN PRINCESS - 2001

GOLDEN PRINCESS - 2002

HAL NOORDAM - 2002

HAL VOLENDAM - 2003

ISLAND PRINCESS - NOV. 2003

HAL VOLENDAM - JAN. 2004

CORAL PRINCESS - OCT. 2004

[BJS]

KB thanks for the response. <BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> think I could have passed the Monte Carlo excursion...we had been there too, but the excursion didn't do it justice <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>which tour was this? Did you go to St. Nicholas Cathedral, Royal Palace and the Casino on that excursion?

 

We will have 2 ship days and the turn around day (that on our own) in Barcelona. What do you suggest?

 

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>The only problem I have with touring Europe on a cruise is that there just isn't enough time to get the real flavor of the country. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> I agree here but it is a great way to get an idea of the places where you'd like to go back and stay longer.

 

Future cruises:

Sept. 04 Star Princess x 2

Jan. 05 Diamond Princess

July 05 Star Princess

Aug. 05 Star Pincess

 

Past cruises:

04 Dawn Princess x 2

03 Grand,Sun,Tahitian,

Royal Princess x 2,Island Princess

01 Ryndam x 2

00 Sky Princess

79 Sitmar's Fairwind

[KAJOKG]

bjs -- I believe that our problem with Monte Carlo was the big race. We were there a day before the big, annual Monte Carlo auto race and the streets were blocked off everywhere. We went to the Royal Palace grounds, did not go to the cathedral and just got a peek in the casino. And since I had visited Monte Carlo before, my expectations were a bit dampened. But I really do feel that was because of the hectic activities leading up to the race. And I agree with you....European ports of call do give a great introduction and, as I said, should be an inspiration for future travel. I am so fortunate to have traveled widely. We saw so much and learned so much. If I never traveled abroad again, I will feel that I have truly been blessed with wonderful travel/learning experiences. I would never suggest that anyone not take a Med cruise, and strongly encourage all to take excursions into the cities. We really enjoyed our cruise, but seeing foreign lands in depth is the greatest experience of all.

 

KB

 

NCL NORWAY - 2000

GOLDEN PRINCESS - 2001

GOLDEN PRINCESS - 2002

HAL NOORDAM - 2002

HAL VOLENDAM - 2003

ISLAND PRINCESS - NOV. 2003

HAL VOLENDAM - JAN. 2004

CORAL PRINCESS - OCT. 2004

[relevart]

Barcelona, take the ship shuttle to town and then get on a tourist bus run by the city. It is great. You can get on and off at the places you are interest in.

 

Star Princess Bangkok to Venice

[KAJOKG]

Agree totally. Barcelona has the best run city "on and off" bus I've ever ridden on. I LOVE that city!!!!

 

KB

 

NCL NORWAY - 2000

GOLDEN PRINCESS - 2001

GOLDEN PRINCESS - 2002

HAL NOORDAM - 2002

HAL VOLENDAM - 2003

ISLAND PRINCESS - NOV. 2003

HAL VOLENDAM - JAN. 2004

CORAL PRINCESS - OCT. 2004

[Hulagirl]

We did the Med cruise on the Golden Princess in 2001 and loved the cruise. Going again this summer to the Baltic on the Grand and can't wait.

 

We did all our tours through Princess except in Venice. We over nighted there, so we did Venice on our own. In some ways I have been sorry we didn't go on their one tour to the cathederal. The line was so long that there was no way we could get in and see anything. But it still was a wonderful place.

 

We did the pre-cruise tour in Switzerland first and flew to Barcelona. What a wonderful way to start a trip. In Monte Carlo we did the trip to Eze with Princess. When we got back we walked to the Palace and did the tour there on our own. That was fun to do and well worth the time.

 

Florence: Did the tour with them. Was disapponted we didn't get to see the actual statue of David. The tour was good, I was sorry about that. Others did the Tuscany trip and they loved it. We also went to Pisa and loved that.

 

Naples: Went on the Almafi Coast drive and did Pompeii. If you have any problem with car sickness, take something for it. As beautiful as the drive is, you can easily be ill. Be sure and sit on the right side of the bus if you do this. Don't sit on the side behind the driver. You will get such a much better view on the drive. This had been told tome from another CC member and she was so right. During the summer the buses can only go one way on that road, so that will be your best viewing side. Pompeii was very, very hot, but fascinating.

