I could use some advise on the ship excursions offered on this voyage. Never having been to Italy and probably not returning we want to make sure we get the most out of this trip. We are a 56 year old couple in fair shape, use to walking about a mile to about a mile and a half at a time. Please keep that in mind. While we don't want to miss the most important sites, we also would like to keep costs down where possible. If you can also let us know how far the ports are from the main towns that would also be helpful, as then we will need to walk or take transportation. Thank you in advance.

I cannot help with all ports (you are on the cruise we intended to take until we learned we were going to be grandparents.)
Portofino - Right in the small town. DIY port.
Livorno - Day 1, Train to Florence. DIY
Day 2 - Train to Lucca and Pisa - DIY
Messina - right in town. Look into Mt Etna tour
Split (have to pass here)
Venice - Right in town. DIY Maybe a couple short tours.
Dubrovnik - (have to pass here)
Naples - In town. DIY - Either Pompeii or Capri. Walking in Pompeii probably easier. Capri has hill and will be crowded when you are there.
Enjoy the Legend (we did) and your cruise.

Meant to add. Read my article on trains and Florence at www.ftroute.com/Liv_fir_liv.htm

I'm sorry but what does DIY mean?
Thanks.

DIY = Do It Yourself
In other words, create your own sightseeing tour. Ships excursions will give you an idea as what to see but you can duplicate many of them on your own (for less) and, quite often, see much more. You still have plenty of time to do Google research on the ports.

Doing Venice and Florence as you suggest should we obtain tickets to the museaums in advance or purchase then once we get to the cities?

First, Dubrovnik: We just did a Med cruise in May that had Dubrovnik as a port. It is totally wonderful, and we did it ourselves. You just get a map and get going after you take the shuttle!

Second: Florence, if you want to see David, definitely get advance reservations at the Acadmia. Ditto for the Uffizi. The best way is to call the museums directly. They charge you four euros more, $10.50 euros instead of $6.50 euros, but you have a definite time. By the way, you do not pay unti lyou pick the tickets up at the box office about 20 minutes before your tour time.

We spent three days in Venice precruise, and toured totally on our own, which was no problem at all. You just buy, in your case, a one day vaporetto pass and get on and off wherever you want.

We spent five days postcruise in Florence. Not sure if you end up there, but it is wonderful, and our best day of the whole trip (8 days land and 7 days cruise) was our day with a fabulous private guide who tooks us throughout the Tuscancy countryside to at least five different towns. If you want particulars, I can give them to you. You can email me at ellieca@fastmail.fm

Hope this all helps.
Ellie

ellie,

I am not sure how many museums and galleries I want to take in while in Florence. In what order would you rank them, the Uffizi, the Academia, the Duomo. I am more interested in the architecture than the paintings. Also, I would like to be able to take photographs. Can I do that only outside.
thanks

Given your interests, I'd put the Academia first. Unless you are into art, skip Uffici. Photos in museums and galleries are a definite No-No. You can get away with non-flash photos in some churches (they don't like it.)

Great photo-op; climb the Duomo.