; Please let me know if you prefer a starboard or port side cabin, and share any tips for the the best cabins for Alaska, the Caribbean and other itineraries. By using this website you agree to our Privacy Statement & Cookie Policy. Your email address will not be published. For many passengers here, the real excitement of the cruise is exploring the ports of call rather than scenic cruising, with very little time to really appreciate the view from their staterooms. Here are our best tips for finding a cheap cruise or cruise deal to the Mediterranean. Of course, you could always just say 'left' and 'right', but the difficulty is that these terms can change meaning depending on the perspective of the . VAT Registration Number: 295 3678 09. Should I Book a Port or Starboard Cabin? And, as part of the Relais & Chateaux family, the cuisine is spectacular, incorporating regional dishes made with local ingredients. Your decision will depend on a variety of factors, from your stateroom type to your cruise itinerary. On the return trip you would want to be on the starboard side so that the sun was still warming your cabin. If you found this helpful, please dont keep it to yourself ;-). 2.1 Dubrovnik. This one-week cruise included five ports of call: Palma de Mallorca, Cagliari, Livorno, Civitavecchia and Barcelona. Transferring to the leisure cruise side of the business in 1959, Costa now operates 17 shipsthe majority of which accommodate between 2,800 and 5,300 passengersthat sail all over the world, with two more scheduled to join the fleet by the end of 2021. By At Mundy Cruising we specialise in ships that carry guests inthe hundreds, rather than the thousands, which makes for a verydifferent atmosphere on board: more intimate, more spacious, with alevel of personalised service that has more in common with aboutique hotel than a mainstream cruise ship carrying 5,000passengers. Best Budget Cruise: Carnival. Whats the best side to stay on for an Alaska cruise? Theyrange from casual Norwegian cuisine at Mamsen's to alfresco dining on the Aquavit Terrace. document.getElementById( "ak_js_3" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Where is the Best Cabin Location On Board a Cruise Ship? Here are 10 of the best Mediterranean cruises to take in 2022 and 2023. Powered by Invision Community. The ship's facilities include a fitness center, a Nordic spa (complete with a snow grotto), an outdoor gym and yoga area, a theater and a one-of-a-kind infinity pool on the stern of the ship that gives the illusion of swimming in the ocean. 4 What is the best side to stay on a cruise ship? The first luxury line to sail the Galpagos, Quasar Expeditions is best known for its in-depth trips aboard its two intimate ships that carry fewer than 32 passengers each. With lots of history and things to see and do, we enjoyed a full but relaxing day in the city. Plus, you can attend a lecture or discussion with the onboard historian, who helps educate passengers on the cultural aspects of each destination. The Mediterranean Sea has more than 100 cruise ports and itineraries. Royal Caribbeans large ships (which are often compared to floating cities) make it more difficult to navigate the Mediterranean. When on the cruise ship and get off the elevators, its easy to get disorientated and forget if youre on the port or starboard side. The ship sleeps up to 930 guests in luxurious staterooms that include everything from large bathrooms to comfortable king-sized beds. Seabourn Ovation adhere's to the line's penchant for luxury, offering all-suite accommodations, fine dining experiences and indulgent onboard activities. For Istanbul, on one side you have Europe and the other Asia, a pretty spectacular attraction, and your ship will again return from where it has come from, giving you the opportunity to see both. Its newest ship, the MSC Bellissima, sails a series of round-trip cruises from Naples that visits four countries in seven days: Malta, Italy, Spain and France . Are there rough seas in the Mediterranean? On some itineraries, being on the starboard side or port side, may give you a more scenic view as you sail. Your email address will not be published. Related: Queen Mary 2 Crossing Review and Tips. Search for a cruise. 