Hi all, thanks in advance. We have booked our dream cruise 22 days round trip Rome in October. I am looking at the price of excursions, and wow! That would add another $6k to our trip. Our previous cruises with princess have all been in English speaking countries. I am a little less dow Enthused about going sure and then finding someone that provides the particular activity that we want to do. What is the best way to handle this do you readily find these activities on shore at a tcheaper price?
First off, you don't have to take every excursion, at every port. Budget yourself.
I can't tell if you mean you have a 22 day cruise around the Med starting from Rome, or if it's a way from home to Rome. If the latter is the case, you don't need to worry about excursions. Go to Rome. Spend money. Take cabs every where you go. See as much as you can before your flight leaves. If you mean you are going to be in the Med for 22 days, then the following:
I don't know which ports and which excursions you are looking at. But I've taken Princess' Med cruise so I can give some thoughts on ones I wouldn't miss.
Monaco
Most people can't get in to the casino. So what you can see from the port is about what you're going to see, uness you own one of the vessels that are docked there in port that you'll see pulling in.
However, it's a great idea to consider the Nice/Cannes excursion if it's available to you. In Nice, you'll see the world famous street market and learn about the apartment in which Henri Matisse lived, just about the market. He entertained Pablo Picasso many times in that apartment wher they shared tea and tore each others' painting techniques to shreds until it often almost came to fisticuffs.
Genoa
Good shopping. Not much else, frankly. Consider a Cinque Terre or Portofino excursion anywhere along this riviera.
Livorno
Most people instinctively jump at the chance to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa. But let me caution you, there is a church ... and a tower. A cute town with nice architecture. That for me just wasn't how I saw myself spending an entire excursion day. Florence was much more enriching. And depending on the highway you take away from port, it's possible you may see the tower off in the distance anyway. Florence has beautiful aerial view of The Duomo, one of the signature sights of Italy itself. The Ponte Vecchio which is at once a fascination structure, and a great place to shop for souveniers. The Basilica of Santa Croce in the center of Piazza de Santa Croce where Michelangelo stood as a young artist and was overwhelmed by the relief work on the doors and is now his burial place, as well as that of Galilea is thrilling. Of course there is a life changing experience that can only be had in Florence. And that is to stand at the feet of the great David in the Galleria dell'Accademia. The one you will see outside in the Piazza della Signoria is a replica. So be sure and go inside.
Civitavecchia
Rome is not to be missed. The ruins of old Rome, the Colosseum, the Vatican/the Sistine Chapel. Rome is one of the most sight-rich cities on the Mediterranean. I noticed you refered to "staying on shore." Rome is not actually a seaside city. Civitavechhia is it's port town, and it's basically an industrial puff of smoke. So you'll want to leave that port and get to Rome or some other destination as soon as possible.
Naples
I will never forget my excitement approaching the Bay of Naples with Vesuvious casting its shadow in the distance. This port could be a two-day stop and you'd still never see everything. Capri, where Caligula threw the bodies of the people he disliked from its cliffs is a hydroplace ride away. The Amalfi Coast, which could almost be considered a continuation of Cinque Terre is world renowned. Naples is more of a place for locals but breathtaking. Sorento on the other side of the bay is exquisite. And of course, there are excursions that will take you as high up the side of Vesuvious as you wish. Stop at Pompeii and see the city that was destroyed by her wrath. Or go all the way up and stare in to the face of silent death.
Sicily
Palermo is the port town. If you were weary, you could almost just spend the day here and shop. But there are some absolutely stunning places to see if you were in the mood for a drive. The Temple at Segesta is a photographer's dream.
Malta
I was on the ill-fated Mediterranean cruise to Egypt on Royal Caribbean's Brilliance of the Seas in 2010. A horrifying heeling incident meant we never made it to Egypt. Instead we were re-routed and were treated to two full days on Malta. See the Blue Grotto. Bring your paintbrush and easel to Marsaxlokk. Or shop for two days in the port city of Valletta and never regret it.
As yet, I have been deprived of anything along the northern coast of Africa. I hope to remedy that next year.
Spain
Any of the port cities along the south-eastern coast of Spain are worth a visit. Barcelona is primarily an architectural adventure. But La Rambla is a tourist delight.
Marseille
I will see Marseille for the first time next year. It sits on the riviera in the Provence Alps Cote d'Azur. It could be your starting point for excursions to gems such as Arles where Vincent Van Gogh and Paul Matisse shared a home.
Many Mediterranean cruises are billed as Italy/Greece cruises that will take you over in to the Adriatic and Aegean seas. Athens is great because you can spend an entire day on the property surrounding the Acropolis. Mykonos and Corfu are a picture postcard. Kusadasi is actuilly in Turkey but frequently shows up on Greek cruises. Take excursions from this port to see the Ampitheater where Paul spoke face to face with the Ephesians.
