Cruise the Med..how to choose?

[Kelownacruiser]

Unless you do every port on your own, $5,000 is about as cheap as you can do it, for everything. Also, if you're going to go all that way and spend all that money you will want to do escorted tours of at least some of the ports. You'll just miss too much if you try and do all of them on your own.

 

The above budget is missing far too many things to be close to what they will end up spending.

[mbleackl]

We have done a few Med cruises and usually have coupled them with a transatlantic. We have found May to be pretty comfortable for touring. If you get to Turkey in May or October it can get pretty hot. Italy/France is usually in mid 60's or low 70's. When you are walking around a site like Pompey or Ephesus you don't want it to be 80 degrees.

We really enjoyed touring in all of the Med countries. We pretty much arrange our own tours and ask folks to join with us on Cruise Critic. I find it a lot more enjoyable touring with 8 people in a van rather than 50 people on a bus arranged by the cruise ship. On private tours you are in charge and can deviate from plan at will.We have yet to not be able to fill a van, and we have received excellent tours. There is a lot of advice on quality tour companies on Cruise Critic.

[luvtheships]

just an fyi..it snowed today in Venice:(

[Goldwolf]

An alternative idea could be to i.e. to fly to Barcelona, rent a car and drive to to i.e. Florence and fly back from there, on the way you can stop at all the sights you want to see.

It's not that far and can be be easily done in 1 week:)

Whatever you decide enjoy the trip:cool:

 

From my experience with my US colleagues, I always hire a car when I'm working at our office in NJ but they never hire a car when over in the UK. Now admittedly we drive on the other side but have you seen how Italians drive? :D

 

With that said, I once drove with my family from England, via the Channel tunnel, to Switzerland to do 3 days work and then carried on down through the Alps into Italy and then Southern France. It was a beautiful drive.

 

But back on topic, if I can offer any advice it would be the following:

 

You need to plan. The ports for places like Athens and Rome are a fair way out of the cities themselves. You need to have worked out in advance how to get there. Plus they are long and tiring days (but well worth it) get a good nights sleep the night before. We're stopping at Civitavecchia this summer on the Sunshine and we've already decided that we'll stay on the boat and enjoy the space as we've been to Rome before. But if you haven't been, you have to go! (And I forgot as it's closer to home, but London is a fair way from Dover and Southampton too, Gatwick is the best London airport for the ports).

 

Absolutely stay a few days before or after in the embarkation port, it's a long way to go from the US so maximise your trip, especially if you haven't been before. If you have hotel points use them, we're staying 3 nights before our cruise out of Barcelona courtesy of Priority Club.

 

With that said, while hotels in Europe can be expensive, there are typically more reasonably priced hotels available that you can find via the usual websites. I was working in Barcelona last week (tough gig I know) and I found a very central boutique hotel for 89 Euros a night (admittedly slightly out of season).

 

The weather in Europe can be prone to more extremes that the Caribbean. I left 70 degrees in Barcelona last week and flew home to snow in the UK (when the same date last year we had 70 degrees in the UK too). Especially in Spring and Autumn, it can vary a lot year to year. The Summer will typically be hot in the Med though.

[Jenna1983]

Honestly, I have paid almost everything/budgeted for my 18 day trip end of August/mid September and it's right now (with 7 nights of hotel in London & Paris w/ a flight from Venice to London & estimated train from London to Paris), under 6k for two people. That also includes a 9 day Med cruise. That includes the cruise, the airfare, the private tours, the Pre cruise hotel etc. I also am staying in quality hotels but received very good rates because I've found myself to be quite the "I'm getting the best I can for the bottom line." As a matter of fact, the hotel portion in Paris and London is for three people so id say I would have saved about $250 if it were only two.

[Lovetwocruz2009]

Honestly, I have paid almost everything/budgeted for my 18 day trip end of August/mid September and it's right now (with 7 nights of hotel in London & Paris w/ a flight from Venice to London & estimated train from London to Paris), under 6k for two people. That also includes a 9 day Med cruise. That includes the cruise, the airfare, the private tours, the Pre cruise hotel etc. I also am staying in quality hotels but received very good rates because I've found myself to be quite the "I'm getting the best I can for the bottom line." As a matter of fact, the hotel portion in Paris and London is for three people so id say I would have saved about $250 if it were only two.

