Planning Med Cruise on Meraviglia in December- Here is what I learned

[basketballdad]

Bringing my 2 youngest with wife on a med cruise on the MSC Meraviglia in December,. This required doing quite a bit of research. This cruise starts in Barcelona, hits France, Genoa, Rome, Valletta, and Malta.

 

I gathered info from Toms Port guide, Shore Bee, Tripadvisor, Visitacity, and scanning posts here. However some of the best info for port and the ship has actually come from searching youtube! People have made video clips with great tips about getting around, what to see, and what things look like.

 

And some of the best advice is:

1. You are on vacation- don't try to do absolutely everything every single day. Rather pick out a few highlights for each day.

2. This trip is costing a ton and the kids will have fun but probably won't appreciate it as much as we will. Due to the cost including air it is natural to want to save a few dollars here and there and find the cheapest ways to do things in port. However, time and frustration costs. Don't be penny wise and pound foolish. If the free port bus takes 30 minutes or an hour to come, is it really free? A 15 euro taxi ride into town may make the day go much better and keep the kids moving. However, rarely, it seems, is the "ships tour" the best value as in many ports the same type of tour is offered by street vendors just outside the port gates for cheaper.

3. Yes, after a few days one cool church starts looking like the last cool church. Same about forts, ruins, museums, etc.

4. Even though all your foods is included on the ship, try a few lunches in local places to really experience the local culture.

 

So here are few highlights of our Med cruise should anyone care:

 

Christmas Day December 25 Monday- 7 am fly from home to Heathrow

Tuesday (boxing day)- bags to hotel early- seelandmarks from outside, Christmas displays- whatever can be seen on boxing day, hotel to be early .

Wednesday- train to Paris- Palace of Versilia, Norte Dame, Louvre ,River Cruise, Eifel Tower, back to London- huge day!

Thursday- Churchill War Museum, Thames rivercruise, Museum of London, Fly to Barcelona that night, hotel in Barcelona

Friday- Barcelona- Explore the Rambles in morning, thenboard ship MSC Meraviglia

Saturday- Marcella France Take taxi to Jolieette by VieuxPort- Hoho bus to major sites- lighter day

Sunday- Genoa- attend a local church-(we are church goers) Then take trainand bus to Portofino and back

Monday-Rome- Train in- See Major sites that areopen or can be seen on New Years Day- Coliseum, Fountain, Vatican, SistineChapel, etc. as are open.

Tuesday Palermo Italy Sicily- Take city bus toValley of Temples, then back to town and explore

Wednesday Malta- Downtown area including gardens,war rooms, firing of cannon- bus to Mdina

Thursday Sea

Friday Barcelona- Hop on Hop Off bus of main sights and Santa Familia Church, overnight at hotel

 

Saturday Early flight from Barcelona to home

[nikkiw60]

I don’t think you will fit everything in on your Day in Paris. Maybe rethink going to Versailles.

 

 

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[helenb]

I would agree. Versailles is an entire day in and of itself, and it is far out from the city center of Paris.

[Skier52]

I would suggest pre-booking a time and tickets, on-line, for the Santa Familia Church,in Barcelona or you will be standing in a queue for upto 3 hours

 

Visitors can access the Nave, Crypt, Museum, Shop, and the Passion and Nativity towers. Entrance to either of the towers requires a reservation and advance purchase of a ticket. Access is possible only by lift (elevator) and a short walk up the remainder of the towers to the bridge between the towers. Descent is via a very narrow spiral staircase of over 300 steps. There is a posted caution for those with medical conditions.

 

 

As of June 2017, on-line ticket purchase has been available.

 

As of August 2010, there had been a service whereby visitors could buy an entry code either at Servicaixa ATM kiosks (part of "La Caixa") or online.[42] During the peak season, May to October, reservation delays for entrance of up to a few days are not unusual.

[Norwich Cruiser]

Agree you definitely won't get everythig done in one day in Paris need to rethink it.

Suggest you either do Versailles or maybe all your other choices should work.

Ensure you pre book all attraction tickets if not you will lose so much time.

London also a very busy day may not get all three in.Maybe one museum and the river cruise.The red ho ho bus is excellent.

Pace yourself.

[Spastica]

Rather ambitious especially with kids in tow. Skip Paris and actually see London.

[Bestbubba]

Also be prepared for wet and cold weather in London and Paris. We did a Med cruise in November many years ago, we enjoyed the uncrowded ports, compared to visiting during high season, but we certainly needed our umbrellas! Have a wonderful time [emoji846]

 

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[ljandgb]

We were in Paris this summer and couldn't have done all that in one day and we were IN Paris. I agree, save Paris for another trip and enjoy London instead. There is so much to do there, or if you want to go afield, try Hampton Court, Stratford-upon-Avon, etc. Or embrace your inner nerd and do the Harry Potter activities.

[basketballdad]

Thanks to all. Paris is bought and is top of the list for most of my family so that stays... but maybe we will cut out the first place which is way out of the way. Pre buy tickets to avoid the lines. Thanks again