Has anyone done this? If you don’t mind me asking, how spendy was it? I’d like to take my mom this year and I’d be interested in your experiences. Thanks for any advice.

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Originally posted by irreverent:
Has anyone done this? If you don’t mind me asking, how spendy was it? I’d like to take my mom this year and I’d be interested in your experiences. Thanks for any advice.

I did one in 2006 with some friends. I don't recall what it cost, probably about $2k. It was a 12-day cruise with some days in a Med resort. I enjoyed it very much., Photos here
https://www.flickr.com/photos/...s/72157600960852061/

Our cruise ship was the Orient Queen, no longer in service.

flashguy

This message has been edited. Last edited by: flashguy,

Mine and my wife's experience has been with Caribbean cruises, with that said
See if you know any friends or family who might be travel agents, if not find out if friends or family can recommend one. My travel agent does not charge me for her services she is paid by the cruise line. Make sure if you find one it is the same.

If you decide to use a travel agent give them the information like, Time of year you want to go,cruise ship accommodation "room category", any special needs information (including food allergies), how may people will be traveling and so on. Give them as much information you can based on what you want to do and see.

Ask them to price out several different cruises with the different ports of call so you can compare what might be right for your travel party.
Have them price out air fair as part of the package to try to save money. Some cruise lines run specials for cruises that include airfare.
Check what transportation is included once you are in the country to get you to the cruise ship. If it is not see if they can make arrangements for it. Also are any Visa's required for where you are going?

A bit of advice, try to fly in the day before the cruise leaves. If your flight is delayed the ship could leave without you if you are to late getting to the cruise terminal. Also you might want to think about the same about the day you get off the cruise in case the ship is late getting back to the port.

And one thing people don't think about - when does your passport expire. Some countries have restrictions on travelers who's passport expire so many months within your travel dates.

I’ve only done Caribbean as well. But I’d recommend booking directly with the cruise. Call them and you can sometimes beat the online prices.

Working with a travel agent is a pain. If you need different dinner reservations or a room change or anything at all you have to call your agent and hope they take care of it. Booking direct you can do most things right on the website.

Thank you, guys. I’ve never done a cruise and I’m a little leery, but it seems like the most time and cost effective way to allow her to visit Greece.

Did an eastern Mediterranean cruise a few years back; Italy, Sicily, Malta and Greece. Overall a great experience.

Greece was mixed.

Rhodes was absolutely awesome! Not what one thinks of for Greece, a walled medieval city. Rhodes was the headquarters for the Knights of St. John during the crusades before they were invaded and fell back to Malta. Went on a walking tour with a fantastic tour guide who was a history professor. Had one of the best meals of my life, a small hole in the wall a couple of blocks off the tourist district that our guide recommended. Lunch for two, a platter full of meat prepared in every way imaginable in Greek food.

Athens was interesting, wish we had more time to spend at the Acropolis. The modern city is on the sketchy side. Modern ruins of structures built for the Olympics that have been abandoned. The old airport site turned into a refugee camp for the influx coming over from Africa at the time. Took a side trip to the Temple of Poseidon outside of town that was well worth it. Kind of like a mini Acropolis without the crowds.

Delos was incredible. Birthplace of Apollo and Artemis in Greek mythology. Only spent the morning there, but could've and wished I had spent all day out there. Lots of ruins and very few people. Spent the afternoon across the water in Mykonnos which I absolutely hated! Small winding streets, crowded, unable to have any sense of place or direction. Throw in an aggressively gay community and after having my ass grabbed 3 times, I went back and got on the boat early. On the plus side, Mykonnos did have the bast gelato I've ever had in my life.

Santorini kind of gave me insight as to why the Greek economy is in absolute shambles. No fresh water, it's all shipped in, economy is extremely seasonal and based on tourism, only viable for 6 months out of the year, and built on top of a volcano that has a history of whipping out the entire island and is currently growing. Walking around Fira made me feel very, very poor resort town for the extremely wealthy. The ruins at Akotiri were cool and wish we had more time there and a better guide.

Overall it was a great trip. If doing it again, I'd try and find a way to spend more time at the Acropolis, ditch Mykonnos and spend the whole day on Delos and try and see even more of Rhodes.