"Venetian Passage" or "Spanish Odyssey"

[Tampa Girl]

Dilemna! Both of these October, 2011, transition cruises are very appealing. The Nieuw Amsterdam (Venetian Passage"begins in Venice, then to Dubrovnik, Corfu, Taormina, Rome, Seville, Madeira, and finally to Ft. Lauderdale.

The Noordam (Spanish Odyssey) starts in Rome, then to Monte Carlo, Barcolona, Cartagena, Malaga, Cadiz, Portimao, Lisbon, Madeira and finally to Ft. Laudersale. We favor this one because it stops in Lisbon. Would love to hear comments about these ports and which of the two cruises some of you would prefer - and why. Thanks so much in advance!

[iceman93]

I looked at these two and booked the Venetian Passage because it's on the brand new ship...

[cruisemom42]

I'd choose the Spanish odyssey for two reasons. One, it starts in Rome and I'll take any opportunity to spend a few additional days there. Two, as you say, it stops in Lisbon, which is a lovely city.

However, the other cruise also sounds great -- just a matter of which ports appeal most.

[SwissMyst]

Dilemna! Both of these October, 2011, transition cruises are very appealing. The Nieuw Amsterdam (Venetian Passage"begins in Venice, then to Dubrovnik, Corfu, Taormina, Rome, Seville, Madeira, and finally to Ft. Lauderdale.

The Noordam (Spanish Odyssey) starts in Rome, then to Monte Carlo, Barcolona, Cartagena, Malaga, Cadiz, Portimao, Lisbon, Madeira and finally to Ft. Laudersale. We favor this one because it stops in Lisbon. Would love to hear comments about these ports and which of the two cruises some of you would prefer - and why. Thanks so much in advance!

Got me here. I could not honestly be able to decide either. A new ship or the lovely Noordam. Both are a wonderful collection of ports. Damn those dam ships. They do this to us intentionally, don't they? Fickle little hussies that make us fall in love with all of them.:p

[SwissMyst]

I'd choose the Spanish odyssey for two reasons. One, it starts in Rome and I'll take any opportunity to spend a few additional days there. Two, as you say, it stops in Lisbon, which is a lovely city.

However, the other cruise also sounds great -- just a matter of which ports appeal most.

cruisemom, we meet again. VTA to Palmyra also.

[hulamoon]

Lisbon, is too good to pass up, unless you have another plan for the port!

[Storylady]

Both have wonderful ports of call. But I would take the Nieuw Amsterdam as the cruise is 2 days longer.

Also, you have 5 days of port calls in a row on the Noordam and only 4 on the Nieuw Amsterdam. And if you haven't been to Venice, it is a wonderful city---it could be slightly cool at that time of the year as it is farther north than Rome. When we came back from our Greece cruise, the Venetians were wearing leather jackets and scarfs.

[hulamoon]

Sometimes the ports we think we want, turn out to be less than expected for whatever reason. It could be the given day, holiday, weather, too many port days in a row. The opposite is also true. So here is more detail from my experience with the ports.

Favorite port, rain, snow or sun is Rome. I have spent a few weeks there in the fall and loved it. Barcelona is almost as popular in my mind as Rome But I am still seduced by Lisbon. I planned for the port but found it so much more than expected.

[B]I spent two nights on the Eurodam in Lisbon and was busy every second in the port, could have spent weeks there. It as rich in option and beauty but vibrantly distinct from Rome or Barcelona. I consider a port a winner when it pulls me into it, there is so much to do, coming back to the ship is a question. I like great cities that show off their natural beauty and historic culture and all three do this for me.

Monte Carlo was a fairy tale stop for me. But I didn't go the casino and pretend I had thousands to play either. I took the bus and walked and loved it. I could go back there again.

Taormina. Loved it. Beautiful on a clear day. Arrived on a Sunday so Messina was closed and took a taxi up. It was an enchanting way to celebrate my 50th. You might want to plot out what Sundays will be where and see if that makes a difference to you. There are less options in these countries on those days.

Corfu, beautiful island, you could spend more time here, I think of it more as a nature stop. I enjoyed getting in the ocean and driving around.

Dubrovnik. I didn't expect much, so it was a pleasant suprise. We walked the walls and found it a very good port experience.

Venice I arrived in Venice on their 2000 year (I could have the thousands wrong) of their republic. I got several lectures about democracy while there, mostly the locals wanted me to know their longer history of democracy. The entire Italian population was on holiday, giving it more of a touristy vibe than it has in years past, or so my husband told me. Liked it, loved it, but do not feel like I must go there over and over again when i haven't finished other cities yet.

It sounds like you are giving yourself lots of time for this cruise, and unless you are buying your air right away, you could pick one and if the other seemed best before final payment, switch.

I think on a TA the ship is important. So if you like the larger option with extra resturant, spa suites, that is a consideration. For years I have heard how the Noordam in the best in the fleet, so hard to go wrong I think.

