Mediterranean Cruising/Vision of the Seas: What do YOU want to know?

[Nicole721]

Hi everyone!

 

We're about to head off on a nearly three week trip over to Europe, most of which will be spent onboard the lovely Vision of the Seas. Planning a trip like this has been a completely different monster and I've spent hours scouring these boards for information and planning this trip, so in an effort to pay it forward, if anyone has any questions about the Vision of the Seas or cruising the Mediterranean, I'm happy to try to find some answers and include them in my review!

 

We're embarking in Barcelona and then sailing to Monte Carlo, Florence/Pisa, Rome, Athens, Santorini, Kusadasi and Naples, so if anyone has questions about those ports (or any tips!), I'll be happy to report back when we return.

 

And if you feel like following along (and the wi-fi Gods are nice to me onboard), I'm going to try to do a live report of my trip on Instagram and Twitter.

 

Happy Cruising!

[powelweb]

Are you on the 5/16 sailing?

 

If so, please post about Monte Carlo, Pisa/Florence, Rome, and Naples since those are the same ports we have on the 5/28 sailing.

 

And have a great cruise!!!!

[Nicole721]

Are you on the 5/16 sailing?

 

 

 

If so, please post about Monte Carlo, Pisa/Florence, Rome, and Naples since those are the same ports we have on the 5/28 sailing.

 

 

 

And have a great cruise!!!!

 

 

I am, and I will! :)

[txcowboy10]

Have a great cruise!! I sail those ports next fall

[Nicole721]

Have a great cruise!! I sail those ports next fall

 

Thank you! :)

[zxc]

I did a Western Med cruise last summer, including Florence/Pisa (Livorno) and Rome (Civitavecchia).

 

Check out the review I'm currently writing: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2194638

[RoyalPrincess0622]

I would love to hear all about your plans for Florence/Pisa and Naples. I've been to all 3 on a land vacation a couple of years ago, but I'm finding it hard to decide what to do on our Med. cruise in October (Allure!). I loved Capri, but I'm not sure if I should go back there or go somewhere new. What are your plans?

[Hailzmick]

See you onboard Nic!!! :-)

[Kombee]

We are doing the same cruise in August on Vision, so would love to know what you do on port days. Are you doing your own thing? Or the ships tours?

[leaves]

Doing the same in July, would love to hear about all the ports- I can't decide which ones in particular! My mum is really looking forward to Santorini, and I am excited about Rome and Naples. Can't decide how to go about booking trips so any advice greatly appreciated! :confused: :)

[Nicole721]

I did a Western Med cruise last summer, including Florence/Pisa (Livorno) and Rome (Civitavecchia).

 

Check out the review I'm currently writing: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2194638

 

Okay!

 

I would love to hear all about your plans for Florence/Pisa and Naples. I've been to all 3 on a land vacation a couple of years ago, but I'm finding it hard to decide what to do on our Med. cruise in October (Allure!). I loved Capri, but I'm not sure if I should go back there or go somewhere new. What are your plans?

 

We're skipping Pisa and doing a tour of Florence and we're doing an excursion to Sorrento, Capri and Pompei in Naples.

 

Enjoy the Allure -- she's a beauty!

[Nicole721]

See you onboard Nic!!! :-)

 

Wooohoooooooo!

 

We are doing the same cruise in August on Vision, so would love to know what you do on port days. Are you doing your own thing? Or the ships tours?

 

We're doing ship tours. We haven't been to any of these ports yet and many of them are an hour plus away from the major city destination, so we felt more comfortable booking through the ship.

 

We are doing a private tour in Barcelona, though! I'll report back on that! :)

[Nicole721]

Doing the same in July, would love to hear about all the ports- I can't decide which ones in particular! My mum is really looking forward to Santorini, and I am excited about Rome and Naples. Can't decide how to go about booking trips so any advice greatly appreciated! :confused: :)

 

I will bring back tons of info on the ports! :D

[TheBuick]

Very interested in Athens -- well actually -- ALL of the ports. Please do enjoy your trip. My daughter and I are currently discussing a Mediterranean cruise! Thank you!

