Florence Florence & Pisa on Your Own Excursion Reviews

We joined 3 other couples on a tour arranged by fellow Cruise Critic members. We were picked up at the pier and drove to Pisa, spending a few minutes in the area of the Leaning Tower. We drove through the countryside to Florence, first stopping for a photo op on a hilltop overlooking the river and the beautiful city. We went to the Ponte Vecchio area and then to the Duomo. We were disappointed to arrive too late to enter the cathedral, but we walked around the Duomo and the Baptistery and had lunch nearby. We then walked through a market area to the Uffizi Gallery, where we had tickets reserved.

Provider: Independent Operator

Coldest day of the trip, but both cities are magnificent. This excursion is basically a bus ride to each city, with good maps, free restrooms and plenty of time to go roam around on your own, which we loved. Florence, especially, was glorious: ancient and charming, with a Christmas fair in Piazza di Santa Croce, about 800 metres south west of the Duomo. My favorite day of the whole cruise!

Provider: Princess Cruises

Enjoyed this tour and did the requisite tourist shtick of holding up the 'Pisa' for a photo-op. Absolutely loved 'Florence' and all the Churches. Almost filled the memory card in the camera here.

Provider: Princess Cruises

Fantastic tour. Maurizio, owner of Tuscany Taste Tour, met us on the pier and off we went. Small group of 8, MB van and we saw it all. Pisa, Florence, Accademia, etc. We weren't on our own. This was an organized tour with pre-paid tix to see David. Ate at a favorite of Maurizio, who joined us for lunch.

Provider: Independent Operator

The tour guide was hard to understand and got confused on time issues. We had to wait 45 minutes for a couple to join us back in the bus. This meant that our time in Pisa was reduced to only 25 minutes. This tour was a good way to get to both cities within our time allotment.

Provider: Carnival Cruise Lines

the trip of the ship took us to Pisa first, we had approx 45 minutes to take photo's etc. it takes 15minutes to walk from the car park to the tower, in reality we only had 30 minutes at the Tower, it would have been nice to have climbed the Tower and visit the museum. Florence was wonderful, so much to see and again not enough time. Place to revisit in the future

Provider: Royal Caribbean International

Pisa was a bit disappointing although it was nice to see the tower there is not a lot there. Florence was amazing, the guide was very good. We had a lovely lunch next to Dantes statue outside the church. Try the dumplings with ham and cream cheese. We did not go into any museums as we did not have enough time to do them justice.

Provider: Princess Cruises

We were quite disappointed with the tour we booked. Firstly we felt it was very expensive for what we got... literally a bus ride for $A200. Apart from getting to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa Florence itself was a real disappointment and even Pisa was a bit of an anticlimax... what's all the fuss about? All you have is a round building leaning over... so does Venice and nobody makes a big deal about that. Florence itself wasn't an attractive place at all which is what we were expecting. It actually felt a bit like a slum, old, untidy and run down. Sadly not a place we'd return to.

Provider: Princess Cruises

Beautful city worth taking the ships tour as if it is late back the ship will wait for the coach pisa lovely excellent tour guide really imformative !!

Provider: Carnival Cruise Lines

The guide was forceful, which was exactly what was needed with the large group we had, Pisa was charming, Florence was great, but lots of walking as the coach pick up point was miles away, then the guide left us in Florence so the coach driver had to take responsibility till we were back in the port - Strange!

Provider: Independent Operator

Pisa amazing to see. Tour guide very friendly and knowledgeable. This is probably one of the highlights of our entire cruise. So much so, we plan to return to Florence on holiday in future.

Provider: Royal Caribbean International

Pisa was fabulous. Better than Florence, but Florence is worth a look. It's very crowded so walk around a little, have lunch, people see. If you're planning to buy leather, do it in Pisa.

Provider: Norwegian Cruise Line

Great way to see things and the extra info our guide gave us was invaluable - would have preferred a private tour but these were about twice the amount of money

Provider: Norwegian Cruise Line

It was Monday so all the museums were closed. Did a lot of walking. Pisa, street slime pushing counterfeit watches and sun glasses very aggressive. Government needs to clean up their street slime rather than threaten tourists. Pisa, once inside the old town where the tower is small area lots of people. Lunch was provided as part of the tour and was pretty good.

Provider: Holland America Line

This was my favourite shore day. We had an excellent tour guide, Jon, who was an Aussie who had fallen in love with Tuscany and has been living there for the past fifteen years. We were in Pisa by 0830 which meant that the Duomo was not open but it was still very quiet. The Tower is wonderful, and another of my must-sees ticked off my list! We spent about an hour there (which was plenty to be honest) and then moved on to Florence. My Godfathers, it was hot in Florence! 40 degrees C! But what a lovely place. Plenty to see and do and some lovely little cafes and restaurants.

Provider: Princess Cruises

Our guide rushed us through Florence, even though we had several hours before the ship left. We got the distinct feeling she had another tour waiting for her.

Provider: Princess Cruises

A very helpful guide on the bus--gave his personal tips and a map with NCL's suggestions. Able to wander the city easily on our own. Escorted to Pisa's Field of Miracles for a brief photo stop.

Provider: Norwegian Cruise Line