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Mediterranean Cruise
Mediterranean Cruise
Has anyone been on one or know someone who has? What kind? Was it enjoyable?
I've never had any interest in going on a cruise. It kinda makes my neck itch to think about being stuck on a big boat with tons of people and no way out. Crowded, stuffy. I think it would smell bad too.
BUT my husband and I have been thinking about a Mediterranean cruise for the practical purpose of seeing as many places as possible in a short period of time. After next year, I don't see myself taking any big trips for a while, so I'd like to see a lot at once. Barcelona, Nice, Venice, Naples, Athens, Lisbon, etc.
I'm nervous about it though. Anybody have any insight? Will I get hives?
I've never had any interest in going on a cruise. It kinda makes my neck itch to think about being stuck on a big boat with tons of people and no way out. Crowded, stuffy. I think it would smell bad too.
BUT my husband and I have been thinking about a Mediterranean cruise for the practical purpose of seeing as many places as possible in a short period of time. After next year, I don't see myself taking any big trips for a while, so I'd like to see a lot at once. Barcelona, Nice, Venice, Naples, Athens, Lisbon, etc.
I'm nervous about it though. Anybody have any insight? Will I get hives?
will you get hives? well hard to say. what is it that makes you think you will get hives? is it a claustrophobia kinda thing? personally I have never felt that on a cruise but it's really hard to speak for someone else.
ships nowadays are very big so there are lots of places to go and lots to do if you want. there's also lots of nothing to do.
one thing you might consider is a ship with a lot of dining options so you don't get stuck at a table with people you end up hating. I've had some bad luck with that so I now prefer the non traditional dining options.
fire away with any questions you have. i haven't done the Med. so i can't speak to ports, etc.
ships nowadays are very big so there are lots of places to go and lots to do if you want. there's also lots of nothing to do.
one thing you might consider is a ship with a lot of dining options so you don't get stuck at a table with people you end up hating. I've had some bad luck with that so I now prefer the non traditional dining options.
fire away with any questions you have. i haven't done the Med. so i can't speak to ports, etc.
Disclaimer: I believe people either love, love, love them or hate them! And despite my one and only experience so far, I would certainly like to try it again. This either makes me an eternal optimist or crazy! I went on a Bahama cruise about a zillion years ago. I hated it. It was like a bad movie or something. Dinner each night was horrible (artsy-fartsy elf sized portions of goo), the people at our table were like a flatline on an EKG. I ordered a BLT and chips every night in my cabin after dinner.
They had midnight buffets that were AWSOME...to look at...after standing in line for two hours...to take a picture! Never ate at one of them (you had to return to the back of the line to actually eat it). I nearly starved to death.
The first morning at sea, I walked out onto the deck and was nearly blinded. Even with sunglasses on, my eyes wouldn't stop watering due to the brightness of the blazing hot sun reflecting on the white/full sun all day long, deck.
When I disembarked at various ports, we were all herded away like cattle to shop at overpriced markets. I thought I had learned my lesson twice (slow learner). I got a cab and told him to take me to a nice beach. He dropped me off at a tiny little sandbox type of area. One night I went to a hotel to see a show and have dinner. The cab ride nearly cost me my life I swear. Roads there, to the cabby's, were more of an alternative option to the sidewalks!
My favorite part of the trip was the emergency drill before we set out. It was fun watching all of the people in their life vests, listening very intently to the instructions on what to do if we began to sink. Or how to combat barfing the whole trip.
Despite all of this, I would like to go again someday. The cruise was given to me as a gift, and I didn't get to choose my destination or anything. Plus my traveling companion was dull, dull, dull!
So I think that you should go for it, then you will know! Sorry this got Waaayyy too long!
They had midnight buffets that were AWSOME...to look at...after standing in line for two hours...to take a picture! Never ate at one of them (you had to return to the back of the line to actually eat it). I nearly starved to death.