 

Wow! Pls post a review when you return. I figured $6000 for cruise and airfare only. We live in Northern California. I believe I have decided to begin the cruise in Rome. I plan on staying at least 2 days maybe 3 before. I am not sure where to stay or the cost. Still researching. I am hoping for under $250 per night. The tours look like at least $200 to $250 per day. I would love to see Paris after the cruise but not sure how to work that in too...budget and logistics. I am watching alot of R. Steves Europe.

 

Thank you everyone for the replies. I am open to all suggestions. This is our first time. I am excited and nervous at the same time.

[Jenna1983]

Wow! Pls post a review when you return. I figured $6000 for cruise and airfare only. We live in Northern California. I believe I have decided to begin the cruise in Rome. I plan on staying at least 2 days maybe 3 before. I am not sure where to stay or the cost. Still researching. I am hoping for under $250 per night. The tours look like at least $200 to $250 per day. I would love to see Paris after the cruise but not sure how to work that in too...budget and logistics. I am watching alot of R. Steves Europe.

 

Thank you everyone for the replies. I am open to all suggestions. This is our first time. I am excited and nervous at the same time.

 

I think traveling off season, if you can, seems to help. I won't lie though that their pricing makes no sense to me because I'm paying more for week night hotel stays than I'm paying for the weekend stays. I know for the Barcelona hotel, I paid $115. Paris is rounding out (w/tax and additional person) is $166 per night (rated in the top 100 hotels on The big review sites) and London (w/breakfast) is $140 a night. I think if you have 6k and plan wisely, you can do it for less than 5k per person.

[delily]

Check out Norwegians 12 night Grand Mediteranean which sails from Venice to Barcelona or vice versa. I booked it for this year because I couldn't find an itinerary anywhere else that could beat it. Celebrity also runs a very similar route. The NCL cruise however was about $900 cheaper.

[steph7021]

Check out Norwegians 12 night Grand Mediteranean which sails from Venice to Barcelona or vice versa. I booked it for this year because I couldn't find an itinerary anywhere else that could beat it. Celebrity also runs a very similar route. The NCL cruise however was about $900 cheaper.

 

We booked this for 2014...can't wait! I mean...can't beat Istanbul and Rome :)

[CupKayke]

In 2009 we had a $5K budget for the cruise fare and the flights and 2 nights hotel. We made it because flights were cheap then and our cruise was only an 8-night cruise on RCCL. We spent another $3000 during the vacation. We didn't do any ship tours or private tours. We walked a lot. It was an amazing vacation.

 

This year, we are over $6K for just the flights and the cruise fare. We have expanded our vacation to a full 3 weeks and are flying in and out of Ireland pre/post cruise plus we are staying several nights in Venice. We are doing a 12-night cruise and have arranged three tours. I have budgeted 2500 Euro just for the tours & spending money... not counting the Sign & Sail account, hotels, misc money we've spent already and unaccounted money we will spend. My advice... you will get excited and want to do this or that and... well... plan on A LOT more than you originally thought you would spend. I believe my original budget for this cruise was $7500 last year. Last weekend, when I thought Carnival was going to cancel our cruise, I easily added-up $10,775... and stopped before I got sick. :o My husband and I are both shocked. Next time, we will do it a little cheaper, for sure. Things add-up.... buses, trains, transfers, hotels, food for the week we aren't on the cruise, admission tickets (Colosseum/Vatican Museum/Kilmainham Gaol/Pile Gate/etc), tour guides, souvenirs, etc... and we have SEVERAL days we are planning to simply walk and enjoy the ports!! I am dizzy just thinking about it all.

[Goldwolf]

I think traveling off season, if you can, seems to help. I won't lie though that their pricing makes no sense to me because I'm paying more for week night hotel stays than I'm paying for the weekend stays. I know for the Barcelona hotel, I paid $115. Paris is rounding out (w/tax and additional person) is $166 per night (rated in the top 100 hotels on The big review sites) and London (w/breakfast) is $140 a night. I think if you have 6k and plan wisely, you can do it for less than 5k per person.

 

That's normal, there is a lot of business stays in the hotels during the week that they don't have at the weekends off peak, so weekend stays are always cheaper.

[Quilting_Cruiser]

This thread is great! DD and I are doing our first Europe cruise this summer--12-day Baltic. I've enjoyed reading the advice here. We're flying to London a couple days early and getting off the ship in Belgium to spend three weeks traveling through Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, Poland, and back to London. As far as costs, the airfare has been the biggest chunk--cost a couple hundred more than the cruise (still hoping for more price drops on the cruise since we're past final payment now). I think the $5,000 pp is about right.

