Santorini: Heads-up on this! This was the only tender port. The time zone changed and I assumed my iPhone would change time, but it didn't. Reflection gives out tender tickets on first come bases. They started at 10:00 am, I wanted to be there by 9:30, but I got there a little after 10 am and there was no line, most people already had tickets. The tender time was 2 pm, we got off the ship about 3 pm.

Once in Santorini, the lines were so long for the cable car. There was a water taxi service (11 e per person) with a ticket office right at the tender location drop off at the Fira port while waiting for the cable car, that takes you to Amoudi bay, Oia 12 minute boat ride, plus a bus that goes from Oia to Fira every hour. We picked this option, vs. standing in the sun in a long line. It took about 30 minutes to finally get off the ferry in Oia. Great photo op at the little harbor. They drive you in a bus up the hill to the larger bus parking area in Oia. We walked around Oia and found the beautiful blue top church that is in all the tourist pics. Find the plaza of the large church in the middle of town, then turn right and short walk a short to a church on your left. Then turn left at that church and follow the narrow walk toward the harbor and you will see it, plus the beautiful bay. We spoke with people who said the donkey ride up the hill was a nightmare as the mules have a mind of their own, running into the walls, biting each other and there is nothing to hold onto. One family said a lady was using a lot curse words all the way up as she panic during the ride. The walk up is smelly and slippery due to the donkey droppings. We thought we might walk down, but people advised us that at the end of the day, it is too smelly and dangerous - take the cable car. Give yourself time, because there is a line to buy your ticket and get on.

We walked to the Oia bus area and got the bus to Fira and walked around. We wanted to see the sunset, but it was time to head back to the ship. We ate a nice restaurant just pass the cable car, same side of the street, great view, great food and price is fine.

Istanbul: We used Daily Istanbul Tours for the first day which included a private van, driver and guide. It worked fine. We saw the Topkapi palace, Hagia Sophia, Cistern and walked through modern Istanbul. Felt very safe at all times. Istanbul has very young population, very busy city and port. I didn't care for the Turkish coffee.

The second 1/2 day; 8 to 12 noon we used Tours by Liz, email guideguliz@gmail.com. My wife and kids really like Liz. She took us around by public train and ferry to Asia side of Istanbul, so it was very affordable. She also took us to many mosques and historical sites. You can look her up on TripAdvisor, Daily Private Tours by Liz, (something like that) My kids wanted to go to Asia, so we took a ferry across and walked thru some interesting streets with open markets where the everyday Istanbul folks live.

Both companies will accept US dollars, euros or Lira. You really don't need a private van if you are seeing the historical area. We were there on a Friday, so all the Mosque are closed until about 2 pm and the lines are long, so we saw the Mosques on Sat and did other stops.

Mykonos. Celebrity buses took us to downtown. We walked up a short hill and saw Easy Car Rental. There was a family talking with a taxi driver who wanted 65 e to take them around for 2 hours. We wanted to go to a beach so we rented a car 45 e for the day. The lady in the office gave us an easy to read map, and told us to go to Kalo Livadi beach (#8 on the rental map), a short drive across the island, and we stopped briefly at the scenic little Monastery along the way. Excellent large safe beach, golden sand, like Palm Bch FL. Water was super clear and shallow enough for kids or just wading, no wind, very calm surf, no loud beach scene or jet ski nonsense. We were the only English speaking folks. When you drive into the beach there are 3 restaurants that rent beach lounge chairs and large shade umbrellas, the first is the most affordable, 20 e for 2 chairs, 2 large beach towels and 1 large umbrella. There are waitresses at the ready for food and drinks; security guard to keep away peddlers. The bathroom was clean. I was glad we brought water from the ship since it was 5 e per bottle there, usually .5 e in restaurants. Some people parked in an open area and didn't use the chairs/umbrellas. Driving on the island was fine, just be ready for the large tour buses that take up most of the road. After returning the car, there is a restaurant right next door, part of the same building. The food is ok, but they have free Wi-Fi with your order.

Athens: We lucked out here! We wanted to DIY Athens. We walked straight out of the cruise port and there was the X80 public bus that is an express bus to and from the port to the Acropolis for 4 e. It was great ride seeing Athens up close. We got out at Acropolis and spent most of the day there and at the New Acropolis Museum. It was great. There is restroom at the top of the Acropolis and water fountains for drinking. We spent all day in these 2 areas, got lots of photos and learned a lot. Lunch in the museum was excellent and affordable.

Naples: We used AP Tours, private van and driver. He took us to the Amalfi coast, Positano, Ravello and Pompeii. At Pompeii, we opted for a private guide for 2 hour tour. Excellent use of our short time, with a guide you skip the line and takes you to the highlights. Enrico did a nice job, excellent pace. Note: there are restrooms just inside the gate where you enter and were you exit. You can pay just outside the park, but it is not as clean. Our driver was Carmine, his English was excellent, very friendly and made sure we managed our time well. Picked us up on time and made sure we returned with plenty of time. This company is very honest and fair.

All of our guides were very fair with ticket prices and working out payments.

Ephesus, again we used Daily Istanbul Tours. This was excellent we had a large new Mercedes van, driver and guide. My kids really loved Ephesus. It was a Sunday and at the Virgin Mary's house about noon, I saw a monk and asked if there was a mass nearby. He said yes, in 5 minutes, behind the gate next to the house. Celebrity had set up a mass for folks on their excursion, but few people were there. We just lucked into it.

If you need a restroom during the tour, there is one just before the exit where you see all the trees beyond the stadium, next to a lot of shops. The ancient city was incredible, but very hot with little shade. You could take all day if you see everything in detail. There was an extra fee to see the "apartments excavations on the hillside". It was worth it, plus it is under a shady roof. The port of Kusadasi is very pretty and scenic.

In Rome, we stayed for 6 nights at the Aurelia Residence San Pietro Hotel (apartments), a short 5 minute walk to the Vatican and St. Peter's. We had a 2 bedroom, 2 bath apartment with full kitchen, large family room area and 2 balconies, clean and spacious. The room includes an awesome breakfast on the terrace roof where you could see St. Peter's dome. They make excellent cappuccinos; wonderful service. The front desk staff gave excellent sightseeing advice; laundry machine on premises. Public bus routes nearby so we could easily get around Rome. I would highly recommend staying there pre or post cruise.