Europe - Eastern Mediterranean Cruise Reviews

Despite the embarkation/disembarkation process and location, overall this trip was absolutely wonderful. From the crew to the ship to the ports, I would not hesitate to do this itinerary over again more than once. I do wish some of the times in port were a bit longer, but for my first time doing Greek Isles itinerary I was more than pleased and enjoyed every minute of the cruise. As a solo traveler, NCL handles 'freestyle' wonderfully and I never feel isolated or alone unless I want to be. I met so many wonderful people on this cruise, and despite being in my early 30s I felt the general age range to be evenly spread out and did not skew to the older crowd as many tend to think when they think of cruising. There were fewer kids on this cruise, which suited me well; this could have been due to either the itinerary or the time of year, I'm not sure. The vibe on the ship was fun and lively and it was great to see everyone enjoying themselves watching the live music each night. This was my 10th NCL cruise (8th solo!) and only reinforced my loyalty and desire to return.

Terrible experience getting to the ship and home. Staff very friendly on board, food really mediocre (Worst of the 12 cruises I have been on, except for the last day, the food was good on the last day). The three ports we got to see were pretty great. Too much stress to make it a great experience though.

Overall we loved this cruise. The ports were great, people on ship very nice. Our big complaint is the embarkation location listed as Venice (trieste) with pictures of gondolas. Venice and Trieste are over 2 hours apart.

I have done many cruises with Celebrity and constellation is one of my favourite ships . This was a nice cruise itinerary and most of the ports were enjoyable apart from Santorini which was far too busy having 4 Large cruise ships all in at the same time which made it far too busy and quite stressful it is not suitable for people with mobility issues. The ship was very clean and the staff were very friendly there were however a few issues I found the entertainment in the Main theatre was not upto usual standards apart from the brilliant late show at 11pm . The food was good but a little repetitive. Tuscan grill was disappointing the portion sizes were very small and it certainly was not worth the extra money . I always managed to find a subbed even on sea days . Deck 12 were they show the outdoor movies was always quiet with very comfortable sofas I spent sea days lounging watching movies . The staff were brilliant very attentive there seemed to be areas where they had staff shortages but they coped very well . An enjoyable ship but they need to improve on their theatre shows

I enjoyed the trip that I did I love the itinerary of the places that we went to the weather was gorgeous we had enough to eat was disappointing that we chose not to sit in the dining restaurant and be waited on because the food was well ……least said the better. However we are sailing again with celebrity I do think it’s down to Covid pandemic. The world is trying to get back to normal. Whatever normal is?

It was a great experience. Although the ship was small and dated, we were in a different port almost every day. It was a fantastic way to see Greece!

It’s the best time I’ve had on a cruise. We’ve cruised many times and this was the best. Seen a lot and very relaxing. Everyone was nice and very clean.

Our bad experience was mainly about 1) layout of the ship 2)rudeness of the Italians on board 3) internet very expensive 4) concierge long queues and won't answer the phone 5) concierge not well signed 6) photographers in our faces during dinner every night 6) excursion let down 7) tender so hot we were fainting on board 8) doors to balcony should be sliding not banging our cabins shook from surrounding cabins. Didn't sleep at all by the end of the cruise we were exhausted. Shows were short 30 mins. Long queues for food. Italuans misbehaving in jacuzzi mainly children jumping in and out. Very bad taste. My husband does not own a smartphone and he could not read menus or bar list. It was an argument every night with the bar staff. Quite an embarrassment. Expensive Internet charges and I was 22hrs without it on one day. We will not promote it due to the above.

Norwegian Cruise Line does not provide passengers with their bills until they return home from the cruise, then, if there is a dispute, the passenger cannot talk to anyone about the dispute. My wife and I do not drink alcohol. Upon return home I opened the email bill to find charges for alcohol. I used NCL's online customer service form to dispute the charge. After two email exchanges in which we explained we did not drink alcohol, I was sent a "final response" with an unsigned receipt for the alcohol during a meal at the Japanese restaurant onboard. Everybody else at the grill-table were drinking while my wife had a cranberry juice and I had a water. I received no response from my last email asking the charge to be removed. There is no one I can talk to in person concerning this issue. It is not a large amount, but unless NCL repairs this issue, my wife and I will never cruise with Norwegian Cruise Line again.

