Cruise Feedback

[Ducksquasher]

Hey All!

We are looking to plan a cruise centered around Italy (and surrounding area) next Summer. Kind of a graduation, family get together , etc. Only cruise experience we have had is the Carnival Cruise Ensenada run out of Long Beach which was a blast! Any and all feedback on the European cruises, countries, cruise lines, do's, dont's, best to book direct, AAA, Costco Traval, etc. is greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

 

[HNL2LHC]

Have not done a cruise but have to tell you that what ever amount of time you have in Italy it is not enough. That was the best vacation that we have had. What ports or cities are you going to? This can help with suggestions of things not to miss. Might be a good idea to give us the amount of time in the ports as well. You are going to have a blast. I only wish that we had more time. Just means we are going back again.

 

[Racer56]

Hey All!

We are looking to plan a cruise centered around Italy (and surrounding area) next Summer. Kind of a graduation, family get together , etc. Only cruise experience we have had is the Carnival Cruise Ensenada run out of Long Beach which was a blast! Any and all feedback on the European cruises, countries, cruise lines, do's, dont's, best to book direct, AAA, Costco Traval, etc. is greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

Mediterranean cruises are awesome. We did a Celebrity cruise and loved it. Started off in Greece and ended up in Spain. If you can try to give yourself some time before and after the cruise to get acclimated to the time. Costco travel is awesome and make sure you get a balcony stateroom.

 

[Ducksquasher]

Yes...it will be at least 2 weeks so a few days before and after off of the boat.

 

[rivermobster]

Good question. Watching this thread.

 

[Mikes56]

Exactly what Racer56 said as far as time before and after you get off the ship, and a balcony room. We usually AirbnB a house near the Port and Uber around town and use Uber Eats to deliver groceries to the house.

We’ve done 4 cruises with Virgin Voyages and loved them. We’ve been all over the world, except for Singapore and Dubai. I want to do that cruise with them too.
Virgin Voyages caters to the gays apparently, but we had a good time anyways. Everyone was very nice and you’re treated like a King from the minute you step on the ship. My wife and I burned thru a $950 bar tab in 8 days. We were drinking $23 glasses of champagne like it was water.

Look on their website it has all their cruises listed. We’re going to Alaska in August 2026, again with Virgin.

Ive got the contact info for a guy that works for Virgin if you choose to do that cruise line.

 

[shintoooo]

Last cruise I went on was this one. Had a blast!!

 

[DWC]

Hey All!

We are looking to plan a cruise centered around Italy (and surrounding area) next Summer. Kind of a graduation, family get together , etc. Only cruise experience we have had is the Carnival Cruise Ensenada run out of Long Beach which was a blast! Any and all feedback on the European cruises, countries, cruise lines, do's, dont's, best to book direct, AAA, Costco Traval, etc. is greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

We did Celebrity Edge a couple years ago. Started just outside of Rome and ended in Spain. 7 day trip. One of the best trips I’ve ever been on. There are plenty of deals direct or thru AAA/Costco. Sign up and you’ll be bombarded.
Book all of your excursions ahead of time. (Pay attention to how long you’ll be on every bus). It could be tough with a large group but necessary to get the better trips. Get there early. My only regret is we didn’t spend more time in Rome. I’m not a huge history guy but I’d go back in a heartbeat to check it out again.

 

[Music to my Ears]

We just booked a 7 day cruise out of Barcelona but all of the ports are in Italy. Palermo, Naples, Civitavechia, and Livorno. It’s this coming May 24-31 and then we’re spending 4 days in Barcelona. I’ll share my thoughts here as soon as we wrap up. All I hear is that it’s a great trip!

 

[Mikes56]

We just booked a 7 day cruise out of Barcelona but all of the ports are in Italy. Palermo, Naples, Civitavechia, and Livorno. It’s this coming May 24-31 and then we’re spending 4 days in Barcelona. I’ll share my thoughts here as soon as we wrap up. All I hear is that it’s a great trip!

You’re gonna love Barcelona. Dinner is usually served about 10pm, not 6ish like here in the U.S. We wondered what Tapas was, well it’s just small plates of food so you have to order 10 of them to fill you up.

Most of the men wear “man bags” to keep their wallets in. It’s kind of a fanny pack that goes across your chest and under one arm Apparently pickpocketing is a thing there and tourists are easy victims.

 

[Music to my Ears]

You’re gonna love Barcelona. Dinner is usually served about 10pm, not 6ish like here in the U.S. We wondered what Tapas was, well it’s just small plates of food so you have to order 10 of them to fill you up.

Most of the men wear “man bags” to keep their wallets in. It’s kind of a fanny pack that goes across your chest and under one arm Apparently pickpocketing is a thing there and tourists are easy victims.

Thanks for the feedback! This is our first time in Barcelona and everyone we know that has been tell us that we’re going to love it. But we’ve also heard about the pickpocketers and the need to stay vigilant. Sounds like I need to order some sort of security pack!

 

[TPC]

We have booked through AAA and maybe I’m painting it with a broad brush but their agents seem to be nutcakes.

Only advantage was a bottle of Champaign each night on our table.

We book direct with the cruiseline.

Pickpockets are only fined $275 so it continues and it’s epidemic. They are good they are all over Europe.
Under-shirt wallet holder is essential.

 

[Mikes56]

When we were there I heard to be careful if you have your phone in your hands taking pictures. Two idiots on a scooter will ride up behind you and the rear passenger will snatch it out of your hands.

All that said, just a little caution will make your trip amazing. I guess tourists stick out like a sore thumb and they know you won’t be returning for a court date.

 

[2Driver]

To each their own but I cant see the enjoyment of being contained and managed on a boat with 3,000 wildebeests.

 

[TPC]

In action:

 

[TPC]

To each their own but I cant see the enjoyment of being contained and managed on a boat with 3,000 wildebeests.

Disney Cruise on the smaller ships when Europe and US schools are in session.
No DEI.

The bars are amazing with appreciative service, cheapest drinks in cruising and over all nice experience like no other.

Nice cabins. Everywhere ya walk a view of the ocean.

Only 6 kids aboard the ship on our last.

Granddaughters service dog treated like a celebrity.
We cruised Europe a few months back and amazing.

Spain doesn’t want cruise ships so Ireland welcomed them, has really opened up and those ports are off the chain fantastic.

Disney larger ships are expensive cattle boats and to be avoided. Awful.

We only cruise to entertain our special needs granddaughter. We can’t stand other cruise lines and when Disney retires the smaller ships we won’t consider cruising anymore.

Recently in Paris the Louvre employees staged a work stoppage in protest of the pickpockets.
It’s bad.

 

[Ducksquasher]

To each their own but I cant see the enjoyment of being contained and managed on a boat with 3,000 wildebeests.

I used to think that until I went on a cruise? Everything is there from food, drinks, entertainment and everything in between. When you think the amount of time you spend shopping, cooking, getting back forth from rental car places, getting in/out of hotels, getting lost...it adds up. We are looking at seeing everything that we can and then going back to a place we really liked as a main destination on another trip, etc.

I was surprised how much I enjoyed the cruise we did take.