All rights reserved. Bathroom with shower. Choose from a 17-night impressive Mediterranean itinerary that includes stops in Venice, Slovenia (Koper), Croatia (Zadar), Montenegro (Kotor), Italy (Bari), and Greece (Corfu). A cruise to Civitavecchia is a chance for you to hop a quick train to Rome and explore the enormous history through ruins, galleries and The Vatican museums. The casual, laid-back atmosphere is one of the reasons people love Windstar. In the foothills of Mt. The majority of passengers were Italian but there were also British, French, Spanish and German passengers. Katarina Line is based in Croatia and offers small cruises out of ports like Dubrovnik, Split, and Opatija. Useful maps are available from the cruise terminal. MYKONOS Cruise ships dock ay Mykonoss Port Terminal. Other notable cruise lines like Norwegian, Celebrity, Princess, and Holland America have Mediterranean itineraries that also include stops along the Adriatic. Croatia Off the Beaten Path in Split, Croatia. What type of cabin should you book for an Adriatic Sea cruise? Copyright 2022 Bridget Coleman. The jewel in Splits crown is its old town, once home toDiocletians Palace. Fancy a small cruise where you can island hop where large cruise ships can't venture? Food, accommodation & entertainment, Specialized agents will help you to choose and plan your perfect holiday. Why wasn't this page useful? Double bed which can be converted to two single beds (on request). Hope slowly ebbed away from those who had a lunchtime flight out of Venices Marco Polo Airport. Therefore if you dont want to end up under the promenade deck or next to the laundry,research your cruise cabinbefore you book. Interactive TV, telephone, wireless internet access (for a fee), mini bar, safe. Should You Take a Greek Islands and Adriatic Sea Cruise on MSC Sinfonia? Welcome toSantorini, the poster child of the Greek islands. This UNESCO World Heritage site was the cultural capital of the Italian Renaissance in the 15th and 16th centuries and is the birthplace of one of the greats from this period,Raphael. If only to avoid these challenges, this is one port of call on this Adriatic cruise where I considered ashore excursionto be of value. Highlights include its interesting history and friendly people, who are always ready to show you their way of life. East of Athens, theAegean seais home to many of Greeces most popular islands. Follow our social media and blog for the latest cruise and travel news, including our best vacation deals. Fellow passengers reported similar issues but others, looking at the length of the queue snaking through the Guest Services area of the ship, gave up the fight. Expect acosmopolitancrowd onboard. Built by the eponymous Roman Emperor in the 4thCentury, this area is now a seductive tangle of churches, chapels and houses. Although I remain very cynical about the charge for the shuttle bus, I accept that mistakes can be made. For example, many sail from Dubrovnik or Venice. Worse still, mine was not an isolated experience. Are Single Cabins Good Value For Solo Travellers, Planning YourGreek Islands & Adriatic Cruise, MSC Sinfonia Greek Islands and Adriatic Sea Cruise Review: Itinerary & Ports. Windstar Cruises' Adriatic cruise includes stops in Montenegro (Kotor), Croatia (Dubrovnik, Split, and Rovinj), and Italy (Venice). Consider booking abalcony cabinwhen cruising the Adriatic Sea to the Greek islands. If you're after a National Geographic type adventure, consider a one-of-a-kind cruise with Lindblad Expeditions. Tours are led by officers and staff, so you get a completely difference experience here. You will also pay more to cruise in these months. Other stops in the Mediterranean include Barcelona, Marseille, Monte Carlo, Saint-Tropez, Portofino, Florence, Rome, Sorrento, Sicily, and Zakynthos. Sample Pricing: Interior pricing starts at $1,999 USD and balcony accommodations begin at $3,109 for this 14-night cruise. Other ports include Civitavecchia, Capri, and Messina in Italy. Shorts are not allowed in the restaurants at dinner. Although getting acclimatised was easy, I found it frustrating that only the forward and aft elevators and stairwells reached all decks. This means that I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through these links. None of them had the wow factor for me. 8614 Westwood Center Drive, Suite 800, Tysons, VA 22182 There was a charge for the all-day shuttle bus at Dubrovnik where I used