FIRST TIME ON A CRUISE ON THE MEDITERRANEAN. ME AND MY WIFE
Jul 13th, 2010, 10:29 AM
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FIRST TIME ON A CRUISE ON THE MEDITERRANEAN. ME AND MY WIFE
WOULD LIKE SOME SUGGESTIONS ON WHAT CRUISE LINE TO USE IN EUROPA WHAT TIME OF THE YEAR?
WE WERE THINKING LATE JUNE EARLY JULY,
WHAT PORT IS BEST TO DEPART FROM?
FOOD?
I EARD THAT COSTA ALLOWS SMOKING ALL PART OF THE BOAT. WE ARE NOT SMOKERS IS IT TRUE?
IS IT TOO EARLY TO BOOK IT NOW?
WHAT CABINS ARE BEST? WE WERE THINKING BALCONY.
ANY HELP WILL BE APPRECIATED
THANK YOU
WE WERE THINKING LATE JUNE EARLY JULY,
WHAT PORT IS BEST TO DEPART FROM?
FOOD?
I EARD THAT COSTA ALLOWS SMOKING ALL PART OF THE BOAT. WE ARE NOT SMOKERS IS IT TRUE?
IS IT TOO EARLY TO BOOK IT NOW?
WHAT CABINS ARE BEST? WE WERE THINKING BALCONY.
ANY HELP WILL BE APPRECIATED
THANK YOU
Jul 13th, 2010, 12:30 PM
#2
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Your questions are way too broad. I suggest you visit cruisecritic.com for some basic research. If you find a cruise you're interested in, it's definitely not too early to book. Using a knowledgeable travel agent is also a good idea for first time cruisers and they can save you money.
I's also suggest you NOT USE ALL CAPS, as people will think you are shouting. Good luck!
I's also suggest you NOT USE ALL CAPS, as people will think you are shouting. Good luck!
Jul 13th, 2010, 01:07 PM
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We've done two cruises on Oceania, which we love. Their smoking policy is pretty strict, the food on board is excellent.
We pefer to go in the spring and fall, when it's cooler and less crowded.
We select a cabin s low and midships as possible, to decrease the chance of seasickness. Balconies are wonderful, but can be pricey.
We pefer to go in the spring and fall, when it's cooler and less crowded.
We select a cabin s low and midships as possible, to decrease the chance of seasickness. Balconies are wonderful, but can be pricey.
Jul 13th, 2010, 01:12 PM
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It is Europe
Holland America
June better than July. May, Sept, October even better.
Ports don't make a lot of differences. Just pick one on the Mediterranean.
I don't know if it is true or not that you are not smokers.
It is not too early to book for 2011. Best prices are often very early.
Best for What? The most stable cabin is middle of ship on the bottom deck. That is best for some people.
Holland America
June better than July. May, Sept, October even better.
Ports don't make a lot of differences. Just pick one on the Mediterranean.
I don't know if it is true or not that you are not smokers.
It is not too early to book for 2011. Best prices are often very early.
Best for What? The most stable cabin is middle of ship on the bottom deck. That is best for some people.
Jul 13th, 2010, 02:58 PM
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Late June early July is very hot and crowded. Fall season is better. October being a better month for both weather and price.
Depending on how much time you have, 7, 10, 12, 14 days are all very common. Common ports are Rome, Athens etc. as both Greece and Italy are highly popular.
East med better than West Med. Sea is calmer. More choices of ports.
If you can find a small ship cruise, it is better than the megaships in the Med as the smaller ships can get into ports that the Megaships cannot.
Small ship carries 6 to 700 passengers. Megaships, 3000 passengers.
If this is your first cruise with no expectation, a mass market cruise line such as Hollands, Princess, Celebrity would be fine chocies. If you are aged beytween 30-45, RCL and Carnival may be a better fit for activities and entertainment.
Food is almsot about the same with small differences between those 5 mentioned. Their smoking policies are simlar as well. No smoking in publc areas except on desiganted open deck near rear of the ship, or a smoking room. No smoking in cabin but it is allowed on private balconies.
We booked our 2010 October trip last year. The earlier you do your homeowrk and book, the more choices and better cabin selection.
