Hi -

We are new to this board and actually new to RSSC.

We are taking the May 16-23 SS Navigator from Monte Carlo to Athens and are wondering if people have recommendations for particular RSSC shore excursions in Rome, Taormina (Naxos), or Kusadasi?

In Sorrento/Capri (we are planning the "Capri & Lunch at the Quisisana"), and in Santorini (we are planning "Food & Wine Trails - Best of Santorini).

Any other info about the Mediterranean RSSC experience would also be very helpful.

After the cruise we are staying in Athens for 2 days - then Mykonos for 4 and then back to Athens for a final night and the trip home.

I have been enjoying reading this board and everyone's enthusiasm and excitement.

Thanks Very Much.

Hi Philip, welcome to LCT.

As to your cruise, I can't help much with Kusadasi, as we have not yet been there. Your planned Capri and Santorini excursions sound great, next time we are in Sorrento Capri is where we are going.

In Rome, you may want to consider a private driver - assuming you only have the one day, you can get picked up and away from the ship earlier and back when you want to, as well you can usually decided exactly what you want to do. Last year two groups of us used LimoinRome, we had Claudio for one van and Luigi for the other, www.claudio@limoninrome.com, they were very good, very prompt and very knowledgeable and took us to a couple of places we never would have seen otherwise. Some of us in both groups had been to Rome, some had not. In Taromina, we just took the tender into Naxos, got a cab with another couple and went to Taromina, which is truly one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen, we walked around the town and worked our way up to the Greco Roman Theater and explored that, then just walked around some more and had lunch before going back to the ship.

We also spent two nights in Athens, and on Sunday my husband and I had a 1/2 day private tour, but they also have full days, great company Spiros Tours, www.sprirostours@yahoo.com, we had Jimmy for our driver and he was great and knew just when to go where, so you could give them a try. Spiros also made a dinner reservation for 12 of us on Sunday night at Psara Taverna, and I highly recommend that restaurant. His website has lots of wonderful information, www.athenstaxi.net.

Hope that is some help and you have a wonderful trip. Be sure to post under the SeaMail thread while you are gone.

Thanks so much for the information - much appreciated.

I will continue to post as I can see how helpful (and truly enjoyable) it's been to read for me.

Thanks again and Best Regards...
Philip

Philip, we did this same itinerary on Navigator but in reverse order - in May 2007. You will LOVE IT. All the ports are spectacular, and it's a great idea to spend more time in Athens - what an incredible city.

Adding to what advice JoAnn has given - in Kusadasi, be sure to visit Ephesus - that is a must. We had a ship-sponsored guided tour and it was very well worth it.

Have a great trip! I am so envious :)

Thanks so much Kritin... I just can't wait!
Philip

My DW and I did the "Capri & Lunch at the Quisisana" during our 2005 Med cruise (Barcelona-Rome).

IF RSSC still was charging for the "Capri & Lunch at the Quisisana" excursion, we would have recommended that you do Capri on your own. It was one of the very few (maybe only) excursion we've done through Regent which I thought we could have done better on our own.

HOWEVER, as the excursions are now included, I would tell you (provided that the excursion has not changed in the past 4 years) that it is a good choice.

Our only issue with the excursion was the cost which we thought (in hindsight) we could have done much cheaper on our own. But again, as the cost factor has been eliminated, so has our reservations about the excursion.

You will take a hydrofoil over to Capri and take a car up to Ana Capri (sp). From there you will take a chair lift to the top with an incredible veiw. With more than enough time to take in the scenery, take photos, and enjoy a cappacino, you'll go back down the chair lift and have time to do shopping on your own in Ana Capri (again, sorry about the spelling which if I remember actually means "above Capri"). You'll get back in the cars and go back down to Capri and to the Hotel for lunch.

The hotel is beautiful and the food is pretty good. Then, a bit more sightseeing and shopping in Capri before you go back to the Hydrofoil to return to Sorrento.

With RSSC's excusions-included benefit, the price is right. You will enjoy the experience.

As for your question on the Regent Med experience...there is a reason we are going back to take the Athens to Istanbul in August.

Jan

Thanks very Much!

There are a couple of excursions that aren't completely free - just greatly reduced. This particular one is one of those and has been reduced to $149. pp

The only other one we are taking that still has a cost associated is the "Best of Santorini Wine Experience" which has been reduced to $89. pp

Thanks again for the info!

Well, Philip, I think my husband Greg and I will be joining you! We were on the cancelled May 8th Voyager cruise so are asking Regent to transfer our booking to your sailing, plus the one beforehand that goes from Funchal to Monte Carlo. We've already got the time off from work during that timeframe, so we are using it.

Look forward to meeting you! :)