Mediterranean Cruise
steve
This is for two adults and two teenage sons. I'm interested in suggestions
for cruise lines, individual ships, itineraries, etc. Food is important,
and decent entertainment, particularly for the boys, would be a plus. Price
is not an object. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
OcnGypZ
I'd stay away from August. Between the fact that the Med during a normal year
is packed to the gills in August with people.. Aug 2004 .. you also have the
Summer Olympics to contend with.
Babette
Tom & Linda
summer. It's a 10 night sailing.
Our itinerary:
Rome
Naples
Sea
Mykonos
Santorini
Sea
Malta
Sea
Barcelona
Monte Carlo
Rome
E-mail me if you'd like more details. We have about 10 cabins so far.
Some of them include families. We have to kids, 17 and 14, who are
going. Our cruise friends are also bringing their kids, but they're a
bit younger.
Galaxy has family cabins in the back that have a sliding French Door
style divider that separates the cabin in half.
We did a group this past summer, and I think the kids had more fun being
with a group.
--Tom
Mason Barge
wrote:
Slightly better for you:
http://leisure.travelocity.com/Vacations/Cruise/Itinerary/0,2415,TRAVELOCITY_1718_3,00.html
Slightly better for the boys:
http://leisure.travelocity.com/Vacations/Cruise/Itinerary/0,2415,TRAVELOCITY_3093_3,00.html
The Millennium is a bit more elegant and refined, with better food and
service, but it's fun for teenagers. . The Brilliance of the Seas is
slightly more basic in ways, but very nice, and has more athletic-type
activities.
Either would be fantastic fun for all of you :)
Mason Barge
"If this is coffee, please bring me some tea. If this is tea, please bring me some coffee."
-- Abraham Lincoln
raysaun
highly recommend it. We did it in October, so I guess we missed the
summer crowds.
Ray Saunders
Eileen Garland
ships I've never been on, but this itinerary is making me drool. Please
send me details!
Eileen
Eileen Garland
Eileen
Helen
We did HAL's 10-day Barcelona to Venice in July 2001. We were 50 and
our daughters were 14 and 18 at the time. They loved it, met lots of
other teens their age, we rarely saw them except at dinner. HAL is
criticized for being full of senior citizens, but we found lots of
young-to-middle-age folks who were quite active. We were on the
Rotterdam which is a great ship. The Med itineraries are pretty port
intensive (not too many lazy days at sea). Food was good (sometimes
great) and entertainment decent. Remember, it's not Broadway at
$100/ticket! Shore excursions were very well organized, especially the
all-day tour of Rome and the Vatican. I'd try to avoid the Olympics
weeks if I were you, especially if you go to Athens. Have a great
trip! Helen
Wizard
http://www.oceaniacruises.com/T_MainContentPage.aspx?PageUID=9b978c11-6354-47be-b0f5-927c524e1991&CruiseTemplateUID=63c9e54e-023b-4a73-8c6e-82a51ce56435
Got a great price with air + transfers + all taxes/fees for just under
$2300 from Boston for a cat C or better with picture window. 10 days
leaving 4/13/04. At this point we may have 1 more room than we need
held until 9/24. It is my wife + I but we thought another couple might
come but looks like they can't. If interested let me know. I am not a
travel agent.
Bill
This is the itinerary:
ATHENS (PIRAEUS)
What can be written about Athens that the world does not know and does
not already run to its shores to experience? Its near-constant
sunshine, sandy beaches, and evocative glimpses into the past are but
a mere taste of what Athens and the entire country of Greece has to
offer its guests. Athens rests at the intersection of mythology and
history where great art and culture blossom. A recent addition to
this palate of world history is Athens’s prized Megaron. A work of
art in itself this beautiful concert hall accommodates the best in a
variety of world’s symphonies and operas, as well as exquisite chamber
music, theater, ballet, and ancient drama productions
MYKONOS
Mykonos’ cosmopolitan character has made it famous as an international
tourist resort. However, even the most unsuspicious visitor realizes
immediately that Mykonos is not only a crazy bon-viveur but also a
beautiful, picturesque island with an all-white Hora (the main
village) next to the crystal-clear blue waters of the Aegean Sea.
