PelicanLvr

Since the OP's post shows they are from Seattle, I would say, see both Newport and Bermuda.  Newport is lots of fun.  Look into the different tours at the various mansions.  There was a servant's quarters tour at one (Elms maybe?) and other "different" tours at others.

In Bermuda take your son for a walk in the rock formations between Horseshoe bay and Warwick Long Bay.  Start at Long Bay and walk towards Horseshoe.  Looks like where they shoot some of the Bermuda ads.  

Enjoy whichever cruise you pick.

Changing to LPC really limits dining options on M class ships.  Hope Qsine Stays.

On 4/19/2019 at 12:50 AM, vicchick said:

Hello there fellow cruisers!

We cruised from Barcelona to Venice and stayed a few nights in Venice before going home. Venice itself was far too expensive for us after a month in UK and a 2 week cruise! We had the most wonderful experience staying just across the bridge on the mainland in Mestre. The hotel has a shuttle(limited)to town, so we spent most of our days exploring Venice followed by some lovely evenings strolling around the neighbourhood near the hotel. We found some beautiful gathering places where the locals hang out as well as charming restaurants all walking distance to the hotel. It was also simpler to get a taxi to the airport(closer) from our hotel..which was very nice and comfortable. Here's a link to explore https://www.ihg.com/holidayinn/hotels/us/en/venice/vcerr/hoteldetail?cm_mmc=GoogleMaps-_-HI-_-IT-_-VCERR

cheers!

Must disagree with the above suggestion.

Venice is most beautiful in the evening after all the day trippers leave.  St. Marks at night is an unforgettable experience with the cafe orchestras playing and everything lit so beautifully.  If only staying a few days, please pay the premium to stay in Venice and experience it.  Otherwise you just see Venice with the mobs and wonder why so many of us love Venice.  

Be careful not to put alot of effort into a disappointing day.  Malta is not much of a beach destination.  

Malta has a fascinating history...including its role in the Second World War.  Valletta is a lovely town to walk and the Cathedral and Fort are outstanding and easy to get to.

I know that's not what you're looking for....but that's what's there.

Good luck doing something everyone enjoys, and I hope you have a great day on your visit.

On 4/23/2019 at 2:41 PM, cruisemom42 said:

As a veteran Med cruiser (I am now in double digits, lol), it would take me pages to share my insights, but off the top of my head these are some of the best insights that I learned along the way:

 

1. It's better to plan a cruise that starts in one city and ends in another. Most of the cities that are the terminus points of cruises are large and very interesting and deserve a few days pre- or post-cruise to explore.  These days 'open jaw' flights generally are not any more expensive than flying to and from the same city. (Of course, special fares can change that...)
2. Look at time of year, holidays, and what days the ship will actually be in port (and even what hours).  All of these are important. Nothing is worse than finding out your only day in Rome is a Sunday and the Sistine Chapel is closed. Europeans celebrate some different holidays from the US -- one that always seems to trip people up is the May 1 Labor Day holiday. Most everything is closed on that day.  Also keep in mind that in Europe, Monday is the closing day for many museums. If you are going to Florence, avoid being there on a Monday at all cost!  Finally, some of the non-US cruise lines (Costa, MSC) tend to have shorter hours in port.  If you are only in Athens for one day, believe me it is far better to have 12 hours than 7 hours....  Finally, unless you have to, avoid the summer months. It is unbelievably crowded, and very hot. Look at the 'shoulder seasons' of late spring and mid fall for a better experience.
3. Itinerary trumps cruise line -- most of the time.  Med itineraries are very intense and have few sea days.  Choose an itinerary that you like and worry less about the cruise line (unless you know from past experience that you loathe it). You'll be off the ship for most of the daylight hours in every port. 
4. Look for variety.  If it is a first Mediterranean trip, look for a cruise that gives you a variety of places to visit. I wouldn't recommend the Greek Isles, for example, pretty as they are, because the Med has far more diversity.  Look for at least a couple of major cities, a couple of pretty islands, and maybe a few different or unexpected stops. Do keep in mind that a few of the larger cities that are popular destination are a long way from the ship. (Rome is 70 minutes; Florence 90 minutes). Some of the reading already suggested should help you get an idea of what ports appeal to you. In general, Western Med = Spain, France and Italy; Eastern Med = Italy, Croatia, Greece (and when safe, Turkey)
5. Flights are expensive. Amortize your time by staying as long as you can. I'd rather spend two weeks in Europe on a tighter budget than one week on an 'over the top' spree. Take the Oceanview room instead of the Balcony or stay in a small local hotel instead of a large chain. Don't feel like you have to buy souvenirs for everyone in every port. And so on....
6. Do some things on your own, and don't overdo it. Already covered above, but sooo important. On my first Med cruise, after about 5 punishing days of long tours in a row, I was about ready to throw myself overboard. 
7. Private tours in Europe are expensive, should be reserved in advance, and are of fairly good quality. They give you an option that is generally better than the big-bus ship tours, at a lesser cost, and many now have the ability to let you open up a "tour" on their website and then share it with others.  (Some reading on these boards will help you to understand the options better.)  But don't rule out doing some ports on your own. Ports that lend themselves to this, even for first-timers, are Mykonos, Venice, Rhodes, Dubrovnik, Split -- even Athens and Barcelona if you are comfortable getting around a big city on your own.
8. Once booked, do even more research -- I find the more I put into it ahead of time, the more I get out of it. And research doesn't have to be boring: watch some movies about the history or just for the locations; read some books by local authors or set in places you'll visit, etc.

