Advice for First-Time Cruisers to Europe

Advice for First-Time Cruisers to Europe: Embracing History and Culture

For many travelers, their first cruise experience is to the Caribbean, where the focus is often on relaxation, lounging on the beach, strolling around the port, buying souvenirs, and enjoying drinks near the ship. Caribbean cruises are typically about escaping the cold or unwinding in a tropical paradise, rather than immersing oneself in deep historical or cultural exploration.

However, cruising to Europe and other historically rich regions such as Asia, South America, or Oceania offers a completely different experience. These destinations are filled with centuries-old architecture, world-class museums, breathtaking cityscapes, and cultural traditions that have shaped civilizations for millennia. To truly appreciate what these ports have to offer, it’s essential to go beyond the typical cruise mindset of simply stepping off the ship and seeing what’s nearby.

While there’s nothing wrong with choosing to relax on a Mediterranean beach, treating an entire continent as if it were just another Caribbean stop is a missed opportunity. Some travelers may gravitate toward the familiar visiting McDonalds or Starbucks instead of trying local cuisine, or opting for a quick glance at a famous site rather than delving into its history. While this is a personal choice, a little preparation and curiosity can make the experience far more rewarding.

To get the most out of a European cruise, I highly recommend researching each port in advance. Create a list of the top five historical or cultural sites you like to visit, as well as five key facts about the destination. Whether you choose a private tour, a ship-sponsored excursion, or independent exploration, having some background knowledge will deepen your appreciation of what you are seeing. A well-informed local guide can bring history to life, but the experience is even more meaningful when you already have some context.

Destinations Best Explored with a Local Guide

Some places are simply too complex, historically significant, or logistically challenging to fully appreciate without an expert guide. In these locations, investing in a guided tour isn just recommended—it’s essential.

—-Giza & Cairo, Egypt

Seeing the Pyramids, the Sphinx, and the treasures of ancient Egypt is a bucket-list experience, but navigating Cairo can be overwhelming. A local guide provides invaluable insight into the history, culture, and hidden details of these ancient wonders.

—Pompeii & Herculaneum, Italy

These Roman cities were buried in ash when Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD. A knowledgeable archaeologist or historian can help you understand the daily life of ancient Romans and interpret the well-preserved ruins.

—Penguin Rookeries in South America

If you’re visiting penguin colonies in places like the Falkland Islands, Punta Tombo (Argentina), or Magdalena Island (Chile), a naturalist guide ensures you follow conservation guidelines while providing fascinating insights into the penguins’ behaviors and habitats.

—The Acropolis & Athens, Greece

The Parthenon and surrounding structures have centuries of history, mythology, and architectural significance. A professional guide will help you understand their place in Western civilization.

Ephesus, Turkey 

This sprawling ancient city, home to the Library of Celsus and the Great Theatre, is best appreciated with a historian or archaeologist who can bring its ruins to life.

—Petra, Jordan 

The Rose City is an architectural marvel carved into rock, and a guide can explain its Nabatean history, hidden tombs, and religious significance.

—Machu Picchu, Peru

The Incan citadel in the Andes is stunning on its own, but a guide can provide crucial information about its construction, purpose, and rediscovery.

The Great Wall of China

Understanding its vast history, strategic importance, and the different sections worth visiting is best done with a guide.

—Angkor Wat, Cambodia

This massive temple complex has deep religious and historical significance, and a guide helps make sense of its carvings, structures, and layout.

—The Vatican & Sistine Chapel, Italy 

A guided tour is essential to navigate the Vatican Museums efficiently, appreciate Michelangelo’s frescoes, and learn about the historical and religious significance of the artworks.

—Stonehenge, England 

A visit to this ancient monument is enriched by learning about its possible purposes, astronomical alignments, and the Neolithic people who built it.

My personal travel philosophy is simple: I seek out experiences I can’t have at home. That means prioritizing historical landmarks, cultural institutions, and local traditions over beaches, bars, and touristy shopping areas. The more you prepare in advance, the richer your memories will be and the more rewarding your journey will feel.

For me, learning about a destination before I arrive is almost as enjoyable as being there. I encourage all first-time European cruisers to embrace that mindset. A cruise to a region with a deep historical and cultural legacy is an incredible opportunity make the most of it!

