Which Mediterranean ports & ship for anniv trip?

[nelblu]

We did both last September , knew nothing about Kotor but totally loved that walled city

 

 

Is it like Dubrovnik, Croatia.

[Hoopster95]

Is it like Dubrovnik, Croatia.

 

Kind of in a way... but not really.

The sail in/sailaway in Kotor is outstanding! The old town and climbing the old fort with the views is.... well... a lifetime memory.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=44378022&highlight=signage+marking#post44378022

 

Dubrovnik's sail-in is not as outstanding. The Unesco old town truly is.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=44456069&highlight=Cable+Car#post44456069

And the views and war museum at the top are outstanding. Both ports are Med must sees for any avid cruiser, especially if you can combine with Venice.

[grapau27]

Any ship out of Venice - go early (May) or late (Sept) to avoid crowds, heat and high prices.

Great advice.

Mykonos Santorini and Athens in Greece are fantastic.

[grapau27]

1. Question for you OP.... are you dead set on Royal Caribbean? Or are you willing to look at another equivalent cruise line?

 

2. Greek's best are Santorini, Mykonos, Athens and Rhodes. Corfu is just ok. Crete I can do without.

 

3. Definitely a smaller ship (not too small) and with decent amenities. Both Vision and Radiance Class are perfect sizes for the Med.

 

 

Most important question OP is regarding what I've hilighted.... you've never been to the Med.... are you dead set on Greece? If so that's cool, however only Santorini for me falls into the top 10 ports/cities in the Med to visit. And what time of year are you planning?

Great post and perfect questions.

Jewel of the seas, Vision, Brilliance or Freedom which we got off yesterday offer fantastic ports of call.

[grapau27]

Great stuff! Thank you!

 

As for being dead set on RC...I'd "prefer" RC simply to rack up some C&A points since we'll likely book a suite. That's pretty much the ONLY reason we'd choose RC in Europe.

 

The wife has always wanted to see Santorini, so we'll likely pick an itinerary that includes it.

 

We'll probably do a spring trip, so late April/Early May is what we're considering based on what we've heard so far.

 

Thanks ALL for the tips so far...very helpful!

Santorini is fantastic and if possible try and find out how many ships are anchored on the day you visit because if there are more than 2 you will wait ages for the cable car which you need and everywhere will be packed.

[Merly]

Santorini is fantastic and if possible try and find out how many ships are anchored on the day you visit because if there are more than 2 you will wait ages for the cable car which you need and everywhere will be packed.

If you want to see the blue domed buildings, ( the ones you see on posters etc), they are in Oia on the other side of the island. You need to get a boat, which are right where the tender lands. A short trip around to the other side where a bus will take you the very short journey to Oia. (Very steep hill). Walk around Oia for a couple of hours and the get the bus to Fira, ( all included in the cost of the boat ticket). Have a look around Fira and then get the cable car back down to the tender. All very easy to do ( a fraction of the cost with Royal) and a lovely day. But yes it does get busy so go as early as you can.

[George C]

Is it like Dubrovnik, Croatia.

 

Great thing is tender docked a few feet from walled city, no tour is needed and yes similar to Dubronik , would love to do both again

[jamesr3939]

I needs to depart between Oct 27-30 and it need to go to Santorini (future wife's only request).

 

There are several good search engines that will give you exactly what you need. I would look at Costa, MSC, and NCL.

[Biker19]

^ like cruiseplum.

[nelblu]

Kind of in a way... but not really.

The sail in/sailaway in Kotor is outstanding! The old town and climbing the old fort with the views is.... well... a lifetime memory.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=44378022&highlight=signage+marking#post44378022

 

Dubrovnik's sail-in is not as outstanding. The Unesco old town truly is.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=44456069&highlight=Cable+Car#post44456069

And the views and war museum at the top are outstanding. Both ports are Med must sees for any avid cruiser, especially if you can combine with Venice.

 

 

While cruising the Med. a few years ago, some crew member mentioned that Montenegro was going to be on the future schedule. He was right and mentioned that Montenegro has wonderful casinos that rival Monaco (not impressed + a fee to enter). Don't know if true or not, therefore, if so does Kotor have any casinos.

[4774Papa]

1. Question for you OP.... are you dead set on Royal Caribbean? Or are you willing to look at another equivalent cruise line?

 

2. Greek's best are Santorini, Mykonos, Athens and Rhodes. Corfu is just ok. Crete I can do without.

 

3. Definitely a smaller ship (not too small) and with decent amenities. Both Vision and Radiance Class are perfect sizes for the Med.

 

 

Most important question OP is regarding what I've hilighted.... you've never been to the Med.... are you dead set on Greece? If so that's cool, however only Santorini for me falls into the top 10 ports/cities in the Med to visit. And what time of year are you planning?

Santorini was my favorite port of all the islands. Corfu was great, because we took a tour that visited the north end of the island and a monastery. The people that just stayed in the port missed a lot.

 

Crete was important for me since I wanted to the ancient ruins of the Minoan city of Knossos. Mykonos (go to the Delos island) was nice.

 

Athens is an easy DIY port, take the METRO to the Acropolis then visit Constitution Square. The Parthenon is amazing.

[vacationlover_mn]

Other fun facts- this was not a "relaxing" cruise- it was very port intensive.... but it was awesome! Our excursions were very long, our days were long, but no regrets!!!!

 

And, if you go to Mykonos, I highly recommend the excursion to Delos- the sites and history are amazing :). Also, we didn't expect much out of Turkey (Kusadasi), but this ended up being one of our favorite poets :)

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums