Forums39
Topics38,638
Posts312,209
Members26,564
|
Most Online2,218 Jan 21st, 2020
|
|
37 registered members (Beansbbq, SXMScubaman, KC2SXM, eightzerobits, RonDon, NumberCruncher, barryvabeach, Fitzhughlaw, mscottc, GeorgeC1, dolfer, betsyg, ChiTownHarry, cbinparadise, JeanneB, pandpfromcanada, steve74, VirginGordaResident, bailau, xrayman67, Matt W, John, jbutah, Fletch, Matagorda Dude, 12 invisible),
842
guests, and 150
spiders. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
|
Re: Med Cruising questions
[Re: sxmsandbum]
#28238
07/22/2014 03:48 PM
07/22/2014 03:48 PM
|
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,194 Virginia
Snorkeller
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,194
Virginia
|
Even though we have cruised a lot, and I do a lot of research myself, I still get Bonnie Buchanan (CruiseOne) to offer any comment on and make the arrangements with the cruise line. Especaily as a first cruiser, I think you would be well advised to use a cruise TA such as Bonnie.
You probably could have a great cruise on any of those three ships you name on one of the three lines. In some ways, you sound like a good fit for Celebrity (age - general description), but in other ways, for NCL or RC (reference to no formal dress).
One thing that can be very important is deciding what kind of cabin you want and will get. Are you going to get a suite or are you willing to take an interior? NCL has the haven thing for suites which is pretty nice (Bonnie loves it) but it is relatively expensive.
How do the itineraries and prices compare among the three you mention and others during the time you want to go? Remember to understand not only what are the ports of call, but how long you are in the ports of call.
Just personally, I think Allure is too big and "unnecessary" for a port intensive Med cruise. Allure and Oasis are great ships just as a destination in and of themselves. But, if you are going to Med ports that you have never been to or have not spent any time in for decades, then I do not feel the need for all the attractions of a giant ship. Indeed, for European cruising, many of our cruising friends prefer the river cruising - which of course are much smaller and different boats. I would add here as well that you may not want to pay for something like the NCL Haven if you are really interested in the ports and plan to spend a lot of the day time ashore.
There are just so many options and possibilities that, again, I would recommend talking with an experienced cruise TA.
|
|
|
Re: Med Cruising questions
[Re: sxmsandbum]
#28240
07/22/2014 07:31 PM
07/22/2014 07:31 PM
|
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,781 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,781
Central Florida!
|
Suite for the same price as an ocean view sounds kind of good to me, even though I dislike NCL. Give Bonnie a call!!
Carol Hill
|
|
|
Re: Med Cruising questions
[Re: Snorkeller]
#28243
07/23/2014 09:57 AM
07/23/2014 09:57 AM
|
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,781 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,781
Central Florida!
|
Agreed, a suite could really make up for a lot of other things! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Smile.gif" alt="" />
Carol Hill
|
|
|
Re: Med Cruising questions
[Re: Snorkeller]
#28246
07/23/2014 06:29 PM
07/23/2014 06:29 PM
|
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,781 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,781
Central Florida!
|
I am also biased against NCL because we had a really horrible experience on a short cruise from Florida--NO CABIN FOR US, when we booked a cat guarantee--although it was eventually solved, and we did sail. However, having a balcony, or in this case, a suite, can make up for a multitude of sins.. Seriously, call Bonnie, or another cruise travel agent, for advice..
Carol Hill
|
|
|
Re: Med Cruising questions
[Re: sxmsandbum]
#28249
07/24/2014 08:25 AM
07/24/2014 08:25 AM
|
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,781 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,781
Central Florida!
|
If you are an avid people watcher, you might enjoy one of those inside balconies. For me, I get a balcony to see the water and the view, not other people!
Carol Hill
|
|
|
Re: Med Cruising questions
[Re: sxmsandbum]
#28251
07/24/2014 10:55 AM
07/24/2014 10:55 AM
|
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,781 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,781
Central Florida!
|
I believe those cabins are more expensive than a standard outside without balcony. Regardless I personally would not be interested.
