Med Cruise - Deciding between 2
 

I am considering a 7 night med cruise plus a couple of days in Venice for my partner and myself for his 50th birthday and have narrowed it down to:

Holland Niew Amstedam: July 2010 Venice, Italy; Katakolon, Greece; Kerkira (Corfu), Greece; Kotor, Montenegro; Split, Croatia; Ravenna Italy

NCL Gem August 2010: Venice; Split; Corfu; Santorini; Mykonos; Iraklion

I have been on both lines... Holland is much nicer, but I don't know much about the ports they are offering. NCL was good, not great. The Holland ship is brand new and is the inaugual sailing.

Any opinions would be appreciated. Any comments on the Holland ports? I know nothing of montegro, split, and ravenna

Kotor, Montenegro was a stop on our Oceania cruise in 2006. It's bay is designated a UNESCO World Heritage site as entering the bay by ship is absolutely beautiful! The town is an old walled city and fun to look around. At the time Montenegro had just gotten its independence so private tour operators were pretty unknown. As a result we took a ship's tour that went into the counntryside and to Cetinje and through one of the former Russian czar's residences. Overall a worthwile port we thought.

I also just found an RCCL cruise out of Venice.... the Splendour of the Seas has a great itinerary, but the ship is kind of old... anyone been on it recently?

I have been to the ports of Kotor, Montenegro & Split
along w/Venice 3x and like that itinerary over the NCL
one but I must also disclose that I prefer HAL.

If you do decide top sail out of Venice try to spend time
there pre or post cruise.

I do too, but I prefer something less formal for this type of cruise. Also, I want to see the greek islands... NCL is fine.. I went on a western med, and had no major issues...

I do too, but I prefer something less formal for this type of cruise. Also, I want to see the greek islands... NCL is fine.. I went on a western med, and had no major issues...