Best of Italy & Croatia Celebrity Cruise Itinerary Review and Tips

Best of Italy & Croatia Celebrity Cruise Itinerary Review and Tips

in this video we will review the cities and excursions for the best of Italy and Croatia Crews taken in late June and early July 2024 this was a n night Journey aboard the Celebrity Constellation we spent 2 Days in Rome before the sailing and two days in Venice at the end of our trip we documented all of our travels on this itinerary and other videos which you can check out if you’re interested some of those clips will be featured in this video we’ll also provide tips for future cruisers on making the most of their Journey before we begin I want to mention that everyone has their own likes and preferences excursions can vary widely from Beach outings to cooking classes so no trip is the same for every family I’ll be sharing the excursions I chose for this journey let’s get started in this review we’ll break down each location detailing what we did offering tips discussing the pros and cons of each City and providing a rating from one five stars at the end of the video we’ll summarize the results we visited Rome a few days before our cruise our experience in Rome was epic we explored the city’s historic sites including the Coliseum Vatican City Pantheon Spanish Steps Trevy Fountain and numerous other famous squares and churches we stayed near the Spanish Steps and enjoyed excellent food and drinks initially my wife was not fond of bustling cities but After experiencing all that Rome has to offer it’s now first city she wants to return to tips for traveling to Rome get to your departure City at least 2 days early this reduces the chance of an airplane cancellation impacting the start of your cruise for those traveling overseas this also gives you a day or two to adjust to the time change consider skip the line passes during the busy season we opted for skip the line passes at the Coliseum and the Vatican if you purchase a guided tour of the Vatican Museum make sure the ticket also includes skip the line access for St Peter’s Basilica this allows direct access from the cinee Chapel to The Basilica through a guarded path that only T groups can use if you plan to visit the Vatican Museum do not bring large bags or full-size umbrellas as they will require you to check them in also wear clothing that covers your knees and shoulders otherwise you may be stopped from entering St Peter’s Basilica or other churches throughout Italy Pros for Rome include the abundance of activities and attractions many of these attractions are within walking distance but make sure to bring comfortable Footwear cons for Rome include the large crowds in late June Additionally the cruise port is over an hour away from downtown Rome so plan your travel accordingly rating for Rome is five stars we decided to explore Florence on our own rather than booking a tour through the cruise line Celebrity Cruises offers a free Shuffle bus from the port to downtown leono from there you can walk or take a bus to the train station upon leaving the ship through the terminal we saw many taxi drivers waiting so we opted for a taxi to the train station although the taxi ride cost €30 we figured it safed as around an hour most of the taxis were large minivans so for a family of five taking a taxi would be my recommendation in Florence we visited the duo the Pont beo bridge and the Academia Gallery home to the famous David statue each site we visited in Florence was fantastic one of the highlights was walking through the narrow streets from the Pont Veo Bridge back to the train station all of our travel within Florence was done on foot similar to Rome we opted for skip the line tickets at both the Academia gallery and the duo while the duo is enormous both inside and out they allow very few people in it a time so the lines were very long if we had more time we would have loved to stay in the city longer and visit the aizy gallery but we didn’t want to risk missing the ship if you are taking the train to Pisa or Florence be mindful that local trains might take an extra for minutes due to all the stops try to time one of the express trains also finding the return train maybe a little tricky as they do not specifically post the return city of Loro rather the train line name if you’re worried about the stress of potentially missing the ship considered booking a tour with the cruise line they will hold the ship if one of their tours is running late pros of foren include an abundance of things to do and see around every corner with most attractions within walking distance Florence is filled with charming small streets that add to its Appeal on the downside it was crowded in late June though mornings were less busy Florence is about 1.5 hours from the lavoro train station and bus rides take about the same time therefore for over 3 hours of your limited Port time will be spent traveling racing is five stars now we travel to ptoo we didn’t book a tour here but did some research on what to see this was our first tender P date and the tender ride from the ship to the port took about 10 minutes the city is beautiful with lots of charming shops and restaurants we decided to climb the hill to the Church of San Georgio Brown castle and