[fragilek]

Can you post up if they have any offers if buying drink packages on board.

 

Someone mentioned buy one get 20% off a 2nd and buy premium get replenish free.

 

Have a great cruise

[Hailzmick]

Wooohoooooooo!

 

 

 

We're doing ship tours. We haven't been to any of these ports yet and many of them are an hour plus away from the major city destination, so we felt more comfortable booking through the ship.

 

We are doing a private tour in Barcelona, though! I'll report back on that! :)

 

 

We are doing our own tours. Will be interesting to compare.

I'll eventually do a review too :-)

[SRQSally]

Last year we did a 13 night on Celeb Barcelona to Venice. It was fantastic.

We booked private tours which was our family of 6 in usually a Mercedes

SUV or van with driver who doubled as tour guide. They are very aware of

the time the ship leaves and leave in plenty of time to get you back..they

don't want bad reviews on trip advisor or other sites. Driving back to the port

from Rome, there was highway construction...we got back in time but

5 or 6 buses from ship tours were very late. When you have a private driver,

you can completely customize the day to what you want to see, what kind

of lunch you want, etc. In Italy we used Rome Cabs for Florence/Pisa and

Rome and Sorrento Silver Star for Amalfi Coast. We highly recommend them.

Price was 550E for Florence and Rome and $450E for Amalfi...so if you

have about 6 people it's perfect....less money than ship tours and so much

better to our way of thinking.

[Love-to-ride]

Nicole, I follow you on your travel blog. Love reading about your adventures.

We're saling on the Carnival Vista next year, leaving from Athens and ending in Barcalona. Would love to hear aout all of your ports. Have a great time. :)

[Nicole721]

Nicole, I follow you on your travel blog. Love reading about your adventures.

 

We're saling on the Carnival Vista next year, leaving from Athens and ending in Barcalona. Would love to hear aout all of your ports. Have a great time. :)

 

 

We are having the most amazing time in Barcelona! I can't wait to write about it!

 

Currently sitting on our terrace staring out at our ship! Can't wait to embark tomorrow!

 

[sassyb69]

Can you post up if they have any offers if buying drink packages on board.

 

Someone mentioned buy one get 20% off a 2nd and buy premium get replenish free.

 

Have a great cruise

 

Just off the Vision and no offers on the drinks package I'm afraid

[AlabamaBeachCat]

Last year we did a 13 night on Celeb Barcelona to Venice. It was fantastic.

We booked private tours which was our family of 6 in usually a Mercedes

SUV or van with driver who doubled as tour guide. They are very aware of

the time the ship leaves and leave in plenty of time to get you back..they

don't want bad reviews on trip advisor or other sites. Driving back to the port

from Rome, there was highway construction...we got back in time but

5 or 6 buses from ship tours were very late. When you have a private driver,

you can completely customize the day to what you want to see, what kind

of lunch you want, etc. In Italy we used Rome Cabs for Florence/Pisa and

Rome and Sorrento Silver Star for Amalfi Coast. We highly recommend them.

Price was 550E for Florence and Rome and $450E for Amalfi...so if you

have about 6 people it's perfect....less money than ship tours and so much

better to our way of thinking.

 

 

We also booked private tours for both Florence and Amalfi Coast. I have to say, the Amalfi Coast tour was amazing! We booked through Amalfi Coast Destination Tours (they have a FB page). Our Tour Guide Roberto lives in Ravello, and was very knowledgeable about the area. He kept us entertained and we did not feel rushed at all. We were in an 8-passenger Mercedes SUV, with a wheelchair in the back. He was very attentive to my traveling companion, helping her in and out of the van, helping store her chair in the back, etc. The cost was $450 Euro, for 8 people that came out to $56.25 each -- well worth it for a full day of sightseeing along the beautiful Coast.!!