OT: Mediterranean Cruise

[SyonaraStanz]

I'm starting to think about planning (very early stages) a Mediterranean cruise for my wife and I, and possibly daughter. Do any of you have any cruise line and location stops recommendations? Any other advice (Mediterranean cruise related) is appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[missouridawg]

Never done a cruise, but if you don't see Santorini you've messed up. Most beautiful place Ive ever seen.

Mykonos is pretty average.

 

[Optimus Prime 4]

Whatever you do DON'T cruise Carnival. Ever. I'd rather be in a turkish prison than ever step foot on one of their boats again. Fat pasty people sweating in the sun and devouring buffets. Ugh. And one small pool for 1500 people

 

[colodawg]

Venice

Don't miss Venice. I would fly into Venice and cruise to Istanbul. There is a river cruise now from Venice - small boat - smaller ports on Adriatic and river running inland from Venice. Sounds interesting.

If you don't have to have the cruise experience fly into Venice and then take the train to Florence, explore Tuscany (Siena, Lucca, San Giaginamo, Assisi). Continue to Cinque Terre, then fly out of either Milan or Florence. Trains in Italy are very doable. Traffic is too crazy for me to drive, though I have had friends who have rented cars there.

We are planning our third trip to Italy this year and love it.

I'm starting to think about planning (very early stages) a Mediterranean cruise for my wife and I, and possibly daughter. Do any of you have any cruise line and location stops recommendations? Any other advice (Mediterranean cruise related) is appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[BiscuitEater]

MSU Alumni Association ...

sponsors a lot of trips and cruises ... and a Med Cruise is coming up in November ... Pearls of the Mediterranean

November 7-15, 2014

From $2,299 and up (Including airfare)

http://www.alumni.msstate.edu/s/811/index.aspx?sid=811&gid=1&pgid=709

Disclaimer ... I have never been on one of their trips, but price looks reasonable and at least you could have something in common with a group on the ship.

 

[Digging dog]

Cruised twice (both out of New Orleans).
Wife and I went on Royal Carribean the first time for our 10 year anniversary. This is a good cruise line. Ship was nice. Food and entertainment was excellent. Pools ( indoor and outdoor) were good size. Overall experience was first class.
2nd cruise was Carnival with the kids. We were on the same ship that 2 months later stalled out at sea. (Remember the news). The ship, although clean, looked worn. The food was par at best. The entertainment pretty much sucked too. There were two small pools that always packed.
Think of Carnival as a Motel 8.

 

[notthisshitagain]

Holland America cruise line all the way for the Mediterranean cruise. My parents started a two-week cruise ~3 weeks ago. They enjoyed it so much that at the end of the cruise they ponied up the $$$ to stay on for another two weeks.

 

[WhiteShepherd07]

Never done a cruise, but if you don't see Santorini you've messed up. Most beautiful place Ive ever seen.

Mykonos is pretty average.

Second this. Santorini was unbelievable. Blue Palance in Elounda, Crete was just as great too but more secluded atmosphere. We went for the honeymoon and I will absolutely go back. Skopelos in on the list as well. Our company has a Mediterranean cruise trip lined up through "Navigator of the Seas." I have never been on it but I do know our company only books top notch class.

 

[rugbdawg]

Regent Seven Seas cruise line.

Don't waste your time with anything else. It's a significant step above Holland America and Norweigan but it won't break the bank like the high end cruises. And really, how much Scotch can you drink?

QUOTE=SyonaraStanz;1011914]I'm starting to think about planning (very early stages) a Mediterranean cruise for my wife and I, and possibly daughter. Do any of you have any cruise line and location stops recommendations? Any other advice (Mediterranean cruise related) is appreciated.

Thanks.[/QUOTE]

 

[woozman]

Don't miss Venice. I would fly into Venice and cruise to Istanbul. There is a river cruise now from Venice - small boat - smaller ports on Adriatic and river running inland from Venice. Sounds interesting.

If you don't have to have the cruise experience fly into Venice and then take the train to Florence, explore Tuscany (Siena, Lucca, San Giaginamo, Assisi). Continue to Cinque Terre, then fly out of either Milan or Florence. Trains in Italy are very doable. Traffic is too crazy for me to drive, though I have had friends who have rented cars there.

We are planning our third trip to Italy this year and love it.

Venice must be like BBQ (i.e. everybody has their preference) because it was our least favorite place that we visited in Italy. We thought it was overrated and it freaking stank when we were there (I assume because the building sewers flow to the canals). We liked Florence much better. There are better countries in Europe to visit, IMO. For example, my wife and I left Italy and were discussing what country to visit next. We went to Ireland a couple years ago and we left already planning the next visit there.

 

[III.sixpack]

I'm starting to think about planning (very early stages) a Mediterranean cruise for my wife and I, and possibly daughter. Do any of you have any cruise line and location stops recommendations? Any other advice (Mediterranean cruise related) is appreciated.

Thanks.[Celebrity has a great cruise from Venice to Barcelona (12 or 14 nites?) it has all the best med stops plus Croatia and Santorini/QUOTE]

 

[colodawg]

venice

Well, agreed, Venice does have a certain "aroma", but it is so unique. The architecture, history, culture and food set it apart, as least for me (like BBQ, as you say). Harry's Bar, Burano Island, Murano Island, the Grand Canal, St. Marks, the Guggenheim Gallery, and the Doge's Palace all have an aura as well as the aroma. I could sit in Harry's Bar where Papa Hemingway sat for hours (and have).

Florence is my second favorite Italian city. The Duomo, Gates of Paradise, St. Croce's, and the Affizi Gallery are splendid. I just have not found the food there I have found in Venice.

You ALMOST make we want to try Ireland, but Morocco is my next destination after I finish Italy. I would go on a safari, but can't talk my wife into it.

Good travels - and give Venice another try.

Venice must be like BBQ (i.e. everybody has their preference) because it was our least favorite place that we visited in Italy. We thought it was overrated and it freaking stank when we were there (I assume because the building sewers flow to the canals). We liked Florence much better. There are better countries in Europe to visit, IMO. For example, my wife and I left Italy and were discussing what country to visit next. We went to Ireland a couple years ago and we left already planning the next visit there.