the ptoo lighthouse the walk was fantastic when we returned to town we stopped for a glass of wine and a cheese plate while sitting on the waterfront it was a lovely spot to relax people watch and admire the Clear Water by 11:00 a.m. we felt we had seen what we wanted to in Pino so instead of returning to the cruise ship we took a fairy to Santa Margarita which my wife actually preferred over ptoo while it wasn’t as picturesque as porino had a beach shops and a beautiful Church on top of a hill on tender days when you need a boat to get to shore you can get priority tender service by booking an early morning tour sweet guests can also go to the retreat Lounge where they will escort your family to the tender bypassing the line and the ticketing system if you’re visiting San Georgio Church look down at the bottom of the cliff when we visited there were several goats resting on the Rocks near the water if you feel you’ve seen all you want in Pino there are fair options to other nearby areas for further exploration Pros for porino is the Charming shops and restaurants also the colors of the buildings and the surroundings views make Pino a photographer’s dream a con for pinoa that local attractions can be seen in a few hours however this isn’t a downside if you enjoy people watching and relaxing rating of four stars next we traveled to Naples at this port we took a cruise ship Excursion to Pompei the ship Excursion Eed some of the travel stress we simply met in the theater checked in and waited for our number to be called on the way to Pompei there’s a quick stop at the Cameo Factory Cameo is a jewelry that a CED out of seash shells and my wife enjoyed the visit the 15-m drive to Pompei was Scenic with Mount vus visible in the distance the pompe T was fantastic I was surprised by the size and excellent preservation of the archaeological site while we have chosen a longer tour we found the 4-Hour tour sufficient and it left us with some free time in Naples in Naples we toured Castle newo explored the Galleria UMO massive glass govern mall and wandered through some of the bustling side streets to get a better feel for the culture there are both morning and afternoon tours available for visiting Pompei if you’re traveling during the summer months it’s advisable to choose the morning tour to avoid the extreme heat for those who want to spend extra time exploring Naples but still wish to visit Pompei opting for the shorter tour the Celebrity Constellation docked away from the main cruise ship port so after our tour we took a free shule bus a few minutes down the road closer to the city center the pros of visiting Naples include the unforgettable experience of Pompei which boasts an extraordinary amount of well preserved history Additionally the gallery UMO is an impressive and free site to visit in the center of the mall there was a pleasant Cafe where we ordered drinks and took some time to relax there weren’t many cons to mention regarding Naples however while many of the side streets are Charming the frequent presence of Vespers and cars reminded us that Naples is a bustling City navigating through the traffic sometimes detracted from the overall Ambience rating of four stars next we traveled to Sicily we took the small group Godfather tour which visited sites made popular from The Godfather Trilogy the right to the destinations were very scenic but was a little longer than expected and the roads are very narrow at points and have a lot of switch backs my wife is not fond of heights but she did not have any issues but another passenger nears was not too thrilled I am not a huge Godfather fan but touring these mountain towns gave me a great perspective on Oldtown Italy when we arrived back in town we had some free time visit the massina cathedral the massina cathedral Clock Tower built in 1933 is one of the largest and most compact astronomical clocks in the world World it features intricate mechanical elements and moving statues that perform daily at noon depicting scenes from Mer’s history biblical events and mythology the clock also shows the phases of the moon the position of the planets and the zodiac signs regardless of which Excursion you choose be sure to set aside time at the end of your tour to visit the spectacular Merina Cathedral and its clock tower for an even more memorable experience visit at noon to watch the clock tower show The Godfather tour offers a Del lightful view of old Sicilian towns our small group tour often arrived at locations before other tours making the first stop quiet and almost deserted cons for The Godfather tour is the if you are afraid of winding Mountain Roads you may want to reconsider this tour however for those who are not the views are spectacular the small group tour did cost more than the regular Godfather tour but they visit the same locations rating of four stars we now visit brind Dy Italy prior to this cruise I was unfamiliar with the history of brindisi and why it would be a cruise port stop however we left brindisi with an appreciation of its historical importance and thoroughly enjoyed our visit after 31 15minute shuttle bus ride from the port to the town center we explored the Waterfront visited a free maritime museum walked through historical back streets