Mykonos is an island that enchants the visitor with its golden, sandy
beaches, a lively atmosphere, ts friendly and easy-going people and an
endless relation with the glorious past.
SANTORINI
Santorini (officially known as Thira) is regarded as the most
spectacular of all the Greek islands. With its submerged caldera
(crater), postcard images of whitewashed churches and
bougainvillea-clad houses set against blue sea and sky this is a true
island paradise. Santorini's spectacular caldera is a vestige of what
was probably the biggest volcanic eruption in recorded history. The
island's violent volcanic history is visible everywhere - in
black-sand beaches, earthquake-damaged dwellings and raw cliffs of
lava plunging into the sea. The Museum of Prehistoric Thira houses
impressive finds from the ancient site of Akrotiri, destroyed in the
1650 BC eruption. Discover the gold ibex figurine, found in mint
condition in 1999 and dating from the 17th century BC.
RHODES
Rhodes is famous as the island of sun, sea and sand, the ideal place
for vacations. It is the third largest Greek island and, officially,
the sunniest place in the Europe. The city is among the finest, not
only in Greece but in the whole of the Mediterranean. It is situated
at the island’s most northerly point and ringed by sea on the east and
west. Rhodes (Rodos in Greek) combines the cosmopolitan character of a
contemporary city with the picturesque nature of a medieval town,
which gives the impression of having been untouched by the passage of
time.
AGHIOS NIKOLAOS (CRETE)
The island with everything! From its secluded mountain villages to
spectacular rocky bays, from relaxing and endless sandy beaches to
rollicking nightlife, this southernmost sizeable island in Europe has
something for every traveler. Tranquil seas greet rugged mountains
draped with gorgeous and unique fauna, and bathed in a sharp, clear
sunlight much of the year. This remarkable combination makes it one
of the best climates and most popular vacation destinations in all of
Europe. Imagine a morning sipping Greek coffee at the roadside of a
mountain village, an afternoon of beach and water-sport fun, and an
evening in a culture known for its cuisine and festive social flare.
And along the way, you may even stumble across the exuberance of a
Greek wedding, the best cheese you’ve ever tasted, or a unique piece
of history from the ancient gods that refuse to leave this earthly
paradise. From the historian to the jet-skier, the hiker to the
shopper, every visitor falls in love with Crete.
TAORMINA, SICILY
Located high above Naxos harbor, beautiful Taormina stands
majestically along a ridge, surveying the fishing villages and marinas
below and Mt. Etna in the distance. A magnet for travelers from Goethe
to Garbo to Truman Capote, it enchants visitors and locals alike.
Charming and picturesque, the scent of roses, oranges, almonds and the
sea perfume the air; ancient buildings border crooked streets;
archways frame the coast, mountains and sky.
Despite its Greek origins, it’s the medieval era that holds sway in
Taormina. Once through the Porta Catania, you enter another age,
despite the modern cafes and shops. The lovely pedestrian-only Corso
Umberto I bisects Taormina, crossing squares and offering inviting
side trips into narrow streets where balconies spill over with
flowers, carefully sculpted Roman medallions adorn walls, and Greek
columns form integral parts of facades. Elegant shops and cafes line
the Corso, so you may be easily diverted. Palaces from the 14th
century and remnants of them offer intriguing vistas. Visit the
stunning Duomo with its soaring arches or the San Domenico Palace
Hotel and its serene cloister. Built as a convent in 1430, it was
converted to a hotel after the church was destroyed in WWII.
The transition from the medieval to the ancient Greek and Roman town
begins on the other side of the Torre dell’Orologio in Piazza IX
Aprile. Linger a moment and admire the view. The remains of the Roman
Odeon bumping up against a Hellenistic temple illustrate the jumble of
medieval, Roman and Greek. But the crowning glory is the Greek Theater
and its magnificent views of the coastline and Mt. Etna, a view seen
by Goethe and praised in his “Travels in Italy.”
SORRENTO
Breathtakingly set on 150-foot-high cliffs above the Bay of Naples,
Sorrento is a picturesque city with colorful pastel houses, red tile
roofs, abundant flowers, and the smell of the sea in the air. Small
bays fill the coves along the shore.
