Question about Cagliari, Sardinia Shore Excursions

Based on your physical limitations, it sounds like excursion #1 would be a better fit.

We generally try to stay away from ship excursions, especially those of the first type, since they are a lot of what you just said -- getting on and off the bus. The advantage for this one is that it gives you a chance to see something, albeit briefly, of the island besides Cagliari.

I get what you're saying about Option 2, as my husband sometimes has trouble keeping with large groups. We also don't like them because many times, it's very difficult to hear the guide over the din of the other participants and of the street noise.

Why not try a hybrid by using a private guide? It is more expensive no doubt, but if this is your first and only opportunity to see some of Sardinia, maybe it's worth it. Most do walking tours around town as well as driving tours over a wider area. Try Tours by Locals; compare their tour descriptions. Remember, you're paying for maximum quality and personal attention paced to your interests and physical needs (hills and distances, bathroom breaks and the like). If you like the sites of the second option and want to duplicate it, provide it to each guide and get a price. Always spell out your personal/physical limitations as this affects scheduling/itinerary. If the cost is prohibitive for you alone, consider joining your Cruise Critic roll call for the sailing. We've found one or two other shipmates to split the cost and it works out quite well. When I enlist others on private tours from the Cruise Critic roll call, I make it clear that while I'm happy to listen to their interests and concerns, I'm the final-decision-maker for the excursion. I've never had a problem with that plan. We've always been able to reach a good combination of interests.

Your library probably has a copy of Lonely Planet's Sardinia guide. You could use it to flesh out what you'd most like to see, then contact a few guides to see what they can offer. (Or, a little online research will work, too.) In my experience, most are very willing to tailor a tour to your needs, budget (through 1/2 day excursions) and time frame. Some offer special "cruise passenger excursions", too. A lot of people worry about getting back to the ship in time for departure. Guides are very aware of this and will schedule accordingly. If you're really worried, though, you might want to end the excursion an hour earlier than the guide recommends.

In a small place like Cagliari, I wouldn't wait too long to book a private guide if that's the route you choose. If there are only a few guides, they will book up fast. We're planning a port call in Cagliari, too, but in 2025. I'll look forward to hearing what you decide and to how it went.

I agree with Mary. Given your mobility problems, the first excursion is the practical choice, since you are unable to walk any distance or navigate inclines without pain or fatigue. While the 2nd option would be vastly more interesting to most people, you only have to Google images of the Castello quarter and Via Roma ( the "free time" area) to see what the walking would be like. And keep in mind that you would have to keep up with the group on the walking portion. As for how much free time you might have - that is always dependant on how many stragglers are in the group, and how much extra time they take away from the total tour time.

Thank you to eveeryone who responded.

Supposedly we are arriving in Cagliari 9 a.m. That is arriving and leaving at 3 pm. Not a lot of time.

Each excursion that I mentioned is 4 hours long and about the same price. Cost is not a factor.

But I can not afford a private guide. I am a senior citizen who lives solely on social security. My budget is very tight. I cut back and go without all year to be able to take my one cruise.

I am going to call the shore excursion phone number and see if they can offer any more information. Usually they can not.

Six hours is not long in port.

If you Google 'what's in port Cagliari' you will find the planning website I start with for any port.

You will see that you dock in a good central location, and that the port authority provide a free shuttle bus to the town centre.

Also that there is a city provided 1 hour tour bus in a open top kind of midi bus.

I know you have the free at sea package for your shore excursions. But maybe that tour bus is an affordable middle ground then you can sample some of the foods mentioned then catch the free shuttle back. Take the map on that link with you, as a starter.

Like you I am approaching this from a position of zero knowledge of Sardinia or Cagliari.

PS,- I can't link it for you as I am still travelling, due home at midnight.

thank you isn31c and also muccia the boot

I have been watching YouTube videos and am aware of the free shuttle bus to the one hour mini train ride which I like but I am thinking that it might just be easier for me to take the simpler NCL excursion

I can not recall if I am correct but I think that Cagliari does not allow you to walk through the port. You have to take the free shuttle bus. In situations like this, you sometimes have to wait long periods of time to get on the bus but I do not recall that problem being mentioned in the YouTube videos.

I think that if I take an excursion through NCL, the bus will be waiting right at dock but sometimes you still have to walk quite a distance.

