markwfpb

Sounds like we're on the right track according to your experiences. Not seeing any itineraries with Valletta but I'll keep it in mind for next time because I'm sure we'll want to return!

That's the exact itinerary we're zeroing in on! Plus a few days tacked on to the beginning to hopefully ease jetlag while exploring the city. Should we expect the (high) possibility of rough seas in March?

Forgot to mention earlier that before I originally posted, I researched other lines to see what all was out there. To your point that Mediterranean is in their name, I could find zero other options on all the major lines and several of the boutique ones that sailed during the first half of March except one Majestic Princess 7-day that has two sea days which doesn't seem ideal!

We spent a few weeks in Portugal in 2022 and loved it, of course. My partner's parents were born there and we're hoping "some day" to move there full time. What a luxury that would be - to explore Europe with train rides and relatively short flights - all those cultures readily accessible. Other than Portugal, we've only been to London and Paris. Rome, France and Greece are definitely on our list to see tho Greece may have to wait as it's not on the itineraries we're finding. I'm glad our dates are in the spring. Summer travel with the heat as perakcruiser and Essiesmom mentioned and all the tourists (like you said regarding Santorini) doesn't seem ideal.

Thanks, it will our 28th anniversary and my partner's 65th bday, hence the big trip! Speaking of Gala night, I'm thinking it will be more formal (in a good way) than what we're used to here. And good to know there will be a white party - I didn't think through that. I've been researching flights using google flights which is fantastic - you can search multiple airports on each end and compare them easily. I also will look at using our American Air or United miles too, but that's a whole other set of gymnastics to dive into. Once we decide on departure port and ports of call, I'll dig into each - plenty of resources for that. We realize we'll just be scratching the surface of every port!

Thank you all for this detailed information - it gets me headed in the right direction and with more focus. We're looking at early/mid March 2025 to coincide with a birthday and anniversary so weather and holiday crowds shouldn't be too bad - fingers crossed. That's an excellent point that travel from a particular European airport to the cruise port is a small fraction of overall travel time. And it looks like there are options from both Mallorca and Genoa so I'll check out flights. The circular itinerary with multi-boarding cities will be new. The only thing we've ever done like that was boarding a Panama Canal cruise in San Diego that originated in Seattle. It was the smoothest/quickest boarding we've ever had. I assume in Europe they board simultaneously while everyone who wants to leave the ship gets off? That complicates doing a B2B a bit - you'd debark and then embark on another itinerary in a city that both cruises share I guess. Since each city is a destination in its own, probably not a need for a B2B this first trip! But I do like that idea of doing both western and eastern cruises as long as we're there. Thanks again for all the advice and insights. Even if I didn't mention some of it, I made notes - it didn't fall on deaf ears!

Yes, this is very fun! The planning is a great part of the trip as are the memories later. The plan for this trip has been a bit overwhelming so thank you for all the insights. The fact that MSC gets you closest to Venice is the kind of fact I hadn't discovered. The smaller lines were on my radar too but would rather go with a line we've sailed and are familiar with. I ordered Rick's Med ports book today per your suggestion and saw the Scandinavia and North Europe books on offer. I had forgotten about Lonely Planet - I have a few of their guides somewhere, none for the Med tho. Thanks again!

Thank you Essiesmom for this truly useful information! We're coming from San Francisco area but will likely stop on the east coast along the way - I've discovered I don't do well on flights over 8 hours - even with a lie flat seat, ambien, earplugs, the works, I just don't sleep - maybe it's the altitude the cabin is adjusted to. Who knows. I'll check out cruisetimetables.com - didn't know them. And of course Rick Steves - didn't know he had specific cruise books. We'd love to go to Venice if they still allow cruise visitors next year. And what a treat to not have vendors badgering us for tours!! Forgot to mention I'm also juggling the pros and cons of each ship but I think I have a handled on that with our past cruise experiences.

That's great to hear. We're not overly concerned about cross contamination but it's great to know that's even on their radar!

Very good point - and a good reminder that was the reason we booked in the first place pre-covid! We'll be off the ship a good part of the time. And this cruise isn't about the ship, it's about seeing so many islands with relative ease. Thank you!

We've sailed our fair share of the Caribbean, Mexico, Bermuda and various cruise lines' private islands. So we have a good idea of which ports and excursions to hit or miss. And which are a "one and done". Now that we're planning our first European cruise, we're lost to say the least. I've been reading many "Live" threads, destination boards, etc. There are definite trends but the more I read, the more confused I get. Looking for general advice on which airport(s) are best for embark/debark (proximity to port), ports that are "don't bother" at least for first timers, that kind of thing. We've sailed Divina many times as well as Seascape but really looking forward to MSC in Europe instead of the Americanized MSC. We're leaning towards itineraries that include Italy and Spain but open to anything and we realize we'll be getting just a taste of each port. That happened on our first cruise that stopped in San Juan, Puerto Rico. We loved it so much we did a ten day vacation there the next year. Thanks for any cheatsheet advice you can offer!

Whoa, thanks for all this info, It came through just as I was responding to DCGuy. I will check out the menus you linked to - it's good to know that some of the food is made off ship and not to order (like on an airplane?!). So the idea of making substitutions really isn't an option for those dishes. We can certainly pick around things we don't eat. It's enlightening that this ship in particular wasn't up for special needs as much as the others - at least in your experience. I guess PoA isn't "have it your way" Burger King! Thanks again.

Thanks, the cruise is March 2025, but I'm questioning if I should even keep the booking rather than roll the dice on what we may wind up with every meal!

Hello, After numerous cancellations of our Pride of America bookings throughout covid and life getting in the way after they started sailing again, we're considering them for this once-in-a-lifetime cruise. We are plant based and can usually maneuver our way around restaurant menus - with mixed results. Haven't sailed NCL in years so wondering if they have taken a step in the veggie direction at all, on this ship in particular. Is it the same old "talk to them on the first day to see what they can pull together routine"? I'm hoping given the price of this itinerary (plus flights!) that their chefs are competent and can deliver something besides pasta with red sauce every night. Not looking for any breakthroughs and would be happy with Asian/Indian options. But since this is an American crew I may be expecting too much! Thanks for any insights you may have.

Thanks all - sounds like we will not be disappointed. And since she'll be in drydock for a few weeks in early 2025, there's even more reason to book it!