Ancient sailors believed this to be the home of the Sirens who seduced
ships onto the rocks with their songs. The beauty of Sorrento
continues its seduction today. Enjoy the splendid view of the sweeping
shoreline from the terrace of Piazza Tasso, the main square. Stroll
past the many lovely churches to the unusual Campanile supported by
four columns. Next to it is the exceptionally lovely 14th century
Duomo. Stop and enjoy the Sedile Domininova, a beautiful 15th-century
loggia with a colorful tiled dome. Housed in a palazzo, the Museo
Correale di Terranova is filled with 17th and 18th century paintings
and furniture. Surprises beckon along the narrow streets where you can
still find 15th and 16th century palaces.
Sorrento’s main beach is at Marina Grande. Other beaches are tucked
away at the base of the cliffs, accessible by elevator or steep,
zigzag stairways.
AMALFI
Stretching for 50km (31mi) along a promontory from Sorrento to Salerno
and is some of Europe's most beautiful coastline. The road hugs the
zigzagging bends and curves of the jagged coast, overlooking intensely
blue waters and passing picture-postcard villages that cling to the
cliff walls. Positano is the first port of call out of Sorrento, and
it's truly breathtaking with its tiered arcades of rose- and
honey-colored houses that hover boldly over an iridescent sea. With
a little exploring, you’re sure to find several beautiful cafes and
hotels to die for. Tucked away a few bends farther is gorgeous Amalfi.
Its former status as a supreme naval power that rivalled Pisa and
Genoa is evident from its arsenal and imposing duomo. Hairpin bends
separate Amalfi from Ravello, which sits like an ornate balcony
overlooking the bay. Don’t miss its stunning duomo, gorgeous villas
and beautiful gardens. Next down the winding road is Salerno; the city
that has seen it all. Remnants from the Etruscans, the Romans, the
Middle Ages, and the devastations of World War II all contribute to
this town’s unique character.
CIVITAVECCHIA (ROME)
This is the “Eternal City,” legendary home of Romulus and Remus and a
fabulous parade of popes, emperors, dictators and artists. Still a
center of western culture and Christianity, it is a fascinating blend
of ancient ruins, churches, museums, fountains, piazzas large and
small, parks, markets and marvelous shopping streets.
From its founding by Romulus in 753 BC to the reign of Mussolini, Rome
has been a city of intrigue, a seat of power, and a creative cauldron
that attracted artists, poets, writers, historians, and architects.
Divided by the gentle curves of the Tiber, the left bank holds the
fabled seven hills and the ancient ruins, while Vatican City is on the
right bank. Connecting the two is the Ponte Sant¹Angelo, ornately
adorned with angels by Bernini and leading to the Castel Sant-Angelo.
Originally built by Hadrian as a family burial place, it became a
fortress and prison in the 16th century and the setting for the last
act of Puccini’s “Tosca.”
St. Peter’s Basilica is the centerpiece of Vatican City. Its design
was begun by Bramante and completed by Michelangelo. The Vatican’s
museums are renowned for their collections and include some of the
world¹s greatest masterpieces. And the magnificent restoration of
Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel frescoes is breathtaking.
Most of the important Imperial Roman sites are in the city center,
within the 3rd century Aurelian Walls. They include the Forum, the 3rd
century Baths of Caracalla, which become a backdrop for the Rome Opera
during the summer, and the Colosseum, which, when completed in 80 AD,
could accommodate 50,000 spectators. One of Rome’s best-preserved and
impressive buildings is the Pantheon, built by Agrippa in 27 BC. But
Rome is not all monuments and museums. There are many wonderful places
to explore like the Piazza Navona with its magnificent fountains, or
the Piazza di Spagna and the curving rhythm of the Spanish Steps,
which connected the French quarter at the top of the hill with the
Spanish quarter below. Leave time for a stroll down the Via Veneto and
an aperitif at a sidewalk café. And don¹t forget to visit Fontana di
Trevi and toss in a coin to ensure your return to romantic Rome.
Brenda
EXCELLENT!
I posted every other day my trip report for folks to read as we
sailed. It was May 16-29 & hardly any kids. All ages from newlyweds,
many married on the ship by Captain Bernie Warner to a few 500 days at
sea couples in their 80's.
Jean O'Boyle
"Eileen Garland" <emga...@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:oMqdnRhHH_D...@comcast.com...
> Ooh, those are great too!
