ROME - Civitavecchia

On the map:Civitavecchia is on Italy's west coast and is the gateway to Rome for cruise passengers.

Disembark:The train from Civitavecchia to Rome takes about an hour and costs EUR9 return. Taxis cost from EUR100 per car and must be booked in advance.

Excursions: With so much to see in Rome - The Colosseum, the Vatican, Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Roman remains at the Forum - a day isn't enough but passengers can get a taste, either alone or on a tour. Holland America Line has an 12 hours Eternal Rome and the Vatican Museums tour for £199. Princess Cruises has a 9 hour 'Rome on your own' tour - a return transfer but passengers explore alone from $59

DUBROVNIK

On the map: Dubrovnik is a walled city in the Adraitic, at the southern end of Croatia, close to the border with Montenegro.

Disembark: Small ships anchor just outside the city and tender passengers ashore. Larger vessels use the port, about 10 minutes by taxi or a shuttle bus.

Excursions: It's fun to wander alone, exploring steep alleyways or walking the walls (there is a small charge) for great views over the city and out to sea. Royal Caribbean International have a three-and-a-half hour walking tour of the city from £27. Seabourn has a two-and-a-half hour trip to the charming seaside resort of Cavtat from $99

MONACO

On the map: Monaco is within France but a separate principality that's famous for its Royal family, Grand Prix and ornate casino where correct attire is a must.

Disembark: There is one pier where cruise ships dock, but many anchor outside the port and tender passengers ashore.

Excursions: From the tender a lift takes you to the old town and Royal Palace, or you can stroll around the harbour to the casino in Monte Carlo. P&O Cruises has a twenty minute helicopter ride over the Riviera from £159 and a three hour tour that walks the Grand Prix circuit. Regent Seven Seas Cruises has a free four hour tour to Monaco and hilltop village of Eze.

BARCELONA

On the map: Barcelona is in Catalonia, on the east coast of Spain.

Disembark: Most cruise ships dock at the port, a ten minute shuttle bus ride from town, but small ones can alternatively tie up by the World Trade Centre at the bottom of La Rambla, the city's famous main street.

Excursions:Key sights such as La Rambla, the Gothic Quarter and Gaudi's unfinished cathedral, La Sagrada Familia, are easy to do alone, but there are plenty of excursions, seeing the city by coach, on foot or even by bike. P&O Cruises have a four hour tour of Gaudi's archetechture from £32.50. MSC Cruises have a three and half hour city tour including a visit to the Nou Camp stadium from £42

LIVORNO

On the map: Livorno is on Italy's west coast and the gateway for Florence and Pisa for cruise passengers.

Disembark: The port is huge so passengers need transport to get into the town or station. Shuttle buses are provided, for a high fare. A taxi is cheaper.

Excursions: There's no reason to stay in Livorno and trains to Florence are not frequent, so ship excursions are far easier. They are a lot more expensive but often include entrance to the top museums, saving passengers long queues or the hassle of booking in advance. Princess Cruises 10-hour Florence, Pisa, statue of David and Uffizi Museum costs from $329. Carnival Cruise Lines has a 10-hour trip to the picturesque Cinque Terre villages from $136

GIBRALTAR

On the map: Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory on the southern end of the Iberian Peninsular at the entrance to the Med.

Disembark: Ships dock on the edge of town, a 10 minute walk from the high street.

Excursions: Gibraltar is famous for the Rock and Barbary Apes that live on the peninsular but cruisers - especially Britons on a no-fly cruise from the UK - are generally more interested in picking up cheap alchohol and cigarettes than the sights. For those who want to see more, P&O Cruises has a two-hour dolphin-watching tour and a two-hour World War Two inspired Fortress Gibraltar tour through the tunnels in the Rock from £32

ISTANBUL

On the map: Istanbul is in Turkey, straddling the Bosphorus, guarding the entrance to the Black Sea.

Disembark: Cruise ships dock at Karakoy Yolcu Salona, a twenty minute walk to the Galata Bridge that leads into the heart of the city.

Excursions: The Topkapi Palace is a big attraction and always has queues, so a ship's excursion, is the best choice for visitors. It's easy to explore alone, visiting the Blue Mosque, the Grand Bazaar and Hagia Sophia, once a church, then a mosque, now a museum. Princess Cruises has an eight-and-a-half hour walking tour that does it all from $129. Silversea has a three-and-half hour cruise on the Bosphoros from $89

NAPLES

On the map: Naples is in southern Italy, on the Amalfi coast.

Disembark: Ships dock in the centre of Naples, next to the ferry terminals for Capri and Sorrento, and five minutes walk from the city.

Excursions:The main reason for visiting Naples is to leave again - either to visit Pompeii, the Roman city destroyed when Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79AD, Capri or Sorrento. All can be done alone, but a guide in Pmopeii is helpful. MSC Cruises has a four-hour excursion to Pompeii from £46. Celebrity Cruises has an eight-hour tour to Capri with lunch from $149

PIRAEUS

On the map: On mainland Greece. Piraeus is the country's biggest port, eight miles south west of Athens.

Disembark: Cruise ships dock at the east end, about 25 minutes by foot from the station, from where there is a regular and cheap service - EUR1.40 each way - to Athens.

Excursions: The train in cheap and with announcements in English, and there's a station at the bottom of the Acropolis, site of the must-see Parthenon and close to shopping in Plaka.Carnival Cruise Lines have a five hour tour to the Acropolis that also visits the Archaeological Museum from $89.95. Celebrity Cruises has a six-and-a-half hour excursion to the ancient Corinth that includes a cruise on the Corinth Canal for $90

VENICE

On the map: Venice, the Italian city built on water, is at the northern-most tip of the Adriatic.

Disembark: Cruise ships dock in the port, and where it is a 15-minute walk to the start of the canal system and there are water taxis to St Marks Square.

Excursions: Exploring the city alone is great fun, but there are tours for those who perfer to be guided. Carnival Cruises has a five-hour tour to Murano and Burano islands, repectively known for glass and lace, from $79.99. Crystal Cruises has a five hour introduction to Venice, visiting the Doge's Palace, St Mark's Basilica and including a 35 minute gondola ride for £199