NCL Shore Excursion--Naples

[ajtraveler66]

Will be doing the Western Mediterranean in July...and was wondering what NCL shore excursion one would recommend while in Naples. I'd like to see Pompeii (1/2 day along with something else)....but am torn with the Sorrento/Amalfi Coast full day offering that would not include Pompeii. FYI...I like history...but I'll take fabulous scenery anyday over history....but Pompeii does sound exciting and I sort of hate to miss it.

Looks like I'm stuck going to a cameo making place no matter what and that doesn't really drive me wild

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

I sure do like the idea of knowing that I won't miss the boat if I take the NCL Excursion. I could not relax worrying about watching my watch and making crucial connections.

Thanks.

[barbara1933]

Naples is a dirty city. If it is a choice of Naple or Pompeii, then take the Pompeii tour. I have done that tour twice; hot in the summer time; really hot. If you have time for a short Naples city tour, the history is nice along with a visit to the old castle built right on the water; sorta of a fort. My daughter was on a cruise; got off in Naples and hated it. It was 7 yrs ago, and there was a garbage strike; she said it was really bad with garbage left in the streets. I was there June 2008; it wasn't too bad. Barbara

[DMH15]

I did the NCL excursion of the Amalfi Coast and Pompeii and I adored it. The drive along the Amalfi Coast is breathtaking. We stopped in town and had a little lemoncello. There was a beautiful church there. As is often the case, wished for more time.

Pompeii, well you don't want to miss it because of the history. It was just heart-wrenching to see the ruins, but magnificent at the same time.

NCL provided a very delicious meal at a restaurant. Of course, eating in Italy was a real highlight. (We opted for the exclusive Rome tour that provided a 5 star lunch and it was incredible). Naples is the birthplace of pizza, so one must have some pizza!

Naples, like Rome, are ridden with Pickpockets. Our NCL guides did a fantastic job on that front. We heard many stories when back on board. There were crew members who bought electronics, only to find the boxes had junk inside NOT what they'd paid for.

I LOVED Amalfi (told my travel-mates just to send my things since I was staying - haha - just kidding, but was tempted). I also was glad not to have missed such a significant tour as Pompeii. The best of two worlds.

[surroundedbyboys]

We (two adults, two teenage boys) walked from the ship to the train station and took a train to Pompeii. We then hired a guide while there who bought our tickets and walked us in front of everyone. He took us through and showed us the highlights. We got snacks at the restaurant inside Pompeii. This was a great adventure! It is a LONG walk from the port to the train, and you may want to take a taxi.
The locals were very courteous to us and one lady walked us to the entrance to the train station because it was under some construction and not easy to see. On the way back we walked from the train through the town and stopped at a local restaurant for lunch. It was delicious!!!!
Yes, the city is kind of dirty but we had an awesome time. It's a lot more fun to do it on your own!!!!

[floridaprof]

My daughter and I did the Sorrento/Positano/Pompeii tour last Christmas and it was wonderful. Positano was a lovely town and only a small bus could go there.

[LoisGriffin1]

I have just come back from a vacation in Sorrento. It is stunning. I loved the Amalfi Coast and Pompeii the same but for very different reasons.

Pompeii is massive. I did a half day and just scratched the surfice of it. One problem for you would be the heat as you wont be able to escape it (wasn't a problem for me in October). There will be a lot of walking involved.

Amalfi is so pretty and the drive is amazing. Those bus drivers are so brave because the roads are small and winding. You start passing through lemon groves then later on along the stunning coast.

Whatever you chose make sure you get to try some limoncello.

[sjbdtz]

We found the solution to this dilemma. Because of course you've only indicated the 1/2 of it.... add to the mix Capri & Sorrento, and it's really challenging deciding what to do.

Our solution..... go twice!


First trip we saw Capri / Sorrento / Pompeii

2nd trip we did the Amalfi coast drive to Positano.


Both were amazing!

[mikaula]

We did the Pompei/Sorrento tour. There was also a stop at a "farm" where we had a light lunch and got to see how they make cheese and olive oil. We did Pompei in the morning, then the farm and then on to Sorrento - beautiful drive. We had some free time in Sorrento and then stopped by the cameo shop before the ship. The cameo shop was kind of a rip off but the video was interesting. Basically they just want you to buy something.

It was a great day and I would do the tour again.

[PokerDave]

We did a private trip with two other couples from our cruise by putting together a group from our roll call. It was cheaper than doing the ships tours and we got to do pompeii as well as the Amalfi Coast ( Saw Amalfi, Sorrento AND Positano ) and ate lunch in a great locals restaurant.

Don't remember who we used ( was 5 years ago ) but I HIGHLY recommend doing something like this. You are in charge for the day and thus can dictate how conservative you want to be in heading back for the ship. We saw a lot and stopped where and for how long we wanted.

Several recommendations on this thread:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showt...pompeii+amalfi

[hamrag]

Originally Posted by ajtraveler66

Will be doing the Western Mediterranean in July...and was wondering what NCL shore excursion one would recommend while in Naples. I'd like to see Pompeii (1/2 day along with something else)....but am torn with the Sorrento/Amalfi Coast full day offering that would not include Pompeii. FYI...I like history...but I'll take fabulous scenery anyday over history....but Pompeii does sound exciting and I sort of hate to miss it.

Looks like I'm stuck going to a cameo making place no matter what and that doesn't really drive me wild

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

I sure do like the idea of knowing that I won't miss the boat if I take the NCL Excursion. I could not relax worrying about watching my watch and making crucial connections.

Thanks.

If you think you will be back in Naples on a future cruise, then do either Pompeii or a scenic day tour. If you are not sure to be back again in future, do the split tour as others have suggested i.e. Pompeii in morning then scenic afternoon. My advice would always be skip the lunch stop to maximise touring time and simply buy a quick snack in Sorrento or Positano, or wherever. A lunch stop takes at least 90 minutes out your touring time, and is often more designed to suit the tour guide!

[Cruisin'cockney]

I would add my vote for the Capri/Sorrento/Pompeii tour. Best excursion I've ever done! History, scenery, shopping and food all in one action packed day!