Westerdam or Eurodam to Visit Corfu or Mykonos? Dubrovnik or Split, Croatia???

[sarapamela]

We are trying to decide between a 10 day Rome/Croatia/Greek Island cruise on the Eurodam in May '09 and the 12 day cruise on the Westerdam to Venice, Croatia, Istanbul and Greek Islands. Both boats sound very nice so we are trying to figure out which ports would be ones we shouldn't miss. We welcome any input about the two HAL ships, but also would like specific info about the following ports....

 

What are the differences between Split, Croatia and Dubrovnik, Croatia?

 

If you had to choose between Corfu, Greece and Mykonos, Greece, which would you prefer (and why?!)

 

The other main difference between the two itineraries is that the longer one includes time in Istanbul. I don't know much about it, so would love to hear from travelers who have spent time there so we'd know whether it is a place we should definitely see or not.

 

Would love to get your opinions/experiences about these ports and the excursions available there. The rest of the ports are the same (or almost the same) so learning more about Split vs. Dubrovnik and Cortu vs. Mykonos will help us decide between these two ships/itineraries.

 

Thanks in advance!

[joe122]

I asked a similar question in the Westerdam April 2010 Roll Call. For some reason, I also never got an answer.

 

 

We are trying to decide between a 10 day Rome/Croatia/Greek Island cruise on the Eurodam in May '09 and the 12 day cruise on the Westerdam to Venice, Croatia, Istanbul and Greek Islands. Both boats sound very nice so we are trying to figure out which ports would be ones we shouldn't miss. We welcome any input about the two HAL ships, but also would like specific info about the following ports....

 

What are the differences between Split, Croatia and Dubrovnik, Croatia?

 

If you had to choose between Corfu, Greece and Mykonos, Greece, which would you prefer (and why?!)

 

The other main difference between the two itineraries is that the longer one includes time in Istanbul. I don't know much about it, so would love to hear from travelers who have spent time there so we'd know whether it is a place we should definitely see or not.

 

Would love to get your opinions/experiences about these ports and the excursions available there. The rest of the ports are the same (or almost the same) so learning more about Split vs. Dubrovnik and Cortu vs. Mykonos will help us decide between these two ships/itineraries.

 

Thanks in advance!

[m steve]

We are cruising on New Amsterdam in Med in 2010.

[Luke Warmwater]

Didn't like Corfu at all, scrappy town centre, a bit primitive. Mykonos is cool and a delight.

 

Not much difference between Split and Dubrovnik, both have their attractions. If pushed, I would say Dubrovnik first but see Split sometime later.

[MarleneAm]

I asked a similar question in the Westerdam April 2010 Roll Call. For some reason, I also never got an answer.

 

The Westerdam's May 16, 2010 12 day cruise does not include Istanbul:

It's Venice,Dubrovnik,Corfu,Cephallonia,Santorini,Catania,Naples,Rome,

Livorno, Barcelona.

[joe122]

I'm on the Westerdam 20 day cruise, 4/14/10 through 5/4/10. This cruise stops in Albania, thus my question about Corfu.

 

 

The Westerdam's May 16, 2010 12 day cruise does not include Istanbul:

It's Venice,Dubrovnik,Corfu,Cephallonia,Santorini,Catania,Naples,Rome,

Livorno, Barcelona.

[HWY 101]

We are also booked on the Nieu Amsterdam in 2010. I don't like to give recommendations for places I have never been but lukewarmwater's suggestions exactly match the months of research we have done. We have been to Santorini and Mykonos and both were fun. Santorini was especially beautiful. May would be a good time for those two Islands, but definitely avoid them in the summer months as they are party central for traveling students.

[eh2zed]

Firstly, the ships. Have been on both and you won't be disappointed with either. For a med cruise its all about the itinerary.

Just returned a few weeks ago from a cruise that went to all the ports you are questioning. Between Split and Dubrovnik I would pick Dubrovnik by just a bit. Split you can walk off the ship and tour the Palace and walk the Promenade. Dubrovnik, you have to take a shuttle downtown but the old town is magnificent, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Between Corfu and Mykonos, its a tough call. We rented cars in both. Corfu is much bigger and is really quite green. Mykonos is your more typical Greek island. Both have some nice beaches. I would pick Mykonos by a bit.

However, the early May Westerdam cruise goes to Istanbul and starts and finishes in Venice. For me thats the trump card. Both are simply fantastic. You also get Santorini, our favourite Greek island.

Now you would miss Rome and thats a shame. If, however, you have not been to Rome I would be tempted to pre or post cruise there including possibly flying into or out of Rome and taking the train to or from Venice. Now thats a great trip; the whole package.