Italy & Croatia/Greece Itinerary Advice Needed

[suem51]

Looking at a 7–10-night Italy & Croatia (and/or Greece) itinerary starting in Venice and ending in Rome in Fall 2025. Could use some advice with the itinerary and cruise line. Couple in our late 50s/early 60s. We’ve never been to Europe. We are flying from NYC to Budapest to visit with family first then traveling to Venice (a nearby port is fine). We thought we’d start in Venice and end in Rome and spend a few nights in Rome before flying home. Ideally, we wanted the Venice-Croatia-Greece-Rome itinerary, but options were limited in Fall 2025. I have a hold on RC Oct 27^th, outside room with window, 7-night Italy & Croatia. It was the lowest price point on a smaller/older ship, Voyager of the Seas. There are a few other itineraries with higher prices on Celebrity and NCL. Figured we’d be walking a lot and tired at night so food quality (not entertainment) would matter more to us on this cruise. We would do a few excursions, but we prefer to walk off the ship and wander. Tyia!

[euro cruiser]

With RC, when they say Venice the actual port is Ravenna, more than 100 south (two and a half hours driving time, slightly longer by train).

 

If you want to spend time in Venice you'll need to factor that into your planning.

[alserrod]

6 hours ago, suem51 said:

Looking at a 7–10-night Italy & Croatia (and/or Greece) itinerary starting in Venice and ending in Rome in Fall 2025. Could use some advice with the itinerary and cruise line. Couple in our late 50s/early 60s. We’ve never been to Europe. We are flying from NYC to Budapest to visit with family first then traveling to Venice (a nearby port is fine). We thought we’d start in Venice and end in Rome and spend a few nights in Rome before flying home. Ideally, we wanted the Venice-Croatia-Greece-Rome itinerary, but options were limited in Fall 2025. I have a hold on RC Oct 27^th, outside room with window, 7-night Italy & Croatia. It was the lowest price point on a smaller/older ship, Voyager of the Seas. There are a few other itineraries with higher prices on Celebrity and NCL. Figured we’d be walking a lot and tired at night so food quality (not entertainment) would matter more to us on this cruise. We would do a few excursions, but we prefer to walk off the ship and wander. Tyia!

 

 

 

Which are your ports of call?

[suem51]

7 hours ago, euro cruiser said:

With RC, when they say Venice the actual port is Ravenna, more than 100 south (two and a half hours driving time, slightly longer by train).

 

If you want to spend time in Venice you'll need to factor that into your planning.

Understood. That’s fine by us. 

[suem51]

57 minutes ago, alserrod said:

 

 

 

Which are your ports of call?

ports of call are Zadar, Croatia, Kotor, Sicily, Naples, Rome

[CCJack]

Well between Budapest, Venice and Rome, you have a great start on a nice vacation... those 3 are all great cities to visit.

 

I like at least 2 nights in Venice first, in that way you have one full day.  Venice can be crazy crowded mid day but mornings and evenings it can really empty out.  I would suggest a hotel in Venice proper so you can walk in the morning and evening.

 

3 nights in Rome post cruise would be good.

 

We have been on all 3 of those cruiselines in Europe and they are more similar than different. I would base my decision on itinerary and price, all 3 of those would work for me.    Celebrity maybe a step up in food quality, etc.

 

If you are considering 7-10 day maybe do the 7 day cruise and use those other days as land based stays on the front or back end.  

 

Have fun...

 

 

[texasstar]

Check out Windstar. They have a great cruise that covers that area.  Sign up for their 7 for 7 specials, it is sometimes listed there.

[alserrod]

11 hours ago, suem51 said:

ports of call are Zadar, Croatia, Kotor, Sicily, Naples, Rome

 

 

I have glanced RC web.... you may add Dubrovnik too

 

Just remember people in Europe who go on a cruise do not think the ship is a destination indeed but a nice way to move. Destination are ports

All of them are cultural and heritage stops. Some of them are a must. Some of them are a 1 week holiday destination.

 

I would try to surf about those ports of call, what you can find, what to see and enjoy these previous months

[suem51]

5 hours ago, alserrod said:

 

 

I have glanced RC web.... you may add Dubrovnik too

 

Just remember people in Europe who go on a cruise do not think the ship is a destination indeed but a nice way to move. Destination are ports

All of them are cultural and heritage stops. Some of them are a must. Some of them are a 1 week holiday destination.

 

I would try to surf about those ports of call, what you can find, what to see and enjoy these previous months

Dubrovink is a location we would both like to explore. Yes, that is exactly my thought process that a ship is a method to move around. I think after Budapest and first-time land travel, we'll be tired and ready to unpack our bags and be transported to places. That is why the ship itself is less important to us than the itinerary although we do like a good cup of coffee and decent food but doesn't have to be gourmet. 

[alserrod]

I have been in Dubrovnik, I have searched for Kotor but never been

Everyone says Kotor is pretier than Dubrovnik

[marazul]

1 minute ago, alserrod said:

I have been in Dubrovnik, I have searched for Kotor but never been

Everyone says Kotor is pretier than Dubrovnik

There is no comparison. Dubrovnik is far more beautiful than Kotor. However, the sail in to Kotor is spectacular.