About the Author

Karla Scott – A Passionate Explorer and Cultural Enthusiast

Karla Scott is a seasoned traveler with over four decades of solo travel experience, visiting more than 100 countries across six continents. Her love for exploration began during a junior year abroad in Normandy, France, where she discovered the thrill and empowerment of solo travel.

Karla’s journeys have taken her from the ancient ruins of Egypt to the bustling markets of India, the serene fjords of Norway, and beyond. With her extensive travel experience, she has honed her expertise in navigating diverse cultures and solo travel strategies, coaching others on cross-cultural communication and teaching English online.

Her mission is to inspire and empower women to embrace the transformative power of solo travel. Whether you’re a first-time traveler or a seasoned adventurer, Karla’s insights offer the guidance and encouragement you need to step boldly into the world.

More recently, Karla has explored the world through solo cruises, journeying across the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, Northern Europe, and beyond.

Capri excursion from Naples— May 23, 2012

I spent a lovely day exploring the island of Capri, from Naples, Italy . It is surprisingly easy to visit by simply taking 50-minute ferry-ride from the station, located right at the port. The price is €17 each way. 

The scenery along the way is breathtaking!

I hope you enjoy my photos!

From Livorno to Florence on your own

Florence On Your Own

Florence on your own from the port of Livorno. Shuttle to City Bus to Train.

If you are still reading, you are not intimidated by the notion of navigating a new place, buying different sets of tickets using euros, and managing in a nation with a language different from your own. Also, you must not be intimidated by ambiguity or uncertainty.

The benefits are:You will feel I huge sense of accomplishment, you will be free to make all of your own choices, and you will save around $80 off the price of the Cruise Lines bus transfer in and out.


This was written based on my experience October 15 of 2019. Importantly the last time I made this do it yourself Florence trip was only two years ago and some of the steps have ALREADY changed.

Here is the step-by-step guide to visiting Florence, from a cruise ship, from Livorno, by yourself. Alert—at October 15, 2019, at some cruise ships no longer allow taxis to transport passengers to the train station from the port.

There is a mandatory shuttle bus that transports passengers from the port area to a central location in town. Not only is it mandatory, in October 2019, passengers are required to pay five-euros round-trip for the service. You can pay ticket takers just outside the shuttle bus.

Once the shuttle bus is full, it will take passengers to a centrally located drop off point. From there, there is a two block walk to the city bus station. Look for the H&M store; the bus stop is just in front of it. Look for the "blue line LAM" heading toward the Stazione. If possible, purchase round-trip city bus tickets from a local tobacco/sundry store. If you purchase tickets prior to boarding, the price is €1.50 each way. If you purchase on board, you must have exact change of €2.50.

The name of the bus stop is Grande 4. It is especially important to make a note of this so you will know when to descend the city bus on your return trip.

There will be approximately seven stops to the train station. The ride takes approximately 15 minutes.

After arriving at the train station, either use the automated machines or stand in line to order from a live human being. In October 2019, the round-trip cost for tickets to Florence were €20.20.

Important important warning: be sure to stamp your ticket in the machine prior to boarding the train!! You are subject to fines if you have not taken this important step.

Trains leave 12 minutes after the hour every hour. There is one faster and direct train that leaves at 8:52 AM arriving at 10:02 AM. All other trains take approximately one hour and 30 minutes.

You will likely arrive on dock number one in the Florence train station. The train station is located approximately 10 minutes north east of Il Duomo— in walking distance.

Commentary, this is a good option if you are willing to deal with all the logistics of taking two crowded city buses, and two trains. I only recommend this for those who have already taken a tour of Florence with a well-informed enthusiastic guide. Florence is one of the great cities of the world and should be toured at least once through the eyes of an expert and local.

Be sure you are comfortable navigating uncertainty, a country with a language on familiar to you, and the mechanics of purchasing tickets using the local currency. Although it is possible you will run into fellow cruise travelers on your route, it is just as likely that you will navigate this completely on your own.

Florence touring tips:
Be sure to have a detailed local map. Order this online or go directly to the nearest Tourist  information Office. There is one across from the Florence train station.

Study maps online in advance.

Choose two or three sites to visit.

If you want to visit a site requiring tickets, purchase all tickets online in advance. Examples are The Uffizzi gallery and the Academia to see the original David.

