What do we need to know about a Mediterranean cruise?

[Ofinn]

THANK YOU So much for The information. This is exactly what I needed to know! MILLE GRAZIE!

Yes I agree. Also give "Tom's port guide" website a looksee. He give pictures and aerial views, maps and walking tours. Very detailed instructions. I find combing different resources to be helpful.

 

[MaineChapmans]

Yes I agree. Also give "Tom's port guide" website a looksee. He give pictures and aerial views, maps and walking tours. Very detailed instructions. I find combing different resources to be helpful.

Oh, that's great information. I'll look into it. 3+ weeks to go!

 

[Ofinn]

Oh, that's great information. I'll look into it. 3+ weeks to go!

HA. I meant to say combining not combing. My fingers have a mind of their own. Have a great cruise.

 

[nic11870]

We are going on our second Med cruise with DCL in September this year. One thing to realize is that these cruises are very port intensive. That means that on port days you will not find much at all happening on the ship during the day and nights usually end pretty early. We are not night owls at all, but found ourselves closing out the lounges around 11 pm. Dinner seating run a bit later than the Caribbean cruises. Main seating around 6 or 6:15 and late seating around 8:30. A lot of people end up eating in Cabanas if they miss their seating. Be sure to explore each port if you do not do an excursion. It is Europe after all. HAVE A PLAN! I really recommend the Amalfi Coast and Pompei when in Naples. They are awesome. This time we are checking out the island of Capri on a DCL excursion. The port in Barcelona is much different than the one at Port Canaveral. If you arrive early, you will be waiting in the hot sun outside and there is absolutely nothing to do once in the terminal. So if you go early bring something to read and your patience. Last time we flew in day of the cruise. This time we will be there a day early. I recommend doing that if possible. We used to live in Europe and really know that jet lag happens worst when you go east. So that first day in Barcelona can be pretty exhausting. If you can't do that just know that you first sea day may be a drowsy one. Let me know if you have any more questions.

Do you have any recommendations of what hotel to stay in Barcelona?

 

[cedricandsophie]

We have done several Med. Cruises, Disney and others. Just a couple of thoughts.

Whether you take a train into Rome or the Disney bus that drops you off somewhere for a day on your own, I very much recommend the hop on hop off bus that goes around to all the major attractions. We usually ride all the around once just to see the city and then decide where we want to get off and back on. There is a stop right outside the train station.

While Pompei is interesting of course, a far better ruin is Pastum, which is at the opposite end of the Amalfi coast. It is set right in the sea and is spectacular with a fabulous museum. You could either rent a car or hire a drive.

Capri is not to be missed if possible. One of the most gorgeous places on earth. Take an open air taxi up to Anna Capri and walk around. You can even hike back down to the port where the hydrofoil drops you off.

In my mind, Pisa is nothing special. Florence is gorgeous but takes quite a while to get there. Cinque terra is easy to do in your own and walking from village to village is great, although in summer the trail is very crowded.

Barcelona is a great city for walking. Suggest coming in two days before to explore, enjoy the ambiance. We stayed at a Sheraton very close to the Rambla. It was clean and good location. Easy cab ride to the port.

 

[tlprice]

These tips are all great. I hope I can remember them or find this thread again for my June 2018 trip. I had already planned on only doing half day tours in all ports since it will just be me and my DD11. I think she would get too exhausted with long excursions everyday. I also chose the Barcelona to Rome cruise so we could have more time in Rome after the cruise and not just one long worn out day.

 

[eva]

Do you have any recommendations of what hotel to stay in Barcelona?

Well the Hotel DO is located on Las Ramblas and is an amazing boutique hotel. It is very easy to walk to the beach from there too. The square by the hotel is full of all kind of night time action. The staff is great and the tapas bar on the roof was so romantic and yummy.

But our favorite hotel is a little further out in the shopping district area. The Olivia Balmes Hotel was a lovely place to stay. The staff was amazing! They even upgraded us to a suite. The welcome coffee and breads were great. The roof top pool and bar were nice to relax at. You can walk to all the great shops and even to Las Ramblas from this hotel. Loved this area!