We are planning a multi-generation trip August 2007, hoping to go to the Mediterranean.
The group includes veteran traveller grandparents ( excellent health), middle age parents (professionals) and 3 teenage cousins ages 15-17.

The grandparents have graciously agreed to go "anywhere".

We think we have narrowed our choices to the Celebrity Galaxy Rome round trip with 4 days in Greek Isles, which we like, Sicily, Naples and one day at sea.

The Splendor of the Seas has a comparable itinerary leaving from Venice.

And the Brillance of the Seas has a round trip out of Barcelona. 3 days Greek Isles, a day Naples, and 3 days at sea.

Another trip on Emerald Princess and the Celebrity Millenium goes from Barcelona-Venice or vice versa. They also go to the Greek Isles, Empress to Istanbul and Capri, and the Millenium has stops at Rome, Livorna, etc.

Has anybody with strong opinions about these ships, what might sway us to one over the other?

The general consensus is that we would like to see the Greeks Isles but not so port intense, especially would rather not have to travel too far from port of call to sights.

I appreciate any thoughts.

To me a cruise is only as good as the Ports of Call.

I am going on a Mediterranean Cruise in October.

We are leaving from Venice( I am going there 3 days earlier) and ending up in Barcelona.

To me almost all of the major cruise ships are about the same.

It is the places I was going to see that made me choose the Grand Princess our of Venice...not becasue
the
Grand Princess is better than Celebrity or vice versa...but rather what I wanted to see.

After reviewing countless cruise itineraries and their ports of call and a long discussion with my Travel Agent who has cruised the Mediterranean 4 times , we all agreed that the one I choose was the best...
for
the places I wanted tosee like :
Venice
Athens
Mykonos
Kusadasi
Istanbul
Naples
Rome
Livorno for Florecne and Pisa
Marseilles and do Aix-en Provence also
and finally
Barcelona, where I am again staying extra days.

I would suggest that you all sit down plan out what you want to see.

if you are dying to see Rome and your cruise ship does not stop there,well then ,hmmm!!!

Percy

Percy- thank you for your thoughts.

I agree completely about choosing the itinerary first.

I think that port calls to Florence, for example, is frustrating as you have a limited time to see the city, after the commuting , and same for Rome, both cities considerably inland.

However, if you have never been to those cities I am sure it may be worthwhile.

I wondered how accessible the sights are at the ports of Santorini, Mikonos, Athens, Kusadasi, Naples and Sicily . They seem to be wonderful places, especially if easy to get from the ship to the sites to see.

There is no question I would avoid the Brilliance of the Seas and stick to Celebrity or Princess.. Then I would pick the ports.. if possible do not go in August when many europeans are on vacation and shops are closed...try for the end of the month or June and July.. We went in october and the weather was perfect. The Galaxy is NOT a cookie cutter ship and is the sister of the Century. and as everybody has says it's the ports. I like Percys comments...Barcelona is a great place for a few days..We found through cruisers on another forum a reasonable hotel on The Ramblas and a guide who showed us so much of Barcelona.. With a group like yours..it would be wise to hire a guide in the ports...we did that in Rome too when we found out that we were going to be in Rome on a sunday when most things are closed... and we went to tuscany.. If your thinking about taking the train in Rome be careful.. while we were there...25 people were on the train back to the ship and the train broke down...we waited an extra two hours.. Frankly, I love the days at sea

For extensive ship reviews go to: www.cruisecritic.com. Personally I'd prefer the X or Princess ships over the Splendour. She 's OK but old. Cheers. Larry

We wish our travel dates were flexible, however, late July-early August is our time-frame.

I am sure it will be hot, and as you say, crowded with European vacationers.

Will it be awful ?

Hi okoshi2002

First let me thank ParrotMom for her help in getting me a private guide in Barcelona.

I have private guides booked for all my Ports of Call.

The private guide will be at the dock waiting for us to disembark.

He is also getting some tickets in advance so we do not have to stand in line for tickets (like at Vatican Museum etc.)

Also our private guide at the Livorno Port ...for Florence and Pisa is getting an advance ticket for me to climb the Leaning Tower of Pisa....as only 20 people are allowed at a time.

The only place I do not have a private guide is for Marseilles but I am working on that....then I can have the guide take me to Aix-en-Provence and Arles also.

I just want to be sure that when our group of 6 gets off the cruise ship at each port.... we will just be whisked away and start our touring asap!!

It took some planning but I am getting tothe tail end now ( whew!!).
Hi ParrotMom

Percy

Percy when you see Auriello say hello from the "lady with all that luggage"...and check out the cemetary on the way to downtown..

Thanks ParrotMom

Yes I will tell him and mention the luggage.

