Best Mediterranean tips?

[CaLuCa]

Just booked the May 30. Very excited! Still working out airfare and hotel. Looking at doing non-DCL excursions and starting to set those up. Any great tips? I think I have Naples planned, but am debating some things in Rome, and completely lost in Livorno and Toulon.
Party of 6...kids will be 17, 10, 10 and 7. It will be our 4th cruise, but first European. Also, 3 of the kids first trip overseas. Oldest went a long time ago, prior to adding the three.

Any favorite things from this both on ship and off?

 

[Pintail]

In Rome, we enjoyed the Vatican tour and the Colosseum the most. Walking around at night in Rome and eating at cafes is amazing. With 6 people an Airbnb would be good to check out. We stayed in an Airbnb next to the Piazza Navona, and it was amazing. The kitchen and washer/ dryer were nice to have so everything was clean when we got on the ship.

Traveling to Europe took us a day to get back on schedule, so if you are able to land a few days before the cruise and do some easy stuff - it could be easier on you kids. In Livorno, we went to the Tower of Pisa and Lucca. The Tower of Pisa was overrated. The town of Lucca was great.

With the kids, the European city hop on hop buses are a good option you might consider because you have a party of 6. It is super easy and you can get to all the popular attractions in the city. You are not locked in to a long tour and it gives you flexibility to do what you want.

I enjoy watching newer Disney movies in the theater and eating breakfast in Lumiere's before it gets busy.

Have a great time and take lots of pictures!

 

[KEichman]

When we cruised the Mediterranean with our daughter, she got SO much more out of the experience with the "Mission:______" books. You will never be able to complete them in the time you are in port, however, it really engages the younger set, and the 10, 10 and 7 will likely love it. Example for Florence: Mission: Florence

 

[fredandkell]

The Med cruise is great; my kids really enjoyed it. It is not relaxing though! Our family really liked Pisa - see my signature for a trip report (turn phone sideways to see it if on mobile). We did Tuscany Bus from Livorno and it was 1/4 the cost of DCL's excursion.

 

[aggiedog]

Helpful tips:

Fly in a day early, or two. It helps with jet lag, and more importantly, gives you a cushion in case your flight is delayed. We've been as much as 24 hours delayed on transatlantic flights before. We've been delayed more often than not when going or returning from Europe.

Pack a full outfit in each traveler's carry on, and consider cross packing some clothes in each other's luggage, in case one suitcase gets lost/delayed. My suitcase went missing in Iceland and I had to wear my mom's clothes for 2 days before it finally caught up with me. My son's suitcase went missing for 8 weeks on our flight home.

Get second seating for dinner. That way there's no rush to get back for dinner. Plan on an afternoon snack/light meal to keep everyone going.

Port days are LONG, and the Med is HOT (though hopefully not as bad beginning of June as later) Not really a tip, but be prepared. You may end up wanting to do laundry. We would get back, shower, then wear the next day's clothes to dinner.

With a group of 6, private tours may be a good option. I look at cruisecritic and tripadvisor and contact several companies, then pick the one that seems the more responsive to our requests. We travel in a family of 8 - 4 kids plus grand parents. Google "Port excursion in XXX" and you'll get ideas of what's out there. My family loves food tours. Rome is awesome, but it is a long drive there (1-2 hours), in a lot of traffic usually. Consider carefully how much you want to do with the kids in tow. Private tours allow you to stop for an ice cream break, adjust the pace, etc.

I loved Lucca as well. The bike ride around the city walls is easy, wide, and flat. I think even a 7 yo could do it. You rent bikes at the train station across from the from front gates, and the bikes came with locks, so you could stop and go into the old town at several different locations.

Have a great trip!

 

[braysmommy]

In Rome we took the train into the city which was very easy to do. I had booked Colosseum tickets ahead of time so we could skip the line. We walked or took a taxi around the city managing to see a lot. Built in a cushion at end of the day and still back to the ship in plenty of time. In Naples we ended up hiring a driver and went to Mt. Vesuvius first to walk up to crater before heading to Pompeii for the day. If you decide to go to Pompeii your younger kids might enjoy reading the Magic Tree House book on Pompeii (my son was 8 when we went). After Pompeii we went out to the coast for pizza before heading back to the ship.
In each port we were some of the first people of the ship which made for early mornings and a lot of coaxing my son awake each day.
Have fun!!