Good luck!
Depending on how much time you have, 7, 10, 12, 14 days are all very common. Common ports are Rome, Athens etc. as both Greece and Italy are highly popular.
East med better than West Med. Sea is calmer. More choices of ports.
If you can find a small ship cruise, it is better than the megaships in the Med as the smaller ships can get into ports that the Megaships cannot.
Small ship carries 6 to 700 passengers. Megaships, 3000 passengers.
If this is your first cruise with no expectation, a mass market cruise line such as Hollands, Princess, Celebrity would be fine chocies. If you are aged beytween 30-45, RCL and Carnival may be a better fit for activities and entertainment.
Food is almsot about the same with small differences between those 5 mentioned. Their smoking policies are simlar as well. No smoking in publc areas except on desiganted open deck near rear of the ship, or a smoking room. No smoking in cabin but it is allowed on private balconies.
We booked our 2010 October trip last year. The earlier you do your homeowrk and book, the more choices and better cabin selection.
Good luck!
Jul 14th, 2010, 04:39 AM
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1. The cruise line depends on your taste. If you prefer more formal then try HAL or Princess. More casual the try Carnival, or RCI. Then there are the luxury lines if cost is not a factor. It is a broad question so narrow it down a bit and specify if you prefer eastern vs. western Med, the former being mainly the Greek islands, the latter beibg mainly western Italy.
2. The summer months are quite warm and crowded. I agree about Oct.
3. Port? Again thats a matter of preference and which Med cruise you choose. I like to get it early to see the port city and let jet lag wear off.
4. Food? Too subjective really. If you are a gourmand then you would need the luxury lines.
5. Costa has changed their smoking policy and its not restricted to certain areas.
6. No its not too soon to book now.
7. Go for a balcony!
2. The summer months are quite warm and crowded. I agree about Oct.
3. Port? Again thats a matter of preference and which Med cruise you choose. I like to get it early to see the port city and let jet lag wear off.
4. Food? Too subjective really. If you are a gourmand then you would need the luxury lines.
5. Costa has changed their smoking policy and its not restricted to certain areas.
6. No its not too soon to book now.
7. Go for a balcony!
Jul 14th, 2010, 08:55 AM
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Thanks all like i said it if my first cruise all your repplys are helping me narroing it down.
We would like the western cruses more like Italy Spain France.
A more Casual cruise ship, a smaller ship,maybe 7 to 10 days,
your suggestions are helping.
thanks
We would like the western cruses more like Italy Spain France.
A more Casual cruise ship, a smaller ship,maybe 7 to 10 days,
your suggestions are helping.
thanks
Jul 14th, 2010, 01:45 PM
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Sea could be rougher on West Med. If you are on smaller ship, book mid-ship lower deck if you may have motion sickness issues.
There are plenty of smaller ships and local cruise lines such as Louie Cruises. A lot of them are very reputable. Only caution is that English would not be their primary language, and fellow passengers would be European. Also, their ships tends to be older and were sold to them from the mass market lines.
On West Med, you will be looking at Monte Carlos, Rome, Naples/Capri, Florence/Pisa, Barcelona etc.
Of the 5 mass market cruise line mentioned, Princess is the only one with small ships in the area (700 passengers). Both the Pacific and Ocean Princess are in Europe during the summer of 2011.
Crystal Cruise line is high end and exclusively smaller ships. MSC also has ships in teh area but since I have not been on any MSC ships, I cannot comment on quality. However, in this day and age, even the lwoer end cruises still offer a minimum level of service and luxury.
There are plenty of smaller ships and local cruise lines such as Louie Cruises. A lot of them are very reputable. Only caution is that English would not be their primary language, and fellow passengers would be European. Also, their ships tends to be older and were sold to them from the mass market lines.
On West Med, you will be looking at Monte Carlos, Rome, Naples/Capri, Florence/Pisa, Barcelona etc.
Of the 5 mass market cruise line mentioned, Princess is the only one with small ships in the area (700 passengers). Both the Pacific and Ocean Princess are in Europe during the summer of 2011.