The first morning at sea, I walked out onto the deck and was nearly blinded. Even with sunglasses on, my eyes wouldn't stop watering due to the brightness of the blazing hot sun reflecting on the white/full sun all day long, deck.
When I disembarked at various ports, we were all herded away like cattle to shop at overpriced markets. I thought I had learned my lesson twice (slow learner). I got a cab and told him to take me to a nice beach. He dropped me off at a tiny little sandbox type of area. One night I went to a hotel to see a show and have dinner. The cab ride nearly cost me my life I swear. Roads there, to the cabby's, were more of an alternative option to the sidewalks!
My favorite part of the trip was the emergency drill before we set out. It was fun watching all of the people in their life vests, listening very intently to the instructions on what to do if we began to sink. Or how to combat barfing the whole trip.
Despite all of this, I would like to go again someday. The cruise was given to me as a gift, and I didn't get to choose my destination or anything. Plus my traveling companion was dull, dull, dull!
So I think that you should go for it, then you will know! Sorry this got Waaayyy too long!
"The cure for anything is salt water: sweat, tears or the sea." -Isak Dinesen
My neighbors (35-40ish age group for reference) did one for their honeymoon. 14 days I think
As told to us:
Pros
Got to see lots of places
Great weather
Great food
Great eating and drinking in town
Sort of a no-worries, no-brainer, no-stress vacation
Cons
The places they loved they hated to leave.
Too scheduled
Too long of a flight coming and going
They liked it but said they don't know that they would do it again because they are more of the stay-put type. They are definately the type to wander the streets, find a nice bar and have a 3 hour lunch while talking to the locals type of people
As told to us:
Pros
Got to see lots of places
Great weather
Great food
Great eating and drinking in town
Sort of a no-worries, no-brainer, no-stress vacation
Cons
The places they loved they hated to leave.
Too scheduled
Too long of a flight coming and going
They liked it but said they don't know that they would do it again because they are more of the stay-put type. They are definately the type to wander the streets, find a nice bar and have a 3 hour lunch while talking to the locals type of people
HI,
We've been on 2 cruises - one to the Caribbean and was somewhere on the Med a year ago today.
We're not big cruise people (for all the reasons you mention, but we never got hives), be we loved the Med cruise. It was a great way to see a lot of places (we did 12 days) and with the exchange rate, I think we saved a ton of money.
A friend is a travel agent, so I did little research on the ships or itinerary, just went with the flow. We went on the Carnival Freedom - it was her first summer at sea (launched in May, 2007).
Our itinerary -
Rome
Naples - Amalfi Coast, Sorrento, Pompei
Sea Day
Dubrovnik, Croatia - *** favorite ****
Venice (arrived at noon - departed next day at 6pm)
Sea day
Messina, Sicily (Taormina)
Sea Day
Barcelona
Cannes (Nice, Monaco, Monte Carlo, St. Paul de vence, Eze)
Livorno (Tuscany, Pisa - also the port for Florence)
Rome
This ship was huge and sold out, but there were very few times that we felt "crowded" - the breakfast buffet got crowded and the first day excursions seemed a bit disorganized, but eventually we got where we needed to go. We did a variety of some ship excursions, some places on our own and some privately arranged tours. Dinner was the only meal with set seating - we were traveling with another couple and ate with them and 4 other woman, who were kind of like an SOTB group, but they cruised every year.
The food was very good; not great, didn't really get the flavor of all the ports. Some of the high-end lines may do better. Dining service was excellent, but bar service around the ship, was erratic. We had a balcony suite which we enjoyed. We took advantage of the sea days to just relax because you do a lot on the port days. I think we were up between 6am and 7am everyday.
We flew in and out of Rome - red eyed on the way over then took a quick bus tour of the city. The flight out of Rome was a nightmare - it was the most crowded airport I'd ever been in - I think it took us 3 hours to get through security and to the gate - once there the flight was fine (non-stop Boston both ways).
