Mediterranean Cruise???

Question

I would like to schedule a cruise for sometime in 2009 as my husband and my last hoorah before we decide to have kids. He would like to do Greece but I would love to see parts of Italy. If we do a cruise that leaves out of Rome or Venice we can easily spend a few days before or after to see those cities. However, I don't know anything about Greece itself. Where should we make sure our cruise goes to? what ports of call should we absolutely not miss? Finally, should we even plan to cruise or should we go on our own? I like cruising because it's relatively hassle free but I don't want to miss the best parts of the country just because I'm stuck with the ports the cruise goes to.

Answer 1

I have done a Mediterranean cruise with Princess cruise lines. We left from Spain can went to France. Italy, Rome, Naples, Greece, Turkey, Athens, then Venice. So you could take the same cruise, but start in Venice and have a few days before hand to see Venice. Since we saw Livorno, Rome, and Athens, that was a pretty good overview of Italy. This cruise was in 2006, so go to Princess.com and see if they have the same cruise, but starting in Venice. It was a great cruise and so much history and grand sights.

Answer 2

Why not do a cruise that goes to both? Many incorporate both Italy and Greece.

Greece is beautiful, many of the islands are small, so you won't be needing to trek miles to get to the main attraction. The most beautiful parts are often at the port anyway, by the sea.

http://www.insidecruise.co.uk

Answer 3

I did a Mediterranean cruise in 2005 that included ports stops in Italy and Greece.  It was a 12 day cruise on a Royal Caribbean ship.  Our Italy stops were Florence/Pisa, Rome and Naples/Sorrento.  Our Greek stops were Athens, Mykonos , and Santorini.  The cruise had one full day in each port.  At the Florence stop we did an all day tour that covered much of what we wanted to see in Florence and Pisa.  One full day is plenty enough time unless you want to get out into the countryside and browse some small towns.

At the Naples stop we had an all day tour that took us first to Sorrento (beautiful scenery) and then our tour went to Pompeii for a tour.  So while we saw the main attraction for us, Pompeii, we didn't really see the city of Naples.  But I don't know that we missed anything special.

At the port stop for Rome the port is an hour away from the city and we did have an all day tour that covered the Vatican City and the Roman Coliseum.  But we could have used more time there.  So if your cruise starts there you can and will have more time by going a day or two early.

Our first Greece stop was Athens and the main attraction for me was seeing the Acropolis.  We did see that on a half day city tour.  The rest of the city that was saw was OK but not special or noteworthy to me.

The port stops of Mykonos and Santorini you can do without a tour.  That's what we did.  The islands are pretty because of the outline of the white  buildings with blue roofs against the seas, landscape, and sky.  Unlike Rome, these port stops don't have really must see historical places.  These two islands are different but after you have seen these two if you see any others they are likely to be somewhat the same.  I could definitely return again to both places and would also like to see Rhodes (because of its historical significance) and maybe Crete.

There are many different cruises in the Mediterranean and you need to pick carefully to get the one that goes the places that you want to go.  Several cruise lines do cruises of the Mediterranean and the cruises can last form 7 to 14 days.  As you probably know, cruises start from ports in Barcelona, Spain; Dover, England; Venice, Rome and/or Florence Italy. Some cruises are round trip, which means that you cruise back to the port that you started from. Others, usually the 7 day ones, are one way. The port stops for the Eastern Caribbean are usually Nice, France; Florence,  Rome, Naples, and/or Sicily, Italy; Athens, Santorini, and/or Mykonos, Greece, Ephesus, Turkey; and Crotia.  Occasionally there may be a different port stop.

As an avid cruiser, been on about 20 and have 3 more this year, I always recommend cruising.  About the only place where I would want more time is Rome.  I also always suggest that people fly to the departure port a day early so as not to miss a cruise because of a flight connection.  So you could conceivable fly to Rome a day or two early and then proceed to the start point of the cruise, be it Rome or some other place.

I do recommend the 12 day cruise that we took on Royal Caribbean.  Its a lovely ship and a great cruise that allows you to see a lot.  :

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/findacruis...

Or this one:

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/findacruis...

Or this one on Celebrity:

http://www.celebritycruises.com/search/v...

Or this on Princess:

http://www.princess.com/pb/itineraryDeta...

Answer 4

I went before 9/11.  I went to Egypt and saw the pyramids and went to the museums.  I learned the most and was soooo impressed at this tour.  (It was by Globus Travel/Royal Carribean Cruise line.   I highly recommended it.) We did land and cruise.  

I also loved Santorini, Greece (beautiful)!!!

Also loved the colosseum and all the major tourist sites in Greece.  I would go again in a heartbeat.  

the only thing I hated was the plane ride from US to europe.  Ugh.  TOO LONG.  But well worth it.

Answer 5

I see you say this will be the last hoorah before children.  Because of that I am assuming that you are 30 years or younger.  The cruise lines have wonderful cruise that will em compass both Italy and Greece and the ports you will visit will definitely have all of the major cities you would like to see and experience.  As  travel agent I suggest you look for cruises with Carnival or Royal Caribbean.  These ships are geared more for this age group.  Carnival in Europe is not like the Carnival in the Caribbean.  I have been on Carnival on the Mediterranean Sea and the travelers are not "kids".  They are all serious travelers interested in the full European experience.  You will still have lots of fun on board but not be bothered by the loud drinking parties Carnival is know for.  Royal Caribbean is geared for any age group with out being "stuffy".  They are wonderful ships out there and you will be happy with which ever one you choose.  

If you have questions, go to this web site www.SailingTheSea.com, on the left side there is a menu and you can read about each cruise line and their specialties. it may answer any questions you may have.

Have a wonderful cruise!