3 Are there rough seas in the Mediterranean? How do I record 401k match in QuickBooks? If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. Which side of cruise ship is best for Mediterranean? For a one-of-a-kind experience, splurge on a room in The Retreat. Should the restaurant be fully booked, guests can dine at one of four other casual and fine dining venues, such as the Japanese-focused Sushiand the buffet-style Colonnade. Sign up today and jointhe UKs favourite Cruise Club. The rest of the space is composed of various seating arrangements like couches and recliners, bookshelves and TVs -- in fact, the space feels more like a cosy living room than a cruise ship service lounge. The ship is secondary, a place to shower, breathe, hang out, says Lindblad. Well, it all depends on the itinerary. LauraS Enter a Melbet promo code and get a generous bonus, An Insight into Coupons and a Secret Bonus, Organic Hacks to Tweak Audio Recording for Videos Production, Bring Back Life to Your Graphic Images- Used Best Graphic Design Software, New Google Update and Future of Interstitial Ads. Visit Santorini in June or July and you will find yourself fighting for breathing room among as many as 15,000 other cruise ship passengers. Which is the best cruise line in the Mediterranean Sea? For starters, youre living on a cruise ship rather than a hotel and nautical terms are used frequently. 2023 Bolsover Cruise Club. The company has taken every lesson its learned from its parks and resort operations and implemented that into its four cruise ships, the 2,400-passenger Disney Magic and Disney Wonder, and the 4,000-passenger Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy. However, if youre sailing the Inside Passage there is, of course, amazing scenery on both sides of the ship. They also found the food delicious and suggested purchasing the upgraded drink package. Those smaller ports can give a sense of intimacy that isnt always present in the most common cruise destinations, allowing for wholly different experiences. If you're sailing Barcelona to Venice. The Eastern Med is known more for its beaches and ancient historical sites, offering calls on ports in Turkey and Greece, as well as occasional visits to Croatia, Montenegro, Israel and Russia. For afternoon tea and light snacks, travelers can stop by Wintergarden, or for a heartier meal, the main dining room, Manfredi's Italian Restaurant or World Caf offer scrumptious European delicacies, Chinese fare and everything in between. Recent passengers report a stellar onboard experience, describing the food as delicious, the ship as comfortable and the service as top-notch. The open-air venue can be repositioned alongside several decks, allowing it to transform from a live music venue to a bar to an exclusive specialty restaurant, depending on its location. Ovation debuted in May 2018, making itthe newest addition to the Seabourn family. 1 Which side of cruise ship is best for Mediterranean? Sunset in Venice, Italy, a popular Mediterranean cruise destination. The ship can hold 930 passengers and 465 crew members. Yet note the street cred of said ships: One of the two, the Grace, is the former yacht of Princess Grace of Monaco. What is the best cruise line to cruise with? As a result, we had to skip one port and we arrived at our final destination, Brooklyn, a day early. Which side of ship - Mediterranean Please Read: COVID-related Discussion. To enjoy stunning water views, enjoy Celebrity's "Magic Carpet," a large platform that hangs off the edge of the ship and moves from deck to deck. A balcony may absolutely be worth it to you, but probably not if these are your primary reasons: 1) Youre looking for a place to smoke. Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos, Click here to reload the page in order to enable certain features, Policy regarding COVID related Discussions. Adventure Life works with all the top-rated small ship cruise lines visiting Dubrovnik, Hvar, Athens, Korcula, and Split, and we help match you with the perfect small ship and cruise itinerary for your specific tastes and needs. There is also no shortage of unique entertainment options; these range from acrobatic shows to juggling mixologist performances. Visit theCDC websitefor additional COVID-19 cruise ship health and safety data. la carte dining at Playmakers In this post we went over some information about the nautical terms PORT and STARBOARD, how to remember them, as well as some useful information on choosing a cabin based on your itinerary. Plan to arrive at least one day before your ship departs. The words port and starboard have been used in the maritime industry for many years for very practical reasons. Best Mexican Riviera Cruise: Holland America Line. If youre sailing round trip to and from the same embarkation port, youll get an equal opportunity to see any land portions. There is also the North Star observation capsule, which hoists guests 300 feet above sea level over the cruise ship to enjoy unparalleled views below. Call 1.406.541.2677. Our 13 Night NCL Mediterranean Cruise Itinerary. While you can join message boards and Facebook groups to try to figure out which side the ship will