First question: I do realize this is purely your opinions, but you were all so great before our first cruise, I'd just like feedback from you.

DH & I had such a good time on the Carib cruise, we talked about a transatlantic that we would use as an all inclusive, working vacation. DH is a writer. I am a painter. A 13 day, repositioning cruise with Princess departs Ft Lauderdale early May and ends in Rome. It is $599.00. Ports of call are Gibraltar, Alicante, Barcelona, Pisa & Rome. DH is really wanting to do that. Weather should be good and cost is good for us.

However, we had planned to visit Turkey (a long time dream of mine) this Spring. We've actually planned it several times and things happened. We've done all the research, so doing it last minute is no problem. Due to personal circumstances, that is how we usually travel. DH has promised if we do the cruise now, we will absolutely, without fail, go to Turkey in September.

While I really, really want to go to Turkey, there are also several places in Italy I haven't been and really want to see; one being Cinque Terre. So, DH says do the cruise and take a week after wards to visit Cinque Terre, Luca, Orvieto or some other places I want to see. So, would you stick with (my dream) Turkey now, or enjoy a couple weeks of being spoiled on the cruise while visiting parts of Italy I want to see, and postpone Turkey, risking it might not happen even if DH's intentions are good?

Second two-part question:

Most of the ports are places we have been enough that we don't really need time there. I have already asked the company about departing the ship a day early, when it stops in Pisa, so we would not have to backtrack so far to go to Luca and Cinque Terre. They are pretty sure that will not be a problem. Has anyone done anything like that?

The first stop is in Gibraltar. We've been there and have no real desire to go again. The second stop is Alicante. Granada is about halfway between the two - too far for a day trip from either. However, I absolutely love Granada and have always wanted to see the gardens at the Alhambra in May when they are supposed to be at their peak. So, would it be crazy to ask about departing the ship at Gibraltar and meeting up with it again a day later in Alicante?

My idea is to drive from Gibraltar to Granada, visit the gardens, have dinner at a place we liked, etc. and the next day visit the cathedral and drive to Alicante, doing a bit of sightseeing on the way, and meet up with the ship there. I wouldn't think about this if we had not driven there before. DH is perfectly fine with the idea. He wants me to go on the cruise, but still feel I got in enough sightseeing to make me happy.

I am looking at it as if you stopped in DC, drove to Philly, spent the afternoon and night, and met the ship in NYC.

If we don't do that, any suggestions for a great, easy to get to, place to visit besides Gibraltar?

We have not been to Alicante. Would a day there be so lovely & interesting that we would have missed something wonderful by spending it in Granada instead?

A big thank you ahead of time for reading this and for any responses.