Although we are scheduled to arrive at 9 am, there is no guarantee that we will be on time or what time we will be allowed off of the ship. Also, we are supposed to be back on ship X amount of time before it sails. (I never know exactly when we are supposed to be back on ship)

I do not know if you are aware of what has happened to some guests who have missed the ship when choosing to do their own thing or take an excursion through another company rather than NCL but I would not like to deal with such a situation. When you take a NCL excursion, supposedly they hold the ship for you if anything goes wrong.

Four hours for the excursion seems like. generous amount of time given the short amount of time that we are in port.

I do not take the Free at Sea Package which is not exactly free. Norwegian seems to have a different definition of what is free compared to how the rest of the world defines free.

I take the so called free wi fi which is about two hours of free wi fi and it goes fast. I also take the so called free shore excursions which is $50 off of a NCL shore excursion and then I get another 10 % off because I have sailed X amount of times with Norwegian..

Shore excursions vary in price. I get my amenities which reduces my cost but for Rome and Florence, I am still paying about or over $300 for each excursion. However, they are long excursions designed for persons who use canes or walkers. I sometimes now use a cane. Other shore excursions cost me nothing or are very low cost due to my amenities.

I am going to post this but read your responses again and edit additional information.

Thank you for your interest and responses.

Hi there, Phyllis -
I thought it might be useful for others making recommendations if they know a bit more about you so I've copied some of your remarks from your London>Brugge>Rouen>Bordeaux> Santiago>Lisbon trip report, OK?

"I experience a lot of pain when walking or standing. I am thoroughly dependent on public transportation. I can not afford a taxi or uber to here, there or anywhere."

"I am not good with maps; I do not take (physical) notes. I do not make notes. I assume that i will be given visitor information or can find visitor information during my travels."

"I have Diabetes II and am in Stage Two kidney failure. I have Morton's Neuroma on my left foot. I have a bunion on my right foot which is the least of my problems. I have Hammer Toes. I have spinal stenosis on the left side and I have an arthritic knee with the right knee being especially bad which causes pain all the way down my leg in to my foot."

"I have possibly mentioned being diabetic and I have an unusual symptom of extreme hunger. Persons are familiar that frequent urination and great thirst are symptoms of diabetes but not many are aware that there is a less common symptom of frequent and extreme hunger which I experience. I nibble all day but can get extremely hungry when I have not been able to nibble. We are not able to take food from the ship so I was very angry by the time we were in Bordeaux."

Yet given all of your challenges, you doggedly save and bravely sally forth as much as you are able. Good for you! I think we can all agree that setting off on your own isn't a good idea for many reasons, the biggest of them the difficulty you've had in the past finding your way around. As well, escorted tours that involve a lot of walking and few breaks don't work for you either. Given that, it would seem like shore excursion #1 would definitely be the best fit.

But when you call the cruise line with your questions I'd also ask them if there is a bathroom ON the bus - as toilet breaks have been a challenge for you - and have them clarify the issue with taking food off the ship. I can maybe understand them putting the kibosh on raiding the buffet for take-along lunches but given your diabetes, there should be NO rule about bringing your own snacks you've packed along from home. Really, do they actually search your daybag when you leave the ship to see if you've got food in it? Whatever the case, they need to let you manage your dietary requirements, no question.

The cruise line are not going to give any assurances about a bathroom on the bus. They charter the buses (anywhere) from a local company and that company will provide what they can provide on the day.

Even if the bus has a bathroom there is no guarantee that it will be operable on the day for any number of reasons. No bus company anywhere would accept that as a condition of charter, so a 100% assurance is not possible to be given.

I am fully well aware of bostonphil's "limitations" and am trying very hard to tailor thoughts accordingly. Trying to work out how to get into the Cathedral with those "limitations" is the challenge if that is BP's wish.

I had also hoped that, during the last year, someone might have taken her "under their wing" a bit to give a bit of tutelage about using maps, not necessarily computerised maps on a device. Having talked to her recently I don't think that item on my wish list for her has actually occurred.

The lack of note taking was a takeaway from the last cruise which I think she has taken onboard for the future.

