Accetturese

READ THE SMALL PRINT!!
The joke is very much on me. I have just discovered that independent excursions from the cruise ship are banned. The only way to leave the ship at any of the ports of call is if you pay for one of their excursions, which are all tightly controlled - and expensive.
It looks like I am spending a week aboard a ship.

SanNico

Bummer. For a budget cruise where you can take your car and do as you please you could:
Take the Civitavecchia to Barcelona ferry. 30 Euro each, car goes free and rooms start around 75 if you don't fancy the seat. You can also take dogs for 40 Euro each.
Wander down to Valencia and loop back up seeing whatever you like. From here you could take a ferry to Ibiza or Mallorca or:
Back to Barcelona then take the same ferry back, but get off at Sardegna, explore the place, then back on the next day for the rest of the trip back to Rome.

Word of warning: It's a 22 hour crossing and is mostly a freight route. There's a pool, nightclub, gym, bars, restaurant and casino on board but I've only used the route during Covid so the pool and club were closed.

Edit: forgot to mention if you do take one of the day trips, the Valencia trip will surely include the Mercat Central which includes a British food store as well as food from all over the world. It's where I get my mince pies and Bisto for Christmas. It would likely also include the main square where you could wander 5 minutes down the road to Taste of America which also has some British groceries.

pugliese

We're going in November with COSTA . Let me know how you get on ......

Accetturese

Hi all,
Back from our cruise - we did not like it and will be unlikely to go on another. We really did not like the constant pressure to spend on everything! People loading two or more trays with food from the buffet. Lack of entertainment options and cost of restrictive excursions.
Ah well

brian12

Hi,just being nosy.What cruiseline were you on.We cruise quite a lot.Cheers,Brian.

Accetturese

We were with MSC on the Grandiosa.

philat98

When you read the information on the internet it does not say that independent excursions are not allowed.

brian12

MSC have had bad reviews on a cruise forum I belong to.Personally I think Princess take some beating.We were due to sail Grandiosa this month funny enough but cancelled as it was from Barcelona and the covid tosh wasn't worth it.MSC and Costa too much pizza and pasta I'm afraid,lol.We sail purely for the itinerary hence MSC as it was going to Morroco and Lisbon 2 places we have not been.Cheers,Brian.

brian12

Most cruiselines have the same policy at the moment.Going around in your own bubble with 50 others,lol.

Accetturese

Yes, you have to go down through the small print, to where they start on about cruising in their 'Covid Safety Bubble'
For such an important detail you might expect them to say something on page one. Perhaps they think it might adversely impact on bookings?