Euro places.
 

Our favorite city stop was Barcelona. Fantastic city. Our 2 other fave's were Malta and especially Tunisia. Exotic, interesting, friendly. Surprised us completely.

I avoid cruise line excursions with almost the same determination with which I would avoid ports in the midst of outbreaks of the Black Plague (although I've not cruised to Alaska, where they may be necessary).

Best ports of call?

Barcelona. 1963 and 2010 and likely the next time I go.

Rapallo/Sta. Margarita/Portofino. 1962. Oh, to be there and 22 again.

Palma. 1963, 1965. Change is not always a good thing, nor are crowds.

Istambul.

Funchal. Much better than I expected in 2010, but do avoid the street sleds.

Not surprisingly, the ports of call of one's youth are generally far more memorable than those viewed through older, more cynical eyes. It's not just the crowds and the improvements (ravages) of time. There will never be a "re-run" for a port call at Cannes during the film festival, a destroyer "Med-Moored" to the quay only a few feet from the action (which that year was marked by the appearance of topless starlets).

My favorite was Katakolon, Greece. DH and I rented a car and arrived at Olympia before the crowds. There were maybe only 50 people at the site. By the time we left, the tour buses were arriving. We then drove through the countryside to a winery. We were the only visitors and it was closing. The marketing director (a Scotsman) came and let us taste. He then gave us a private tour of the property, including a barn that was a mini museum. It was fascinating.

Did you take the local bus system in Malta? I have to admit, our visit to Malta really turned into a surprise hit, I wasn't quite sure what to expect. And sailing into the harbour there is fantastic.

I was impressed with the bus people, they even had someone at the bus stop near the cruise ship docks answering questions on how to get around. I'm not quite sure I'd say I was as impressed with the busses themselves :)