MSC World Europa - October 24 - 30, 2023 Messina RT

[TripsOnShipsTraveler]

Hello from West Palm Beach, Florida USA... My wife and I will be joining the ship on Tuesday, October 24th from Messina, Sicily after a +/- 10-day tour of Sicily. We look forward to meeting you all! We have done a lot of cruising, but not a lot on MSC. This ship looks awesome, though, and we're looking forward to it, especially after a land tour. Cruising is so much more relaxing!

 

Also, this cruise hits a number of places we have been wanting to visit... Malta, Genoa, and an extra day in Barcelona. We were there between cruises in 2018, but it was pouring rain that day, so we have a few more sights there that we want to see.

 

In Naples, on Monday, October 30th, we want to have a look at Herculaneum, the other "Lost City".

 

"A sister site to Pompeii, Herculaneum was founded around the 6th century BC, and by the time it was destroyed, had blossomed into a wealthy town with a population of around 4,000. The pyroclastic surge, which killed its inhabitants, left the city buried under 16-25 meters of rock, also carbonized wood and other organic material. Much of the ancient city lies under the modern suburb of Ercolano, so remains unexcavated. Even so, the preserved houses revealed wooden lofts, wine racks, and bedsteads, offering an intimate look into ancient Roman life. A walk through the excavated ruins shows not only the well-preserved buildings, but also stunning mosaics, ancient advertisements, and even fossilized remains of the city’s unfortunate inhabitants."

We'd love to find some friends to share the private (Max. 7) half-day tour with us (4 Hours). I have found an excursion that picks up from just outside the Cruise Ship Terminal and guarantees return to the ship in time... and if there are 4 of us, it'll cost $122.00 per person; $81.00 per person if there are 6 of us; $70.00 per person if there are 7. Please let me know if you are interested in joining us. My wife's email is michgoblue at aol.

"Entrance ticket to Herculaneum (13,00EURO adult; 2,00EURO ages 18 - 25; ages 0 - 17 are free;) is not included and can be purchased directly on the day. Guests must be able to walk over cobblestones and uneven surfaces, inclines and steps. This tour is not wheelchair accessible because of the varied terrain at the sites you will be visiting."