The Best of Mediterranean Cruises

Vatican City

Rome wasn't built in a day—neither can you tour the city in just 12 hours. You'll make better use of your time by choosing one area to visit, such as the Vatican or Ancient Rome. From the ship, take the typically free shuttle into Civitavecchia and hop the direct train to Rome. From the main station, you can get right on the metro, which will take you to most of the main sights for just one euro per trip.

Photo: by courtesy of APT - Rome

Monaco

Monaco may be small, but there's much to do without hopping a bus to France. For an entrance fee of €10 (about $14; see XE.com for current exchange rates), you can explore the famous casino—remember to bring your passport for identification and dress appropriately (no shorts or flip-flops, jackets for men in the evening). You can try your luck at the gaming tables or just gawk at the breathtaking atrium of the Salle Garnier. To best see the city and save money, walk from the pier to the casino. You'll need good directions because it's easy to get lost.

Photo: Erica Silverstein

Venice

St. Mark's Basilica and the Doge's Palace are must-sees on everyone's Venice agenda, but you should reserve time to get lost in the city's mazelike streets. Tuck your map in your back pocket, take whichever street looks intriguing to you, and treat yourself to Italian snacks or a coffee along the way. If you'd prefer to see the city by water, skip the pricey gondola ride in favor of a vaporetto, Venice's water bus. You can ride the Grand Canal for €6 an hour, but be prepared to stand during peak travel times.

Photo: Index Open

RCCL Brilliance

Back-to-back days of intense sightseeing quickly drain the energy of even the hardiest cruiser. Take advantage of sea days to rest up for the next round of ports. Skip the salsa lesson and ping-pong tournament to doze by the pool or indulge in a spa treatment. Leave your watch in your cabin, so you won't feel bound by any sort of schedule. Just make sure you don't miss dinner!

Photo: Royal Caribbean

Barcelona

You don't have to be an architecture buff to admire Gaudi's whimsical architecture, which you can find throughout Barcelona. You also don't have to book pricey tours to visit sites like the Sagrada Familia cathedral, Park Guell, and Casa Batlló. Public transportation is easy to use in this city—just hop on the bus from the ship to the Columbus statue, cross the street, and take the subway wherever you please. Tickets cost €1.25 each way.

Photo: iStockphoto

Tuscany

Livorno is the gateway port to Tuscany. Skip crowded Florence, and enjoy a more relaxing day in the countryside. A food and wine tour can combine sightseeing with a memorable culinary experience. For example, [% 9823 | | Holland America's %] "A Taste of Tuscany" excursion begins with a half-day tour of Lucca and ends with a visit to a villa and its gardens. A leisurely lunch is served al fresco at a local winery, where scrumptious dishes made from freshly grown ingredients are paired with wine. The all-day tour costs $152 per adult.

Photo: Erica Silverstein

Pompeii, Italy

Pizza and Pompeii dominate most visits to Naples. Find any local pizzeria, and order a margherita pizza for a blissful combination of mozzarella, tomato, and basil. Or, go back in time to the Roman Empire with a visit to Pompeii—hire a guide for the best experience. You can see much of the art and artifacts from the ruined city in the National Archeological Museum. Take the hop-on-hop-off bus to get there, and you can stop at other cultural attractions along the way.

Photo: Index Open

Dubrovnik, Croatia

A Mediterranean cruise can be an exhausting blur of tour buses, museums, cathedrals, and historic attractions. You can save energy and money by slowing down your pace and skipping ship excursions in favor of exploring on your own. Here are some tips for navigating popular ports.

Dubrovnik's old city combines historic attractions with a pedestrian-friendly zone. From the entrance to the fortified city, walk down the main street to hit the shops or peek into the old pharmacy, synagogue, and monasteries. For the best views, climb to the top of the city walls and stroll the ramparts. You can take in Dubrovnik's red rooftops, the Mediterranean, and the nearby hills from this vantage point.

Photo: Neven Jerkovic, courtesy of Oceania Cruises

Nice, France

In Nice, do like the wealthy English once did and stroll the Promenade des Anglais. It's cheaper and less stomach-churning than rushing through the Riviera on a bus tour. The 4.3-mile boardwalk fronts Nice's rocky beach and Bay of Angels, and provides sensational people-watching opportunities. Venture inland for a stop in a cafe or a little retail therapy. If you've dressed appropriately, you can enter the historic Hotel Negresco and gaze at its museum-like interior.

Photo: Index Open

Tunisia

Not all Mediterranean cruise ports are in Europe, and many ships head south for a visit to Tunisia. It's wise to take a tour, rather than haggle with aggressive taxi drivers in this African port. On an all-day excursion, you'll view the Roman mosaics at the famous Bardo Museum, stop to shop at the souk, explore the ruins of Carthage, and wander the streets of Sidi Bou Said, a seaside village. You can find great deals on ceramics, mosaics, and rugs if you've got a talent for bargaining.

Photo: iStockphoto