 

Athens: Had signed up for a full day but canceled. Was getting so tired of 9 hours tours. Did the Acropolis and the town tour. Was wonderuful and fine.

 

Euphesus: Went out the the ruins and Mary's house. Whether you actually believe that or not is up to you. I have a hard time, but it was interesting. Found the area fascinating and made me feel in awe that the area is still standing. Be sure you do this tour. We have pictures of us in front of the old library (just the front is still standing) and I cherish that picture.

 

Do you go to Istanbul this year? If so, be sure and do a tour there. The Grand Bazar is something else and so is the Blue Mosque.

 

You will have a wonderful cruise.

 

Hulagirl

 

Grand Princess Baltic Cruise

 

Star Princess Eastern Caribbean

 

Diamond Princess Northwest Cruise

 

[Hulagirl]

Sorry, just read the places you stop at and Istanbul isn't one of them. I should have remembered when I was writing.

 

Hulagirl

 

Grand Princess Baltic Cruise

 

Star Princess Eastern Caribbean

 

Diamond Princess Northwest Cruise

 

[luvs2cruzga]

We did a 29 day cruise from Istanbul to New York in 2001. Took Princess tours in every city we stopped in. Some were 12 and 13 hour tours and were expensive but worth the price.

 

Kusadasi - Ephesus is a must

Naples - Pompei is a must

Rome - did a 12 hour city tour on Easter Sunday. Had never been to Rome so it was a good all encompassing tour. The Pope was just finishing mass on the square in front of St. Peter's Cathedral. The church was unbelievable.

Cannes - took the tour to Monte Carlo - could have been better time spent on another tour I think.

Barcelona - only disappointing tour. Did a city tour and was not pleased with their choice of sights to see like the Olympic Stadium. Also the worst attitude from a tour guide I have ever had on any tour ever. Our daughter did the Gothic walking tour and loved it.

Casablanca - took the 12 hour tour to Marakeech. Parts of the tour were great. Long boring trip there however and not enough time was spent in the bazaar area. Hope this helps.

 

19 down - 3 more booked

 

 

Explorer of the Seas 05/04 7 days - Caribbean

Regal 10/04 13 days - Montreal to Ft. Lauderdale

Celebrity Xpedition - Galapagos - 04/15/05

[lephysteria]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Hulagirl:

Naples: Went on the Almafi Coast drive and did Pompeii. If you have any problem with car sickness, take something for it. As beautiful as the drive is, you can easily be ill. Be sure and sit on the right side of the bus if you do this. Don't sit on the side behind the driver. You will get such a much better view on the drive. This had been told tome from another CC member and she was so right. During the summer the buses can only go one way on that road, so that will be your best viewing side. Pompeii was very, very hot, but fascinating.

 

Athens: Had signed up for a full day but canceled. Was getting so tired of 9 hours tours. Did the Acropolis and the town tour. Was wonderuful and fine. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

 

Thank you Hulagirl!

 

Naren and I leave for this cruise in a few weeks and we're going to do the Almafi Coast drive. Thanks for the tip about which side to sit on.

 

We're also thinking of doing the Acropolis tour you mentioned in Athens. Thanks for the feedback!

 

Happy Sails,

Mrs. Tulpule

 

Naren, "But I can't help falling in love with you."

 

Click here to see more wedding pictures

CCL Paradise 9/23/2000 #U161 - CCL Holiday 3/5/2001 #M32 - RCCL Explorer 9/1/2001 #7298 - CCL Ecstasy 12/7/2001 #R171 - CCL Pride 3/2/2002 #6194 - RCCL Vision 10/11/02 #4521 - CCL Ecstasy 12/27/2002 #E135 - CCL Ecstasy 1/20/2003 #U197 - RCCL Monarch 12/19/03 #9580 - CCL Ecstasy 2/6/04 #M209

 

... until our Star Honeymoon

[Hulagirl]

Glad that helped for your tour. At least you will be going when it isn't quite so hot. I envy you that part. Would love to go back to Pompeii when it isn't the middle of July and unbearable.

 

One other point about the Almafi trip, you don't have lunch until around 3:00 in the afternoon. Now this may not be a big deal, but I will tell you we were all very hungry after that ride. So take a snack with you, if you can. I think that might have helped me not feel queasy on the ride. Such a beautiful trip.

 

Hopefully in Athens it is clear and not smoggy. We lucked out. The cruise before us that year it was so bad they couldn't see across the city and it was so clear for us. Were told they have a big problem with pollution and smog in the city.