most likely be docked on, weve noticed there are no guarantees. People aboard the cruise ship Gemini in the port of Iskenederun, Turkey, Feb. 24, 2023. Map of ports of call on Norwegian Epic's Western Mediterranean cruise DAY ONE: LEAVING BARCELONA At 6 pm, NCL Epic released her moorings and set sail for Palma de Mallorca, 112 nautical miles southeast of Barcelona. First place goes to Viking Ocean Cruises, ranked number one among the best cruise lines in the Mediterranean. For fine dining, there's The Restaurant, Manfredi's Italian Restaurant and The Chef's Table, which touts a multicourse tasting menu with wine pairings. You'll find plenty of evening entertainment options, too, including themed bars and lounges, a club and a theatershowcasing a variety of productions. Taucks nine river ships specialize in navigating Northern Europe, with itineraries that highlight the castles of Germanys Rhine River or explore Paris and Monets gardens at Giverny on a Seine cruise. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. An onboard cooking school, The Kitchen Table, also allows guests to learn about each destination's unique cuisine. Is Royal Caribbean sailing in the Mediterranean? P.S. Its interesting to know that the origin of the word starboard comes from the Old English words Steor and Bord. A good suggestion is to join a roll call for your specific cruise where you can discuss all things related to your cruise, and get some great advice and share information with others on your sailing. Viking Sky sails to the Mediterranean, Europe, Central America and more. Theres was once a rumour that when sailing between the UK and India, certain passengers would request port out, starboard home, or POSH a way to protect themselves from the heat of the sun and take advantage of the cool breeze. Sailing ships such as the Sea Cloud allow passengers to feel closer to the water. #2 in Best Cruise Lines for the Money. Along with your accommodation, youll also find exceptional vantage points out on deck, often where most guests tend to spend their time during these itineraries. For optimal weather and adventures aplenty, the best time to cruise the Mediterranean is in the spring, summer or fall season, from early April through late November. When on the cruise ship and get off the elevators, its easy to get disorientated and forget if youre on the port or starboard side. Simply put, port is the left side of the ship and starboard is the right side of the ship. Although its widely believed that port out, starboard home was something that was created solely to explain the origins of the word posh, a transatlantic sailing is one situation where this mantra really does ring true on westbound crossings, that is. Best luxury cruise lines in the Mediterranean are: Seabourn Cruise Line and Regent Seven Seas Cruises are the best for the luxury Mediterranean cruises. In September 2019, Silversea completed its first journey through the Northwest Passagea monumental featwith the Silver Explorer, a 144-passenger expedition vessel. Your comments will surely help others! Regent Seven Seas markets itself as the world's most luxurious cruise line, so its hefty price tag makes sense. ; On some cruises, like through the Panama Canal, youll experience breathtaking views from both sides. Cruising the Mediterranean? document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Nicole Scherzinger has officially been named the Godmother of P&O Cruises ship Arvia. Increasingly, ships are being squared off in the stern to create rear-facing balcony cabins. Keep in mind that the sun always rises in the east and sets in the west. You can always choose to dine in your stateroom so you get a front-row view every night. Seven Seas Splendor visits a variety of European and Mediterranean destinations, as well as ports across the Caribbean, Bermuda and South America. Plus, travelers in these cabins will have more space: Rooms reach up to 1,448 square feet and may include separate living and dining areas. For exciting destinations such as Venice, Istanbul and Lisbon that all provide unique entrances into port, you will be able to experience incredible views no matter which side of the ship you are on. Required fields are marked *. Italian-born and built MSC Cruises launched these two ships in 2019 and 2021, respectively. We booked dinner here on the Cruise Planner prior to our cruise for only $29 per person, which made it an excellent deal on a specialty restaurant dinner. Its not a cruise; we want to curate something, says Sven Lindblad, CEO and founder of the line, which in partnership with National Geographic operates more than a dozen small ships in destinations including Antarctica and the Arctic, Galapagos, and