Hi Linda, your tips are spot on! My wife is a virtuoso travel advisor and we did the Italian French Riviera back in late May on Celebrity Beyond with Captain Kate. We love Celebrity as a cruise line and choose them specifically because it has an overnight in La Spezia so we could do an all day to Cinque Terre and come back late. Portofino was our favorite beautiful stop! Italy was a AWESOME trip ❤ Thanks again.
Terrific no nonsense, informational video. Great. I sooooo can't stand these cruise videos where the host/hostess tries to be some quasi entertainer/comedian. 👍
Wow Thank you. I am binging RUclips videos and just when I think I am an ArmChair Cruise Expert..... You bring up things that I have not heard. I sincerely appreciate all the info. Currently trying to pick a Mediterranean Cruise for our 20th anniversary...... Again Thanks
There’s more to see in Rome than Barcelona. You only need two to three days for Barcelona but need at least 4 days in Rome. Only need two to 3 days for Venice and at least 5 days in Paris.
Very informative. Great video. Thank you. Our first Mediterranean crusie Feb 28, 2024 on the Inaugaural sail of Sun Princess. Looking forward to it. I used to work in the Middle East and transiting through Heathrow frequently. You are absolutely correct. You'll need at least 4 hours to get through security, custom and more security before you can get to your departure gate. There, you may still have to go through security before you board at your gate. Their tight security began after Pan Am Flt 103 exploded over Lockerbie Scotland by the shoe bomber, killing all 259 on board.
Lots of good tips. I have been doing lots of research to plan for our European cruise and you are right, booking your flight through the cruise company was way cheaper than doing it on your own. And that was with Viking, but I have since decided to go with Celebrity (probably why your video was recommended to me because I’ve been searching “Celebrity” a lot). I’m saving your video so I can watch it again when we get ready to book our cruise. Thank you!
Thank you SO much for these tips! You quite literally saved us $600 on flights since we found a WAY better deal through Royal Caribbean's Air 2 Sea program!! Seriously thank you so much for all of the advice since we have our 10 year anniversary cruise this June!!
if not taking ship excursions book rail train tickets way in advance. germany austria eastern europe scandinavia you usually can buy museum tickets day of. holland france italy spain you absolutely need Timed reservations. asia australia it is worth upgrading.
We just came back from our cruise. Flights changed 3 times. Missed out on a full day in Rome. Still liked what we saw. Norwegian Epic was good, not great. Really did not have enough time in Pompeii. Highlight was definitely Palma. Pisa was nice, but didn’t need all that time to see the main attraction.
I beg to differ i never saw any difference between princess and celebrity then i did when i was on the smaller royal Caribbean ship. Been on many cruises and royal Caribbean smaller ships are my favorite by far!
prices excursions museums always reserve advance or cough up excursions... almost worth paying more for non stop direct flights definitely arrive early and later since you should explore those cities in depth whenever possible.
Thank you so much for this! We are thinking of a Med cruise mostly Greek Island, Italy; we will be in Spain in a year and would like to leave from Barcelona (but realize that might not work out), but my biggest question is is there a "slow" cruise, where we can take long days or even two days, more leisurely pace (we are both over 60)? I see most cruise lines have a heavy and fast schedule. Much thanks for any thoughts or help!
Some great tips, but the background music got so annoying we couldn’t finish it. Hopefully you can just go without it next time, or find something that doesn’t have such a short repeat. 😊
Thanks for the very practical advice.. We just booked a Mediterranean cruise in April. We booked this cruise on our own but would I be able to book our airfare and pre cruise/ post cruise hotel through the cruise line or do they only do that if we booked our cruise directly from them?
It depends on the cruise line. Most major lines will book pre and poet cruise hotel and airfare for you It doesn't matter if you use a TA or book directly. However....do be aware that often you can get better hotel prices on your own in Europe!
You didn't mention NCL when you were classifying the cruise lines? If Holland America is considered "premium" then NCL has to be Super Ultra Premium....as Holland America is trash. I've been on Celebrity, NCL, Holland America and Carnival and NCL and Celebrity are 1A and 1B ...although I prefer NCL ..and Carnival was a distant 3rd and I'd never cruise with Holland America. The boat was ratchety, the food was nearly edible, entertainment was blah. A complete waste of money.
One of the most informative videos that I have watched. Thank you.
Hi Linda, your tips are spot on! My wife is a virtuoso travel advisor and we did the Italian French Riviera back in late May on Celebrity Beyond with Captain Kate. We love Celebrity as a cruise line and choose them specifically because it has an overnight in La Spezia so we could do an all day to Cinque Terre and come back late. Portofino was our favorite beautiful stop! Italy was a AWESOME trip ❤ Thanks again.
Terrific no nonsense, informational video. Great. I sooooo can't stand these cruise videos where the host/hostess tries to be some quasi entertainer/comedian. 👍
Best informational video I have seen. A lot of common sense and hands on information.
Wow Thank you.
I am binging RUclips videos and just when I think I am an ArmChair Cruise Expert..... You bring up things that I have not heard. I sincerely appreciate all the info.
Currently trying to pick a Mediterranean Cruise for our 20th anniversary...... Again Thanks
There’s more to see in Rome than Barcelona. You only need two to three days for Barcelona but need at least 4 days in Rome. Only need two to 3 days for Venice and at least 5 days in Paris.
Thank you ! There are so many things to consider in this video.
