I'm really interested in anything people know about booking Med excursions on your own. I just looked at what's available thru
DCL...as usual, the prices are high. And, as I knew in advance, many of the excursions involve LONG travel times to get to the sites.
I've contacted some friends who did the Med last year for some info, but they are on the Dream now, so I'll be waiting a while to hear from them. I was really not thrilled with the DCL excursions we did on the Dover-BCN cruise last year--we didn't have nearly enough time at some sites and way too much at others (as DD said, one beach or walled city looks pretty much like the next one!). I would really have rather had more museum time and a lot less lunch time (2+ hours for lunch....) Unfortunately, I chose the DCL excursion because there was no way I could find to do it on our own from the port we used; there was a closer port with many private opportunities!
I'm good on Barcelona--I was there three times last year. Rome--I spent a week there. It's one of the places I'd love to do again, but not for a 5 hour whirl! Ditto Florence--again, I spent a week there!
I'd really like info on Pompeii/Vesuvius. Anyone know about doing it on your own?
FYI, DCL does have several tours that are available as "family" and also available as "adults only."
We are also on the May 28 Med cruise.
MALTA : The only DCL tour we may do is Blue Grotto & Fishing Village
NAPLES: We were on the 2007 DCL Med Cruise. We knew people that went on the train from Naples to Pompeii and said it was easy. Search on these boards or
cruisecritic.com in the Ports of Call and I'm sure you can read how.
When we went to Pompeii there were many guides there for hire that spoke English. Not sure ,but you may can get tkts and arrange a guide online.
Very worth while seeing, and being early June , not too hot.
This year we booked a private tour w/ our son through RomeCabs to go to the Amalfi Coast...Positano, Amalfi and Ravello.
LA SPEZIA :We will be going to Cinque Terre on our own. If you're interested get a copy of Rick Steves Cinque Terre book. You can take a train from La Spezia, a 15 minute walk from the ship.
ROME: We are doing a private tour w/ our son's family with RomeCabs/
Stefano who we went with last time and loved him !
Since we all have been to Rome before, this time we plan to go to Trastevere , Spanish Steps area, Piazza Navona, see the new "basement" of the Colisseum...gladiators quarters & lifts for the animals, have a good Italian lunch and take the boys to Bourgesse (sp?)Park & eat gelato !
CORSICA: Probably go to the beach & relax
VILLEFRANCHE : Also, doing a private tour w/ my son's family with
Revalation Tours. Plan to go to St Paul, Antibes, Cannes
When we were there last time we loved the "hill towns", esp St Paul.It's very difficult to get there on your own w/o a private driver.
And like you, I don't like the DCL tours where they tell you how much time you're spending where.
Hope this helps
GINA
TUNIS : Had planned on taking DCL tour , Sidi Bou Said & Carthage, not sure
if we'll go there with all the unrest, or if we do we may just get off the ship, shop at the pier and ride the camel...WELL you gotta do something !!
and that I might not have enough suitcase space 
