Need Shore Excursion Advice!

We are sailing on Costa out of Marseille in March 2018 to Savona, Catania, Naples, and Barcelona. Currently, we plan to take Costa excursions to Genoa, Taormina, and Pompeii and then explore Barcelona on our own. We have limited time in most ports (from 1 PM to about 7 PM), and we are people who like to see as much as possible. We questioned booking Costa excursions vs. doing these on our own. We're a party of 7 Americans. Looking for suggestions if anyone has experience doing these experiences independently. We've traveled a lot in Europe - have an international drivers license, etc., so we know how to navigate, but the price of the Costa excursions was not bad, so we questioned the headache of making arrangements independently. Here are a few specific questions:

1. Is Genoa better or as good as seeing Monaco or Portofino (we've done the Cinque)?

2. Can Pompeii be done in a more timely fashion independently, or is the tour and guide worth it here due to knowledge/faster admission, etc?

3. Is there anything to see - any place special to eat - in Savona?

4. Is it possible to get to Taormina using public transit? We've heard don't bother driving here.

5. Is there anything great in Marseille to see before or after the cruise? We're taking a train in and out of Marseille via Paris, so we want to allow as much time in Paris UNLESS Marseille has something worth our while.

6. I don't know if we'll have enough time after Pompeii to see any of Naples, but is there anything that comes highly recommended if we do?

7. Unrelated to excursions, but will it be warm enough to swim on a cruise in early April?

Thoughts anyone?

We are sailing on Costa out of Marseille in March 2018 to Savona, Catania, Naples, and Barcelona. Currently, we plan to take Costa excursions to Genoa, Taormina, and Pompeii and then explore Barcelona on our own. We have limited time in most ports (from 1 PM to about 7 PM), and we are people who like to see as much as possible. We questioned booking Costa excursions vs. doing these on our own. We're a party of 7 Americans. Looking for suggestions if anyone has experience doing these experiences independently. We've traveled a lot in Europe - have an international drivers license, etc., so we know how to navigate, but the price of the Costa excursions was not bad, so we questioned the headache of making arrangements independently. Here are a few specific questions:

 

1. Is Genoa better or as good as seeing Monaco or Portofino (we've done the Cinque)?

2. Can Pompeii be done in a more timely fashion independently, or is the tour and guide worth it here due to knowledge/faster admission, etc?

3. Is there anything to see - any place special to eat - in Savona?

4. Is it possible to get to Taormina using public transit? We've heard don't bother driving here.

5. Is there anything great in Marseille to see before or after the cruise? We're taking a train in and out of Marseille via Paris, so we want to allow as much time in Paris UNLESS Marseille has something worth our while.

6. I don't know if we'll have enough time after Pompeii to see any of Naples, but is there anything that comes highly recommended if we do?

7. Unrelated to excursions, but will it be warm enough to swim on a cruise in early April?

 

Thoughts anyone?

Portofino is very small and very, very beautiful. Genoa is not really anything special except a city that is not very clean, IMHO. Monaco is small and very crowded; do you plan to gamble or are you more about beauty? Have you been to Eze? If not look it up. I have personally been to all three and I loved Portofino; had the very best pasta on a boat/restaurant! As far as the weather and swimming that depends on the temps; it could be a little chilly. We did some of the Amalfi coast and Pompeii. Our special guide in Pompeii was wonderful to have, as he was so knowledgeable. It was a very long day taking almost 9 hours from Naples. You could catch the ferry to Capri...very nice, instead of Naples. Most people go somewhere besides Naples. I have heard others talk about taking the train to Taomina, but we took the bus through Celebrity just to drop us off and pick us up. This year we have a private tour for the two of us and are also seeing Castelmola on a 6 hour tour. then a short stop to see the clock in Messina and city....So you have traveled to all five villages in Cinque Terre? Is that what you said? How about Portovenere, a ferry ride to the south off CT or Santa Margarita, not far from Portofina?

Too bad you only have 6 hours in each port, which only gives you 5 hours max for sightseeing. That really cuts down the time to rent and return a car, or to use local transport. So, this time, I would vote for ship excursions or private excursions to save you time. With 7 people in the group a private excursion could be cheaper than ship excursions.

1. Is Genoa better or as good as seeing Monaco or Portofino (we've done the Cinque)? No. Not much going on in Portofino at the end of March. Go to Monaco with the ship excursion. It is 1.5 hours from Savona. Or a private tour to San Remo and Dolceacqua and Apricale.

2. Can Pompeii be done in a more timely fashion independently, or is the tour and guide worth it here due to knowledge/faster admission, etc? It can do better independently, but you don't have much time for that. It would be best to arrange a private tour for the group.

