Starting the research for a Greek/Med. cruise

[Sleep7]

2 minutes ago, kctwinmommy said:

Yes, and thank you. She went through a lot in her short 9 years, so we are blessed that she's not suffering anymore. But she loved life, always wanted to see and do things, despite being pretty limited. So we know we're living her life and dreams every day. 💜

Sending you hugs.💗

[kctwinmommy]

On 12/10/2022 at 9:48 PM, Selion said:

Since you didn't list any specific questions, here are some threads you may find useful:

Tips for New Viking Ocean Cruisers

1st Timer Questions

Venice or Chiaggio?

Must Read if you are considering using Viking Air

Thanks! I'm looking through a few of those now. The Tips one though is 70 pages long. I have a hard time following through all that, but I'll skim to see what I find. The 1st Timer one though has some good info, especially regarding excursions, that's totally different than our previous ones of course.

[sugarside]

I actually agree with you about Athens.It also was our least favourite port.

 

[Peregrina651]

On 12/12/2022 at 3:00 PM, kctwinmommy said:

The Tips one though is 70 pages long.

 

My suggestion to everyone who is just find this thread is to start on page 45 of the thread. Scroll down to the first of the 2021 posts and start reading. There may be a lot of posts that deal with sailing under Covid protocols that no longer exist that you can easily skip. Still, the most current information will be found here. 

 

Once you have gotten through the post-Covid posts, go back to page one and skim forward, if you want. There is a lot of repetition and some of the early posts are outdated.

 

Actually, this is my advice on how to approach any long thread that has been around for multiple years. The most relevant information is found in the past year to 18 months. Find the 18 months ago point in the thread and start reading from there. Once you finish that, then you can decide if you've read enough or want to go back to the beginning to read more.

[Peregrina651]

23 minutes ago, Peregrina651 said:

My suggestion to everyone who is just find this thread is to start on page 45 of the thread. Scroll down to the first of the 2021 posts and start reading.

 

Sorry, that is a perfectly awful sentence. I got lost in the editing. It should read:

 

My suggestion is to start on page 45...

 

[LouChamp]

Aloha. We have sailed many times in the Med.  One cruise for several weeks from Southampton to Venice on Cunard. Another from Barcelona to Venice on Princess and another on Celebrity. Each one included some greek islands and Athens.  We also stayed several days before and after each cruise in London, Barcelona, Rome, Venice.  They were longer cruises and some back to backs so it depends on budget, experience and itinerary. Its very personal.  My parents loved Europe and Asia with Crystal. I cannot attest to Viking and sorry if I am posting other lines on their page but I am confident Viking would be a top choice.  I remember Royal Viking Line when I was in my younger years and they were phenomenal and as you may know the same owner for both.  They certainly know what they are doing.  Keep in mind since you have sailed primarily with Carnival the experience will be way different on Viking i.e. no casino, an older client base and a quiet in general atmosphere on board.  Please keep us posted. Part of the fun is the planning!

[kctwinmommy]

On 12/16/2022 at 5:58 AM, LouChamp said:

 I cannot attest to Viking and sorry if I am posting other lines on their page but I am confident Viking would be a top choice.  I remember Royal Viking Line when I was in my younger years and they were phenomenal and as you may know the same owner for both.  They certainly know what they are doing.  Keep in mind since you have sailed primarily with Carnival the experience will be way different on Viking i.e. no casino, an older client base and a quiet in general atmosphere on board.  Please keep us posted. Part of the fun is the planning!

 

Yep! After years of Carnival, our last one left us wanting for something different. TBH - I don't drink, so bars and parties aren't really my thing. I'll have a cocktail or two on occasion, but it's not something I do on a regular basis anymore (too much in my younger days). And we realized, after our last one, that those cruises shorter than 7 days tend to draw a different crowd. We only booked it to go with some friends, just to go on something. It was super cheap, so that helped. Then it happened to work out that it was literally the day after my husband ended up retiring, so it was a nice little getaway.

 

Anyway, we've been to Europe before, both of us, several times in our lives. And I know that for something like this, I need/want something a little more relaxing, a more quiet atmosphere is fine for me. I want a cruise that pays much more attention to the details. If I'm going to spend the money to fly over, take that time to go that far, then I want to make it worth my while. I'm still reading things, but I'd say we're about 95% sold on it.

 

My next decision is trying to see if I can find a TA to work with. I'm just feeling like it might be beneficial for a bigger trip like this (at least for us). I think after the holidays we'll be ready to book it, just need to pick our date, there's 2 dates in April that we're looking at (the ones that run Athens to Venice, so we can end there).

 

I'll be sure to update once we book!

[LouChamp]

Sounds like a plan! If you can check out the Cipriani in Venice. We have stayed there many times and it truly is the top hotel. Venice is hard to describe and if your ships sails through the Grande Canal it is priceless although I have heard various reports that some of the larger ships are no longer doing so.  My best wishes to your husband on his retirement and for a happy holiday season and New Year! 

