Does anyone have any suggestions for a cruise of just Italy? I have searched and searched and have come up with only Orient Lines which does a strictly Italy cruise.

Radisson's Song of Flower is cruising Italy next month. Venice to Rome, starting Oct. 15. But that's the Song's second to last cruise--it's being sold. The good news is that the price is reduced.

Just remember that two of the most popular stops, Rome and Florence, aren't actually on the ocean, and take a long ride to get from the ship to the city.

Windsurf and Windstar also do Italy..

We did the Windsurf from Rome to Nice- the ONLY ports NOT in Italy were Monte Carlo and St.Troprx- but they WERE fabulous--

Windsurf hit a bunch of smaller Italian ports that Larger ships do not do...

Radisson Voyager and Radisson Diamond have Italy itineraries. We're cruising Venice to Rome on the Voyager in 2 weeks. As for 2004, have you looked at the amazing offers for Radisson Diamond....they're offering 2 for the price of 1! Check out rssc.com or http://www.brownandkeenetravel.com for exact itineraries and pricing.(Click Radisson 2004 Cruises).

I've also cruised on Orient Lines (Marco Polo) which offers pre and post hotel stays included in the price. I think this is also a nice cruiseline but really can't compare with Radisson.

Thanks for all your responses - I will check all answers out. I would be happy to go anywhere but the couple I am going with have seen a good many other places in the Mediterranean so would like just Italy. They would like to go in May which restricts the choice of cruises in some cases. Have done Greece and Turkey on the Marco Polo and although it was a great time, a different ship would be fun.

Louise=
We did our cruise thru Italy in the 2nd week of May-- it was rather cold..

Left from Civitavecchia where it was 80 and then hit Corsica ( rained),Elba (rained) Portovenere, Proferrario,Portofino,Monte Carlo,St Tropez and ended in Nice....( where all you do is fly home unless you extend your stay...

If you catch my drift, May is a little iffy for weather in that part of the world..rains a lot with low 70 during the day...so tends to be a little chilly...

If you still insist on going in May, try to find something the END of May---
Our best Med cruise was the middle 2 weeks of Sept............

Thanks, Andy - that is very good to know. Our second thoughts were for maybe September.

Hello,

I would probably recommend Windstar Cruises. The cruise experience is so lovely with the teak decks, the masted sailing ship ambiance and they do a lovely cultured cruise with a casual elegance. Italy has always seemed to be best on a small intimate ship instead of one of the larger ships.

Best Regards,
Julia Elzie
Cruising Co Etc

I've cruised the Mediterranean 5 times. All were fantastic. My favorite month to cruise is late September or early October. (i've also cruised in late May...not bad either)

My favorite cruiseline in the Mediterranean is Radisson, least favorite cruise ships...the huge ships with RCCL or Celebrity. I've never experienced the Windstar. It sounds nice but hard to imagine it could be any nicer than the 5 star Radisson ships (also smaller). I've also heard good things about Oceania (may not be the best if you're a smoker because they have a crazy smoking policy such as no smoking in YOUR OWN cabin or balcony...not sure if this is enforced or ??). Will experience this line during 2004 and have my own opinion afterwards.

Thanks everyone for your input. Looks like our plans are changed until next fall. In the meantime, I am off in November for a cruise through the islands of Vanuatu and New Caledonia. The Clipper Odyssey had a half price special of which I took advantage. My preferences really do run from small to very small ships. In fact, "expedition cruises" are what I love. Pretty excited about the S.P. trip and the opportunity to do a lot of snorkeling.