 

I'm going to do my first solo cruise next year and I keep vacillating between Europe and Alaska. I'll wait until after our Baltic cruise to make a decision and will keep in mind some of the advice I've read here. :D

 

.... maybe a week in Ireland!!!! We can't gaurentee you the weather but we can gaurentee the craic agus ceoil (Thats Irish for fun and music!!!)!!!

 

Ah, yes, the craic is mighty! :D DD and I spent a week in Ireland last year and fell in love with your beautiful country! I'm proud to say, I drove the entire week and we came out of it alive (there was some screaming, I must admit). :D BTW, we were there this week last year and the weather was gorgeous! Of course, your countrymen tried to convince us that it's always that beautiful and sunny, but we're from the rainy Pacific Northwest and can't be fooled that easily. LOL.

[kingoftheicedragons]

Check out Norwegians 12 night Grand Mediteranean which sails from Venice to Barcelona or vice versa. I booked it for this year because I couldn't find an itinerary anywhere else that could beat it. Celebrity also runs a very similar route. The NCL cruise however was about $900 cheaper.

 

Not a bad itinerary, but it's not that dissimilar from Carnival's itinerary. Except the cruise I looked at for NCL doesn't go to Dubrovnik. It does have two ports in Greece, which is a plus, and also two ports in Turkey. I would give up Sicily for another Greek island stop, but I wouldn't give up Dubrovnik for either the extra Greece stop or the Istanbul stop.

 

Now that I'm further along with my planning for this vacation, I can say that my cruise fare, taxes/port fees, and gratuities, our Carnival Med cruise is $1000/person. Air fare is $1250/person, and excursions will likely be the $750/person. So this is $6000 ($3000/person). Add in the extra expenses for hotel pre and post, and we're up to $6500. Food pre- and post-, incidentals, and souvenirs, less than $7000 total (or $3500/person).

[suju]

Kinda off-topic but you can do europe a lot cheaper. Just do some homework. You can catch breaks on airfare. Hotels and hostels vary in price. Some of our best food was found in very unexpected places. We have done different types of vacations but some of our best memories are our low budget vacations.

[maggie cruises]

Europe can be done inexpensively..moderately and expensively...and of course it depends on how many are in your party...and more importantly how much convenience you want or how many headaches you will endure.

 

E.G. getting from Fiumicino into Rome can cost me 9E approx per person for my family of 6 equals 54E to take the Leonardo express..drag the stuff..and fight jetlag..and then walk to the Rome hotel...

 

OR.. I can call my buddy Stefano of Rome Cabs and he will have his driver waiting for us with a big smile and cold water...for 65E plus the NON mandatory 10% extra..which I gladly give.

 

now for 2 people that dont care about convenience and comfort and dont mind taking the train into Rome after a red eye flight...it can be done for under 20E and no tip..

 

If and when it is just 2 of us traveling..then maybe we would use public transport...but my gut says we will still call Stefano....because it is not such a big deal in the scheme of things to have private transport.

 

another point...we have seen The Vatican Museums many times...but we still prebook our admission through Vatican.va...because we do not appreciate waiting on line for 1 to 2 hours to enter.....

 

it is money well spent to just walk in the door....and we do not need a guide any longer so we just book timed admission...so what? we save time and energy and enjoy the day much better than waiting in 100 degree heat.

 

we only travel in summer because these trips are family trips and have enlightened and educated our kids to the nth degree......so off season travel is fortunately way in the future for us....because we love raising our kids and traveling with them and gladly do it during high season.

 

we know when to cut back..but comfortable hotel/apts....guided tours when appropriate (as in I am not touring Istanbul with my beautiful daughters unless I am in a guided tour..which was excellent btw thru Princess..and got us in to the closed Topaki Museum)

will not be sacrificed.

 

If it were just my spouse and me, then wwe might do it differently...but until then...5000 to 6000 is a basic cost for a 2 to 3 week cruise/land/airfare trip to Europe....where you will see tons of stuff..get some guides...eat some good food..stay is nicely located apartments/hotels...

 

I believe a lot of posters seem to think that everyone uses airfare mileage....not so

and believe everyone stays in small out of the way hotels...again not so

and also, that nobody takes a guided tour....not so and silly not to take tours anyway.

