Britt

Hi all, <BR> <BR>My husband and I are planning a trip this fall and can't decide between a land tour of Italy or a cruise to France, Italy, Spain and Greece on Holland America. We've been to Paris, London and Barcelona. And we've been on a cruise to the Caribbean. But never on a port-intensive cruise to Europe. <BR> <BR>The cruise looks great - no unpacking and lots of stops but I'm wondering how it compares to a land vacation? Do you end up feeling nickel and dimed to death by all the tour charges? Does it feel too touristy? Do you feel like you got shortchanged by not really spending much time in one place? <BR> <BR>Any and all feedback appreciated! <BR>Britt

Mary

Hi Britt, I'm topping this because I want to know the answers to your very good questions. Hope someone comes thru for both of us!

Janice

Hi Brit and Mary, <BR>We just returned from a 2 1/2 week tour/cruise of Italy and Greece. The first 10 days were spent touring Italy by train. We lost a lot of time waiting for trains and riding to our destinations. It was exhausting touring, unpacking, finding restaurants etc. We cruised from Rome to Greece and Turkey. We saw all the major sites but without all the hastles. We met many interesting people on the cruise, which added to the fun. I would strongly recommend the cruise experience over the land tour. My husband and I did tour Europe by van and campgrounds when we were just out of college and loved it, but we had all summer. If time is limited, I would go with the cruise!

Paul Therault

<BR>Hi Britt, <BR> <BR>I believe it is up to the individual. Young adventure types do not mind the packing, unpacking, 6 AM buses every morning, waiting for late arriving passengers, etc. <BR> <BR>It is fine for staying in one city or town for a few days to really explore and enjoy the area and of course it is the only way to see landlockeed areas such as Switzerland, Belgium, etc. <BR> <BR>I always chose the land tours when I was younger but as I aged I did not like the hassle. A cruise is very relaxing and you can stay up all night and sleep all morning if you like. Granted to will have to pay for all shore excursions but that is the only way to cruise. <BR> <BR>Cruising may be at the same price of a land based upscale tour such as Trafalgar, Maupintour, Tauck, etc. since they place you in the leading hotels of the world and most meals are included. <BR> <BR>Ships have all meals included as well as in-between-meal snacks and also include very elaborate production shows (unique to cruises). <BR> <BR>Cruises, as you mention, just sample a port for usually one day. If you like the port you can cruise again or just take a flight over some day and stay in a hotel for a time very reasonably. <BR> <BR>Two entirely different venues for entirely different travelers. No one really could advise you. <BR> <BR>Possibly take a cruise one year and a land based tour the next. Or depending on your age do the land based tours when you are younger and cruise when you are older. <BR> <BR>Entirely your decision. <BR> <BR>Happy planning, <BR> <BR>Paul <BR> <BR>

John

Paul makes it sound like the land is very stressfull and the cruise is relaxing. I don't know about the land experience, but we did the cruise this past June. We visited five ports in five days, with the sixth at sea. Most mornings we were off the ship by 7:00 or 8:00 and not back on until 5:00. We were first seating, so shower, freshen then dinner, maybe a show and to bed to start the cycle over again the next morning. We saw wonderfull cities and have memorable experiences, but I don't think I would describe it as relaxing!

hamlet

I've been to Italy several times and on 2 14 day European cruises so I don't envy your decision making process. While you may be interested in visiting all the places on the Italy tour and all the ports of the cruise - what you choose should depend on what kind of vacation you want to have. On a more intensive land tour you have the opportunity to see parts of only ONE country (not that to see Italy is "settling" though!) and immerse yourself into the culture. Even though it is only one country, there are infinite things to experiences - people, food, language, daily life, atmosphere, etc. It's just not as deep when you visit one city for 8 hours on a cruise. However, I do understand the "luxury" and convenience of cruising where you don't have to deal with the everyday hassles. In addition, you have the shows, the activities, the food at every turn, the chance to develop friendships, and ease in use and finding a bathroom. <BR> <BR>Consider what you really want out of a trip at this time and think about what your chances are of getting to see all the places on your list later on and make your decision from there. Good luck!

Pat

Britt, <BR>You could try a "destination" cruise which allows for a little of both land and cruise experiences. The one we did a few months ago (on Orient Lines) allowed us three days in Rome and two days in Bacelona. (The hotels and land tours were arranged by the cruise line.) In between the two cities, we boarded a ship and visited four ports. <BR> <BR>We enjoyed it a lot, but I wouldn't say it was relaxing. We were up a 6 a.m. for tours that started a 8 a.m. and we were out until dinner most days. <BR> <BR>However, your choice of tours may be as rigorous as you wish. We wanted to see everything possible. Some folks chose to spend more relaxing ship time. <BR> <BR>Pat

Sue

Have you considered basing yourself in one place, and taking day trips from there? Last fall we spent 10 days in Italy, 3 in Florence in a hotel, then picked up a rental car and drove to our pre-reserved villa in Tuscany for a week, and never ran out of places to go and sights to see, and came back to our "home" each night. Check out theparkercompany.com if this interests you. You can't see all of Italy this way, but you can have a more in-depth experience than you would ever get on a packaged tour. We enjoyed it so much we are planning a similiar trip to Germany in a few weeks, though this time staying 2 weeks in a castle in Bavaria. We are mid 50's, and NOT fluent in any foreign language, but a smile, a good guide book, and the willingness to try new experiences and food will get you far in Europe.

