EPIC Med VS Carib cruise differences?

[michelle028]

Hi all,

 

What are the major differences between a Med cruise and a Caribbean cruise? Its my first Med cruise so any tips and advice would help!

 

Thank you!

[ppstateofmind]

The ports where she stops. :D

[HarpHarp]

The Med is much more port intensive. Some of the major attractions-Rome, Naples. & Florence, are far from the dock, so no quick return to the ship for forgotten essentials or lunch.

Dress is more conservative. No tank tops & shorts if you want to get into the churches. It is difficult if not impossible to pick up a tour at the port. If you get on your roll call & arrange private group tours there, you will save money & have a better experience.

[TSUmom]

I agree with everything HarpHarp says. I will add that it is not the relaxed party atmosphere that you feel in the Caribbean. We toured all day, got back to the ship, ate and either had a drink and went to our cabin or stopped at the casino for a bit.

 

We love the Caribbean but to us this was by far the best cruise we have taken. It was also the most exhausting, we saw so much and learned so much.

 

Also depending on which port you want to spend the most time in make that your embarkation port. As HarpHarp said, the ports are not close to many sites, especially Rome.

[4774Papa]

The difference is like night and day.

 

The Med ports are awesome, filled with history and culture.

The Caribbean is minor league compared to the MED. It is still fun, but hard to compare with ports like Venice, Athens, Istanbul, Barcelona, etc.

[meltingmoments]

Totally agree with everything said so far.

Would just like to add, that for us, as Brits, we noticed another, quite significant difference. On the Getaway, Caribbean cruise, most of the passengers were American and we found them SO friendly and chatty, whereas on the Epic, Western Med, passengers were more from Europe and not so chatty. I mean no disrespect by this at all, just that everywhere we went on the Getaway, someone would strike up a conversation. On the Epic......not so much. Just our observation. :)

[jeffregpuck]

Totally agree with everything said so far.

Would just like to add, that for us, as Brits, we noticed another, quite significant difference. On the Getaway, Caribbean cruise, most of the passengers were American and we found them SO friendly and chatty, whereas on the Epic, Western Med, passengers were more from Europe and not so chatty. I mean no disrespect by this at all, just that everywhere we went on the Getaway, someone would strike up a conversation. On the Epic......not so much. Just our observation. :)

 

I have noticed this too. It does depend on which part of Europe they are from. The Brits and Italians are generally pretty chatty and interact, where as some of the folks from other countries were much more reserved.

 

The ports are highlighted more on a Med Cruise, and you will probably spend more time off the ship than in the Caribbean.

[Pluto_fan]

I agree with the posters above. I'd sum it up as...a Caribbean cruise is vacationing, a Med cruise is traveling. :) Enjoy!

[Froggitt]

Totally agree with everything said so far.

Would just like to add, that for us, as Brits, we noticed another, quite significant difference. On the Getaway, Caribbean cruise, most of the passengers were American and we found them SO friendly and chatty, whereas on the Epic, Western Med, passengers were more from Europe and not so chatty. I mean no disrespect by this at all, just that everywhere we went on the Getaway, someone would strike up a conversation. On the Epic......not so much. Just our observation. :)

 

Another +1

[mikeriv79]

I was on the Jade out of Venice. Noticed the entertainment was different also. There was no comedian, which we were told was because the Europeans don't understand American comedy. The newlywed, not so newlywed game didn't attract a lot of guests. It's usually standing room only on the Caribbean cruises.

[HarpHarp]

I have noticed this too. It does depend on which part of Europe they are from. The Brits and Italians are generally pretty chatty and interact, where as some of the folks from other countries were much more reserved.

 

The ports are highlighted more on a Med Cruise, and you will probably spend more time off the ship than in the Caribbean.

 

We had enough Russians on our cruise that some of the announcements were made in Russian as well as English & Spanish. The 70 year old Russian men in their little speedos at the pool with their 25 year old companions in bikinis & high heels were quite a sight.:D

[Quilting_Cruiser]

As others have said, they're usually very port-intensive and you end up worn out at the end of each day. TBH, I don't even look at Caribbean cruises anymore. I love cruising in Europe and have my third booked for next year. Two years ago it was a Baltic cruise, last year it was Adriatic, next year is Morocco and the Canary Islands. :D

 

 

Totally agree with everything said so far.

Would just like to add, that for us, as Brits, we noticed another, quite significant difference. On the Getaway, Caribbean cruise, most of the passengers were American and we found them SO friendly and chatty, whereas on the Epic, Western Med, passengers were more from Europe and not so chatty. I mean no disrespect by this at all, just that everywhere we went on the Getaway, someone would strike up a conversation. On the Epic......not so much. Just our observation. :)

 

 

Interesting. I experienced just the opposite on my Jade cruise last year. I had significantly more conversations with other passengers than I've had on any previous cruises. However, I was also traveling solo on that cruise so I think people struck up conversations with me more often because I was alone. I'm sure when I'm traveling with my family, we're chatting with each other rather than being open to engage in those opportunities to talk with strangers. It was a completely different experience, and I enjoyed talking with people from different parts of the world. :)

[robin13]

Got back from my Epic Med cruise on 5/17 totally exhausted and now looking forward to my Caribbean cruise on 9/13. This one will be laying by the pool all day and drinking and reading my book. The Med cruise was go go go but loved the history and the sites of the ports. This was my second Med cruise so now I want to do Northern Europe. Just have to find the right price and time to go.

[laxfanmom1]

It's a lot like the difference between going to the beach for a week and going to Disneyworld for a week! For the Med (Disney) you must plan, plan, plan and wake up early to take advantage of all the sights and culture that you can. For the Caribbean you can just wake up late and decide if you want to go to the beach, walk around the small town, or stay on the ship.

[meltingmoments]

The 70 year old Russian men in their little speedos at the pool with their 25 year old companions in bikinis & high heels were quite a sight.:D

 

I'm not sure I'm ready for that!! :D :eek:

[Tiggertastic]

Med cruises are much more for exploring and experiencing for us where we use the Caribbean ones to just relax. There's s much culture and history in Europe that we also spend a lot more on med ones

[cb at sea]

In the Caribbean, every island is about the same...so you can be more relaxed...dont' have to run and sightsee...there's not the "history" that Europe/Med has.

 

Most folks go to the Med to sightsee...and they are off the ship as long as they can be...totally different "vibe" than a Caribbean cruise.

 

Think of the Caribbean cruise as a party/relaxation vacation.

[LEtue]

I agree with the posters above. I'd sum it up as...a Caribbean cruise is vacationing, a Med cruise is traveling. :) Enjoy!

 

Perfectly stated and I totally agree :D

[eiffeltower07]

You'll have to sit through the muster drill and major announcements in a few different languages :)