He who controls the seas, controls the world.

April 14, 2008 5:32 PM

Honeymoon in August - cruise in the Mediterranean?

Anyone have suggestions for a great August Honeymoon cruise in the Mediterranean? Looking for all-inclusive but to be less on the boat and more on the land seeing it. Younger crowd - mid-30s. I've been backpacking Italy before but he hasn't so I want to show him the big sights. Also hoping maybe to have Greece on the itinerary?

Looking for personal experience references, anyone?

posted by eatdonuts to travel & transportation (4 comments total)

Hmm. August is hurricane season in most cruising destinations, including Greece and the Caribbean, so even if cruises are available for August, that might not be your best bet.

Other than that, I don't have enormously good suggestions because younger crowds usually mean budget cruises, of which there are many -- but the big cruise lines also do Euro circuits.
You're probably looking for a boutique cruise in between, though.
posted by DarlingBri at 6:12 PM on April 14

My daughter and I spent 12 days on Celebrity cruise line in 2005, in late July...the ship was Galaxy. We spent all but two of our days in ports including Naples, Rhodes, Greece, Athens, Mykonos, Sicily..several others, ending up in Dubrovnik, Croatia, our favorite stop with a walled medieval city, then back to Civitavecchia, train back to Rome and home. We first flew to Italy, spent 3 days in Rome, seeing sites including the Coliseum, cathedrals, plazas, many famous sites including the Vatican and the Sistine Chapel and adjoining galleries which alone was worth the trip. It was quite hot and the moderately priced hotel we stayed in had no air conditioning, but did have a nice continental breakfast each morning. We walked a lot, took a cab a couple of times. We then took a train (local, not the expensive Eurail) ---for which we purchased tickets by just asking at a tourist information kiosk on the street in Rome---went to the port of Civittavecchia where we boarded our cruise ship. My daughter had just gotten her Master's and we were celebrating...She was in her twenties, I in my forties...we both absolutely loved the entire experience and would do it again in a heartbeat. The food was plentiful and exceptional, service wonderful. You'll need to set aside about 10 to 20% of the cost of the cruise to tip the many service providers on the ship at the end of the cruise...We loved Celebrity Cruises for the price, atmosphere, service, and seamless way they got us on and off the ship and into the ports of each of our stops so we were able to really enjoy our time on shore. There were "tours" available at all of the ports that we could purchase on board the ship. We asked a few questions once we were on board to find out what ports would be easily accessible without these tours, and which we would really benefit from by buying the tour(rather than paying beforehand and finding out later we'd rather have been on our own). We purchased tours in Naples, so we could get a guided tour of Pompeii...well worth the money, also got a tour of Athens, because we particularly wanted to go to the Acropolis. In all I think we did our own thing at all but three ports and were pleased. Many of the sites are easily accessible by just walking off the ship and into the town, and others are a cheap and brief taxi ride away. I

should say that we were on a tight budget, so we ate mostly on the ship and just tried local specialties when in port. I did a fair amount of reading--there was a small library on board and it was really a pleasure to stretch out on a deck chair with a book, an espresso, and a couple of petit fours with a Robert Ludlum thriller. We also saw a show on board, and a couple of movies. There was also a small gambling casino, several bars, dance floors with dance instructors available, a spa, several swimming pools and evening activities such as TV-type game shows bar patrons could be part of, and altogether a convivial atmosphere.

A cruise is an even better bargain right now since you spend most of your money in dollars rather than paying in European currencies and losing your shirt due to the poor exchange rate. I suppose I could go on...I know I could...but I can't recommend a cruise enough...and Celebrity has wonderful offerings for an excellent price at that time of year. A bit warm, but essentially you're at an all-inclusive resort that includes transportation all over the Mediterranean...and by buying just 6 weeks or so beforehand and taking an inexpensive cabin, we spent about $100 per day for each of us...food, lodging, entertainment, transport...you can't beat it. You'll probably pay more, since you're on your honeymoon, and maybe get a cabin with a balcony...We hope to do that NEXT time!!
posted by mumstheword at 7:33 PM on April 14

I've kept the Hebridean Line on my wish list for years. They have two small ships, and run fascinating itineraries (one ship primarily in the Med, one in the Scottish Isles).

Here's the itinerary of the Princess:
http://www.hebridean.co.uk/cruiselistings/spirit_cruises.html

Not cheap, but all-inclusive and then some.
posted by minervous at 4:24 AM on April 15

I went to the Eastern Med last fall and had a really fun time. A few things you should keep in mind:

- cruise lines are generally "inclusive" but to varying degrees. Virtually all cruise lines include food and entertainment in the ticket price. Only the super-expensive lines (like Hebridean) include things like alcohol, soda and guided tours of the ports. You'll generally get better value with something more a la carte. You don't have to carry around cash, though, as you can conveniently (and dangerously!) put your bar and other charges on your stateroom account

- age is inversely correlated with price and length of cruise. A less luxurious, 7-12 day cruise will have a lot more 30 somethings than a very high end 14+ day cruise

- a cruise is a "sampler" way to see Europe. Even the higher-end lines (Holland America Line, Windstar, Celebrity, Oceania, etc. ) that often include one or two over-night stays in a port only give you a taste of each one

- GO TO EPHESIS, a Greek ruin at the Turkish port of Kusadasi. It was the first morning and the tour left at 7:30am and I was horribly jetlagged and missed it. Everyone said it was the highlight of the cruise

- If you want to go to Greece, look for "Eastern Mediterranean" cruises. There are lots that leave from Pireus (the port near Athens)

- Book ASAP. Since you probably want a specific date to coincide with your wedding, keep in mind that a lot of these cruises sell out a year in advance.

Here's how I'd compare the major lines:
- Holland America Line for amazing service and cushy cabins. Best beds and room service breakfast around. Good value.
- Celebrity is good, same price category as Holland America, but IMHO their room service and cabin amenities aren't up to par unless you upgrade to "Concierge Class" or higher. Ships are beautiful.
- Carnival. Least expensive in Europe, will have the youngest crowd and the best nightlife. Arguably not as "polished" as the others. Good beds. Only continental breakfast for room service.
- Royal Caribbean. Very large ships. Somewhat focused on the onboard experience. Surprisingly mediocre nightlife.
- Princess. Food was mass-market (main flavors were salt and fat) but service is good. Awful beds and only continental room service breakfast unless you're in a suite.
posted by CruiseSavvy at 10:25 AM on April 23