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The Adriatic? Or Turkey and the Greek Islands?

The Adriatic? Or Turkey and the Greek Islands?

Old Dec 3rd, 2013, 09:09 AM
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The Adriatic? Or Turkey and the Greek Islands?

While this topic involves choosing a cruise itinerary, my question isn/'t about the ships but about the European destinations. My wife and I are planning a Mediterranean cruise on Celebrity in June 1014, and are having a really difficult time deciding between two equally appealing itineraries with comparable prices. One begins in Venice and visits ports in Croatia -- Dubrovnik and Split -- and Montenegro, plus Sicily and Malta. The other sails from Rome and overnights in Istanbul and visits Athens and the Greek islands of Mykonos and Santorini. As I write this, I'm realizing there's probably no objective way for anyone to offer anything definitive in the way of advice, since preferences are totally subjective. But are there any thoughts? The Adriatic but no Istanbul or Greek islands? Or Istanbul and Greek islands, but no Adriatic?
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Old Dec 3rd, 2013, 03:48 PM
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To provide any input of value, I would think we would need to know (a) what your interests are, (b) whether you plan to add on any time before/after the cruise, and © whether you anticipate the possibility of visiting any of these locations without a cruise at some point.
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Old Dec 3rd, 2013, 10:58 PM
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SmokyDuck, we looked at your Adriatic itinerary before deciding on the Adriatic to Aegean Venice to Istanbul sailing on June 14. We spend a 8 days in Rome and Venice pre-cruise and a week in Turkey after the cruise, think that should work out well.
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Old Dec 4th, 2013, 04:33 AM
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Greece & Turkey is so much more interesting than the dull Adriatic. First of all the places are more beautiful more unique, Istanbul was the center of 2 enormous Empires, Cathedrals, Mosques, Palaces, Bazaars, Museums its a Magnificent City, or as the Greeks call it, The Polis (The City), the one and only. Then Athens, the most Historic city of Europe together with Rome. Ancient Monuments, Temples, Museums, its a Culture Mecca. Then the Greeks islands are unique to the whole world, the Architecture the Food the Sceneries are just amazing.

Ofcourse Dubrovnik and Sicily are very interesting places, but not compared to Greece and Turkey.
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Old Dec 4th, 2013, 05:11 AM
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Petro

Dubrovnik is as beautiful as Corfu, that you so often praised here.... and so is Sicily, which is very rich in Greek history, not to mention Venice, one of the most beautiful cities of the world.

There are no dull places in my opinion !!
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Old Dec 5th, 2013, 02:03 AM
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prices for Celebrity, Costa, MSC, etc. cruises are always comparable (about 100 USD/pax/day, sometimes less, according to the discount you get).
Check not only the ports of call, but the arrival and departure times. Be aware that a somewhat decent visit of certain places need a full day or more.
A stop at Mykonos in late afternoon/evening for example is of no help for people who want to get a minimal knowledge of this Island.
A visit of Athens in less than a FULL day is a complete nonsense!
etc. etc.

Download some guidebooks, find out which places you want to visit at the ports of call and check whether that is possible in the time frame your boat will stay at the port.
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Old Dec 5th, 2013, 02:34 AM
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We've done both of these cruises with Celebrity - they are both wonderful. I suggest flip a coin and do one in 2014 and the other in 2015! I couldn't really say which I enjoyed more - both are a combination of amazing cities and then some stops that are more relaxed sightseeing. So I can't really help you choose but here are possibly two helpful bits of advice.

Purchase the book Rick Steves guide to Med. ports - this will give you so much practical advice on the best way to visit many of these ports. Very practical logistical advice, walking tours, good suggestions on how to best use your time.

If you haven't discovered Cruise Critic it is another extremely valuable resource. There are sections on the different cruise lines, ports and roll calls for your sailing. You can "meet" fellow passengers and set up small group tours ahead of time for the ports that will be much more reasonable than the ship's tours. Some of the ports will be doable on your own with the help of Ricky.

Either cruise will be wonderful - I'd actually be glad to do either one a second time. Bon voyage!
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Old Dec 5th, 2013, 03:32 AM
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clausar
My bad, I didn't spotted Venice. Yes, Venice is one of the most beautiful cities in the world for sure. But Croatia and Montenegro are smaller copies of Venice with a bit of Soviet air actually which does not help quite. Then Sicily is a place rich in History, but the same as the rest of Italy, except from the Ancient Greek Monuments which are quite interesting. Yes, if you except Venice, Adriatic is dull. Sicily is not in Adriatic... Its in The Ionian Sea, the eastern part. Also Dubrovnik is a town, Corfu is an island, with a capital, some towns and many villages and beaches.

The Adriatic cruise has no variety in my opinion. Greece and Turkey are so full of History, Ancient Greece, Imperial Byzantium and Ottoman Empire, Christianity and Islam, the variety is so much bugger. To me, Venice Dubrovnik Sicily and Malta belong to the same circle, The Italian.
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Old Dec 5th, 2013, 08:36 AM
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There are huge differences between
Venice, former capital of an empire which included places like Crete and Cyprus (and of course most of the Adriatic/Ionion coast between Venice and the Peloponnese),
Dubrovnik which was an indipendent state until the end of the 18th Century,
Malta with it's own (more Arab then European sounding) language, the tons of prehistoric temples you may visit there and the undeniable British influence,
Sicily with it's stunning ancient Greek theatres and temples and it's many Arab and Norman (German) buildings.....
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