I know this is a dumb question for all you Rick Steves peeps, which I am one of them. Have traveled alot in europe using the guidebooks, we love that kind of travel. But we're going to convention this summer in France and the optional package can include cruise of Croatia, Greek Isles, Venice. Either that with a large group of friends,...or... do like we usually do, be adventurers, take public transportation, want ot do greece and Turkey. If we go on cruise , after we would travel on our own to Turkey. Can"t decide on the cruise thing, we've cruised in Carribbean, Alaska, its okay but not my favortie way to travel, please I need help.....
Posted by
victoria, Canada
11507 posts
there is a budget cruise line called "Easy Cruise" that apparently only travels between ports late a night, allowing usually noon to midmight stops in ports.. you could google it and see if it interests. It is apparently nothing like cruising in the convetional sense( no evening shows, no casino , just clean and cheap beds and transport from port to port)
Posted by
Philadelphia, PA, USA
3401 posts
Helene, it's not a dumb question, because cruises in the 2 areas u mentioned make sense -- Alaska because otherwise it's hard to get to each "sight" and the Caribbean because a day in each port can give you the "flavor" of an island.
However, a Greek Isles cruise will give you a cruelly short time in a port town, crowded w. other cruisers, only shopping & having a meal, not even a "sunset sit" in a cafe -- a totally distorted experience, not the "real Greece" that had made so many of us addicted to these wonderful islands. You do not say WHEN or how long... but in 2 weeks, with good planning, you can see 3 islands plus 2+ days in Athens, and a joyful QUALITY experience that will leave you wanting to return!
If 2 weeks or less, wouldn't advise trying to do Turkey also, because of distances-- unless u just do a day trip from nearby island like Samos or Rhodes.
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
8125 posts
Well, first check the itinerary of the cruise package. Since it includes Croatia and Venice, I suspect the Greek Isles may be Corfu and possibly other islands in the Ionian Sea, not the Aegean, where you would find Santorini, Mykonos, and the like. Still might be a good cruise, just different from Mainland Greece and the Aegean.
Posted by
San Leandro, CA, USA
632 posts
We spent 2 weeks in Greece this last fall, including 3 islands (Santorini, Naxos, and Mykonos) and Athens. Had a wonderful time...but I was sorry to see so many people being herded around on the cruise ship tours...they got off the boat between 9 and 10 in the morning....got back on between 5 and 7 in the evening...missed out on most of what is unique about the islands....as for Athens...I can't imagine a more grueling experience than taking a tour along with 200 of your closest friends hiking up the Acropolis in 90+ degree weather...