going on first Mediterranean cruise

Since you are showing pictures of Rome, I added two from my portfolio. Most of you know I am older, I happened to be there on a tour with Captain Christopher Columbus in 1349 when a great earthquake destroyed the South wall of the Colosseum. We were lucky the cruise was spending three months in Rome to restock a little salt pork and 18,000 gallons of rum for the next sea portion of the cruise. Next stop is Venice with a nice walking tour of the streets and shopping district. I hear there might have been a flood there, so our walking tour might get cancelled. Then, the picturesque village of Pompeii although again, weather conditions might obscure our vision of this thriving minor city. In eight months time, we should be back in Lisbon (if the current winds are in our favor). I love cruising !!

First and foremost, do your research. My wife and I just got off the Enchanted Princess on Saturday and only did one Princess excursion(we had a credit for that). Took the train from Civitavecchia, where the ship docks, to Rome for 5 euros each. The ship wanted $129 each. There is a direct train from the Rome airport to the city for 14 euros. I could go on. Train service in Europe is fantastic, and cheap. If your comfortable doing your own thing, do it! Use the ship's excursions as your template and use the google machine for research. Have fun, Europe's a blast!

I've done that cruise, you'll have to get in a few days early to Rome in order to take it all in.

We will be doing the same cruise in June this year.

So far we booked a golf cart tour and Vatican tour through LIVITALY tours.

Trastavere food tour through Get your Guide.

Small group Santorini tour with Shore excursions group and a

Royal Caribbean tour in Naples, Capri, Postitano boat tour.

I will let you know how it goes.

Good advice about the restrooms.

However, highly unlikely the OP would be under the impression that a country in the EuroZone accepted foreign currency to purchase day to day items in the shops and even restrooms ????

Lynn is amazed

For more popular attractions (Vatican, La Sagrada Familia, Ufizzi, etc.) buy tickets ahead of time online. The lines to get in can be hours long, you don't want to spend your limited time in port waiting in line. Be sure to have some Euros, free public restrooms aren't a thing in Europe and will charge .50 to 1 Euro and won't take American dollars.

If you are a fan of history -- prepare, research, and plan on three days in Rome. I did one hurried day decades ago. NEXT time, it will be three days or more. I like the 'Rome in Limo' recommendation. I will check that out. Between the Vatican, the Ruins, the Colosseum, plus -- I will stay at English speaking hotels/tours. Why ? Because I am an ignorant American who speaks primarily one language. I speak polite (hello, thank you, good morning, etc.) additional languages, but nothing close to fluent.

If you have the time, invest in you own memories, by spending extra time in special cities.

Buona fortuna - good luck.

I agree with Auntie.

Wonderful information and especially eating with the locals sounds fab.

Thanks Hun

Lynn is beautiful

thanks