Which Mediterranean port would you skip?

[Anna Chassereau]

We're on the Barcelona to Rome sailing next June...there's only one sea day. I'm planning on us skipping one of the ports to sleep in/relax and give us an extra day to enjoy the ship...we will have our 8 year old son with us so just trying to take it easy as much as we can. Also planning on doing half day port adventures.

Our ports are:

Toulon, France
Villefranche, France
Genoa, Italy
Florence/Pisa, Italy
Naples, Italy

Which port would you skip? I'm thinking of skipping Genoa...nothing is really sticking out excursion wise to me there. Has anyone been to Genoa?

 

[anricat]

We're on the Barcelona to Rome sailing next June...there's only one sea day. I'm planning on us skipping one of the ports to sleep in/relax and give us an extra day to enjoy the ship...we will have our 8 year old son with us so just trying to take it easy as much as we can. Also planning on doing half day port adventures.

Our ports are:

Toulon, France
Villefranche, France
Genoa, Italy
Florence/Pisa, Italy
Naples, Italy

Which port would you skip? I'm thinking of skipping Genoa...nothing is really sticking out excursion wise to me there. Has anyone been to Genoa?

I guess I would consider skipping Genoa out of those, though we had a nice little half way walking tour and it was enjoyable to experience a different place. We had a lovely lunch and probably the best gelato of the whole trip. Some members of our cruise meet group really didn't like the port though. You can click the link in my signature for my trip report and see pictures and what we did there.

I just sort of figure we spent all that money to get over there, we went through all the long flights and the jet lag and the time change, for us, missing a port, even just a couple of hours felt like not experiencing all there was to offer to the fullest.

 

[Anna Chassereau]

I guess I would consider skipping Genoa out of those, though we had a nice little half way walking tour and it was enjoyable to experience a different place. We had a lovely lunch and probably the best gelato of the whole trip. Some members of our cruise meet group really didn't like the port though. You can click the link in my signature for my trip report and see pictures and what we did there.

I just sort of figure we spent all that money to get over there, we went through all the long flights and the jet lag and the time change, for us, missing a port, even just a couple of hours felt like not experiencing all there was to offer to the fullest.

Finally found your trip report!! lol I looked the other day and couldn't find it...still figuring out how to navigate DISboards haha I'm definitely going to read it...I agree with everything you said about missing a port...I just know my husband and if I don't schedule a break day in the middle of all of that I know he will be miserable. And honestly I probably will too...we're spending time in Barcelona and Rome pre and post cruise so this is a long trip and I just don't want to get completely worn out. Plus enjoying the pool deck with hopefully less fellow cruise guests will be a plus!

 

[trvlgirlmq]

I agree, you are going all the way to Europe so why would you want to miss a port? I did a 10 night Med cruise with only 1 sea day and I made the most of it! If you only want to do a half day that could work. If you want to rest on vacation go to the Caribbean.

 

[Viking7641]

Villefranche.

The French Riveria is just......boring IMO.

I would say don't skip any, but if I had to pick out of that list it would be one of the ones in France.

And don't bother with Pisa, go straight to Florence. Pisa has nothing except for an unimpressive tower

 

[piccolopat]

I can't comment specifically since I've never been to those places (yet). Based on PP, it sounds like you can plan on a leisurely half day plus lunch in Genoa and then relax for the rest of the day. This way you wouldn't miss a port but have some down time. Would that work?

 

[Anna Chassereau]

I agree, you are going all the way to Europe so why would you want to miss a port? I did a 10 night Med cruise with only 1 sea day and I made the most of it! If you only want to do a half day that could work. If you want to rest on vacation go to the Caribbean.

We've done DCL in the Caribbean twice and we're ready for something different! This will be my fifth trip to Europe so I know how amazing it is...Just need to be realistic for what works for our family and like I said I know my husband and what he can handle. He has rheumatoid arthritis and will 100% need a chill/rest day scheduled in.

 

[Anna Chassereau]

@anricat reading through your trip report now...so you flew into London for a couple nights and then flew again to Barcelona? Did you fly to Barcelona the day before your cruise and spend the night? What airline did you use for London to Barcelona?

 

[Anna Chassereau]

I can't comment specifically since I've never been to those places (yet). Based on PP, it sounds like you can plan on a leisurely half day plus lunch in Genoa and then relax for the rest of the day. This way you wouldn't miss a port but have some down time. Would that work?

Yes this sounds like it may work if we decide to get off the ship there...if my husband is feeling up to it we may!

 

[disneyfaninaz]

Personally, Genoa was one of my favorite ports. We went to Portofino , Santa Margherita and Rapallo. They were such beautiful and charming cities.

 

[PsylockeSmythe]

I would chose Toulon, France to skip. Since that is the 1st port after sailing and on a Sunday; you will find a lot of the shops will be closed (that was our experience last year when we stopped in Marseilles on Sunday).

