Looking for some advice/suggestions for shore excursions

Have not been to Greece, but I’d focus on the historic sites previously mentioned!

Messina is a good place to go up to Vesuvius if it’s not erupting 😉 we negotiated with a taxi on the dock, had a great trip. If it’s not good weather & poor visibility,don’t bother as you won’t have good views.theres a great cathedral walking distance from the pier or docking area (we docked right alongside a regular street about 10 minutes walk to the cathedral) the walk up to the clock tower is great. Also there’s a little tourist train very inexpensive that you can pick up in front of the cathedral that goes through the city.

livorno - stayed in town once, but if it’s Sunday most of the city is closed. There’s a very old fort (100s of years) that people used for shelter during WW2 … and still had people living there up through the late 1960s!!! Of trip to Pisa and Florence, I’d pick Florence in a heart beat, esp if you’ve never been. Book a small group tour with a local company or guide for best experience. Book early esp if you want to see the David in the Accademia or go to the Uffizi art gallery (wonderful).

if you feel like booking tours, book with locals - research them on the big booking sites but reach out and try to book with them directly. You might save a few bucks but what you will do is put the money in the local’s pockets, not in some international business (there has been a lot of quiet consolation in that space). I think my go-tos of “get your guide” and “tours by locals” have been acquired- they do not offer the variety of tours and price points like they did before the post covid travel boom. Best tour I ever had was a private tour through Transylvania with a local history teacher on break. A lot of authentic touches!

I'm going to try to reply AGAIN. Not sure why but I've attempted to do so 3 times, the first being lengthy. But here we go AGAIN. Thank you for the reply and I'll mention this to my family. When time allows, I'll answer your questions. Thanks again.

Cruising in the Mediterranean is one of my favorite destinations in the world. I love ancient history, so I plan all my excursions well in advance (sometimes two years!), and frequently splurge on the costs. I like visiting archaeological sites. One advantage to taking ship excursions is you are often the first one off the ship and the ship is guaranteed to wait until you return. I like all-day excursions that see and do a lot, and also include a local lunch, but I realize many people do not have the stamina, the funds, or the interest.

Well, you have not really shared your age ranges and health levels, which can make a big difference. Some excursions can be very busy and tiring. The weather will still be very hot. The Mediterranean is famous for all of the ancient historic sites, so if you like archaeological ruins, you will have a fantastic time. However, if you are older or have young children, you may want a more relaxed experience, and could just stroll around the town, sit in a cafe, and/or go to a beach.

On Santorini we went all the way to Akrotiri to visit the famous ruins there, but most people just like going to Oia to get the famous photo shot with all the houses and the sea (yes, we did that, too). The island is a bit difficult to navigate back and forth from the ship, and there can be a long wait for the cable car. It is stunning to arrive there! In Athens you should go to see the Acropolis--a very famous symbol of Greek history, and it should not be missed. We also like shopping around in the Plaka. The port is about forty-five minutes away from the city. Well, Olympia is not the port--it is the famous Greek ruin. Yes, you should take a tour and see where the Olympics began! It is a great place for kids to visit. We spent a half day there, and then a half day at the beach.

Mykonos is the jet set island, full of shopping and nice beaches. You can climb up the steps to see the famous windmills. Again, if you are a history buff you can visit the famous ancient religious site on the island of Delos, a short boat ride from Mykonos.

Yes, Naples features Pompeii--also quite important to visit, but it can be dusty and hot tramping around.

I have not yet seen Valleta or Messina, but hopefully one of these years. For Livorno you can choose to go to either Pisa or Florence, or if you have a lot of energy, try to do them both. You will have hardly any time to go inside places, and these days you have to buy tickets in advance anyway. Touring these lovely medieval cities is very enjoyable!

You did not mention Rome at all, but if you are going there as well it would be worth it to stay for multiple days as there is just so much to see and do.

Okay, trying to keep to a budget--you may want to read a guidebook Like Rick Steves Mediterranean Cruises, or go to Cruise Critic under Boards to the section called Ports, where people share many helpful hints about doing excursions on a budget, such as which local buses or trains to catch, recommended private guides, favorite places to eat, etc.

Don't overwhelm yourself with excursions--take time to look at the beautiful blue water and sky, enjoy the serenity of life on the cruise ship, take some family photos, go to the shows, and just relax!

Yes, I will be in the Med again this Summer (and I also cruised there last Summer), and I made sure to have a few sea days on my cruise this year, just so I could catch my breath from all the tours! Have a fantastic time, and make many wonderful memories!