We recently remodeled our kitchen. A fellow who was also a student of zen meditation told us how to decide on options, it sort of worked. he told me to write all of them down, ports ships and dates (tiles, granite, appliances) Then pull out of the mix the ones that did not have any emotional meaning or were turn offs. Then go with what is left.:D

Let us know what you decided, isn't it great to narrow it down to two good choices? !

[cruisemom42]

cruisemom, we meet again. VTA to Palmyra also.


SwissMyst, I've finally got it through my thick head that we're on the same sailing. :o

Just today I decided to start a specific roll call for our trip, fyi. I am waiting for my Syria books to show up so I can start reading.

Enjoy your cruise on Zuiderdam. I sailed on her a few years back in her inaugural year.

[Willsot]

Both would be wonderful and I just looked at the great prices! The choice would be easy for me because 1) I've never sailed the Noordam and hear nothing but good things about her and 2) I love Spain and Portugal and would also consider Barcelona and Monte Carlo to be pluses. So I would choose the Noordam.

[Pam in CA]

I'd toss a coin although I'd be tempted to take the cruise that's longer. Being on a new vs. old ship doesn't make any difference to me and both Rome and Venice are fabulous cities. You won't go wrong with either cruise.

[Madbullogna]

I would say the Venetian Passage, but, I may be slightly biased after having to make the same decision. :D

Regardless of what you do, you can't go wrong with either of them.

[catl331]

Well, by Oct 2011 N Amsterdam will not be considered new but newest HAL ship. I always recommend the Noordam! I loved Barcelona and would like to spend more time there. It is true that sometimes weather and day of the week tend to personalize our opinion of a port. Monte Carlo on a Sunday was boring. Cartegena is okay if you are into ruins. Croatia is the "in" place nowadays. We are stopping in Split; a friend is doing a whole week touring Croatia. I guess you need to decide what you personally want to do and see in those ports and go from there. Sure one has more daily stops in a row but you have the Atlantic Ocean days to recover!Either cruise is a go for me! Enjoy!

[venicecruiser]

Venice is a magical city! So, if it were me I would choose N Amsterdam...


Claudia

[Tampa Girl]

What wonderful replies - thank you, all! I am still leaning toward the Spanish Odyssey, namely because of Lisbon. The seven ports in a row are rather daunting, but that doesn't mean we have to explore every inch of every port. Beside, as one poster pointed out, there are seven (I think) sea days to recuperate.

Does anyone have any info on the other ports on that cruise: Seville, Cartagena, Cadiz. Portimao, and Madeira? The price is great - now if only I can find a cat sitter for about 20 days. Anyone???

[SwissMyst]

What wonderful replies - thank you, all! I am still leaning toward the Spanish Odyssey, namely because of Lisbon. The seven ports in a row are rather daunting, but that doesn't mean we have to explore every inch of every port. Beside, as one poster pointed out, there are seven (I think) sea days to recuperate.

Does anyone have any info on the other ports on that cruise: Seville, Cartagena, Cadiz. Portimao, and Madeira? The price is great - now if only I can find a cat sitter for about 20 days. Anyone???

Contact your locale humane society or veterinarians for recommendations. Or a local church or college that may have some connections for part-time employment for this type of thing. Pet food stores are another source for referrals.

Kids in the neighborhood - this is what we would always do when I was growing up - take care of their pets and even chickens which many back yards had in those days. Our favorite house to pet sit was the one with the tree house that overlooked their small duck pen. All in a suburban neighborhood in those days.

[Taxguy77]

Yoou really have a problem!:confused::rolleyes::D
The GOOD news is.....You can't go wrong!!:p
The bad:confused: news is: when can I take the othe trip?:confused:

[hulamoon]

AARP had a program that has retirees pay their own way to pet and house sit for free. They just want a change of scenery and sometimes the use of your car.

I have almost used them twice but then turned out a family member could help out.

CC would probably get a few threads on housesitting, but you do need to be a little careful. You don't want the world to know when you are out of town.

I am always looking too, so send names of ones you find!

[Tampa Girl]

AARP had a program that has retirees pay their own way to pet and house sit for free. They just want a change of scenery and sometimes the use of your car.

I have almost used them twice but then turned out a family member could help out.

CC would probably get a few threads on housesitting, but you do need to be a little careful. You don't want the world to know when you are out of town.

I am always looking too, so send names of ones you find!


Sharie - what a wonderful idea! Do I reach AARP on line or use their 800 number? We only have one cat, and we won't put her in a kennel, and I hate to leave her by herself for 20 days with the cat sitter coming only once a day for a few minutes. Also, I like to have someone staying n the house. I will definitely let you know if I find a source. Thanks again for yiour suggestion.

Virginia

[hulamoon]

I was looking at housecarers.com but I just googled house sitters and there are plenty on the list now.

Best of luck.

[Tampa Girl]

Yoou really have a problem!:confused::rolleyes::D
The GOOD news is.....You can't go wrong!!:p
The bad:confused: news is: when can I take the othe trip?


As soon as you find me a catsitter! :)