First ever cruise - start from Naples or Barcelona? DH wants to see Pompeii

[DebbieLM67]

We're looking at our first cruise as a family of four in August, 7 days around the Med. Limited availability as we've left it late so need to decide ASAP. Have seen one we like the look of and we can either start in Barcelona or Naples - the stops are the same either way. We'd like to add a few days on at the beginning to see the city before the cruise starts. DH wants to see Pompeii - the cruise does stop for one day (1pm until 8pm) in Pompeii but he's wondering if that will be enough. We could get to Naples a couple of days early and do Pompeii at our own pace. But I'm not sure what else there is to see in Naples? Would Barcelona be better? Thanks for any advice

Pompeii will be tight if you're only docked for 7 hours in total, because you'll have to disembark and get from the ship to Pompeii and then leave in time to do the return journey with plenty of time to spare. You can get a good overview in four hours, particularly if you have a guide, but will that be enough for your DH? Does the cruise company offer an excursion?

There is a ton of stuff to do in both Naples and Barcelona. Just Google it.

Both options work well, Naples is fab as a base for days out, Pompei, Capri, Sorrento, Naples itself for pizza making and underground tunnels,Herculaneum, Mount Vesuvius etc.
A half day excursion to Pompeii also would work if you start in Barcelona.

If Pompeii is the most important part, then start and finish in Naples, so that it's not a rush. There's a lot to do in the area, plenty in Naples itself (although Naples is a bit love it or hate it) - but you can also do trips out to Vesuvius, down to Sorrento, or catch the ferry across to Capri.

Stay in Sorrento rather than Naples, especially if you have children. The beaches in Sorrento are odd ( dark sand) but the swimming is excellent.

There used to be a train to Pompeii and Herculaneum from Sorrento ( probably still is) if DH is really interested you shouldn’t miss Herculaneum . You could also go up Vesuvius ( cable car)

I did Naples with my first cruise and did Pompeii as an excursion. It was perfect actually as it was enough time to see the whole site. The weather is very hot in August so the air conditioned coach was a blessing ( DS was 3) rather than sweaty train/ bus.

In Barcelona I believe they've changed the docking for cruise ships to one 30 minutes outside the city. It's not a problem as such but there's so much to see I think it makes sense to have that as your land holiday part. Hotels are very good in Barcelona and you have the beach which is nice in the heat.

If you decide on Barcelona, book everything in advance. It's an easy city to visit and flights will be cheaper than Naples I'd imagine.

There used to be a train to Pompeii and Herculaneum from Sorrento ( probably still is) if DH is really interested you shouldn’t miss Herculaneum .

www.visitpompeiivesuvius.com/en/naples-to-sorrento-train-schedule

There's also a longer train ride from the main station in Pompeii town to Paestum. And buses along the amalfi coast ...and Capri...
It's a fabulously interesting area, but I wouldn't do it in august. We took our dd one Easter when she was 10.

Staying in Sorrento is a really good idea.

We spent a full day at Pompeii with the kids, it was April and a bit soggy, but you can't leave. Whilst you can definitely get a feel for it in 4 hours, I can't envisage how you could be so efficient that you've seen the majority of the site. It is vast. If that's your husband's top priority then I would start your cruise in Naples and visit at leisure. Vesuvius is also a must see, someone said they went by cable car, I'm as good as certain there is no cable car. Bus or car to the parking lot and then walk to the summit. Herculaneum is also fabulous, that is more of a 4 hour visit and you've seen everything, the site is much smaller. We stayed in Naples, it's a bit gritty but lots to see in the city too. August will be very hot!

We did Naples and Pompeii as a cruise stop last August, we did the ship's excursion to Pompeii first thing in the morning (9-1) as the heat was relentless (it was 38° by late morning and there's virtually no shade). We saw lots, it was an excellent tour and didn't feel rushed. When we got back to the ship it was a short walk from the quayside to the city centre so we walked up there and had pizza for lunch in one of the little back street places. We could have stayed in the city for a couple of hours longer as the ship was so close but we were flagging by then.

We've done Pompeii as an excellent from a cruise ship. I'd say book in with a tour as it's really informative and there's interesting bits I would have missed if we weren't on a tour. We went in the summer, it was killingly hot, people were passing out, so glad we weren't winging it! Take plenty of water.

I think Naples is a dump, if I cruise there again, I'm not getting off the ship! There's a huge amount of pressure selling for excursions and taxis at this port.

Barcelona is a nicer city, easy to get round and a lot to do. The Sagrada Familia is really impressive, I'm not usually interested in 'churches', but this was something else!

A great website to use is What's in port. www.whatsinport.com/

Excursion not excellent, bloody predictive text!

Vesuvius is also a must see, someone said they went by cable car, I'm as good as certain there is no cable car.

Apparently there was a 'funicular cable car' but that was destroyed in the last eruption in 1944 so unless that poster is very old I guess they're confusing it with somewhere else eg Etna.

Pompeiii in August will be hot hot hot. We have just been to Sicily, they had 45 degree heat last summer. Easter or October is much better and you cannot possibly see all you need to in a short trip from a cruise ship. What about Herculaneum? If you like Pompeii you must visit Herculaneum. Naples has interesting buildings and great food so not sure why anyone finds it boring. Cruisers don’t want explore much and therefore miss a lot. I would stay in Italy and actually enjoy the whole area of the Amalfi coast. The Summer half term also is way better than August.

Herculaneum is much better preserved than Pompeii. Also keep in mind that there is no protection from the sun at these historic sites and it can get very hot. You'll need plenty of water, wear a hat, and sunscreen.

Echoing what has been said..Pompeii in August is not fun. It's a huge area, open dusty ground with very little shade. I would start in Barcelona where you have the sea and get a hotel with a pool. The Novotel is great for families and has a roof top pool.
Having done a few cruises with kids, my advice is to stagger the activities. It will be 30 degrees plus and kids do not do well in archaeological sites in that heat. Trust me! Start from Barcelona. See Gaudi's creations, wander the rambles, perhaps go to the beach. Then on your Naples day, go to Herculaneum. It's much better preserved, easier for kids to imagine, cooler due the street layout and quicker to get around. Book tickets online yourself and arrange an AC transfer from the port to Herculaneum and back. If you ask, they'll take you back to the ship via a Limoncello producer for a quick sample!

Or do both in April or May. Much better!

The first time I went to Pompei I was kicking myself because I only set aside one day.
That was 30 years ago. In the meantime some things have crumbled away, more things have been excavated and they’ve built a new visitor centre!
I’d advise buying a guide book and watching videos in advance, doing the Centre in English then going off the beaten track without a group. Then you can take your time, rest when needed and soak up the atmosphere.

[DH and DD are going there this AUGUST while I happily dog sit at home. They’ve booked a guided tour but DD is a Classics High School student so a bit niche interest.]

I see you’re considering a longer stay in Naples.
DH and DD are doing a week and apart from NOT hiring a car, which is suicide even for Italian drivers, they’re looking forward to visiting the newly restored Reggia di Caserta (bigger than Versailles) Naples old city and the CircumVesuviana railway.
And the food!

DH, ever the optimist, is closely monitoring the earthquake situation at the moment. It seems they’re poised for a big one…

Oops, I’ve just posted on a zombie thread.
Oh well, for further reference….