Having done 55+ cruises all over the world, take my advice and book only with major cruise companies, and never more than 14 days cruise. Those retirement plans with small outfits are highly risky. I recommend a 14 day cruise from Barcelona and visit many countries as far as Greece and Turkey. The one sailing from Southampton, England is also very good but weather near England can be cold & damp for a day or two until hitting ports in Portugal or Spain.
Could you rank the cruise companies you’d pick or have used?
You have massive insight. My wife and I have been talking about taking our first cruise, but the obvious ones aren’t necessarily the best or consistently reviewed one way or the other.
“I recommend a 14 day cruise from Barcelona and visit many countries as far as Greece and Turkey.”
My sis & BIL are on a 50-day, round-trip from/to Ft. Lauderdale. They pulled out of Barcelona a few days ago, just a few hours ahead of the political protests there.
Cruise cancelled a port in Italy this week — Naples, I think — but no reason was given. Now they’re in Greece and are a bit worried about Turkey.
Hubby doesn’t want to go longer than two weeks. I won’t go shorter than two weeks. (Stalemate?) It’s just not worth it to me, considering all the pre-planning that goes in to it — and I’m the guy who does it all. And we are resisting flying.
Had a great 16-day round trip between Los Angeles and Hawaii. Panama canal was good, too. Also 16 days.
I’d have joined the Navy instead of the Air Force if I wanted to be trapped on a ship.