 

Have fun.

 

Hulagirl

 

Grand Princess Baltic Cruise

 

Star Princess Eastern Caribbean

 

Diamond Princess Northwest Cruise

 

[bruingary]

Hi BJS

 

I have taken several Princess tours in the Med. Also have taken HAL tours in the Med. I have also visited most of the ports as part of land based visits. I will give you my experiences and comments assuming you are visiting the ports for the first time.

 

Venice- Took the Princess transportation (tender) from the dock to St Mark’s Square. The advantage is that you are taken to the location of the biggie sites-Square, Basilica, Doge’s Palace, Museo Civico Correr, and Campanile and then can stroll the back streets at leisure. Our ship, the Grand, sailed into Venice at noon. This was probably the most majestic arrival of our cruise experiences as we sailed down the grand canal past St Mark’s Square to awe of those on shore. Be on deck for this.

 

Kusadasi- Took the Ephesus, St John’s Basilica & Virgin Mary Shrine Princess Tour. These are the 3 biggies, and are must sees. The guide provided very interesting historical info on these sites. Our traveling companions, who did not want to visit Ephesus for their 2nd time chose the Turkish Village and Ephesus Museum Tour. They did not care for it, the village was staged and the mseum was very small,

 

Athens- Take the Acropolis and Plaka Sampler Princess Tour. A comprehensive visit to the Acropolis, a photo op at the Olympic stadium, 30-60 minute drive by to other sites, and 3 hours to wander the Plaka is a perfect way to see Athens.

 

Naples- Took the Princess Pompei, Sorrento, and Capri Tour. This is the only way to see these 3 without fear of missing the ship sailing. If you would rather see the Amalfi Coast over Capri there is a Princess plus Pompei Tour. Capri was OK, but did not meet my expectations, maybe because they were too high, or because I am from SoCal.

 

Rome- Our HAL cruise began and ended in Rome so I have no experience in ship tours. There are so many sites and Rome is so far from the port that you will have to decide on which to see and then take the appropriate tour. This is one port where a private tour would maximize the sites you could see.

 

Livorno- Took the Princess Florence On Your Own Tour. The guide provided quite a bit of commentary on the 1 ½ hour bus ride, each way, to/ from Florence. The tour made a stop at Piazzale Michelangelo, across the river overlooking the city, for a terrific view and photo op. Buses must park outside the city and you walk into town. There is a tram available. We had made reservations before we left the U.S. for the Uffizi (Europe’s greatest art museum) and the Accademia ( Michelangelo’s David – one of the world’s greatest works of art) and were able to walk right in without waiting in the long lines. A plus of this tour is the meeting place for the return to the ship is Santa Croce Church, a site in its own. But more important, Vivoli’s , for Florence’s best Geloto, is just steps away, a great way to end your visit to Florence. Also a leather school can be reached from inside Santa Croce where you can spend many Euros for a variety of leather products.

 

Monte Carlo- On our Princess stop in Monte Carlo the captain announced coming of bad weather and we were cutting our visit short to early afternoon departure. This is a tender port . So we did Monte Carlo on our own taking local buses for transportation. As it turned out, with most back on board in the early afternoon, we had to wait for the return of a ship’s tour which was stuck in traffic. This is a plus for using ship’s tours, the ship will never leave without you.

On our HAL cruise we took 2 half day ship’s tours. Morning- Nice & Eze, returned to Monte Carlo for lunch and then took a tour to St. Paul De Vance in the afternoon. The to/froms were very scenic, taking the 3 different Cornice roads. And the hilltowns and Nice were terrific. You could do the same on Princess.

 

Barcelona- We took a cab tour on our Princess tour and walked the Gothic Quarter in the afternoon(near the dock). By taking the Princess Barcelona Highlights tour you could see some of the sites we saw on our cab tour and then follow up with walking the Ramblas and Gothic Quarter in the afternoon.

 

Casablanca- We did Morocco on a land tour. Even though it is a 4 hour EACH WAY drive to Marrakech take the Princess tour and envision Jimmy Stewart and Doris Day witnessing a murder in the Djemma-el-F’na Square, what ever will be will be. If the bus ride to Marrakech is too much for you, take the tour to Rabat which to me was more interesting than Casablanca. Casablanca does have a very impressive mosque with capacity of 25,000 and a fun Rick’s Bar( with pictures from the film) with piano player in the Hilton.