>
>
Eileen,
This is one I'm eyeing!
--Jean
Mason Barge
<j.ob...@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
>
>Eileen,
>This is one I'm eyeing!
>--Jean
That's a nice one. A rt from Civit. would give the option of a nice
stay in Rome for a few days before/after the cruise. Personally, I'd
do it before -- you'd save a lot in airfare and transfers.
Mason Barge
wrote:
>Can anyone suggest a good Mediterranean cruise for July or August of 2004?
I forgot to mention, I would advise against August, which is the #1
month for Europeans to go to the beach. The earlier the better -- I'd
really advise trying for June. Also you get the benefit of longer
days and slightly cooler weather in June.
Eileen Garland
port intensive for me anyway. Only one sea day in ten days and all
ports I've never been to would just do me in. It's one thing to stay on
the ship while in port in the Caribbean, where I've been to most of the
ports dozens of times, and quite another to miss all new ones!
Eileen
Eileen Garland
looking at next summer's European cruises and have been excited to find
a few with 3 sea days and some ports I've been to so that skipping them
wouldn't be so painful!
Eileen
Mason Barge
<emga...@comcast.net> wrote:
>Also nice, but I've been inspired by these posts to start actually
>looking at next summer's European cruises and have been excited to find
>a few with 3 sea days and some ports I've been to so that skipping them
>wouldn't be so painful!
>
> Eileen
Eileen, haha, once you taste the forbidden fruit of skipping a port,
you will never go back. My last time in Civitavecchia, for instance,
we just took a half hour walk around, had a wonderful lunch, and went
back on the ship.
Heck, I'll even do this for a GOOD port I've never visited if I'm
feeling tired. In Helsinki a couple of months ago we took a relaxed
walk for about 2 hours -- a lot of it spent on a park bench with
coffees, watching the city wake up -- and were back onboard by 10.00.
We never got off the ship in Olympia -- with so many ruins on the
itinerary, the heck with it.
You don't get much in the way of activities, but the pool and spa are
uncrowded and there are LOTS of quiet spots to read or whatever.
I don't think I've been on a cruise where I didn't skip one or more
ports.
I'm writing this because I am dying to go on Oceania -- I saw the ship
in Stockholm and she is GORGEOUS. So I'm projecting my dreams onto
Michael Brennan
Mason Barge <mason...@aol.com> wrote:
>On 18 Sep 2003 18:05:07 -0500, "steve" <stanm...@earthlink.net>
>wrote:
>
>>Can anyone suggest a good Mediterranean cruise for July or August of 2004?
>>This is for two adults and two teenage sons. I'm interested in suggestions
>>for cruise lines, individual ships, itineraries, etc. Food is important,
>>and decent entertainment, particularly for the boys, would be a plus. Price
>>is not an object. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
>>
>
>I forgot to mention, I would advise against August, which is the #1
>month for Europeans to go to the beach. The earlier the better -- I'd
>really advise trying for June. Also you get the benefit of longer
>days and slightly cooler weather in June.
>
>
>Mason Barge
the airlines through the middle of June. Airfares move into the stratosphere
for departures after middle of June until end of August.
--mikeb
Jean O'Boyle
"Mason Barge" <mason...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:9ajomvsnd3tdmc13f...@4ax.com...
> On 18 Sep 2003 18:05:07 -0500, "steve" <stanm...@earthlink.net>
> wrote:
>
> I forgot to mention, I would advise against August, which is the #1
> month for Europeans to go to the beach. The earlier the better -- I'd
> really advise trying for June. Also you get the benefit of longer
> days and slightly cooler weather in June.
That is why I am interested in my choice because it is offered leaving May
31 and returning June11. Probably less tourists and much cooler
temperatures.
--Jean
Eileen Garland
do it all the time, but it bugs me in a port I haven't seen. I don't
feel too bad about it if I can get off the ship, have a cup of coffee,
walk a couple of blocks in a port that's new to me, but if I'm too wiped
to even get off the ship, which is not unusual for me, then it bothers me.
I suspect I'd really like the Oceania too - but both Howard and I have
gotten the impression that smokers would not be happy on these ships!
Eileen
Mason Barge
Jean, I have done pretty much an identical cruise (on the Millie) and
it was WONDERFUL. I agree, your time frame is definitely better than
later summer. Some of those places get extremely hot in summer.
