Mediterrean Discovery cruise on Mediterranea - any hints?

[robynhead]

My husband and I are from Sydney Australia and are going on a Costa cruise for the first time. We are sailing through East Mediterranea - leaving from Savona, to Naples, Messina, Alexandria, Limassol, Marmaris, Santorini, Katakolon and back to Savona. Has anyone got any tips for the best shore excursions in these ports. Also, what will the weather be like first week in November.

We have sailed the Carribean before on NCL and that was terrific, I know this cruise will be totally different but we are excited. Our ship is the Costa Mediterranea.

We will also be staying in Milan for a few days before the ship sails and will travel by train from Milan to Savona. Any tips for Milan for sightseeing or shopping?

[creta]

We are also going on Nov 11/09 trip.
We tracked the weather last year and found it to be really nice about 20-24C for most of the time.
We have booked a few of the shore excursions they really aren't that badly priced.
Have fun!

[robynhead]

Originally Posted by creta

We are also going on Nov 11/09 trip.
We tracked the weather last year and found it to be really nice about 20-24C for most of the time.
We have booked a few of the shore excursions they really aren't that badly priced.
Have fun!

So, you have booked your shore excursions already? Its not too early to book them yet? Which ones did you book??

[creta]

It's not too early to book. Call your agent and get your booking number then go onto the Costa website. Look under the heading of " Already booked" put in your name & booking number, it will pull up your booking. Then look under shore excursions and all the various ones for the stops will come up. You can read, decide and book at the same time. Be advised though that if they don't have enough English travelers you will have to go onto another language shore excursion. Remember Costa is Europe's #1 cruise company and English is not the 1st language spoken. So get used to hearing announcements in 4-5 languages.
We booked excursions for Naples-Pompei, Messinna-Taorimina, Alexander-Pyramids, Katakolon-Olympic site.
As we aren't in port too long we took the shortest time so we would have a few hours after to explore.
We would rather look around Santorini & Marmaris ourselfs by walking.
Hope this helps.