Can't really think of many cons (except noted above). Carnival gets a bad rap sometimes, but I didn't see big differences to the Celebrity cruise we took to the Caribbean.
www.cruisecritic.com is the best site for cruise info. It was invaluable in deciding which excursions to take and from whom. There are also "forums" for every cruise so that you can chat with folks who will be on the same ship. Many of them grouped together for some of the private tours and we had a "beach bar" gathering on one of the sea days.
I wish we had taken a few days early so that we could see Rome. Our friends did that and had a good time.
I'll gladly answer any questions.
We've been on 2 cruises - one to the Caribbean and was somewhere on the Med a year ago today.
We're not big cruise people (for all the reasons you mention, but we never got hives), be we loved the Med cruise. It was a great way to see a lot of places (we did 12 days) and with the exchange rate, I think we saved a ton of money.
A friend is a travel agent, so I did little research on the ships or itinerary, just went with the flow. We went on the Carnival Freedom - it was her first summer at sea (launched in May, 2007).
Our itinerary -
Rome
Naples - Amalfi Coast, Sorrento, Pompei
Sea Day
Dubrovnik, Croatia - *** favorite ****
Venice (arrived at noon - departed next day at 6pm)
Sea day
Messina, Sicily (Taormina)
Sea Day
Barcelona
Cannes (Nice, Monaco, Monte Carlo, St. Paul de vence, Eze)
Livorno (Tuscany, Pisa - also the port for Florence)
Rome
This ship was huge and sold out, but there were very few times that we felt "crowded" - the breakfast buffet got crowded and the first day excursions seemed a bit disorganized, but eventually we got where we needed to go. We did a variety of some ship excursions, some places on our own and some privately arranged tours. Dinner was the only meal with set seating - we were traveling with another couple and ate with them and 4 other woman, who were kind of like an SOTB group, but they cruised every year.
The food was very good; not great, didn't really get the flavor of all the ports. Some of the high-end lines may do better. Dining service was excellent, but bar service around the ship, was erratic. We had a balcony suite which we enjoyed. We took advantage of the sea days to just relax because you do a lot on the port days. I think we were up between 6am and 7am everyday.
We flew in and out of Rome - red eyed on the way over then took a quick bus tour of the city. The flight out of Rome was a nightmare - it was the most crowded airport I'd ever been in - I think it took us 3 hours to get through security and to the gate - once there the flight was fine (non-stop Boston both ways).
Can't really think of many cons (except noted above). Carnival gets a bad rap sometimes, but I didn't see big differences to the Celebrity cruise we took to the Caribbean.
www.cruisecritic.com is the best site for cruise info. It was invaluable in deciding which excursions to take and from whom. There are also "forums" for every cruise so that you can chat with folks who will be on the same ship. Many of them grouped together for some of the private tours and we had a "beach bar" gathering on one of the sea days.
I wish we had taken a few days early so that we could see Rome. Our friends did that and had a good time.
I'll gladly answer any questions.
janet
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Kathyzhere
- Posts: 527
- Joined: Thu Dec 27, 2007 5:04 pm
- Location: Cape Cod & SW FL
Hi Sasky,
I have a lil' experience with cruises
having been on 5, but none to the
Med...yet. I have to agree that with the
sizes of the ships now, it has never felt
overcrowded with people.
My personal favorite line is NCL. The dining
options are abundant and the entertainment is the
BEST (my experience). I would want lots of
dining options if I was on a cruise longer than
5-7 days cuz the food can start looking and
tasting the same.
Good luck with your planning! Oh and I LOVE
the cruisecritic site...LOTS of great info.
I'll start visiting there again after I get this
February STJ trip all set. Hubs and I may book
the 9 day Southern Carib for Nov 2009.
I almost forgot...that the being waited on AND picked up after is the BEST part
Kathy
I have a lil' experience with cruises
having been on 5, but none to the
Med...yet. I have to agree that with the
sizes of the ships now, it has never felt
overcrowded with people.
