[llama]

Originally Posted by dixie

Now that sounds tailor made for us- we are looking to cruise next year for our Silver wedding anniversary- I want to do the Med as always going to the USA I feel I am not seeing enough of the countries surrounding Great Britain. Goodness, if we could do a Disney cruise from Barcelona I could get a Disney fix and a Med cruise too!

Dixie - we took the Norwegian Jade out of Southampton. It was such an amazing vacation! I kept saying to Neil - I can't believe I'm seeing all this! Our stops were Malaga, Spain, Barcelona, Spain, Villefrance, France, Florence, Italy, Rome, Italy, Lisbon, Portugal, Gibraltar, Viga, Spain and back to Southampton. Everyday there was something new - and I got to see the apes of Gibraltar! Who were so adorable - and bad! You should definitely consider it - you're so fortunate to live in England (I whine this to Tom all the time - he and June just "hopped" over to Nice to meet us there - you have such great opportunities to see so many countries, so easily.

[dixie]

Originally Posted by llama

Dixie - we took the Norwegian Jade out of Southampton. It was such an amazing vacation! I kept saying to Neil - I can't believe I'm seeing all this! Our stops were Malaga, Spain, Barcelona, Spain, Villefrance, France, Florence, Italy, Rome, Italy, Lisbon, Portugal, Gibraltar, Viga, Spain and back to Southampton. Everyday there was something new - and I got to see the apes of Gibraltar! Who were so adorable - and bad! You should definitely consider it - you're so fortunate to live in England (I whine this to Tom all the time - he and June just "hopped" over to Nice to meet us there - you have such great opportunities to see so many countries, so easily.

Thank you for that great post- can I ask which cruise line did you use? I know you said the name of the ship but is that the line name too?
After reading this thread last night, Paul and I went on every cruise line web site here and abroad and requested brochures-as not only is it our silver wedding anniversary next year but Paul is the big 5-0 next year too so its a real celebratory year.
It's difficult because I love the United States with all my heart, but, as we are getting a wee bit older, I think its time we saw a little more of the world- there are such great places to see, and we are such History buffs it would be so terrific to see places we've studied-and as you rightly said LLama so close to us too. My only concern is that nothing can 'top' an American holiday and I would so hate to regret mis-using my vacation time- but I doubt that would happen.
I have seen parts of Italy, France, Switzerland, Portugal, Spain and Malta-but theres so much more to see- so thanks for the help, I may be calling on you again for advice in the future if thats OK??

[llama]

Originally Posted by dixie

Thank you for that great post- can I ask which cruise line did you use? I know you said the name of the ship but is that the line name too?
After reading this thread last night, Paul and I went on every cruise line web site here and abroad and requested brochures-as not only is it our silver wedding anniversary next year but Paul is the big 5-0 next year too so its a real celebratory year.
It's difficult because I love the United States with all my heart, but, as we are getting a wee bit older, I think its time we saw a little more of the world- there are such great places to see, and we are such History buffs it would be so terrific to see places we've studied-and as you rightly said LLama so close to us too. My only concern is that nothing can 'top' an American holiday and I would so hate to regret mis-using my vacation time- but I doubt that would happen.
I have seen parts of Italy, France, Switzerland, Portugal, Spain and Malta-but theres so much more to see- so thanks for the help, I may be calling on you again for advice in the future if thats OK??

It was the Norwegian Cruise Line - the Jade was the name of the ship. It was a beautiful ship and they have the free style dining which meant we could eat in a different restaurant whenever we pleased each night. There's lots of fun things to do on board - art auctions (I won a piece of art for guessing the price of a Picasso (unfortunately they didn't give me the Picasso) cooking demos, casino, library, pools, spa (ooooh, the Spa!). Lounges,dancing, everything.

I guess it's always a case of the "grass is greener" - we can easily go to the States - but Europe is much more "exotic" to us. And I love history so much! Our first trip "across the water" was England and we loved it so much! Since we've been back twice and twice to Austria (I could happily move to Salzburg tomorrow), so I really can't see you feeling your vacation was wasted if you don't go to the States. Of course there are wonderful things in the USA (Canada too, for that matter.) but Europe - is special. And cruising is such a relaxing vacation - you have no worries - everything on board is taken care of. And as corny as this sounds, I still dream of Florence - Florence was like a dream to me - to be in the same streets as Michelangelo and daVinici - to see David - if, in all the trips I've taken I'd have to pick one perfect moment, it was the moment I saw David. - yes he even beats Splash Mountain and Soarin'. I'd just urge you to try it once! I'll be happy to answer any questions you have - you'll have to shut me up - I could go on forever. I did post a trip report - and so did Tom - I'll see if I can find them.

[Alaine]

My mother did the European Cruise in July 2007 and she's doing it again in July 2009. Her's is a bit longer.....5 weeks is her cruise. Each year they change the locations just a bit. She went to Iceland last year as one of the cruise stops & saw Santa's Mailbox which is the size of my whole entire house. And I have a pretty big house. I myself would go nuts on a boat for even the 12 days you are talking about. The price is about $5,000 per person for the 5 week cruise.

[WishUponAStar]

A couple of these cruises aren't as expensive as I expected... hmmm, reconsidering.

[Towncar T]

Originally Posted by dixie

Thank you for that great post- can I ask which cruise line did you use? I know you said the name of the ship but is that the line name too?
After reading this thread last night, Paul and I went on every cruise line web site here and abroad and requested brochures-as not only is it our silver wedding anniversary next year but Paul is the big 5-0 next year too so its a real celebratory year.
It's difficult because I love the United States with all my heart, but, as we are getting a wee bit older, I think its time we saw a little more of the world- there are such great places to see, and we are such History buffs it would be so terrific to see places we've studied-and as you rightly said LLama so close to us too. My only concern is that nothing can 'top' an American holiday and I would so hate to regret mis-using my vacation time- but I doubt that would happen.
I have seen parts of Italy, France, Switzerland, Portugal, Spain and Malta-but theres so much more to see- so thanks for the help, I may be calling on you again for advice in the future if thats OK??

Yo Brum!

I haven't looked in for ages, and here you are talking cruises with my Canuck chum. We are off to NYC in a couple of days and we do a 12 night Caribbean cruise out of New Jersey on Sunday next.

It's our 25th too next year, and we're doing a 13 nighter out of San Diego, transiting the Panama Canal. Can't wait for that, but it's not until November 1st. However, we also have a 10 nighter booked out of Barcelona in April, going to the Canaries. Morocco and Spain.

If you want any cruising info then you know where I am.

T

[WishUponAStar]

Still re-considering... it's the airfare that is throwing me for the loop. Otherwise I'd be happy to switch our currently booked cruise for the Euro one I was pricing out.

[delmarjohn]

booked the med ..11night ....not sure if going ..but booked it coming off a cruise..so the promo was OK....we shall see have a lot of time to decide might look into adventures by disney which I believe includes the tours and guides ...but have time to research that also ....sounds exciting though

[delmarjohn]

disney is promting airfares east of the missisippi....also I have found some of the international flights in some cases are not anymore expensive than some domestic fares
....but no one is quoting fares that far in advance...so that issue might resolve itself