 

There is something to be said for spending money wisely..and when traveling with kids..money spent wisely is not only safe but intelligent.

 

feel free to think that a good 2 to 3 week trip can be done for under $3000 for 1 or 2 people...but just be prepared to spend more once you get there. Geez the tips alone on a 12 day cruise are over $100 per person.

 

 

just an fyi..we do mostly the Med...but I hear that the ports of the Baltic cruises are very expensive. I was in Helsinki once about 25 years ago and recall paying $7 for a small bowl of fruit.....that was very very expensive for 1988 and I can't imagine how expensive it is now.....and as far as Baltic cruises are concerned....they usually offer 2 day excursions to St Pete and Russia and to forgo this is foolosh as they are spectaclular cities that I visited when it was still Communist Russia....that excursion alone is close to $1000 per person I believe but it might be lower....

 

and to not visit Berlin..with the long train ride it requires is also silly...I bet it is expensive as well...

 

IMHO Berlin, St Pete and Moscow should be done thru the ship....just MHO that's all as I wouldn't chance the transportaion in Berlin on my own as it is important NOT to miss the ship and to visit Moscow usually by plane is something I too would do thru the cruiseline. Just sayin' that is where the money adds up....when it is wiser to go thru the cruiseline versus DYI

[maggie cruises]

Grand med on ruby in 2012.....awesome...awesome!!

 

we were on her in July 2012...awesome doesn't begin to describe that cruise!!! 5 nites pre in Rome...2 nights in Venice and 2 nights post in Barca were still not enough....

 

should have gone to Paris after!!!

 

$26000 for 21 days for my family of 6...we did well due to the Euro exchange and getting great prices on Aerlingus plus a last minute cruise reduction of $1500 on 2 cabins...

 

but $30,000 was the budget!

[bedfordmom]

best time to go is mid sept to mid oct

 

go for as long a cruise as you can manage

 

add days pre and post cruise

 

budget $5000 per person and this is accounting for more than you may need..but just be safe versus sorry

 

open up a special travel funded checking account for you overseas atm usage and have a backup account and debit card..just in case

 

use credit cards for everything you can..restaurants hotels museum tickets

 

do not be afraid to carry euro cash from home..the exchange rate differential from here to europe is seriously negligible (sp)

 

book your cruise through a big online cruise agency..i cant say the name here...as far in advance as you can..and remind your ta that you will be expecting price reductions..obc..free wine..etc. on our last med cruise he got me a $1500 reduction and an upgrade on 2 cabins at final payment.

 

do your research..do not be afraid of this...ask for discounts on pre and post hotel rooms...google is your best friend here.

 

use your credit cards for everythin you purchase on a day to day basis and cash in your points for cash.

 

buy your travel insurance within 14 days of initial trip deposit and dont forget to insure your plane tix cost and anything else that is non refundable..you can estimate this

 

 

plenty more advice for you..but I have a kid that needs to be driven to work..ttyl

 

Actually I beg to differ on carrying cash from home. On a recent Europe trip we used ATMs throughout and got the best euro rates. Plus we didn't have to worry about carrying alot of cash. We let our bank know of our plans. They even had a couple of affiliated banks where there would no fees for ATM use.

 

Charging can be to your advantage getting some of the best rates; however make sure your credit card doesn't impose the 3% (or more) service charge. There is one card out there (is it Capital One? ) that has no fees for European travel. If you rely on credit cards, carry two (hopefully different than your traveling partner) in case of theft or fraud. Last year while in Ireland via a internet check of our account, we detected 4000$ unauthorized use (Neiman Marcus no less). We called our credit card company and they cancelled the card and put a hold on the charges. Since they were aware of our travel plans, they hadn't even put through the charges. Luckily we had a second card to charge with. I suspect that the fraud happened at the rental car company the only time we used that one card in Ireland (plus they knew the dates we would be away) but thats only a hunch.

 

Enjoy planning your upcoming trip.

[Quilting_Cruiser]

It sounds like we travel quite similarly. I will gladly pay more for the convenience of a hotel near the center (if that's where we want to be) and private transportation in some cases. I just ordered our German rail passes and have chosen the first class option to make things a little less stressful, but that was a splurge. I usually travel in 2nd class but it's not that much cheaper.