My personal favorite line is NCL. The dining
options are abundant and the entertainment is the
BEST (my experience). I would want lots of
dining options if I was on a cruise longer than
5-7 days cuz the food can start looking and
tasting the same.
Good luck with your planning! Oh and I LOVE
the cruisecritic site...LOTS of great info.
I'll start visiting there again after I get this
February STJ trip all set. Hubs and I may book
the 9 day Southern Carib for Nov 2009.
I almost forgot...that the being waited on AND picked up after is the BEST part
Kathy
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Xislandgirl
- Posts: 4163
- Joined: Tue Aug 08, 2006 4:03 pm
- Location: Slightly left of center
We have cruised on NCL twice and we will never cruise on another line.
It is not so regimented and stuffy as other cruise lines. The most important feeling for me was that I never felt like I was being herded like cattle I could eat dinner ar 5 or 10 or any time in between and I could change my mind every night about where and when I wanted to eat.
I never felt crowded, there are so many places on the ship that you can always find a place that works for you.
I do agree that the one downside is that you only get a short time in port. We loved Roatan, Honduras and Belize but when you gave 6-8 hours, you can not see everything. We like staying on the ship when we are at a port that we don't care to see or have already explored. It is like having the entire ship to yourself and the spa has great deal!
We were going to do a Med. cruise for my 40th but Chip got bit by the STJ bug and stopped planning the cruise and booked a villa.
Cruising is not for everyone, we were sure that we would not like it, but it fit the budget and the timeframe we had when we had to cancel a trip we had planned to the DR,but we were pleasantly surprised.
It is not so regimented and stuffy as other cruise lines. The most important feeling for me was that I never felt like I was being herded like cattle I could eat dinner ar 5 or 10 or any time in between and I could change my mind every night about where and when I wanted to eat.
I never felt crowded, there are so many places on the ship that you can always find a place that works for you.
I do agree that the one downside is that you only get a short time in port. We loved Roatan, Honduras and Belize but when you gave 6-8 hours, you can not see everything. We like staying on the ship when we are at a port that we don't care to see or have already explored. It is like having the entire ship to yourself and the spa has great deal!
We were going to do a Med. cruise for my 40th but Chip got bit by the STJ bug and stopped planning the cruise and booked a villa.
Cruising is not for everyone, we were sure that we would not like it, but it fit the budget and the timeframe we had when we had to cancel a trip we had planned to the DR,but we were pleasantly surprised.
Re: Mediterranean Cruise
sasky wrote:Has anyone been on one or know someone who has? What kind? Was it enjoyable?
We have done 5 or 6 cruises , none med, all caribbean.
We prefer NCL as do many of the like-minded above posters.
We went on a short 4 day cruise for our first and had a great time so we continued to try different newer, bigger ships as well as different itineraries.
I've never had any interest in going on a cruise. It kinda makes my neck itch to think about being stuck on a big boat with tons of people and no way out. Crowded, stuffy. I think it would smell bad too.
Todays ships are really large and especially concerned w/ maintaining a very clean atmosphere. We never encountered any bad smells!
BUT my husband and I have been thinking about a Mediterranean cruise for the practical purpose of seeing as many places as possible in a short period of time. After next year, I don't see myself taking any big trips for a while, so I'd like to see a lot at once. Barcelona, Nice, Venice, Naples, Athens, Lisbon, etc.
If that is your agenda to see alot in a short time, do it! Once again I recommend NCL!
I'm nervous about it though. Anybody have any insight? Will I get hives?
You're kidding about the hives, right?
Carolyn
OH, I also wanted to second the http://www.cruisecritic.com/ site, but keep in mind that people CAN be very passionate about their cruise lines and opinions of them. I would suggest you carefully consider the extreme posts one way or another.
