Planning for the Mediterranean

I've finally started getting serious about planning for our Mediterranean cruise coming up in August. For private tours in the different ports, this is what I've researched so far:

ROME: Rome cabs contact: Stefano Costantini
Tour duration: 4 hours, 2 people
Tour description: pick up/transfer to/from airport and pier;
"The standard tour I provide in Rome is designed to cover the city major sites . Additional off the beaten path tours can be arranged upon request of the client.
The drive will continue along Ostiense Road and arrive at the Pyramid built for Caius Cestio .At this stage of the tour we will be inside the ancient Roman Wall built by
Emperor Aureliano. We will then arrive at the Circus Maximus, the large ancient stadium for chariot races. Behind the stadium you will see the Palatine Hill where the villas and the domus of the emperors were built. At this point you will be able to see the Arch of Constantine and the Coloseum. We will stop here, and you will be able to visit the Colosseum and the Roman Forum on your own if you wish. In order to avoid lengthy, and time consuming queues, I will obtain the entry tickets in advance as a complimentary service for my clients. The fees for the entry tickets will be added to the final bill (the Colosseum charges 11 Euros per ticket). Following the Colosseum, we will stop at the Piazza Venezia where you will see the Vittorio Emanuele Monument, dedicated to the first king of Italy. Our next destination will be the Pantheon, once the temple of all Roman gods, then a church and burial place for kings and artists (Raphael). Near by are the piazzas and fountains that are famous in Rome. Trevi fountain will follow. Here you can toss a coin in the fountain to ensure a return visit to Italy. Finally, you can rest and have a seat on the Spanish Steps.
Please note that the order in which we will visit the sites may vary pending traffic conditions or other third party act. The tour can be altered to personalize your desires. Additional costs for entry tickets are not included in the tour fee, and the costs for entry tickets purchased in advance will be added to the final bill. The fees for the tours
include tolls and parking, and are required in Euro funds."
Tour cost: 330 Euros, not booked yet
Tour notes: Not sure if we'll do this one. Awfully expensive but what a shame to be in Rome and not get to SEE it! We're not arriving early to Rome or staying late. Our flight leaves at 3:15 pm the day we dock. Seth wants me to check into changing this to the day we arrive in Rome and touring before the ship leaves - we won't be quite as rushed for time (flight arrives Rome at 8:50 am and we depart on the cruise at 6 pm).

SICILY/MESSINA: Cellar Tours Contact: Genevieve McCarthy
Tour duration/details: Still waiting for quote and itinerary

Private Shore Trips Contact: Ken Diaz
Tour duration: 4 hours, 4-6 people
Tour description: "For Food and Wine tours in August, our Messina office recommends a transfer to a wonderful restaurant / winery estate. It is located in a very scenic area over a small hill and is surrounded by vineyards. They specialize in traditional Sicilian foods and wine. Your visit to the Wine Estate will include a tour of the cellar with tasting of local products (wine, oil and cold cuts). The cost is 10 Euro per person. If you would like to eat at the restaurant, the medium price is 25 Euro each plus wine. Your tour will include minivan vehicle and English speaking driver (not a guide) who will take you to the location of the restaurant. Messina port - Santa Venerina: 45-60 minutes (traffic pending) Wine and food tasting at winery estate: 2 hour 30 min Santa Venerina – Messina port: 45-60 minutes (traffic pending)"
Tour cost: 445 Euro, not booked yet
Tour notes: This one also seems expensive for only 4 hours. Should we stick with a food/wine tour or see more sights? Also waiting for the quote from Cellar Tours.

ATHENS/PIRAEUS: Spiros Taxi Service contact: Spiros
Tour duration: full day, 6 people
Tour description: "The Athens & Sounion tour is a full day tour. This tour includes: the Acropolis, the Kalimarmaro stadium (which is our national stadium), the changing the of the guards, shopping at the Plaka area, the Greek & Roman agora, the stills of Olympian Zeus. Then we drive along the coastline of Athens down to the temple of Poseidon at cape Sounion (here we will have lunch by the seaside). For the Athens & Sounion tour there are 2 options: 1) You can choose to do just Athens and take the time you want to see everything there. 2) You can choose Athens + Sounion but please note that the ride down to Sounion takes some time (about 1 hour + 15 min). The choice is yours."
Tour cost: 450 Euros, already booked
Tour notes: Wade and Charlie (swh&cv) booked this for 8 of us in a van and have confirmation.

MYKONOS: nothing booked, haven't looked yet

EPHESUS/KUSADASI: ATB Holidays Contact: not contacted yet
Tour duration: full day, 1-4 or 5-10 people
Tour description: Full Day, Ephesus and the House of Virgin Mary. Meeting your bus and tour guide in the peer at Kusadasi port to take a full day tour of Ephesus and Virgin Mary's House. First, visit the the Temple of Artemis Ion. Then prceed with ancient city of Ephesus where you will explore some of the best preserved theatres, fountains and buildings in the world. A definite must while in Turkey. Not to be forgotten is the House of the Virgin Mary on the top of the Mountain, a pilgrimage site for many people of all denominations. After visits, we will be transfered to your cruise ship.
Special instructions: Tour includes transportation by comfortable, non smoking, air conditioned vehicle, exclusive services of a qualified English-speaking guide, admission fees to the visited sites and museums, and parking fees.
Restrictions: Ephesus gets very crowded and extremely hot in the summer months, so take plenty of water, sunscreen, and head covers. It is not allowed to take photos inside of the Virgin Mary House.
What's included: Admission fees to the museums as mentioned in the itinerary. All sightseeing tours as described in the itinerary. Local taxes and service fees. Lunch. Pick up from ship and drop off services. Private and exclusive services of ATB Holidays; transportation and guidance. Transportation by air-conditioned, nonsmoking vehicles.
Tour cost: 1-4 people, 80 Euros per person; 5-10 people, 70 Euros per person.
Tour notes: Wade and Charlie are interested in this one too.

RHODES: nothing booked, haven't looked yet

SANTORINI: nothing booked, haven't looked yet

NAPLES/CAPRI: Italy Limousine Luxury Car Service Contact: Josephine
Tour duration: full day, up to 6 people
Tour description: "Enogastronomic Wine Tour. the cost is for car and driver english speaking. naples port we do pasta making/mozerella making wine would be out of season. naples you should visit this typr of area then stop at a local resturant to sample real cooked from from the old tradition (this cost is not included but no more than 20,00 to 25 euros)" She also wrote back (can't find the email) that they would recommend touring an olive oil facility too - they have a driver that is very knowledgeable about olives.
Tour cost: 400 Euros
Tour notes: Sounds like a lot of fun if we can find more people to join this tour to help bring the cost down. Wade and Charlie are interested.

More helpful links that I found:

Europe Port Reviews

Italy Sightseeing Guides

Cruise Ship Calendar