Europe - Mediterranean Cruise Reviews

First off let me say that the Star Breeze cruise ship and staff are beyond words. The suites were large, extremely comfortable and well designed. The staff always had a smile on their face and you never waited or wanted for anything. When it would get chilly out on deck, there were staff handing off blankets, before you even thought of asking for one. Some of the ports of call were questionable. Why go to Portoferrairo when everything is closed on a Sunday? Why dock at on the side with all of the machines, oil rigs?, train parts, etc. on La Spezia when there is a gorgeous dock we could have been at? Everyone on the boat was not happy about this. It looked like we docked at a wasteland....literally. That all being said, everything was executed flawlessly. Before cruising on Windstar I cruised on Disney, Princess and Carnival. I hated each of them. I finally found my cruiseline in Windstar! Everything is top notch (food is to die for) and no lines ever. Heck we never even waited for the elevator when we opted to take it. The spa was incredible and they never tried to upsell....that in itself is rare, but I appreciate that. The private event in Monte Carlo could (and should) have been much better, but I had high hopes for that and was let down. I am already looking to book another Windstar cruise and have my eye on the one Caribbean ones the Star Breeze goes to as well as Tahiti (sad only the sailboats go there). Windstar just made a lifetime fan out of me, I wholeheartedly recommend and will cruise with them until I die. 

Cruise Ship and crew were the best.  Exceptional room service and courteous personnel.  Specialty restaurant foods were soooo good.  Great variety of food at the other food venues but taste not that great.

Entertainment was not as good as expected.

Disappointed after finding out that others on the cruise were given free upgrades at no additional cost, whereas we had to pay an additional $1,000 for the same type room.  This was our second cruise on the Riviera, so it didn't sit well with us after finding out that first timers got a better deal than we did.

Tours were good, but tour guides were poor.  They spoke English, but with their heavy accent, were very difficult to understand.  Out of the nine we had, only one was understandable.  Some did not use a microphone, so they lost us completely.  Also, tours were fast paced.  Would have like to have spent more time at the sites.  

This was our first experience with Crystal Cruises.  Everything was just perfect.  The ship is first class, though it is quite understated.  Nothing gaudy here.  The rooms were nicely appointed.  We appreciated the orchid, for example, and the room refrigerator with complementary drinks.  But most of all my wife loved the fairly spacious bathroom with a real bathtub.  

Of course, the food was exceptional.  Every night in the main dining room was terrific, with the one exception of the paella we ordered.  The upgrade restaurants were also good, especially Nobu.  You must order the black cod dish if you go there.

This is a medium sized ship, which is still substantial.  At no time did we ever have any problem finding a seat--either in dining, evening entertainment, bars, special events.  At check in we encountered no line whatsoever.  This is a big difference from other cruise lines we have experienced.

The service was terrific, as one would expect.  Never ostentatious but always available.

The evening entertainment was fairly good, maybe not quite up to the standard of the larger ships.  However, we really appreciated the afternoon "teas" during which a Russian string quartet played classical music; very civilized was to spend our time.  We especially enjoyed the "Mozart Tea" during which the staff dressed in Vienna period costume.  Best pastry by far was the sacer tort, which my wife feels is actually superior to the original served in Vienna's finest bakery--so hats off to the cook.

This was our second Crystal Cruise and we were not disappointed.  The staff members were friendly and eager to please and the service we received was top notch!   We can't wait to go on another Crystal Cruise again.

The seven night Western Mediterranean cruise was fantastic. This was my husband's and my first cruise and we could not ask for a better one. The staff was friendly and well organized, the food was excellent, and the entertainment was very good. The ship is so large that even though it was at full capacity it never felt crowded. I loved the free restaurants and our favorite was the Manhattan. We would get there a half hour before it opened (at 5:30 pm) and ask for the back window seat. That way we could watch the ship leave port on most nights. The food was beyond good! 

My only critiques are these: 1) Smoking areas should be far away from public places. We could smell the smoke while we sat in the hot tubs because people would be smoking on the second deck. Also, the casino always smelled of smoke. 2). There should be adult only hot tubs. Children were always running in and out of the hot tubs with excessive splashing. 3) Do not see the Circus of Dreams! I had to pay more for a smaller portion of food (and not as good) than I could have eaten for free. I did choose the regular seats but they were so far under the second ceiling that we could not see a third of the circus which was above our heads. There were many premier seats (15 euros more a ticket) that were under the same ceiling. Those people were not happy. If you really want the best seats you need to pay for the premier seats, get there 45 minutes to an hour early and get the second floor seats (that way you watch the circus below you and you are facing the circus.) All I can say is that the people in our elevator had nothing good to say about their experience.  5) The show Priscilla Queen of the Desert was very sexually suggestive and crass. It was a good production but the subject matter was not family oriented. I know we were warned but I had no idea what the story line was and would not have gone had I known. 

