Mediterranean in June 2005 suggestions...

[orgirl]

My daughter came home from school the other day with a brochure about a school-sponsored tour of the British Isles for next summer. Cost was about $2K pp for 11 days. Sounded like a good idea to her until I suggested a Mediterranean cruise for about the same time b/c:

1. I would rather go to the Med on my first trip to Europe

2. It costs approximately the same even after spending money and the extras &

3. The idea of spending 11 days with some of the other parents makes me break out with hives! [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif[/img]

Now for the question: I've started researching the whens, the wheres and the what cruise line. I'm 35 & she is 16 (we'll be a year older then), we each may take a friend with us, and wonder if anyone has some suggestions or advice, particularly what cruise line and/or itinerary.

I have to add that CC was the first place I started when researching this idea, everyone was so helpful before my last cruise. Any replies would be appreciated!! [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img] [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img] [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img] [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

*Steph*

Celebration 9/13/03--NBA Bachelorette Cruise--AWESOME!!

It's 5 o'clock somewhere--Where's my cosmopolitan???

[snshn3]

I am 26rs old and my husband is 33. We will be taking Royal Caribbean's "Brilliance of the Seas" ship on June 17th 2005 out of Barcelona, Spain to Nice, France, then Florence, Rome, Naples, Venice Italy and then to Croatia and Greece. The cruise is for 12 nights.

[kayakfam]

We're also looking at a Med cruise for June 2005. There is a great rate on the Brilliance of the Seas right now for June 5, 2005. Look on the CC Bargain Board.

Celebrity doesn't have their 2005 Med schedule out yet. My TA is waiting and looking for me for other cruise lines, as well.

Deb

[orgirl]

Thanks guys! Let me know if you find something good. Question: Does anyone know if Carnival (or it's affiliates) have itineraries in Europe? A discount might come in handy!

~Steph~

Celebration 9/13/03--NBA Bachelorette Cruise--AWESOME!!

It's 5 o'clock somewhere--Where's my cosmopolitan???

[serene56]

Costa cruises Europe. Its run by Carnival but has Itialina flair.
I, too has been researching a cruise to Med. but only for 2006. I been looking at the 2005 so I can get a feel for whats out there. I do see some specials that run cruise AND airfare for a low price. I think that may be the way I want to go.
From reading I am wondering about the month of August. As it seems a lot of countries take a holiday. (for the whole month so be careful on what time you book)

Going NOWHERE
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=000080&cdt=2004;10;22;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]


Miracle, February 13, 2005
Legend, October 22,2004
Voyager August 31,2003
Victory September 22,2002
Regal Empress,June 2001
Sensation,August 2000

[fodorspeter]

Airfare is generally the issue with a lot of the Med cruises as they start in one city and finish in another. We were on a Western Med with RCCL that sailed round trip from Barcelona. It was very port intensive, but we stayed an extra four days on the island of Mallorca to relax. This is an excellent itinerary and by using public transportation and sound upfront research and planning, you can do all of the excursions on your own for a fraction of the cost. The ports are Villefranche (Monte Carlo), Livorno (Florence), Civitavecchia (Rome), Naples and one other that they replaced Malta for.

Peter

[orgirl]

I've been trying to get more info about other cruise lines online, but it seems like most haven't posted itineraries for the Med next summer yet. Any idea how far in advance most cruiselines post???

~Steph~

Celebration 9/13/03--NBA Bachelorette Cruise--AWESOME!!

Next cruise? NOT SOON ENOUGH!!

[kayakfam]

Steph - All I can find is RCCL, Princess and Windstar. I was told Celebrity would have their itineraries later in the spring/summer. Hard to plan when one doesn't have all the info.

Deb