public transport. Split, Croatias second-biggest city, is one of the oldest settlements along the Adriatic coast, thought to be at least 1700 years old. Donkeys also transport human cargo up the cliffside but lets not go there! Thick fog forced the closure of the Port of Venice, putting back our arrival time of 08:00 to 13:30. The small TV had a limited choice of channels. However, if you are not satisfied with the service provided you can ask Guest Services to remove this charge from your onboard account. Marseilles, Frances second most popular city, offers cruisers a vast landscape to discover the areas ancient history and relish the more modern lifestyle of the French living off the coast of the Mediterranean. From there, you'll visit Montenegro and Dubrovnik, Korcula, and Hvar in Croatia. Learn more about each of the possible departure ports for a Mediterranean cruise with MSC Cruises. Sail with the best on a MSC Cruises Mediterranean cruise. However, the icing on the cake was theoverchargeon the final bill. There were two-pin EU and US plug sockets. Queue #2 to receive your embarkation card. Located along the Mediterranean coastline and on the historic slope of Mount Carmel, you will find the traditional and contemporary city of Haifa, Israel. Air conditioning. In my view, the ideal time of year to take an Adriatic cruise is June or September, when the weather is more predictably good and crowds are fewer. Interactive TV, telephone, wireless internet access (for a fee), mini bar, safe. Instead, daily activities centred on games and fitness with the odd trivia quiz thrown in. Are you looking for an alternative to the standard Mediterranean cruise? At 19:15, MSC Sinfonia released her moorings and set sail through the Guidecca Canal. Relax in style at this eclectic location in the Canary Islands. If you're looking for an itinerary that is more off the beaten path, yet still combines stunning landscapes with rich history, consider booking an Adriatic Sea cruise. One of the highlights of SeaDream is its unstructured sailing - you may luck out and hit an unscheduled port for a local market or stay longer in another to take advantage of the ship's water sports marina. Western Mediterranean Cruise: Essential Tips, Ports & NCL Epic Review, Baltic Capitals Cruise on Celebrity Silhouette: Review, Port Guides & Essential Tips, Norwegian Fjords Cruise: Essential Tips, Review & Port Guides, How to Spend One Day in Florence: Itinerary & Tips for Your First Visit, How to Spend 3 Days in Florence, Italy: Itinerary, Tips & Guide, Renaissance Art in Florence: 30 Famous Paintings You Cannot Miss, Best Views of Florence, Italy: 13 Photo Spots You Cannot Miss, Admire the panorama from the VindNarrowlica viewpoint. But if these are rectified with grace, a smile and an apology they can be forgiven. South of the Puglia region of Italy, the Adriatic Sea meets theIonian Sea, which flanks the western coast of the Greek mainland. There was a slightly odd system whereby, for some shows, you needed to pre-book your place using one of the ships touch screens (which did or did not work). Cabin for guests with disabilities or reduced mobility has only single beds. Barbados, where the weather is impeccable, the beaches are beautiful and the food is fantastically fresh. There were no wall-mounted hooks which are a useful feature of cabins on other cruise lines. Bring your own hairdryer as the one provided is one of those nasty wall-mounted contraptions that resemble vacuum cleaners. Redeem FCCs for MSC Cruises - Exclusive Offers! Im very glad that we didnt decide to take this cruise in July / August when it is reportedly tourist carnage. This is a good option for passengers who want many of the perks found on bigger ships without the 2,000 other passengers. When travelers think about European cruise options, ports in the western Mediterranean or along the Scandinavian coastlines are typically the most popular. With European-style service, extensive knowledge of the area and attractions within, and regional touches that will bring a smile to your face, these vacation options are a true delight. Explore the varied history and culture of Palermo, Sicilys capital city. For short European cruises like this, MSC adds 10 Euros per person per night to your bill, intended to recognise the service provided by waiters and cabin stewards. Air conditioning. Im Bridget, a London-based travel writer with perpetually itchy feet. Storage space