Family Cruising

We have just booked our 1st cruise for May 2012. We'll be cruising the Mediterranean for 7 days, parting from Malta, Messina(Taormina), Civitavecchia (Rome), Genoa (Portofino), Barcelona and Tunis. We have a 1 year old child as well. Any hints on how to go sightseeing please? Should we book any tours and should we sightsee on our own? and hints on cruising with a child. It's the first time for us and I really don't know what to expect! Any help will be appreciated! :-)

What cruise line/ship are you on? the only ship I find sailing from Malta in May is Mein Schiff 1, and the itineraries don't match yours...With a small child, arranging independent tours is usually the most comfortable for everyone...I usually recommend Rick Steves' Mediterranean Cruise Ports, but he doesn't cover the 'islands' - Malta, Sicily, nor North Africa. Perhaps if you visit the Ports of Call boards here at CC, you can get some ideas. You haven't left much time for planning...EM

Our daughter was 1 when we took our western Med cruise a few years ago, with several of the same ports. We did not do any organized excursions and had a great time touring on our own. It really depends on what you are more comfortable with. If you typically enjoy do-it-yourself travel, it is easy to do on a cruise, even with a little one. The ports of call boards here on cruise critic are a great resource for information on specific ports. If you prefer to have everything taken care of for you, that is an option as well. But if you like independent travel, don't be scared into thinking you have to book a tour!

Have a wonderful cruise!