Carol Hill
|
|
|
Re: Med Cruising questions
[Re: sxmsandbum]
#28256
07/24/2014 01:01 PM
07/24/2014 01:01 PM
|
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,781 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,781
Central Florida!
|
I understand your reluctance to call Bonnie, since you would be booking with your t/s points. As someone else suggested, you might want to post a note on Cruise Critic regarding the obstructed balconies on the Celebrity ship, as to how obstructed they are. And also post a note regarding the spa suites on NCL, as I am not familiar with them.
Carol Hill
|
|
|
Re: Med Cruising questions
[Re: sxmsandbum]
#28258
07/26/2014 09:49 PM
07/26/2014 09:49 PM
|
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,288
PelicanPirate
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,288
|
We have taken Princess' 12day Grand Mediterranean route twice from Venice to Barcelona with 8 stops in Athens, Kusadasi (Ephesus), Istanbul, Mykonos, Naples (Pompeii), Rome, Livorno (Florence/Pisa), Monte Carlo or Marseille. So 10 cities in 12 days. First trip we took ship shore excursions. Second trip with new companions we saved countless dollars using taxis, trains, buses, subway. We did extensive research on cruise critic and some super people left bread crumbs in each stop to follow. You can buy tickets to the Vatican and Istanbul sites online in advance that allow you to skip the lines and walk in. That cost over a thousand dollars via the cruise line. I agree NCL is a downer food wise and service wise. You are better with the other two and Princess.
First trip bought air through cruise line. Second time direct with airline. More itinerary choices direct. Only advantage is if you are red eyeing in straight to the boat they guarantee you next stop protection if plane delayed. We did that first time. Second time we came a day early and stayed at hotel 1 night on both ends.
This cruise is a real bucket list checker and you will need another vacation afterwards..........but you see nearly all of Southern Europe in one unpacking of your suitcase. We are doing it again within the next two years.
|
|
|
Re: Med Cruising questions
[Re: swg]
#28261
03/06/2015 09:14 PM
03/06/2015 09:14 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,250
sxmsandbum
OP
Traveler
|
OP
Traveler
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,250
|
Thanks for the input and we were just talking about those very factors. Our first stop is Florence and we have pretty much decided that with it being our first experience at shore excursions we are going to do ship excursions there, and in Barcelona since that one is right before our day at sea and the farthest from our next port which is Naples and the end in Rome. Thinking since Cannes is right on the water we can just wander around that one on our own. We think after 3 days in Rome and then Florence an easy day of shopping, café sitting, will be just the ticket in Cannes. Not sure on Mallorca yet. Naples is our last stop on the cruise and we are doing an excursion with fellow cruisers we found on our roll call and with a tour company that is very well known and gets great reviews. We figured if we did miss it we could get back to Rome from there easier than any of the other stops. Or at least that is the game plan. Thanks for all your info. Always good to have fresh ideas as it is easy to miss something or overthink it! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />
Last edited by sxmsandbum; 03/06/2015 09:17 PM.
|
|
|
Re: Med Cruising questions
[Re: sxmsandbum]
#28262
03/08/2015 10:56 AM
03/08/2015 10:56 AM
|
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,194 Virginia
Snorkeller
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,194
Virginia
|
You will have a great time either way, but I want to disagree with any idea that because it is first time on cruise excusions that you need to go with ship's excursions. The risk of missing the boat because you used a company like RomeinLimo or one of the other well established reputable companies is just so small as to be ignored. These private companies understand very well that if they miss the boat with a group, their business will take a huge hit - they will not let it happen. As example, we used RomeinLimo for Livorno October 30, 2014 off Serenade - Elisabetta was our driver/guide. Her skills and the small group enabled us to see more in Pisa and Florence than any group ship excursion. Also, when heading back, she knew that we were just ahead on the road of where the bus carrying the ship's excursion was - which made her relax a little despite the fact that there had been an accident on the main highway and things were very slow. This is what these guides do for a living.
In Palma, we did not use a guide at all but got a taxi to the Castell de Bellver and then walked down to other things - including the Cathedral - only problem is getting taxi to take you to the Castle because the drivers want to sell you a complete tour and want to tell you how you simply have to have a taxi to get you down from the Castle. Palma is beautiful and we had a great time there.
I again recommend Bob's - we use Bob's even when it is more - if using Bob's is roughly the same as using a taxi, then it would be a complete no-brainer for us to use Bob's.
|
|
|
|