bofatooma

My wife and i would like to take a cruise tour to the Mediterranean (turkey and Greek)with some Greek islands. There are many tour companies offering different packages like; Globus, Trafalgar, Gate1, insight, etc. Do you prefer/recommend any of these companies ? Is there a way to find out what kind of cruise ships they use (my be a picture or a site to look up to )? What is the best time of the year to cruise in that region ? Help is appreciated.

newyorkgolfer41

A bit confused with your question....If you're going on a cruise you will book this with your Travel Agent. I'm not familiar with the companies you mention. The only advise I might offer is to go with a small cruise ship in these islands and a very knowledgeable TA. I did this itinerary on the Radisson Diamond and given another opportunity, I'd do it in the same month (late September) and wouldn't change a thing! We cruised from Athens to Istanbul. Radisson Diamond was wonderful! I've also heard good things about this itinerary offered through Seabourn and Silversea too. BTW, should you consider Radisson they have some great 2 for 1 fares crusing the Greek islands. You could check out some pricing on www.brownandkeenetravel.com They book a lot of Radisson and Silversea cruises. I hope you enjoy your trip.

Cruiser

bofatooma:
I have had great success with Globus and have taken 14-15 trips with them. A couple of them have been cruise-tours.

Go to a local travel agency and pick up brochures to acquaint yourself with several companies. I know Globus will also send brochures to your home if you request them to. Also in the Globus brochure, they will list which cruise ships they will be booking you on.

One summer I took a Globus land tour of Greece. The next week a cruise to the Greek Islands (including Istanbul). Then flew to Rome and took a Globus land tour of Italy. They will arrange everything for you, including the flight to pick up you next Globus Tour.

My trip was about 10 years ago and they have many more options for cruise ships in the Med. these days.

So start by getting some brochures--planning and research can be quite fun.
Feel free to bring back options to the this forum to discuss.

You have chosen a great part of the world to visit--lots of history as well as gorgeous scenery.

Good luck!!

echo168

I'm also interested in an Eastern Mediterranean cruise in May or June this year. Globus has a good itinerary waith a land tour pre-cruise that goes to Greek islands & Turkey. But it doesn't specify which of the ships it's going to use. The other problem is the ships are Royal Olympian Cruises' ships. ROC had some financial problem last year and I wonder if it's resolved yet. Does anyone knwo what's going on with ROC or have experience with Globus on this Greek & Turkey Tour & Cruise itinerary?

bofatooma

how about insight. I beleave they specify the name of the cruise ships; World Renaissance and Triton.

andy

Go with a US Cruise ship-- ie. Princess,Celebrity,Radisson etc...
Forget the other European cruise lines..

I don't reccommend a Land company in order to do a cruise..I book direct with a cruise line ( thru an agent ) and I either do the cruise lines excursions or book my own excursions..

Best time to cruise the MED is Mid Sept to Oct..No bad weather and no kids..and Not tons of tourists and HOT weather like you get in June. May can be rainy---we did a MEd cruise 3 years ago in Mid May and the weather was cool and rainy for 1/2 of the cruise..

bofatooma

Thank you andy. You point are well taken. I’m stationed outside the USA and we don’t have travel gents doing this kind of booking. Do you recommend an internet sight where we can research the details of the land excursions and make bookings.