Very informative. Great video. Thank you. Our first Mediterranean crusie Feb 28, 2024 on the Inaugaural sail of Sun Princess. Looking forward to it. I used to work in the Middle East and transiting through Heathrow frequently. You are absolutely correct. You'll need at least 4 hours to get through security, custom and more security before you can get to your departure gate. There, you may still have to go through security before you board at your gate. Their tight security began after Pan Am Flt 103 exploded over Lockerbie Scotland by the shoe bomber, killing all 259 on board.
Enjoy!! I see it's the 28th..
Great advice! Thanks, we learned a lot🥰
This was so helpful and informative! Thank you!
Great advice. So appreciated. Thank you ❤
Lots of good tips. I have been doing lots of research to plan for our European cruise and you are right, booking your flight through the cruise company was way cheaper than doing it on your own. And that was with Viking, but I have since decided to go with Celebrity (probably why your video was recommended to me because I’ve been searching “Celebrity” a lot). I’m saving your video so I can watch it again when we get ready to book our cruise. Thank you!
Thank you SO much for these tips! You quite literally saved us $600 on flights since we found a WAY better deal through Royal Caribbean's Air 2 Sea program!! Seriously thank you so much for all of the advice since we have our 10 year anniversary cruise this June!!
Great tips. Thanks!
Indeed. Great tips that were new to me.
Great stuff. FYI your music bed is like an annoying mosquito But love the rest. Ty
Agree
if not taking ship excursions book rail train tickets way in advance. germany austria eastern europe scandinavia you usually can buy museum tickets day of. holland france italy spain you absolutely need Timed reservations. asia australia it is worth upgrading.
We just came back from our cruise. Flights changed 3 times. Missed out on a full day in Rome. Still liked what we saw. Norwegian Epic was good, not great. Really did not have enough time in Pompeii. Highlight was definitely Palma. Pisa was nice, but didn’t need all that time to see the main attraction.
Thanks for sharing this video!😊😊
Great tips!
I beg to differ i never saw any difference between princess and celebrity then i did when i was on the smaller royal Caribbean ship. Been on many cruises and royal Caribbean smaller ships are my favorite by far!
Any specific travel insurance company you recommend?
Very informative video! We are thinking about doing a Mediterranean cruise next year, can you tell me how or where can you get Euros?
Good video...I agree, the food in Italy did not blow me away either and I still love Olive Garden haha.
Wow!! Great nuggets thank you very much. I am researching and planning a meditation cruise for 2025 summer or spring
Use Google or apple traslate to communicate. Great video. Thank you!
Great tips !❤
Great tips, a credit card with a PIN number will also help, it’s faster, and unfortunately Amex isn’t always taken at restaurants
Thank you for the tips! Do you have a recommened travel agencies to help with booking?
Helpful tips thank you. The only thing I found struggled with was the muffled sound of the video?
prices excursions museums always reserve advance or cough up excursions... almost worth paying more for non stop direct flights definitely arrive early and later since you should explore those cities in depth whenever possible.
My sister and I have traveled with Viking and feel they are high end.
Great video! Tks!🥰🥰🥰🥰
Thanks Linda !
Thank you so much for this! We are thinking of a Med cruise mostly Greek Island, Italy; we will be in Spain in a year and would like to leave from Barcelona (but realize that might not work out), but my biggest question is is there a "slow" cruise, where we can take long days or even two days, more leisurely pace (we are both over 60)? I see most cruise lines have a heavy and fast schedule. Much thanks for any thoughts or help!
Some great tips, but the background music got so annoying we couldn’t finish it. Hopefully you can just go without it next time, or find something that doesn’t have such a short repeat. 😊
Agree. Hard to listen
In your video you said that it was hot. What month did you go on your Mediterranean cruise ? What was the temperature during this time ?
Is Rome or Barcelona a safer cruise embarkation/disembarkation city ?
Do you have any suggestions on hotels near the port in Viena?
You did not mention Viking? How would you rate them?
Is there a travel insurance company that you know and trust?
Hi - which port do you leave out of to go to Porto Fino?
How far in advance should one book?
Do you know much about the small group shore excursions. We have our eye on one that is labeled "small group". We dont' like crowds either.
Great tips. How hot is it in Rome in June?
Very
At least in Puerto Vallarta, you get get great private tours off the ship by licensed local tour guides, who can't be there unless they are licensed.
Thanks for the very practical advice.. We just booked a Mediterranean cruise in April. We booked this cruise on our own but would I be able to book our airfare and pre cruise/ post cruise hotel through the cruise line or do they only do that if we booked our cruise directly from them?
It depends on the cruise line. Most major lines will book pre and poet cruise hotel and airfare for you It doesn't matter if you use a TA or book directly. However....do be aware that often you can get better hotel prices on your own in Europe!
Why don’t you like Holland America?
Cordia Plains
Really good video except for your TFSA comment. This is your USA security agency, it does not cover the rest of the world.
👁👁👍
I'm so sorry, I couldn't finish your video. The background music got to be so annoying.
You’re right I couldn’t figure out why I was feeling so anxious 10 minutes in and it’s that background music
Great feedback.
😂 🅿🆁🅾🅼🅾🆂🅼
This was helpful but you say the same thing over and over again :(
You didn't mention NCL when you were classifying the cruise lines? If Holland America is considered "premium" then NCL has to be Super Ultra Premium....as Holland America is trash. I've been on Celebrity, NCL, Holland America and Carnival and NCL and Celebrity are 1A and 1B ...although I prefer NCL ..and Carnival was a distant 3rd and I'd never cruise with Holland America. The boat was ratchety, the food was nearly edible, entertainment was blah. A complete waste of money.
Holland America is technically considered as a class upgrade above Carnival Corp Carnival line.
21:13 bookmark for me. Thanks
Great content. Thanks.