Mademoiselle22 Posted November 30, 2023 #1 Share Posted November 30, 2023 Hello, Which of the 3 Itineraries would you pick for a first time cruise of the Adriatic coast? 1. NCL Getaway 10 day Cruise Greek Isles, Santorini, Mykonos from Istanbul, November 6, 2024 Itinerary 2. NCL Dawn 10 Day Cruise Greek Isles, Santorini and Croatia from Venice (Trieste) October 17, 2024 Itinerary 3. NCL Viva 9 Day Cruise, Greek Isles, Santorini, Mykonos & Croatia from Venice (Trieste) - October 10, 2024 Itinerary I like itinerary #1 a lot overall. Since it starts in Istanbul I would happily do a few precruise day there. I also like the fact that the cruise goes to Olympia, Koter, Dubrovnik, Split and Koper. I'm just concerned about how late in the season the cruise starts in early November. I'm really interested in seeing some of the archaeological sites in Greece, but would like to have somewhat sunny days as well. I like itinerary #2 as well. Do you think it's too late in the season? I don't mind going on an older ship either. Thanks for your help Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joken35 Posted November 30, 2023 #2 Share Posted November 30, 2023 We did a B2B that had stops in the 2 and 3rd choices. You will love 💕 which ever your chose. We went back and did the Holyland cruise two years ago that had Rome and some of Greece stops. Just a beautiful part of the world to see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Anoynmous Phoenix Posted November 30, 2023 #3 Share Posted November 30, 2023 Equal. Either #1 Istanbul or #2 Small ship Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
complawyer Posted November 30, 2023 #4 Share Posted November 30, 2023 both are outstanding, but i would pick #2 . Venice is unbelievable, last year we spent 2 days prior to sailing, and hired a shuttle t take us to trieste. we spent a night in trieste (also a very beautiful city) and athens at the end is also amazing. that being said, however, i dont think you can go wrong picking any of them. through the last few years, we've sailed to/from most of these ports, and they are all amazing, especially if it's your 1st time regardless of which you choose, bon voyage! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluesea777 Posted November 30, 2023 #5 Share Posted November 30, 2023 #1 would be the best as it’s off season, less crowds, especially Santorini. Weather would still be warm & pleasant. #2 is next, but still in season. #3 no. Viva cannot tender with their own lifeboats. The other 2 can. Still in season and earlier than Dawn’s. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete_coach Posted November 30, 2023 #6 Share Posted November 30, 2023 I would choose 2 or 3. I have no desire to be anywhere near Turkey. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare debenson0723 Posted November 30, 2023 #7 Share Posted November 30, 2023 We did Greece the first week of November in 2021 and the weather was perfect. As mentioned above, less crowds, especially in Santorini, was wonderful. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare schmoopie17 Posted November 30, 2023 #8 Share Posted November 30, 2023 40 minutes ago, pete_coach said: I have no desire to be anywhere near Turkey. Me, neither. I had my fill on Thanksgiving... 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare www3traveler Posted November 30, 2023 #9 Share Posted November 30, 2023 For me, no question: The Dawn Wonderful ship and staff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare PATRLR Posted November 30, 2023 #10 Share Posted November 30, 2023 48 minutes ago, schmoopie17 said: Me, neither. I had my fill on Thanksgiving... You did Thanksgiving in Turkey? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare schmoopie17 Posted November 30, 2023 #11 Share Posted November 30, 2023 5 hours ago, PATRLR said: You did Thanksgiving in Turkey? Yeah, it was awesome. You haven't lived until you've had turkey in Turkey. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kitkat343 Posted November 30, 2023 #12 Share Posted November 30, 2023 Honestly, given the heat waves the past few years in the Med plus the general lack of air conditioning I really have to wonder if the shoulder season will eventually become the tour season. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare ontheweb Posted November 30, 2023 #13 Share Posted November 30, 2023 1 hour ago, schmoopie17 said: Yeah, it was awesome. You haven't lived until you've had turkey in Turkey. Not if you are a vegetarian. 