We wanted to cruise the Mediterranean and this ship was visiting the places we wanted to see. I have to say though, we didn’t really compare it to any other cruise lines and it was our first cruise. Still, I’m sure I will visit Greece and Italy again, I just won’t cruise.
A few things I noted while onboard:
Malta- The very best part is the view from the ship in port. It’s breathtaking. BEWARE, if, like us, you arrive on Sunday. NOTHING IS OPEN! So don’t waste your money on an excursion. Hardly worth the hop on hop off fee either but at least it was something to do. There is a piazza at the port with a few restaurants and souvenir places plus a Starbucks so you can grab a meal off of the boat. Best cell phone connection of the whole trip!
The cabin was a nice. Clean, upgraded and more spacious than I thought it would be. The real jewel though was having a balcony. Pulling into ports from the 11th floor was breathtaking! Meanwhile, being on the 11th floor, you are right below the 12th which was the public area (is there a better name for it?) . Basically we heard all of the moving of the carts and lounge chairs all night long....for 11 nights It took a little getting used to. I would recommend the 10th floor. I do have to say, Adonis, the guy who was responsible for cleaning our room, was incredible!
We stayed for 3 days and had a private guide not affiliated with NCL. She was a local with a degree in Roman architecture and so incredibly proud and knowledgeable. We saw it all and then some. The Pantheon during a rain shower was particularly memorable.
Love this island. Again, we had a private tour guide not affiliated with NCL. He was funny and charming and had a fabulous lunch with us at a restaurant at the Black Beach. You have never tasted Greek yogurt until you’ve eaten it here! We went on to the momentary where we tasted olive oil made by the monks. And walked through a village and stopped at a place where we drink honey wine and listed to music and stories about Greek mythology. Lie everyone says, the cable cars are PACKED! Heading back to port, we took the steps down the mountain. It was long and smelly (donkey droppings) and painful in the wrong shoes but I’m so glad I got to experience it! If you’re not into it, donkey rides down cost 6 euros.
Very good only for the acropolis. It was magnificent and worth the trek and crowds. The rest of the city is dirty and smelly and there are thieves everywhere. Literally. 2 people from our ship were robbed there.
Loved it here! Old City is so nice. Great shops. Great food. Great people. Clean and an easy walk from the ship and I swam in the crystal clear marina before we had to board. It was a great day!
Ugh. What a waste. We pull into port on a Sunday and the entire city is CLOSED! If NCL knew that, why would they bring us here? I’m still baffled.
Nice. We did not take the 2 hour trip to Taormina but stayed close to port and took one of the hop on hop off buses. Again, we heard from a local that there was a beach along one of the bus routes but we missed it. I wish NCL would have better information like that for us. The bell tower at noon at the Cathedral of Messina is not to be missed and probably the hi-light of the day. We would never have know about it if a local didn’t tell us.