Which med ports need taxi ride into town

[newlondoncruiser]

We are on a Med cruise on NCl Jade later this week, with our baby daughter. We plan to mainly just spend time on our own exploring the main towns at each port - we are not really into churches etc but enjoy nice shops, bars and restaurants and maybe beaches. I am debating whether or not to take a car seat and just wondered if anyone can tell me if we would need to get a taxi into the nearest town at any of these ports or if we can get a shuttle bus or walk.Also, what would be the recommended things to do in each town, or restaurants to eat at, things to try etc.

Our Ports are:

Lisbon

Malaga

Vigo

Gibraltar

Barcelona

Civitavecchia (sp?)

Livorno

Villefranche (would like to get to Monte Carlo - is train station near and easy with a pram?)

Many thanks

[kruzseeka]

Hi,

 

It depends how far you ar prepared to walk - but we found the following easy enough to walk into:

 

Gibraltar * (interesting cable car ride/visit to Rock - can use local mini-bus companies - also good shopping for duty-free)

Malaga * (good shopping centre)

Villefranche (you are tendered to shore here) ** (beach, lovely waterfront)

Lisbon - we had a shuttle bus to the centre *

Barcelona - also had a shuttle ** (beaches, super cafe culture, shops, architecture etc.)

 

* very suitable to 'do your own thing'

** excellent for doing your own thing

 

Civitavecchia and Livorno are ports mainly used for access to Rome and Florence/Pisa - sorry can't tell you how close the towns are or how worthwhile they are to visit as we've always done excursions here.

 

Vigo - sorry, not visited.

 

Anyway, have a great trip - it's got to be an improvement on a Bank holiday monday in the UK!!!

[newlondoncruiser]

Thanks Kruzseeka

That is very useful - have you travelled to Monte Carlo from Villefranche?

[kruzseeka]

No - but I believe it's very easy - the station is in Villefranche a few minutes walk from the dock and from what I've read on various posts only a very short ride. If you search the forum - or post another thread, you'll get plenty of advice.

 

We thought Villefranche was fabulous - it's a gorgeous location. We walked to the Villa Ephrussi (lovely gardens - but perhaps not your choice of things to do) but the waterfront has street cafes and there is a little land train too. The beach is just to the right of the bay as you get off the tender - you don't have to go looking for it - but if I remember correctly, perhaps not the best quality sand I've seen i.e. a few stones?? Not too sure but I do compare beaches to Sandbanks/Bournemouth which is very child-friendly (thinking of your daughter) so I tend to be a bit critical of beaches elsewhere.

[newlondoncruiser]

Great - really helpful. I wasn't really expecting a beachy holiday so visiting one would be a bonus - but we are spoilt by our Caribbean cruise and the beaches we visited there! We also love Dorset beaches though - little in England beats Studland Bay for us!

[operafan]

Thanks Kruzseeka

That is very useful - have you travelled to Monte Carlo from Villefranche?

 

It's very easy to get to Monte Carlo from Villefranche; It's a short train ride. If you don't mind a climb, the bus ride is very picturesque too. Climb up 8 zillion steps in Villefranche and the bus stop is near the corner at the top. From there you can easily go to Monaco or Nice. We went to Nice first, then bought a ticket in Nice to Monaco and took the bus there. Jumped off in Villefranche on the way back. We've done both train and bus and either is just fine........

[Hlitner]

Civitavecchia - There is a free port shuttle bus that will take you to the main port entrance. At that point its about a 4 to 5 block walk to the train station. If you catch the train to Rome you can get around Rome by walking, using the subway, and buses.

 

Livorno - This is a port where you do need to use a taxi if you want to get to the train station. Some cruise lines do offer a shuttle bus (usually $5 per person) that will take passengers into the center of Livorno, but at this point you would either need a taxi or local bus to get you to the station (its also possible to walk from downtown to the station..but its a hike).

 

Hank

[aussiecruzer]

We caught the train from Villefranche to Monaco and it is very easy to do. The train station in Villefranche is an easy 5-10 minute walk from where you get off the tender. See the links below for excellent instructions with pictures.

 

http://www.europeportreviews.com/MonteCarlo3.htm

 

http://www.europeportreviews.com/MonteCarlo.htm

 

 

http://www.europeportreviews.com/Villefranche.htm

 

Have a great trip!!

Aussiecruzer.

[sddsddean]

Currently on the Navigator in the Med. Just to reinforce a couple of points. RCL are currently charging $6/person, each way for their shuttles (people on excursions have the cost included in their ticket). In Livorno you have to use the shuttle unless you want to take a taxi. In Civitevecchia they will tell you that you must take the shuttle. This is wrong. You can walk it (about 20 mins to the shuttle drop off), or catch the free white Port Mobility bus, but this is shared by all ships in port that day, so can be crowded. We did Villefranche to MC, but there was a train strike that day, so buses were crowded!!! Its 1 euro each way. We managed to get on the first bus to MC which took about 25 mins. However, due to the strike the return journey took 3 hrs including waiting time! The bus was sailing past loads of people as there was no room and we had walked 'up the route' to get ahead of the normal tourist bus stops. So be aware if there is a strike on. BTW, the train station even sold one couple a train ticket before they told them there were no trains that day!

 

Simon

[seapenarth]

We caught the train from Villefranche to Monaco and it is very easy to do. The train station in Villefranche is an easy 5-10 minute walk from where you get off the tender. See the links below for excellent instructions with pictures.

 

http://www.europeportreviews.com/MonteCarlo3.htm

 

http://www.europeportreviews.com/MonteCarlo.htm

 

 

http://www.europeportreviews.com/Villefranche.htm

 

Have a great trip!!

Aussiecruzer.

 

The station is convenient in Villefrache but not in Monte Carlo. Long hilly walk to Casino Sq.

[aussiecruzer]

The station is convenient in Villefrache but not in Monte Carlo. Long hilly walk to Casino Sq.

 

We used the lower level exit from Monte Carlo station, walking back along the platform towards the back of the train. This was very convenient for visiting the Prince's Palace, though I must say we did not go to the Casino. Incidentally walking up to the Prince's Palace we came across a defibrillator in a glass case for use by the public if needed. I took a photo as I thought this is probably the only country rich enough to provide defibrillators for public use!

[newlondoncruiser]

Thank you everyone for your input - more useful than you will ever know! Ii feel much more confident about DIYing on our cruise now!

[Cruise Junky]

Incidentally walking up to the Prince's Palace we came across a defibrillator in a glass case for use by the public if needed. I took a photo as I thought this is probably the only country rich enough to provide defibrillators for public use!

 

They're everywhere in Monaco. We parked way up the hill and walked around a bit, we've never seen as many defibrillators in one place!