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Cruise first timer - help please!

19 replies

lemonsaretheonlyfruit · 28/06/2023 21:17

Thanks to some great suggestions on here, I bit the bullet and decided to book a med cruise for DCs (both teens) and me at the end of July.

I somewhat naively overlooked the fact that the ports are not really anywhere near where you actually want to go and the tours / excursions are an add on.

I looked on the excursion page of the website today and quite a few of the trips from the ports to ie Rome/ Barcelona/ florence etc are already booked up - and they were also expensive! Booking this was already more than I can afford and now I am getting more worried about extra expense and logistics.

I thought we could look at getting trains or booking own tours or something. Is that something people do? Do some people prefer it anyway rather than being herded onto a coach?

I can't even predict if the DCs will actually want to get off at every place anyway so nor do I want to pay and book now if it's going to be wasted money.

The itinerary is

Departing from palma
Arriving in Ajaccio - Corsica
Next is Civitavecchia ( 1.5 hours from Rome)
Then Livorno for florence
Saint Raphael - France
Barcelona
Then back to palma

I do want all of us to go to Rome - is that quite easy to make your own way there?

Does anyone know Ajaccio and could we just hang out there on a beach? I did see a snorkelling excursion- anyone done it?

I have been to florence - I just don't know if the DC will be bothered (and could do with saving money on tours!. Are their decent beaches in Livorno or has anyone spent any time there?

St Raphael - would anyone stay there for the day or is Antibes / st Tropez / Nice good to visit with teens?

What I would look to do with friends (nice restaurants / strolling around Nice etc) is very different to what 2 teens might want to do!

Anyone have any advice for a novice please?!!

OP posts:
Danniotley · 28/06/2023 21:26

Ajaccio you can just get off and walk around. Haven’t been for a couple of years but it was lovely. St Raphael is also really nice for a wander around. Barcelona you can walk into town from the port. Livorno is not great but Pisa is easy to get to and they might like the tower. My son used to be happy having a walk around in the morning and then spending the afternoon back on board around the pool. They will make loads of friends on board. My 24 year old still loves to come with us and still keeps in touch with friends he made onboard over the years.

cherryassam · 28/06/2023 21:47

Ajaccio you can definitely just enjoy close to the boat, it’s a lovely small city/town with nice shops to browse and lovely little cafes and restaurants. There’s several beaches within 10-15min walk from the main cruise terminal.

Civitavecchia is a good distance from Rome. On our recent cruise it was one of the only ports we did an organised excursion. We did one where you got taken on a coach to Civitavecchia train station then got on a train to San Pietro station in Rome where we had 6 hours of free time to do what we wanted. I’d recommend an excursion like that via train or coach if it’s an option and you’re someone who would feel anxious about getting back to the boat in time.

It is possible to get to Rome on your own, however. You can take a taxi from the port at Civitavecchia to the station and then take the Civitavecchia Expess, which is a train designed only for cruise passengers. You have to book this in advance, there is no way to buy tickets on this train on the day.

You can also take ‘normal’ regional trains into Rome, this costs about €5 per person each way. They take about an hour. I’m not sure how frequent they are through the day.

It is also possible to book on tours / shuttle coaches or taxis with independent companies. Have a Google and there are plenty.

Livorno, if you want to go to Florence you can do this by train. Again you can get a taxi (or a bus) from the cruise port to Livorno Centrale train station then get a train into Florence. The fastest trains take just over 1h10.

Livorno itself is a really lovely place to spend the day though! Depending on which cruise terminal you’re docked in, the cruise line might put a shuttle bus on into the centre of the town. Otherwise, there are local buses or taxis.

Livorno has some lovely food places and it’s just a nice place to walk around. The market is a great place to grab an interesting lunch. There are some lovely beaches to the north of the city. From Livorno itself there are boat trips you can do too.

Saint Raphaël is another lovely little town to spend a day in. There’s a pretty old town, lots of beaches including one right in the town centre, coastal walks, nice parks. There’s even a casino I think! Some of the beaches have watersports opportunities, we saw people kayaking from the beach we were on for example.

Barcelona, the cruise line will probably put on shuttle buses to the bottom of Las Ramblas (everyone we have done has I think). There are also shuttle buses run by the port which take you from the various docks to the World Trade Centre, where it’s about a 15 min walk to Las Ramblas. There are also always taxis as you get off the boat, you can often find people to share these with if you’re going to the centre which helps bring the price down.

It sounds a really lovely itinerary!

Also, remember you can always stock up on food on board, either having big breakfasts or on some of the ports (e.g. Ajaccio) you’re so close by you can nip back on for meals. This can help avoid spending lots of money on meals in port all the time. We sometimes do this and then just have a coffee / gelato / cake / some local speciality off boat rather than a whole meal.

MarieG10 · 28/06/2023 21:51

Please do make sure you are back on time, so allow for delays as they won't wait for you

Quitelikeit · 28/06/2023 21:53

Could you book taxis from the ports?

Marchintospring · 28/06/2023 22:24

Barcelona is easy. Pick up a taxi to the bottom of La Rambla (€10 ). The cruise ship ( MSc) was charging €10<each fir the bus. I’ve been to Barcelona loads so we only got off to buy some new shorts. if you just want to mooch around the Gothic quarter and beyond . Casa Mila is very doable if you want to tick the Gaudi box. Still a working apartment block. There’s a tour of flat looking like it would have done in 1920’s, a film of the building of Barcelona, the attic with how he constructed his bonkers building and the nuts roof terrace. Book in advance - taxi straight up and then you can walk down to Gothic quarter and La Rambla.