🤦♂️🤣 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare cruiser2015 Posted December 1, 2023 #14 Share Posted December 1, 2023 Ah, Venice... #3 tickles my fancy gig time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare insidecabin Posted December 1, 2023 #15 Share Posted December 1, 2023 All three offer a Venice stay option much better than pretending it's a itinerary stop. Remember Trieste is not Venice. Late cruises had decent price drops this year. Looking at the UK prices Viva still has new ship premium prices. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluesea777 Posted December 1, 2023 #16 Share Posted December 1, 2023 11 hours ago, bluesea777 said: #1 would be the best as it’s off season, less crowds, especially Santorini. Weather would still be warm & pleasant. #2 is next, but still in season. #3 no. Viva cannot tender with their own lifeboats. The other 2 can. Still in season and earlier than Dawn’s. May I add, explore/research the flights to Istanbul & Venice and pre-cruise hotel days first before deciding on option #1 and #2. We recently were on Viva and although it’s a beautiful ship with nice cabins, we would go on either Breakaway or Dawn over Viva. Viva is very different from other NCL ships (except Prima). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare cruiseny4life Posted December 1, 2023 #17 Share Posted December 1, 2023 #1, the crew on Getaway is amazing! And, Istanbul would beat out Venice for me (haven't been to either). I'm a lover of the newer ships, so for me Dawn is too old. V!va has too much premium as the newest ship to have the value I look for... ignite the fact I'm currently on Pr1ma haha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
European_CruiseGirl Posted December 1, 2023 #18 Share Posted December 1, 2023 November can be nice. Or it can be non stop rain and/or windy/cold. I have had both and you cannot predict in advance which one you will have. So of warmth is something you are looking for you should definitely skip the first one although it is a lovely route otherwise. Although I have to say that if Istanbul is important for you the 9am-6pm stop that you’d have there with the other cruises won’t be enough. Even close. So you’d need to first decide if Istanbul is something you’d want to experience. If yes you need to sacrifice the thought of warmth. If warm weather is important yo you I’d choose 2 because I simply like smaller ships. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quercus alba Posted December 3, 2023 #19 Share Posted December 3, 2023 On 11/29/2023 at 9:08 PM, Mademoiselle22 said: Hello, Which of the 3 Itineraries would you pick for a first time cruise of the Adriatic coast? 1. NCL Getaway 10 day Cruise Greek Isles, Santorini, Mykonos from Istanbul, November 6, 2024 Itinerary 2. NCL Dawn 10 Day Cruise Greek Isles, Santorini and Croatia from Venice (Trieste) October 17, 2024 Itinerary 3. NCL Viva 9 Day Cruise, Greek Isles, Santorini, Mykonos & Croatia from Venice (Trieste) - October 10, 2024 Itinerary I like itinerary #1 a lot overall. Since it starts in Istanbul I would happily do a few precruise day there. I also like the fact that the cruise goes to Olympia, Koter, Dubrovnik, Split and Koper. I'm just concerned about how late in the season the cruise starts in early November. I'm really interested in seeing some of the archaeological sites in Greece, but would like to have somewhat sunny days as well. I like itinerary #2 as well. Do you think it's too late in the season? I don't mind going on an older ship either. Thanks for your help Just returned from essentially your #2: Trieste --> Istanbul on Dawn. I though Dawn was well suited for this itinerary. It was very port-intensive. We did lots of archaeological sites in Croatia, Turkey, and Greece. Weather was a factor in mid November--we missed our port call for Olympia due to high winds making docking unsafe at Katakolon that day, and it was somewhat chilly and windy at Santorini and Mykonos, too. I really hate to think what it was like there this summer with 90-100 degree temps and the more crowded conditions! We enjoyed spending time in Istanbul after the cruise, too. On 11/30/2023 at 8:24 AM, pete_coach said: I would choose 2 or 3. I have no desire to be anywhere