stacycakes1

1 hour ago, euro cruiser said:

 

True, if these are your only two choices, but DIY is also a possibility for a lot less money.  You do trade off some of the priority access, however.  That said, with a little up-front research it's possible to avoid lines in many places.  

Oh, totally agree, DIY is the best, but we have 10 total stops on this itinerary, if you include starting in Rome and ending in Venice, so we’re doing most on our own. I chose to do tours in these 3 ports because everything I want to see is far from the port and we are short on time. I could choose to do a cruise excursion that uses “fear of not getting back to the ship” as a reason to charge ridiculous prices for these port days, or pay less and have my own private driver and car take me wherever I please with a back to ship guarantee. they have a fleet of cars out every day and easily can send another car to get us if anything were to happen. I get you though, nothing like exploring and adventure all on your own.

12 hours ago, AtlAlyson said:

Stacy this looks awesome! We will be some of the similar tours. Can I ask who you are using for the private tour in Messina?

Hi there! So I forgot to add a stop in my list in Naples. We also have a tour set up there to sorrento and positano with a pizza making class in the middle for lunch.
 

That tour and the two others are all booked through Rome in Limo  https://www.romeinlimo.com. We used them last time we were in Italy for our honeymoon and they are FABULOUS! VIP access to everything, we didn’t wait in a single line, even in July. When we went to see the David, the line was 4 hours long with a ticket. We thought we wouldn’t get in. 5 minutes later our driver was escorting us past security through a little side door and bam, there’s the David. It was so cool.

Anyway, all of our tours with them were stellar and they have a great deal right now. If you book 3 port excursions with them and pay upfront through zello by end of February, you get a 20% discount. This is great right now also because the euro is down and you can guarantee the price is even with the US dollar.
 

So basically, for my family of 3, we spent less on private luxury tours in a limo sedan (no group and we can change the itinerary to whatever we want) than if I had booked a tour through the ship with 40 others on a bus. Can’t beat that!

12 hours ago, cruisemom42 said:

I don’t think there is a fort in Split. Split itself — at least the old walled city — is built within the remains of a Roman emperor’s palace.

 

Maybe you are thinking of Kotor; there is a palace there with quite a climb.

Ah yes! Mixed the two up. You are correct 🙂

I think we are on the same cruise!  We set sail on Connie July 15th. So far we have the following plans.  We are traveling with our 10-year-old and want to see as much as we can, but also want to relax and live "La Vida Dolce" 🙂  We also might throw a beach day in when we are in Split or Dubrovnik as I am finding beautiful choices not far from port. 

The ports:

• Florence/Pisa - We have a private tour book with a stop in Pisa (quick trip to the top), Lucca, and a stop at a winery on the way back to port (booked through Rome in Limo)
• Portofino - We are doing the same as recommended above, a little stroll, shopping and lunch
• Sicily/Messina - We have a private tour booked that includes a trip to the top of Mt. Etna in a gondola, lunch at a local restaurant and winery, and shopping and sightseeing in Taormina.
• Brindisi - We will still get off the ship and check things out, but Brindisi seems like a good day for a break. If you are on the same cruise as we are, it is 1/2 way through the itinerary and we are stopping there on a Sunday so a lot will closed that day.
• Dubrovnik - We plan on a beach day here or in split.  You have to walk through the old town to get to them so of course we plan on meandering slowly to and from the beach, but that is our ultimate goal.  There are a few that are walking distance so I haven't chosen which one yet.  Here is a great link with info if you are also interested 6 Best Dubrovnik Beaches - Jetsetting Fools
• Kotor - CAT CITY!  We are going to the cat museum here, shopping, eating, and petting a few stray cats.  Definitely a city where you can be more leisurely about things.
• Split - We might also go to the beach on this day and walk around the city.  There is a fort you can climb up to, not sure we will attempt that, but maybe a little way up for a nice view.

My husband and I had been to Livorno before for our honeymoon, and while Florence was lovely, I completely agree with all of your reasoning as to why you want to mix things up for your kids.  We are going back this summer with our 10-year-old and have the same itinerary.  We decided to do a tour in Livorno with Rome in Limo to Pisa and Lucca, with a quick stop at a winery on the way back.  With Pisa being only 30 minutes from the port and than Lucca only another 30 minutes away, we get so much more time for adventure.  The tour includes time to go to the top of the leaning tower also which should be fun. 

Was just reminded of this oldie but goodie! Going to give it a read again:)

Just read through it again myself! Would love to do this again, but with my dd this time:)

I remember your review from your Mediterranean cruise! Glad to hear you are back:)

Thanks! I just saw you posted on that too:) It was such an amazing trip, I'm so glad I documented it so I never forget all that awesomeness!!!!

Another one I haven't tried yet is being able to order steakhouse options in the MDR for a $20.00 charge. Some of the choices are lobster, surf & turf, lamb and steakhouse level steaks. This is a good option because it is offered on all ships even if it does not have a steakhouse.

That's cool! I love the steakhouse steaks! Do they really taste as good as they do in the steakhouse?!?

Well, not really. I've just always wondered if that line would actually get people to read your post, lol!!!

So, it has been a while since we (myself and my DH Paul) have been on a cruise due to a recent unexpected guest, my dd Julia:) Well we finally took the plunge and just booked a 6 day/5 night cruise in July on the Sensation with my parents and Julia.

I'm a pretty seasoned Carnival cruiser, but it has been a while since my last cruise and I have never attempted cruising with a child before!

