I am just writing a quick report about our Celebrity Cruise from Ravenna to Athens. Many forum members are cruisers and ask questions about the ports.
Ravenna
Hotel - Palazzo Galletti Abbiosi. Great location, beautiful old palace, even has its own chapel.
Underrated city with so much to see. The Mosaic churches are outstanding. If you are a fan of Dante, there is enough to keep you busy for a day.
We booked a guide through Toursbylocals, The Light of Mosaics with Christiana Zama. You can easily tour the churches by yourself, they are close to each other, but we like a guide.
We also took a mosaic class with Koko Mocaico, €95 for two hours and one small mosaic. Fun, unstructured afternoon. You really appreciate the mosaic after taking this class, not easy to do.
Arranged transport to the ship through the hotel. €20 with one piece of luggage, €30 with 2.
Split
A short walk from the pier to the old town. We hired Mate Perajica from privatedriverguideincroatia.com. A mouthful, I know. But he is fabulous and they also do multiday trips for any future travel to Croatia.
Dubrovnik
The ship docks in Gruž which is about a 30-40 minute walk. Or, an inexpensive Taxi, or the ship had Shuttle buses for $15 round trip. We hired Roberto DeLorenzo, a guide in Rick’s Book. Easy to just walk around yourself and pop into a museum, a Church, walk the walls, take the cable car up to Mt. Srđ. The TI is located on the first corner when you enter the old town. Ask what’s going on.
I do have to plug my absolute favorite artist is Dubrovnik. Her small shop is located at the botton of the Jesuit Steps (steps of shame for GofT fansj. It is called Atelier Pavica. She runs the shop and is the artist for everything in her shop. I purchase gifts for myself and friends every time I am in Dubrovnik. She also has numerous Christmas ornaments, all hand painted.
Kotor
We had to tender here so we booked a 1.5 hour walking tour through the ship so we could get off early. Definately get up early and go on deck to view the ship sailing into the harbor, amazing views. Kotor is small, but has a few beatutiful Churches, a small but interesting Maritime Museum, and numerous places to have a coffee and people Watch.
We did stop in a small art Gallery and after a few purchases and chatting with the salesgirl, we learned she is also a tour guide. Her info is Kotortourwithivana.com. Her English was perfect and she was Born there. Just an FYI.
Oh, and great shopping in Kotor.
Valletta, Malta
Again, a not too long walk to the city, but instead of walking up hills, there is an elevator which takes you up to the Upper Barrakka Garden, €1 round trip. Follow the crowd. We took a tour with Maltathemedtours.com with Giacomo. We had been to Malta before and hired him again. Fun, fun, and more fun. Oh, and he is a native and knows his history. St. john’s Co-Cathedral is a don’t miss. Purchase tickets online before you go or when you have internet. The tickets are not timed and good for a few days.
Rhodes
A short walk into town. Very historic, mostly Kinights Templar. We took a walking tour through the ship. You could easily do it on your own. Best shopping and lowest prices of all our Greek stops.
Mykonos
Too long a walk from the pier. The ship had a Shuttle, $15 round trip but there is also a seabus which goes to two stops on the Island, €2.50 per ride. We didn’t see it till we were on the Island. Anyway, not much to see historically, but we found a fabulous bakery, especially good for any one who is gluten free. Our gluten free travel friend is still raving about it - Giordano Wood Medieval Bakery. Our guide told us it has been there forever. We did hire a guide but is was so unnecessary. Very windy Island.