Any recommended Oceania sponsored shore excursions Barcelona to Venice?

[OBX Cruisers]

From what we've read on the boards, most Oceania cruisers seem to recommend that we arrange our own tours/tour guides. Are there any ports, however, where you would recommend taking the ship's sponsored tours? Have there been any that ship's tours that were particularly good? We'll be on the October 6, 2006 Barcelona to Venice cruise. Thanks everyone!

[Andee]

What ports? I'm too lazy to look it up.

[janycels]

The Montserrat Monastery is a great tour - but don't do it on the day the ship leaves. We got to the ship just as it was ready to leave (on the ship tour)

missed all the info about the ports we would be visiting.

 

Jan S

[Guest kcruisin]

Wonderful cruise! Our two favorite ship excursions were Wonderful Positano, and Tarantella - an Evening of Song and Dance both out of Sorrento. The Positano trip is all day and is expensive but it is a fantastic overview of the Amalfi coast and lunch at one of the most luxurious and expensive hotels there. The evening tour is to the local theater where even though the entire evening is in Italian was one of the most entertaining theater we have been to. It gives you a real taste of the people of that region. Find private tours for Provence and stay out of Marseille.

[OBX Cruisers]

Barcelona, Sete (France), Provence/Marseille, Monte Carlo, Portofino, Florence/Pisa, Olbia (Sardinia), Rome, Sorrento/Capri, Amalfi/Positano, Corfu, and Venice.

 

Thanks for the wonderful replies already!

[Andee]

We found Corfu and Venice very easy to do on our own. I did a little reading, selected what we would like to see, and off we went.

 

In Amalfi (which ended up being Naples instead), we hired Giovanni of tourofitaly for the day: we went to Sorrento, Amalfi, Positano and Ravello. Great day.

[OBX Cruisers]

Andee - Thanks for the advice, particularly re Venice. Did you take any of the ship sponsored tours at all on your cruise? What did you think of these?

[muddsmom]

We visit Venice once or twice a year now, (land trip), but our very first visit was with a tour with The Grand Princess. I must say that I did not enjoy the tour at all and wished we had spent the day on our own. The fun of Venice is getting lost and enjoying everything. We were rushed from one place to the next and once when I stopped to look at a window display, I was almost left behind. There is one tour that most people enjoy named the Doge's Secret Itinerary Tour. I'm sorry that I do not have the site for this, but I believe you will want to book it ahead of time. It isn't that expensive. You will also want to go inside the Basilica in St. Marks square, but the lines can be rather long. Since you will be arriving with all the other people from the ships, try and do that first and perhaps you can get a jump on the crowds. Remember, no shorts or bare shoulders and they won't allow backpacks either. Also, go up inside the bell tower there. I can't remember the name right now, (it's a 50's thing) but the views are spectacular and an elevator takes you up. After that, just walk, walk, walk. Get away from St. Marks and see the real Venice. Unless you are starting or ending in Venice, you won't be there during the evening hours, but if you are, sit in the square, order a drink and listen to the beautiful orchestra's. The drinks cost a fortune, but it is magic. A little PS, don't purchase anything fake from the street vendors, the Italians are cracking down on people purchasing these items and you can be arrested and fined.

 

Sharon

[Andee]

No, we didn't do any of the ship's shore excursions. I don't do so well being herded around in a group, waiting for other people, and having too little time at the places I want to see, and too long at the places I don't want to see.

[macbest]

We thought the excursions for both Monte Carlo (Cortes du Jewels) and Avignon were well done by Oceania. We did private excursions in Florence and figured out the train (very easy) in Rome. In general, if you have the time, I think you are better off with a private excursion (and there are at least 4 of you). Otherwise, even though they are very expensive, Oceania's sponsored tours were very good.

[Guest kcruisin]

Do Venice on your own. It is easy and fantastic. DON'T go on any tour to Murano - they all end up at the same glass factory and it is very hard sell and expensive. You can go to Murano and Burano on your own very easily. If you plan on staying a night in Venice we stayed at the Gritti Palace and it was well worth the extra money.

[janycels]

The Regatta docked at the Venice port, (on our 2003 cruise) and the shuttle boats were on strike, so we decided to walk to St Mark's Square---we were there on the ship's overnight stay before disembarking--that was great!! It's 4.75 miles to the square (but we didn't know that) so around 10 miles round trip. This is a bit much for us four septuagenarians, but we took it slowly, enjoying all the shops and little knooks & corners on the way. Of course, shopping on the way was much cheaper than when we reached St Mark's Square. Glad now that we did it.

 

Jan S

[digby]

"The Regatta docked at the Venice port,"

 

Is that where they always dock. That's where the HAL Westerdam was docked when we sailed to and from Venice in 5/2004. That is a much bigger ship that the Regatta. I saw some smaller ships docked just steps from St. Mark's Square and was hoping Oceania used that dock too.

[janycels]

We may have docked at S.M.del GIGLIO, or in that vicinity--I know we crossed some bridges with many stairs, but I don't know if Oceania ever docks at St. Mark's. Your TA should have that info for the cruise you are interested in. I believe that Oceania makes a contract with each dock for the season. (?)

Jan S

[OBX Cruisers]

KColquitt - Was there a particular reason you recommended we "stay out of Marseille"? Did you have a bad experience there?

Thanks for the recommendation re Sorrento - we will definitely sign up for the evening and the trip to Positano as well - they sounded wonderful!

