TripsOnShipsTraveler

Dear Mama4five... Consider this similar tour from Shore Excursions Group, which specializes in cruiseship passengers and guarantees return to the ship on time! See: https://www.shoreexcursionsgroup.com/tour/aix-en-provence-marseille/eumrpraixpri

I must agree with her... If she hasn't been to Pompei before, it's an essential visit and far more significant than Herculaneum, and it would be too much to do both in the same day. I have been there a couple of times before. No worries, mate!

Hello from West Palm Beach, Florida USA... My wife and I will be joining the ship on Tuesday, October 24th from Messina, Sicily after a +/- 10-day tour of Sicily. We look forward to meeting you all! We have done a lot of cruising, but not a lot on MSC. This ship looks awesome, though, and we're looking forward to it, especially after a land tour. Cruising is so much more relaxing!

Also, this cruise hits a number of places we have been wanting to visit... Malta, Genoa, and an extra day in Barcelona. We were there between cruises in 2018, but it was pouring rain that day, so we have a few more sights there that we want to see.

In Naples, on Monday, October 30th, we want to have a look at Herculaneum, the other "Lost City".

"A sister site to Pompeii, Herculaneum was founded around the 6th century BC, and by the time it was destroyed, had blossomed into a wealthy town with a population of around 4,000. The pyroclastic surge, which killed its inhabitants, left the city buried under 16-25 meters of rock, also carbonized wood and other organic material. Much of the ancient city lies under the modern suburb of Ercolano, so remains unexcavated. Even so, the preserved houses revealed wooden lofts, wine racks, and bedsteads, offering an intimate look into ancient Roman life. A walk through the excavated ruins shows not only the well-preserved buildings, but also stunning mosaics, ancient advertisements, and even fossilized remains of the city’s unfortunate inhabitants."

We'd love to find some friends to share the private (Max. 7) half-day tour with us (4 Hours). I have found an excursion that picks up from just outside the Cruise Ship Terminal and guarantees return to the ship in time... and if there are 4 of us, it'll cost $122.00 per person; $81.00 per person if there are 6 of us; $70.00 per person if there are 7. Please let me know if you are interested in joining us. My wife's email is michgoblue at aol.

"Entrance ticket to Herculaneum (13,00EURO adult; 2,00EURO ages 18 - 25; ages 0 - 17 are free;) is not included and can be purchased directly on the day. Guests must be able to walk over cobblestones and uneven surfaces, inclines and steps. This tour is not wheelchair accessible because of the varied terrain at the sites you will be visiting."

Hello from West Palm Beach, Florida USA... My wife and I will be joining the ship on Tuesday, October 24th from Messina, Sicily after a +/- 10-day tour of Sicily. We look forward to meeting you all! We have done a lot of cruising, but not a lot on MSC. This ship looks awesome, though, and we're looking forward to it, especially after a land tour. Cruising is so much more relaxing!

Also, this cruise hits a number of places we have been wanting to visit... Malta, Genoa, and an extra day in Barcelona. We were there between cruises in 2018, but it was pouring rain that day, so we have a few more sights there that we want to see.

In Naples, on Monday, October 30th, we want to have a look at Herculaneum, the other "Lost City".

"A sister site to Pompeii, Herculaneum was founded around the 6th century BC, and by the time it was destroyed, had blossomed into a wealthy town with a population of around 4,000. The pyroclastic surge, which killed its inhabitants, left the city buried under 16-25 meters of rock, also carbonized wood and other organic material. Much of the ancient city lies under the modern suburb of Ercolano, so remains unexcavated. Even so, the preserved houses revealed wooden lofts, wine racks, and bedsteads, offering an intimate look into ancient Roman life. A walk through the excavated ruins shows not only the well-preserved buildings, but also stunning mosaics, ancient advertisements, and even fossilized remains of the city’s unfortunate inhabitants."

We'd love to find some friends to share the private (Max. 7) half-day tour with us (4 Hours). I have found an excursion that picks up from just outside the Cruise Ship Terminal and guarantees return to the ship in time... and if there are 4 of us, it'll cost $122.00 per person; $81.00 per person if there are 6 of us; $70.00 per person if there are 7. Please let me know if you are interested in joining us. My wife's email is michgoblue at aol.

"Entrance ticket to Herculaneum (13,00EURO adult; 2,00EURO ages 18 - 25; ages 0 - 17 are free;) is not included and can be purchased directly on the day. Guests must be able to walk over cobblestones and uneven surfaces, inclines and steps. This tour is not wheelchair accessible because of the varied terrain at the sites you will be visiting."

Hello there wishuponasea...

Both Celebrity and Oceania are our favorite cruise lines. They are quite different, one from the other.

Celebrity ships are much larger and can, therefore, offer more things, including great stage productions, more specialty restaurants, the lawn on the top deck, art lessons, etc. and the food is very good. However, for smaller ports of call, it's a lot of tourists at one time. In the case of tender ports, it can take a while to get ashore (and back). Oceania ships, being smaller, do a fine job with entertainment, but not even close to Celebrity. They tend to call on smaller ports and can dock closer to the center of town in many cases. The service is superior, generally, and some staff will remember your name. The food, though, is outstanding. No extra charge for the specialty restaurants, which are great, by the way, but it's a matter of booking the reservations. But the dining room food is outstanding as well. They can arrange your air, but compare rates and make sure you aren't paying too much vs. what you can book yourself. 

Olife can include Roundtrip Airfare and Free Internet, plus choose one:
Enjoy an even more carefree experience with OLife Choice. Offering you the flexibility to personalize your vacation experience, this package includes Roundtrip Airfare* (always read the footnotes) and Free Internet, plus choose one:

- Up to 8 FREE Shore Excursions OR
- FREE Beverage Package OR
- Up to $800 FREE Shipboard Credit per stateroom ($800 is if you're booking a suite. Check what it is for your cabin category)

These promotions vary, so be sure you understand what you're getting!

Also, they place a high value on the drinks package... Great if you drink a lot, but absurd if you don't drink.

It's not the best value for everybody. 

One negative on Oceania... our bathroom was VERY small and cramped.

Also, it's more expensive than Celebrity... 

I suggest basing your decision on the destinations. Neither cruise line will disappoint.