Great itinerary. Older ship. Not our best cruise experience, but glad to be cruising!

The ports of call were great; the Ravenna port is 2 hours from the Venice airport so be wary on air flights!!

Having spent over $26,000 on a twelve-day trip on Silversea’s Silver Moon, we were extremely excited to board our trip yesterday, March 30, 2022. We were told by our travel agent this boat was one of the shining stars of the Silversea fleet. Covid required significant protocols. Being blessed to have not gotten Covid and being triple vaxed and extremely healthy, we were fully supportive of all the precautions required. Silversea communicated numerous times with the requirements to board the ship. One was that we needed to be tested within three days of boarding and provide negative results or we would be forced to take a test at the port before being allowed on the ship. We spent the previous four days in Santorini and chose to be tested the day before boarding. The test results, as have been the same as the multiple times we’ve been tested, were negative. Arriving at the Port of Piraeus at 1:30 (we were told boarding would open at 2PM) guest were already in the process of boarding. Organized chaos would be a forgiving way to describe the scene. Outside, in a windy parking area under a freeway overpass guests were being shuffled from one line to another. The Silversea staff managing the process (again-think $26,000+) provided no clear direction on which line we were expected to que based on where we were in the process. Upon completing our initial Covid related disclosure we found our way to a table where a “medical” staff member was checking paperwork. After reviewing our paperwork and test results, and seeing we were tested the day before, she told us we would need to be retested. She stated the rules had changed and the expectation was to be tested within twenty-four hours. Our test was twenty-seven hours earlier. We were then shuffled to another table where a very rude group of Silversea staff was registering people for testing. Seems we weren’t the only irate guests, as we were surrounded by other guests in the same situation and with the same understanding of the protocols (and equally angry). Again - $26,000+. Now an hour into the registration process, we waited an additional 30 minutes to be tested. after another 30 minutes my results came back negative, while my wife’s results came back inconclusive-she would have to be retested. We both agreed that the first test seemed as if they simply waived the swab in front of our nose versus the probe we were accustomed to in the US. We questioned whether the personnel were qualified to conduct testing. After another 30-minute wait my wife’s second test (both tests were rapid/antigen) came back positive. The staff then told us that she would need a PCR test if we wished to proceed, which we choose to do. After the test #3 she was shuttled over to a concrete bench in an open area away from the swarms of guests which we had been forced to cohabitate for the previous two and half hours. While in “isolation”, a Silversea staff member visited and explained to us the process of quarantine if the PCR test came back positive (five days solitary confinement in a “Five Star” Marriott hotel, possibly ten). A black van pulled up and the Silversea staff member “asked” if she would like to sit in the van. Upon replying no, she preferred to sit outside, the Silversea staff member demanded she sit in the van. What was day seven of a thirty-day retirement celebration was about to blow up. After another very anxious forty-five minutes, the Silversea staff member sauntered over to inform us that the PCR test was indeed negative. We were “allowed” to board at that point. The incredibly amateur way ($26,000+) way this process was managed was mind blowing. From rude and unprofessional Silversea staff, unqualified medical testing process and thorough lack of clear communication, this beginning to what was expected to be a wonderful trip will be forever etched in our minds. It will also define the Silversea brand no matter how comfortable the trip is going forward. …and no one from the Silversea crew has reached out to apologize for the three hour boarding process that made the beginning of this $26,000+ journey a horrible experience.

Overall a great vacation. I loved Santorini and Athens!!!

This was our 25th anniversary cruise that had been postponed from 2020. We have always wanted to go to Greece and letting Norwegian be tour "tour guide" was our best decision. The islands visited were all great and the experiences we have will never be forgotten. Thanks!

The cruise was awesome and the servers So very courteous and helpful! I felt like a Queen.

If anyone is nervous about cruising again - don't be. NCL handled all protocols like pros and we had a really great experience

Another pool should have done the trick! I never got a chair there, had to go up deck! The people were very nice and I felt clean and comfortable always

I had a FANTASTIC trip to Greece... I met so many new friends and had so many new experiences. This was a trip of a lifetime for me!!!

She is a beautiful ship and the SALT concept is brillant.