Thread: Rome, Monte Carlo, Naples, Olympia, Venice

Hello

I am looking at a June 2006 cruise to include the following ports. I would be interested in any information from anybody that has cruised any of these ports.

My son and I, along with a friend of his and that friend's mother are planning this cruise trip as part of a graduation from high school trip.

Is is worth getting to Rome a few days early to look thiings over?

Any suggestions would be helpful.

I haven't done this cruise, but I have visited Rome. There is so much to see there, with 3 days you will only be seeing the bare minimum of sites, so I would recommend going early.

Ehaas, we are going on a cruise from Monte Carlo to Rome, Pompeii, Sicily, Greece and Turkey in 56 days, 5 hours, and 35 seconds. Not that I am counting!

I have done tons of research on this trip and I've downloaded articles and reviews with lots of information. Most of my research has been in the interest of deciding among all the things to do with limited time. I have heard from everybody that you need a few days in Rome, unless you just want to see the main sites quickly. Unfortunately, we have just one full day in Rome so I guess I will have to make another trip back at a later date

Let me know if you have any specific questions and I will be happy to help.

PS - What cruise line are you sailing with?

I would be interested in hearing from you when you get back. My e-mail is eldonhaas@charter.net What cruise line are you going on?

JUST got back from a week away...sorry for the delay. We are going on the Radisson Voyager, which is supposed to be really nice. I'll write more after I unpack!

ehaas, we have been to Monte Carlo and to Rome. In Rome, we stayed 3 days pre-cruise at the Intercontinental Hotel. It was right above the Spanish Steps and had excellent views. We stayed there last April and got it for $205 per night on a Priceline bid. We got around mainly by public transportation. You can get a 3 day pass that will allow you access on any of the public metros and busses and it is very easy. So much to see and do and so much history.

As for Monte Carlo, we stayed post cruise in Nice at the Beau Rivage. We took a cab over to Monte Carlo for the day to see the Casino and the Palace, however we were there during the Monaco Grand Prix, so the Casino was closed and it was very difficult to get around. We did see part of the race, and that was quite exciting. We also took the train back and stopped in Eze. It was very beautiful. Perched on a hill overlooking the Mediterranean, with loads and loads of shops. Then the train back to Nice, where I walked the Promenade des Anglais. Other sights would be St. Paul de Vence.

You might want to get a guide for each area. We used Daniele with driverinrome.com a few years ago to show us around the Eternal City and he was great.

Monte Carlo and the Cote d' Azur is pretty easy to get around with trains and public transport, though if you are only there for a day, you probably would want to use a guide.

For Pompeii, Sorrento, and the Amalfi coast, use Marcello Maresca with seesorrento.com We have heard very good things about him.

Cruisin, what is the Amalfi coast like?

Ahh THL the Amalfi Coast is spectacular-one of my all time favorite places! Do yourself a big favor and either use a tour bus or hire a driver as the Amalfi Highway (which originally was a Roman Road and whipped around the mountains in very narrow chariots) is wonderful for sightseeing and absolutely terrible for driving. The curves are so narrow (see above) that buses have the right-of-way and if you are driving a car and come upon a bus YOU must back down so it can pass. However, seeing Positano and the town of Amalfi is wonderful. There is a nice restaurant called the American Club (it's public) that sits on the bluff right over the harbor at Sorrento. Good food, great views! Also in Sorrento they make inlaid wood tables of all kinds.(we have a coffee table and matching end table that we bought in honor of our 40th. anniversary) You really should take the time to see these tables, desks etc. However, only look at the main store. Go across the town square to Ars Italia to get much better prices on the same stuff! The main store will charge 1000's for what you can get for 100's at Ars Italia. Also Ars Italia has the famous inlaid wood music boxes for $15-$35.00. These same boxes sell in this country for $125.00 on up. Make excellent Christmas gifts.

Ehass: Be sure and take the kids to see Pompeii! If you have any time in Naples you might want to see the Archelogical Museum also as that is where they took everything from Pompeii. Keep in mind this part of Italy gets very hot so dress accordingly. Of course, you are also right across the Bay of Naples from the Island of Capri and taking a hover boat either to or back from there is a different type of ride......

Rome is a wonderful city!! If you are able to stay there for a few days pre-cruise, you'll be able to get a greater appreciation of it's sites and history...