The Highlights of Cagliari (#2) is £61.45 full price, so about £28 or US$34 after discounts. Easy Cagliari (#1) is £92.56 full price so about £44/$52 after discounts.
I wonder if the Folklore Tastes and Sights (just 100 metres of flat walking) may be of interest £131.46 or about £56/$65 after discounts may be of interest as a sort of compromise-
Sardinia has deeply rooted traditions. Food and wine always come first to mind but their music and dances are also an integral part of their culture. Experience them as you join your fellow cruisers on this memorable outing. Stop in front of the Basilica of Bonaire while your guide explains its history. From the view point at Monte Urpino, you’ll have a great view of the old city, dominated by the Cathedral and the bay with its salt ponds. See the popular Poetto Beach on your way to Maracalagonis, a rich agricultural area at the foot of the Sette Fratelli Mountains. In these mountains, herds of wild boar and Sardinian deer are still found. Being so close to Cagliari (about 15 miles), allows the people living here to keep their traditions without suffering the inconvenience of excessive isolation. Stop at a typical country house to enjoy a lively folkloric performance with dancers dressed in ancient Sardinian costumes. While you watch, try some of the local delicacies and cookies prepared according to traditional recipes, all accompanied by Sardinian wines. You’ll be welcomed to join the locals on the dance floor and learn a few steps. After learning about Sardinian food, dance and traditions, you’ll return to the ship full of joy.

With all these 4 hour excursions by the time they have got people on to the bus and done the tour there simply won't be free time afterwards.

I am fully well aware of bostonphil's "limitations" and am trying very
hard to tailor thoughts accordingly.

My post wasn't directed at anyone in particular, more for people who may be just joining the thread who aren't familiar with our Phyllis.

Hi Kathy

If you remember, my doctor gave me an injection before I left and it did not work. I was not expecting that and I had not taken anything with me for my arthritis

My orthopedic surgeon is going to try another injection before I go on this cruise. I hope this one works but I am going better prepared.

I am going to bring Voltaren with me just in case as well as Tylenol Arthritis.

For now, I have started using Voltaren again and there is improvement with my arthritis. Today I am going to take a bit of a walk (in the heat no less) to meet a friend for lunch. She wants to Uber me but I said no because I need to test my walking.

I do have concerns because I have chosen some Level II shore excursions and sometimes it is ok and sometimes not. You just never know.

I agree with you that the first choice sounds like the better one for me but it does not sound as interesting as the second one. However I like the snacks but then again what are the snacks like. They do not give you enough information.

There usually is not a bathroom on the bus or if there is, they usually do not like you to use it.

Come to think of it, it is a four hour excursion and they say nothing about toilet breaks. Thank you for bringing that to my attention. Probably there will be a lot of older persons and persons with mobility issues on the first option so I have to assume they have something planned as far as toilet breaks. I still enjoy bladder control.

Yes, Onward Through The Fog as Oat Willie of Austin coined.

I have it in my head that I have to take a cruise when I travel but I do not in reality. I have fallen in love with Paris watching the Olympics. Why can I not just go to Paris for a full week. And another time, why not just Tokyo for a week. I can book a three star hotel. I can book excursions and maybe even the HoHo bus. And it would possibly cost me less money than my cruises.

Thank you for thinking of me. I am going to go back and read your response and may come back and edit.

Edit. I think that you are allowed to take a sealed bottle of water leaving the ship which means that you have to buy it from the ship or they sell you the water after leaving the ship. I think that I heard you can purchase snacks that have not been opened from the ship before leaving. And of course everything is overpriced. You can take nothing from the breakfast buffet like a banana. It will be taken away if it is seen and or maybe you get in trouble. I do not know I think you go through security leaving the ship. You have to scan out .

isn31c

I have gotten better with taking notes.

I have an iPad and have google maps on it but I am still challenged by maps. Here at home, I am using goggle maps on my laptop to map out my walks from my hotel in Barcelona to other places but I still plan to take the HoHo bus the first full day that I am there to get an idea of Barcelona.

That is one of the things that I love about cruises for someone like myself. You get on the ship and you are kinda taken care of. You book an excursion. There is a bus waiting for you to take you round and round and then they take you back to the ship. There are limitations but for someone like myself, a guided excursion is possibly the best way to go. I miss a lot but I also see a lot.

I also noticed the excursion with the Flamenco Dancers and the food. I still think that I am choosing to go with the options that I have posted. I am going to call shore excursions this week to see if I can get more information. And you know that I will be posting a trip report.

Keep in mind that Shore Excursions are trying to sell you whatever excursion. It is not always as they describe. You only find out when you are on the excursion.

