This week we discuss Italy and why it is our favorite cruise destination.  We feature tips and advice for port cities as well as pre and post cruise suggestions.  Learn all about Venice, Rome, Florence, Naples, Ravenna, Ferrara, and Padua. Cruise news features a newly named ship for Carnival, a new ship order for Norwegian, and the sentencing of the Costa Concordia crew.

James and Jason count down and discuss their top five favorite cruise ports from all over the world.  Cruise news features sea trials for two new ships and an Oasis-class ship in Europe.

We continue our popular Mediterranean Cruise Port series with a day in Athens as we take you from the cruise port, into town to tour what we think are the best sites using public transportation, giving suggestions for lunch and shopping, then back to the cruise port.  We feature the Acropolis Museum, the Acropolis, Mars Hill, the Agora, the Placa and the National Archaeological Museum of Greece. 
We also provide a suggestion for a less complicated option on the Piraeus Express. 

Cruise news features stories from Carnival and the addition of three ships for Windstar. A listener question leads to a discussion about the summer placement of cruise ships in the United States.

This week we break down the United States cruise home ports and share our favorite reason to cruise from each of them. Cruise news features stories of all-inclusive packages from Carnival and a new European port for Royal Caribbean.

This week we give you a preview of our upcoming European trip and Eastern Mediterranean cruise on the Crown Princess. We highlight the ports and cities we'll see along the way and guess at which ones will be our favorites and least favorites.

This week we discuss a cruise port that is not very frequented, but we think provides a great opportunity to combine a historical vacation with a cruise in the United States.  We have a lot of news today with stories of new dining and alcohol packages from Norwegian and Carnival, plus possible hurricane Issac.

Our favorite cruise region, the Mediterranean, is the highlight this week as we talk about some preconceived notions and popular attractions in each port. Then, we talk about our personal favorites in each port and what to look out for.  Cruise news features Norwegian Cruise Lines announcement about the Norwegian Breakaway and the fate of the Queen Elizabeth 2 in Dubai.  We also discuss the lawsuit concerning the new cruise terminal in Charleston.

In this episode, we give tips and advice for touring Florence, Italy from the cruise ports of Livorno or LaSpezia with details on attractions and much more! Cruise news includes some new ship features from the Norwegian Breakaway and Royal Princess, as well as a new MSC ship in Miami and a new route for Carnival.


Show Outline
   Cruise News
     Norwegian Breakaway to feature waterpark, Spongebob Squarepants kids area & Nickelodeon events
     Royal Princess will have a television studio, Princess Live! for morning show with audience & more
     Brand New MSC Divina will homeport in Miami
     Carnival Glory heading back to Boston next year with Fun Ship 2.0 Features
   Florence Itinerary
     From the cruise ports of Livorno and LaSpezia, we suggest the "Florence on your own" shore excursion transfer, usually around $79 per person, due to the difficulty in getting there on your own which requires two bus rides and a train each way.
      Transfers usually drop you near Santa Croce church, where we begin our itinerary.
      Don't visit Santa Croce unless you have time to spare and want to see elaborate tombs.
      Head to Piazza della Signoria to see outside gallery and Palazzo Vecchio.
      Go to Piazza del Duomo (or the square with the Duomo) Santa Maria de Fiore, and see outside of baptistry and church. Climb dome if you wish and have time.
       Eat at La Mescita

   Visit the Accademia to see the statue of David by Michaelangelo
   Visit either the Pitti Palace or the Uffizi Gallery, depending on your tastes. 

    See the Ponte Vecchio 
    Shopping and General Tips
    Eat Gelato (in this article, the one we recommend is the second gelateria discussed)
    Who should take an organized shore excursion in Florence and why
    General Florence gushing ;)
  Closing
   Mikey's Cruise Blog's Cruise3Sixty coverage

Our Florence port touring page
Our Florence Review

  Our cruise news this week includes stories from Greece and about whether or not cruises are becoming less inclusive.  The taxi strike in Greece has continued, with increasing disruption of cruise passenger touring, not only in Athens, but also Crete and Thessolonica.  Drivers have vowed to march on Monday, and negotiations have failed.  Cruise lines have been forced to redirect ships and, in many cases have had to cancel shore excursions as the drivers have blocked roads, even laying down oil in certain cases.  Airport have also been affected. 
   A recent article asks if cruises are still inclusive with the increasing popularity of specialty restaurants and room service charges as well as extra fee services and events.  We discuss Norwegian Cruise Line's recent policy changes to room service and pizza delivery as well as the declining quality of the "free" food on cruise ships.

  We tour Barcelona, giving you a full itinerary with details every step of the way from the airport and cruise ship and back. We include prices and specific stops for public transportation as well as taxi and airport information.  Attractions highlighted include the Sagrada Familia, Gaudi architecture, the Gothic Quarter, Cathedral of Barcelona, Santa Maria del Mar, Picasso Museum, Las Ramblas and the Maritime Museum. 

This week we discuss the cruise port of New Orleans which is close to our hearts (and home), including attraction details, food options and hotels. We also report on recent cruise news.