Oceania Pre cruise tours, has anyone done these?

[Imagineer]

...hi everyone, we just finished going through our latest Oceania brochure, the 2007 European Collection, which came in the mail along with a DVD, we actually got 2 of them as my wife and I both received them...
...anyway, in perusing the brochure we noticed on page 77 a pre cruise land tour that is available, its called the "4-day Tuscany - Under The Tuscan Sun". It features "3 nights in a deluxe hotel in Montecatini, 3 breakfasts, and an extensive tour program in Florence, Siena and the Chianti region." The timing is designed to coincide with the departures of the Insignia, Regatta and Nautica from either Rome or Venice...
...so I guess this question is to anyone with experience taking such a tour or those who are familiar with the area...
...my wife and I are total neophytes when it comes to travelling anywhere in Europe, so the tour concept is something that appeals to us, I say this as I know many will say to go and do it all yourself, but I don't want to spend a lot of time searching and trying to find where everything is, when I can put my trust in someone who actually lives and works there...
...can anyone on the 'O' board offer some thoughts on this?

thanks,

cheers,

the Imagineers
upcoming NCL cruise on the Wind - Aug 27/06
upcoming Oceania cruise on the Insignia - Apr 28/07

[Jancruz]

I did that area a few years ago and it is WONDERFUL..I loved every minute of it..in fact Siena is my favorite town in the world..it is so quaint!!
I definitely think you should go for it..Montecatini is famous for their spas..
I wouldnt miss this opportunity!
Jan
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[Mura]

While I usually agree with Jan about everything (!) in this case I'd say by all means do a precruise to this wonderful area, but I'd never do the cruiseline's version. (ANY cruiseline!) If money is no object and you don't want to have to fuss, then by all means take their precruise option.

But if you are a tightwad as I am (!) you'll want more bang for your buck.

We toured Tuscany on our own last year and had a wonderful time. Siena is indeed fabulous, but so are other cities in the area. (If you go to Siena do NOT miss the Cathedral!)

Note that when you book the same hotel as the cruiseline is offering on a pre- or post-cruise, you'll probably spend half as much on the same room. If that's important to you, I suggest trying to figure out how you can do this on your own.

If it is NOT important to you, it's certainly easier to let the cruiseline do all the work.