TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums Afloat 2019 Med Cruise

We're looking to do our 1st cruise since our honeymoon in 1994 next year for our 25th. Want to do an 8 - 10 day around Greece and Italy on a smaller ship. Any suggestions as to cruise lines? Thanks in advance!

Anyone??

There are lots of options - it always involves what you want to pay, in addition to other things. For the nice Greek islands, you want the smallest ship that you can afford that has the amenities that you require. Some people suggest local Greek cruise lines, but I know nothing about them except that they have a reputation as not being as nice generally as the cruise names that are more familiar to us. I do not think the size (i.e., passenger capacity) matters as much for Italy. For the smaller Greek islands, I would start with looking at Windstar - maybe Azamara, although that is getting bigger. Not sure we would want to pay for Seabourne which would be very nice and decent size - if affordable for you that would be an extremely nice cruise. Viking and Oceania may be bigger than what otherwise works best, but would be very nice ships. Many of nice Greek island cruises are round trip Athens (Piraeus) - when you mention both Greek islands and Italy are you thinking of leaving out of Venice? Rome? Leaving from an Italian port might somewhat limit available Greek itineraries on a 8-10 night trip. Suggest you really think about what kind of itinerary you want (do you just want to do Greek Islands and leave Italy for another cruise or maybe a land vacation?) and what you can afford, then check what is available in your time window yourself or get a TA to do some checking for you. (I use Bonnie Buchanan who in addition to being a TA also has spent more money on cruising personally than most - we are trying to catch up - and she is ever helpful in helping us do that.)

Thanks very much. I've looked at Windstar, Viking, Seaborn. Windstar & Seaborn offer a cruise, one 8 & one 10 days, that take in stops in Greece and Italy. Both have ports/excursions on our bucket list, Athens and Pompeii. I'll look into Oceania as well.

I've found an RCL cruise out of Rome that takes in several Greek Ports including Athens plus my bucket list wish of Pompeii then returns to Rome. While the ship is a bit bigger than originally wanted, 2,100 passengers, it's not close to the mega ships.

Rick--I'm thinking this cruise is not going to be in 2018, as it's almost over!! Have you actually booked one? I want to do that cruise one of these years, if I can ever get my knees in shape for all the walking..

Sometimes I just get so excited when I post! It is 2019. In fact I just completed the booking with RCL for what they describe as a "Spacious Balcony Cabin" at 210 sq. ft. on Deck 9 for $5,800 including fees. No bev package or gratuities included so I sure better start saving for the final bar tab!!


Also got what I think is a good deal on Delta to/from Rome for $5,600 total using 1st Class to JFK and Delta One to Rome then Delta One direct from Rome back to Atlanta. We'll spend the night before the cruise in Rome which will be our 25th Anniversary. This is our 1st cruise since our Honeymoon.

BTW can you change the title to read 2019?

OK, sounds like an exciting cruise and I don't blame you for spending extra bucks for transatlantic airfare! Tough to spend a lot of hours in one of those little tiny seats! Will change the title for you.

Man those Delta One seats and service look awesome!!

Enjoy!