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michelle028

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    Bus in Katakolon to Olympia?

    in Greece Ports

    Posted

    Hi,

     

    Is there a bus to Olympia from Katakolon cruise port? Our MSC  ship's tour is sold out.

     

    I was debating about taking the train as well but just wanted to know your thoughts. 

     

    Is it a closer walk to the bus stand than the train station from cruise dock?

    Katakolon to Olympia train or bus

    in Greece Ports

    Posted

    Hello everyone,

     

     

    First time in Olympia on a cruise stop. I was planning on getting to Olympia on my own and exploring the ancient sites using the Train. Thanks to the poster for all the pics 🙂

     

    For anyone who has visited the Ancient ruins recently. Do you know if there are tour guides available on the spot at the site?

    Poesia, Splendida, or World Europa?

    in MSC Cruises

    Posted

    On 6/8/2023 at 2:28 PM, adam7392 said:

    Just returned from doing that exact sailing on Splendida and it was fabulous.  Thouroughly enjoyed all stops (we did round trip from Trieste, Bari and Istanbul are also offered as embark/disembark points).

     

    Bari and Trieste are both lesser known destinations but are great stops with lovely old towns to wander around, for Trieste the ship is literally a couple hundred yards from the main square and Bari old town is 10 min walk (don't be swayed by the MSC suttle offer at 10 euro that says it's a 15 min drive - it probably is by road but by foot you get there in a much shorter distance).

     

    Katokolon is a short train ride to Olympia the site of the original olympic games.  Piraeus we took public transport to Athens very easily and cheaply.  Corfu likewise has a local  bus from the port to the old town or its  a 15/20 min walk.

     

    Then the two Turkey stops gives you Kusadasi which is interesting enough to walk around but gives access to Ephesus which is an amazing ancient site and finally Istanbul.  For Istanbul there is a tremendous sail in bettered only by the night time sail out at 11pm.  MSC allow enough time to do lots.  We walked off the ship and within 30 min we were at the Blue Mosque and had time to do that, Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern, Tokpaki palace, Grand Bazar and the Spice Bazar before walking back across the river to Taksim Squate and finally back to the ship.  (37k steps!)

     

    The 2 sea days are needed for a bit of rest.

     

    Ship itself was great, plenty of space, we went during a school holiday but end September will probably mean much less demand so fewer on board.  Food in MDR was v good.

     

    Can't really speak for the other ships/itinaries but Civitavecchia is quite a way from Rome and probably means doing a very rushed ships tour of Rome itself that I doubt will be very fulfilling.  Naples is a great stop, again ship will dock right by the city allowing easy self explore of option for visiting Pompeii  and/or Vesuvius.

     

    Of the three itinaries the Splendida one is the best.

    Thank you SO MUCH for your detailed post! I will be on the Splendida next month and your tips are very helpful!

     

    Quick qs...

     

    How was the embarkation and debarkation  in Trieste?

     

    How did you find the food in the buffets? Was there alot of ethnic choices like Indian/Chinese options?

     

     

     

     

    On 6/8/2023 at 2:28 PM, adam7392 said:

     

     

    Embarkation Day Main Dinning Room

    in MSC Cruises

    Posted

    Thank you SO much for taking the time to post food pics! I find it difficult to find menus/food pics for MSC. Its my 1st time sailing with them, great tip about the Risotto I will definitely try it 🙂

     

    "Ended up ordering 2 risottos each night!" -  Did you pay extra for this?

     

    Also did you like any particular desserts?

    • Like 1

    Quick Bari question

    in Italy Ports

    Posted

    .

    Hi everyone,

     

    I am going to Bari on a cruise port stop and the MSC cruise is offering a city tour which says...

    "Board a little wheeled train and get set to explore the city in all its glory."

     

    Can you still take this little train by yourself when you exit the port and is it worth it? How much is it on its own?

     

    Also - has anyone just walked to town by themselves without using a cruise tour? How easy would it be to get there? Mainly interested in seeing the San Nicola Basilica and walking around a bit. We are only there for a few short hours in the morning.

    Currently on Splendida..

    in MSC Cruises

    Posted

    3 hours ago, bobnjeff said:

    We’re on the Preziosa right now. You can order multiple appetizers and entrees and desserts at no extra charge. Food has been excellent. Beautiful ship. Zero complaints. Our first cruises on MSC. We are on the second of two B2B. We’ve been on over 40 cruises mostly on Celebrity and Royal but including Cunard and P&O. MSC currently is as good as Celebrity was many years ago when they were a truly fantastic company. Our December cruise on Celebrity was awful. 

    Thank you! 😊  especially for the positive review!

    Currently on Splendida..

    in MSC Cruises

    Posted

    5 hours ago, glentally said:

     

    I'm after you!! It's definitely nice to read about current sailings on Splendida.  I find it hard to find updated reviews online compared to ships that sail in North America. 

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