We booked with a smaller company called "Hills and Roads". Lucca is the owner. Our driver/guide was Maria. This was the BEST day of our trip. Can not recommend them enough. We wanted to avoid the crowds and see real Tuscany and they delivered. Please note the ship ports in Livorno. Made a brief stop at Pisa (all the time you need) and spent the rest of the day touring small towns/villages in the Tuscany country side and a winery. We decided against Florence because we figured we would get museum ed out in Rome the next day. You CANT do Florence and the non-touristy Tuscany countryside.

Florence (Livorno)

Close 2nd to Livorno day as being our favorite day. Absolutely breathtaking city.
This is a day I don't think you need to book an excursion, so I'll try to be as detailed as possible. 

Ship arrives at 7 am and we were off by 730. There will be multiple taxis that will offer to take you on a 1 hour tour of the high country above the city. This is a great deal (50 euros for up to 4 people). The taxi will then drop you off at the gates to the old city. The big thing to see is the city walls. I would have the taxi take you to the Ploce gate instead of the Pile gate to start your walk of the walls. This will put you on the best section of the walls ahead of the crowds.

Following spending the morning walking the walls and visiting old town,we went to a local beach. The best beaches are west of the old city. Amazing water. Bring a mask and snorkel.

I love Dubrovnik!!!!!

Dubrovnik

Venice was an interesting port for us. You certainly will need some time to get used to the way the city works. I will say the locals are not nearly as friendly here as elsewhere. The museum workers are rude and useless. Never the less Venice is a beautiful city. If you want to see the museums churches get the venice card for 39 euros. This can be purchased the same time you get your water bus pass. Next to the cruise ship is a direct water taxi to St. Marc's square (23 euro round trip) which is convenient. However best deal is to avoid this service. Use the people mover train/monarail to go over to Roma Station which your access to Venice. Once you get off the train (1 minute trip), head left to the canal where there is a large transit area where you can buy a 36 hour water bus ticket for 25 euros. Then off you go! 

Expect to get lost in Venice. Also expect crowds. Some my opt just to wander and people watch. For me I thought the Doge Palace, St Marc's square and basicalla, and Frasi Church are can't misses. Just wander. Get a guide book with maps!!!

Venice

We had a late departure (after 8 pm), so we opted for a tour that provided pick up and airport drop off.

We were very happy with the tour (Barcelona Day Tours), but were pretty tired at this point.  If I was planning on leaving that day I might look for an earlier flight, and do a shorter tour.

The tour was great though, and let you see the Catolonia provence of Spain.

Barcelona

Day 2- Monaco- Good first day. We were pleasantly surprised by this port. This is the only day we opted for a Carnival tour. We did the Menton/Eze tour for 49 dollars a person. Menton is a beautiful French seaside town and not very touristy. Eze is a Medieval village and very cool.  We were back on the boat by 3 and used the time to soak some rays. The tour was good, but don't be afraid to book your own tours.

Used Easy Italy. Very happy with the service. Rome is awesome, if not a little overwhelming. We saw the standard stuff. Visited Colosseum, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, drove by some other stuff. Then visited Vatican for a 3 hour guided tour. Highly recommend getting a guide for Vatican. You've spent all this money to get here, nice to know what you are looking at. Keep in mind I am writing this review as a first time visitor to Italy.

Again used a smaller tour operator. Vito with "See Amalfi Coast". We opted to skip Pompeii and do the whole day on the Amalfi Coast. Visited Ravella, Positano, and Amalfi. Best Italian meal the entire trip that day. Vito recommended an amazing place to eat with great view.Vito is a great driver/guide will do whatever it takes to help you have a great day.Some of the most beautiful scenery on the trip. I feel Livorno, Rome, and Naples are the three days you absolutely must shell out for the tours to get the most out of your day.

The best thing about a Spa balcony cabin is they are no smoking even on the balcony!

I don't see how someone could have been on this cruise with the amazing itinerary, beautiful ship, and great crew and not had a good time.-Carnival Breeze is an amazing ship with lots of activities.

Carnival Breeze Review

Breezing through the Mediterranean

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