ajtraveler66

Zadar is on a Mediterranean itinerary of a cruise that we hope to take in April (NCL Star). Looking for suggestions on things to do near the port. Things to see. Good scenery. A place to have a lunch with 'local flavor'. Thanks.

Doggonit. We thought we had found the perfect Mediterranean cruise itinerary. Then today I realized that we would be in Italy during Holy Week. We would actually be in Rome on Good Friday (wanting to see the Sistine Chapel, of course)...and we would be in Sicily on Easter Sunday. {Florence on Thursday and Naples area on Saturday}. I'm assuming that Rome, in particular, will be crazier than usual. Looking forward to hearing what you all have to say...especially if you have experienced being in this area during Holy Week. Just can't decide what to do.

We are considering a cruise on NCL Star for 2023. If we take the cruise, we will have just wrapped up 3 days in Florence, Rome, and Naples prior to coming to port in Catania. (We plan to do those three cities in a VERY BIG way!!) That said, our next day--as I said--would be Catania, Italy (Sicily). If we take the cruise, we will probably be very tired and will more than likely want to take things easy at the Catania port. Can you see Mt. Etna from the port (assuming clear weather, of course)? Also, are there things to do within walking distance from the port? Restaurants, etc., etc. If you cannot see Etna even if the weather is clear -- any suggestions for being able to do so? (Might as well see it if you are there).

Of the itineraries, I'm looking at, the one offered by the Star in April 2023 is impressing me the most. Of course, I'm just one of three people. But I will definitely share this information with the rest of the group. (I'm the research guy ... so they are counting on my advice anyway. LOL)

Our group of four seniors (not high school or college 🙂) has been looking at some outstanding itineraries for a 2023 Mediterranean cruise. It's hard to decide what to do. So, maybe the answer will lie in the ship that we feel best suits us. We can take a little bit of the 'loud stuff', but we do like to concentrate our time on the quieter portions of the ship. We do like good food, just like everyone. And it's always nice to have one of those 24-hour restaurants available. We will be spending the bulk of our time on excursions (since we'll be in Europe), but I'm sure we'll need to take a day or two off just to have some quality 'ship' time. Of these five, which would you prefer to cruise on, knowing our circumstances: Epic, Gem, Star, Breakaway, Viva. Yes, we know that the Viva will be new. And it's not the preferred itinerary, but I'm just throwing it out there anyway. So mainly, of course, I suppose I'm asking about the Epic, the Gem, the Star, and the Breakaway. I look forward to hearing from you.

We are looking at a cruise itinerary that includes the ports of both Korcula and Dubrovnik. Of the two, which offers the most as far as beautiful scenery? Of the two, which has the best with regard to restaurants within walking distance to the port? We will probably do a major tour on one of these islands and just opt to 'walk around and have a leisurely lunch' on the other island. We look forward to receiving your imput as we continue to plan two days for this cruise plan.

We are looking at a cruise itinerary the includes Saint-Tropez, France. Should we decide on this cruise, the three days that follow S-T are going to be cram-packed with lots of activity in Florence, Rome, and the Naples area. So at Saint-Tropez, we'd just like to get off the boat and just take things easy: take in some nice scenery, have a leisurely, but extended lunch ... and then make our way back onto the ship so we can rest up for what lies ahead. (You got it ... we aren't 20 any more, not even 50... 🙂). Any suggestions for this day in France?

We are trying to select our ship/itinerary for a 2023 Mediterranean cruise. The NCL Star has a great looking itinerary for April, and Korcula, Croatia, is one of the ports included. Some friends have told me that Croatia was a very pleasant surprise for them. Just curious: Is there much to do near the port ... I'm certain that the main thing we will want to do while there is to find a nice place to have an extended lunch and to take in some great scenery ... and just get a feel for the city. I welcome any thoughts/suggestions that will help us to enjoy our day of relaxation.

We're looking at some Mediterranean cruises for next summer. I noted on a few of the NCL cruise itineraries that there are two successive days in Florence (Livorno) and two successive days in Rome (Citivecchia). That really looks like a wonderful option to me. But I was wondering how that worked. As a for instance: Could one go into Florence and spend one night at a local hotel? OR could one go into Florence and return to the ship thru public transportation on their own at any time ... and then go out again the next day from the ship? I hope I'm explaining myself here. Really the only person who can answer this is someone who has experienced such an itinerary. I know how things worked in Bermuda with multiple nights, but this is Europe ... and there may be a different set of rules/regulations..