I would love to hear about some of the more recent changes, tips and/or tricks when cruising Carnival, as well as some ideas, tips and/or tricks for cruising with a toddler. No detail is too small, I LOVE cruising info.

Yes, I know I can do searches and read about whatever I want, just thought it would be fun to have a little dialogue:)

Wow, I wish we were going on this trip again this summer! Hope this review still helps those if you traveling to Europe on a cruise!

Hi Stacy: I am so enjoying the review of your trip.

Congratulations to you both on your marriage!

I am having so much fun reading it, laughing out loud, you both are so adorable!!! Pics great and reviews perfect. I'm going on the same cruise with my daughter in Sept. early..and we have booked Rome in Limo also. So happy that we have, after reading your comments. Actually another one of my daughters, who travels quite a bit, suggested RIL. She has been a huge help in this cruise.

Can't wait to read and see more of your wonderful cruise "story" :) Thank so much.:D

You are very welcome!!!

Hi:

 

I'd like to thank you for all the wonderful info you've posted. We took advantage of it during our trip in April to Paris, cruise onboard the Regent Mariner, and ten days in Italy. Although I planned to surprise my wife by not telling her we were going to Paris, I couldn't keep it from her. It turned out to be the highlight of our trip. You made our trip better and made The Boss's hero.

 

Z and TB

You are SO very welcome!!! I love that this is still helping others plan amazing trips just like me and my DH! So glad you had a wonderful time, Paris was the highlight of our trip as well:)

Wow! What a great review!!

Thanks Jimmy! Glad you enjoyed it. I really loved writing it and still love hearing from others who have questions:)

Bump

I am going on a Mediterranean cruise on Carnival in July and you have convinced me to book tours with Rome in Limo. Your post is one, if not, the best review I have found on the Internet. I loved all your photos.

 

By the way, I am Asian and do not feel insulted by the comment you made. There were simply "tourists" who were "Asian" in the museum. It's funny how some people are quickly offended by such things in regards to nationalities they are totally unaware of.

 

People, RELAX, describing someone as Asian is O.K!

(The Asian woman steps off her soapbox)

 

 

That is amazing! Thank you for getting on the soapbox:)

So happy to hear you enjoyed the review and that it was helpful. We really had the best of times. I can't believe it was almost two years ago that we went. Going to have to plan a trip to Europe again soon!

Have a blast on your trip!

Can't believe how many readers so far! Almost at the 150,000 mark, soooo cool!

I'm so glad I ran across your thread! Your pics in Paris made me tear up. Thanks for posting! Congratulations on your marriage!

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!

Only 14 more days until my next cruise!!!! I cannot wait:) I plan on doing a full review again, even though this trip will not have the exciting stops we had on our honeymoon. I will try to make it a fun read and it will inlcude all of my friends that are joining us on the trip.

I really can't wait!!!

Stacey!

 

I originally emailed with you back in May after I read your review. Like many others, seeing your review inspired me and made me feel like this was a trip I could make happen.

 

My husband and I will be celebrating our 3 year anniversary on the Liberty of the Seas in April! We will be starting with 3 nights in London and 3 nights in Paris. The cruise itself is only 5 nights with stops in Nice, Rome and Livorno.

 

We are so excited and I just wanted to thank you again. I am not going to lie, I still get overwhelmed when planning ... Thanks for all your advice and attachments !

It can feel overwhelming but you will have the time of your life and it is totally worth it! Here is my email address, if you want to email me I can reply with some more documents that I created to make planning a trip like this easier and organized. Just email me and I will send them: stacyanngregorski at gmail dot com.

Happy planning!!!

Thanks for the review!

You are very welcome:)

I have been receiving MANY emails from all of you with questions about your upcoming Med cruises and just want to say, KEEP THEM COMING! I'm loving this new found hobby of mine helping others plan their vacations and may even think about incorporating travel planning into the event planning I already do.

Thank you all to your very kind comments and I am so glad I could help you all out with your trips too!

your review is exceptional!! we are planning for 2014 for our 44th...a week in paris and 12-14 day cruise...we will be just as excited as you newlyweds. wishing you a lifetime of laughter...

A little jealous of your week in Paris! Would love to spend more time there. Have a great trip and thank you!!!!

Late to this review, but absolutely enjoyed every minute of it.

 

Stacy, I wanted to let you know that you are the furthest thing from pregnant, or fat, or whatever...I kept thinking, throughout this review, that your husband is a very lucky man. You are absolutely stunning. The two of you make a fantastic looking couple.

 

I know its late in saying this, but there are rude people everywhere, ignore them and move on.

 

Thank you for a fantastic review. I think you have convinced me to take a European cruise for our next adventure.

You should! The prices are great right now and a trip like this is once in a lifetime, go for it!!!!

And thank you, I will continiue to be the glass half full girl that I am:)

Hi Stacy,

 

I haven't been on your post in quite some time. Because of your review & the great things you shared about RIL, our roll call (Carnival Sunshine, May 17, 2013) have 3 tours booked. There will 8 of us. We are doing Florence/Pisa; Rome & Naples with RIL with tours similar to your tours. We will be in Florence on a Monday & will not do the museums due to their being closed but RIL has assured us we will still have a fantastic time & has added other Tuscany stops. We have also reserved a guide for the Vatican. Thank you again. Everybody on our roll call has read your review & it was very helpful. Thank you again!!

 

Joanne

Joanne,

So glad to hear you have been able to get yourself all set for your trip! You will have a fantastic time I'm sure:)

My parents just did this trip as well and used RIL and they were as great as when we used them.

Hope you have the best of times!

Thank you all of you new readers for the great comments!