The best show was Burn the Floor. I would have seen it again but it was sold out after we saw it. Wonderful dancing!!!! The two tours we went on were really good (Pisa and Florance on your own and Pompeii). We had a great time and were able to see the sites. We also highly suggest going on the Hop on Hop off buses at each of the stops that you can walk into the port. (Cannes, Palma, Barcelona, and Naples). The bus stops really close to the ship.

We took this cruise for our 35th wedding anniversary. We had so much fun we will not wait another 35 years to take another. I am sold on Norwegian Cruises.

This was our 18th cruise,we have been on most all of the major cruise lines even Norwegian 16 years ago,as of now this will be the last time we use Norwegian....

 Let's start with the room design,worst I have ever been in,no  privacy whatsoever. While cruise ships bathrooms are well known for being small most do offer a much higher level of function and privacy,I don't like the fact of having to shave and finish getting ready in the middle of the bedroom that's where the sink is....our room steward was great.

Worst service we ever had in the main dining room and food not any better,we did find one of the secondary restaurants that the food was better,and service also.Be prepared if you go to the specialty dining restaurants we paid $29.95 per person for one of the  specialty restaurants which thay added on 18% gratuity a 10% value added tax and thay had a place on the bill for more  gratuities  and we have already paid $180 in prepaid gratuities our 59$ dinner came to 79 dollars..

 We have also never been on the ship where you've had to pre-book all your entertainment  there are too many people on that ship so they can't handle open seating which most cruise lines do.

I will say thay kept the ship very clean and it is nicely decorated,the  itinerary was wonderful but in general the service was terrible and the food not so good and it feels like they're trying to ding you for every thing thay can...

This was our fifth cruise but the first on Norwegian and hands down the best cruise ever.  The food was excellent and the ports of call were just great. The most outstanding was the crew they went above and beyond  on every aspect of service.  I would recommend Norwegian cruise in Europe to all my friends.  

Just returned from a fantastic cruise on the Norwegian Epic.  Clean comfortable ship, friendly crew, great food, interesting itenery.  Called Norwegian direct and did noot like the quote.   saved me over $400.00.  

Arrived 2 days before the cruise and visited monserat.Embarkation was very quick on the ship to our inside cabin ready done [Here i must thank Richie Malik for his choice of my cabin as usual.This was my 2nd time on epic].Left our hand laguage and to the garden cafe.Had lunch to reception to deposit on my account.Unpacked and back to deck 15 to relax.Ship is spotless,friendly staff and met the cruise director Pedro from theJade.very nice guy.Variaty of food at the garden cafe and taste restaurant,entertainment, comedian,and bands are all excellent.Done already 2cabin deposit for the next cruise.

The cruise was one of the most memorable vacations I have taken.  The food and service was excellent.  The shore excursions were very educational, using local your guides.

My wife and I travel a lot and this was one of our favorite vacation trips. We have done all the eastern and western Caribbean Cruises. After our last one we decided we would only cruise where the ports were independently places we would go to as a destination place. This Norwegian Western European Cruise fit that criteria.The ship was really nice and the food and entertainment was high quality. We would definitely cruise on that ship again with different port tours.

This had to be one of the best cruises I've ever been on!  I must say I was not onboard the ship much but the shore excursions were the best!  The architecture in Spain and Italy is mind boggling to say the least!  To think how long ago these buildings were built without the aid of all the tools and machines we have now, well it's amazing!  I was asked what my favorite part of the cruise was - I don't think I can pick one part, it was all beautiful!  The Amalfi Coast was beautiful - the Vatican & the Sistine Chapel was a sight to behold - Monaco was gorgeous - I loved every excursion we took!  I would take this cruise again in a heartbeat!

