I do get asked sometimes for my ‘favourite port’. It may surprise you to think of Naples and realise what a gem of discovery it can be. When you work on a ship and get to see so many ports there are few to rival the diversity of historical sights, geographical wonders and fabulous flavours that Napoli has on offer.
Naples is truly Italian, therefore it is generally quite dirty and abused with graffiti in the city and port area. A colleague of mine lived there and said to me it was quite common for a shop keeper to have his window broken by the mob for not paying them. The tourism however brings in money and the cruise passengers are generally safe from skulduggery. Be aware if you visit the city of the street sales people on the selling I pads and phones in new boxes etc. You may end up with a weighed down sealed box with sand or a stone inside for your 90 Euros. This was a regular complaint to our security officer when people came back. Just so you are aware the ship staff do not police what goes on ashore! Buyer beware! What is the saying? ‘If it seems too good to be true, it probably is’
Naples gave the world Margarita pizza and the surrounding area has some of the best ice cream flavours I have ever tasted. Limoncello being a firm favourite on a hot sunny day. The ports excursions from Naples are the main reason for me writing this. In order of my top things to do from a ship in Naples;
- Visit the archaeological site of Herculaneum. Pompeii is, of course, the number one place that most people will visit but Herculaneum is smaller and better preserved. It is quieter and is easier to see the mosaics, decoration and have time in each of the buildings. It gives a true insight into the Roman past. The houses are virtually intact and as mud rolled into this town preserving it for us.
- Take a trip up the volcano that made this area famous. Vesuvius is still active but not as active as it was in 79AD. You can take a walk round the crater and smell the sulphur as well as seeing into the crater where the hot steam is still escaping. Great views of the bay of Naples on a clear day.
- Take a bus trip along the Amalfi coast. The shore excursions always stop at Sorrento which is a firm favourite with the British holiday maker. Then the drive will take your breath away. Try to sit on the right-hand side, unless of course you do not like cliff drop views. It is said the women in the area have the most beautiful legs in the world because of all the walking up and down the cliff steps. The small town of Amalfi is also visited and take the chance to do the optional boat ride as it is great to see the coast line from the sea.
- Visit Capri the island where actors and rich and famous people choose to live. It is a nice day out with boat ride, lunch, and a whole lot of people watching looking out for the rich and famous. The funicular to the town is a nice way to ride up the cliff and look out over the little harbour.
- Naples Castel Nuovo fortification close to where the ship docks and the National Archaeological museum are both worth a visit. The museum is closed on Tuesdays which is the day we were always there, but we had a reschedule of ports one time and I managed to have a visit inside the museum. It has Pompeii’s most exciting finds and is a must do for anyone with even the slightest interest in ‘what the Romans ever did for us’.
- Have pizza and ice cream in Naples! I have a favourite place which has green plastic chairs, plastic table cloths and cheap red wine by the litre. The locals all eat there and I would too as a local.
I would love to go back to Naples soon and take my family. No matter how many times you go, there is always another exciting experience available. I am happy to quote on any cruises to the Mediterranean. Give me a call on my direct line 0333 300 2480 Adrian Partridge