was perfectly adequate for one person but, again, two people might struggle. From here it is a 15-minute boat ride to Mykonos Old Town. Royal Caribbean International Cruises offers a six-night Adriatic cruise that departs from Venice and stops in Kotor, Montenegro; Piraeus, Greece; Corfu, Greece; and Dubrovnik, Croatia. With an overwhelming world of choices, we understand you may need some personal assistance to plan your perfect vacation. CONTACT US FOR DETAILS, MSC Adriatic and Greece Cruise 17th - 24th Sept 2022. The itinerary included three other ports of call Spilt, Dubrovnik and Ancona over one week. For exploring the ports of call, wear t-shirts with shorts, linen trousers/chinos or skirts. As a thank you, youll also receivea FREEsolo travel toolkit,packed with resources for the solo traveller. Instead of a glitzy chandelier dangling from a great height, there is the use of more restrained primary and neutral colours with touches of marble, brass and glass. Tank-tops, bikinis, bathrobes and bare feet are not allowed in any of the ships indoor restaurants or buffet areas. This entire city is known as a UNESCO World Heritage Site leaving many historic areas and landmarks to explore during your visit to this impressive capital city. Located on the Mediterranean Sea, Valencia is a city in Spain that attracts a lot of visitors to uncover the citys past and revel in its modern achievements, most notably The City of Arts and Sciences. Let my experience of solo travelling to 70+ countries over three decades help you find your perfect travel adventure with a twist of affordable luxury. MSC Musica has a wide array of onboard facilities and entertainment such as live music in the Crystal lounge, trying your luck in the San Remo casino, taking in a live show in the theatre, a relaxing massage at the Aurea Spa and so much more. Fun-filled entertainment on every night of the cruise, Service charges paid on board (10/night per person >13 years old and 5/night per person from 2 to 12 years old). And I thought that it was the British who love a queue. Theentertainment programmewas so underwhelming that I did not attend any of the shows in the ships crampedtheatre. Now, lets take a look at what the experience was like on board MSC Sinfonia. Adriatic cruises on Royal Caribbean are on Splendor of the Seas, which holds over 1,800 passengers. For the ultimate Mediterranean experience, choose a MSC Cruises itinerary that includes the Adriatic coast of Italy and heads on to Greece, Romania, Turkey, and Russia. Mini golfandshuffleboardwere available at the aft of the ship on deck 13. However, unless you are confined to the school holidays, I would avoid the peak season in July and August. Phone: 1.800.377.9383 International: 001.240.487.0155 Fax: 1.240.487.0154. Queue #1 to deposit your luggage. Discover imaginative architecture, impressive Spanish dishes and beautiful excursions into nature when you cruise to Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia. These ports include Zagreb, Zadar, Sibenik, Split, Hvar, Dubrovnik, Kotor. Grand Circle Cruise Line specializes in small ship cruise tours and, for 2015, they are adding a number of perks. Cruise to Bari and explore this extraordinary city in the South of Italy. Im a big fan of Rick Steves and his guide to Mediterranean cruise ports is packed full of useful information. Whilst this is perfectly adequate for a solo traveller on a cruise, two people sharing this cabin might struggle over the course of a week. There was a busy mainpoolwith the Doremi Spray Park on deck 11. You just needed to be prepared to wait for it. Check out the available Adriatic cruise itineraries to see which combination of ports is the right one for you. Ditch the stilettos for sensible walking shoes or trainers. What is the best cruise along the Adriatic Sea? Experience the serene, romantic splendor of Venice, but dont forget to check out its wonderful museums and neighborhoods located off the Grand Canal. Transatlantic crossing cruises offer a huge array of ports and can often be less expensive, given the cruise line is moving the ship for the season. If this is port-intensive with few days at sea, this may not be a worthwhile investment. Learn about the Greek gods and the early philosophy of Socrates when you visit the incredible ruins left in Athens, Greece. I was charged for drinks when I had a drinks package. Please fill correctly the red highlighted fields! WHERE THE DEPOSIT