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All tours are expensive - there are at least 3 layers taking their cut. The guide, the agent, OV and possibly the tours team on board. The mitigating factors are that you are provided with a guide and the ship will wait for you if you are late back. By the way, I agree with Wilba about Tunis. So many cruise ships go there - if there was nothing there why would they bother? The only shame is that OV are there for only half a day so there is little chance to really explore. It is great to haggle in the Souks, and with a good guide Carthage is absolutely fascinating. The only considerable beef I have over OV tours is that no one from the ship's staff is there as "lanterne rouge", and people do get lost. It is too often up to the poor old guide to keep herding and counting numbers! On your daughter's birthday take her to dinner at the James Martin Bistro and tell the maitre d' in advance and they will really make a fuss of her! I don't know about a cake, but I do know that they do a plate decorated in chocolate with an appropriate message. It will be really something for her to remember!

You may find that OV1 offers 'Rome on Your Own' from the ship.All you get is the Coach Trip and a Map of Rome and off you go on your own.We have done this a couple of times it works fine. You are normally dropped off near The Vatican.I don't think it is possible to see everything in a day but certainly St Peters and the Sistine Chaple are a must.There is also The Vatican Museum which really needs a day to itself but you should be able to take in The Colleseum ,Ancient Rome, Trevi Fountain and The Spanish Steps OK.Most Attractions are well signposted.We like this type of tour you can stop for that Expresso when you like.Similar tours are also normally available to Florence/Pisa.Have a great time.

It is easy to do lots of the trips on your own, but I would be wary of Rome. This is because the port is about 90 minutes away from Rome by coach - and if you go on a trip of your own, then they will not guarantee to wait for you if you get stuck/lost or whatever on the way back. Last time we went (2 years ago) 4 people missed the sailing from Civitavecchia - even though we sailed over an hour late - as wherever they had gone, they didn't get back on time! Personally, I think it is worth paying that extra money for the Rome trip, but most of the others are perfectly 'do-able' on your own. Enjoy your cruise!

Against the flow, I loved Tunis, made a change from some recent ports I've visited. The Medina (market) is one of the best I've been to in many a cruise, hustle bustle to say the least, but I suppose it depends what your looking for in a cruise stop.......Rome has been covered many times on this site. Type Rome into the find a question box..& then try Tunis......Wilba

We did the Rome tour and it was well organised though a tad expensive. Be prepared .........they walk fast as they have timetables to keep to and I found this a little difficult at times. The lunch was quite nice but if you need the loo, go before the after dinner rush ( toilets were limited when we went). We did not bother with Tunis at all. We had visited Tunisia before, but had heard not good reports of the first port of call, so decided to have a restful day on board. But of course it is up to the individual. If you have not booked an excursion then you can please yourself. Have fun, we certainly did on that trip

hi, we are doing this same cruise in sept, agreed trips to rome are dear but we have still booked one. want to get as much out of the short time and prefer a guide. it will be the only organised trip we do so are happy with that. we also have been told tunis is not very impressive. in the past we have had birthdays on ov and ordered the cake(direct with ov) before leaving. very nice it was too, have a lovely time.