the Mediterranean. There are many things that make cruises different than other types of vacations. You May Like: How Far Is Miami Airport To Cruise Port. Unless you have a specific preference, staying on either the port or starboard side of the ship shouldnt make any difference to your cruise holiday. My pleasure Donna. By "big ships," we are referring to Oasis or Quantum Class cruise ships. Best Caribbean Cruise: Princess. If theres one thing Disney Cruise Line does well, its hospitality. When in the ports, I'd like to be able to look over the cities while sitting on the verandah. Pricing: A pitfall of sunny, beautiful weather and mild temperatures in the Mediterranean is rising cruise fares. Weve also broken down the cruise offerings into two main regions: the more popular Western Mediterranean cruises, which largely cover Spain, France, Monaco, Italy, and Morocco, and the more exotic Eastern Mediterranean cruises, which typically take in Italy, Greece, Turkey, Croatia, Israel, and Egypt. There's nothing inherently better about either the port side or the starboard side of a cruise ship. These are fixed locations of the cruise ship, which are meant to avoid any confusion in particular for sailors when simply using left or right. Celebrity Beyond is the top-ranked ship overall. #2. Recommended Reading: When Is Jungle Cruise Coming Out. For something more formal, opt for a French-inspired meal at Chartreuse, Pan-Asian dishes at Pacific Rim or Compass Rose, the largest restaurant on the ship. Seabourn Cruise Line came in at number two on our list of the best cruise lines in the Mediterranean. Sailings from Southampton will often be a roundtrip, therefore youll have the sun on your balcony either on the outbound journey or on the return. Her favorite itineraries include seeing the penguins and other animals in the Antarctic and South Georgia, and the culture and natural history in the British Isles. Many ships will turn at glaciers, when it is safe to do so, allowing passengers on both sides of the ship to get some great photos. If its a round-trip then what you see going, you'll see the other side returning to port. While neither is better, this information may help you to decide what you prefer. WOW!!! The words left and right are subjective and as its dependant upon each sailors own point of view. For a more casual atmosphere, passengers can stop at Mamsen's for Norwegian deli-style eats or the Wintergarden for afternoon tea. For those of you that have been on the ship, which side would be the best to book? Theyre also the oldest ships in the fleet, though they each underwent refurbishment as part of MSCs Renaissance program to modernize interiors and expand their size. The Edge is dressed to the nines in contemporary designs and features a diverse array of technologies, amenities, activities and dining venues on board. What is the best side to stay on a cruise ship? Here are helpful tips for choosing which side of the ship will suit you best. Crystal Cruises, Cunard Line and Azamara Club Cruises provide unique and excellent service differently in the Mediterranean. But if you're sailing in a balcony or veranda stateroom, you might want to choose to stay on a specific side of the ship based on the direction of your itinerary. These technologically advanced cabins feature floor-to-ceiling displays that project real-time views of the sights and sounds from the outside of the ship. Once upon a time it was generally the "port" side (hence the name) but with busy ports and modern ships that are easier to maneuver and dock, it seems to be about 50/50 as to which side may. Most recent guests were pleased with the level of service on board, though some had issues booking shore excursions at the designated counter. Entertainment options include theatrical performances,live music, a casino, outdoor movie nights and more. 7 Where does Royal Caribbean sail to in the Mediterranean? I admit to being a bit directionally challenged, so I always need a few specific tips. Looking to book either the Venice to Barcelona or Barcelona to Venice cruise. Enjoy one-of-a-kind venues on your ship, like a sunset dinner on the cantilevered Magic Carpet on Celebrity Edge, which transforms into new experiences depending on which deck its stationed on. It is comfortable and the service is great. Viking offers a plethora of Mediterranean sailings that travel to a variety of ports. We'll be doing Barcelona to Venice. Which Side Of Cruise Ship Is Best For Mediterranean. This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies. 1.6 Villefranche-sur-Mer. Testimony and statements at the 29 February hearing primarily promoted North American cruise ships as being safe. For the first