Spendour/Med. advice or suggestions??

[Jamrenjer]

Hello all! We have so appreciated reading so many informative posts-- but wanted to ask a question or two. We will be on the Splendour of the Seas sailing October 30th. This is our first time to the Med. We are on a pretty tight budget- and cannot really afford private tours. We are trying to plan some "on our own" things-- and wanted info. on any "not to miss" sites. We have gotten some great ideas from these boards-- but we just don't want to wander around-- and end up missing something fantastic. We would be grateful for any SUGGESTIONS or TIPS-- any SPECIFIC sites? Thank you in advance!

[pcur]

Not necessarily in order of the cruise itinerary:

 

Church of Santa Croce in Florence, which is right near the museum with the statue of David. Just walking around the square and in the church is an education in itself.

 

Pompei

 

The Vatican. Not that expensive, and you can be in there for hours for the price of the entrance fee to the Museum. Or, come in through St. Peter's Square, and go into the Basilica from there, skipping the museum. I think that would be free.

 

Walk down Las Ramblas in Barcelona to Catalunya Square and take the on/off tour bus. Costs about 15 Euros each, the top deck in good weather is great, and you see the whole city.

 

Be sure to get good guide books with maps, like Fodor's. You can buy older (like from 2002 - 2003) on half.com for about $5 each. A good buy, and the maps are great.

 

Loooooooooooooooooooved this cruise, and I'm trying to go back next Spring to see the stuff we missed the first time!

[bubbadog]

hi jam :)) me and wife and her friend are going on this cruise too,i know there are alot of private tours being set up,with others on this cruise and hopefully we will have a meeting,to hook up anyone who wants to join tours already made or who need an extra party to join or just have room,how many are in your group?,its just a thought,its our first time too so were just as excited:))) its going to be an awesome experience:))

[yemisi24]

Jamrenger,

Be sure to register for the Meet and Mingle for this cruise through this board. My husband and I are also on the Oct. 30 sailing. This will be our first European trip. We are doing a private tour with 3 other couples for Rome, but plan on doing all other ports on our own. I have done research on the train schedules on www.trenitalia.com and www.sncf.com

 

The trains seem easy to navigate and are extremely inexpensive.

 

For Marseille, we plan to take the train to Aix-en Provence and spend 1/2 day. Cost will be about 10 euro RT for transportation for two.

 

For Villefranche, we will take the train to Monaco, Eze, and Nice and spend the entire day. Each of the stops are only about a 15 minute train ride from the port. Transportation for the day will cost about 25-30 eruros for two.

 

For Livorno, we will take the train to Florence and spend the day. The train ride is about 75 minutes each way and the cost about 15 euros RT. Must see David at the Accademia Museum;make reservations online or over the telephone so you don't have to wait in line when you arrive.

 

For Civitavecchia, if want you can take the train from to Rome (non-stop); cost is about 5 euros pp. Must sees in Rome include St. Peter's Basilica, Sistene Chapel, Colloseum, and Forum, Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps.

 

For Naples, we will take the train to Pompeii (about 5 euros pp) and spend about 3-4 hours, then we'll take the hydrofoil (water carrier) to Sorrento (8 euros pp)

 

Rick Steve's Italy 2004 is a great resource for information. Also take a look at Frommer's Europe 2004. Both are available at your local library.

 

Let me know if you need more help, but this should really help your planning.

 

See you on October 30th in Barcelona.

[Jamrenjer]

Thank you all for the great advice! Looking forward to a wonderful trip. It will be myself, my wife and her mom. We had looked for the Meet and Mingle-- and did not find it-- but we will look again!!!

Thanks again for all your help:)

[critterchick]

In Villefranche Sur Mer, you can take the train to Monte Carlo/Monaco or in the opposite direction to Nice or Cannes for under 3 Euros each way. When you get off the tender, there is a "welcome" kiosk area, which has some information on local attractions. We took the train to Monte Carlo (if you're on a Sunday, bring Euro coins because the station was unattended & the machine only took cash, at least it did last October). We went up the hill (puff, puff, working off the buffet) to the Jardins Exotique, which is a spectacular collection of native plants. Just gorgeous, and it has a commanding view of the entire area, including the royal palace. I think it was about 6 Euros to get in. The route there was very clearly marked, on the little paper guide, the train station & walking up the street. We took the bus (40 Eurocents) back down the hill, and went to the Casino just to look around. We then went down the the yacht harbor to fantasize & have the best pizza we had the entire time (this included a week in Italy). We took the train to Nice, but just wandered aimlessly and you're right, that's not the way to do it - we didn't get the attraction. We found a wine bar near the tenders in Villefranche & ended up being late for the early seating. *hic*

 

In Livorno, we took the RCCL winery tour in Tuscany, which was 1/2 the day & about $50 each as I recall. Florence is about 90 minutes away by train, I think, & we had already been there, so we opted for a drive in the country instead. We had lots of *hic* samples, petted the resident cats & bought a couple of bottles to take back to the ship (no problem taking them on board). I think you could also take the train to Pisa (which we passed on the way), Florence or other cities in about an hour. The Italian train system is very efficient, just make sure there's no sign saying "sciopero", which means "stirke." They are very civilized - they let you know in advance.

 

Rome is a fair distance from the port, too, so we took the RCCL tour, a Walk in Renaissance Rome. It was very informative & not too crowded on the bus, so we were able to snooze going in & out.