I already have a list of all the things I want to see in Barcelona....so if any place is still left , after he tours us around........ I will ask him totake us to these places.

Take Care
Percy

It'll be hot unless you get a bit lucky and it'll be crowded BUT you will be THERE. I remember how hot Rome and Naples were but the upper most memories are the sights we saw.

Percy.. even in October the church outside was mobbed... and frankly I was unimpressed until we saw the modern work on it.. I'm sure he will take you to near the beach to see the statue of the fish and the hat... Also, ask to stop for lunch somewhere...had incredible lunch at a Salamanca with communal tables= lke Durgin Park it was a little pricey.. he may know of others...He will go as long as you want driving all over Barcelona...until you say "stop"..lol The fact that your group will have private tours.. stop where you want and for as long as you want to take pictures, etc... is extremely positive.. When the opportunity arrives that we are going to visit the other ports you mentioned... I'll be asking your advice..

Thank you Percy and ParrotMom.

Do you have recomendations for port guides/sites in the Greek isles Mykonos, Santorini, Rhodes, and Piraeus ?

The Galaxy also stops in Naples and Sicily- these must be interesting ports. Any recommendations there ?

The ports are very important (the ones you're considering are excellent). I would definitely go with the ship that holds the fewest passengers. It makes for such a nicer experience especially since this is a family trip. Some of the newer ships are so huge, like a floating city not a cruise ship.

okoshi2002

You do not need a tour guide in Mykonos and Santorini.

You can just wonder around the town and the ships and cafes.

From Mykonos you might want to go to the island of Delos...... this place is uninhabited and with ruins.

I will pass on this,trip to Delos as it is a 1/2 hour boat ride, the waters could be choppy and you could get motion sickness.
Many people have gotten sick on this boat ride.!!

I think by the time I get to Mykonos I will have seen plenty of ruins !!

I talked to a tour guide from Mykonos...her name is Judy..and she told me that I did not need a guide for Mykonos.

But she did tell me to take the bus from the cruise ship into Mykonos because it is about a mile walk and she said you see nothing along the walk.

This this is not my opinion but hers...I will trust her on this.!!
Percy

Percy

What do you plan to do in Istanbul, Athens, and Naples ?

okoshi2002

Here is a partial list of what my private tour guide in Athens will take us to see:

Acropolis )of course)
Temple of Athena, Propylaea, Aparthenon, Erectheion and Museum at the Acroplois.

then:
Temple of Olympain Zeus.

Panthinaiko Stadium...this is where the first Olympic games were held!!

Royal Palaces guarded by Evzones

Parliament, Tomb of Unknown Soldier

To Lycavettus Hill for the best view of Athens.
then to the:

Plaka district
Tower of the winds and Ancient Agora and Temple of Hefestus..
then
Lunch in Plaka.

In Turkey I wanted to make sure I saw the Big Five:

1. Blue Mosque
2. Topkapi Palace
3. Hippodrome
4. Grand Bazzar
5. Santa Sophie(Hagia Sophie)

I have done my work work well, I could be my own tour guide there.!!!

Percy

Good for you Percy. I commend your work.
I will need to do my own research as well but thought I would pick your brain.

okoshi2002

I would be only too happy to help if I can.


Percy

okoshi2002:

Do not worry about the ports of call and how far away some of the places are.

Your guide or your ship excursion will have to worry about that.

Some places are far away.
Like Citivecchia( the port) ...for Rome.
Rome is 53 miles away from the port.

Also I see that you are stopping in Athens.

Well the port( Piraeus ) is 6 miles from down town Athens..not bad.

You know they might list a lot of places you will see in Greece, but don't worry , many of these places are close together.

Once you get to the Acropolis you will see:
1.The Parthenon
2.Temple of Athena
3.Acropolis Museum
4.The porch of Carytids... this is where statues of women are used in place of columns.!
5.There are two amphitheaters here:
one is Herodus Atticus
the other is Dionysos
6.The Propylaia... this was the main entrance to the Acropolis.

7.You will buy a ticket..it cost 12 Euros to see the Acropolis.

Then you will enter Beules Gate which was the FIRST entrace to the Acropolis.

The Acropolis is rather high and if you cannot climb it , then there is a lift (ride) going up.

Now when they talk about seeing the Tower of the Winds or the Agora or the Plaka...... don't worry, all these places are just below the Acropolis and you will be able to see them( first) from on top of the Acropolis.

I have never been there but I am sure looking forward to see it all.

Percy

Percy: You seem very well prepared, like you've done your homework. I can't wait to hear how it was. We are thinking about that as our next cruisethough a land based vacation there is not out of the ? Cheers. Larry