We leave in two weeks for our eastern Mediterranean cruise on celebrity. We fly early into Rome (3days) then sicily, athens, ephesus, rhodes, santorini, mykenos,and naples. It's our 25th anniversary and want to do the best things (keeping in mind we only have about 6 hours per port approx. 8am-5/6pm). I love to cook, hubby loves history (not me) and to further make it interesting I have a bum foot and will have a motorized scooter. Both of us are big foodies and LOVE a good meal. Suggestions and things not to miss from those who know would be AWESOME!! Best tours, cooking classes?? maybe or "non touristy" things would be fabulous......
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
A good start would be getting Rick Steves Mediterranean Cruise Ports. This will not only have his suggestions about what to see and where to eat, but also the logistics of seeing a city from a cruise (which are completely different from the logistics of seeing it by land). Then, check out Cruise Critic. You can join the Roll Call for your sailing here: http://tinyurl.com/ap7h55m and so meet up with others to split private tours with. They also have port reviews. Here's their Eastern Mediterranean Ports reviews (scroll down to find the complete list): http://tinyurl.com/l5hg93p Then, they have forums for specific ports. Here's their Greece Ports Forum: http://tinyurl.com/ax6ys4a, their Italy Ports Forum: http://tinyurl.com/bwqtmhk, and their Other Mediterranean Ports forum: http://tinyurl.com/caj27o5. Finally, they have a Disabled Cruise Travel Forum, which will give you all kinds of tips for your scooter situation: http://tinyurl.com/kxqbwtz
Posted by
Camarillo, California
3122 posts
I'm sorry to say that a 'bum foot' and a motorized scooter is going to be very limiting when it comes to Santorini. I'm not even sure they'll allow it on the cable car you have to ride up the cliff into Fira. There's no road at that port. Passengers taking the excursion are tendered ashore to a different port where there are buses waiting. You should ask your ship's tour director about signing up for their shore excursion with the proviso that you can bring your scooter along. But even with the scooter you are going to have trouble getting from the bus parking into the heart of the villages you visit because of all the steps and uneven walkways. The Selene Restaurant in Pyrgos offers a cooking class.
Posted by
OP
Portland
7 posts
Harold...looked up cruisecritic already and also rick steeves eatern Europe, but will try to see the exact area regarding cruises which I did not see. I will check out all the sites and Lee...thank you for your input. I will see what I can find out. If I take enough medication I can do without the scooter as long as it isn't for long distances or long periods of time. Nice to know that in that one area of Greece maybe we should try to leave the scooter on the ship. I have more to look up. Thank you both!
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
Rick Steves Mediterranean Cruise Ports is not a website, it's a book. Details here: http://travelstore.ricksteves.com/catalog/index.cfm?fuseaction=product&theParentId=149&id=492