backhandgrip

In my opinion, it's the ports. Iceland is a hot destination at this time of year as the Northern Lights are becoming visible. New England cruises this time of year are expensive because of the changing colors and this cruise has several New England stops . Furthermore, think it's selling well so that's why they are not dropping the price. A cruise across the Atlantic this time of year can be rough so getting that middle of the ship cabin is a priority.

Well, to be honest, this is my opinion, the food on Norwegian on Med. cruises in Europe, is not that good. They had 2 nice on deck meals, one was Turkish before we went into Istanbul, the other was German. They were excellent. However, the other meals were just okay. They had next to nothing at the buffet if you decided not eat in the dining room . If you schedule eating in the restaurants on board the food isn't that much better, tough steak, French food that included some of the same thing we had in the dining room, and beans, boy do they love beans on Norwegian. Beans with every meal, different kinds of beans but beans. And on our Norwegian account site it doesn't even have a place where you can enter food allergies. So I guess you just have to do that with the dining room staff. Now this was 2014 and 2012. Maybe things have changed.

I think you should decide whether you want to spend more time in Rome or Venice. It depends how mobile you are, what you want to see. In my opinion, anyone, everyone needs more than one day in Rome. If you do Vatican sign up online for the official Vatican tour on the Vatican web site. That way you go right up to the front of the line and pass all the people waiting. 9long long line) If you go to the forum and colloseum go to the gate on the side close to Trajan's column, and enter the forum there and buy your colloseum ticket there as well. Get Oxfords Guide to Rome and that will tell you all about the forum. The signs are not adequate. Also, that way you go right into the collosium and past all the people waiting to buy tickets. (and the line stretches around the building)

Venice is beautiful and more expensive. All, Rome, Venice and Barcelona have easy good flights back to the USA.

For excursions we always did Rome On Your Own. It's a long ride to Rome from the port. We also did Athens On Your Own. The bus drops you off right at the Parthenon. You can spend all your time in the Parthenon and museum and forum there. All are fascinating. And wear comfortable non slip shoes as the marble is slippery. Have a hat, the sun is hot. It will be very crowded and involves many steps.