 

I haven't sat down and figured exactly how much our five-week vacation (including a 12-night Baltic cruise) is costing me, but I would estimate in the neighborhood of $20,000 for the two of us (this is DD's HS graduation celebration). At this point in my life, I'm not interested in staying in hostels, but I don't stay in 5-star hotels either. I want to enjoy traveling and part of that for me is carefully choosing when I'll pay more for convenience. :D

 

As far as the 2-day St Petersburg tours--they're nowhere near $1,000 pp, even the ship's cattle call, which I didn't even consider, is $350. We're paying $270 pp for a private tour with only 16 people on it (all admissions and lunches included). Add in the independent tour to Berlin and it's another $140 pp. So, you can do it pretty reasonably. Some on my sailing are doing a four-city tour with the same provider and that's running them under $500 pp and includes the two-day St P tour.

 

I've had to travel during high season for the past 20 years, but as you pointed out, it's a great experience for my kids. My youngest starts college in the fall and next year I'll take my first solo cruise and do it in the fall. Can't imagine how different that will be! And, I believe I'll finally have enough airline miles to pay for the plane ticket to where ever I end up going. :D Can't wait!

 

Europe can be done inexpensively..moderately and expensively...and of course it depends on how many are in your party...and more importantly how much convenience you want or how many headaches you will endure.

 

E.G. getting from Fiumicino into Rome can cost me 9E approx per person for my family of 6 equals 54E to take the Leonardo express..drag the stuff..and fight jetlag..and then walk to the Rome hotel...

 

OR.. I can call my buddy Stefano of Rome Cabs and he will have his driver waiting for us with a big smile and cold water...for 65E plus the NON mandatory 10% extra..which I gladly give.

 

now for 2 people that dont care about convenience and comfort and dont mind taking the train into Rome after a red eye flight...it can be done for under 20E and no tip..

 

If and when it is just 2 of us traveling..then maybe we would use public transport...but my gut says we will still call Stefano....because it is not such a big deal in the scheme of things to have private transport.

 

another point...we have seen The Vatican Museums many times...but we still prebook our admission through Vatican.va...because we do not appreciate waiting on line for 1 to 2 hours to enter.....

 

it is money well spent to just walk in the door....and we do not need a guide any longer so we just book timed admission...so what? we save time and energy and enjoy the day much better than waiting in 100 degree heat.

 

we only travel in summer because these trips are family trips and have enlightened and educated our kids to the nth degree......so off season travel is fortunately way in the future for us....because we love raising our kids and traveling with them and gladly do it during high season.

 

we know when to cut back..but comfortable hotel/apts....guided tours when appropriate (as in I am not touring Istanbul with my beautiful daughters unless I am in a guided tour..which was excellent btw thru Princess..and got us in to the closed Topaki Museum)

will not be sacrificed.

 

If it were just my spouse and me, then wwe might do it differently...but until then...5000 to 6000 is a basic cost for a 2 to 3 week cruise/land/airfare trip to Europe....where you will see tons of stuff..get some guides...eat some good food..stay is nicely located apartments/hotels...

 

I believe a lot of posters seem to think that everyone uses airfare mileage....not so

and believe everyone stays in small out of the way hotels...again not so

and also, that nobody takes a guided tour....not so and silly not to take tours anyway.

 

There is something to be said for spending money wisely..and when traveling with kids..money spent wisely is not only safe but intelligent.

 

feel free to think that a good 2 to 3 week trip can be done for under $3000 for 1 or 2 people...but just be prepared to spend more once you get there. Geez the tips alone on a 12 day cruise are over $100 per person.

 

 

just an fyi..we do mostly the Med...but I hear that the ports of the Baltic cruises are very expensive. I was in Helsinki once about 25 years ago and recall paying $7 for a small bowl of fruit.....that was very very expensive for 1988 and I can't imagine how expensive it is now.....and as far as Baltic cruises are concerned....they usually offer 2 day excursions to St Pete and Russia and to forgo this is foolosh as they are spectaclular cities that I visited when it was still Communist Russia....that excursion alone is close to $1000 per person I believe but it might be lower....

 

and to not visit Berlin..with the long train ride it requires is also silly...I bet it is expensive as well...

