Europe - Eastern Mediterranean Cruise Reviews

We chose this because we were able to see two different parts of Croatia (Dubrovnik & Split), as well as Venice (Italy), Athens (Greece), and Ephesus (Turkey). It's hard to say what our favorite port of call was... I highly recommend all of them! We went in late September/Early October 2015 so things were much safer in Turkey... however you are VERY far away from the instability so I would still recommend going while you still can. Plus, they will eventually likely close Venice since it's literally sinking into the sea. We used our bank and our local AAA office to convert the currency for Kunas (Croatia) and Lira (Turkey). While you can use Euros in those cities, you will save MUCH more money paying with the local currency. In Dubrovnik, we paid 30 Kuna for a Taxi... they were charging 15 Euros... so we paid about $4 instead of $16. 

As for the ship, it's beautiful. Trivia is SO much fun. I would do this cruise again. 

the ports of call were great and the shows awesome, however Norwegian cruise lines tend to be too crowded; difficult to find good seating in lounges and cafes. Too many activities onboard require additional money, and activities are bland and not creative. Service is a little impersonal compared to other cruise lines. I have taken better cruises.

This was our fourth cruise and the itinerary was perfect.  Enjoyed all four ports, especially Kusadasi, Turkey and Piraus/ Athens.  Staff on board the Jade very nice and accommodating.  Entertainment was top notch at the Stardust Theater.

Staff in every dept went the extra mile to accommodate guests. Food was just ok. One or two good shows.excursions very well organized. Enjoyed free style dining

GREAT SHIP. VERY CLEAN. STAFF FRIENDLY. FOOD GOOD. SPECIALITY DINING VERY GOOD. EXCURSIONS WERE WELL HANDLED. CABIN VERY NICE.ALL IN ALL A VERY NICE TRIP

This was one of those holidays to remember, be it the ship, entertainment, staff, food as well as tours.7 nights flew by waiting for another holiday!!

Give it a try, Santorini, Mykonos, Corfu and Katakolon were something different, places which one has to visit at least once in a life time. This is the second time visiting Corfu and Mykonos so sweet :) Katakolon and Santorini was a first time visit. Santorini is so pretty same as Mykonos.

Greatest itinerary! Can't pick a favorite place, loved them ALL! There's so much history in each one of them. It's well worth taking tours, and paying that much more. It's a one in a lifetime trip. The ship and activities/shows were disppointing.

This was my 10th cruise and it was disappointing to realize that MSC has a long way to go. The best part of it was the itinerary. Services at excursion desk were the worst. No one there knows what they are talking about. Tried to book the excursion with them in Turkey but they didn't have it in English just French and German. There would rather give you wrong information then say they don't know the answer. The ship is very plain. Bathroom was very small and the shower is tiny. Food is almost the same every day. No sandwiches just pizza 24 hours and it's the only place to get tea or coffe after 10 pm. Shows are just Ok. Dancers could be a lot better. Service in the restaurant was the best but the food could have a better variety. One thing that was nice no one was pushing to buy drinks at the pool and there were plenty of chairs for everyone. Overall it's the European line and it shows in their standards. People are not as friendly and they don't seem like they care. 

Great cruise, places visited were awesome, People were friendly and plenty of shops and sites. Wish we had more time at some of the stops. Did not rain one day during the cruise. 

Blood all over our sheets when we got into our room, it was absolutely disgusting. We did not realize till the morning that there was blood everywhere under the comforter. The cruiseline did nothing to compensate or anything , other than changing sheets

We had an excellent time in this cruise. The crew was excellent and the ports are beautiful. Stress free!  Fun shows at night. It might need some more entertainment by the pool. 

The food on the first night in the dining room was not very good. Subsequent dinners in the restaurant were better. We had difficulty finding seating at the buffet during primetime lunch hours. Water, soda and juice had to be purchased. A lot of people did not know how to wait in line and were bursting in front at food stations and elevators.

Great entertainment and cruise director. Food was good but I came home with food poisoning. Staff very helpful and courteous. Did not like Athens a very dirty city. Croatia was beautiful and our favorite stop. Drinks were watered down for the price.

Very nice room and bath. Terrific fun cruise. The food was only fair. Not the best food on a cruise that I have had. But the Destinations were great and the excursions were all very well done with only one exception. I would cruise on Norwegian again. 

Good service, great destinations, average food, expensive drinks.

Staff awesome, payed restaurants average, entertainment ok

I will preferr to have unlimeted premium drinks for a fee, than buying individual drinks to expensive

Overall, we enjoyed this cruise.   Internet service charge was $40.00 for one day, but if you buy package internet svc, it was $20.00/per day.  it's expensive to me. Windjammer has variety of food and food taste was good and the service was great. They work hard to make customers happy. 

Starting in Venice, arrived a day early to enjoy this great city, then adding Kotor Montenegro ( a neat surprise), Corfu (palace was nice, the monastery a waste), Athens ( got to do the Acropolis!), Mykonos (shop,eat, drink, repeat!), & Argostoli (keep walking - a cool little town when you get a little past the initial waterfront), ending back in Venice was a perfect itinerary. Each port was special and different.

The ship staff was very friendly & helpful, clearly wanting to make a good impression, save for one front desk supervisor who needs to be relocated to the engine room so he never has to talk to Guests.

This was our third R.C cruise but first in a number of years. We had expected R.C. to exceed competitor cruise lines from our recent cruises in the past year, (2 carnival & 1 Norwegian), however on several levels R.C. fell surprisingly short: from the stateroom (pillows were flat & hard, no frig, lacking storage & amenities.), to the music (no variety-all the same- 'elevator' style, & no cultural music infused from the destinations visited), to the shows which were just ok but far short on inspiration & production quality as we experienced on Carnival & Norwegian, & the food which had uninspired menus, nothing reflecting local ports cuisine. Very average quality. (service was very good though)

Sorry, R.C. but there was no WOW from you on this cruise. We have gained new respect for your competitors & will choose them (also Celebrity) for our near future trips. 

Had a fabulous time on the cruise and on the excursions in the Greek Islands. The one major complaint is that the Jade is an old ship with very little activities on the days at sea, other than eat and sit by the pool for the most part.  The other complaint is that they charge for everything.  There are only 2 "Free" restaurants for dinner other then the buffet Cafe and about 7 pay restaurants so you find yourself eating at the same two restaurants every night and waiting on line to get in.   Been on other ships where they have things like rock walls, ice skating rinks etc....

We chose this cruise based on ports and we were pleased with most of them.  The ship itself was easy to navigate and the food was delicious!  If our cabin was better, I would have rated this cruise higher.

First, I usually give good ratings, even when the service is not so good, however, this ship was a total disaster.  The ship felt like it was overbooked, people pushing in lines and the food was terrible.  We ate most of our meals in the formal dinning area since the buffet type food were terrible.  We have been on a lot of cruises and I must say, this one was the worst.

Ratings:  Food (-1 star), Ship (3 stars), Ports (4 stars), Staff (2 stars), Room service (5 stars)

Overall, giving this ship 2 stars is being nice.  Do you homework and review the ship you are sailing on.  We had to pay for everything extra, even the water to drink.  Also don't take a ship where you have to pay your final bill in Euros.  You will get a heart attack.