 

[MissyMouse77]

We did the Med last June. It was fabulous. It’s also pretty jam packed, so I’d recommend picking one or two days to be unscheduled. We decided to make our day in Cannes just a beach day because you can easily tender over and there are public beaches everywhere. I’d also pick a mix of half day and full day excursions. I posted a full trip report so you can check that out if you like. I’ll try and link it below.

https://www.disboards.com/threads/7-night-med-cruise-on-the-disney-magic.3758014/

 

[CaLuCa]

When we cruised the Mediterranean with our daughter, she got SO much more out of the experience with the "Mission:______" books. You will never be able to complete them in the time you are in port, however, it really engages the younger set, and the 10, 10 and 7 will likely love it. Example for Florence: Mission: Florence

thank you for the book rec!! I'll definitely get a couple of these. I did get the What Is series for the Colosseum and Pompeii and Eiffel Tower from the library a couple of weeks ago.

 

[CaLuCa]

We did the Med last June. It was fabulous. It’s also pretty jam packed, so I’d recommend picking one or two days to be unscheduled. We decided to make our day in Cannes just a beach day because you can easily tender over and there are public beaches everywhere. I’d also pick a mix of half day and full day excursions. I posted a full trip report so you can check that out if you like. I’ll try and link it below.

https://www.disboards.com/threads/7-night-med-cruise-on-the-disney-magic.3758014/

Read yours last week! Thank you for doing a write up!

 

[CaLuCa]

Helpful tips:

Fly in a day early, or two. It helps with jet lag, and more importantly, gives you a cushion in case your flight is delayed. We've been as much as 24 hours delayed on transatlantic flights before. We've been delayed more often than not when going or returning from Europe.

Pack a full outfit in each traveler's carry on, and consider cross packing some clothes in each other's luggage, in case one suitcase gets lost/delayed. My suitcase went missing in Iceland and I had to wear my mom's clothes for 2 days before it finally caught up with me. My son's suitcase went missing for 8 weeks on our flight home.

Get second seating for dinner. That way there's no rush to get back for dinner. Plan on an afternoon snack/light meal to keep everyone going.

Port days are LONG, and the Med is HOT (though hopefully not as bad beginning of June as later) Not really a tip, but be prepared. You may end up wanting to do laundry. We would get back, shower, then wear the next day's clothes to dinner.

With a group of 6, private tours may be a good option. I look at cruisecritic and tripadvisor and contact several companies, then pick the one that seems the more responsive to our requests. We travel in a family of 8 - 4 kids plus grand parents. Google "Port excursion in XXX" and you'll get ideas of what's out there. My family loves food tours. Rome is awesome, but it is a long drive there (1-2 hours), in a lot of traffic usually. Consider carefully how much you want to do with the kids in tow. Private tours allow you to stop for an ice cream break, adjust the pace, etc.

I loved Lucca as well. The bike ride around the city walls is easy, wide, and flat. I think even a 7 yo could do it. You rent bikes at the train station across from the from front gates, and the bikes came with locks, so you could stop and go into the old town at several different locations.

Have a great trip!

With 4 kids, I can barely go 12 hours without doing laundry! I'll be taking full advantage of laundry on the ships. Planning on getting in the day before because I'm nervous about the flights and more nervous about getting adjusted. I did get second seating for the first time. I'm hoping living in Florida and us being accustomed to heat/humidity we can handle the Med, but I'm sure there will be whining (small people and big people!).

Thanks for the tips! I always make the kids have a full change of clothes in their back packs. And ever since I read on here that someone lost their luggage for their entire cruise, I've learned to divide every one's clothes so they have at least something! My 10 DS would be appalled if he had to wear DD17's clothes.

 

[slmoy1016]

First DCL cruise was Mediterranean. I was not ready for a lonnnng day at each Port...neither was my family! Lots of walking and bustling After talking with fellow cruisers that had been on this cruise before, majority of them have done only half days. My fave places were Sorento (just seeing those lemon groves and quaint towns), Rome (Colosseum, Trevi Fountain and Vatican), and Pisa. Not much to do in Monte Carlo area, but you see the famous casino used in a James Bond film from the outside (they charge you money if you want to go in and see it), and I was able to visit the church where Princess Grace of Monaco is buried at. There is also a small garden not too far from the church that you can also visit. Also another great stop in France is the flower market - so many amazing scents and sights.

