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Istanbul2005
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24-06-2007 09:18 PM
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Joined: 24 Jun 2007
Posts: 4
| Hi,
I've booked a 14 day (2x7 days) cruise for August this year and I'd like to request some information on the excursions please.
Our cruises are the Mediterranean Discovery and Mediterranean Spirit and if anybody would kindly pass on any information regarding the excursions on these cruises I'd be very grateful.
I know some excursions will take a full day, and other may only take half a day so I'd like to plan our itinerary beforehand if possible. Also if there's any excursions where it's possible/better to simply alight the ship and do your own thing then any information on these would be welcomed also.
Finally, any hints and tips for the excursions be handy.
Sorry for all the questions !!!
Thanks in advance.
Les
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tenpin
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25-06-2007 09:41 AM
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Joined: 19 Nov 2004
Posts: 1568
My Profile
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Hello Les,
Welcome to HW hope you visit often.
You can see all excursions for Island Cruises on their web site.
In general you can do most tours cheaper by taxi or mini-bus, which can be picked up just by dock gates. the dearer the ships tour is normally the further away from the ship the attraction is, journey time will give you some indication.
While you certainly can do most ports on your own, please remember the ship will not wait for you if you are late back, (except the ships official tours.) on a recent cruise we left ten passengers behind when their mini-bus broke down.So we always set our timing for one hour before the ship sails.
One more point, while ships tours are expensive they are well presented and very informative, so if you want to learn more about the port you are visiting then that's the way to do it.
Anything else you need to know before you cruise let us know only to pleased to help a newbee cruiser.
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My Latest Review: Jun 2008 Grand Princess Cruise Ship (9/10)
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Istanbul2005
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09-07-2007 09:38 AM
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Joined: 24 Jun 2007
Posts: 4
| Thanks for the info. Much appreciated.
I think I will have to do some unofficial tours as there are 4 of us in our party (2 adults & 14&11 yrs) and the cost may get too expensive. We'll have to wait and see.
Any general hints and tips regarding this cruise and/or excursions will be gladly accepted by this cruising virgin !
Regards,
Les
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poppyr
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09-07-2007 11:09 AM
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Joined: 12 Mar 2007
Posts: 7
| Hi we've just returned from the Mediterranean Spirit itinerary. We did two tours and did our own thing in the other ports.
MESSINA
We did the organised tour to Mount Etna as it was a two hour drive from the port, which I feel is too far to travel on your own. It was really good.
NAPLES
As we had already been to Capri, Sorrento and Pompeii we did the Hop-on Hop-off bus tours of Naples. There were two tours, Bay Tour and Art Tour lasting about 1 hr 15 mins each and it cost 22Euros each for both tours. We didn't get off the bus as Naples was crazy but we thoroughly enjoyed it.
LIVORNO
We made our own way to the Leaning Tower of Pisa by bus and train. The total cost for the two of us was 15 Euros and it would have cost us £68.00 on the ships excursion. Pisa was only about 12 miles from Livorno and it was very easy.
TOULON
We did the full day tour to St Tropez and Port Grimaud, which was excellent. Again it is too far from the port to do on your own, just in case anything goes wrong.
BARCELONA
We got the Metro to the Nou Camp and did the tour. The Metro cost 2.50 Euros each and the tour 11 Euros each. There are also Hop-on Hop-off buses in Barcelona which we saw everywhere and next time we visit we are planning to use them.
If there are four of you then you have the option of hiring a taxi. There are always plenty at every port. Because there were only two of us it is not really a viable option. Having said that another couple wanted to team up with us and get a taxi to Pisa, but we said we were going on public transport, so they tagged alojng with us. It cost about 30 Euros for the 4 fo us and I think the taxi was charging 120Euros, but it could hold 6 people.
If you require any further info I would be happy to help.
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fern
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09-07-2007 03:48 PM
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Joined: 01 May 2007
Posts: 22
My Profile
| Hi, We have visited some of your ports several times so here are our opinions:
Messina: Leave the dock see the famous clock than get a taxi or minibus to see anything else you want. If you are there on a weekday and it is your first visit to Messina the city itself may be enough.
Naples: Pompeii & Herculenaum are both easy Cheap & quick to get to using the circumversuviana rail link. This is very easy to get to from the port, quicker and much cheaper than trips. If this is your first visit try Pompeii.
Livorno. Not the most inspiring of ports . Maybe for a first call visit Pisa.
Toulon: Easy on your own. Shuttle into town then do "your own thing"
Barcelona: Fantastic city. Take the bus to the Christopher Columbus Monument(normally tickets are return). From there you can take an open Hop on Hop bus or just start to stroll up Las Ramblas.
There are some super tapas bars inside the market on the left hand side of Las Ramblas.
If you eat on Las Ramblas itself you may get"ripped off"
Not something I like to admit to as I live near Malaga but it is the same in any large city.
Enjoy your cruise
Fern
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My Latest Review: Oct 2007 Thomson Calypso Cruise Ship (9/10)
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Istanbul2005
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09-07-2007 09:58 PM
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Joined: 24 Jun 2007
Posts: 4
| Thank you for taking the time and the effort to help me (attempt to) plan our trips on the cruise. It's very much appreciated.
Our ports of call are:-
Olbia, Sardinnia
Civitavecchia (Rome)
La Spezie, Italy
Nice, France
Mahon, Menorca
Messina, Sicily
Naples, Italy
Livorno, Florence/Pisa
Toulon, France
Barcelona, Spain
Thanks again.
Les
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fern
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09-07-2007 10:19 PM
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Joined: 01 May 2007
Posts: 22
My Profile
| Hi Les,
Here are a few more hints about some of the other ports of call.
Civtavecchia- if you want to visit Rome take a ships tour as it may be the only way to guarantee seeing most of it in a day. Civitavecchia is a mainly commercial port but the town itself is Ok to wander around in.
La Spezia. We had a fabulous day there just by using the local"tractor train" ( very cheap)
Nice . Easy to wander on your own and it has a very good train system if you want to venture further.
Mahon. Climb up the steps into the town and enjoy! I f you want to try a beach area try the more unspoilt Es Grau area although there isn`t much for children there.
Hope this is helpful.
Fern
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My Latest Review: Oct 2007 Thomson Calypso Cruise Ship (9/10)
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Istanbul2005
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11-07-2007 09:15 AM
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Joined: 24 Jun 2007
Posts: 4
| All info taken 'on board'. Sorry !!! Lol
Thanx again.
Les
PS If anybody else has something to add, please feel free to contribute further.
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mollymalone
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09-08-2007 09:01 PM
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Joined: 09 Aug 2007
Posts: 1
| If you have not gone yet we would recommend doing Rome on your own - the trians are cheap and frequent - we got to visit the Vatican, The Colosseum and Trevilli fountain - we had saved so much money we splashed out on a hourse and cart ride through the center of Rome (from the colloseum to the fountain) which was great . We had a ten and 12 year old with us and they loved the day (well maybe not the Vatican too boring for them)
We did do the tour in Sicily which was excellent - we did the half day tour and got time ni the lovely sea the kids really loved it
The Sardina tour was not worth it - we did a beach trip which we could have easily done ourselves
I cannot tell you about the other ports yet but can do next week as we sail on the Island Star on Sat - for the Spirit cruise we are really looking forward to it. From my research Barcelona and Pisa are really easy to do yourself - still not sure about the other ports - good luck - you will have a great time I am sure we did
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