OP - Read this post again and again.  Lots of very important and useful advice here.  Well said CruiseMom!

7 hours ago, Highpeaklad said:

Near but far as it were is klein Bonaire island. Boats go regularly from the pier next to where the ship docks. 

Pristine beaches but no facilities of any kind. It’s the other side of the ship when it docks. 

Another vote for Klein Bonaire.  Beautiful unspoiled beach and the ferry service runs on time.  It takes about 20 minutes each way.  

Lots of great info.  Thank you!!

Yes, around the Pantheon is a very central location.  

Also, if you want to eat in any of the recommended or popular restaurants, they are busy and you MUST make reservations way in advance.  Don't wait until you get there....it will be too late.  Use their websites to request reservations.

I have found the Celebrity shuttles (even on overnight stops) to stop running way too early.   They seems to really want you back onboard spending money there.  

Bottom Line:  Do not miss St. Mark's at night!!  That is its most beautiful time.  Yes,. there is probably a shuttle, but check the running times.  You may have to provide your own transportation, at least back to the ship.  

One last suggestion:  Try to see the Aalsmer Flower auction and market.  Really worth the early morning trip.  Flowers about to go all over the world!  

Simply put:  May is late to see the farm fields growing the tulip bulbs for export.  The farmers actually cut the flowers off right after blooming, as that is apparently best for the bulb.  Those bulbs are later dug up and exported.  Early to mid-April is usually the best time to see these.  It's really hit-or-miss since the farmers cut them right after they bloom.  You have to get a bit lucky.  

Keukenhof Gardens is a planted display (and it is beautiful) that is open from only from about March to May ("bulb season") and closed the rest of the year.   Definitely worth a visit if open.  

21 hours ago, wrk2cruise said:

I use the web site of a cruise travel agency based in Ahrensburg, Germany

Same here.

We are elite members that have witnessed the slide in X standards over recent years.  We now board with "Low Expectations".

X is usually able to live up to that standard.

In January we had a lovely "sweet 16" cabin, beautiful weather for our 11 day cruise, and had a wonderful time.  We just don't expect much and hope to be pleasantly surprised.

Our adjustment in expectations has gone a long way to raising our enjoyment.  The old X is gone, we needed to adjust

Perhaps you will not be rushed....but Tuscan will be pretty quiet early in your meal and empty towards the end.  I find that a bit uncomfortable.  