Consider taking some form of guided tour or walking tour. Google “free” walking tours in Florence and choose a company. (Pay them at least €10-€15)

 I wish you a splendid day and this  magnificent world-class city!

Cinque Terre

5 (Cinque) Terre

Today, from the port of Livorno, Italy, I took a full-day excursion to the picturesque Cinque Terre, an immensely beautiful set of 5 villages linked together on the Northern Italian Riviera.  Known as traffic-free, lowbrow, sea hugging fishing and (mostly former) winemaking areas, they are a remote group of five communities who banded together during the middles ages to protect themselves from pirates.

 

Because they have remained isolated from the rest of Europe and Italy (tourism is in its infancy here) each village holds its distinct heritage and dialect, unchanged for centuries.  Geographically, they are located a on the Northern Italian Riviera, a few minutes apart by boat or rail, or they can be hiked.  Many residents use the train as their sole means of transportation among villages and to larger cities as gasoline is expensive and by train, the route is direct and the towns are only 5 minutes apart. 

 

All five towns are connected by good hiking trails in the National Marine Park that protects wildlife and maintains beaches, breakwaters, trails, walkways, and docks.  Some speed demons are even known to hike all five in less than two hours, but I hear that 5 hours allows for a more reasonable pace.  I saw several couples with walking sticks/(cross country skis) in the towns, a signal they are serious trail hikers.  At this printing, the trail is not accessible in its entirety due to residual damage from October 2011 flood (and “politics”).  A train or boat ride is required to connect some towns. 

 

 

The towns are (from East to West): 1. Riomaggiore IMHO, the most beautiful from the sea), 2. Manarola, 3. (The completely hilltop) Corniglia (smallest with population of 250 and inaccessible by water due to lack of harbor), 4. Varnazza, and 5. Monterosso (largest with 1500 residents).

 

We began our outing with a 1.5-hour bus ride from Livorno to La Spezia followed by a walking tour of the nearby charming village of Portovenere (Port of Venus), considered the gateway to the Cinque Terre.  Next, (11:00) we boarded a ferry and enjoyed spectacular scenery as we cruised along the entire Cinque Terre.  The weather was perfect, the sun brilliant, breezes pleasant, as we glided along, feasting on the picturesque sites.  I was fortunate to secure a prime viewing spot up front and starboard. 

 

  
 

 

 

 
 
 
 

People boarded and disembarked at each harbor.

 

Our tour guide Andrea, passionate and knowledgeable, told us all about the history of Livorno, La Spezia, Levanto and other places; shipbuilding in the region; Carrera marble (we passed the mountains en route) ; regional wines, local cuisine (birthplace of pesto and focaccia and famous for anchovies) and beverages, and even a few words in Italian.

 

Our first stop was a visit to Vernazza, with the only natural harbor among the 5 towns and known as the Jewel of the Cinque Terre.  I really enjoyed soaking in the local flavor and watching passerby as a sipped a strong cup of cappuccino in a local harbor front piazza café.  I had heard these villages are fiercely committed to preserving their traditions, architecture, heritage and overall look rather than succumb to the lure of commercialism that has rendered many places the status of “any town Europe”  Hopefully, it will be a long time before Mc Donald’s and Prada invade!!

 

Next, we visited the largest village, Monterosso, which most closely resembles a (small-scale) resort complete with beach and kayak rentals.  We took a brief guided tour that included Piazza Garibaldi, Church of St John the Baptist, and Oratory of the Dead, then, I explored the village’s narrow passage-ways and nooks and crannies, on my own.  Here, I discovered as in many southern European cities, it is common to encounter cobblestone streets, narrow walkways, pastel colored buildings, residents lingering over a drink in a café, and clothes lines displaying colorful laundry.

 

 

 

I truly enjoyed this excursion that exceeded my expectations.  It offered rich history, beautiful scenery, and interesting commentary on a variety of subjects.  I was especially impressed that our logistically complex tour (bus, to walking tour, to free-time, to ferry-ride,  to walking tour, to free-time,  to ferry ride, to walking tour, to free-time, to a walk to train station, to train ride to Levanto, to bus back to the ship—all in ten hours) was so smoothly implemented and free of problems.

 

I will certainly add hiking the 5 (Cinque) Terre to my bucket list.

Here is Rick Steves' blog post about Cinque Terre:
http://blog.ricksteves.com/?p=11264