 

IMHO Berlin, St Pete and Moscow should be done thru the ship....just MHO that's all as I wouldn't chance the transportaion in Berlin on my own as it is important NOT to miss the ship and to visit Moscow usually by plane is something I too would do thru the cruiseline. Just sayin' that is where the money adds up....when it is wiser to go thru the cruiseline versus DYI

[maggie cruises]

Actually I beg to differ on carrying cash from home. On a recent Europe trip we used ATMs throughout and got the best euro rates. Plus we didn't have to worry about carrying alot of cash. We let our bank know of our plans. They even had a couple of affiliated banks where there would no fees for ATM use.

 

Charging can be to your advantage getting some of the best rates; however make sure your credit card doesn't impose the 3% (or more) service charge. There is one card out there (is it Capital One? ) that has no fees for European travel. If you rely on credit cards, carry two (hopefully different than your traveling partner) in case of theft or fraud. Last year while in Ireland via a internet check of our account, we detected 4000$ unauthorized use (Neiman Marcus no less). We called our credit card company and they cancelled the card and put a hold on the charges. Since they were aware of our travel plans, they hadn't even put through the charges. Luckily we had a second card to charge with. I suspect that the fraud happened at the rental car company the only time we used that one card in Ireland (plus they knew the dates we would be away) but thats only a hunch.

 

Enjoy planning your upcoming trip.

 

sorry but Capital One is indeed now charging the 3%..as of August 2012. But does 3% really matter? It is all of $3 on a $100 dinner.

 

And I use debit/atm cards as little as possible..anywhere..anytime..home or abroad...and I prepay anything that can be prepaid and is worth it to prepay from home. I will not prepay a hotel or a private tour. What if the hotel room is garbage? What if the tour guide doesn't show up or mistakenly shows up at the wrong place and time? Fortunately, neither has ever happened nor do I think it will...but still why would I prepay the hotel or worse yet..let some front desk clerk in Venice (known for skimming/scamming) have access to my checking account? Seriously..think about it.

 

why? I prefer not to let numerous businesses and/or foreign/non my bank atms have access to my personal account.

 

I charge everything and anything...even the popcorn at the movies...it is simple..as simple as giving them your checking account atm card....only none of my money is touched...it is called using Other People's Money...aka OPM.

 

 

I promptly transfer money fom my checking to pay my credit card....from my own computer...and do not pay a penny in finance charge.

 

I get the same result as those who use debit cards....only thing different is that I have not let Bubba at the gas station have access to my checking account...and should Bubba scam my credit card...my cash account is still not touched...and I am not out any cash while waiting for the bank to return the fraudulent transactions.

 

 

people do whatever they want..I really have no control over that..but for me and mine.....credit cards and sufficient Euro from home work more than well for us. A few $100 greenbacks tucked safely in the ship's vault as well for emergency and an extra credit card or 2.....

[Tapi]

We are doing Europe in 2014 on a SUPER budget

 

We want to cruise out of Venice in November and visit Croatia, Turkey and the Greek Isles. We have somewhat narrowed it down to Royal Caribbean's Splendour of the Seas (in big part because of some perks we are getting). Sailings will open for sale in 2 days, but if rates are similar to what's posted for November 2013, this is what we are hoping to get:

 

• Rate for oceanview stateroom: $649 per person
  
• Taxes: $84per person
  
• Crown and Anchor (past guest) discount: $150 per cabin
  
• Royal Caribbean credit card discount: $500 per cabin
  
• Gratuities: $161 per cabin
  

GRAND TOTAL FOR CRUISE: $977 :D

 

(Airfare will be free, thanks to airline benefits) :D :D Hoping to get it all done on a $2,000 budget.

[maggie cruises]

It sounds like we travel quite similarly. I will gladly pay more for the convenience of a hotel near the center (if that's where we want to be) and private transportation in some cases. I just ordered our German rail passes and have chosen the first class option to make things a little less stressful, but that was a splurge. I usually travel in 2nd class but it's not that much cheaper.

 

I haven't sat down and figured exactly how much our five-week vacation (including a 12-night Baltic cruise) is costing me, but I would estimate in the neighborhood of $20,000 for the two of us (this is DD's HS graduation celebration). At this point in my life, I'm not interested in staying in hostels, but I don't stay in 5-star hotels either. I want to enjoy traveling and part of that for me is carefully choosing when I'll pay more for convenience. :D

 

As far as the 2-day St Petersburg tours--they're nowhere near $1,000 pp, even the ship's cattle call, which I didn't even consider, is $350. We're paying $270 pp for a private tour with only 16 people on it (all admissions and lunches included). Add in the independent tour to Berlin and it's another $140 pp. So, you can do it pretty reasonably. Some on my sailing are doing a four-city tour with the same provider and that's running them under $500 pp and includes the two-day St P tour.