Make sure and spend a few nights in the Eterenal City -- I would say
before the cruise. Then you can arrange your own air and transfers
without being paranoid about missing the ship. Getting to the port
from Rome is a snap -- trains leave Rome Termini frequently, and they
are inexpensive and pretty nice. Just keep your ears open for
possible strikes :)
Tom & Linda
Mason Barge wrote:
>
>
> Jean, I have done pretty much an identical cruise (on the Millie) and
> it was WONDERFUL. I agree, your time frame is definitely better than
> later summer. Some of those places get extremely hot in summer.
>
> Make sure and spend a few nights in the Eterenal City -- I would say
> before the cruise. Then you can arrange your own air and transfers
> without being paranoid about missing the ship. Getting to the port
> from Rome is a snap -- trains leave Rome Termini frequently, and they
> are inexpensive and pretty nice. Just keep your ears open for
> possible strikes :)
>
And pick pockets if you go near the train stations.
--Tom
Jean O'Boyle
> Jean, I have done pretty much an identical cruise (on the Millie) and
> it was WONDERFUL. I agree, your time frame is definitely better than
> later summer. Some of those places get extremely hot in summer.
>
> Make sure and spend a few nights in the Eterenal City -- I would say
> before the cruise. Then you can arrange your own air and transfers
> without being paranoid about missing the ship. Getting to the port
> from Rome is a snap -- trains leave Rome Termini frequently, and they
> are inexpensive and pretty nice. Just keep your ears open for
> possible strikes :)
Mason,
We were there on the Ren 7 late March 2000. Took the train into Rome and
spent the day. Two years previously, we took a 14 day land vacation in Italy
and no matter how many times we go, we cannot get enough of Italy. Loved
the Amalfie Coast! Yes, we would definitely go two days early. Did not see
any one slepping luggage on the train~~wonder if that is okay to do? We
also were in Ephesus and loved it, so we want to do that again. The only new
ports for us would be Santorini, Mykonos and Istanbul.
Air would be simple to do on our own with arrival and departure cities being
the same.
--Jean
Jean O'Boyle
"Tom & Linda" <TKAN...@worldnet.att.net> wrote in message
news:3F6CEE9D...@worldnet.att.net...
>
> And pick pockets if you go near the train stations.
>
> --Tom
They didn't come near us the last time we were there! ;-)
Jean
Tom & Linda
Maybe you didn't look like "targets".
Or... maybe you didn't notice the pick pockets.
One guy at work said that one time in the train station in Rome there
was a guy in a wild outfit with a big purple feather in his hat. The
guy flitted around, and as he made people nervous, they reached to make
sure their wallets were safe. The "quiet watchers in the background"
noted where they checked and pickpockets targeted those areas as the
people were crowding into the trains. A number of people noticed after
they got on the train that their wallets were gone.
--Tom
> Jean
Jean O'Boyle
> > news:3F6CEE9D...@worldnet.att.net...
>
> Or... maybe you didn't notice the pick pockets.
>
> One guy at work said that one time in the train station in Rome there
> was a guy in a wild outfit with a big purple feather in his hat. The
> guy flitted around, and as he made people nervous, they reached to make
> sure their wallets were safe. The "quiet watchers in the background"
> noted where they checked and pickpockets targeted those areas as the
> people were crowding into the trains. A number of people noticed after
> they got on the train that their wallets were gone.
I'll try and watch out for that guy with purple feather, Tom! ;-)
Or anyone who is very distracting!
--Jean<~~has to be more observative as maybe I'm missing out on things.
Karen Selwyn
>
> That is why I am interested in my choice because it is offered leaving May
> 31 and returning June11. Probably less tourists and much cooler
> temperatures.
Jean,
This year my husband and I were in France -- Provence and the Riviera --
for two weeks and in Italy -- the Riviera and northwest Tuscany -- for
one week during the time period you're talking about. The temps were in
the mid-80s. That was hot enough!
Karen Selwyn
Tom & Linda
Basel and Zurich had temps in the 96-98 range.
It was a very unusual summer, with regard to temps in Europe.
--Tom
Karen Selwyn
> We were in Switzerland this summer and it hit 103 degrees in Lugano.