For a Med cruise, I would focus on the itinerary and length of cruise before the cruise line.
There are a lot of options out there, I was glad that part was done for me. Once you book the cruise, start researching the ports. The more you know before you go, the more you will enjoy it. I didn't do a lot of research on Venice because we had a full day and half, and I knew from being there years ago, I just wanted to take time to stroll through the alleys. A little more planning would have helped as we got on the wrong vaporetto (public "bus" system) a couple of times (at one point Don was sure we were headed back to Boston) and missed out on a gondola ride. An excuse to go back, I think.
I'm not sure which time of year you're planning, but, if possible try to avoid the middle of summer. We went in mid-September - and some places were still very, very crowded (St. Marks Square, Murano and most of Barcelona).
There are a lot of options out there, I was glad that part was done for me. Once you book the cruise, start researching the ports. The more you know before you go, the more you will enjoy it. I didn't do a lot of research on Venice because we had a full day and half, and I knew from being there years ago, I just wanted to take time to stroll through the alleys. A little more planning would have helped as we got on the wrong vaporetto (public "bus" system) a couple of times (at one point Don was sure we were headed back to Boston) and missed out on a gondola ride. An excuse to go back, I think.
I'm not sure which time of year you're planning, but, if possible try to avoid the middle of summer. We went in mid-September - and some places were still very, very crowded (St. Marks Square, Murano and most of Barcelona).
janet
Will let you know. We are leaving next week end for 4 days in Rome, then a 12 day Greek Islands cruise. Spending an extra day in Venice at the end, then 2 in Florence. The cruise is with our 3 children, spouses, and 2 grandchildren. Should be interesting for all 10 of us. Just planning having some coming from MN, Chicago, and Tokyo has been interesting.
Just as a suggestion, instead of a mega ship Med Cruise, perhaps a river cruise?
It's on our bucket list and we are not Cruisers. It's a smaller boat, price is right, small town ports with no cattle herding.
Try Viking River Cruises, 18 ships, 150 pax, Neptune has earned the highest rating. Ports of call are Austria, Bulgaria, Crotia, France, Germany, Hungary, Romania, Serbia and Slovakia.
Meals are nothing fancy, but we don't cruise for the food. Evenings are spent on deck learning about the next days port of call.
The August issue of Conde Nast Traveler has a great section on these cruises.
If you want to see Italy or Greece. Spend 10-14 days in each area with no cruise. You'll never get the true respect of the culture on a cruise. Trust me. There is nothing like renting a car and driving through Tuscany or taking the train up the coast from Rome to Cinque Terra. There is nothing like tasting local cuisine or visiting with locals. Italy is the most friendly place in the world. You won't get a true feeling of the place on a cruise tour. We avoided cruise tour groups while in Italy. It was cattle herding where it shouldn't be. Do Italy on your own. You won't regret it and if planned right, it's no more expensive.
It's on our bucket list and we are not Cruisers. It's a smaller boat, price is right, small town ports with no cattle herding.
Try Viking River Cruises, 18 ships, 150 pax, Neptune has earned the highest rating. Ports of call are Austria, Bulgaria, Crotia, France, Germany, Hungary, Romania, Serbia and Slovakia.
Meals are nothing fancy, but we don't cruise for the food. Evenings are spent on deck learning about the next days port of call.
The August issue of Conde Nast Traveler has a great section on these cruises.
If you want to see Italy or Greece. Spend 10-14 days in each area with no cruise. You'll never get the true respect of the culture on a cruise. Trust me. There is nothing like renting a car and driving through Tuscany or taking the train up the coast from Rome to Cinque Terra. There is nothing like tasting local cuisine or visiting with locals. Italy is the most friendly place in the world. You won't get a true feeling of the place on a cruise tour. We avoided cruise tour groups while in Italy. It was cattle herding where it shouldn't be. Do Italy on your own. You won't regret it and if planned right, it's no more expensive.