Regal Princess – Mediterrean Cruise Review

Turnaround Port

Since the ban the turnaround ports are likely to be Barcelona, Athens and Rome (Civitavecchia). All three cities are well connected by international flights and worth spending a few days pre or post taking in the sites. Barcelona port is roughly 7 km from la Rambla or Gothic Quarter and easily accessible on foot or by taxi. The Gothic Quarter is a great place to position your pre or post cruise stay as it close to some key sites, transportation links, bars and restaurants. Athens is an alternate departure point specifically sailing out of Piraeus situated 12 km from the city center. An ideal location to stay in Athens as a first time traveler in the ancient city of Athens is the neighborhood of Plaka. The district lies under the Acropolis Hill’s eastern slopes and is old Athens’ heart. The area is also a delightful place to walk around, to wander through the narrow lanes, and to admire the pastel-colored houses.

The final departure port is Civitavecchia likely listed as Rome on an itinerary. Civitavecchia is about 60 km north west of Fiumicino Airport or 80 km from Rome city center. Given the proximity to Rome its probably wise to situate yourself in the port city a night before the cruise departs. Traffic is notoriously problematic to and from the port city to the airport and its probably best to avoid landing in Rome the day of sail. For a first time visitor to Rome definitely arrive a few days prior and explore the historic and cultural wonders the eternal city has to offer. If your cruise concludes in Rome then take advantage of a debarkation tour that will take you to the city center and include visit’s to some of Rome’s famous historic sites like the colosseum, Sistine chapel and St Peters. The tour will end at the Princess Cruise Plus Hotel or Rome Ostiense Station in the case you are booked at another hotel.

Entertainment

Live entertainment venues include the central piazza, princess theatre deck 6,7 forward, princess live on 7 midship and vista lounge on deck 7 aft. Guesting looking to burn off the calories can check out the fitness center located on deck 19 aft or the running track on the open deck. Relaxation and pampering can be found in the spa with a variety of treatments to ease away the stress. The Lotus spa is located on deck 5 along with the enclave, relaxing hydrotherapy pools, saunas and steam rooms. A fully functioning map and location feature are built into the medallion app to help you navigate around the ship to explore in further detail.

Prior to boarding guests can be pre-book tours, specialty dining, spa treatments etc through the cruise personalizor. However all these are options can be booked at their respective venues and its probably wise to organize them on the first night to avoid disappointment. Shore excursions and guest services are located on deck 5 near the piazza for any consultation for general inquiries or available tours and procedures.

Before you settle in to the nights entertainment, dont forget to head up to the top deck for the sailaway party and enjoy live music, cocktails and panoramic views of the departure port.

Toulon – France

Toulon is a city on the French Riviera and a large port on the Mediterranean coast with a major naval base. The city is also the capital of the Var and provides an excellent gateway to the riches of Provence and the Cote d’Azur. To the north and west are medieval Provencal hilltop villages and superb vineyards. To the east lie the fabled coves and beaches of the Cote d’Azur, the setting for the legendary resort of St. Tropez. Everywhere there is the miraculous fusion of sky and sea that forms the essence of Southern France. Be sure to discover Aix en Provence. This charming city is the former medieval capital of Provence, and boasts elegant 18th and 19th century architecture, wide boulevards, charming sidewalk cafes, and wonderful shopping opportunities. Toulon is also a great place for foodies to sample local wine and cheese, olive oil or take part in a culinary demonstration.

The second day at sea is a time to unwind and relax in preparation for 5 days of continuous port exploration. As eluded to earlier the enclave is a great option to relax with various hydrotherapy pools, saunas and showers to keep you stress free. Weather permitting the Sanctuary on the open deck is a private area where guests can enjoy the pool, sun and drinks without the crowds and kids disturbing the tranquility. Sea days are also a great opportunity to check out the shops and boutiques, normally having sales on Mederterean themed souvenirs, merchandise and gifts. The hub of the entertainment is focused in the Piazza with live events, music and entertainment scheduled throughout the day.

The final formal night usually takes place the day before the final sea day and on a 14 day cruise you are likely to have 3 formal nights. The majority of the festivities take place in the main atrium, where live music, dancing and the ships photographers are present. Dazzling Broadway performances are held twice during the evening in the Princess Theatre in the forward of the ship. Be sure to check your princess patter for a full list of the days entertainment, times and venues so you don’t miss out.

