Naples shore excursions

[texsnow]

Hi, we are taking the NCL Epic in few weeks and trying to decide which Naples excursion is the best for family of 4. (2 kids-ages 10,16). I know we want to see Pompeii but do we also need Sorrento too? We would love to see the coastline but will we see that on the drive at all to Pompeii? Can we explore Naples too, is that a pretty city?

We have a 8 year old who wants to stay on board and I guess doing an excursion for 7 hours makes me nervous.

Any input would be great!! 

Edited June 13, 2019 by texsnow
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[euro cruiser]

There's no rule here other than to figure out what will be most enjoyable for your family, and then decide the best way to accomplish that goal.  It may be a ship excursion or it could be DIY, which is very easy to do in Naples.

 

It sounds like you don't want to be too far from the ship for too long because you'll be leaving your youngest on board.  Therefore, unless you have a strong desire to see Sorrento (or any other location), it would seem logical to return to Naples after Pompei and take advantage of all there is to see and do within walking distance of the cruise port.

 

There is no coastal view as you travel from Naples to Pompei (or back).  You could continue on to Sorrento after Pompei and take a ferry back to Naples (the ferry port is adjacent to the cruise port in Naples so it's very easy) as a way to see some of the coast.

[MeHeartCruising]

Personally, I didn't feel that going to Sorrento on an excursion was anything worth doing again.  Given what the OP has written, I would probably spend as much time at Pompeii as desired and then return to Naples and explore.  I found plenty of interesting things to see within walking distance of the ship.   Your coastal views from the ship and as you sail in and out of port are quite interesting and might satisfy your desires there a bit.  Just sitting on the ship and seeing Mt. Vesuvius looming over the city is quite interesting.

[dogs4fun]

The National Archaeology Museum in Naples is fantastic and well worth a visit. In addition to other amazing exhibits, it contains antiquities that were removed from Pompeii and Herculaneum.

[severthe]

I am using Mondo guide shared tours by Rick Steves. I signed up for the Pompeii, Sorrento and Amalfi coast tour. 8 hour tour , pick up at the port for $69.00 dollars each person. They only have 19 people on each tour with a guide for Pompeii.

[euro cruiser]

1 hour ago, severthe said:

I signed up for the Pompeii, Sorrento and Amalfi coast tour. 8 hour tour , pick up at the port for $69.00 dollars each person. They only have 19 people on each tour with a guide for Pompeii.

 

Just go into this with realistic expectations.  More than 50% of the eight hours will be spent in your mini-bus, how much more depends on traffic.  As long as you're prepared you're less likely to be disappointed.

[cruisemom42]

So many people are tempted to overdo things from the port of Naples....

 

For the OP, I would suggest the possibility of getting the four of you to Herculaneum on your own. It's closer to Naples than Pompeii and it's smaller -- while still having the same feeling. Then return to Naples and visit the Archaeological Museum, as noted above. It's magnificent and together with the actual site it makes the ancient Romans come alive. You might even have time for a well-earned Neapolitan pizza.

 

I'm in the camp that would skip Sorrento. It's somewhat pretty but also extremely packed with tourists and doesn't have the "aahhh" factor of a Positano or Ravello.  But hey, if you want an inlaid wooden box or any conceivable type of product made from lemons, then Sorrento is for you (e.g., it is a shopping mecca).  Be aware that many of the charming shops close for a long siesta from 1-3 pm.

[severthe]

Euro cruiser-Just go into this with realistic expectations.  More than 50% of the eight hours will be spent in your mini-bus, how much more depends on traffic.  As long as you're prepared you're less likely to be disappointed.

 

I guess you could just stay on the Ship. Do you have a better suggestion to see Pompeii,  Sorrento and 5he Amalfi Coast?

[ollienbertsmum]

With young children I would take the local (circumvesuviana) train to Herculaneum and explore the site.  Two options after seem to be child-friendly.  

 

1)   I would then get back to Naples and have a pizza (reminding the children that this is where pizza was invented.  

 

2) get back on the train and get off at Sorrento where it is quite pretty.  Explore a bit, look at the huge lemons.  I would then take a ferry back to Naples.  That is a nice trip.  

 

Success depends on you getting off the ship early.  You do have to find the trains, but you can ask.  When we went to Herculaneam we got on the wrong train. I was so sure it was right.  Thankfully DH does not trust me so said ‘Herculaneum?’ And an Italian pointed to the correct train.  

 

Never ‘cut it fine’ with your transport.  You need to allow yourself time to get back to the ship.  

[euro cruiser]

1 hour ago, severthe said:

Euro cruiser-Just go into this with realistic expectations.  More than 50% of the eight hours will be spent in your mini-bus, how much more depends on traffic.  As long as you're prepared you're less likely to be disappointed.

 

I guess you could just stay on the Ship. Do you have a better suggestion to see Pompeii,  Sorrento and 5he Amalfi Coast?

 

I can't tell if your response is meant to convey annoyance or a genuine question.  I don't have a better suggestion, my only point was that you should go into this with your eyes open, not expecting something like long, leisurely stops at multiple locations that simply cannot be delivered in that time frame.  

 

Even the shortest tour at Pompei will require two hours, and you always have to factor in things like bathroom stops that always seem to take forever.  When you add it up it means you'll maybe have a half hour stop at Sorrento and perhaps a photo op somewhere along the Amalfi Coast.  If you were hoping to sit and enjoy a drink while overlooking the sea, it probably isn't going to happen.

 

If your expectations are aligned with what is actually possible I'm sure you'll have a great time on this tour.

[Hlitner]

We are also in the camp of skipping Sorrento.  When we have vacationed on the Amalfi Coast the only reason to go to Sorrento was if one needed to do some shopping.  Sorrento does have one small area that has some views and cafes but its hardly worth the effort.   Pompeii is a place of very historical significance and might make a lot of sense for the teens and near teen.  They would especially get a kick out of the what some call the "porn house"  :).   We 2nd Euro-Cruiser's suggestion to then return to Naples where you can explore (on foot) and treat the family to some decent pizza (some argue that pizza was invented in Naples).

 

Hank