near Turkey. Why not? Izmir/Ephesus and Istanbul were both perfectly safe--and amazing, interesting destinations. On 11/30/2023 at 3:17 PM, schmoopie17 said: Yeah, it was awesome. You haven't lived until you've had turkey in Turkey. Our Thanksgiving Day lunch in Türkiye, our Thanksgiving dinner filets at Cagney's, and what our poor, abandoned children had back home in Minnesota 😂 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete_coach Posted December 3, 2023 #20 Share Posted December 3, 2023 12 hours ago, quercus alba said: Just returned from essentially your #2: Trieste --> Istanbul on Dawn. ...We enjoyed spending time in Istanbul after the cruise, too. Why not? Izmir/Ephesus and Istanbul were both perfectly safe--and amazing, interesting destinations. Istanbul https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/turkey-travel-advisory.html https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/europe/turkiye Years ago we did Ephesus (docked in Kusadasi) and enjoyed the history but Istanbul is not for us. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quercus alba Posted December 3, 2023 #21 Share Posted December 3, 2023 21 minutes ago, pete_coach said: Istanbul https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/turkey-travel-advisory.html https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/europe/turkiye Years ago we did Ephesus (docked in Kusadasi) and enjoyed the history but Istanbul is not for us. Istanbul is literally as far away from the Syrian border as one can be--literally on a different continent. As I told several people, I felt safer in Istanbul than in an American bowling alley, night club, or elementary school! 🤔 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete_coach Posted December 3, 2023 #22 Share Posted December 3, 2023 16 minutes ago, quercus alba said: Istanbul is literally as far away from the Syrian border as one can be--literally on a different continent. As I told several people, I felt safer in Istanbul than in an American bowling alley, night club, or elementary school! 🤔 Just linked the warnings. I did not write them. I am glad you had no issues. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare PhillyTravelBug Posted December 3, 2023 #23 Share Posted December 3, 2023 I've been eyeing up some of the same itineraries for 2025. I would choose #2. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mademoiselle22 Posted December 3, 2023 Author #24 Share Posted December 3, 2023 On 11/29/2023 at 10:08 PM, Mademoiselle22 said: Hello, Which of the 3 Itineraries would you pick for a first time cruise of the Adriatic coast? 1. NCL Getaway 10 day Cruise Greek Isles, Santorini, Mykonos from Istanbul, November 6, 2024 Itinerary 2. NCL Dawn 10 Day Cruise Greek Isles, Santorini and Croatia from Venice (Trieste) October 17, 2024 Itinerary 3. NCL Viva 9 Day Cruise, Greek Isles, Santorini, Mykonos & Croatia from Venice (Trieste) - October 10, 2024 Itinerary Thanks everyone for their responses 🙂. I’ve gotten deposits for #1 and #2. But will pick #2 if life circumstances permit’s. If by any chance, the cruise companies end not going to Turkey next year (due to world events and/or events in Turkey), does anyone have a guess which port NCL might choose to use instead of Instanbul or Kudadasi (Epheseus)? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluesea777 Posted December 3, 2023 #25 Share Posted December 3, 2023 1 hour ago, Mademoiselle22 said: Thanks everyone for their responses 🙂. I’ve gotten deposits for #1 and #2. But will pick #2 if life circumstances permit’s. If by any chance, the cruise companies end not going to Turkey next year (due to world events and/or events in Turkey), does anyone have a guess which port NCL might choose to use instead of Instanbul or Kudadasi (Epheseus)? Wise move to place deposits on two cruises and then cancel one when it's close to final payment due date. I had a closer look at the itineraries of #1 and #2, and if it were us we'd book #1 the Getaway as you get all full day in each of the ports!! And no Ravenna! This is a waste of port as it takes 2 hours to get to Venice and 2 hours back, and there isn't much to do in Ravenna itself. We haven't been there but have read somewhere else. Both the Dawn (#2) and Viva (#3) go there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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