chisoxfan Posted November 17, 2017 #1 Share Posted November 17, 2017 (edited) Hello, we will be traveling for the first time to Florence and Venice and then taking a 7 day cruise from there. There are 3 cruise options we have focused on and I know this is like asking 'what is the best restaurant in New York and what should I order', but we really would appreciate any insight comments on these cruise Itineraries. My initial thought is that they are all good and that (hopefully) we will make many more trips to this part of the world in the future. That said, having never been to these places maybe one itinerary stands out for experienced travelers to this region. The first two are Costa (we would book a suite) and the last is RCCL (aft balsony). We are really looking hard at Costa and the Oct 6 (first) itinerary is most cost 'effective'. So help us (please) make our decision! THANKS Saturday, October 6 Venice, Italy Sunday, October 7 Bari, Italy 2:00pm 8:00pm Monday, October 8 At Sea Tuesday, October 9 Athens (Piraeus), Greece 8:00am 5:00pm Wednesday, October 10 Olympia (Katakolon), Greece 8:00am 2:00pm Thursday, October 11 Kotor, Montenegro 2:00pm 9:00pm Friday, October 12 Split, Croatia 9:00am 5:00pm Saturday, October 13 Venice, Italy 9:00am 5:00pm Sunday, October 7 Venice, Italy 5:00pm Monday, October 8 Bari, Italy 2:00pm 8:00pm Tuesday, October 9 Corfu, Greece 9:00am 2:00pm Wednesday, October 10 Santorini, Greece Noon 7:00pm Thursday, October 11 Athens (Piraeus), Greece 7:30am 2:00pm Friday, October 12 At Sea Saturday, October 13 Dubrovnik, Croatia 8:00am 1:00pm Sunday, October 14 Venice, Italy 9:00am Date Port Arrive Depart Saturday, October 6 Venice, Italy 5:00pm Sunday, October 7 Kotor, Montenegro 1:00pm 8:00pm Monday, October 8 Corfu, Greece 9:00am 3:00pm Tuesday, October 9 Athens (Piraeus), Greece Noon 8:30pm Wednesday, October 10 Mykonos, Greece 7:00am 4:00pm Thursday, October 11 Argostoli, Greece 11:00am 7:00pm Friday, October 12 At Sea Saturday, October 13 Venice, Italy 7:00am Edited November 17, 2017 by chisoxfan add info Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TSUmom Posted November 20, 2017 #2 Share Posted November 20, 2017 I have been researching itineraries also. My choice would be the 2nd one because I can't imagine seeing Greece without seeing Santorini. I am trying to find one from Venice that includes Athens, Mykonos and Santorini but all are a combo of them and not all 3. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare mskaufman Posted November 20, 2017 #3 Share Posted November 20, 2017 The combination of Santorini and Dubrovnik make me like number 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chisoxfan Posted November 20, 2017 Author #4 Share Posted November 20, 2017 Thank you sincerely for your input. I am probably looking now at option 3 since it is a RCCL cruise and the other two are Costa. When I posted I was really interested in the Costa offering but further research has pretty much soured me on this line. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TSUmom Posted November 20, 2017 #5 Share Posted November 20, 2017 I will be booking with NCL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Hlitner Posted November 20, 2017 #6 Share Posted November 20, 2017 !I do not like any of the Costa itineraries Like many Costa itineraries, they offer limited time in the ports..which is a huge issue when in Europe. Instead of trying to hit a port nearly every day, you are much better off being in ports for a full day (such as 8-5). For example, Dubrovnik is a fabulous place to visit, but now 8-1! You would need to be back on board by 12:30 and would have to leave town by noon. And consider that nothing really opens until after 9... This has long been an issue with Costa and some NCL itineraries. So my advice to the OP is look for a cruise that gives you enough time to enjoy ports and venture further away from the ship. Also consider that in parts of Europe (especially Italy and Spain) many shops/boutiques are closed during much of the afternoon such as from 1-4! And that last itinerary is not much better. Arriving in Pireaus at noon is a crime! You likely would not able to get into Athens until 1....by which you have lost half the day. Most cruise lines will give you a long day in Athens. And leaving Corfu at 3 means you need to be back at the port by 2:30! We have explored Corfu (on several trips) with rental cars. It is actually a pretty large island. If you have a full day there is time to explore parts of the island and still have time to enjoy Corfu Town. So, I would not feel comfortable recommending any of these itineraries. For what its worth (and to estabilish our bona fides) we have been cruising and traveling throughout Europe for nearly forty years. Hank Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chisoxfan Posted November 21, 2017 Author #7 Share Posted November 21, 2017 !I do not like any of the Costa itineraries Like many Costa itineraries, they offer limited time in the ports..which is a huge issue when in Europe. Instead of trying to hit a port nearly every day, you are much better off being in ports for a full day (such as 8-5). For example, Dubrovnik is a fabulous place to visit, but now 8-1! You would need to be back on board by 12:30 and would have to leave town by noon. And consider that nothing really opens until after 9... This has long been an issue with Costa and some NCL itineraries. So my advice to the OP is look for a cruise that gives you enough time to enjoy ports and venture further away from the ship. Also consider that in parts of Europe (especially Italy and Spain) many shops/boutiques are closed during much of the afternoon such as from 1-4! And that last itinerary is not much better. Arriving in Pireaus at noon is a crime! You likely would not able to get into Athens until 1....by which you have lost half the day. Most cruise lines will give you a long day in Athens. And leaving Corfu at 3 means you need to be back at the port by 2:30! We have explored Corfu (on several trips) with rental cars. It is actually a pretty large island. If you have a full day there is time to explore parts of the island and still have time to enjoy Corfu Town. So, I would not feel comfortable recommending any of these itineraries. For what its worth (and to estabilish our bona fides) we have been cruising and traveling throughout Europe for nearly forty years. Hank Hank, Have seen you as a frequent poster and appreciate your comments. Unfortunately, we know any one week itinerary will be a compromise. We do hope to enjoy five nights in Florence, Two in Milan, and at least two in Venice so as a working stiff, that is the best we can do. I am not sure of any cruises that allow long times in the Greek Island ports. Hoping to get a taste and if providence allows we will have the opportunity to revisit when retired. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare mskaufman Posted November 21, 2017 #8 Share Posted November 21, 2017 Thank you sincerely for your input. I am probably looking now at option 3 since it is a RCCL cruise and the other two are Costa. When I posted I was really interested in the Costa offering but further research has pretty much soured me on this line. Based on this I would also go with option 3. I agree with Hank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dabear Posted November 23, 2017 #9 Share Posted November 23, 2017 While I like option #2 itinerary best, from all I've heard from prior pax and read about Costa, it caters more to Europeans and the food is cheaper than the other lines . You'll get a lot of pasta, etc. Also, while I think Santorini is one of the best islands to visit, Hank's comments about time in ports leads me to recommend #3. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chisoxfan Posted November 23, 2017 Author #10 Share Posted November 23, 2017 Thanks for for comments. Feeling confident in decision to stick with RCCL and their itinerary (3). Now if I can book some return flights using points on AA......... Happy Thanksgiving. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
senorbanda Posted November 24, 2017 #11 Share Posted November 24, 2017 I think you will be pleased with the RCCL choice. Since I believe this is the Rhapsody of the Seas you are talking about, you may want to look at the following week's sailing too. Whichever one you decide to do should be an excellent choice. Enjoy your trip chisoxfan! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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