Perhaps both?

we did both this year as a combination - 14 day port intensive Baltic cruise, followed by a week in London (independent) and a week in Paris (independent). Was a good mix - found a lot of places on the cruise I want to go back to explore further but was able to get a little depth (with a slower pace) in London and Paris. I plan to go to the Med in 2002 but hope to bookend the cruise with a couple of city stays..

cruzer

Britt, <BR> <BR>As the other posters have mentioned, it really depends on what YOU want. Both options have advantages and disadvantages. As an avid cruiser AND huge fan of Italy, I know that both vacations could be wonderful but very different. <BR> <BR>But my personal choice would be to cruise to visit places in Europe that would be logistically difficult by land or if you really want to see a bunch of countries in one trip. As you mentioned, you will get only a taste of each place on a one-day port stop. <BR> <BR>I think that Italy is worth more time than a cruise will afford to you. There are just so many incredible places to see and, of course, all that delicious Italian food that you won't see much of on a cruise. In addition, Rome and Florence are not very close to where the ships dock for those stops and you'll spend significant parts of your day just getting to the sights. <BR> <BR>Best of luck with your decision!!

Beth

<BR>I've taken numerous cruises all over the world including the area you are thinking about. I hope you posted this on the Europe board also as I know they will all say to forget the cruise. Alto I love cruising Europe is wonderful and if you take a cruise you'll only have a few hrs in each city. You are rushing to get off the ship at a specific time for a long, long ride to Florence or Rome then again on the way back to the ship. No time to sit and enjoy lunch and take in the atmosphere. Take the cruise after you've already seen these places where they're not the focus. For example, I could take a cruise to Hawaii now that I've already been on the Islands. Good Luck from someone who has done lots of both and love Europe to much to just cruise by.

Paul Therault

<BR>Back to my original post. On a cruise you have the choice of taking a morning tour or an afternoon tour. You have the choice. You may just go into town and walk around. You have the choice. <BR> <BR>Another tidbit .... if you visit a country on your own it is better, I believe, to take an escorted tour unless you are very familiar with the area since driving in large cities is a nighmare. Even in the countryside you will find that you spent 70% of the time lost which may become very stressful. <BR> <BR>You may miss quite a but of the important sites. <BR> <BR>Study, study, study. <BR> <BR>Paul

xman

I would say it all depends on wether you want a strict regiment of where, when, and how. Or, are you the adventurous type that likes to do things more at their own pace. By a Eurorail Pass if the later. <BR> <BR>As far as the morning standing in line comment. That is way of the mark because either way train or ship there is going to be a line. The big difference would be that you choose not the cruise line.

Beth

<BR>Again, Florence and Rome are two hour trips EACH way. I don't understand how one could do a morning and/or afternoon tour unless you stay near the port which I believe would be a shame if you've never been there.

Paul Therault

<BR>I would tend to agree with "Perhaps Both." When we travel we always stay one or two nights in both the originating city and the disembarking city. <BR> <BR>On our last cruise we flew from Athens (our final destination) and flew to Mykonos for 3 nights. Next cruise we will fly to Santorini since we loved the island so much. <BR> <BR>Some cruises have overnights in Rome. <BR> <BR>Paul

Sharon

Britt, <BR>My family just got back from a 7 day cruise, with an additional 3 days in Rome at the end of our trip. It was a wonderful trip, but cruising is not relaxing if you plan to see the ports. We were up early every day and late every night (late dinner/show). I enjoyed the time spent in Rome the most, as we were not on a schedule. We had things we wanted to see, but not a limited time to do it. To me a cruise is like a buffet -- you get to sample a bit of many things. We loved Barcelona, French Rivera, Florence, Pompeii. Plan to go back and spend time on land to really explore the cities. We did not do any of the ship tours, and had no problem doing the excursions on our own. In Naples and in Livorno the taxi drivers were a little aggressive, wanted to take you for the whole day - but we only wanted transport to the train station and were able to find a driver to take us. Very happy we did the excursions on our own - saw the ships excursions, and I would not have been happy following a leader - happier seeing what I want to see at my pace. I probably havent answered your question - but in a nutshell I was happy to be able to experience the wonderful cities we saw on our cruise, but we were not in any spot long enough and cruising Europe, in my experiences is not relaxing. We have decided that we will leave our cruising experiences to the Carribean. Please feel free to write if you have any questions.

John

Beth - Florence was 70 minutes from Livorno by train and Rome (Termini) was one hour from Civitavecchia!!!!

drummer0002

topping as this is a wonderful post.
I am in the same dilemma...

Budman

We did two European cruises, one Med and one Northern Europe. While we enjoyed both, you only get a little bit of the flavor of the port area visited, plus the cruise excursions are very expensive -- you can opt to do it on your own.

This time we are going to do the land thingy, spending 10 days in Tuscany.

Siljac

Something I don't think anyone else has mentioned is a RIVERBOAT cruise in Europe. On these boats, you dock in the middle of the city because the boats are small and only go on rivers, not seas and oceans. In Paris you would dock right on the Seine, or in London on the Thames. They visit a different port just about every day and the tours are INCLUDED IN THE PRICE of the cruise. These boat usually hold no more than 150 passengers and are well organized for touring the ports. While this may sound hectic, it must also be pointed out that there is no casino, or theatre aboard. Maybe one musician playing the keyboard. This makes it easier to relax in the evening and even get to bed for the next day's activities. We just did a tour of Holland and Belgium this way after 20 previous big ship cruises. River boat cruises are referred to as &quot;port intensive.&quot; Some of the companies are, Viking, Uniworld, Grand Circle and Vantage.