Which ports would you "pass" on?

[crystalspin]

We had 15 Med ports in 16 days after our Transatlantic on the N.A. Having had a pretty good tour (included a walking tour with guide) with HOHO at Cartagena COLUMBIA, we prepaid for three Viator and one Turibus HOHO buses. None were memorable and Barcelona and Monte Carlo were absolute wastes of time.

 

There were three big cruise ships in port at BCN and we waited 2 hours to get a seat on a bus, of course it was an inside seat for the first loop with much craning of necks and partial views, no photos, of Gaudi edifices. When the second loop (that would have the Sagrada on it) started we got to move to the top deck, only to realize when the times were stated on the earphone tape, that we were not going to be back in time for All Aboard! We HOPPED OFF at the first stop, and walked back along Las Ramblas, shopped for Gaudi-inspired jewelry and drank sangria in a sidewalk cafe -- so the day wasn't a total bust, just mostly. Barcelona was the ONE place from the entire trip we came away wanting to go back (we are! next month!).

 

At Monte Carlo, the bus never stopped for hopping on or off and didn't seem to be following the route on the map anyway. Which didn't matter because there was nothing to see but expensive houses, big yachts, and casinos. Back at the port, we walked to a little lunch counter with Wifi.

 

My recommendation is skip Monte Carlo entirely (see France FROM France); either walk along the 'boardwalk' to the WiFi place or if you are not plugged into e-mail, have a day of rest on the ship.

 

At Barcelona or anywhere else you are considering a HoHo bus -- jot down the things you want to see from their website (or Tom's Guides, or wherever) and find a taxi to take you around on a "private tour" with photo stops -- which we did just accidentally at Dubrovnik and it changed the way I look at seeing ports!

 

Note, I am not ANTI ship's tours -- we did about 1/3-1/3-1/3 Ships/Private/None-incl-hoho.

Edited March 28, 2016 by crystalspin

[wesport]

The only one you might consider staying on the ship is Livorno. However, if you haven't been to Florence, definitely take the bus(provided by the ship) to Florence. You can take the train if you like to be adventurous.

 

Funchal. Several HOHO buses. Also take the cable car to the top of the mountain.

 

Cadiz. A beautiful waking city. The city has several color coded walking trails. We took the purple which takes you to the old part of town. Great restaurants to have lunch in the Bario district.

 

Gibraltar. Don't miss the cable car to the top. A must see.

 

I'm not sure what's in Lehavre, but we did a ships tour to Rouen. It was a fabulous tour. Gorgeous architecture.

 

Most of the ports I would at least have a morning walk.

 

Just some suggestions.

[visagrunt]

Given the choice between Livorno and Civitavecchia, I'd pick Livorno every time. Tuscany presents multiple visit opportunities (Florence, Pisa, San Gimignano, Luca, Prato, etc.) That's not to say that Rome isn't worth visiting, but Tuscany is moreso, in my personal view.

 

I would say Barcelona and Monte Carlo are *musts* if you haven't visited them before. (which could be an argument in favour of Civitavecchia over Livorno).

 

Most of these ports are fine for walking off the ship, except for Livorno (a huge industrial port, where you'll likely be tied up miles from the city itself) and Civitavecchia (everything worth visiting is a train/bus ride away). I haven't been to Marseilles by sea, but this is one I'd likely skip, anyway, in favour of Monte Carlo.

[LEtue]

I have only done 2 Med cruises but there is never a port I would intentionally skip. :eek:

 

Why not just spend a couple of hours ashore? You never know what you will discover and you can always sit and have some wine and people watch. I really enjoy talking with the locals and just wandering :)