As your vacation winds down, the final sea day is your last chance to enjoy the ships amenities and entertainment. The central piazza will usually be busy with guest purchasing last minute souvenirs, deciding on their photo package and settling the dreaded stateroom bill. Its best to get this done early so you can enjoy the rest of the day, complete the packing and capture that last sunset as the ship sails on towards port.

Livorno – Italy

Livorno is the gateway to glorious Tuscany. Visit Florence – the cradle of the Renaissance – home to the Duomo, the Uffizi and the Ponte Vecchio. Here the Medici fostered a city-state whose cultural legacy is as great as classical Athens. Giants like Dante, Da Vinci, Michelangelo and Galileo infused the West with a new creative spirit. Then there is Pisa, Florence’s rival for political power. Pisa, a brash, commercial seafaring town rivaled the great maritime powers of Venice and Genoa. The city was a leader in art and architecture second only to Florence.

Away from Florence you can head towards the spectacular beauty and romance of Cinque Terre, listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Cinque Terre means Five Lands, an Italian region of Liguria that is made up of five, small, coastal villages. You’ll see Manarola and Monterosso up close, admiring the small towns that cling to the Ligurian cliffs, studded with candy-hued buildings, old castles and centuries-old churches. From the motorboat, take in the picturesque views of the whole Cinque Terre, passing the villages of Corniglia and Vernazza which you will enjoy from a distance.

Rome (Civitavecchia) – Italy

Cruising along the Italian coastline your next port of call will be Civitavecchia, serving as the seaport for Rome since the 13th century. Rome as you would expect is quite a eventful day with the majority of excursion heading towards the enteral city. Ensure you have comfortable shoes and be prepared for plenty of walking around the city and its historical sites like the Colosseum, Vatican, Sistine chapel and Panthanenon.

The journey to Rome is roughly 1h 30 each direction and as with most excursions the option to combine independent exploration with some of the sites is well worth doing. Pre-booked excursion will guarantee you fast track entry during the peak season giving you the best opportunity to make the most of your free time in the afternoon.

Naples -Italy

The final port in Italy is the bustling metropolis of Naples famed for it stately buildings, crowded streets, pizza – and notoriously bad traffic. Situated on the bay of Salerno overshadowed by Mt Vesuvius Naples offers an eclectic blend of history, culinary delights and natural beauty. Excursions are available for every taste and personality, hike to the top of Mt Vesuvius and take in the views of the bay of Salerno before surveying the ruins of Pompeii buried in ash by the cataclysmic eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 A.D.

Alternatively take a trip to the serene beauty of Sorrento, Amalfi Coast and the pristine island of Capri. Coastal cruises, picturesque towns and spectacular views await in this magnificent area of Italy. Keep an eye out for limoncello, the unique liquor native to this region is a great souvenir and after dinner treat.

Naples is also a great place to sample local delacies, tour an age-old dairy that exclusively uses the milk produced by their own water buffalos, Watch as traditional Campania D.O.P. (Denominazione di Origine Protetta, which means ‘Protected Designation of Origin’) buffalo mozzarella is made followed by a tasting accompanied by focaccia, tomatoes and mineral water. The afternoon concludes with a visit to Paestum the world-renowned archeological site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located just south of the Sorrento peninsula and Amalfi Coast, the grounds include three of the world’s best-preserved ancient Greek temples.

Outside of the excursions staying local and touring the city of Naples on foot is also an option and it goes without saying go in the hunt for a classic Neapolitan Pizza for an authentic taste of the region. Back on board, head up to the promenade deck for sail away and take in the spectacular views of Mt Vesuvius and Nuovo Castle towards the city to round off a wonderful day.

Mykonos – Greece

Sailing across the Ioanian sea, the second half of the cruise begins in Mykonos, Greece. This post card destination is famed for its nightlife, parties and iconic windmills that are symbolic of the island. The neighboring island of Delos in classical mythology was the birthplace of Apollo and his twin sister Artemis. Travelers to Delos can stroll among the island’s vast ruins, which include three temples consecrated to the Sun God and the famed Lions Walk. While they are excursion available, Mykonos is one of those places that i would explore at your own pace and adventure.

The local town of Hora situated under the Byzantine Monastery of St. John, charming, whitewashed homes and blue-domed churches are built into the hillside, and narrow, windy streets reveal shops and tavernas at every turn. The famed windmills and little Venice are south of the waterfront and the perfect place to take that postcard shot or enjoy fresh seafood and drinks overlooking the Aegean.