Crystal Cruise line is high end and exclusively smaller ships. MSC also has ships in teh area but since I have not been on any MSC ships, I cannot comment on quality. However, in this day and age, even the lwoer end cruises still offer a minimum level of service and luxury.
Jul 14th, 2010, 03:46 PM
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If you want smaller try Oceania. It is pricier but if that is not a factor its worth a consideration. At this time the luxury cruise lines are offering great deals too so its worth your while to check into it. Ya just may get lucky. Cheers, Larry 
Jul 16th, 2010, 03:30 PM
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I bet you would likr Hollnd America. We have been on several cruise lines, and the differences are not that great - except for the party lines. Also remember that "small ships" now two - three times the size of the Titanic! Hal is pretty relaxed, the cabins tend to be spacious. I would also recommend a balcony. We did the Venice - Istanbul cruise and would very highly recommend it.
Jul 16th, 2010, 04:53 PM
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FYI the Titanic was 893 ft. long or nearly the length of a Pamamax ships and displaced 46K tons. The smaller ships used by Oceania, Princess and Azamara are from the long defunct Renaissance line. Their length is about 594 ft. and tonnage displacement is about 32k. For her brief time the Titanic was huge.
Jul 16th, 2010, 05:56 PM
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We are fans of Oceania, in large part because of the size, casualness, and great food and service. However, Oceania is not cheap, at least compared to many other lines. Cabin choice is personal, but we usually just get an inside cabin since you don't see that much when you're out on the ocean and the cheaper-priced inside cabins are sufficient. We've cruised in the middle (in inside cabins) and up front, and never really noticed any difference in terms of stability. Of course that depends on what the seas are like in general, and at one point we WERE rolling quite a bit on the Med!
We absolutely loved Spain (Malaga and Cadiz especially), Italy (Amalfi, Sicily, Portofino especially)and Greece.
If you don't like dressing up for dining, you may want to consider one of the less formal lines like Oceania and Azamara. Also, if you don't like eating at the same time each evening, with the same people, you might want to choose a line that has "freestyle dining" or "open seating."
As someone else mentioned, if you're younger, you may want to stay away from Holland America and most of the cruise lines other than Carnival and Royal Caribbean.
If you are not English-speaking, you may want to explore a European cruise line, as the American lines tend to attract almost all American and Canadian passengers. Then again, I once cruised on Oceania with a Germany couple who claimed there were no good European cruise lines, so who knows?
Cruisecritic.com is a great site! People debate the pros and cons of each line, cabin and itinerary all the time, and you're sure to get excellent advice!
We absolutely loved Spain (Malaga and Cadiz especially), Italy (Amalfi, Sicily, Portofino especially)and Greece.
If you don't like dressing up for dining, you may want to consider one of the less formal lines like Oceania and Azamara. Also, if you don't like eating at the same time each evening, with the same people, you might want to choose a line that has "freestyle dining" or "open seating."
As someone else mentioned, if you're younger, you may want to stay away from Holland America and most of the cruise lines other than Carnival and Royal Caribbean.
If you are not English-speaking, you may want to explore a European cruise line, as the American lines tend to attract almost all American and Canadian passengers. Then again, I once cruised on Oceania with a Germany couple who claimed there were no good European cruise lines, so who knows?
Cruisecritic.com is a great site! People debate the pros and cons of each line, cabin and itinerary all the time, and you're sure to get excellent advice!
Jul 21st, 2010, 03:56 PM
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HAL gets a bad rap as being only for older folks. I have yet to see a power chair collision. In truth, the passengers are not that elderly, but they are certainly not a rowdy, drunken bunch either.
Jul 25th, 2010, 12:33 PM
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I have cruised Europe and the Med twice. Both times we went in May. Weather was great, not too hot during the day, and perfect weather at night. Both cruises were on Royal Caribbean. Venice cruise was on Splendour of the Seas; and the Best of Europe was on Voyager of the Seas.
Jul 26th, 2010, 02:47 PM
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We are trying right now to do a Princess Med cruise 14 days and are on a waiting list. does anyone know how that might turn out? October itinerary changes to much for my taste. I want Sept. Late August is available but it might be to hot still. I am so dissapointed with the wait list, so no it is never to early. Remember those who snooze--loose!
