Booked on Destiny Mediterranean Rennaissance

[Miss Ritchie]

I've read through the forums and some of you regular cruisers tend to sort out your own excursions once at port. As first timers to cruising with 2 young children (10 & 7) we don't know whether to book the excursions on the ship or make our own way.

I definitely want to do the Florence excursion but worry that most of the time will be spent on a bus rather than seeing the sites. Can any one offer any advice. Also I quite fancy the excursion to Rome, but again worry about the length of time spent on a bus.

What sort of price are the excursions.

I think I've got Monte Carlo sussed, most of you make your own way there by train!

Any guidance or helpful hints would be a plus.

Thanks.

[HW tenpin]

Trying not to fall out with my fellow cruisers, I would say you could easily all of your ports of call by local bus/taxi/minibus from just outside dock gates, with the exception of ROME. You will find that with four of you the cost is quite a bit less than ships tours.

HOWEVER for Rome I will always suggest a ships tour unless you are very confident about travel in a different country and are sure you can return to the ship on time, they will not wait for you. We have done Rome quite a number of times and the best by far was the ships tour by Mini-bus. The ship docks some 1 & a half-hours from the centre of Rome and to see the best of it please consider the tour that shows you Rome the best.

Whatever you decide use Google to explore the ports before you go, this should give you some idea of what is possible. Seasoned cruisers will always say that's easy, but do remember what time the ship sails and be back on board 30 minutes before that time.

Just to point out if you don't do a Rome tour, just walking ashore and exploring Civtavecchia (port for Rome) is quite nice and will cost you nothing. Look at some of the wonderful three-day trips to Rome in the papers far better way of doing it.

[Miss Ritchie]

Many thanks for that. Rome is definitely one of the excursions we'd like to do. How long are you actually on the coach compared to out and about exploring. Also, are meals included in the excursion or do we need to take extra funds with you!!

Have you done the Florence excursion........this is the sole reason I booked this cruise to visit Florence!!

Thanks again and sorry for firing the questions!!

[tercar]

hi Mis Richie
when we did rome we got a mini bus from the port there were other people outside and we booked it together there were 9 of us. the cost was about half of what the ships excursions were. However because it was a small mini bus he actually took us to all of the sights, therefore there was very little walking. when we spoke to other people on board they said we actually saw more of rome than them as they had a lot of walking to do i am going again in may and i expect to do the same thing.
we did the same for Florence, there again Florence is quite compact and i think you could do this by train without any worries, this is what i will do this year.
as you say Monte Carlo is easy it cost us 4.60 euros on the train. when you come out of the station turn right, walk up the hill (it is steep) and there is a little red train that takes you on a tour of Monte Carlo and Monaco worth every penny, there is also a sea museum up there which if id known earlier i would have gone in, (will do this year). im sure the kids will love it. hope this helps

[HW tenpin]

Whether or not you decide to take a ships tour or use one of the many other forms available, Rome cannot be seen in the limited time given by the cruise lines.

We have used all the options in Rome, ships tour, train, mini-bus and even private hire car with a guide. The best by far was the mini-bus tour by the ship, which was funny enough the Ocean Village. We did very little walking except in the attractions, we jumped most queues, a superb meal at lunchtime was provided and a fully detailed commentary on every aspect of places visited given.

Each to his own I guess and yes using local transport is a lot cheaper, but to be honest, they don't come close to giving you the information given by the ships tour guides.

We will still continue to do our own thing in most ports we visit, this is because after 55 cruises I guess it comes easy, however please don't knock ships tours they are a boon to lots of people that would rather be safe than sorry.

[tercar]

hi tenpin
can i just say when on the last Thomson's ship there were only large coaches and the literature stated there would be a lot of walking due to the coaches not being able to go into the centre due to the small roads, therefore on these tours you cannot walk to all of the attractions -you only visit some of them, i found buying a small handbook invaluable. also i think with children organized tours are boring for them.

[Miss Ritchie]

Many thanks tercar and tenpin for your advice. I've a feeling I'm worrying myself about this too much and am sure whichever way we decide to explore the destinations will prove absolutely breathtaking. As far as the kids go, hey if me and their dad can put up with Orlando theme parks, 9 til 9 practically every day for 2 weeks then by god Florence and Rome will be a walk in the park.

The cruise is looming, 19 June departure and we are really excited at the prospect of our first cruise. What a way to spend my 40th birthday and one that I am sure I won't forget.

This forum is a fantastic find for me and all your support and help is much appreciated. Don't think I've enough years left for another 54 cruises, but you never know, we might just get smitten with the cruising m'larkey!!!

Cheers to you both.

[tercar]

hi again Miss Richie
as your name implies you need to be richie ha! ha!
no doubt you will get smitten i don't like any other holiday now. we went on 4 cruises last year, so now im getting very poorie haaa! going on the spirit in may with some friends and family. hoping to do another in September,land hols just don't appeal to us now. i hope you have a wonderful time and don't forget the forum when you get back. its worth looking on as the last 2 cruises i booked someone very kindly had a code for �150 discount, which i used twice as did my friends so we saved quite a lot of dosh. have a great hol .

[freddo]

I am also doing the med renaissance cruise but on the Spirit on 2nd May, can't wait as never cruised before. I found the replies useful about the trips any more tips or useful info appreciated.