Splendour of the seas is an older ship. It is not as updated as the newer ships out there. The shows also were not the best and especially the ones in the main lobby. There is no seating and they are only 5-10 min long. The ship could have had more activities going on during your time on the ship. Most of the activities were from the Casino or shops. Good was great and the staff was great on the ship  

Also Royal Caribbean did not notify us until we got on the ship that the port of Athens was on strike so we were not going to that island. Had I known that in advance k would have tried to change my sailing date. That was one of the main places my wife and I wanted to visit. 

We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.  The Splendour was very nice and just the right size, easy to find your way around and bump into people you met earlier.

Disappointed we couldn't get into Athens.  and also with the entertainment,  if you went to the 8:30 dining,  you missed the better part of what was going on.

Overall everything was great!

It's so unfortunate that me and my wife's 20th Wedding Anniversary was impacted by the Harbor Pilot's strike at Piraeus (Athens), Greece, preventing us from visiting, what I expected to be, the pinnacle of our cruise. Not the ship or crew's fault, but beware of your itinerary and any lingering tensions, ongoing negotiations, with private and/or public entities which could impact your travel. 

As for the cruise itself:  I was almost immediately unimpressed by the ports-of-call.

In my opinion, these ports were chosen by R/C to minimize costs, placate tourist bureaus while satisfying the uninitiated. Several of the ports looked exactly like the ones before. Despite being within easy sailing distance of ancient Greek ruins the ports on this trip had none. The excursions we purchased were great, in as far as, being entertaining, but still lacked 'WOW' and, despite the expense, water was not made available at any time on the 4-5 hours of our sunny exposition.

The cruise ship itself (Splendor of the Seas) was immaculately clean, well maintained, and well manned. Great efforts were taken to limit the possibility of contracting the infamous Norovirus. But still, my wife and I both contracted a respiratory infection. which hit us on the final days. So many folks with inherent afflictions just don't bother to cover their mouths when they cough. The breakfast buffet was atrocious. Trying to please everyone meant a sacrifice for many. The scrambled eggs, for example, were horrid. The disorganized buffet style meant people would rudely overtake you. No disappointments with main dining, etc., Waite staff was excellent and dynamic and the food excellent. Just expected more included alternate eatery options. The on-board entertainment was just OK. Some of the shows were too brief while others were just plain lame for the middle-aged.

Great vacation aboard the Star Breeze.

The ship and the crew members were outstanding!

Would like to mention: Allen, Chris, Jocelyn, Rojid. Claire, Eugene, Sergio and Laura who entertained us every night.

although we're seasoned travelers, this was our first cruise, & a good choice it was. Even though the seas were very rough & the itierary had to be altered due to rough seas & port strikes, we managed to enjoy the experience. We were surprised at the comfort & roominess of our state room. All the staff were exceptionally pleasant, efficient & helpful. Abundant food; evening meals were particularly good. The short stays in port were difficult for us as we enjoy staying several days in order to get to know a place. But a cruise is more like a tasting experience; you find out if you want to return for a fuller experience. Ephesus was our favorite stop. We arranged an excursion through a private company & that worked well. 

This was our 10th wedding anniversary trip. We had a great time and made many new friends. I got to see Santorini, Rhodes, Crete, Ephesus & Naples  and even ride a donkey. We had a great time.

Our cruise began with 2 days of stormy seas & medical emergencies but Cpt. Dimas and his crew sailed us through until we reached the sunny Greek islands.  And despite several port closings & changes, all of the crew from the cabin porters to the bartenders to the talent rallied to make sure all guests were well attended to and entertained!  The boat was always clean, the food & beverages never stopped, the Spa was very relaxing & the Entertainment was excellent!  

Beware of the RC excursions - we booked several and each one ended with a 5 - 15 minute sales pitch from a local vendor.  I was not happy to pay to be subjected to such sales tactics while on my vacation!  However the excursion we booked thru USAirways in Rhodes was delightful and informative.  

The most memorable day was when we arrived at Santorini due to another port closing - Such a beautiful island with so much to see & experience!  Overall our first trip to Europe was wonderful!

Estas son mis segundas vacaciones  en Europa. Fue un viaje muy bonito aunque las condiciones del tiempo fueron Fuertes y otros percances se unieron como la huelga de los puertos en las islas griegas. A pesar de los inconvenientes pudimos disfrutar de nuestras vacaciones y llevarnos experiencias lindas para nuestra familia. Agradecemos a todo el staff de Rapdhosy of the seas por la excelente labor realizada durante nuestra estadia.

excelente crucero, excelente staff, excelente capitan Dimas y excelente viaje lo pasamos cheverisimo.