LP Dad

I think that they are comparable. I liked Costa's food entertainment better. I think MSC's fleet is (overall) newer, but I could be wrong.

I would book either one, depending on price and itinerary. In fact, recently, I tried to book a long voyage with Costa but I was put on a waiting list. I happily booked with MSC a few days later for a similar trip at a similar price.

LPD

I'm not sure I understand. MSC takes American Express.

I just booked an MSC cruise directly with MSC, using Amex, and got 2X MR points on the cruise, beverage package, and excursions.

LPD

Haha, Chris, I wondered the same thing.

If you're British, traveling on a Swiss cruise line, the "foreigners" are you.

Italy is very accommodating for those with celiac disease or gluten intolerance. In fact, the government offers monthly subsidies for those who need to eat gluten-free.

Both of our children have CD and had no problems eating on MSC or Costa. I would say that MSC's GF food is more mass-produced, whereas on Costa the chef made our son whatever he wanted in GF form.

I've mentioned this elsewhere: on MSC, my daughter's GF pasta once came out piping hot in some areas and frozen in others, a pretty clear indication that it had been microwaved. But, overall, both cruise lines really tried their best.

LPD

Another vote here for Montalcino, and Poggio Antico in particular. The wines are among the best in Italy, and the P-A operation seems more like a working farm than a tourist site.

Please remember that current restrictions on carry-on items make bringing wine back far more challenging. I managed to bring 6 bottles back in checked luggage (wrapped in shirts) but I wouldn't risk it again. The winery will ship direct to most countries.

Lastly, a warning about AutoEurope: I have used them successfully in many countries, but I had a bad experience recently in Curacao. There was a minor problem with a rental, and Avis/Budget wouldn't address the issue because I had booked through AutoEurope. And AutoEurope wouldn't respond, either. I'm not suggesting they're terrible, but I would never use them again.

LP Dad

The passenger terminal at the port isn't particularly easy to reach from the Canal Grande. I agree that one trip makes more sense than two.

I would add that the embarkation process was generally disorganized. (Obviously, it was better for YC passengers.)

I was more acquainted with Italy in general than with cruises in particular, so I wasn't completely surprised. It was definitely something to be endured rather than enjoyed.

Have a great trip.

LPD

Well, first of all, I think you can have a great time if you go in with realistic expectations. The cabins are small, the ship can be crowded, and the food might not be fine dining.

I was on the Preziosa 18 months ago out of Venice with my (then) 17-year-old daughter, who has celiac disease. (We spell it differently in Canada.)

I can't answer questions 1 & 2.

There is a menu for Celiacs in the main dining rooms. Of course, some of the main courses are GF anyway. There is always GF pasta and GF bread. I would note that once at lunch my daughter's spaghetti bolognese was piping hot in some places and freezing cold in others --- a pretty sure sign that it was microwaved from frozen. Sorry to tell you that but it's the truth.

The buffet did not offer GF choices, other than those that were GF anyway.

We had the Allegrissimo drink package and I recommend it. (I don't know anything about the wine package.) We paid a little less than adult couples because my daughter's was still at a child rate. I'm not sure that we saved a lot but it was nice to have unlimited drinks, including bottled water, and gelato. We were in the Adriatic in August so the heat was intense.

The red wine offered the first night was not to my taste, so I asked for a different selection the next night. It was much better, and from then on a bottle of that vintage was at my table setting every night.

I strongly suggest not leaving Rome early, going to the port, then returning to Rome, and returning later. The port is a long way from Rome, and plenty can go wrong to and from. Please don't do it. You would see a lot more of the train than the city.

I have no idea about who cruises in November. It will depend on school vacation schedules. I think the weather might still be mild and ideal for touring, but perhaps less so for sunbathing.

The Preziosa is a beautiful ship. The public areas are attractive and the cabins are well laid out. The food wasn't fantastic but it was perfectly fine. Celiacs are accommodated. The shows were not my style, but lots of people love them --- and that's not condescension on my part, just different preferences.

Have a great trip.

I've done two Eastern European cruises with Costa and one with MSC on the Adriatic.

