marazul

I do agree with Hank. Since you will not DIY, would you consider a private tour? Maybe with a couple more people from your roll call? You will be able to do much more without the bus crowd and you will NOT miss the boat! There are a number of tour providers mentioned on this board.

Which hotel?

This is the right decision. It is crazy to take a cruise in or out of Athens and not spend any time there. I would take a taxi to the hotel and have them hold the bags until check in time. Then you can DIY your sightseeing or go on a guided tour. If you want a guide, don't expect the hotel to set it up when you arrive there. It could take hours to arrange or they will simply hand you a map and point you to the Acropolis. Arrange for your own tour ahead of time. They can meet you at the hotel. Even better, a tour with a company like George's Taxi (taxigreece.com), will pick you up at the port, take you to the hotel to drop the bags and give you a tour. Whether tour or DIY, go to the Acropolis first. You can get your own tickets ahead of time on their website (search this board) or the tour company can get them for you. DIY in Athens is quite doable , but you need to do some research to plan your day. If you take a tour, don't include the Acropolis museum in it. You can go by yourself after the tour or go the next morning if you have an afternoon flight. For example, look at this tour: https://www.georgestaxi.com/tour/best-of-athens-in-a-day/ It can pick you up at the port, take you to the Archaeological museum instead of the Acropolis Museum and back to the hotel. Walk around the Plaka area in the evening and have dinner at one of the many tavernas.

Do this in reverse. Book the excursion so you have a guaranteed place. Then cancel a couple of days before (or whatever the cancelation policy is) if you, or some of you, decide not to go.

This could be the time to split up with your friends. The Alhambra is "the place" to visit. If others don't want to go, let them pick their own excursion, but don't shortchange yourself.

We often travel with other couples. We have a rule - every couple decides what they want to do during the day and make their own arrangements and everyone meets back at the ship for cocktails before dinner. It works like a charm. When several people want to go to the same place, say the Vatican Museums, we coordinate to sign up for a joint tour.

Also consider the Bauer Palazzo. It's on the Grand Canal a few steps from San Marco. It has a spectacular terrace on the canal. But check the room descriptions, the views range from Grand Canal to air shafts between buildings. The same is true for other 5 stars on the canal.

They do have larger vehicles. The OP should get in touch with them and ask.

You can spend 3 nights in Rome. Then train to Venice and spend 2 or 3 nights there. You can fly back from Venice.

That's a winner!

Hank - Wrong "K" town. 😉 Katakolon is theport for Olympia and, yes, nothing to do there there than Olympia. Kusadasi is the port for Ephesus and if at all possible, the OP should pick a cruise with that port and visit Ephesus.

Yay! Most important is the amount of time in each port. Some lines have very short stays.

Check historical data for any location here: https://www.wunderground.com/history And you are dying to go to Greece. It will be hot, but stop overthinking it and go.

How long ago was that? That's an urban myth based on old circumstances. For several years now the Italian government and the unions have had an agreement where strikes are allowed if previously scheduled and if a period of negotiations takes place before the date. There is a strike website where you can check the strike date and the status of negotiations. https://www.cgsse.it/calendario-scioperi You can look up the dates of your visit if see if any strikes are scheduled on those dates. The vast majority get canceled before they happen. There are no wildcats strikes anymore.

The most efficient and safest would be a private transfer and tour. You can choose to go the Acropolis or a general city tour and your bags will certainly be safe in the car. I really would not trust a taxi to do that. There are a number of reputable companies such as George's Taxi taxigreece.com.

No, it doesn't. It requires more time than the average tour. The Transvesuvian rail line has a stop at Scavi Villa dei Misteri. It is a short walk from there.

I think the message is not much to do in Piraeus. I agree. If the OP has seen enough of Athens he should still stay there and use the day to go to Sounion or Corinth. Then enjoy dinner and the evening in Athens.

Didn't realize that. I thought there would be more Italian ports. I still vote for Florence prior to the cruise.

The vast majority of international flights go to Rome, Milan or Venice. To fly to other cities you would have to fly through those airports or another European hub, say Paris. Pick another city that is within a short train ride to Rome. And plan to have at least one full day there since you will have two travel days - the day you fly in and the day you go to the port. I recommend Florence, especially if you were planning to go there from Livorno or La Spezia. That would give you a meaningful amount of time in Florence and would free you up for other excursions from the port, maybe Cinqueterre.

Are you staying in Porto? The best info will be at your hotel. No need to worry about it ahead of time.

You could really wait until you get there, but for your own peace of mind, book ahead. But wait for the summer schedule to come out.

Good catch. I didn't notice the website.

Last year. We were there for 2 weeks. It got to the high 90sF. About a 100 a couple of times. Muggy. So we went to the beach or adjourned to a taverna for a cold beer. If you go, do your outdoors sightseeing early in the morning. Save the museums, etc for later in the day. Enjoy a long relaxing lunch in the shade or A/C.

Nothing is as hot as Vegas in July. Not even Hades. As for the ports, you would have to post them Chances are that I have been there. We lived in that part of the world for a few years and travel back often.

I have only taken it from Amalfi to Positano. Yes, they run on time. Some departure times have more stops than others. You may have to wait until a couple of months before your trip to get the summer schedule. There is no problem booking tickets for whichever times you want. Can't help you with the Salerno questions.