Messina, Sicily port

[schulr]

Messina, Sicily is one of the ports for my 10 day Galaxy cruise in August. Can someone speak to how to best visit this port. My overall preference is to tour on my own rather than on a guided tour. Is it doable? Looking for some advice ...

[Phil&Liz]

I wish I could offer something on Messina, but while I was stationed in Sicily, I only visited the outskirts of Messina and do not recall anything of it.

There are other towns in Sicily that are really nice that I have visited but they are a drive from port and you would not want to spend time on the road.

You are going to enjoy that cruise tho ! Can't wait til we do that part of the world.

Phil & Liz

[schulr]

thanks for the reply... this is our first cruise and we are really looking forward to it. Looks like you''ve done a few. I welcome any other 'cruising' advice you may wish to share.

[Phil&Liz]

We've not sailed Celebrity so can't speak to anything specific for them.

Tips for cruising generally would be:
1. Try to pack light and expect additional baggage on the way back since you will be buying stuff on excursions.
2. Check the weather closely. Look at average temps/rain for the region and pack accordingly.
3. Keep your ID's with you at all times. Make color copies of everything and keep them separate and safe.
4. Try to learn about local customs. I know that in Italy they frown on skirts/shorts and certain clothing in their churches, ones you may visit on excursions. Learn alittle of the local language ahead of time. The simple stuff like please, thank you, where is the restroom (watercloset), sizes like small or large (I think picolo is small in Italian ! )
5. Be very clear on the local time versus ship time...they are not always the same. Keep the number for the ship/port in case you are lost or late and may miss the ship. Take your cellphone and be sure you have international calling, even only for the duration of the trip.
6. DON'T MISS THE SHIP!!!


7. When in port locate the nearest shop/store/market and get some bottled water to drink while sigtseeing.
8. Try to stay on major roads and near groups of people. Don't wander off into neighborhoods off the beaten path.
9. Ships excursions are more expensive but safer. If you go off on your own you are responsible for getting bak in time. The ship will not wait for you, but they will if you are on a ship sponsored excursion.
10. Learn where the Embassy or consulate for your home country is in each port in case you have issues ashore.

Hope all this helps !!

Phil & Liz

[schulr]

Thank you Phil and Liz.... this is all very useful information.... some of which I might not have thought of....

Thanks a million...

[turkeygrind]

last year I spent three days in Taorimina near Messina. Really cute town with shops and restaurants built into a hill. You can also take the public bus up to the castle town above Taoremina.

[albertusmagnus]

Originally Posted by schulr

Messina, Sicily is one of the ports for my 10 day Galaxy cruise in August. Can someone speak to how to best visit this port. My overall preference is to tour on my own rather than on a guided tour. Is it doable? Looking for some advice ...

Messina is a very busy city, because it is the ferry base from the mainland.
I would suggest you take a local tour guide and go to Taormina, it is really a magnificent place. It's about a 50 minute drive from Messina. Many cruise passengers take the trip. Maybe you can organize a group tour on your own. I wouldn't miss Taormina.
Ciao,
Alberto

[savannahrose]

We were there in April. We walked to the train station, about 3/4 mile from port. Then took train to bottom of Taormina. From there we took a bus, some walked up, some took a taxi. It is a great town, so cute and quaint. The train ride was a blast, along the water.....there are several books that can detail all this for you, Steve Rick's Italy, Fodors, Frommers....Good Luck and enjoy.

[turkeygrind]

I am taking the Galaxy in late October and trying to plan excursions. I just noticed that the ship docks at noon and leaves again at 6. There isn't much time! Any suggestions for tour guides?