[janycels]

We had ordered a car to pick us up for the airport after disembarking at Venice. Buses had been arranged by the ship for some charge like $80 a person (?) When our car didn't show up--we found a cab (there were many) --it was like an SUV, and we got to the airport with all our luggage in like 15 minutes. The driver put our bags on the check in counter. Our fare was $37.50. The limo charge was refunded, and we were happy that it turned out as it did. The buses seemed to take forever to load, and people had to sit until all passengers were on each bus. SO-----I recommend that you get a

cab to the airport (IF TIME PERMITS) in Venice. The ship's crew helped us get one. We had plenty of time to make the plane---so had no time problem.

 

Jan S

[sandy2004]

The only ship's tour we took in May was the tour to Pisa. The guide was excellent, very informed and patient when asked questions. He stayed with us for most of the time after the official tour was over, walking us around the town itself.

[Guest kcruisin]

Marseille is very crowded, rush hour is horrible, and a typical big city. There are a few Churches and one Square that was interesting but nothing that was worth the time it took to ride through it. We took an O. tour that included a bus ride through Marseille to Cassis (billed as one of the most romantic places on earth!). We left the ship and started our bus ride during the height of rush hour and it took about 1 1/2 hours to get to Cassis. Our guide spoke very broken English and was very difficult to understand and all she did on the way was to say "out the left side windows" and "out the right side windows". By the time she said it and we figured out what she was saying we had already passed it!! When we finally got to Cassis she told us we had 45 minutes to spend there before we had to board the bus to go back. Most of the stores and restrauants were not open yet and the only public toilets were on the far side of the island. By the time we walked there, waited on line to use them and walked back we had about 20 minutes left! On the bus ride back to the ship we did stop at two places. We were also warned about going back into the city - crime is supposed to be high there.

 

Our second time at this port we hired a private car with two other couples and for about the same amount of money we had a 6 hour tour of Provence, lunch at a fabulous outdoor place (extra) and a tour of a local winery.

[gencon]

Our second time at this port we hired a private car with two other couples and for about the same amount of money we had a 6 hour tour of Provence, lunch at a fabulous outdoor place (extra) and a tour of a local winery.

 

 

KColquitt: This is exactly that we want for our Venice-Barcelona on Sept 8. Can you let me know who you hired for the private car? Thanks.

[Guest kcruisin]

We used Taxi Durand and their web site was http://www.taxidurand.com. Our driver was Louisette and she was fantastic. I believe that we paid 420 Euros for 8 hours for six of us. I imagine it has probably gone us some since then but it is well worth it.

[Pleasantcruiser]

Lucky you. We completed our Venice to Barcelona tour on November 5 and are still dreaming and talking about what a wonderful time we had.

 

The ship, Regatta, does not dock at St. Mark's but it certainly isn't a 4.75 mile walk! More like a mile if you stick to the waterfront walkways. If you cross the Ponte Accaddemia and stick to the waterfront as close as possible, you'll be in St. Mark's in no time. We overnighted at the San Marco Palace - highly recommend it. It is just off the square. Wish we had spent at least another night.

 

We took only 3 fabulous tours while on our cruise. The rest we figured out on our own by using a handy book called Mediterrean by Cruise Ship. We HIGHLY recommend, Claudio and Carlo from www.limoinrome.com.

 

Our first tour was with a very nice gentleman who spoke very good English, Carlo. He took us to Pompei, absolutely fascinating. I suggest you have Carlo help you hire a guide inside the walled city. After our tour we went to Sorrento and had a fabulous meal on a dock at a local restaurant. Not fancy or expensive but the food was to die for. Excellent wine recommendations were made and we let the owner chose our dishes. Yum. If we are ever there again, we will certainly eat there. Carlo then took us on a tour of the Amalfi Coast and into Positano for a little shopping. There were 4 of us in a comfortable, clean and spacious van. Carlo was dressed in a suit and met us at the bottom of the boat ramp. He was very knowledgable and kind. Bought some terrific lemon cello (this is where it is made) and made limon drop martini's that night on board to toast our fantastic day.

 

Our next tour with limoinrome was with Claudio. Again, we were met by a suited gentleman at the boat ramp and whisked off to Rome. He drove us directly to the Vatican where we were introduced to Claudia a brillant young woman fascinated with Art and History and SO knowledgable about the Vatican, it's museums and paintings. She somehow managed to avoid the long line and march us right up the the entry and in we went! We couldn't get enough of her and wanted a full day with her. Her price was 120 euros for 3 hours. Impossibly cheap!

 

The rest of the day was spent with Claudio who drove right up to all the major tourist sights (our first time in Rome so we wanted to see it all!) Claudio warned us where he thought there might be pickpockets and took us to churches and homes that we would not have seen on a bus excursion. For instance, we went to Dante's cathedral and home. He also took us to see and touch Michaelanglo's first sculpture. Again, we were taken to an out-of-the-mainstream restaurant where the food was excellent and the atmosphere friendly and inviting.

 

Lastly, we went to Pisa and Florence with Claudio. Again, it was fantastic and between Floence and Venice, I don't know which I like better! From taking us to the best capuccino place to the leather markets to the David, the fountains, the view above the city - these guys know these cities like the back of their hands and can get you pretty much anywhere you want. And they have brillant suggestions and so much knowledge. Bought great olive oil and vinegar, leather purses and belts.

 

I'd get a cab and go to a beach town on Corfu (not a favorite stop) -You can do Dubrovnik yourself, the walled city is fascinating. LOVED Corsica and you don't need a tour there either. Capri is easy to do on your own - shopping and lunching! Monte Carlo is fascinating by just walking around and in the evening you can cab over to the Casino (don't forget your passport).

 

Have a wonderful trip and check out limoinrome's website. They book up early so don't hesitate. You want be sorry!

 

Sharon