 

Gibraltar- Never been there. Just go ape.

 

Cannes- Ah! St. Tropez, nude beaches, Et Dieu Crea la Femme, Brigitte Bardot. Our HAL cruise stopped in St-Trop. I liked it. Port Grimaud is a 1960 pleasure city, with private lagoon, with waterways for roads, yachts parked at the bottom of every garden. All houses are of Provencal style and you need to be rich and famous to live there. The tour takes you on a lagoon cruise. Old Grimaud, a hill town, is better.

 

Valleta- Took the Valleta and Mdina Tour on HAL ( Princess offers the same tour). This tour is a good intro to Malta. This is a great port, I got caught up in the Knights of St John thing. The co-cathedrals, esp the one in Valleta, are top 10 churches. Be on deck for your arrival, a great sight of the sun shining on the sand colored city in the distance.

 

Messina- We took the Taormina tour( a 20 mile drive) on a HAL cruise. Princess offers the same tour. This is Sicily’s best known resort. The Teatro Greco is a biggie, with Mt Etna in the background. This is a place I would like to return to.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Gary

[woodofpine]

We did this cruise (with Istanbul) last summer on Golden.

 

I think both Venice and Barcelona are done well independently and the red/blue on-off bus in Barcelona is a great way to get around.

 

In Monaco, we did the tour to Eze village (nice and scenic), not a MUST do but I enjoyed it generally. In Livorno, we did the Pisa/Viareggio beach day. This tour short changed Pisa which was incredible. Viareggio and the beach was so-so (it's hard to impress a Floridian when it comes to beaches). Done again - don't short Pisa. I heard that the Athens/beach combo was better. In Naples, we did the Mt. Vesuveus hike/climb with Pompei tour. This one stands out as the one I'd HIGHLY RECOMMEND. The mountain was fascinating and a great intro to the Pompei ruins. You need to be modestly fit or at least unimpaired for the hike.

Athens - did the full day tour and lunch - this was a good use of time. Kusadasi we did the tour to Ephesus, Virgin Mary Shrine, Church of St. John. Enjoyed the scenery greatly and cooler weather. Ephesus is a MUST.

 

Enjoy!

[BJS]

KB

Hula girl

luvs2cruzga

Gary (bruingary)

woodofpine

 

To you all THANK YOU

 

The information that you have shared with us has been wonderful. Thank you all for taking the time to share your wealth of knowledge. You all have been a big help and we will choose our tours with the information you have given us. Sounds like the cruise will be all and more than we'd hoped it would be and we will enjoy.

 

Future cruises:

Sept. 04 Star Princess x 2

Jan. 05 Diamond Princess

July 05 Star Princess

Aug. 05 Star Pincess

 

Past cruises:

04 Dawn Princess x 2

03 Grand,Sun,Tahitian,

Royal Princess x 2,Island Princess

01 Ryndam x 2

00 Sky Princess

79 Sitmar's Fairwind

[woodofpine]

A late night tip: This cruise goes through several interesting areas at night. If you tend to have insomnia - or don't mind setting your clock for wierd hours - this is a great cruise.

 

Although you'll miss the Dardenelles/Gallipoli (basically a river in width), you will traverse the Straights of Missina where Sicily and Italy nearly touch (pilots are brought aboard). If you are going Venice to Barcelona (I got that impression) this will be the night before Naples (or after otherwise). In any event, you will cruise by the volcano island of Stromboli which is the longest continually erupting volcano in history (like 1,000-2,000 years).

 

In good weather, you'll be a few miles away at night and you can see the lava pulsing from the mountain. It was like watching a fireworks display in slo' mo' in the distance. Very cool - very wierd thing to experience either going to or from Naples/Vesuveus/Pompei. The wife woke me to see it and I'm glad she did.

 

The captain may anounce the hour of the cruise by earlier that day or evening (in our case around 1 AM) If he doesn't though, do ask the officers... It was worth waking to see. It won't break the trip to sleep through it, but is was quite interesting...

[BJS]

woodofpine - the alarm is set! Thanks for the tip.

 

Future cruises:

Sept. 04 Star Princess x 2

Jan. 05 Diamond Princess

July 05 Star Princess

Aug. 05 Star Pincess

 

Past cruises:

04 Dawn Princess x 2

03 Grand,Sun,Tahitian,

Royal Princess x 2,Island Princess

01 Ryndam x 2

00 Sky Princess

79 Sitmar's Fairwind