<BR>We're thinking about going on our first cruise in June 2002. Any suggestions on which cruise line, itinerary, etc., for a Mediterranean cruise? There will be 5 in our cabin (myself and husband, 3 kids -- ages 18, 14, 9); is 5 in a cabin do-able? We'll be going with two of my sisters, their husbands, and my niece and her boyfriend. <BR>Thanks for any suggestions or tips anyone can give me!

Not really sure what you are looking for there is a lot of options but my wife and I did orient cruise line rome and the riverias and it was amazing the line caters to port intensive cruising but the ship offered a great relaxation and break from tour tour tour if you know what I am saying as far as 5 in a room dont think that is possible on orient we had a suite and I could not see 5 people staying comfotably but you never know I really do recomend them service and all were really super any other questions feel free to post

I just came back from a cruise with my family. We went to the Mediterranean, one route along Africa and the other along southern Europe. Both were amazing. Europe was my favourite, Barcelona, Sicily, Rome, Genoa. Its hard to do all the famous sites of one city in a day, so my advice is to do a little research and pick 2 or 3 spots in each port. Another suggestion is to visit the spots where the locals hang out in town, look for markets and cafes. I agree with the other poster about the accomadations. Five to a room is a lot. Bathrooms are miniscule and it seems like everyone is always having to get ready at the same time. Two to a cabin is ideal - especially if you want to have happy campers.<BR>Don't feel like you have to take the onboard arranged excursions, the cruise is in it to make money. Most tourist spots are easily accessible by taxi or bus/train - the cuise just doesn't want you to realize this.<BR>I also found all the ports to be very safe and tourist friendly - even Bizerte and Tunis, in Africa (this was also shortly after Sept. 11)<BR>Cruises are great to give you a taste of foreign lands - but they will leave you wanting to return to a fave port for a longer trip in the future.<BR>

Thanks to both of you for your replies.<BR>Do you have suggestions where to look for the best price for a Mediterranean cruise?

I have more of a question than a reply. I just booked the Royal Caribbean departing Barcelona Sept 2002. I was wondering about shore excursions. It seems like they charge quite a bit just to get you to town from port, e.g Rome for $67/person. Am I correct to assume you can find a taxi to get you there for less at this and other ports? Genie, from what I have heard, 5 to a room sounds a little too cramped.

Chris, $67 to get you into Rome may seem like allot to you but the port (Civitavecchia) for Rome is quite a distance from the town (if I remember it is at least one hour). Unless there are at least three of you I would recommend taking the cruiseline's excursion. If there are more than three of you you could negotiate a taxi at the pier to take you into Rome and bring you back. Taxis in Italy are not cheep and they are "very" expensive in Rome.

Chris, instead of the $67 shore excursion transportation option in Rome you might consider the train which is a short distance from the docks. We were able to walk it, some people have said they took a cab so maybe they were parked further out. The cost per person was around $8 RT. The train ride took about an hour and we got back to the boat with no problems. The train drops you at either Termini Station or San Pietro (St. Peter's).<BR><BR>Genie, we did a shorter cruise, round trip from Barcelona and then extended our stay in Barcelona so we could see the city in more depth. You might consider that with one of the larger cities such as Rome or Venice or Barcelona.<BR><BR>Orient Lines has cruises that include city stays in one or two cities such as both Rome and Barcelona or Rome and Venice, etc. We've sailed with them twice and have enjoyed both cruises.<BR><BR>Since there are 5 of you, you should be able to arrange for shore activities that don't cost as much as the ones offered by the ship. We've done most of the ports independently but if that makes you uncomfortable you should be able to find a private guide in most ports that will cost less and give you a better tour than the ship.<BR><BR>Another resource you can look at is the boards over on www.cruisecritic.com.

We did a Celebrity 12 day cruisein the Medlast June and it was the trip of a lifetime. I know that in light of recent events, many cruise lines have changed their itineraries for next year and some have pulled their ships out of the Mediterranean. so you would need to find out form a cruise TA which ships are doing what.<BR><BR><BR>The best advice I can give you is to DEFINITELY do your own touring. You have enough in your group to organise private tour guides in each port for MUCH less than you would pay on the ships tours. In addition, you have the flexibility to have the guide work to your interests and schedule. Plus there is nothing worse than traipsing around in a huge group like a herd of sheep. We were able to avoid all the crowds and move much more quickly in a small group. Plus, the ship's tour guides have a vested interest in taking you to some overpriced store where they receive commssion and you spend a large amount of time and money. We did only one ship's tour and not only was it the most expensive, it was the worst tour. <BR>Do your research and you will be able to find interesting and informative private guides who will make your trip wonderful and memorable.<BR><BR>I wrote a short review on our cruise. Go to http://messages.cruisecritic.com/2/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=927093444&f=147097554&m=70330959 32.<BR><BR>Hope you find this useful.<BR><BR>To answer your question about 5 in a cabin. Weeeeellll.... It will be VERY tight and there is only one tiny bathroom. It depends on finances too. It certainly is a lot cheaper to do it that way. Technically, on "our" ship it was possible, 2 lower beds, 2 upper bunk beds and a chair that folded out to a bed, but then there was absolutely no floor space and everybody would have to climb over the one person in the chair bed to go to the bathroom. You also have less closet space. but if your kids are gregarious and you know you won't see them on board and they will just come back to sleep, you might feel it is worth it to save the extra money.With a Med cruise, you spend less time in the cabin than other cruises, as you are touring a lot. Personally, I would not do it with 5 but it is your choice.<BR><BR>You can also get 2 interleading cabins or one outside cabin for the adults and one inside cabin for the kids.

We did the Princess Golden this year in the Med and had a wonderful time. Highly recommend that one. Princess took wonderful care of us as were were also on the ship on Sept. 11. We couldnt have asked for more in a trying time and we still loved the cruise and the ship. We have also sailed Celebrity in Alaska and liked the Galaxy on that run.