OPTION IS SELECTED THE BALANCE IS PAYABLE 12 WEEKS PRIOR TO DEPARTURE IN FULL. MSC entered the cruise market in the 1960s, and is one of the fastest growing cruise companies in the world, using some of the newest vessels currently at sea. MSC Cruises: Kids Sail FREE on select sailings*. MSC Sinfonia 7 NIGHT Mediterranean - Eastern CRUISE Departing From Bari, Italy (Jul 2022 - Aug 2022), MSC Seaview 7 NIGHT Mediterranean - Western CRUISE Departing From Barcelona, Spain (Jul 2022 - Aug 2022), MSC Splendida 7 NIGHT Mediterranean - Western CRUISE Departing From Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy (Jul 2022 - Aug 2022), MSC Opera 7 NIGHT Mediterranean - Western CRUISE Departing From Palermo, Sicily, Italy (Jul 2022 - Aug 2022), MSC Meraviglia 7 NIGHT Mediterranean - Western CRUISE Departing From Palma de Mallorca, Spain (Jul 2022 - Aug 2022), MSC Lirica 7 NIGHT Mediterranean - Eastern CRUISE Departing From Limassol, Cyprus (Jul 2022 - Aug 2022), MSC Seaside 7 NIGHT Mediterranean - Western CRUISE Departing From Marseille, France (Jul 2022 - Aug 2022), MSC Musica 7 NIGHT Mediterranean - Eastern CRUISE Departing From Bari, Italy (Jul 2022 - Aug 2022), MSC Sinfonia 7 NIGHT Mediterranean - Eastern CRUISE Departing From Venice, Italy (Jul 2022 - Aug 2022), MSC Opera 7 NIGHT Mediterranean - Western CRUISE Departing From Naples, Italy (Jul 2022 - Aug 2022). Many of the mainline cruise operators will also throw in a fewGreek portsof call for good measure, including Piraeus (for Athens), Santorini, Mykonos and Corfu. For the Adriatic Sea, SeaDream offers a Croatia-based itinerary that starts in Dubrovnik and visits Mljet, Hvar, Split, Sibenik, Rab, Opatija, and Rovinj. All cruises detailed below are priced per person, double occupancy, unless otherwise specified. Enjoy Messina, the gateway to Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean with a proud heritage and world renowned food. An automatic 15 per cent gratuity is added to bar purchases. and passing Kefalonia and Zakynthos. Other cruise operators offer itineraries that includeItalian ports, including Ravenna, Bari and Ancona. Sample Pricing: A ten-night Lindblad expedition starts at $11,630 USD for ocean view accommodations. Cabin for guests with disabilities or reduced mobility has only single beds. SANTORINI Cruise ships anchor off Thira, the port town on Santorinis western coast, and disembarkation is by atenderboat service. Join my travel tribe here to receive a weekly newsletter containing top travel tips and hot-off-the-press travel news. I had a balcony cabin, which was decorated in tasteful burgundy and gold tones, complementing the beech-veneered walls. Other popular ports include: A variety of cruises within the Adriatic Sea are available, including itineraries that focus solely on the region as well as those that may include stops in the western Mediterranean or the Greek Islands. How To Book Your First Cruise Like a Pro! They will include stops at ports on the mainland and, usually in the case of smaller ships, at some of the 1,300 islands dotting the Adriatic Sea. The ship then continued towards Split, our first destination, 218 nautical miles southeast of Venice. The alternative was a strenuous 45-minute walk in the morning heat. Cruise to Durban and explore the colonial history South Africa and delight in the famous beaches where the locals spend their vacations. The island of Mallorca can boast of an impressive port city where the old and new worlds dwell in perfect harmony. Instead, there was the option to purchase upgraded menu items in the main dining room. The cost of a return ticket for this service from the cruise operator was 6.99. But as the sun had well and truly set by the time we reached St Marks canal, we couldnt and we didnt. Interactive TV, telephone, wireless internet access (for a fee), mini bar, safe. Step onboard the MSC Musica and experiencea magical world of warmth and music that makes your cruise and unforgettable one. It is also warmer at this time of year and the islands are open for business. As there is considerable variety in itinerary lengths, ports of call and types of ship, you will need to do a little homework to pick the cruise that is right for you. As the citys main attractions are scattered over a compact area, everything is walkable. Wardrobe. Fellow passengers reported waiting times of 90 minutes to board the cable car. from 14 to 21 sq.m. A Day in Urbino, Italy: A Renaissance