Western Mediterranean Cruise

[JeffH]

Appreciate any guidance. Thinking about booking a cruise out of Civitavecchia in early May of next year. One of the ports on the itinerary is Naples. I've seen ads for non-RCL excursions that cover Capri, Pompei and Sorrento in 8 hours. I'm thinking it's gotta be a drive-by type of tour and probably a waste of time. If so, would this plan be better? Arrive in Rome a day early before cruise departure. When the cruise ends, head back to Rome and spend multiple nights there. Then, head to Naples, followed by staying put in Sorrento for multiple nights. Explore it, Capri, Pompei, Positano and possibly Ravello over 4-5 days. Or, should I reverse it -- make the cruise last? Or...am I nuts attempting to do a cruise and then visit the Amalfi Coast?  

[Pattycruise]

I think you win either way! Personally it may be better to take in the land portion first, then the cruise can be “relaxing”.  That said I sailed out of Ravenna and went to Venice after for a few days-during a heat wave and I’d do the same if that’s how it worked out. 
separate trip-we stayed a few days in Rome, saw the sights-took the cruise and then came back to Rome for an extra night (worked for flights.)  Also during a heat wave.  I’d do it again.  You can’t lose exploring a country you may not fly back to again. 
 

[SebagoSue]

I would actually arrive a few days early and spend that time in Rome.  Then do the cruise. And after the cruise, do the stay in Sorrento to explore the Amalfi Coast.  I think the Amalfi Coast could be the most relaxing part of the trip, so I think it’s a great idea to do that part last.  We took a similar approach a few years ago, spending time in Florence before the cruise and in Rome post cruise.  It worked perfect.  
it is all so amazing, in any order you’ll have a wonderful trip. Enjoy!

[FionaMG]

I agree with @SebagoSue that arriving in Rome a few days before is the best strategy because in addition to everything she said it will give you time to recover from the travelling (especially if you're coming from a long way away) and give you a couple of days' buffer in case there is an issue with your travel arrangements.

Either way, that will be one amazing trip!

[wordell1]

The excursion you mentioned sounds very ambitious.  I would do one of the things you mentioned on the cruise and then add the other stuff later.  My last Mediterranean cruise we stayed 2 nights before and 4 after just in Rome.  The ship docks downtown in Naples so it can actually be a good opportunity to do the city itself and then maybe stay in Sorrento when you come back after the cruise and use it as a base for Capri and the Amalfi coast.

[TessFromFlorida]

Last summer, we did a Med cruise out of Rome and spent a couple of days there pre-cruise and it was perfect. We did a tour similar to the one you are talking about (I think, there are several similar options)- small group Positano, Sorrento, and Pompeii.  It was fabulous! We hit Positano first, and it was perfect- spent the morning before crowds hit. Checked out some shops and had a leisurely breakfast. Then we spent an afternoon in Sorrento, which included a lunch with our tour group. We then spent the early evening in Pompeii. Our guide and driver were knowledgeable and personable. We are going back next summer and will do Capri then. 

[cedricmr]

If you can take a few days, you have to dedicate them to Rome before or after the cruise. There is a lot to visit.
For Capri, you can easily get there by arriving in Naples with the cruise. You arrive directly at the port which is in the city center. There are several departures each day by ferry. When you arrive at the port of Capri, the telephreic and you are in the heart of Capri.

To go from Rome to Civitaveccia, train in 1 hour for a few euros. On arrival, a little walk, bus or taxi. From Rome, the taxi for 125€ (the flat rate is written on the taxi door)

[FOB]

Next year is a holy year so depending on when in May you would be in Rome it could be very expensive and even more busy than usual (Ascension is May 29th - rest of May should be OK as Easter is 20th April). 

Trains from Rome down to Naples are fairly simple and relatively cheap.

If staying in Rome after the cruise I would suggest that time is less of an issue and would use the train rather than a taxi all the way as you will be significantly cheaper

[SynEpona]

We are doing a similar idea, but differently, as we're basing ourselves in Rome for several days ahead of our cruise next month, and using one day from Rome for a high speed train day trip to Florence. It can be a very long day as we don't need to be back to our accommodations by a deadline to depart as we would if it were a port day. It also frees up the day that had Florence & Pisa excursions for us to explore Cinque Terre.

[wordell1]

1 minute ago, SynEpona said:

We are doing a similar idea, but differently, as we're basing ourselves in Rome for several days ahead of our cruise next month, and using one day from Rome for a high speed train day trip to Florence. It can be a very long day as we don't need to be back to our accommodations by a deadline to depart as we would if it were a port day. It also frees up the day that had Florence & Pisa excursions for us to explore Cinque Terre.

I highly recommend this option.  Cinque Terre is easy to do from La Spezia and well worth it.

[PhillyLady]

Well, I just love cruising out of Civi, and will be there next month (not on RC).

So, of course, when in Rome one MUST take some time to sightsee, and there really is a lot, so plan on pre- and/or post stays, and plan on returning.

On one of our cruises with a Naples stop, I toyed with the idea of doing those three places in a day tour, but they are not cheap (up to $300.00), and some folks say one of the stops is only about an hour. Of course, Pompeii had to be part of the excursion. So we did a tour with Amalfi (by boat), then lunch at Pompeii, and then a tour of the ruins (approx. $190.00). I have to say in the Summer it is extremely hot there, and dry and dusty at the ruins, so it was so nice in the morning to be on a small boat and to spend some time eating ice cream in a seaside town, before some heavy duty walking in the sun later.

If you are going on your own instead after the cruise to the Amalfi coast for a few days, make sure to pre-book all hotels, and perhaps check parking if you decide to rent a car. There was quite a bit of traffic getting out of Naples, as Summer is also when many Italians are traveling to all these oceanside destinations, especially on weekends. 

Buon viaggio!

[JeffH]

Appreciate all the great info/advice. The cruise lists Florence/Pisa as one of the days on the itinerary, but isn't Pisa a ways away from Florence? And I gather it's just climb the Pisa, take pics, and done. 

[foxrunner]

41 minutes ago, JeffH said:

Appreciate all the great info/advice. The cruise lists Florence/Pisa as one of the days on the itinerary, but isn't Pisa a ways away from Florence? And I gather it's just climb the Pisa, take pics, and done. 

I just got back from Western Med in Aug. on Oasis and we went to Pisa. Take the train from La Spezia Centrale to Pisa Centrale then use the Rick Steves free audio guide to walk from the train to the "dodgy tower". The audio guide is free and the train costs around $30 for two roundtrips. Eat lunch in one of Rick's recommended cafes, which is very reasonable price-wise. Once at the Field of Miracles, the full tour ticket was about $11 per person.  Never having been to Pisa it was great! I wouldn't try and do both Florence and Pisa in one day as it would be too rushed. Now as to which one to visit, that is up to you. Ask more questions as needed!