JVNYC

Thanks Wendy. This is the Amsterdam to Barcelona sailing on the Marina on 9.2.15. It does look amazing which is why I'm having a hard time deciding!

 

The Jewels of the Riviera sailing on 8.5.15 (on Riviera) also has some great ports in Spain and Italy so this is a tough one. The only place I would be fearful of tourists in August would be Rome and Florence. I think the rest of the stops should be doable.

 

I wish I could do both but the darn work thing gets in the way! =)

 

Also, thanks to Floridiana and HawkeyeCruisr for your response!

Thanks Terrier1. I also was just in the Med earlier this month on Riviera and yes there were crowds but the weather was amazing! It wasn't too hot actually and the nights were spectacular. I live in New York so I guess I crave sailing in warmer waters.

 

Thank you for the great info! Like I said....all look very appealing!

Thanks for your reply Ira. Let me clarify:

 

Med Ports: Antibes, St. Tropez, Toulon, Marseille, Monte Carlo - all in early/mid August

 

Bay of Biscay Ports: Bordeaux, La Rochelle, Pont-Aven (Concarneau), (also Bilbao) - all in early September

 

I've only been to Paris in France so I really have no background on any of these spots. All seem appealing in one way or another. Just was hoping for some port feedback. Are any overrated? Worth visiting? Tourist trap? Etc...

 

Many thanks!

I just returned from a 14 day on Riviera (Barcelona Istanbul). My biggest issue was that there were kids with toys in the hottubs. Hmmm. Aren't there age regulations around that? I did not say anything because I didn't want to look like a complainer but that didn't make me happy. (I know, I probably should have said something). There were quite a few large families on board.

I'm torn between 2 itineraries: one that visits many ports in the South of France (Aug, 2015) and the other that visits many ports along the Bay of Biscay (Sept, 2015).

 

I've never visited either area and I'm sure there are vast differences.

 

Wanted to ask my fellow Cruise Critics their thoughts and opinions on the ports and things to see/do. Both look very appealing!

 

I'm leaning towards the Mediterranean b/c you can't beat the warm summer nights. =)

 

Happy to hear your views and much appreciated!

How are the evening temperatures during this time? I'm seeing 50's on Wunderground. Seems pretty cool and at sea I would expect jackets and long pants, not shorts weather?

 

Thanks for all your help!

Thanks posspet. I would be looking at a 12-14 day Mediterranean itinerary most likely in September....although there is one in July that I also like. I'm guessing the July sailing would have kids versus the September one.

 

I know it's not really possible to tell in advance but I was curious overall since I've never sailed Celebrity.

 

Thanks!

Are there a lot of kids on Celebrity? My partner & I sail on Oceania & love that there really are no kids & families. I'm considering Celebrity (much better pricing) but not sure about having all the kids around?

 

Also, can it be a "sports bar" atmosphere? Not a fan of that either.

 

Any info is greatly appreciated!

Good day everyone. I am considering an Oceania cruise in late May next year that hits many ports on the French Riviera: Antibes, St. Tropez, Marseille, Cannes, Monte Carlo.

 

I've never visited the south of France so I'm not sure how the weather will be. I know the summers are very hot and crowded (I certainly don't mind that), but how is it in late May?

 

Any insight is greatly appreciated!

 

Thanks.

I vote for either double upgrade or 50% discount on second guest. Also...50% off deposits would be great too!!! If I'm looking at 2016 I don't want to lay out a big deposit so soon.

 

Thanks!

Thanks for the comments. I've been eyeing this itinerary for quite some time so I should just go for it!

Thanks LHT28. Luckily, I don't suffer from motion sickness, so the rough seas aren't an issue for me. I would hate to miss ports b/c of the rough seas however.

Good day everyone. I am considering the Marina cruise next year Sept 2-14 from Amsterdam to Barcelona. I've never sailed this part of Europe....around the Bay of Biscay, northern Spain, Portugal, etc.

 

Has anyone sailed this part of Europe in September? What has your experience been with the weather? Any rain? I've heard the seas can be rough.

 

My feeling is that if there is a great risk of missing ports b/c of seas and weather, I'd rather spend the money on a safer itinerary.

 

Any port reviews? I don't know much about Pont-Aven and La Rochelle.

 

Any info is greatly appreciated!

Good day everyone. I am considering an Oceania cruise next year Sept 2-14 from Amsterdam to Barcelona with stops in these 2 ports. I've never sailed this part of Europe and in the Bay of Biscay.

 

Has anyone sailed this part of Europe in September? What has your experience been with the weather? Any rain? I've heard the seas can be rough.

 

My feeling is that if there is a great risk of missing ports b/c of seas and weather, I'd rather not spend all that money on this itinerary.

 

Any info is greatly appreciated!

Good day everyone. I am considering an Oceania cruise next year Sept 2-14 from Amsterdam to Barcelona with stops in these 3 ports. I've never sailed this part of Europe and in the Bay of Biscay.

 

Has anyone sailed this part of Europe in September? What has your experience been with the weather? Any rain? I've heard the seas can be rough.

 

My feeling is that if there is a great risk of missing ports b/c of seas and weather, I'd rather not spend all that money on this itinerary.

 

Any info is greatly appreciated!

Glad to hear you booked GeezerCouple. I'm likely confirming this as well. Any port on Riviera is a joy!

 

I'm probably one of the only people here that like sailing the Med in summer. I like getting up very early in the morning and stepping out onto the balcony and feeling that warm wind as the sun has come up. I like not having to grab a jacket. =)

 

I'm sure the late Sept/early Oct days will be lovely. Just worry that I'll need a jacket when the sun goes down.

Good day all. Just was hoping for a few more comments on sailing the Greek Isles in late Sept/early Oct. We are now thinking of doing a b2b and sailing on to Barcelona from Oct 5-13.

 

I have done all summer cruises as I like the warm balmy nights so I'm curious how the nights will be in this timeframe. Any thoughts? Thanks!!

Thanks for this great info! I'll be in Barcelona this July on Riviera and will be arriving early to spend some time. So I was thinking of just sticking around Tarragona for next year since I'll already be in Barcelona proper this year.

 

The coastline does look beautiful! Oceania doesn't have their 2015 excursions listed as of yet so I'm curious to see what other things they may offer in that area.

Good day everyone. I'm looking at a Riviera sailing next summer and the Barcelona stop is listed as Tarragona. I've done a little digging through Cruise Critic and I see that Tarragona is used when the Port of Barcelona is full. After doing a little more digging I see that Tarragona looks like a nice stop in itself, perhaps a pleasant surprise.

 

Has anyone ever visited Tarragona? It looks like Sitiges is also close by (on the way to Barcelona). Anyone ever visited there as well?

 

Thanks!

Bonnie, any insight on this? It appears this is a recurring post and is of great interest to everyone. There actually is a similar post on Oceania's forum about the future of Azamara.

 

I think Azamara beats Oceania with the unique itineraries....but I'm very hesitant to book something in 2016 if the ship will not be refurbished.

 

Look forward to your thoughts. Thanks!

Which sailings are you seeing have changed? 2015? Which dates? Thanks!

AZ has their 2016 schedule out already for booking. IF O or Crystal were to acquire them do you think the 2016 itineraries would remain as planned? I must say they have some great itineraries!

Johnandlinda, in 7035...was the bed & bathroom to the right side when you entered your cabin? Were your feet first as you were sailing while sleeping? Silly question but I like to know the position of the bed. Thanks!

Hi Andy. Why no interest in sailing with Azamara?

 

Forgive me if there is already a post on that subject.

Looks like they are all posted now! :)