If you do not need to dine that late, I would suggest speaking to the staff to try to arrange an earlier time.  I find it hard to believe that they cannot accommodate you sooner.

On 4/16/2019 at 9:07 AM, Cruise Junky said:

My next two trips are land trips but I actually booked Regent yesterday. Dipped a toe into the luxury market for the first time. Got a killer deal. Probably no more a night than Edge 😳

Please share how you got a "killer deal" on Regent.  

11 hours ago, NantahalaCruiser said:

Totally agree with 9105 as the best of those available. We were in the angled balcony cabin 9038 a few years ago and enjoyed it, but thus know that 9040, 9042 and 9045 are still available because the window cleaning equipment is often parked in front of them!

Ahhhh yes,  The dreaded window washing equipment.  Don't want to be blocked by that!!

Have been in Rome several times, most recently for a week last month.

At the Colosseum the areas the public can see without "an official tour company" like Roman Guy or Walks of Italy is limited.  If your budget permits take a tour that gets you on the floor, thru Gladiator Gate, and/or into the underground.  All are off-limits to non-tours and what is open to the public will be crowded.  You can't just go everywhere on your own.  

Vatican:  Get in before it opens.  Halls are empty.  Really special experience.  They call these early access tours.  It will not be like in the pictures of being alone in the Sistine Chapel, but we were in there with only 30 people.  Really great!

Yes, you can try to do it all on your own.  You will see it better with a tour. 

Good survey.  Thanks for doing it!

Been on Millie and most other M class ships.  Of the limited choices you have I would go with 9105.  Here's why:

9040 & 9045 - Being right next to the extended balcony slant cabin, the balconies of these rooms are less private.  Have stayed in 8046 (the extended cabin one deck down on on deck 8, and I could see the entire balcony of the cabin next door.  Not private at all.

9042:  Is a bit more private, but still not great.

1000: right next to the aerobics studio...no thank you!

1000 & 1006: right underneath Cosmo Lounge.  Isn't that the night club?  I'd wait to read reviews about that.

That leaves 9105.  That would be my pick.

Aqua class was a genius move by Celebrity.  Take some less desirable cabin locations and charge more for them by adding a few perks.  Very smart!

We were on Summit in January and our sailaway was also 8:30 pm with a 4:45 muster drill.  We ate at Tuscan Grill that evening at 8:45.  

Sailaway from San Juan's Pan American Pier is nothing special.  Very industrial port area.  Not beautiful at all.  

Another vote to contact Romeinlimo.  We have used them for a day tour out of Livorno.  They are first-rate and can tailor a transfer/tour to you needs. 

Yes it makes a "great story" here...but the "elderly Lady" in OP's story, IMHO, went too far.

Too often we now escalate the situation when a reasonable resolution is available.  That is making every-day life more confrontational and belligerent. 

The elderly lady even risked disciplinary action by the ship staff for intentional destructive acts, while the chair hog risked only a "don't do that anymore" warning.  

As much as we dislike chair hogs, I don't think we should be applauding the elderly lady as "lovely" and her acts "well done".   Let the security staff handle the situation.  Don't take "matters into your own hands".

Where does this kind of action take us?  Not a place I want to go!... and certainly not a cruise I want to be on.

OP's original idea would be OK if it's an open top bus and you're "outside".  You do see a lot in an hour. 

Golf cart suggestion is great...but much more expensive.  

Disembarked Summit in SJ in January.  Lined up at 6:45 to walk off and actually walked off with our luggage at exactly 7am.   Was about the 25th or so person off the ship.  Sailed thru immigration etc and got a cab to the airport.  

You do have to have your bags scanned by the USDA machine (no one else was there).  We went thru security and were sitting at the gate by 7:45am.  

It was a "perfect world" with no delays of any kind.  But that is how early someone can be at the airport if all goes well.

Yes, we have stayed in 1044 on a different S class ship.  Same layout.  Very deep balcony.  I liked it; DW thought it was like being in a "tin can".  Yes it is quite deep, but some love it and some don't.