We hope to be on a Mediterranean Cruise in 2023. We're going to put most of our time, effort, cash, and energy into the ports for Florence, Naples, and Rome. That said, is there anything in Cannes that can be done within walking distance from the port? A nice long lunch and a feel for the city is really all we care about....as long as it's within walking distance or an easy to reach by taxi/bus.

We are looking at a cruise that will give us two days in the Rome area. The first day we would like to do a tour that includes the Vatican, Trevi Fountain, and the Colosseum. Yes, it will be exhausting, but GREAT! So...for Day 2, we'd like to just take the "Rome On Your Own" tour and take things at a bit slower pace. One thing we'd like to do that day is to have a nice leisurely lunch at a sit-down restaurant. We are looking for suggestions. (Name of the place and sites that are nearby). Thank you much.

We are looking at an 11-Day Mediterranean cruise with a focus on Italy. However, some other Mediterranean ports are included. Among them are Kotor, Montenegro and Split, Croatia. As the title suggests, I would be interested in your input one or both of these two sites if you have been there...particularly things that you would recommend that we do. We love nature, and we love food...and in that order. (I've seen a picture of a waterfalls near Split that looks amazing). Also...is there anything neat to do in the actual port areas...or is it best to take organized excursions, etc., etc.

We're seeking reecommendations for first-time visitors to Messina (Sicily). We're going to put most of our money and effort into Rome, Naples, Florence, Athens, and Santorini...so we are hoping not to do any expensive tours on this island. We're willing to take a tour if that is our best option, but would also be happy to just do a few things near the ship (provided, of course, there is something worth doing). Can Mt. Aetna be viewed from the pier from a distance? We certainly would want to see it. Perhaps it can be viewed from the ship as it enters/leaves the harbor. If so, that would be good enough for us.

We are looking at a Norwegian Mediterranean cruise that starts and ends in Rome (Civitavicchea). We would like to spend a few days in Rome prior to going to the pier to start our cruise in Civitavicchea. Any suggestions on hotels that have connections to the port, places to stay, tour companies to use, etc. We may be willing to do an NCL pre-cruise tour (if they have one)....but then we'd like a day or so prior to that to catch some of the sites that are omitted from their tour. It may be that we could do some sightseeing prior to the cruise ... and some more sightseeing after the tour. Suggestions are welcome. All we care about is the Sistine Chapel and the old sights of Rome. And we prefer not to be rushed.

We are planning a 9-day Med Cruise for 2023. I'll be honest, we plan to splurge in some ports (Athens, Santorini, Naples, Florence, Rome) but cannot afford to do so in every port. So ...... Is there any 'must do' in Malta? ... Is this a good place to 'hit the beach'? ... Is there neat stuff to do within walking distance of the port? ... OR is this a good day to just rest and 'enjoy the ship'?

You mention that it is important to go to Oia. Yes, I've seen the pictures, and I would have to agree. There is an excursion through the ship that includes music, food, etc....and they go to Oia. Would it be adviseable to take the tour? The reason I ask is that we plan to go in 2023 on the NCL Breakaway ... and it is a large ship. Seems to me that having 'reservations' through the ship might be a good, but pricey, idea since so many will be at port at the time. Your thoughts appreciated. (This is not a food tour....this is a 'regular' tour....and the food would just be a part of the tour).

We are looking at a cruise for 2023 that will port in Athens, Santorini, Corfu, and Mykonos. I love Moussaka and would like to have an actual Greek serving of it while in Greece. Since Athens is so historical, I doubt we'll seek it out while there. So.... has anyone been on an excursion focusing on food in either of the other three islands -- Santorini, Corfu, Mykonos? Food would not have to be limited to the moussaka. Domaldes and saganaki aren't bad either.

I was on a W. Med. cruise back in 2012. Our port cities included Barcelona, Monte Carlo, Florence, Rome, and Naples. (Lots of good places). By far, my favorite excursion while on that cruise was Pompeii and Amalfi Coast. It's definitely worth it.