Seeking advice on Mediterranean cruise, new to the forums.

[Portiamac]

Yes, currently they've eliminated all ports in the Ukraine, so the Seabourn Black Sea itinerary is now:

Istanbul, Turkey (sailing from)

*Nessebur, Bulgaria TR

*Varna, Bulgaria

*Constanta, Romania

*At Sea

*Sinop, Turkey

*Istanbul, Turkey (overnight)

Istanbul, Turkey

 

We live in Italy, so we're seasoned travelers and the Black Sea itinerary appealed to us but looking into the ports, it appears there's not that much to do there. We are definitely more inclined to the Athens to Venice sailing, even though we'd probably have to sacrifice having a balcony on that sailing.

 

The Seabourn cruise we're more inclined for, albeit in an oceanview suite (not veranda, bummer):

 

 

Depart

Piraeus (Athens), Greece (sailing from)

*Monemvasia, Greece TR

*Katakolon, Greece

*Parga, Greece TR

*Dubrovnik, Croatia TR

*Hvar, Croatia TR

*Ravenna (San Marino), Italy

Venice, Italy

 

Thoughts/opinions welcome. Thanks!

 

We have done the Black Sea (part of back to back) itinery last July/August. The weather was good. Our favourite ports were Odessa and Yalta (both very clean, very pretty and very interesting) which they are not stopping there this year. Nessebur and Sinop were ok. Constanza is a complete waste of time and a number of guests were complaining about it. Even the staffs commented it would have been better to have a sea day instead. So, may be the Black Sea itinery is better to be left for another year when they do stop at Ukraine.

 

We have done the Adriatic twice but have not stopped at ports you mentioned except Dubrovnik, which we find very crowded. Whilst it is pretty, most of the buildings within the walls are actually relatively new. Someone tried to sell us trips for kayaking along the coasts which sounds interesting. We will be doing that this July when we do the itinerary you mentioned.

 

As far as the Adriatic is concern, our favourite port is Kotor which we will be there again in July. If you do Venice to Athens instead, you will find Seabourn stops there.

Edited May 9, 2014 by Portiamac

[Portiamac]

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Edited May 9, 2014 by Portiamac