merits and demerits of cruise lines sailing ex Med ports

[Meg 50]

we have always sailed P&O thus far, but fancy sailing out of a Med port. P&O ex Malta are boring, so need to look elsewhere.

I have found just one Cunard sailing that we like - but even at '3rd class' - Cunard is stonkingly expensive.
Silverseas is even more so!

So then we get MSC, Royal Caribbean, Princess, Oceania etc etc.

no idea where to start.

we're looking at 2027, and having no particular wish to 'do' Rome praps one starting there is the answer , but not vital

Help!

thanks

[david63]

For me probably the best Med port for embarking/disembarking is Barcelona as it is far better laid out and organised than any of the others that I have seen. Rome, or to be precise Civitavecchia, can be a nightmare depending on how many ships are in port on the day.

Be aware that MSC, who I think are streets better than P&O (others may differ), when sailing out of the Med will have all announcement in five languages and because of the multiple languages there are some limitations with the entertainment. When sailing the Med the onboard currency is the Euro.

Princess is basically an American version of P&O but better organised, but everything is in USD.

Long time since I have been on Royal Caribbean so cannot help there and never been on Oceania - aren't they expensive?

Have you looked at Ambassador? They seem to be getting good reviews, sail out of UK regional ports and fall somewhere between P&O and Cunard. Several on here have sailed with them and I am on Ambition next year.

[Meg 50]

thank you so much

I had a quick look at Ambassador - it looks like they only sail out of the UK - though happy to be corrected!

[david63]

I had a quick look at Ambassador - it looks like they only sail out of the UK - though happy to be corrected!

They also sail out of the Caribbean - but I don't think that is what you are looking for.

Because of their smaller size they do go to a lot of ports that the "mainstream" cruise lines don't visit.

[Portsmouth]

I see your location is "sarf London" so I guess that Gatwick is just the right airport for you to depart from......Here's an idea nobody has mentioned so far....How about going with Tui on a Marella cruises. They include airfare, transportation to & from the port. They include drinks so you get your glass of wine with your meal and a few drinks at the bars & you can pay extra if you upgrade. They also include gratuities so no extra tips to pay unless you want to. You have a choice of Speciality restaurants you can pay extra for if you so choose. They do their med trips from March usually from Malaga......depending if you choose 7 or 14 nights a variety of ports.
Choose a time when kid are at school or it may seem like Butlins on Sea
Anyway just another option for you to consider

[oldbluefox]

I believe Ambassador have another ship Renaissance which is operating from Barbados for the Caribbean season. Not sure what her programme is after that but it looks like she may be operating out of Tilbury but don't quote me as I don't have a clue!!!! (New ship so they probably don't know either)

[Meg 50]

I see your location is "sarf London" so I guess that Gatwick is just the right airport for you to depart from......Here's an idea nobody has mentioned so far....How about going with Tui on a Marella cruises. They include airfare, transportation to & from the port. They include drinks so you get your glass of wine with your meal and a few drinks at the bars & you can pay extra if you upgrade. They also include gratuities so no extra tips to pay unless you want to. You have a choice of Speciality restaurants you can pay extra for if you so choose. They do their med trips from March usually from Malaga......depending if you choose 7 or 14 nights a variety of ports.
Choose a time when kid are at school or it may seem like Butlins on Sea
Anyway just another option for you to consider

yes, we can get t Gatwick in a brace of shakes!

Marella has been added to the investigation list thanks