Which European cruise would you pick and why?

[jlbartley]

I haven’t been on a cruise in a long time and my husband has never been on one. I’m looking at 2 different Celebrity European cruises and trying to determine if there’s a reason to do one over the other. I’ve been on RC, Norwegian and Disney and we prefer good food although don’t need gourmet, solid entertainment and aren’t partiers. We’re mainly looking at a cruise ship as a moving hotel with dining included;)
 

https://www.celebritycruises.com/itinerary-details/11-night-adriatic-med-from-athens-piraeus-greece?groupId=IN11ATH-1039355710&packageID=IN11M281&sDT=2024-11-04&cCD=CO
 

https://www.celebritycruises.com/itinerary-details/10-night-rome-to-barcelona-cruise-from-rome-civitavecchia-italy?groupId=CS10ROM-987288726&packageID=CS10M346&sDT=2024-10-28&cCD=CO

 

Prices are very similar, the Infinity has an extra sea day which I don’t know we need but it is cheaper. 
 

Any reason you would chose one over the other? 
 

I’ve also considered this Norwegian. The couple of Norwegian cruises I’ve been on I thought the food was mediocre compared to RC and Disney so was leaning toward one of the Celebrity cruises. 

https://www.ncl.com/cruises/9-day-mediterranean-round-trip-barcelona-italy-france-and-spain-ESCAPE9BCNCEQLIVCIVNAPCAGPMIIBZBCN?destinations=4294949354,4294949395,4294949385&sailMonths=4294949362,4294949361&numberOfGuests=4294949461&stateroomcategorymeta=4294949452&sortBy=price&autoPopulate=f&from=resultpage&itineraryCode=ESCAPE9BCNCEQLIVCIVNAPCAGPMIIBZBCN

[Lastdance]

@jlbartley I could not get the second cruise, but have enjoyed all of the ports on the first one.  Mallorca is a great and adventurous island that has a wild side to it with lots of beauty.  I would be a little concerned with the age of the ship, mostly due to my own personal love of new ships; however, the Adriatic is beautiful.

Edit:  I was just able to get the second Celebrity cruise.  My choice would be the same; Marseille, IMHO, is not a great city, but if you tour outside it, maybe you would enjoy it.  Next year is Italy’s jubilee, but that would not concern you in the fall.  I am not familiar with Disney at all.

Edited July 6 by Lastdance
Able to click on the second Celebrity cruise.

[NMTraveller]

I would chose the first one myself.  I have a preference for more eastern.  Both are good.

 

[cw2go]

I've sailed to all of these ports IMO #1 is a better itinerary.

 

Kotor and Dubrovnik are wonderful ports and there is tons to do out of Naples and Florence is amazing. 

 

 

Enjoy which ever you choose,

Patty 

[Tom and Ingrid]

We've done two (Turkey & Greece and then Spain & Portugal) and headed to Norwegian Fjords at the end of the month.  So, those three 😄

 

But our next one would be an Italy/Croatia most likely.  

[jlbartley]

Thank you all so much. This is helpful. I was originally leaning towards the 11 night Adriatic but then wasn’t sure if the 3rd night at sea was ideal and saw that the Constellation tends to get better reviews than the Infinity although that might be a minor difference. I really appreciate hearing everyone’s experiences. 
 

I was also trying to decide on balcony or just ocean view. I’ve never had a balcony and like the idea but also wasn’t sure how much it would be usable this time of year and there are limited selections available. It’s about $1000 cheaper for the oceanview vs balcony. Thoughts on that?

[TeaBag]

I would pick the first also.  We have been to all the ports except Kotor and Dubrovnik and we will fix that in Aug on the Constellation.  Note on the first cruise Aqua class is the same price as Concierge.  That would be a plus for us.

We were typing at the same time.  Definitely a balcony!  We can't afford suites but we never cruise without a balcony..usually AQ class and enjoy it very much.  BTW, AQ class has its own dining room (Blu) in case you are not familiar with Celebrity.

Whatever you choose, have a great cruise and I hope your DH falls in love with cruising.

Edited July 6 by TeaBag

[Tom47]

I would also pick the first.  I recommend a balcony.  We always book a mid ship balcony.  I like to take pictures of the sunset and the moon from our balcony.  DH likes to sit and read in her bathrobe.

[Lastdance]

2 hours ago, jlbartley said:

Thank you all so much. This is helpful. I was originally leaning towards the 11 night Adriatic but then wasn’t sure if the 3rd night at sea was ideal and saw that the Constellation tends to get better reviews than the Infinity although that might be a minor difference. I really appreciate hearing everyone’s experiences. 
 

I was also trying to decide on balcony or just ocean view. I’ve never had a balcony and like the idea but also wasn’t sure how much it would be usable this time of year and there are limited selections available. It’s about $1000 cheaper for the oceanview vs balcony. Thoughts on that?

If money is an issue, choose the ocean view; the Adriatic can be a little rough in late October etc., but Mother Nature has her own agenda. 

Edited July 6 by Lastdance

[gordylad]

number 1 with two cracking places to stay beginning /end and some great ports inbetween.

[MLP12]

I've done both itineraries, also.  If I had to choose, I would go with the first one.  Greece is beautiful and the people are very friendly.