FYI:
Though be prepare for long lines at the Vatican with so much security. Do not bring any big bags on that part. Just bring your KTW, a small RFID wallet with cash/credit card, and your cell phone. You can't take any pics in the Sistine chapel. Also there is a strict dress code where your knees must be covered. (My Dad almost couldn't go but thankfully he was able to stretch up his leg compressions to cover his knees!)

I would definitely say pick 2nd seating given that we were always getting late back to Port. Though my Dad and I would head to Cabanas sometimes to grab a quick snack or something to get thru dinner. I even ended up not going to the plays and just watched them from the state room since I would be so exhausted.

Otherwise, I would repeat this cruise in a heartbeat definitely!

As for laundry, we didn't do any on the ship, but in your situation, I would say use it. Maybe pack a mini spray bottle of Febreze to get more out of the shirts if possible.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[remlap]

best tip, go buy the Rick Steves Mediterranean Cruise book and then book your short excursions independent and save $$$$$$.

 

[DCLCrazy64622]

Italy day tours was a fantastic supplier to book through. We did it for Florence, Rome and Pompeii. They use small vans which get you closer to the sites (Europe has small streets) so you’re not walking as much. They’re also 1/3 of the price of DCL.

 

[Ladybugx87]

For Livorno, there are so many options - we are doing a long-day to Cinque Terre via Bella Italia tours - we love Cinque Terre and chose to spend our time there this summer! Our party is a party of 6 too (my parents, husband and me, and two daughters (10 and 5).

I also agree with a lot of the advice you have received overall - it's a long and busy trip, plan some downtime and know you won't do it all. We did the Baltic Cruise when our girls were 2 and 6 - it was AMAZING but we didnt make it to a single evening show and I was OK with that because it wasn't worth overdoing it for everyone to get to the shows.

 

[monkeydawn]

First DCL cruise was Mediterranean. I was not ready for a lonnnng day at each Port...neither was my family! Lots of walking and bustling After talking with fellow cruisers that had been on this cruise before, majority of them have done only half days. My fave places were Sorento (just seeing those lemon groves and quaint towns), Rome (Colosseum, Trevi Fountain and Vatican), and Pisa. Not much to do in Monte Carlo area, but you see the famous casino used in a James Bond film from the outside (they charge you money if you want to go in and see it), and I was able to visit the church where Princess Grace of Monaco is buried at. There is also a small garden not too far from the church that you can also visit. Also another great stop in France is the flower market - so many amazing scents and sights.

Any chance you remember specifics on how you saw the Lemon groves in Sorrento? That is one of my wishes but I am having trouble planning it. Any advice on who to contact/ where to start looking for tours would be appreciated.

 

[slmoy1016]

Any chance you remember specifics on how you saw the Lemon groves in Sorrento? That is one of my wishes but I am having trouble planning it. Any advice on who to contact/ where to start looking for tours would be appreciated.

It was part of the DCL port adventure with Sorrento and Amalfi coast. The restaurant I believe was called Ristorante 'O Parrucchiano La Favorita and it literally had the lemon groves in it. I would check out tripadvisor for more locations for sure!

 

[tlprice]

My biggest advice is to make sure you include the kids in the planning of excursions. If they have buy in, they will enjoy it so much more. It is a very busy trip, so including them in the planning really helps. My daughter and I did mostly half day excursions, which she really enjoyed.

 

[Pens Fan]

I second the advice above to check out Rick Steves. His books and Youtube videos are fantastic. Our Med cruise started in Civitavecchia so we spent three days in Rome before and used Rome in Limo for so many things - tours, transfers before and after our cruise. I can't say enough good things about this company. In Livorno we went wine tasting in Tuscany with our Cruise Critic group which obviously won't work for you. But I'm pretty sure Rome in Limo offers tours there as well. Whatever you decide - enjoy!! The Med (and especially Italy!!) is amazing. Yes, you are a fair distance from port to the sights - but sit back and enjoy. It's an amazing journey.