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My teenage boy wants to do one of these next summer........ can someone recommend a cruise that's economical with good ports? He wants to see Italy and I figure if we're going to be there we should try to see some other countries as well.
Get your passports now and start checking the 90 day ticker on vacationstogo(dot)com and cruise(dot)com. There are some really nice trips out there and they are discounted. I see one every now and then that leaves from Venice.
I thought about a cruise and considered the time and cost and found I was able to see more on any escorted tour or independent travel. The cruise ships have to dock in commercial ports and often are not close to attractive places to visit and due to travel time, you are limited in what you can see. Or you have to buy overpriced shore excursions.
Try to convince him to do a single country trip and to see as much as he can of the art and architecture, food and shops, using his feet, trains, buses, etc.
Also, you are living on the ship with a bunch of people from usually your own country and have a limited ability to interact with others from the countries you are visiting so get very little from the trip itself in the form of education.
Suggest intrepid travel or immaginative travel (add .com) , or others in the adventure travel business. We have gone to India and Egypt with them and are planning Thailand.
Have used vacationstogo and was very satisfied and will use them again.
I agree with Sweetana's philosophy of travel, as well as the fact that independent travel is cheaper.
You could probably do this trip on your own, see and experience a lot more by using the ferry system, for a lot less money.
However, I understand that some people just like to cruise.
If you want to see other countries along with Italy, you could do Italy/Greece or Italy/Croatia. We once ferried overnight from Venice to Corfu; we had a nice cabin and ate a good meal. Last summer we ferried along the Dalmatian coast (Croatia).
The Adriatic is some of the most beautiful water I've ever seen.
I agree with Sweetana's philosophy of travel, as well as the fact that independent travel is cheaper.
You could probably do this trip on your own, see and experience a lot more by using the ferry system, for a lot less money.
However, I understand that some people just like to cruise.
If you want to see other countries along with Italy, you could do Italy/Greece or Italy/Croatia. We once ferried overnight from Venice to Corfu; we had a nice cabin and ate a good meal. Last summer we ferried along the Dalmatian coast (Croatia).
The Adriatic is some of the most beautiful water I've ever seen.
I think cruises have their place. For me, it's an easy way to travel without getting up at the crack of dawn and packing every day. I always say a cruise gives you a taste of several different places. Then you can pick your favorite and return for a more in depth visit. I quite often will do a cruise or an escorted tour the first time I visit an area.
The cruise also has the added fun factor of the ship and the entertainment it provides. It's not just the dry old museum, after church, after museum. I love seeing these things but if I can get tired of it; I know most kids would be tearing their hair out. I think the cruise gives a good balance of activities even on it's own.
Cruise ship excursions are expensive and I rarely buy them. Just for example a 6 hour tour to Ephesus out of Kushadasi, Turkey, costs about $90 per person through the ship. So $180 for 2. I walk off the ship and hire a licensed local guide with a car. There are dozens of them just waiting. I go see Ephesus and spend as much time as I choose. I don't have to wait for those cattle car busses full of people who couldn't ever be on time for anything. I get back to Kushadasi with enough time to shop in town and see the bazaar as well. For 2 people, I pay $90 and that includes a generous tip.
I love the cruise and more indepth trips. They both have their place.
I'm a little concerned about the language issue- will I be ok with little to no knowledge of italian or would you recommend I take a class?
I was leaning toward the cruise mainly because of that- but would love to travel the country---- Minnie Mouse, I will send you a message later for some assistance.
I'm a little concerned about the language issue- will I be ok with little to no knowledge of italian or would you recommend I take a class?
I was leaning toward the cruise mainly because of that- but would love to travel the country---- Minnie Mouse, I will send you a message later for some assistance.
Everyone, THANK YOU for the advice!
You won't have any problems at all. However, I've always believed people appreciate the effort. Picking up a few words is a good thing.
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