First time cruisers: Med on Equinox or river cruise?
 

35th celebration....for next July....wondering if we should do a Danube/Rhine type of cruise or if we should do the med...I have actually chosen a cruise with Celebrity...what would you recommend?

Hi H,

Do you prefer apples or oranges, chocolate or vanilla?

((I))

Hmmm...okay...know my question was vague...I thought that experienced people may be able to inform me one way or another...remember, I have never cruised before.

My vote would definitely be for the cruise. The main advantage, for me, is that a cruise has so much more to do. You have super shows at night, the casino, if that is your taste (I find watching people at the tables very interesting), swimming pools, shuffleboard, weight rooms, spas,movies if the weather is bad. Good food is a constant for both. Also, cruises are cheaper for the most part.

Well we have done both and Ira really has a point about apples or oranges! They are very different experiences and I would think one or the other would appeal more to you. River cruise - small ship, about 120 pax, probably includes alot of tours in the trip price, limited food options on ship, alot of the trip in Germany? Med cruise, which one? Barcelona to Rome or Venice? big ship, port stops either on your own or pricey ship excursions, Med. cultures, warmer weather? I think the river cruise gives you a little more in depth experience of the region you are in but I prefer the Riviera to Germany any day! But we did a river cruise from Budapest to Prague on the Danube and really enjoyed it!

The Celebrity cruise is about 10 nights...Rome, Greece, Turkey and other Italy ports..not doing Spain France as we have done land portion of those already...the river cruise may be Budapest to Prague..the Danube...pros and cons to each...less hot on river cruise..I know you can't compare...just trying to find the edge to make my choice.

Almcd also makes a good point about more to do on the Celebrity ship. If you are going to want evening entertainment, be it show or casino, you want the big ship. On the river cruises very few evening activities. But both your options still sound good to be - we loved Budapest (be sure to go in early if your trip does not include it). And does the Celebrity cruise go to Istanbul - fascinating city. ust flip a coin and do one trip this year and the other in 2011!

Flip a coin.

Okay...both very good...leaning towards Celebrity for 10 and the river for 11...good advice....the cruise hits Ephesus...not Istanbul