 

I've had to travel during high season for the past 20 years, but as you pointed out, it's a great experience for my kids. My youngest starts college in the fall and next year I'll take my first solo cruise and do it in the fall. Can't imagine how different that will be! And, I believe I'll finally have enough airline miles to pay for the plane ticket to where ever I end up going. :D Can't wait!

 

funny..I never want airline miles..I want the cash and have probably taken $2000 in cash over the last 5 years...and used it for a family trip! I prefer cash in hand as airline miles can be funny..but that is just me.

 

as far as Russia, I did say per person, but I was thinking more as a per family thing...my bad.

 

Berlin..I would be doing the ship's tour and at $140 per person it still costs me $1000 and Russia at $270 costs me over $1000.

 

Just trying to tell those that think Europe is cheap..even when just traveling as a couple that based on your numbers..Russia and Berlin would cost a couple over $800...and should we assume that they won't spend another penny? Of course not.

 

and that is what those that are posting here are not accounting for:

 

some posters are staying with relatives

some use airline miles

some DYI

some might even like staying in a hostel and sharing baths...good for them...

 

but the reality of European travel/cruising is that yes...the cruises may be rock bottom...but airfare costs...as do tips..ground transportation..excursions...and entrances to museums are not cheap at all! and yes, I know that you can find free places to visit...like the Pantheon..Trevi..Spanish Steps..etc....but I like the Borghese Museum..The Vatican Museum..The Uffizzi..etc....and take my entire family to see them.

 

Doesn't matter if a couple can do the trip for $4000 in total..all I am telling them is..make sure you have credit cards on you that have been activated at your bank for European travel....you will need them.

[WeBeCruisin']

I've done the med twice and it's usually two different itineraries. Most leave from Barcelona, which is well worth an extra day before to see and explore and everything is within walking distance from most hotels. Most Med cruises also return to Barcelona.

 

One itinerary includes both Rome and Venice, but usually ends in Venice... sometimes with an overnight there. Another itinerary will include both Rome and Venice and return to Barcelona. Yet another itinerary will skip Venice but include the Greek Isles and Turkey.

 

You'll also be stopping at ports on the French Riviera and possibly Monte Carlo We did it with a balcony once and an OV the other time, but the trip is so port-intensive that you really don't have that much time to spend on your balcony. We were both non-smokers, though.

 

I agree that 12-days gives you more bang for the buck and of course more port stops.

 

My Med trips were in October and in July. Both were great times of the year there, although October was 10 or 15 degrees cooler.

 

My trips were on RCCL's Legend of the Seas and the Brilliance of the Seas.

 

On the second trip, we had RCCL book our flights and our hotel in Barcelona. It cost a little more, but the convenience made it worth it. We stayed at La Habana which is a couple of blocks from the top of La Ramblas and loved it. We even got a complimentary upgrade to a suite.

 

You will love the Mediterranean. I would do it again in a heartbeat except I'm now single and retired, so the financial situation has drastically changed. :(

 

I definitely agree with the others that you should do it now because, otherwise, you may never get another chance. :cool:

[Quilting_Cruiser]

funny..I never want airline miles..I want the cash and have probably taken $2000 in cash over the last 5 years...and used it for a family trip! I prefer cash in hand as airline miles can be funny..but that is just me.

 

as far as Russia, I did say per person, but I was thinking more as a per family thing...my bad.

 

Berlin..I would be doing the ship's tour and at $140 per person it still costs me $1000 and Russia at $270 costs me over $1000.

 

Just trying to tell those that think Europe is cheap..even when just traveling as a couple that based on your numbers..Russia and Berlin would cost a couple over $800...and should we assume that they won't spend another penny? Of course not.

 

and that is what those that are posting here are not accounting for:

 

some posters are staying with relatives

some use airline miles

some DYI

some might even like staying in a hostel and sharing baths...good for them...

 

but the reality of European travel/cruising is that yes...the cruises may be rock bottom...but airfare costs...as do tips..ground transportation..excursions...and entrances to museums are not cheap at all! and yes, I know that you can find free places to visit...like the Pantheon..Trevi..Spanish Steps..etc....but I like the Borghese Museum..The Vatican Museum..The Uffizzi..etc....and take my entire family to see them.

