Monaco, Sardinia & Venice??

My family and I are going on a Mediterranean cruise (Carnival Breeze) and were wondering if it was necessary to book a tour in Monaco...or if it is a place that you can easily and conveniently tour on your own? Also...we wanted to know if anyone knows what the beaches are like in Sardinia (Olbia)? If so...is it necessary to book this as a tour...or can we go on our own? Any suggestions on what to see in Sardinia? And lastly...should we book a Gondola Ride in Venice as a shore excursion...or can we do this on our own?

Thank you for your input!

It is never required for you to book a ship tour. In fact, MANY times, it is in your advantage NOT to.

You can get lots of good ideas on the Med Ports boards, here:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=603

Monaco is a very easy port to tour on your own if you enjoy walking.

I would visit the Palace and the Cathedral and walk the outdoor gardens and then head over to the Grand Casino area as that is a fun place to people watch. There are also other places to visit and again very easy to do on your own.

Venice is also just as easy to walk around on your own a a tour is not needed. One of the nicest things to do is to walk up many of the side streets that run all throughout Venice because it will be there that you will discover all sorts of places and little court yard areas. Consider taking a Gondola and also walk towards the Grand Canal.

Keith

Get a copy of Rick Steves' Mediterranean Cruise Ports to see how you can do Venice and Monaco on your own. He does not cover the islands...Sicily, Sardinia, corsica, Palma...EM

I haven't cruised to Sardinia, but I have holidayed there, and so far as I know there isn't a beach at Olbia. You might have to take an excursion or get a taxi. Further along the north coast is the beautiful Costa Smeralda where the rich and famous like to stay on their expensive yachts!

My family and I also are cruising on the breeze in August. We were in Monaco in 2008 on the Freedom. Monaco was easily walkable from where we docked. We actually had enough time to take the train to Nice and spend a couple of hours on the beach there. In Venice, Gondolla rentals are available in numerous locations. Venice is a very walkable city and is easily accessed from the Piazzale Roma which is close to the ship by means of the Vaparetto (water bus). I have no experience with Sardinia. We dock in Olbia on a Sunday and would like to know if cars are available for rent in this port.