> Basel and Zurich had temps in the 96-98 range.
>
> It was a very unusual summer, with regard to temps in Europe.
This year was more extreme, but the trend is the same. As every poster
has written, if cruisers have any choice in the timing of their trips,
they would be well advised to travel in late May or early June.
In late July 2002, we were guests of people who had a place outside
Arezzo, in eastern Tuscany, for a little over a week. We hit a
particularly overcast period and blessed the powers that be. It was hot
enough touring under comparatively cool conditions; I would have been
unhappy at normal conditions -- much less the conditions of 2003.
Actually, this post made me realize there is a lone advantage to
cruising compared to land travel. Ater a hot day of touring, cruisers
come back to powerful air conditioning on board the ship. Air
conditioning in European hotels and restaurants -- when it exists -- is
not as powerful as ship board air conditioning.
Karen Selwyn
Mason Barge
<j.ob...@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
>
>> >
>> >"Mason Barge" <mason...@aol.com> wrote in message
>> Make sure and spend a few nights in the Eterenal City
[snip]
>Mason,
>We were there on the Ren 7 late March 2000. Took the train into Rome and
>spent the day. Two years previously, we took a 14 day land vacation in Italy
>and no matter how many times we go, we cannot get enough of Italy. Loved
>the Amalfie Coast! Yes, we would definitely go two days early. Did not see
>any one slepping luggage on the train~~wonder if that is okay to do? We
>also were in Ephesus and loved it, so we want to do that again. The only new
>ports for us would be Santorini, Mykonos and Istanbul.
>Air would be simple to do on our own with arrival and departure cities being
>the same.
Yes, you can take your luggage. It's the only reason, really, that
I'd pay for 1st class, as I *think* they have a luggage compartment in
1st and it makes things a lot easier if the train is full.
One word of advice -- when you get to Santorini, either get to shore
as soon as humanly possible, or else wait a couple of hours. You
tender to the foot of a steep mountain and have to take a funicular to
Fira (the main town) -- the lines for it can get extremely long. You
can see how long the line is from the ship. Fira and Oia are both
delightful. This is a day for hanging out in one of the towns -- the
beaches and ruins are so-so. Make sure to have lunch at one of the
spectacular little restaurants on the side of the mountain. The local
food is great, I suggest the local cheeses, local sausages, and
pastries (both sweet and appetizer/main course).
In Mykonos, large ships cast anchor off the coast at some little
village and you have to shuttle to Hora (unless the small ship size
lets you stop somewhere else). Your main choices are 1) beach 2)
ruins 3) exploring Hora. The beach scene is great there, but very
progressive, with lots of gay people and nude people. You can get to
beaches by taxi, a very good public bus system, or caique (small
fishing boat). If you want to see ruins, you really should go to
Delos. There are a lot of local artists and artisans, too.
Mason Barge
<kselw...@erols.com> wrote:
>Tom & Linda wrote:
>> We were in Switzerland this summer and it hit 103 degrees in Lugano.
>> Basel and Zurich had temps in the 96-98 range.
>>
>> It was a very unusual summer, with regard to temps in Europe.
>
>This year was more extreme, but the trend is the same. As every poster
>has written, if cruisers have any choice in the timing of their trips,
>they would be well advised to travel in late May or early June.
Personally, I would say April-May and October are the best times in
this region.
Mason Barge
wrote:
>Can anyone suggest a good Mediterranean cruise for July or August of 2004?
>This is for two adults and two teenage sons. I'm interested in suggestions
>for cruise lines, individual ships, itineraries, etc. Food is important,
>and decent entertainment, particularly for the boys, would be a plus. Price
>is not an object. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
>
One thing I don't think anyone has mentioned -- the Olympics in Athens
in August will make the city impossible to navigate.
Jean O'Boyle
"Karen Selwyn" <kselw...@erols.com> wrote in message
news:XN8bb.2235$a16.1337@lakeread01...
> Jean,
> This year my husband and I were in France -- Provence and the Riviera --
> for two weeks and in Italy -- the Riviera and northwest Tuscany -- for
> one week during the time period you're talking about. The temps were in
> the mid-80s. That was hot enough!