 

Doesn't matter if a couple can do the trip for $4000 in total..all I am telling them is..make sure you have credit cards on you that have been activated at your bank for European travel....you will need them.

 

I agree. I always assume there will be expenses I haven't thought of and make sure I take or have available more funds than I think I'll need. Four years ago we started talking about this trip and I don't plan to scrimp. It'll be seven years until I get another sabbatical and can spend this much time traveling, so I'm making it count! :D

 

As far as seeing Berlin, the ship's tour would cost you more like $360 pp (compared to the $140 I'm spending). I wouldn't even consider taking the ship's tour. On my private tour that's costing less than half of what the ship is charging, I'll see more and be far more comfortable in an air conditioned van instead of a hot, stuffy train. There will also be far fewer people on my tour than the ship's tour. A lot of people like to book independent tours to save $$, but for me it's about the experience. When I cruise Alaska, I book independents and they're often more expensive than the ship's tours, but the experience is far superior (IMHO).

[Goldwolf]

To be honest, cruising is not the best way to see Berlin and Moscow, but I guess sometimes you don't have any choice.

[CupKayke]

If you just want tips... here are my tips...

 

*Get travel insurance ASAP!

 

*Get a 26 or 27 inch suitcase - don't go for the 29 inch that could easily cost you overweight fees. Also, if you are flying between European countries, sometimes the weight allowance is not 50 pounds per suitcase but 44 pounds... like on Aer Lingus. It's 9 Euro for each pound we are over, I believe.

 

*Make your transfers to/from places - when you have luggage - EASY on you. Pay the extra for the easiest mode of transport.. it will be worth it!! (We made a big mistake taking the train from the airport to the termini and then walked to our hotel in Rome... with luggage in tow....NEVER AGAIN).

 

*Rolling luggage doesn't roll well in Rome - cobblestone streets.

 

*Purchase your flights at least 6 months in advance. We are on a May cruise this year. Flights were really good in November, gradually increased in December, and are a full $700 more expensive now...and have been that way since January.

 

*With flights being so outrageous, plan to do a 12-day cruise...get your money's worth.

 

*Budget to spend $2K more than you planned. At least.

 

*Smart Cruise Tours offers some amazing deals in comparison to Rome in Limo. We are booked with both companies this trip and I plan to do a review on both. So far, I've heard good things about both but RIL is about double the price for us... and they would not match Smart Cruise Tours prices.

 

*If you are a foodie, plan to spend some money off the ship on tasting strange/different delights in these amazing countries.... Cannoli in Sicily, Pizza in Naples, fried sardines in Croatia, Pasta in Rome, etc... it's all part of the experience.

 

*Don't budget so restrictively that you don't have the money to do amazing things you see that you want to do - there will be sooo many unexpected little and big expenses - a gelato station at every corner, an apron you MUST have, that unexpected winery tasting on a tour and you need to buy a bottle (of course), at least one "nicer" dinner, etc.

 

*Again, with the budget... there may come a point where you are tired and you don't want to take that public bus back to your hotel or wait for the train... have the funds to hire a taxi and make your trip enjoyable. Sometimes, it's completely worth it!!

 

*Money is a touchy subject on this thread so I'll just tell you what we are doing this trip... We purchased a rather significant amount of Euros at a great rate here in the US... and we plan to get more from the Carnival ATM. John Heald has announced Carnival will again have an ATM onboard dispensing Euros. Last year the fee was $6 and the rate was written by two reviewers as "decent" and "comparable" to other ATMS. For me, it's the safest ATM we can use so this is my strategy this year.

 

*The ships (RCCL and CCL) will almost always have a shuttle to/fro the main port areas. Mediterranean ports are not necessarily pretty and the main town is usually a bit of a distance away from where you port. Don't prepay for anything (I agree with another poster).. wait and see what the ship offers. RCCL put a flyer in our room every evening with DETAILED information about the port we would be visiting the next day... like.. in Villefranche they let us know there was a bus about 5/10 minutes away that we could take for 1 Euro into Nice. We walked the beautiful walk, took the clean/cheap bus, and had an AMAZING day... while passing people with little dots on them everywhere...they were on ship tours following people holding a flag with a number on them... we were walking around at our leisure having an amazing time. I would not recommend ship tours overseas, but that's just my opinion.

 

*I could write for hours. If you have any questions, ask away...