Where are the best places to go on a European cruise?

Question

My family and I are planning a European cruise for next summer. Im in my early 20's, so keep that in mind. I want to be able to party & have a good time, as well as enjoy as much of the cities that I can. Below are my two options.

1-Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy ; Naples, Italy ; Marmaris, Turkey ; Izmir ; Istanbul ; Athens ; Katakolon ; Livorno, Italy ; Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy ; Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy

2-Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy ; Naples, Italy ; Dubrovnik, Croatia ; Venice, Italy ; Venice, Italy ; Messina, Sicily, Italy ; Barcelona, Spain ; Cannes, France ; Livorno, Italy ; Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy

If you've been to any of these places please let me know what you think. The main problem is that the first goes to Athens, which is nice but the second goes to Barcelona. Also this is a 12 night cruise. Any help would be appreciated.

Answer 1

I see it as a tough choice, too, but I lived in Barcelona, visited Athens, all of Italy.

Dobrovnik makes it hard to pass up #2,
I lived in Barcelona, but I never saw the Costa Brava and coast of SW France from a boat. Must be beautiful!
Also you might pass by Cinqueterre villages in Italy.

As for the choice between Athens and Barcelona, Athens was a nice surprise to me, such amazing classical relics and monuments. But very HOT!
Try to see the "adult section" of some ancient statues in Archeological museums. You can do that in Naples at Museo Arceologico Nazionale (ask for gabinetto segreto trickets), and maybe in other cities too.
Barcelona is not such a cradle of civilization as Athens, but it's very unique and has interesting parks and architecture by Gaudi. Both cities can be loud and smoky, so find the parks and pedestrian zones when you go.
If you don't like cities much, at Athens, Naples, or Barcelona, near the port, you could take little boats or trains to nearby places, like from Naples a boat to Capri or Positano or a local train ride to Ercolano (!!!!) Amazing, like Pompeii.
From Barcelona, you could take a train to Sitges for a nice beach, or ask the locals for trains to beaches NE up the Costa Brava nearby. From Athens, you could take little boats to nearby Greek Isles with beaches.

Other big questions to help you decide:
1. Is Venice a top priority?
2. Which do you feel more drawn to: Venice or Turkey?
3. Is Istanbul interesting to you?
4. Ask the tour operators if cruise #! goes past Cinqueterre Coast in Italy as it goes to Livorno. If not, #2 probably goes past it and it's beautiful!

From Messina, a nearby beach called Milazzo is nice, or you could take a little side trip Aeolian Islands, or a train down to Taormina/Giardini Naxos (Pretty!) with rocky beach.
Messina itself is not so special.
I don't know anything about Katakolon or Marmaris.
I'd like to go to Cannes, but here's anotherr Q to ask yourself:
1. Are you more attracted to a little Eastern (Ottoman Empire, Byzantine, Mosques and Turkish bazaars), or
a more Western European style?
Have fun!
Buy the book: Lonely Planet: Mediterranean Europe
They'll explain all you need to know.

About swimming, the water around Turkey and Greek Isles and Croatian isles is breathtakingly blue and gorgeous and Turkey/Greece wouldn't be as cold (water) as Cannes and Barcelona.

Answer 2

Ok. I'm also in my early 20's and did a cruise last year and I really enjoyed it, although I went with my best friend. Truthfully, we didn't get to party a lot, because in order to see the cities, you've got to get up really early. And there's no point in doing a cruise if you just stay in bed or sunbathing. I'm from Barcelona, so I took the cruise from there, because it was much easier and cheaper. I went to Florence, Rome, Tunisia, Napoli, and Malta. But I also liked the one that included Venice, Croatia, Turkey and Greece. You see, I'm from Barcelona, so I can't appreciate stopping here. But I must say I wouldn't live any other place in the world, and I've traveled quite a lot. This city is big, but not too big. Cosmopolitan but yet Mediterranean. It's got lot's of night and day life,concerts, beaches and fun stuff to do, but also culture and sight seeings. It would really be a pity if you come to Europe and don't get to see all of this. What I'm trying to say is that maybe you should take into consideration what sort of things do you want to see. If it's big cities (Barcelona, Rome...)or small ports (Greece, Croatia...), your choice. What can I say, I'm 100% European, with Spanish, English, French and Scottish blood, so I'm not exactly objective about the beauty of my continent.

Answer 3

I would go on option one- I've been to Rome(Rome enjoyed its greatest splendor during the 1st and 2nd centuries when art flourished, monumental works of architecture were erected, LIKE THE COLOSSEUM AND FORUM;Rome's squares were enhanced with such imposing structures as the Vittorio Emanuele Monument and grandiose fountains like the Fontana di Trevi. Join the tourists who stand in awe of the Vatican, and the most magnificent church and admire the masterpieces of Michelangelo's frescoes in the Sistine Chapel.Athens(The "cradle of Western civilization" is a must-see with its architectural marvels like the Parthenon and unparalleled place as birth place of democracy.):Izmir ( A GREAT CITY IN ITS OWN and close to nearby ruins of Ephesus, and enjoy the beaches, near. Kusadasi has managed to retain much of its original charm, although it has been a tourist sight, and great shopping- vendors invite you into their shops and offer something to drink!.The major attraction remains the archaeological site of ancient Ephesus, considered to be the most important one in all of Turkey.and Istanbul, (Blue Mosque, St Sophia, Grand Bazaar Hippodrome/Obelisk and Topkapi Palace )- They are all don't miss cities, with great places to party and sightsee, Been to Naples for a short amount of time- so i didn't see much. You'll have more time to really see these places on itinerary one, if you take two, you will end up frustrated, not even enough time for a sniff of anything in 12 days.All these cities have great restaurants to try, even if you are on a cruise-

Answer 4

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Answer 6

i think you should go to one that has venice, naples, and rome for italy, and then you should go to greece and go to athens and santorini!! i know santorini wasn't on your list but santorini is the coolest place ever!! well, actually i can't say that since i haven't been there myself but i was going to because my uncle was going to get married there but then he switched to mexico so that's were i went.