[Peregrina651]

13 minutes ago, LouChamp said:

although I have heard various reports that some of the larger ships are no longer doing so.

 

Including Viking which is no longer docking at Stazione Marittima in the heart of Venice but at Fusina, Marghera or Chiogga depending on what they have been tentatively assigned by the port authority.

[kctwinmommy]

1 hour ago, LouChamp said:

Sounds like a plan! If you can check out the Cipriani in Venice. We have stayed there many times and it truly is the top hotel. Venice is hard to describe and if your ships sails through the Grande Canal it is priceless although I have heard various reports that some of the larger ships are no longer doing so.  My best wishes to your husband on his retirement and for a happy holiday season and New Year! 

Yes, I've actually been to Venice, although it's been many years. LOL! I'm not sure if we'll stay much in Venice, haven't even thought about that part yet.

[kctwinmommy]

On 12/16/2022 at 5:58 AM, LouChamp said:

 Please keep us posted. Part of the fun is the planning!

 

And now, we're also considering the 22 day cruise, Med & Adriatic Sojourn! LOL! Hubby said he'd really like to get to Barcelona on this trip, and threw in Monte Carlo as well. So we're at least looking at it now.

[LouChamp]

15 hours ago, kctwinmommy said:

 

And now, we're also considering the 22 day cruise, Med & Adriatic Sojourn! LOL! Hubby said he'd really like to get to Barcelona on this trip, and threw in Monte Carlo as well. So we're at least looking at it now.

The planning is the best part. We love Barcelona. Have stayed at the Hotel Arts and could walk to Las Ramblas. Beautiful outdoor pool and views pf the ocean. Monte Carlo is priceless as well.  Enjoy the planning!

[lackcreativity]

19 hours ago, kctwinmommy said:

 

And now, we're also considering the 22 day cruise, Med & Adriatic Sojourn! LOL! Hubby said he'd really like to get to Barcelona on this trip, and threw in Monte Carlo as well. So we're at least looking at it now.

We did the Barcelona to Venice portion of that trip in April of this year and are completing the Venice to Istanbul portion in fall of 2023. The Barcelona to Venice segment was really a great cruise. Quite a few of the ports had so many tempting excursions that I could possibly envision taking the cruise again one day. With different excursions at each stop, it would really be almost like a different cruise!

[kctwinmommy]

On 12/24/2022 at 10:16 AM, lackcreativity said:

We did the Barcelona to Venice portion of that trip in April of this year and are completing the Venice to Istanbul portion in fall of 2023. The Barcelona to Venice segment was really a great cruise. Quite a few of the ports had so many tempting excursions that I could possibly envision taking the cruise again one day. With different excursions at each stop, it would really be almost like a different cruise!

Question for you, since you did the Barcelona to Venice, was that just one leg of the larger cruise? I'm starting to realize that if we do the 22 day one, that it's part of I think a larger 28 day one, I'm guessing starting in Istanbul. Just want to make sure we're I know what we're getting in to with this one. We're just used to basic Caribbean ones, you get on in one place and you return to that place, nothing changes with passengers. LOL!

[OneSixtyToOne]

1 hour ago, kctwinmommy said:

Question for you, since you did the Barcelona to Venice, was that just one leg of the larger cruise? I'm starting to realize that if we do the 22 day one, that it's part of I think a larger 28 day one, I'm guessing starting in Istanbul. Just want to make sure we're I know what we're getting in to with this one. We're just used to basic Caribbean ones, you get on in one place and you return to that place, nothing changes with passengers. LOL!

We are booked on the Mediterranean Odyssey this spring from Venice to Barcelona. You might want to research that itinerary As far as I know it's not part of a longer cruise. At 13 days it hit our sweet spot. It doesn't go to Athens but does make one stop in Greece (Corfu). We are also adding pre and post extensions so that puts us at 17 days.

[lackcreativity]

1 hour ago, kctwinmommy said:

Question for you, since you did the Barcelona to Venice, was that just one leg of the larger cruise? I'm starting to realize that if we do the 22 day one, that it's part of I think a larger 28 day one, I'm guessing starting in Istanbul. Just want to make sure we're I know what we're getting in to with this one. We're just used to basic Caribbean ones, you get on in one place and you return to that place, nothing changes with passengers. LOL!

Technically it was two legs of a 29 day cruise called Mediterranean's Iconic Shores. It can also be viewed as four consecutive one week cruises between Barcelona and Istanbul. We are doing it in two halves.

There is some changing of passengers along the way, but we made friends with one lucky couple who were doing the entire itinerary at once! I imagine there were others too. The second portion of our trip (from Rome to Venice) was a more lively crowd than the first group, but to some degree each cruise we have taken has had a slightly different personality. For us, I would not say the changeover impacted our experience in any negative way.

