The Ports Trip Report: Venice, Dubrovnik, Montenegro, Athens Greece.

RDOD — Our Norwegian Viva Mediterranean Trip Report (Part 1): Venice to Athens 🔥 Teaser (Apple Podcasts Optimized) From an early morning in St. Mark's Basilica to walking the ancient walls of Dubrovnik and standing atop the Acropolis in Athens, our 10-night Norwegian Viva cruise was filled with unforgettable ports. In Part 1 of our trip report, we're sharing our favorite excursions, travel tips, hotels, and everything you need to know before cruising the Mediterranean. Episode Summary This week on Rope Drop On Deck, Doug and Michelle kick off the first installment of their 10-night Norwegian Viva Mediterranean cruise trip report. This episode focuses on the first half of the vacation, covering the ports, hotels, excursions, and travel logistics before and during the cruise. We discuss spending time in Venice, embarking from Ravenna, walking the famous city walls in Dubrovnik, exploring Stari Bar in Montenegro, and finishing with an unforgettable day in Athens, including an early visit to the Acropolis. If you're planning a Mediterranean cruise—or just dreaming about one—this episode is full of practical tips and firsthand experiences. In This Episode ✈️ Pre-Cruise in Venice Staying at Hotel Al Sole Why we chose Venice before the cruise Exploring the canals and city 🏛️ Venice Excursion Early entry to St. Mark's Basilica Touring Doge's Palace Exclusive terrace views over St. Mark's Square Why arriving early made all the difference 🚢 Embarkation in Ravenna Staying at Hotel Mosaico Easy transfer to the cruise port??? Boarding the Norwegian Viva 🇭🇷 Dubrovnik, Croatia Walking the famous city walls Admission costs (€40) Incredible views of the Adriatic Tips for visiting Old Town 🇲🇪 Bar, Montenegro Taxi to Stari Barr Exploring the historic town Relaxing at the beach Why this port pleasantly surprised us 🇬🇷 Athens, Greece 8:00 a.m. entry to the Acropolis Why early tickets are worth it Jewelry-making workshop with a local artisan Using the Free Now app for transportation Favorite moments in one of the world's oldest cities 📖 Word of the Day Port Of Call— brought to you by Back to the Mouse 📱 Follow Rope Drop On Deck: Instagram: @RopeDropOnDeck Facebook: Rope Drop On Deck Threads: @RopeDropOnDeck Twitter/X: @RopeDropOnDeck Stay in the loop for bonus cruise content, updates, and behind-the-scenes fun. More of Michelle More of Doug If you want to book a cruise reach out to Michelle at [email protected] Check out Back to the Mouse.com for all the latest in Disney Cruising  🎧 Also check out our sister podcast: Rope Drop Radio – your source for Disney Parks planning tips and reviews! Thanks for sailing with us—until next time, happy cruising! ⚓🌊