Istanbul – Turkey

As you set sail from Mykonos the next port on the horizon is Istanbul. The capital of vanished empires, Istanbul is a true crossroad, the only city on Earth to span two continents. This meeting place of Europe and Asia, of Christian and Muslim, is one of the great adventures a traveler encounters. During the season their was several announcements from the captain that the ship would not dock due to unrest in the port, thankfully however the ship managed to dock without too much trouble. Just a warning that ports can be called out if the safety of the entire ship is at risk, the captain would make the call in the interest of everyone’s safety on board.

Away from the turmoil Istanbul is a fantastic place to discover, browse the stalls of the world’s largest bazaar, explore ancient mosques and churches, and gaze at the stunning jewels in the Topkapi Palace. Many of the ships tours visit the blue mosque, hagia sophia, Underground Cistern and Grand Bazaar all at great value for money. However if your feeling adventurous the port is within walking distance of many of these iconic sites. Along the way you will cross the Galata Bridge providing picturesque views of the city with Hagia sofia and the blue mosque dominating the skyline. Onwards you can easily map out a route to navigate your way to these sites through the bazaar and more whilst indulging in some classic turkish cuisine or sweet treats like baklava. Always keep an eye on the return time for the ship and give yourself plenty of time to make it back before sail.

Kusadasi – Turkey

The second Turkish port on your Mediterranean adventure is Kusadasi on Turkey’s Anatolian Coast. The majority of the tours visit the ruins of ancient Ephesus, a major site of archeological excavation. The city was once a Roman provincial capital and trading center. Ephesus is also home to several of Christendom’s holiest sites. St. Paul preached at the Great Theater and the ruins of Ephesus’ Basilica cover the tomb of Christ’s most beloved disciple, St. John the Apostle.

The three-arched Magnesian Gates are the starting point to your slow, downhill walk into the ancient city of Ephesus, once the trade center of the ancient world and the site of a succession of great civilizations. Your knowledgeable guide will take you back in time and highlight such structures as the beautifully preserved Temple of Hadrian, the magnificent Trajan Fountain, the Odeon Theater, once used for both political and entertainment purposes, and the beautiful Celsus Library with its imposing façade and two-story Corinthian-style columns. See the dramatic Great Theater, once the home of gladiator games, which seats twenty-five thousand.

Strolling through the streets, it is easy to see that Ephesus is one of the best-preserved classical cities in the world and why it is considered one of the great outdoor museums of Turkey. As with many of these archeological sites wear sturdy walking boots as the stone is smooth, slippery and in some parts unstable as your guide will make you aware.

Athens – Greece

Departing from Kusadasi your cruise heads back towards Greece, Piraeus is the port city for Athens and has been Athens’ port of entry for over two millennia. Similarly to Ephesus the historic sites of the Acropolis, Parthenon, Temple of Poseidon are the main focus of the excursions and a must see. Many of the tours offer plenty of free time to explore at your own pace and despite the strenuous activity the views, sea air, architecture and deep blue skies are an unforgettable experience.

Looking for a change of scenery at a slower pace a visit to the Corinth canal maybe ideal. Carved into a massive rock, the 76-foot wide and 26-foot deep canal dramatically separates the Peloponnese from the rest of mainland Greece. A fantastic photo opportunity can be had 200 feet above water, from the center of the bridge that spans its banks. For approximately 45 minutes you will travel serenely through the canal and marvel at the sheer rock walls rising above the waters.

Dubrovnik – Croatia

Travelling from Venice towards Barcelona the itinerary adjusted to include Dubrovnik. Dubrovnik is a beautiful stone jewel hugging the Adriatic Sea. This picture-perfect medieval walled city offers ancient stone buildings, narrow cobbled streets and fortified ramparts rising above red-tiled rooftops. Stradun is the city’s focal point and main artery while Dubrovnik’s streets are blessedly free of vehicular traffic. Despite the heavy damage inflicted by shelling in the early ’90s, Dubrovnik has been restored to its pre-war beauty.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the old city remains the pride of the Republic of Croatia. Dubrovnik is one of those places where you can try something a little more adventurous. Sea Kayaking in the cove is fun, relaxing experience as you traverse the waters at the foot of the seaport and cliffs, despite this being sea kayaking the water is actually calm. Some of the excursion include a cable car ride to the top of srd hill where you will have breathtaking views of the old city and Adriatic coast. Even without an excursion navigating the old town is an experience in itself with plenty of restaurants, bars, boutiques and photo ops to enjoy in the heart of this historic place.