Ruby Princess / Mediterranean

[mr.retailer@comcast.net]

Originally Posted by lisap

hi alan. We took a cruise last year that included naples, rome, florence, monte carlo, and barcelona. It was on a different cruise line, yet that doesn't matter so much when you're touring. Happy to answer any questions about these ports... Loved them all.

lisa p, when you arrived in rome did you take any package tours
from the ruby, or perhaps did u take a private tour with a guide??
I clicked on the link for the ruby ( shore excursions ) have gotten
the info for all there trips for rome, but some friends mentioned
to try for a private tour. Have dont this yourself?/
any help would be great. Thank you.
Alan 3/10/11

[thmom]

Alan, Hi. My family is booked on a Med. cruise on the Star Princess in June-mainly Italy and Greece. Our itinerary is similar to yours-minus Istanbul and Ephesus. I will post a trip report when we return. In the meantime I have booked a couple of private tours and booked some shore excursions through Princess as well. The private tours are for Florence-because it's so far from the port, and Athens. I have 2 kids ages 12 and 14. One of the reasons I'm booking private tours is because I don't think my son will do well on a tour bus loaded w/ 50 other people. With a private driver we can stop when and where we want. The shore excursions I booked tend to be short 3 hour trips-not all day tours, with limited time on the bus. I have found the private tours we booked to be comparable in price to the ship excursions, if not less. I may also get a private driver in Monte Carlo to go to St. Paul de Vence and Eze. We don't go to Barcelona on the ship, but we are flying there after the cruise and spending a week in a rental apt. I used to live there and we are visiting friends there. If you want more info on which shore excursions we've booked or things to do in Barcelona, feel free to ask. I can't tell you how the tours or shore excursions are since we haven't gone yet, but would be happy to report back after our cruise. Patty

[royalcruiser]

Alan,

I have not been on the Ruby either. We took a 12 night med. cruise in 2009 on Royal Caribbean. I have been to most all of those ports that you are going to... Please feel free to contact me if you have questions about specific ports.

Happy Sailing

Dale

[BrianM]

My wife and I along with friends sailed on the Ruby Princess last May/Jun 10. We departed Barcelona Spain and ended in Venice Italy. It was our first cruise and we had a blast; the Ruby Princess is a beauty ship and had the amenities we wanted. Food was excellent; we liked lounging by the pool and there was food readily available near the poolside. There is also an area if you're looking for peace and quiet, but for a nominal fee.

We know you'll enjoy the Ruby.

Brian

[AustinTexGal]

I took this cruise alone when the ship was barely a year old. It is a beautiful ship and the crew was very friendly and customer service oriented. I embarked in Venice and disembarked in Barecelona. Wish I would had spent an extra day in both ports but flew in and out. In Monte Carlo I stayed on the ship and was surprised by their annual yacht show all around the port and British air show right over the ship. It was a special treat.

It is very hot, humid that time of year so in Greece the day tour they only gave us a small bottle of water and many people got dehydrated. I almost passed out by the end of the day. So bring water if you can.

This is a beautiful cruise. I loved Turkey and Florence, Italy. I could have done without Mykonos - very touristy. All you see are over priced shops, and shop and shops. I hear Santorini is the place to go in Greece but maybe next time. You will love this cruise and the ship.