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Jewels of the Mediterranean, shore excursions.


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Hi Everybody,

 

First time going on a cruise (we're going in August), just looking for some advice!

 

So our stops are as follows..

 

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Can anyone tell us which stops are best to do our own tour, and which stops are best for paying for an excursion. We're probably going to look around ourselves on most stops, so any tips on this or the excursions would be great!

 

Thanks alot!

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Barcelona you can do yourself quite easily. There is a HoHo bus which takes you to most of the 'must sees' - or you can just wander around yourself - or use the Metro which is excellent and extremely cheap. The port isn't far from the centre but it's a bit of a job getting out of the port complex (although you can see where you need to go - but it's not a direct route out) so it's probably worth getting the shuttle bus which drops you at the column at the bottom of the Ramblas.

 

Toulon is quite attractive, but not big. We did the half day trip to Cassis which was really lovely and we enjoyed the excursion very much. I've recommended this trip to one or two other posters on this forum who have enjoyed it too.

 

Palermo's a bit of an experience - rather like parts of Naples but there is an impressive cathedral, a Moorish quarter, remains of a Roman villa (free) and good shops here. We didn't do a trip so can't comment on anything else here. As I recollect, we were able to just walk from the dock into the town.

 

Naples we caught the train ourselves to Pompeii. Again, very do-able on your own but I'd recommend getting off the ship early to beat the tours to Pompeii. We walked from the berth to the train station (watch the traffic in Naples though - it's a bit scary!) which took us about 25 minutes then got the train to Pompeii SCAVI (the ruins - not Pompeii the town) and this drops you off across the road from the site. We hired the radio commentary and just did the 'highlights' tour which took us about 2.5 hours. As we haven't done any other trips, again I can't advise on anything else here.

 

We didn't stop at Olbia. If you have an early arrival or late departure at Palma, it's definitely worth getting off the ship and walking along the promenade towards the Cathedral and old town.

 

Hope this helps.

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WE are doing this trip on the Sprit this Oct. Having previously sailed on Thomson ships in the past im very 50/50 on go with ship or do own thing. worth doing a bit of reserch before you go. on whole its a lot of fun doing it yourself. Some of ships tours are over priced and some worth it!!

 

Palma is the only stop we know well. and this is a deffo "do your own" there are red London open style bus outside dockside gates that run every 30mins you can hop off and on all day for the one price (was 10euro last year) takes you round every single site in Palma. Also buses very cheap in palma to get to most places around island.

 

have a brill time we know you will.

 

URL=http://www.cruisecritic.com]countdown.pl?name=juliejane&date=10-9-2009&image=vfin&text=hurry up october haha&ship=Thomson Spirit[/url]

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  • 2 weeks later...

Toulon, Do it yourself - The Ship docks 5 min walk from Marina, Go to the Tourist information office at the Marina this is sign posted. The Girls in there are very helpfull and all speak great English - Ask for the 6 Euro all day ticket - We got these - Bus to Cable Car 15 stops on Number 40 Bus every 20-25 mins at Louis Blanc Bus Stop (just across the road from Tourist Board) ticket also covered trip on Cable Car - Excellent views frm Top - Return journeys in Cable Car and Bus back to Marina - Then get a water Taxis at the Marina again these run every 30 mins to The Beach - Some excellent Sea Food Restaurants and a cracking beach. All this for 6 Euro you cant beat it....(That includes Water taxis back to Marina)

 

 

Palermo, We went on Thomson Excursion we paid £29 per adult and £15 per child - Trip up Mountain to Saint Rosalia's Cave - She is the Patron Saint Of Palermo - Then we went on to Mondello which is a Beach / Fishing Village very good then it was back to Palermo and a drive through the old town itself - This looked brilliant from the Coach stopping for a Traditional Sicilillian Ice cream eaten with Bread - It is possible to walk from the Ship to the centre of Palermo in approx 10 mins and the main street to the centre is directly opposite the port.My Parents got a Taxi at the Ship and agreed a round trip price of 50 euro with a 75 year old taxi driver - He took them on a guided tour of Palermo stopping at some interesting points and allowing time for his passengers to explore these. He took them to his favourite Restaurant where they all enjoyed some refreshments - But agree the price before you get in taxi.

 

The Thomson Tour to Sorrento and Pompei was £48 Adult and £28 child, This is Good if you want to see both places as you would be pushed to do the two under your own steam. It is possible to get Train to Pompei approx 30 min train journey and sorrento is another 30 min after that but we did not want to take the chance of missing the ship.... Expensive Tour but still enjoyable...

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  • 11 months later...

What date Phill,

I have just booked a cruise and stay from 7th aug, I dont know what made me do it ,spur of the moment I guess, and never cruised before, so heres hoping we enjoy!!got to tell my husband now!!

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  • 2 weeks later...

Maddy I am on the Destiny 7th August 2010 Jewels of the Med but they are not the same ports as I`m going too????????? that`s on your map

 

We sail to Cannes in France not Toulon

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