Karen,
I remember reading about how hot it was in Europe this past summer. Our land
trip to Italy was in Sept/Oct. and our Mediterranean cruise was on March
24th and even then it was pleasantly warm. It seems that Celebrity has May
31st as their very first cruise there that has the itinerary that we really
would like. Unless I find an earlier itinerary that has Santorini and
Ephesus, which are a must for us, Celebrity may be it.
--Jean
Jean O'Boyle
> On Sun, 21 Sep 2003 01:20:02 GMT, "Jean O'Boyle"
> Yes, you can take your luggage. It's the only reason, really, that
> I'd pay for 1st class, as I *think* they have a luggage compartment in
> 1st and it makes things a lot easier if the train is full.
Thanks for the information~ as we would be going on it after a stay at a
hotel in Rome, so first class would be the way to go.
> One word of advice -- when you get to Santorini, either get to shore
> as soon as humanly possible, or else wait a couple of hours. You
> tender to the foot of a steep mountain and have to take a funicular to
> Fira (the main town) -- the lines for it can get extremely long. You
> can see how long the line is from the ship. Fira and Oia are both
> delightful. This is a day for hanging out in one of the towns -- the
> beaches and ruins are so-so. Make sure to have lunch at one of the
> spectacular little restaurants on the side of the mountain. The local
> food is great, I suggest the local cheeses, local sausages, and
> pastries (both sweet and appetizer/main course).
Sounds wonderful~~we had lunch on the side of the mountain in Taormina,
Sicily and the view was spectacular. I will miss not stopping in Sicily, but
we can't have a made to order cruise! ;-(
> In Mykonos, large ships cast anchor off the coast at some little
> village and you have to shuttle to Hora (unless the small ship size
> lets you stop somewhere else). Your main choices are 1) beach 2)
> ruins 3) exploring Hora. The beach scene is great there, but very
> progressive, with lots of gay people and nude people. You can get to
> beaches by taxi, a very good public bus system, or caique (small
> fishing boat). If you want to see ruins, you really should go to
> Delos. There are a lot of local artists and artisans, too.
Since neither Ed, nor I, can do beaches for very long, we may explore Hora.
Are the ruins that good? Say compared to Ephesus and Pompeii ? Thanks for
all the great tips, I'm going to print them out!
--Jean
Mason Barge
<j.ob...@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
>
>"Mason Barge" <mason...@aol.com> wrote in message
>news:jairmv001ghjsnq9h...@4ax.com...
[snip]
>
>> In Mykonos, large ships cast anchor off the coast at some little
>> village and you have to shuttle to Hora (unless the small ship size
>> lets you stop somewhere else). Your main choices are 1) beach 2)
>> ruins 3) exploring Hora. The beach scene is great there, but very
>> progressive, with lots of gay people and nude people. You can get to
>> beaches by taxi, a very good public bus system, or caique (small
>> fishing boat). If you want to see ruins, you really should go to
>> Delos. There are a lot of local artists and artisans, too.
>
>Since neither Ed, nor I, can do beaches for very long, we may explore Hora.
>Are the ruins that good? Say compared to Ephesus and Pompeii ?
They aren't in the same class as Ephesus or Pompeii, but they are
really pretty good and it's a pleasant half day trip. If Ephesus is
an "A", Delos might be a "B". Here's a very good pictorial:
http://www.cruisesrfun.com/Delos.htm
I'd play it by ear -- see how hot the day is, how energetic you feel,
and whether you have reached "ruin saturation".
Jean O'Boyle
Neat photos, Mason. The ruins look very interesting.
I see you took the Crown Odyssey. We are taking her to South America in
November. She is now NCL's Norwegian Crown. How did you enjoy her? I
understand she has gone under some reconstruction or refurbishing lately.
Thanks,
--Jean
Robert Iannone
www.papillonservice.com
in...@papillonservice.com
Why don't save money saving quality?
Ciao, Robert
capbrit
the isles. Orient is a destination line, so on board entertanment is
not a priority - but I couldn't have been happier with my trip.
Mason Barge
<frost-s...@earthlink.net> wrote:
>I took the Orient Lines cruise from Athens to Istanbul, with stops in
>the isles. Orient is a destination line, so on board entertanment is
>not a priority - but I couldn't have been happier with my trip.
>
Yes, it really is a special cruise line. I was very dissappointed
when NCL took the second ship away.