I preferred the itinerary on the Adriatic but perhaps that's because I'd already been to most of the Med ports prior to the cruises.

I think we are somewhat spoiled in Canada WRT airfares to Europe. We have two discount airlines --- Air Transat and Rouge --- that offer pretty inexpensive flights to Barcelona, Rome, Venice, etc.

To give some context, Toronto to Barcelona return and Toronto to Rome return are both in the C$750 range for July departures. That's less than US$600, taxes in. Of course, these are the K-Mart of airlines, but who cares? I'd stand all the way to Europe for the right price.

It may be officially 18, but under-18s will not be carded or refused if ordering alcohol with a parent present.

Not saying how I know that.

We were on the same itinerary last August (stopping at Bari instead of Brindisi). I didn't make a trip report because it had been just done so well in the thread KatGoesOnHoliday.

I agree that some of the times in port were too short, but no one already booked should fret. Here are some quick observations:

Bari must surely be Italy's least-attractive city. (Apologies to the C. of C.) But we had flown from Canada, landing an hour prior to embarkation in Venice. So a leisurely day without too much pressure was just fine.

Katakalon, of course, only exists because of its proximity to Olympia. We went on the excursion to the site --- I suppose it is nice to say you've been, but I found it a bit of a bore. To be fair, I'm not much of an Olympics fan, so take my view with a large grain of salt. I could have done without the tour group's visit to a sketchy jewelry store in town.

Izmir was terrific. As you exit the dock, you'll be hounded by dozens of taxi drivers offering you their services. We resisted and resisted, until a nice man (named Hossman, or Ossman?) convinced us. It was a great stroke of luck because he was kind and informative, and took us to places we never would have found otherwise.

Istanbul - well, what's to say? Is there any place like it, anywhere? Again, we took a tour, to the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sofia, museum, etc. The group also stopped at a carpet store, but the sell was soft and very informative. One warning: the trip to the Blue Mosque tends to begin just as morning prayers are underway. The crowds are a bit overwhelming, but you'll get in faster than you think.

After a sea day, you'll get to Dubrovnik; no question that this stop is way too short. Between the disembarkation, busses to the city centre, and a safe return time, you'll blink and be done. It's nothing more than a taste of a city you might or might not to return to.

If I was in charge of MSC, I'd scratch Bari/Brindisi and Katakolon and head straight for Turkey - spending a full day in Izmir and two full days in Istanbul. However, I'm well aware that there are many factors that go into stops, like food & beverage loading and picking up additional passengers.

There's no question that this 7-day itinerary covers a vast number of nautical miles. It's a different pace from the Barcelona-Provence-Livorno-Civitavecchia-Naples run.

My recommendation? First or second European cruise: Med.

Thereafter: Adriatic.

Having disemarked the Preziosa in Venice last year, I'll just add a personal remembrance: the atmosphere on the final day was a bit like being in Monte Carlo the day after the Grand Prix...

The lounge chairs were stacked and locked, and staff were practically non-existent. I think attention had turned to the new passengers.

That doesn't specifically answer your question - although Pete did. I just wouldn't expect a lot of service or ambiance on your final day.

An inside cabin became magically available for the same dates, at a lower price.

I think it's a better fit for my daughter, and perhaps one day Seabourn will fit into our plans. My wife doesn't like to cruise - based on her negative experience on a three-day cruise through work 25 years ago. But I think a Seabourn brochure might change her mind...

The particular cruise I was considering arrives at a different port than embarkation. I need to be home the same day, and flight costs are prohibitive - more $$ than the cruise - from that city on that date.

On that basis, it's a no-go, but thanks to all who posted. The replies were thoughtful and helpful.

Thank you for the response. It would be this month on the Adriatic.

I took my son on two Costa cruises at around the same age, and he had the time of his life. (The two ships were the Concordia and the Allegra...)

The Seabourn is about $1000 more pp than an MSC cruise on the same date. I can probably justify the expense, but I want her to have fun, obviously - not stuck with me talking politics after dinner.

Would my 17-year-old daughter meet anyone her age on a Seabourn cruise?