Mediterranean cruise

ochoriobride · 07-16-2008, 07:55 AM

Hi, we're planning a eastern mediterranean cruise. (Greece, Egypt, Italy...). Where not sure exactly yet.
Is anyone have been on a mediterranean cruise? What time of the year is better to go? Witch cruise line is better and less expensif?

Denise40 · 07-16-2008, 08:13 PM

I am doing one with my girlfriend (who is a TA) plus a group she has going in Oct 2009 on the new Celebrity Equinox. It sounds like a lot of fun. I am still doing a lot of reading and such. A good website about cruises is cruisecritic.com

Good luck with your planning

ochoriobride · 07-17-2008, 04:46 AM

Thanks I'll check that out :)

lm3682 · 07-20-2008, 02:04 PM

I did a ton of research planning a trip to Greece I went on a year ago, so here are the highlights in regard to your questions:
1. Look into the itineraries fairly closely before booking anything. Many hit great ports, but you are only there from 8-noon, or 1-5. With loading and unloading the ship, that's hardly any time at all to enjoy a place the way you should. For this reason, we chose not to do a cruise and to spend 3 days or so on three different islands in Greece.
2. It's my understanding that American cruise lines offer greater service, and usually better food, than European lines. You'll pay a little more, but for me it would be worth it. If you're looking at the European lines, Costa has some very good itineraries and they have sales occasionally (I'm somehow on their email list)
3. Time of year - May is great - very nice weather, but not stifling hot and the crowds haven't descended yet. The Med gets super busy in the summer (June, and especially July and August), to the point that it's not even enjoyable with all the throngs of people. September would also be a nice time for the same reason.

I agree with checking out cruisecritic.com to get more information.

TA Dina · 07-20-2008, 05:58 PM

I agree...spring is definately better weather-wise and crowd-wise. I've had some cruisers come back from Fall saillings complaining about choppy seas too. So just like Caribbean waters...it can be hit or miss at that time of year.

Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and Carnival have some nice itineraries. Some are 7days, some are 12 or longer. You really have to figure out what type of vacation you want though as each line has it's own feel to it. If you've never sailed Costa before I don't know that I would consider them for a first time cruise. JMO.

ochoriobride · 07-22-2008, 05:58 AM

We're planning on going in early september 2009 or late october. How is the weather late october? Is it to cold? I would like to go april or may but we already planning a trip down south with friends.
I thought they were docking at least 8h ...I guess I'll have to check that!
We're not fussy if we don't find any cruise that suit us will probably just go and stay a couple of day each place.
Why not costa for the first time cruise?
I think I have some reading to do? :)

ochoriobride · 07-22-2008, 11:48 AM

Does anyone heard about norwegian cruises?They seem to have good price and they stay at port for at least a day

SAM · 08-30-2008, 01:19 AM

We went to Europe last summer on celebrity cruises which is part of Royal Carribean. It was my first cruise and I loved it!! The staff/service is great, actually amazing. I felt like a queen the entire time. Food was pretty good. (hard to compare we you get to eat in all of the wonderful cities). It was very relaxing and romantic.

My mom went on Norweign and liked it, then my friend went and didn't care for it. I would check on trip advisor.

I've heard Oct is a great time to go and it's off season.

Tips on a few ports (these are the ones we hit);

Greece: If you go Athens I would recommend going local. We took the metro to the Acropolis for about $2.00 USD each RT and drops you off almost in front of the entrance to the site. You can walk here from where the ships docks. Getting into the site was about $16USD (Bring EUROS) and bring good walking shoes. After the site there is a trendy shopping area (can't think of the name) nearby which has great shops. Go early, it was crowded by 11:00am. My friend took the excusion to the same site and spent about $100.

Greece: Santorini and Rhodes I wouldn't recommend a excursion as you can get to everything on foot. I love both of these cities, very relaxing and romantic. Great for shopping too!

Greece: Mykonos- I really wish we took the excursion as they went to the other side of the island where the great beaches area.

Italy: Rome is a great city! On Wednesdays you can have a "papel Audience" visit with the pope...I'm not Catholic but I thought it was pretty cool. You can walk to everything in a day; Vatican, Spanish Steps, Forum, Coliseum and Pathenon. The ship docks about 30-45 minutes from Rome so you may want to sign up for something.

Italy: Naples/Capri- we went to pompei in Naples...I loved it as I studied anthropology. But the excursion was short and crime is high in Naples, so we didn't really want to go wander around. One of my friends took the excursion to Capri, loved it but thought it was alittle over priced. The other friend rented a car and went down the coast, loved it.

Italy: Venice- If you get a chance go there and get lost. We got engaged there and it is hands down one of the most romantic places in the world. If you want to buy glass go to island of Murano...you can save alot of $$$ buying it there. Nikko's has the best gelato. If you want to go to any of the sites I would recommend going early.

