waterlegs

Can you do Pompeii as a DIY tour from Naples? Is it easy to get to and back independently? I am not a history buff and really just want to walk around the ruins and soak up the atmosphere and see Vesuvius. How much time would I need to give to it? Could I fit in the city of Naples as well?

No, we can't afford longer than seven days cruise, financially as well as time wise. Our dad is in a nursing home and we will organise visitors for him while away but we don't want to be away too long from him. Yes we all live in Ireland, so no transatlantic flights. Checking the tenders is a good idea. Santorini may be difficult for my mam, although she would be fine in a cable car. we have seen Rome so would stay on board that stop and take advantage of a less crowded ship.

Hi. Going on a first time and maybe only time cruise in May/June 2017. We are looking at two itineraries with Rhapsody. Wondering if anyone recommends one over the other?

May:Barcelona, Cannes,Rome, Amalfi,Sicily, Venice.

June: Venice, Dubrovnik,Ephesus, Santorini,Katakolon, Venice.

We are also looking at cruise on Freedom but finding it hard to get flight availability to match.Thinking Rhapsody may be better for a first cruise anyway as it is smaller. My mother will be 80 and is very independant but alot of walking would be tiring for her.

Look forward to reading your opinions.

I am a first timer, hoping to cruise the Med in May/June 2017. It will either be on Freedom or Rhapsody of the Seas. Just wondering what decks are blow water level and what deck is just at water level? We want to avoid cabins below. Thanks in advance.

Was considering the Rhapsody for next May. Is it a ship to avoid after two serious incidents in a year? Definitely sounds like it was down to either a bad decision or poor navigation. Either way the captain should have given a reasonable explanation.

Great to read these positive reviews. Considering either The Dream or Discovery 1 for May.

Linda, the itinerary sounds similar to what I was looking at. What was Messina like? What could you do there? Was there access to Mt Etna? Is it easy to visit most places independantly of paying for shore excursion or were they far from port? As you can tell this will be my first cruise.

Thanks pensioncruiser and suekay. Was trying to get reassurance about general behaviour onboard I suppose and that cruises wont be full of typical stag/hen night behaviours. Like I said the issue never crossed my mind until the travel agent said it used to attract a rough crowd. Thank you all

Chaffesbird, thanks for replying. The thought never occured to me and don't want it badly interpreted here but a travel agent told me that Thomson used to have a bad reputation for attracting a rough crowd because they were cheaper but she also said that they could no longer be like that now. Again don't want to offend. Hadn't even thought of this until she said that but it wouldn't be the right cruise for my down to earth but elderly and active mum if that were still the case.

Dream is our favourite, six times on and another booked. Fantastic ship!!

Shellsailor:):):)

Hi. We are considering the Dream for May 2017 for our first and possibly only cruise. Can I ask what age group clientele it attracts or what types? I do not mean this question to be offensive. We are doing the cruise to celebrate my mothers 80th birthday. The rest of the group are between 44 and 76. Would this be the right cruise or is it more party oriented?

judo family thanks so much. I am north Kildare but other passengers are Dublin. Will try Cassidys and Falcon then.

We would definitely fly from Ireland if possible. Could you tell me which travel agents handle Thomson cruises? I haven't managed to get a quote yet. Have only seen them on the thomson website. Did you fly independantly of thomson direct to port or are ytou saying you flew from Belfast in the end with them? We wouldn't mind travelling to Belfast if we could fly direct to port from there.

Hi All. I am a newbie here and looking to book a first cruise. At the stage of confusion between all the possibilities. We are based in Ireland and I was looking at Thomson. Does each itinerary leave from a different UK airport? I find that part confusing. So if you live in Manchester, for example and are booking a certain itinerary you may need to travel to Bristol or Newcastle for your flight to port? We are looking at a 7 day cruise on the Med.