3. Is there anything to see - any place special to eat - in Savona? Meeehh. Nothing really interesting.

4. Is it possible to get to Taormina using public transit? We've heard don't bother driving here. Yes, but Catania is about 50 minutes away. A good option would be private tour to Taormina and Mt. Etna or Taormina and Castelmola.

5. Is there anything great in Marseille to see before or after the cruise? We're taking a train in and out of Marseille via Paris, so we want to allow as much time in Paris UNLESS Marseille has something worth our while. Not really. Look through this board for suggestions about tours away from Marseille. Since you are coming from Paris by train, you could stop in Avignon to sightsee and spend the night. Then train to Marseille the next morning.

6. I don't know if we'll have enough time after Pompeii to see any of Naples, but is there anything that comes highly recommended if we do? Yes, the museum. You will not have much time after Pompeii.

7. Unrelated to excursions, but will it be warm enough to swim on a cruise in early April? No, not unless you come from northern Norway.

Not coming from Northetn Norway.... MINNESOTA! Thanks so much for your reply!

Not coming from Northetn Norway.... MINNESOTA! Thanks so much for your reply!

Same idea :D weather wise.

:)Thank you for your insight! Much appreciated!

We are sailing on Costa out of Marseille in March 2018 to Savona, Catania, Naples, and Barcelona. Currently, we plan to take Costa excursions to Genoa, Taormina, and Pompeii and then explore Barcelona on our own. We have limited time in most ports (from 1 PM to about 7 PM), and we are people who like to see as much as possible. We questioned booking Costa excursions vs. doing these on our own. We're a party of 7 Americans. Looking for suggestions if anyone has experience doing these experiences independently. We've traveled a lot in Europe - have an international drivers license, etc., so we know how to navigate, but the price of the Costa excursions was not bad, so we questioned the headache of making arrangements independently. Here are a few specific questions:

 

1. Is Genoa better or as good as seeing Monaco or Portofino (we've done the Cinque)?

2. Can Pompeii be done in a more timely fashion independently, or is the tour and guide worth it here due to knowledge/faster admission, etc?

3. Is there anything to see - any place special to eat - in Savona?

4. Is it possible to get to Taormina using public transit? We've heard don't bother driving here.

5. Is there anything great in Marseille to see before or after the cruise? We're taking a train in and out of Marseille via Paris, so we want to allow as much time in Paris UNLESS Marseille has something worth our while.

6. I don't know if we'll have enough time after Pompeii to see any of Naples, but is there anything that comes highly recommended if we do?

7. Unrelated to excursions, but will it be warm enough to swim on a cruise in early April?

 

Thoughts anyone?

I'll focus on Pompeii -- when you have a short day getting their on your own is a bit of a pain -- there's the train but getting there from the port and then taking the train takes a solid hour plus each way, cutting down on your already tight time.

I'm not even sure if a private tour would gain much over just doing the ship tour if it is a reasonable price. How long does it actually spend at Pompeii? Three hours is really a bare minimum, and in such a tight timeframe it's best done with a guide of some type -- either ship tour or you can arrange for one usually at the main entrance. The site is huge and a bit difficult to navigate at first, so a guide helps get you to some of the highlights.

Regarding time in Naples, you probably won't have much. Not enough for the museum mentioned by marazul. Perhaps you can take a stroll in the area adjacent to the port -- might be able to find a good pizzeria for the real "neapolitan" pie.

Your insight is appreciated. Seems like the excursion to Pompeii is the way to go! We booked this tour with Costa with hesitation after reading a lot of poor Costa reviews. What sold us was the excursions, so we really want to make the most of our limited shore time! Thx again!

The idea of staying the pre cruise night in Avignon is a good one. It only takes a couple of hours to explore - but it is lovely.

As there are 7 of you in your party I would get a quote for a private tour to Pompeii - and compare to the cost of your ship tour. It has to be nicer to be in a small group than travelling in a 50 seater cruise sponsored tour - and if the cost is similar it must be good. I am really not sure about the timing but there may well be time to visit Vesuvius at the same time (just a thought). April is a good time to visit.

5. Is there anything great in Marseille to see before or after the cruise? We're taking a train in and out of Marseille via Paris, so we want to allow as much time in Paris UNLESS Marseille has something worth our while.

 

 

Thoughts anyone?

Around Marseille I've found a TON to see and do. We are planning our Med cruise for June 2018. Avignon, Arles, Aix en Provence, Luberon, Les Baux en Provence..

Genova is a fascinating city with lots to see within walking distance of the port.

http://www.visitgenoa.it/en/homepage

Not coming from Northetn Norway.... MINNESOTA! Thanks so much for your reply!

LOL! Same difference ;p