And you are correct about toilets on the bus. Even if there is a toilet, they usually lock it. I am feeling that there will be a bathroom break within a four hour excursion.

muiccia the boot

oh I so want to see the flamingos. I hope if they are around, the bus will stop so that we can get a good look and maybe even let us out to take a picture. It does not sound like we will be doing the latter but one never knows.

Many members on this site know me from my last cruise Southampton to Lisbon which had its moments let us say. I am not well traveled . I will be taking my ninth cruise but only my third to Europe. I kinda botched my last cruise but still I have some good memories and wonderful pictures.

I believe that I have learned from the last cruise.

Oh, I happen to be a bird watcher

I remember that you love watching the birds, Phil. :O)
Back to the food issue... There should be no rule about bringing whatever you need to get through a day tour WITH you if you purchased those items at home. My husband and I pack protein bars, nuts, gorp, etc. all the time when we travel, and I buy the products before we leave when I find them on sale.

So if they aren't going to let you, say, take that banana from the morning buffet, then bring your snacks from home. I know that many cruises don't allow their customers to bring their own liquor but this is different. You're going to want to bring items that work with your diabetes.

I do not know I think you go through security leaving the ship. You
have to scan out .

But you've cruised with Norwegian & taken day excursions before now, right? Did they look in your day bag on any of those cruises when you were leaving the ship for the day?

OK, here's the deal with bringing food from the ship into a port. It's not just a ship rule; it's usually a national LAW, regulating the import of foreign foods, to prevent the import of pests and diseases. Depending on the port, there may be random searches by local officials, or, more commonly, sniffer dogs. Penalties can be high.

HOWEVER, (because there's always a however) you can bring your own bottled beverage (purchased, or using the perfectly drinkable ship's water in your own reusable bottle). And you can legally bring snacks that are commercially produced and are in commercially sealed packages. Like the aforementioned protein bars, trail mix, etc. Best to buy these either at home, or at a local store before embarkation. If your diabetes is not well controlled, or you expect a prolonged (for you) period without food, then you should always plan on carrying something that can tide you over until you get back to the ship.

Hello Kathy,

You got me thinking. (about leaving the ship when we arrive in port)

I know that we walk by a crew member and tap out or insert our key card. Something comes up on a screen. We walk through something but I can not remember what.

It is relatively easy to leave the ship compared to returning.

I have never had my purse inspected or the tote bag that I am almost always carrying but I also have never broken the rules.

I never knew what we might be allowed to take off the ship as far as drinks or snacks.

I think what I am going to do is to call my Personal Cruise Consultant and clarify.what snacks and or beverages I am allowed to take off the ship. It might save me some money because I always buy a bottle of water getting off.

Thank you CJean for your input,

I have never really known what we are allowed to take off of the ship as far as food (snacks) and water.

One time, another guest did tell me that we were allowed to take snacks that had not been opened off of the ship. I assumed that guest had bought the snacks in one of the on board shops.

As I told Kathy, I am going to call my PCC and clarify.

Hi Kathy and CJean

I do not know if you will be coming back to this discussion but I did call my cruise consultant. He told me, "yes, you can bring your own water bottle off of the ship filled with water but not back on. The bottle needs to be empty" and "yes, I can bring sealed snacks off of the ship."

I did not fully understand this. And I learned it from being on this site.

And I called shore excursions. And they had no more information about excursions than what I got. However she told me that they are trying to develop a way for guests to leave reviews. That would be a big help.

So that's great; just add snacks to your packing list for this cruise, although I've no idea why they have to be sealed when leaving the ship but whatever. Just don't pack any fresh fruit, cheese or meat products, OK? Any sort of energy/protein bar (there are some better than others for diabetics) granola bars, crackers, individual packets of peanut butter (don't pack that one in your carryon) etc. are probably OK.

The reason your water bottle has to be empty when returning to the ship is because of the nearly universal ban against bringing one's own alcohol. Passengers have been known to fill their bottles with gin, vodka or other clear alcohol purchased during their shore visits, thinking because it looks like water that they won't get caught when re-boarding the ship. (wink)

Thanks Kathy and muccia the boot

My memory is that the Black Death was brought in by rats on a freighter. One of the very down sides of transportation and travel is bringing in disease and invasive species.

But thank you both and CJean for making me very aware that I can take water off of the ship as well as snacks. I think that I will probably buy my snacks in Barcelona rather than home.

As a diabetic, I need water with me at all times, if possible, as well as snacks.