and visited several beautiful churches a following our short walk we opted for an additional walking tour and bus ride around the town this additional walking tour took us to a few few archaeological sites we missed during our initial walk the bus tour which included a stop at the large Maritime Monument was just okay and not particularly worth quick word of caution if booking an independent walking or bus tour at the booth near the Bus drop off point ensure you get your change while waiting in line the vendor asked the lady in front of us if she wants her change back and she said yes I then gave my wife 100 and she bought the tickets for the walking and bus tour but did not get any change when we asked for our change the vendor stated he had given it to us already and insinuated that we were stealing from him he gave us the change but I just got a bad vibe from the vendor where in DC is more relaxing to us compared to other cities while the cruise ship brings in many tourists the Waterfront is pleasant and there is a nice shopping street with restaurants and stores the con for this port is that there aren’t as many sites to see compared to other ports but we still had a fun time rating of three stars we now visit cotor monten one of the highlights from cotor was getting there through the narrow waterway and anchoring in the bay we took a tender to land and walked around the old city when you get dropped off you can take an underground walkway to the Old Town avoiding a busy road there were many churches to visit a Maritime Museum and Charming narrow roads with shops and cafes there were cats roaming all over the town we intended on going into the cat Museum but it was closed at the time we also walked along the ancient city walls and enjoyed breathtaking views of the bay there is a trail you can take up up to the top of the mountain with a church around halfway up and a castle at the top there are a lot of steps and it was steep just getting to the entrance gate we opted against the walk due to threats of rain note there is an entrance fee for the trail our journey in Co talk was interrupted by a large storm and we took refuge in a church with a museum inside and a peteria for lunch when the rain stopped we opted for a private tour to Prest Montenegro and took a boat to the lady of the Rocks this man-made Island features a beautiful church and Museum the side trip to parast was well worth it quick tip this was another tender Port so keep an eye on the weather forecasts if storms roll through they may hold the tender Services during the storm we experienced the tender service was stopped until the storm cleared there is no fee to walk around on top of the city walls and the views of the old town with towering mountains in the background were outstanding cono that wson might enjoy the tender ride in cotour the travel time from the ship to the port was 25 minutes each way the traffic was also bad in cotour during our private tour we visited a Scenic spot in the mountains overlooking the Cod tour Bay it took 10 minutes to get there from the old town but nearly an hour to get back in hindsight we would have opted against that stop for photos rating of four stars we now visit Split Croatia we took a Celebrity Cruise tour to ker National Park Park the journey that took approximately an hour and a half through Scenic Croatian Countryside upon arrival we were greeted by the park slush Landscapes characterized by dense forests Serene lakes and a network of picturesque walking trails the highlight of our visit was undoubtedly the stunning water falls cascading down in a series of mesmerizing tears creating an idilic backdrop for photos after our time at ker we returned to split and ventured Into the Heart of the Old Town our exploration began with a quick tour of Dean’s Palace specifically the Intriguing basement area where ancient Roman architecture and artifacts brought history vividly to Life As We wandered through the bustling streets of split the vibrant atmosphere with charming shops and cafes adding to the city’s Lively Ambience our adventure culminated with a leisurely stroll along the famous roof of prominade this expansive Waterfront stretch was lined with an array of restaurants and cafes offering everything from local Delicacies to International Cuisine we savored the vibrant Mediterranean atmosphere with the Adriatic Sea on one side and the bustling City on the other making it the perfect ending to a day filled with natural beauty and historical exploration here’s a quick tip decide whether history or scenery is more important to you if you’re tired of non-stop history tours consider visiting the Kirk waterfalls or taking a hiking tour instead after our Kirk waterfall tour we felt very rushed when visiting historic Old Town split as we only had 2 hours to explore after being dropped back off at the ship the pros of kirka National Park is that it is beautiful and well-maintained also Old Town split had history around every corner and is a must sea now for the cons the ca Excursion started at 9:00 a.m. which was a little later than I would have liked so we wasted valuable time in the ship while we could have been exploring historic split ker was also packed with people where you would need to wait for