We are cuising in the fall on RCL and are stopping in Naples, Pireaus, Kusadasi, Santorini, Civitavecchia, Livorno and Villefranche. we realize we can't see everything, but we would like a few suggestions about the cheapest way to see the most. thanks much,
Cruisesenior
We are taking the Brillance on 8/21, and I have learned that there are 3 formal nights. As for excursions, I am planning ours myself. There is a wealth of info. if you scroll down the main page to Europe port chat. There you will find links to train schedules, fares and other valuable info. The time spent planning now is worth the savings of ship's excursions. The only port without public transportation is Kusadasi...there we'll be on a group tour.
Hi cruisesenior,
We just returned from our Med. cruise on the Brillance, and it was fantastic! I'm going to start with the tours I planned in Villefranche. We walked up the road to the left of the tender port and caught the #110 bus to Monaco(the same bus goes to Nice). Once in Monaco, we walked up to the Place d'Arms and saw the changing of the guard at Noon. From there, we caught a bus to Monte Carlo to visit the casino. We took the #110 bus back to Villefranche; and because it was so hot, we headed back to the ship. You will receive info. from Julie(the port and shopping guide) about transportation in each port. We found the bus to be more scenic than the train, which onboard new friends took. More later on the other ports.
Do Santorini on your own. It will be a far more rewarding adventure than going with a guided excursion. Rent a car and you can see the entire island and gasp in awe at it's amazing beauty. They drive on the right hand side of the road and there are many pull offs that allow you to take breath-taking photos of some of the greatest scenery that God has ever created.
In Naples consider Pompeii
It has a station of its own and is a great day out
In Civitavecchia get the bus to the port gates and walk a few hundred yards to the station and get a train to Rome
Train travel is very cheap in Italy
I have been on Brilliance twice-a lovely ship
Hi cruisesenior,
dr livingston and geordie gave you great tips for Santorini, Naples and Civitavecchia. My added experience for Santorini is to purchase your rd. trip cable car tickets aboard the ship, plan to catch one of the first tenders ashore, and beat the cable car lines. From there, six of us walked through Fira to the bus station and caught a local bus to Oia. That village is not to be missed! Bus back to Fira,
and then caught a local bus to Kamira Beach. Need to bring beach shoes, but the water was crystal clear! Bus back to Fira to catch the cable car down to the tender. We were back on the ship by 3:00 p.m. with no hassle
Linear Mode