Gem. Searing Mediterranean heat and jostling crowds are never a good combination. LEARN HOW TO TAKE FIRST-CLASS TRAVEL PHOTOS! MSC Musica also has a varied cuisine, freshly prepared on a daily basis you are sure to find plenty of choice. There are Adriatic Sea cruises for nearly every budget and wish-list. When you step onboard you can be amazed by the central atriums 3 tiered waterfall and its see through piano which is suspended above a crystal floor. There were a few other aspects of the embarkation process that I thought were unusual: However, the cabin was ready, luggage delivered and cruise pass primed and ready to go within 15 minutes of boarding. Pack an umbrella at any time of year in case of unexpected downpours. Bathroom with shower. However, if you want to take your chances with thepublic bus connecting Fira and Oia, this runs twice an hour. There was also a power walking track and a smallgym. Thedurationof Adriatic Sea cruises generally ranges from seven to 14 days. Prepare your appetite if you plan to visit Naples, for it is home to many of Italys most famous culinary traditions. Sample Pricing: An eight-night cruise starts at $9,999 USD for balcony accommodations. Anconas cruise port is within easy walking distance of its historic town centre. Despite this, it does boast a few historic sights, including a 12th Century cathedral, and is home to an art gallery and the regions archaeological museum. This is where MSC Sinfonia failed, often spectacularly. Breakfasts were OK, but freshly cooked options were limited. MSC Sinfonia berthed at the Old Harbour, 3 km from the old town. Enrich yourself with a salsa dancing lesson from a real bailador or bask in the architectural excellence of Rome. Dubrovniks old town is small enough to navigate on foot. MSC responded well to this delay, keeping the buffet restaurants and bars open until passengers had disembarked. This was a good itinerary, with diverse ports of call, each of which had something different to offer. How does that work? What should you pack for a Greek Island & Adriatic Sea cruise? Discover Mediterranean wonders in Limassol, Cyprus. Depart from Athens, stop in Olympia and Ithaca, and then explore multiple ports in Albania - Sarand, Butrint, and Tirana. Value for money! There is a spectrum ofshipsthat sail along the Adriatic Sea, accommodating allbudgets, from mainstream behemoths to smaller ships offering a more intimate experience (and that berth at some of the smaller islands). My one regret is that we only stopped in Mykonos at night and, with hindsight, I would have looked for an itinerary that would have given me the opportunity to explore the island during daylight hours. Not off to the best of starts. Sample MSC Cruises Mediterranean Itineraries, A beachfront city, this resort city is home to countless historic sites dating back to the 7. You can uncover ancient history, lounge on beautiful beaches and enjoy outstanding food and wine throughout the island of Cyprus. However, Santorini is a very popular port of call for cruise ships and when I visited late in the season, four had dropped anchor there. Lisbon has deep cultural roots that are exposed through ruins and museum artifacts. Exuding a laid back, beach atmosphere, you just might have a new favorite vacation destination in Arrecife. Queue #4 to have your photo taken for your cruise card. Unlike many other ships in this price bracket, MSC Sinfonia does not feature a show-stopping central space. However, if you're looking for an unforgettable experience on some of Croatia's best small islands, you can't go wrong with Katarina. The large, comfortable bed had good quality linen and a choice of pillows (soft or firm). MSC does not allow you to adjust this amount. This cruise didnt have a happy ending for many passengers. For women, this is a dressy outfit, formal gown or cocktail dress. For men, this means a tuxedo, dinner jacket or dark suit and tie.. Expert guidance for your cruise vacation! The cabin was comfortable, albeit small. Its beauty and historical heritage have always attracted visitors but since Dubrovnik became one of the settings for HBOsGame of Thrones, its tourist numbers have exploded. Regent Seven Seas Cruises offers a number of interesting Adriatic cruises on the world's first all-suite, all-balcony ship, the Seven Seas Mariner. In a real diamond cruise ship, MSC Musica, you will enjoy seven fantastic days exploring the Aegean, Ionian and Adriatic.