Edited January 7, 2023 by lackcreativity

[kctwinmommy]

1 hour ago, OneSixtyToOne said:

We are booked on the Mediterranean Odyssey this spring from Venice to Barcelona. You might want to research that itinerary As far as I know it's not part of a longer cruise. At 13 days it hit our sweet spot. It doesn't go to Athens but does make one stop in Greece (Corfu). We are also adding pre and post extensions so that puts us at 17 days.

Thanks! I'd like to see a little more of Greece though. =( Otherwise, that looks like a good one too! But hmmm... possible to add on a little more in Greece on our own?! Just not sure! My problem is I want to do it all. LOL!

[kctwinmommy]

1 hour ago, lackcreativity said:

Technically it was two legs of a 29 day cruise called Mediterranean's Iconic Shores. It can also be viewed as four consecutive one week cruises between Barcelona and Istanbul. We are doing it in two halves.

There is some changing of passengers along the way, but we made friends with one lucky couple who were doing the entire itinerary at once! I imagine there were others too. The second portion of our trip (from Rome to Venice) was a more lively crowd than the first group, but to some degree each cruise we have taken has had a slightly different personality. For us, I would not say the changeover impacted our experience in any negative way.

Thanks! I realized that's what I should have said, I've read more posts and gotten more info to realize that like you said, it's multiple legs. I'm sure we'll find people along the way, we're fairly talkative. I've been known to lose my hubby in places because he ends up talking to people. LOL!

[lackcreativity]

3 hours ago, kctwinmommy said:

Thanks! I realized that's what I should have said, I've read more posts and gotten more info to realize that like you said, it's multiple legs. I'm sure we'll find people along the way, we're fairly talkative. I've been known to lose my hubby in places because he ends up talking to people. LOL!

Meeting new people is one of the things I really enjoy about traveling. I figure my husband and I have had dinner together almost every night for the past 45 years. Some new dinner table conversation is usually most welcome!😉

[kctwinmommy]

5 hours ago, lackcreativity said:

Meeting new people is one of the things I really enjoy about traveling. I figure my husband and I have had dinner together almost every night for the past 45 years. Some new dinner table conversation is usually most welcome!😉

Totally agree! Although we often cruise with another couple, and our son, so we don't do it for dinner. But we would for this one. And in most other situations, we typically have no problem socializing with others. Heck, I lost my husband on a teeny, tiny island, in the San Blas Islands, but then found him in a bar. LOL! The island was no bigger than a city block!

[kctwinmommy]

Wanted to come back to this, we booked today!! We went for the big one! Well, not the full 29 day one that starts in Istanbul, but we're doing the 22 day one, Athens to Barcelona! We did the Deluxe Veranda, so just up one category, just gave a few more perks. It's the Mediterranean & Adriatic Sojourn one. I'm very excited about this!!! 

[Sleep7]

12 hours ago, kctwinmommy said:

Wanted to come back to this, we booked today!! We went for the big one! Well, not the full 29 day one that starts in Istanbul, but we're doing the 22 day one, Athens to Barcelona! We did the Deluxe Veranda, so just up one category, just gave a few more perks. It's the Mediterranean & Adriatic Sojourn one. I'm very excited about this!!! 

👏Yay!  3 weeks of fine food, fun and frolic! So so happy for you.  Enjoy every moment.😊

[Peregrina651]

13 hours ago, kctwinmommy said:

Wanted to come back to this, we booked today!! We went for the big one! Well, not the full 29 day one that starts in Istanbul, but we're doing the 22 day one, Athens to Barcelona! We did the Deluxe Veranda, so just up one category, just gave a few more perks. It's the Mediterranean & Adriatic Sojourn one. I'm very excited about this!!! 

 

You have chosen wisely, Grasshopper. You will love it. Three weeks of pampering! Who could ask for more!?

 

 

[kctwinmommy]

9 hours ago, Peregrina651 said:

 

You have chosen wisely, Grasshopper. You will love it. Three weeks of pampering! Who could ask for more!?

 

 

Somehow, just based on the tone of your other posts, I had a feeling you would make me laugh/smile. LOL!

 

Now I just have to count down 450ish days! LOL!

Edited January 26, 2023 by kctwinmommy

[kctwinmommy]

On 12/11/2022 at 10:47 AM, Sleep7 said:

Oh yay!! So glad you are finding my review helpful.  It was such an amazing week.. you truly will want to pack your bags this moment.

We only took a 7 day cruise since DH had to go back to work that Monday.  A longer one (like Empires of the Med) would be even better especially if you have the time to add on a few days on either or both ends.  We kind of zipped in and out in a week.. fast but fantastic. 

Also.. spring might be a better time to visit too.. it was beastly hot when we were there at the end of June.🔥

Just wanted to come back to you, and your posts. Since your review is one that I loved and had me ready to go right then. We ended up doing the 22 day one!! 😃 I'll definitely go back and read your review again, and share it with my husband.