Greece Italy Cruise
Apr 18th, 2015, 09:08 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Greece Italy Cruise
Hello Everyone,
me along with my hubby and 7 yrs old daughter planning for a cruise trip this July . Mostly we are planning for Greece islands along with Italy. Can some one suggest some good Cruise lines for these Ares who have experience by themselves.
We would like to prefer the cruise which will have good options for kid's entertainments.
As this would be our first Cruise vacation , I would like to gather info from experienced travellers .Which Points we should keep it in mind while selecting a cruise ?
Regards,
Smita.
me along with my hubby and 7 yrs old daughter planning for a cruise trip this July . Mostly we are planning for Greece islands along with Italy. Can some one suggest some good Cruise lines for these Ares who have experience by themselves.
We would like to prefer the cruise which will have good options for kid's entertainments.
As this would be our first Cruise vacation , I would like to gather info from experienced travellers .Which Points we should keep it in mind while selecting a cruise ?
Regards,
Smita.
Apr 18th, 2015, 11:27 PM
#2
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 1,062
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi Smita
We went with NCL Norwegian Jade a couple of years back, and really enjoyed our trip round circle from Venice through the Adriatic and Greek Islands.
NCL ships have what they call Freestyle Dining - in the main dining areas you can eat at any time you choose and are not sat at a table with others, if this is your preference. Of course, they also have a large buffet dining area where you carry your plate around and chose whatever you want to eat.
We didn't have children with us, but they had plenty of entertainment for kids of all ages. If you take a look at the Cruise Critic website, you will be able to read what other families have written in their reviews of the major shipping lines.
The website vacationstogo.com gives an excellent summary of which ships go where and when, and the prices - should be easy for you to narrow your choices there. Di
We went with NCL Norwegian Jade a couple of years back, and really enjoyed our trip round circle from Venice through the Adriatic and Greek Islands.
NCL ships have what they call Freestyle Dining - in the main dining areas you can eat at any time you choose and are not sat at a table with others, if this is your preference. Of course, they also have a large buffet dining area where you carry your plate around and chose whatever you want to eat.
We didn't have children with us, but they had plenty of entertainment for kids of all ages. If you take a look at the Cruise Critic website, you will be able to read what other families have written in their reviews of the major shipping lines.
The website vacationstogo.com gives an excellent summary of which ships go where and when, and the prices - should be easy for you to narrow your choices there. Di
Apr 21st, 2015, 02:41 PM
#3
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Look at Princess and Celebrity itineraries; we make our final choice based on itinerary and price. We cruise on Princess mostly and always see kiddos from the kids' clubs out doing fun activities. You can choose freestyle dining on both of these lines as well.
Look at cruisecritic.com. If you log onto the forums you will find a wealth of information about the cruise lines, ports, and activities.
Look at cruisecritic.com. If you log onto the forums you will find a wealth of information about the cruise lines, ports, and activities.
Apr 22nd, 2015, 07:16 AM
#4
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 12,011
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My favorite ships for kids do not seem to do the Greek Islands. So, I would pick a ship that has an itinerary that you like and that has the longest possible times in each port.
From what experience I have had on their ships in other places, I would go with NCL, Royal Caribbean or Princess.
I would not go with MSC (though kids do go free if there are two adults in the cabin) or Costa for a first cruise with a child. It isn't that they are not nice. They are just not well organized.
Some ships have better food. Some have fantastic shows. Some have wonderful pools, etc. Some are big and seem a bit more crowded. What is most important to you? For the Greek Islands, it would be the ports of call for me.
Pick a cruise that begins and ends in interesting places. Especially for the start of the cruise, go a few days early, and stay two or three days at the end for exploring on land.
Once you pick a cruise, join the roll call for your ship on cruisecritic.com to meet other people and join excursions and get advice about excursions and the ship.
From what experience I have had on their ships in other places, I would go with NCL, Royal Caribbean or Princess.
I would not go with MSC (though kids do go free if there are two adults in the cabin) or Costa for a first cruise with a child. It isn't that they are not nice. They are just not well organized.
Some ships have better food. Some have fantastic shows. Some have wonderful pools, etc. Some are big and seem a bit more crowded. What is most important to you? For the Greek Islands, it would be the ports of call for me.
Pick a cruise that begins and ends in interesting places. Especially for the start of the cruise, go a few days early, and stay two or three days at the end for exploring on land.
Once you pick a cruise, join the roll call for your ship on cruisecritic.com to meet other people and join excursions and get advice about excursions and the ship.
Apr 23rd, 2015, 06:03 AM
#5
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 10,560
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Most ships have kids programs and given that it's summer time or family vacation time there should be enough kids on board for girl to play with.
I agree with all Sass has said, especially about going a few days early to get over jet lag, avoid the chance of missing the boat due to flight delays and to see the departure port and yes avoid Costa and MSC.
NCL free style dining which means you go when you feel like it vs. Traditional dining which is at fixed times. However most of them now have flexible dining options.
Generally if there is any question about motion illness get a cabin low and in the middle. Do you want a balcony cabin? They are nice do cost more so consider that. The least expensive cabin is inside w/o and window or you can get an outside cabin with a window but no balcony.
Excursions can easily be done on your own. Ships excursions are more costly and crowded. We never do them if at all possible.
Food and ice tea, coffee and juice at breaksfast are included. Otherwise pop and booze are extra and come with a 15% tip added.
There is a daily fee to spread tips to the staff and it's about $12.00 per person per day.
Generally you can board before any suggested boarding time and we do this as it's usually much faster.,
Have fun.,I think you will.
.
I agree with all Sass has said, especially about going a few days early to get over jet lag, avoid the chance of missing the boat due to flight delays and to see the departure port and yes avoid Costa and MSC.
NCL free style dining which means you go when you feel like it vs. Traditional dining which is at fixed times. However most of them now have flexible dining options.
Generally if there is any question about motion illness get a cabin low and in the middle. Do you want a balcony cabin? They are nice do cost more so consider that. The least expensive cabin is inside w/o and window or you can get an outside cabin with a window but no balcony.
Excursions can easily be done on your own. Ships excursions are more costly and crowded. We never do them if at all possible.
Food and ice tea, coffee and juice at breaksfast are included. Otherwise pop and booze are extra and come with a 15% tip added.
There is a daily fee to spread tips to the staff and it's about $12.00 per person per day.
Generally you can board before any suggested boarding time and we do this as it's usually much faster.,
Have fun.,I think you will.
.