time, the ship will have its homeport in Limassol, Cyprus. Launched in July 2021, the Odyssey of the Seas holds 5,498 passengers and 1,550 crew members. What is the average cost for a Mediterranean cruise? Regent Seven Seas Cruises. Lines will begin to spike pricing as the months inch toward summer. Visit The Cruise Centre: 6 Lindrick Way, Barlborough, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S43 4XE. At night, enjoy one of four shows at the onboard theater. Enjoy your breakfast alfresco at La Veranda and grub down for lunch at the Pool Grill buffet. However, this isnt always the case. I prefer that way, as you get a night in Venice to enjoy it all before sailing much later. This lingo emerged around the 16th century, as colonization of the New World boomed. Sailings from Southampton will often be a roundtrip, therefore you'll have the sun on your balcony either on the outbound journey or on the return. Celebrity Beyond is the top-ranked ship overall. CC Help Jenn Hi All, Im Ilana. Collectible European & Mediterranean Broadswords, Cruise Ship Model, Collectible Ancient European & Mediterranean Gladius; Thanks Ilana for all of the great information!! Best for Families: Disney Cruise Line. Simply put, port is the left side of the ship and starboard is the right side of the ship. When sailing round trip to Alaska from Seattle or Vancouver, youll see different parts of the coast at different times, so either starboard or port side is just fine. It varies considerably from cruise to cruise which side actually faces port. What's more, with a roughly 2-to-1 passenger-to-crew ratio, service across the ship will be spot on. While there are a few itineraries where being on the port or starboard side it can make a difference in the scenic view, most cruise ships are sailing round trip and this isnt the case. Southbound Alaska cruises are the opposite. How do I prepare for a Mediterranean cruise? Higher-tier rooms come with extras like priority shore excursion reservations, priority spa reservations, in-room coffee and free laundry services. Then there was the time in Indonesia when the captain got word that a volcano was erupting. One point to consider, however, is that Baltic cruises do often sail back the same way as they came from, so youll always have a view, no matter which side of the ship youre on. Silver Spirit. Many travelers choose staterooms with verandas so they can sip coffee from their stateroom early in the morning, or enjoy a golden-hour cocktail as the day wanes. The four ships currently sail the Caribbean ; Alaska; Europe; the Pacific Coast; and the Panama Canal. Guests also have their choice of cuisine, from alfresco dining on the Aquavit Terrace to Manfredi's Italian Restaurant. Over the last year, I put together a 47 page cruise travel planner that has everything you need as you plan and get ready for your cruise. East Mediterranean And Greece Cruise Tips And Watch Outs. This can be dependent on a few factors including the number ships that will also be in port, the direction that the ship is sailing in, government regulations and the discretion of the ships Captain. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Join the Cruise Club. Viking Jupitervisits ports in Buenos Aires, Barcelonaand more on both regional and transatlantic cruises. MSC Grandiosa and MSC Virtuosa are among the best ships of MSC Cruises and amongst some of the largest cruise ships at sea. Explore the top-rated Mediterranean small ship cruises below. Ill share some tips for Alaska, Hawaii and Transatlantic itineraries, however its always a good idea to ask your travel agent or cruise vacation planner for specific advice. The line is known for its Mediterranean inspirationthough its fleet sails far beyond the region, calling at ports all over the worldso youll find delicious Italian food on board no matter where your ship is taking you. When it's time to rest, there are six types of accommodations to choose from all with private verandas. The Norwegian Fjordsare beautiful, but youll see the scenery no matter which side of the ship youre on, the only difference is in whether you see it in the morning when you arrive, or in the evening when youre sailing out. NEW VOYAGE COLLECTION We are now taking pre-registrations for Cunards new cruises from Oct 2024 May 2025 including Alaska 2024. Id love to connect with you on Instagram and Facebook @lifewellcruised. Plus, guests of The Retreat have exclusive access to a private sundeck, restaurant and lounge, along with an onboard credit that can be used however you see fit. 2 Best cruise ports in the Eastern Mediterranean. Here are some the best Mediterranean cruise itineraries you should consider for your European vacation.