I've never been on NCL, but I'm sure their policies and practices are the same as most cruise lines. Also my impression is that NCL is big time party boat. If you are truly destination oriented you might want to try a different sort of trip. Yes, the excursions are extra, and are largely oeiented to the operator's needs rather than the customers. I mean, a lot of time is spent directing customers toward favored shops, etc. And often not very good or interesting ones. It is frquently possible to arrange private tours, independent of the cruise line. We have done this and it works, but requires some work - finding reliable tour operators, etc. This can be done via internet, personal TA, etc. Disembarkation is tricky. Usually, the first off are the lines excursion customers and this may take a while, but I don't remember it as a problem. Tendering is a nuisance, but kind of fun. Again, don't worry too much about it. It works out OK. The only advantage to a ships tour is that I think if miss the boat, the ctuise line is responsible for catching you up. On a private tour your on your own.

Hello twoflower

I am also looking into Mediterranean Cruises. Norwegian Jade takes around 2 400 guests, and I am wondering if the smaller vessels (1 000 or less) are more able to get closer to port facilities - thus negating the need for tenders.

I have no experience whatsoever of cruises; just trying like you to find out as many of the pitfalls as possible. So I will be watching the answers to your questions closely! Di

With regards to your question about disemarking at the port when a tender is involved, in my experience with a Princess cruise, people who purchased Princess sponsored excursions as well as the preferred passengers and handicap passengers were allowed off the ship first. We purchased a Princess excursion so with our ticket was instructions on where to meet and what time to get to the tender so we would be on time for our excursion. It took us about an hour to get off the ship.

People with independent tours were left to get off the ship after that. So if the port is 8am, then I would expect a 10am or later time to get off the ship.

When returning to the ship, they required at least 30 minutes before leaving the port for every passenger to be on board. To be on the safe side at least an hour before is better.

Getting on and off the ship with a tender is a big pain as far as I am concerned. I would try to find a schedule that had longer port times or didn't have to have a tender.

I have been on 4 cruises. 2 Princess and 2 Carnival and only experienced once with tenders and that was enough.

We took a RT from Venice to Greek Islands only, so can't comment on other ports.

Yes, of course shore excursions are extra! You don't have to buy expensive ship tours, sign up with Cruise Critic website, read about each port, make your own arrangement or take public transportation.

If tendered, they will give tender tickets. First go passengers who bought ship tours. After that, everybody else by the number on the ticket. I think the boats take 150 passengers, maybe not.

Coming back, you can take any boat back, keep in mind you must be back 30 minutes or 1 hour before sailing time, or the ship will leave without you.