Mediterranean links

[ce_cruise]

Well most of us at this stage are here because we like to plan our cruise vacation. We are all out there researching our cruise ports and possible excursions. To facilitate that we are all on the web book marking our various websites. There is a wealth of information that we can share with one another. It does not matter whether you are on the first Mediterranean cruise or the last one you can share your research by leaving your link in this post. This idea for the links came after I looked at a link to using the trains in Europe before or after your cruise posted by "Velvetwater".

 

My idea is that you can give a brief summary of the link or if no summary is beneficial just leave the link. Some examples of links would be excursion companies, hotels and port information sites. I will get us started.

 

The link below allows you to research the ports that you are going to. It creates a route book that you can print out. For each port it gives you a brief summary of the main tourist attractions. It tells you the ways that you can get there and the estimated costs. It also links you to private excursions for that port.

 

http://shorebee.com/en

 

Tell your fellow roll call members to leave their links here for the benefit of all. Thank you in advance to everyone that leaves a link. :D

[BaseballMomof4]

One of the places we visited in Barcelona that we considered a "do not miss" was Sagrada Familia. The lines for this attraction are insane, so we purchased tickets ahead of time.

 

Here is the link:

 

http://www.sagradafamilia.cat/sf-eng/docs_serveis/infoTarifesInd.php

 

[SugarRush]

What a great idea.

I appreciate most on here are from the other side of the atlantic so For anyone wishing to fly in and around Europe before or after the cruise there are a few low cost airlines to checkout...

 

Ryanair

EasyJet

FlyBe

Jet 2

Iberia

 

I hope that helps someone, just be aware as they are low cost airlines baggage rules tend to be adhered to strictly :)

[heatherbelle]

Toms port guides

 

For all of the DIY folk out there. A wealth of info, that will help you get the best of your Med cruise.

 

http://www.tomsportguides.com

[heatherbelle]

Purchase your wall tickets for Dubrovnik before you leave home. I have used this site before. http://www.dubrovnik-travel-experience.com/dubrovnik-city-walls-walk.html

[heatherbelle]

Trip reports that will inspire you, not all of them are CCL, but I used them for planning.

 

http://cruiseforums.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1683745

 

Taromina on your own

 

http://cruiseforums.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1522369

[heatherbelle]

Rome in a day

 

http://cruiseforums.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1518706

 

Carnival Breeze in the Med

 

http://cruiseforums.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1698004

 

Carnival Magic

 

http://cruiseforums.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1597451

 

Xcruise

 

 

 

http://cruiseforums.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1700095

[heatherbelle]

http://cruiseforums.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1850814&highlight=lucca

[BabyJacks17]

A website (for airfare) that shows airlines that orbitz, priceline, etc may not that I use for checking on international travel $$ is....

 

https://www.hipmunk.com/

"Find cheap flights and deals on hotels with Hipmunk. We search hundreds of travel sites to find the best prices and take the agony out of travel planning"

 

It may not look like much, but after you try it out with a mock booking, you'll see all the details and options that you may not see on other sites.

[BabyJacks17]

https://www.ricksteves.com/

 

Rick Steves not only has his website, but books, podcasts, apps .... everything you can think of. I'd start with the site first for any kind of travel over in Europe no matter if you're in Greece or Italy, etc. He's a WEALTH of great information!

[Velvetwater]

Just bringing my original thread over:

 

I have read some posts here and on the roll call forums about people doing some Europe holidaying or trying to fly cheaply then train to Barcelona etc. Not to mention many people who might be sick of planes by the time they get over here.

 

Just thought I would post this amazing site I have used in the past and used to find out how to get to Barcelona for our Vista Journey. You can email him too for advice. All journeys usually say they start from London but you can use the itineraries and prices for the rest of Europe.

 

http://www.seat61.com/

[BaseballMomof4]

Toms port guides

 

For all of the DIY folk out there. A wealth of info, that will help you get the best of your Med cruise.

 

http://www.tomsportguides.com

 

Thank you for this link! These port guides are phenomenal!

[dogbert's mom]

This is great! Thanks so much for starting this thread. It will give me some much needed guidance in planning our first trip to Europe.

[SHAZA0208]

Thank you all for the web sites - no cooking for me tonight -:) I'll be busy planning.

[cruises42]

Toms port guides

 

For all of the DIY folk out there. A wealth of info, that will help you get the best of your Med cruise.

 

http://www.tomsportguides.com

 

Does he charge for these?

[fuddrules]

Does he charge for these?

 

Not at all. They are for your personal use and they are very good.

 

Just follow the links and download.

[cruises42]

Not at all. They are for your personal use and they are very good.

 

Just follow the links and download.

 

Wow, that's great, thank you!

[aquarianne11]

Thanks all! Following this thread.

[heatherbelle]

Here's another excellent Med trip report. I think it was this one that helped me plan to visit Lucca. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1848309

[The Phoenixx]

Just what I will need for 2018!!!

[HLGW60]

Get Rick Steves Audio Europe Travel app. Here's a video of Rick describing it: https://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/audio/audio-europe

 

Btw...the app is free[emoji2]

Edited March 16, 2015 by HLGW60

[heatherbelle]

Drama Queen's on RCL, thanks to a cruiser on my roll call.

 

 

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1668619

 

 

Sailaway - Carnival.

 

http://cruiseforums.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1759692

Edited April 4, 2015 by heatherbelle

[cruiser1202]

Drama Queen on RCL was an excellent read. You will love it!! Hubby and I did the exact same cruise 2 years ago and her write up improved our experience soooooo much. Be sure to check out ROME IN A LIMO for your Italy excursions!! You will not be disappointed!!!

 

http://www.romeinlimotoursharing.com

[BaseballMomof4]

My family and I found the maps we purchased from MapEasy were a great way to map out our planned destinations for the day. They are reasonably priced, laminated so they hold up well and very, very easy to read.

 

They are not available for all destinations, but the ones that are available are definitely worth the $7.95.

 

http://www.mapeasy.com/home.cfm

[mrstriceasnice]

An excellent site for planning for Barcelona. If you are flying in or out of their airport this has all the info you need to use public transit, hotel ratings, restaurants, attractions, etc.

 

http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.com/index.html