Selecting shore excursions on a family cruise can be tricky. These tend to be expensive and not always worth the money, especially if your travel guide doesn't take the kids' interests into account and doesn't speak good English. The Disney Magic cruise of the Mediterranean features a shore excursion to the famous volcano crater of Mt. Vesuvius that is well worth taking.
It features a steep climb up a gravel path, but it is not too grueling even for kids. Not only do you get to hike up to the crater but you are also treated to a lunch and wine tasting at the Cantina del Vesuvia. You eat on a covered patio overlooking the vineyards and feast on local foods, including salami, cheese, bread, olive oil and pasta made with fresh tomatoes grown at the vineyard. After lunch you have the chance to tour Pompeii, the ancient Roman city buried by Mt. Vesuvius's violent eruption.