 

Naples you could also do on your own quite easily. Pompeii was PACKED, I mean so crowded with grumbling tourists (it was raining) that I almost regretted having gone. But the facination of the place overcame it. One thing that annoyed me on the RCCL tour was the mandatory stop at a cameo factory on the way to encourage us to buy stuff. We passed. You could just hop on the train in Naples, get off in Pompeii (the station is literally across the street), buy a ticket and go in at your leisure. I think you can buy one of those audiotour gizmos that will tell you what you're looking at, or just get a book that has the info. You could then get back on the train & head for Sorrento, take the hydrofoil to Capri, & return to the pier next to the ship. We didn't because of the rain, but it's easily done in a day. Just make sure to be back in plenty of time!

 

If you still stop in Malta (I don't think so), take the Taste of Malta tour to the Marsovin Winery *hic*. The proprietor/tour guide is a California native whose Maltese stepfather talked her into moving there, and it was a really good *hic* time. Also about $50pp.

 

I wish I were going with you!

[Jamrenjer]

Thanks so much for the info! It is appreciated!:)

[Michelle326]

Yemisi24,

 

 

Thanks for your great info., this is exactly what we planned, and we are (total 4) also on Oct 30 - SOS. But we still have a question regarding how far from each port to the train station ? Do we need to take a cab or can we just walk there or will the SOS has any shuttle to the stations ? We are concerned if there will have difficulty to get the cab as most people said the taxi drivers only want a day tour.

 

Many thanks & looking forward to the vacations :) !

[ISABELLA]

Jamrenger,

Be sure to register for the Meet and Mingle for this cruise through this board. My husband and I are also on the Oct. 30 sailing. This will be our first European trip. We are doing a private tour with 3 other couples for Rome, but plan on doing all other ports on our own. I have done research on the train schedules on www.trenitalia.com and www.sncf.com

 

The trains seem easy to navigate and are extremely inexpensive.

 

For Marseille, we plan to take the train to Aix-en Provence and spend 1/2 day. Cost will be about 10 euro RT for transportation for two.

 

For Villefranche, we will take the train to Monaco, Eze, and Nice and spend the entire day. Each of the stops are only about a 15 minute train ride from the port. Transportation for the day will cost about 25-30 eruros for two.

 

For Livorno, we will take the train to Florence and spend the day. The train ride is about 75 minutes each way and the cost about 15 euros RT. Must see David at the Accademia Museum;make reservations online or over the telephone so you don't have to wait in line when you arrive.

 

For Civitavecchia, if want you can take the train from to Rome (non-stop); cost is about 5 euros pp. Must sees in Rome include St. Peter's Basilica, Sistene Chapel, Colloseum, and Forum, Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps.

 

For Naples, we will take the train to Pompeii (about 5 euros pp) and spend about 3-4 hours, then we'll take the hydrofoil (water carrier) to Sorrento (8 euros pp)

 

Rick Steve's Italy 2004 is a great resource for information. Also take a look at Frommer's Europe 2004. Both are available at your local library.

 

Let me know if you need more help, but this should really help your planning.

 

See you on October 30th in Barcelona.

We have done 4 Mediterranian cruises, including the same one on the Splendor, and we have done on our own everywhere we could, but I would recommend before you take any trains/ buses in Italy, check if they are not planning any strikes during the day. They are very popular in Italy. You may get stuck and miss the ship. I"ve heard some horror stories. Taxi are very expensive. And I will recommend to carry copy of your passports with you in any ports - just in case.

Have a great time.

[juliejoe]

Puhleeeez - when you get back, let us know how your weather was cruising in the Med this time of year. We are booked for a 10/29 Greek Isles cruise next year - hoping for cooler less crowded ports - but hoping for not too much rain and wind. Would love to hear what your experience is this year.

 

Julie

juliejoe@swbell.net

[yemisi24]

We have done 4 Mediterranian cruises, including the same one on the Splendor, and we have done on our own everywhere we could, but I would recommend before you take any trains/ buses in Italy, check if they are not planning any strikes during the day. They are very popular in Italy. You may get stuck and miss the ship. I"ve heard some horror stories. Taxi are very expensive. And I will recommend to carry copy of your passports with you in any ports - just in case.

Have a great time.

Isabella,

Thanks for the words of wisdom. We'll check the train schedules and copy our passports.

 

Michelle326,

From our research, it seems that the train station in Villefranche is within walking distance of the port. All the others seem to require a shuttle bus or taxi, if you don't want to waste a lot of time walking. I am hoping that the taxi drivers' prices will be more reasonable in the off season.

[ClaudiaF]

if you tell us where you will be stopping you will get some answers to help you.

[Lesx2]

Good news! I just received an email that we have enough people for the RCCL hosted Mix and Mingle. They will deliver an invitation to our staterooms with the time/location.

 

If you have not signed up yet here are the instructions:

....1.Go online to CruiseCritic.com; select "Boards"

2.Under "ROLL CALL" choose "Royal Carribbean Meet & Mingle"

3.This will take you to the Royal Caribbean Meet & Mingle Roll Call board

4.Select "Register Here" in the Meet & Mingle Onboard box

 

We look forward to meeting everyone and putting names with faces!

 

See you in Europe!

 

Les x 2

[johnfas]

We also signed up for the Mix and Mingle but the time to meet was a very bad time (on a tour), I think only 2-3 people showed up. Just to inform you of this, on a caribbean its slightly different a lot of down time, but with this itinerary it is really hard to get anyone together.

As far as doing your own thing at the various ports. I think you would be foolhardy to go out on your own for more than half day. As others have said bus & train stikes happen all the time. You are going all the way to Europe, if you really want to see the sights let someone do the driving and explaining. You wont regret it. Try and get a group together, we did Rome for 75 euro each (eight of us), that is dirt cheap for a 9 hour tour.