Other: I HIGHLY recommend signing up for excursions before you travel...the popular ones sell out fast. Also if you decided to get a massage or anything like that sign up the first day on the ship...again these book up very fast.

I hope this helps!

SAM · 08-30-2008, 01:20 AM

We went to Europe last summer on celebrity cruises which is part of Royal Carribean. It was my first cruise and I loved it!! The staff/service is great, actually amazing. I felt like a queen the entire time. Food was pretty good. (hard to compare we you get to eat in all of the wonderful cities). It was very relaxing and romantic.

My mom went on Norweign and liked it, then my friend went and didn't care for it. I would check on trip advisor.

I've heard Oct is a great time to go and it's off season.

Tips on a few ports (these are the ones we hit);

Greece: If you go Athens I would recommend going local. We took the metro to the Acropolis for about $2.00 USD each RT and drops you off almost in front of the entrance to the site. You can walk here from where the ships docks. Getting into the site was about $16USD (Bring EUROS) and bring good walking shoes. After the site there is a trendy shopping area (can't think of the name) nearby which has great shops. Go early, it was crowded by 11:00am. My friend took the excusion to the same site and spent about $100.

Greece: Santorini and Rhodes I wouldn't recommend a excursion as you can get to everything on foot. I love both of these cities, very relaxing and romantic. Great for shopping too!

Greece: Mykonos- I really wish we took the excursion as they went to the other side of the island where the great beaches area.

Italy: Rome is a great city! On Wednesdays you can have a "papel Audience" visit with the pope...I'm not Catholic but I thought it was pretty cool. You can walk to everything in a day; Vatican, Spanish Steps, Forum, Coliseum and Pathenon. The ship docks about 30-45 minutes from Rome so you may want to sign up for something.

Italy: Naples/Capri- we went to pompei in Naples...I loved it as I studied anthropology. But the excursion was short and crime is high in Naples, so we didn't really want to go wander around. One of my friends took the excursion to Capri, loved it but thought it was alittle over priced. The other friend rented a car and went down the coast, loved it.

Italy: Venice- If you get a chance go there and get lost. We got engaged there and it is hands down one of the most romantic places in the world. If you want to buy glass go to island of Murano...you can save alot of $$$ buying it there. Nikko's has the best gelato. If you want to go to any of the sites I would recommend going early.

Other: I HIGHLY recommend signing up for excursions before you travel...the popular ones sell out fast. Also if you decided to get a massage or anything like that sign up the first day on the ship...again these book up very fast.

I hope this helps!

SAM · 08-30-2008, 01:20 AM

We went to Europe last summer on celebrity cruises which is part of Royal Carribean. It was my first cruise and I loved it!! The staff/service is great, actually amazing. I felt like a queen the entire time. Food was pretty good. (hard to compare we you get to eat in all of the wonderful cities). It was very relaxing and romantic.

My mom went on Norweign and liked it, then my friend went and didn't care for it. I would check on trip advisor.

I've heard Oct is a great time to go and it's off season.

Tips on a few ports (these are the ones we hit);

Greece: If you go Athens I would recommend going local. We took the metro to the Acropolis for about $2.00 USD each RT and drops you off almost in front of the entrance to the site. You can walk here from where the ships docks. Getting into the site was about $16USD (Bring EUROS) and bring good walking shoes. After the site there is a trendy shopping area (can't think of the name) nearby which has great shops. Go early, it was crowded by 11:00am. My friend took the excusion to the same site and spent about $100.

Greece: Santorini and Rhodes I wouldn't recommend a excursion as you can get to everything on foot. I love both of these cities, very relaxing and romantic. Great for shopping too!

Greece: Mykonos- I really wish we took the excursion as they went to the other side of the island where the great beaches area.

Italy: Rome is a great city! On Wednesdays you can have a "papel Audience" visit with the pope...I'm not Catholic but I thought it was pretty cool. You can walk to everything in a day; Vatican, Spanish Steps, Forum, Coliseum and Pathenon. The ship docks about 30-45 minutes from Rome so you may want to sign up for something.

Italy: Naples/Capri- we went to pompei in Naples...I loved it as I studied anthropology. But the excursion was short and crime is high in Naples, so we didn't really want to go wander around. One of my friends took the excursion to Capri, loved it but thought it was alittle over priced. The other friend rented a car and went down the coast, loved it.

Italy: Venice- If you get a chance go there and get lost. We got engaged there and it is hands down one of the most romantic places in the world. If you want to buy glass go to island of Murano...you can save alot of $$$ buying it there. Nikko's has the best gelato. If you want to go to any of the sites I would recommend going early.

Other: I HIGHLY recommend signing up for excursions before you travel...the popular ones sell out fast. Also if you decided to get a massage or anything like that sign up the first day on the ship...again these book up very fast.

I hope this helps!