I do agree with disneyfaninaz that Genoa was one of our favorite stops because we took the boat tour to Portofino. I use a picture that I took from there as the background on my work computer.

Psy

 

[Anna Chassereau]

I would chose Toulon, France to skip. Since that is the 1st port after sailing and on a Sunday; you will find a lot of the shops will be closed (that was our experience last year when we stopped in Marseilles on Sunday).

I do agree with disneyfaninaz that Genoa was one of our favorite stops because we took the boat tour to Portofino. I use a picture that I took from there as the background on my work computer.

Psy

How was the boat ride there? Was it very long and rocky? I've looked at this excursion but worried about sea sickness...

 

[tink1970]

I would skip one of the two ports in France AND Genoa (unless hopping off specifically for gelato). While yes, it's an expensive trip, sometimes it's better to go at your own pace then getting every minute/penny's worth of touring at the expense of overall vacation and enjoyment.

I was actually in bed with a migraine for almost all of our Med trip and I honestly wish I would have skipped all of the ports, lol. We took a private tour to Rome, saw what we wanted to see and were back at the port in under 4 hours. It worked for me and I have no regrets about such a brief time spent there-I've been before and if I want, I'll return. Everyone tours differently and OP knows her family and their rhythms best.

 

[Mommb]

I haven't been to Genoa or Toulon, but out of Naples, Florence/Pisa, and Villefranche, I would choose to skip Villefranche unless you have a strong desire to go to Monte Carlo. On our Mediterranean cruise a few years ago, none of the excursions grabbed us, so we took a train to Nice, went to a museum, and returned to the ship after just a few hours.

If you're concerned with sea sickness, it's worth noting that Villefranche is a tender port, meaning you'll need to take a boat to and from the pier.

 

[PsylockeSmythe]

How was the boat ride there? Was it very long and rocky? I've looked at this excursion but worried about sea sickness...

The ride there was great; they were far enough out to where it wasn't too bad and going fast enough (I get queasy on smaller boats) and I was fine. The trip back they were closer to shore and going slower so people can see the sites and take pictures and it was rougher but still ok. Not as nice on the way there; but I felt it was one of my favorite port adventures; just behind going into Sorento and seeing Pompeii.

Here is one of the pictures I took:

Psy

 

[Anna Chassereau]

I would skip one of the two ports in France AND Genoa (unless hopping off specifically for gelato). While yes, it's an expensive trip, sometimes it's better to go at your own pace then getting every minute/penny's worth of touring at the expense of overall vacation and enjoyment.

I was actually in bed with a migraine for almost all of our Med trip and I honestly wish I would have skipped all of the ports, lol. We took a private tour to Rome, saw what we wanted to see and were back at the port in under 4 hours. It worked for me and I have no regrets about such a brief time spent there-I've been before and if I want, I'll return. Everyone tours differently and OP knows her family and their rhythms best.

Thank you for this!! I agree I'd rather go at a pace that works for us than try to cram as much as possible into a trip...down time to me is as important as seeing the sights even in Europe! I'm so sorry you had a migraine during your trip...I know those are so dibilitating!

 

[cheermom2four]

Maybe they wont be able to tender in Villefranche as that is one of the stops on our Med cruise and we ended up with a sea day. We actually were going to take the train into Monte Carlo but eh, we ended up relaxing after 3 intensive port days before that. Genoa would be my 2nd choice.

 

[Anna Chassereau]

I haven't been to Genoa or Toulon, but out of Naples, Florence/Pisa, and Villefranche, I would choose to skip Villefranche unless you have a strong desire to go to Monte Carlo. On our Mediterranean cruise a few years ago, none of the excursions grabbed us, so we took a train to Nice, went to a museum, and returned to the ship after just a few hours.

If you're concerned with sea sickness, it's worth noting that Villefranche is a tender port, meaning you'll need to take a boat to and from the pier.

My husband is dying to go to Monte Carlo to see the grand Casino...he's a huge James Bond fan. He wants to try to gamble there as well so I'm researching operating hours/what he needs to wear etc. It's what he's looking forward to the most on this trip other than spending several days in Rome at the end so we'll definitely have to get off at Villefranche...that's a good point about tendering thank you for reminding me. I'm going to bring along appropriate medicine just in case.

 

[Anna Chassereau]

Maybe they wont be able to tender in Villefranche as that is one of the stops on our Med cruise and we ended up with a sea day. We actually were going to take the train into Monte Carlo but eh, we ended up relaxing after 3 intensive port days before that. Genoa would be my 2nd choice.

I wonder how often this happens...my husband really wants to go to Monte Carlo so he'd be devastated lol

 

[FSU Girl]

I wouldn't really recommend skipping a port when in Europe. In the Caribbean I feel like you could stay on the boat the whole time and not miss anything, but Europe every place is really special. If I had to pick, Toulon would be the one I'd skip. When I went there we didn't do much in port and just enjoyed eating at a restaurant by the water.