go on a Mediterranean cruise

i’ve never been to europe. only traveled north america, the caribbean, and mexico. i want to cruise romantic mediterranean waters and explore ancient architecture and colorful culturals everywhere i go. i especially want to take a million photos of glittering translucent blue waters and sparkling azure skies.

I have far too many things on my list for this to be at the very top, but I think now is the time to start planning. I’ve started looking at different cruise lines and pricing – when I do this, I want to do it right, so no skimping on time frames, we’ll be booking a few days in hotels at the beginning and end of the cruise, etc…, and no cheap staterooms or hotels – I’m going all out here. I’m guessing at least $10k + spending money for the whole trip, if not more. I don’t want to wait until I’m retired to see the world, so I think this is going on the five year plan…

I have landed an amazing contract….I’ll be spending two months in the Caribbean then four months in Europe…56 ports in total! My ship goes to 12 countries in Europe including Italy, France, Spain, Portugal and Monaco, as well as the UK, which are all on my 43 places list!

I work for a cruise line and have been lots of places, but Med contracts are the hardest to land…I really want to get paid to see Europe!!

See Spain, France and Italy. The Italian Coast was the very best. Spend a week one summer doing this. You won’t regret it.

I researched for our first cruise this August, and with the help of the book ” Cruise Ships and Cruising 2005” had narrowed it down to Celebrity or Royal Caribbean, within our budget. Celebrity seemed to have the edge for better food, quieter, and more pools for our teenage boys. However, the timing and departure airports didn’t work out, and we chose the RC 7 night cruise departing Barcelona.

Our misgivings about RC were unfounded – the food and service were excellent, and our boys made friends with a crowd and hung out with them all the time. It was very hot for doing sightseeing, and for next time we’re looking at the caribbean, with excursions doing snorkelling etc rather than so much sightseeing.

Absolutely, Absolutely, Absolutely worth it. When I was in 8th grade, my friend’s dad paid for me to go with her and him on a cruise of the Mediterranean, it was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. We went to Venice, Naples, Pompeii, and Livorno Italy, Nice and Eze France, Monte Carlo, Monaco, Barcelona, Spain, and Lisbon, Portugal. Then we went across the Atlantic Ocean. At the time, the ship I was on was the largest ship in the world. It was AMAZING

Is my goal for taking the cruise. I am putting down a deposit today! My fiance and I will be getting married June 12, 2006 and this will be our honeymoon.