foot traffic ahead to clear before moving again the waterfalls were beautiful but would have preferred more time in old towns bled rating of four stars Sedar Croatia might not be included on all current celebrity Crews itineraries but during our visit we explored its Roman and Venetian ruins admired its churches and enjoyed the unique sea organ attraction Beyond a city walls we crossed a bridge offering stunning views of the water and the Old Town walls we opted to take a boat ride which stopped at three different islands with stunningly clear water when we returned to the old town we wandered through its Charming streets and visited several churches making for a memorable conclusion to our day here are a few tips while there was a lot to see in Old Town Z you can really get the feeling of Croatia by traveling by boat to other islands and towns the boat we took as a side Excursion was very small four people and a captain if you plan to take a boat out judge the wind and look at the water for White Caps if you see white caps you may want to reconsider my wife and I did not have any issues but the one of the other passenger got sick on the way back to to zedar I wish I would have brought my swim trunks Oldtown zedar is clean bright and has a myriad of sites to visit as well as Charming shops and restaurants so there is a lot to do and see some of the cono that there was a fee for the shuttle bus from the port to Oldtown Zeda in 2025 it looks like the zedar port is replaced with Dubrovnik while I loved our zedar adventure I would have liked to visit jnik instead rating of four stars our last port stop is Ravena from there we head to Venice for our last few days in Italy initially I had mixed feelings about Venice based on others feedback however the weather in early July was perfect our hotel is just a few hundred yards from St Mark’s Square and St Mark’s Basilica we opted for skip the line tickets for both the Basilica and Doge Palace which made our visit smoother evenings were spent dining at outdoor restaurants with stunning views we wander the Charming streets we felt safe and continuously delighted by the beautiful scenu we also enjoyed a gond Dollar Ride although we would have loved to spend more time here including a visit to see glass blowing in Morano our time in Venice was truly memorable here are some Transportation tips travel time from Ravena to Venice is approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes choosing the best option is crucial for a smooth Journey options include a private transport they are expensive but direct and may save time Cruise transfer to train station involves a bus right to the train station and a train journey that may require changing trains bus transfer to Venice direct but maybe less comfortable a final option is water ferry to Venice this transport type was mentioned by other crew passengers as the most economical and relatively quick option explore various methods for traveling from the port to Venice and determine which suits you best I opted for a private transport which included a water taxi from Venice Mainland to our hotel Pros for Venice is that it is one of the most beautiful cities I have ever seen cons include getting to Venice from the Ravena Port most of the drive are through local towns and many of the roads are extremely narrow I did not realize all of the sites and history in Ravena if I would have known earlier I might have opted to spend some time there the rating for venice’s 5 thank you for sticking with me to the end as a reward here’s a quick summary of our Celebrity Constellation best of Italy n night cruise the overall rating is 4.2 Stars if partial ratings were Poss possible I would have rated Brian D at 3.5 stars and Naples at 4.5 stars or a half Point higher this trip was truly a once in a lifetime experience allowing us to do as little or as much as we wanted we chose to maximize our adventure and make the most of each date with only one C Day providing a break from exploration our time on the Celebrity Constellation was just as enjoyable as the destinations themselves while some ports and excursions received lower ratings there’s something for everyone whether it’s climbing to the top of a bell tower or lounging by the ship’s pools we highly recommend Celebrity Cruise lines in this itinerary stay tuned for more reviews on the Celebrity Constellation and the benefits of booking a suite in the retreat also if any of the videos caught you eye the full versions can be found on my channel thanks again for watching

This is a review of the Best of Italy and Croatia Celebrity Cruise Itinerary Review with Tips in 4K. Cruise was taken Late June early July 2024.

Timestamps
0:00 – Introduction – Rome and Croatia 2024
1:05 – Rome Activities Tips and Review
2:48 – Florence / Livorno Activities Tips and Review
4:52 – Portofino Activities Tips and Review
6:30 – Naples / Pompeii Activities Tips and Review
8:17 – Sicily Activities Tips and Review
9:58 – Brindisi Activities Tips and Review
11:26 – Kotor Activities Tips and Review
13:24 – Split Activities Tips and Review
15:33 – Zodar Activities Tips and Review
16:57 – Venice Activities Tips and Review
18:48 – Results, Summary, Final Thoughts

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