Rome is the tricky one. It’s a long way away and it gets very hot. Flights to Rome are very cheap. Honestly if you can’t do a tour somewhere I’d consider a ship day. There’ll be discounts on speciality restaurant's and spa on port days. Take advantage of those and quieter pools etc.

As others have said the others are all doable staying local. Saint Raphaël has a station for the train that goes up and down the coast. It’s a fantastic trip. Nice isn’t actually that great,- Antibes is much nicer for the day if you want to go somewhere else.

lemonsaretheonlyfruit · 28/06/2023 22:26

@Danniotley @cherryassam

This is why I love Mumsnet. Such useful and practical insights. I already feel less nervous. I am going to read and digest both of your posts again when I am less sleepy. So helpful thankyou.

We normally go away with another single parent and their kids but it's just us 3 this year and I feel this huge responsibility to get it right. DD has had an awful few years with her MH but managed to sit her GCSES and I just want ti make it a holiday to remember for the 3 of us!

Thankyou both so much.
Any other insights most welcome!
(Including any for the actual boat itself. I feel like such a novice!)

OP posts:
HeddaGarbled · 28/06/2023 22:31

Go on the Cruise Critic website and find the “rollcall” for your cruise. This is a place where you can link up with your fellow travellers and arrange private small group tours between you. Some of them will have a lot of experience of cruising and organising port excursions and will do the research and organising for you in return for you making up the numbers so they can do a tour at much lower cost than the ship’s.

Doggymummar · 28/06/2023 22:31

We did a similar trip on Norwegian cruise line and did everything ourselves, just took the tender to shore. We didn't do the Rome trip at is was about £400 and we could do a whole weekend there for that. Most people had chosen the trip for Rome so we got the cruise
to ourselves. We were the only people in the cinema ( it was a thundery day) and watched Paddington and Drank tons of hot chocolate. Highly recommend the coffee package.

Wittow · 28/06/2023 22:33

There are local shuttle buses in most ports. Or hop on hop off buses. Pisa is fab and there are always taxis at livorno.

Have a look at viator too.

Don't panic!

CantStandMeow · 28/06/2023 22:39

Whatsinport.com is a great resource.

What cruise line and ship will depend on tips. General tips are to bring magnetic hooks for the cabins (all rooms have magnetic walls) to hang hats and lanyards off

jellyminelli · 28/06/2023 22:39

Rome is easy. Walk from the cruise ship to the train station, it's around 15/20 minutes. You'll have from 7-7 that day I imagine so just be ready to disembark when they let you.

The people that did coach tours hated the sitting in traffic, the train is so easy

FarTooHotForMe · 28/06/2023 22:44

Barcelona, your ship may provide a chargeable shuttle to the bottom of ramblas and then you can either walk around or get the metro to the Gaudi Cathederal. You can book a ticket to see the inside or walk around outside.
Corsica is good for walking around and there is a little land train you can go on.
Livorno, we did a trip to Pisa but I think
you can get a train there.

LifeInAHamsterWheel · 28/06/2023 22:46

I'm a complete novice and considering a cruise for next year (with our 2 teens) so this thread is fantastic - thank you 😊

cherryassam · 28/06/2023 22:47

@lemonsaretheonlyfruit

I’m really glad you’ve found the posts helpful!

As a PP said, sometimes port days are the nicest day to be on the boat! The nice thing about a cruise is you can all do your holiday just how you want to. If you want to explore on some port days, you have that option. If you want to stay on the boat the whole time that is fine too! Some of my nicest times on cruises have been sat on a balcony or deck whilst in port, watching the city, people watching, enjoying the relative peace and quiet.

Anklespraying · 28/06/2023 22:55

Cittavechia itself is lovely, I spent most of a day there. There's an enormous stone fortress at the docks built by Michelangelo.

The beach is also adjacent to the port and there are lovely beach bars and restaurants all along. There was a jet ski competition going on when I was there, quite a big crowd watching.

civitavecchia.portmobility.it/en/itinerari/top-routes/historic-port-civitavecchia

I did my first cruise last year and didn't do any tours, not my thing. I enjoyed the empty ship and the views, and a swim off the marina deck if anchored, and a wander around if docked.

tacomaco · 29/06/2023 07:01

We were really quite taken with Ajaccio. It’s a lovely town just to wander. We stopped for coffee, shopped and just wandered really. The ship docks right in town.

As others have said, Barcelona is very easy.

We always go alone however, we (twice) have done organised transport for Rome simply due to distance and traffic. We have only used their transport which gets you there and brings you back as we prefer to go off on foot. Is that an option with your cruise line? Who are you sailing with?

Ships will not wait if you are late.

Don’t feel you have to do tours or even get off the ship. It may not be your thing but, as an example, the spa often has better deals on port days. Your daily newsletter in your cabin will tell you what’s happening.

jellyminelli · 29/06/2023 07:32

When you do leave the ship take your passports off with you. As others have said, it won't wait for you

DreamItDoIt · 29/06/2023 08:24

Rome is easy on the normal train as pp said. We managed all key sites by just walking. Got iff at the Vatican stop.St Pietro and walked from there: Vatican, Spanish steps, Trevi fountain, Pantheon and then booked a tour of the Colliseum followed by a whizz around the Forum. The walked up to the main station for the train back. Obvs the only thing we did in detail was the Colliseum but we had a great day. You will need to book to get into the Colliseum.

Grrrpredictivetex · 29/06/2023 08:54

@lemonsaretheonlyfruit we did a similar cruise to this a few years ago. Absolutely loved it. As others have said some tours we booked where unnecessary and a bit rushed, would have preferred to do it myself. Please remember if you go independently and are held up at any point the Ship will sail without you, and you will incur the expense to get back on board.

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