First time cruiser here. My fiance and I are looking into going on a cruise to the Mediterranean on the Holland America Noordam, their brand spankin' new ship. We're looking at 2 different cruises - one to the Western Mediterranean and the other to the Eastern Mediterranean / Greek Isles. I can't decide which one to pick because they both seem to offer stops at great ports. Can you guys offer some insight please?

Here are the itineraries:

E. Med / Greek Isles
0 Rome, Italy 5:00 pm
1 At Sea
2 Dubrovnik, Croatia 8:00 am 6:00 pm
3 Corfu, Greece 9:00 am 6:00 pm
4 Olympia, Greece 7:00 am 5:00 pm
5 Santorini, Greek Isle 8:00 am 11:00 pm
6 Ephesus, Turkey 7:00 am 10:00 pm
7 At Sea
8 Valletta, Malta 8:00 am 6:00 pm
9 Messina Strait, Italy 7:00 am 2:00 pm
10 Rome, Italy 7:00 am

W. Med
0 Rome, Italy 6:00 pm
1 Monte Carlo, Monaco 1:00 pm 11:00 pm
2 Florence/Pisa, Italy 7:00 am 6:00 pm
3 At Sea
4 Barcelona, Spain 7:00 am 11:00 pm
5 Mallorca, Spain 10:00 am 6:00 pm
6 At Sea
7 Carthage/Tunis, 7:00 am 6:00 pm
8 Palermo, Italy 7:00 am 7:00 pm
9 Capri/Naples, Italy 7:00 am 6:00 pm
10 Rome, Italy 7:00 am

Sorry for the long post.

They both look wonderful. Pick one for this summer and while onboard book the other one for next summer!!

Check back in with us and let us how you like the Noordam!!

Do the Eastern Med/Greek Isles. Love the region and itinerary.

I can't comment on either itinerary as far as which is better, and they both sound great. However, I would probably pick the one with the first day at sea. That will give you a chance to really unwind and relax, to recover from travelling (and if this is your honeymoon, to de-stress from the wedding). If you're still recovering from travel and jetlag, the first port may just end up a blurry memory...

We have done both. I promise.....you will like the one with Greece the best!! Both are great, tho! We were on the old Noordam in 2000!! Old ship, but we still loved it because of the ports, people, and ambiance of an old liner!

I vote for the first one. I've been on two cruises with a similar itinarary. You'll love the Greek islands and Ephesus is amazing. So much has been uncovered there! If you can add time in Rome, more power to you (great shopping for leather as well as food & sightseeing).

I`d pick the first one too. You even get to see a little of Croatia.

Dear Birdie79 - and all:
We are booked on the first itinerary as you listed, for September 8. Did you decide yet?

I will be the lone dissenter.

The Greek Isles was my least favorite of 5 Med cruises.

I much prefer the second itinerary.

We have been to the
Greek Isles 2 x and are going again this August 20 from Venice to Rome on the Grand Princess. Can't wait, love the Greek Islands. Lucky you for the choices of the first cruise the time in Santorini and Ephesus are wonderful, walk a block or two from the pier in Ephesus and hire a private driver, negotiate and possibly share with someone you have met on board. In Santorini rent a moped and do the Island it is so fun and worthwhile.