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Full Review: 10 Day NCL Epic Mediterranean Cruise

In Spring 2024, I scratched off a major bucked list item. Finally going on a Mediterranean cruise through the Greek Islands! It was an *epic* adventure aboard the Norwegian Epic (pardon the pun), and it really was the perfect way to travel through the Med. Here is a full review of my 10 day NCL Epic Mediterranean Cruise!

About the Cruise

The exact cruise I was on was called the “10-Day Greek Isles Round-Trip Rome: Santorini, Athens & Florence”. It was, as the title would suggest, a 10-day round-trip cruise. We departed from Civitavecchia (near Rome) and sailed through the Greek Islands, Italy, and Malta. With only one sea day at the beginning of the cruise, it was jam-packed and very port-intensive! You can search for Greek Island cruises on Norwegian Cruise Line by clicking here . I did appreciate the variety of port times. Some days we were docked bright and early, but others we got to sleep in a bit and enjoy a slow morning. I loved the Norwegian Epic and, although it is one of their larger ships, it never really felt too crowded. In hindsight, it was possibly the perfect cruise?!

Read More: How to Spend One Day in Rome (for first timers!)

Day 1: Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy

Day 1 onboard actually started bright and early in Rome. We left the Hotel Diana and made our way to Roma Termini to catch the train to Civitavecchia. The ride was about an hour long and brought us right to central Civitavecchia. From there, we jumped on a shuttle bus that took us right to the port for boarding. Boarding was an absolute breeze (the longest part was checking luggage) and we were on the ship less than a half hour after arriving.

Read More: How to Get to the Civitavecchia Cruise Port from Rome

Once onboard, we immediately took care of the “logistics”. These items included visiting our muster station and booking our tender times for later in the cruise. When those items were out of the way, we changed into our swimsuits (pro tip: pack them in the bag you bring on board with you) and enjoyed a sail-away swim followed by a twist ice cream cone (or two). Once our rooms were ready, we took the time to unpack and get settled. Dinner that evening was in one of the two main dining rooms, Taste. The main dining rooms on the NCL Epic were solid, and we never had a bad meal!

Day 2: Cruising the Messina Strait

Day 2 on our NCL Epic Mediterranean Cruise was our day at sea. Around 9:00 am, we passed through the Messina Strait, which passes between the island of Sicily and mainland Italy. Since the strait itself is only 2 miles wide, you feel really close to both lands. The ship moves slowly through the water and you can take in the views and wave “see you later” to Sicily, which we docked in later in the cruise! The rest of the day was spent learning our way around the ship and resting up for being at port every other day of this trip. We were nervous about the weather in late-April, but it was surprisingly warm and we got to soak in a lot of rays at the pool. For dinner, we enjoyed our first of two complementary speciality dining meals: a steak dinner at Cagney’s! Cagney’s is a staple on NCL ships and, if you’re a steak lover, this restaurant is a must! I enjoyed a filet mignon that was cooked to perfection and the most delicious piece of chocolate cake for dessert. After, we enjoyed a juggling show in the main theatre before calling it a night, getting ready for our first port in the morning!

Day 3: Santorini, Greece

Day 3 of the cruise, but day 1 in port was a strong start: Santorini! This island has been high on my bucket list for years, and I was so excited to not only visit, but for it to be our first port! Once we arrived, we got on our tender boat to shore. A pro tip is to book your tender time as early as possible. You will want to be one of the first off the ship! We waited in a bit of a line for the cable car up to Fira , but once we arrived, it was a bee-line to the iconic city of Oia !

Read More: How to Get to Oia from the Santorini Cruise Port

Our afternoon in Oia was spent taking in the breathtaking views and pinching ourselves. I couldn’t believe I was actually here! Visiting in late-April (which is considered shoulder season) couldn’t have been better. While there were certainly crowds and some lines to see the most famous viewpoints, I have heard how bad the crowds get during summer and I was grateful to not have to deal with that! We wandered aimlessly through the town of Oia for a few hours: discovering new viewpoints and bopping into shops. After a perfect afternoon in Oia, we made our way back to Fira for dinner at a cliff-side restaurant overlooking the Aegean Sea, and enjoying the best baklava I have ever had! Making our way back to the ship was a bit of an adventure. There were three other ships in port and the line for the cable car back down to the tenders was over a 2 hour wait! Since that would have made us miss our ship, we had no choice but to walk down the Karavolades Stairs . Over 580 donkey-poop-covered, steep, slippery stairs. It was certainly an adventure, but worth it for the adventures we had in Santorini!

Read More: 5 Tips for Visiting Santorini on a Cruise

Day 4: Athens (Piraeus), Greece

The next morning started bright and early, docked in Piraeus. This was the only day we booked a formal Shore Excursion through the cruise line. We met our group shortly after docking and boarded the bus into Athens. During my planning, I saw that there was a train from Piraeus to Athens, but it was a hefty walk from the cruise port. I can’t explain why the thought of taking public transportation in Athens made me apprehensive, but we decided to use our Shore Excursion credits to book “Athens On Your Own”. This excursion was basically just a bus ride into the city and back to the ship. In hindsight, aside from the far walk, the trains appeared to be more than fine and I would consider taking them next time. Our bus took us to the Plaka neighborhood of Athens, right near the Acropolis. This was when I made one of my biggest mistakes: thinking I could buy Acropolis tickets the morning of! Pro tip: book these in advance! By the time we arrived at 9:00 am, the earliest timed ticket we could get for that day was 2:00 pm! We spent the next few hours exploring Plaka and the Temple of Olympian Zeus . Shortly before our timed ticket, we made our way back and climbed up to the Acropolis, which was absolutely spectacular and worth the wait.

Read More: 5 Tips for Visiting the Acropolis in Athens

Since we couldn’t get into the Acropolis until later in the afternoon, we missed our bus back to port! This was disappointing as we paid for the round-trip transportation up front, but we figured it was worth it to visit the Acropolis. When in Rome (err, Athens)! Thankfully, taxis are really easy to come by in Athens, and the cruise ship port is only about a 20-minute drive away. When approaching a taxi back to the port, always negotiate a rate up front, and never take their first offer! The ride should cost you no more than €25. If you’re quoted any more than that, they are tying to rip you off. The first few cabs quoted us €40, then €35, then €30. I asked on driver to take us back for €20 and we met in the middle at €25.

Day 5: Mykonos, Greece

Day 5 of our NCL Epic Mediterranean Cruise was probably my favorite of them all: Mykonos! We were only at port for about 6 hours total, and I was so worried that wouldn’t be enough time. Thankfully, the town is small and easy to explore on foot. Our ship docked at the port slightly outside of town. Free shuttle busses were available to bring us right into the heart of Mykonos Town. We were able to hit the ground exploring immediately! Docking early in the morning was such a pleasant experience, as we got to explore the town with very few people! While only a handful of restaurants and shops were open, but it was worth it to feel like we had Mykonos to ourselves for a few hours! We got (literally) lost wandering through the white-washed stone streets. We actually were in town on Greek Orthodox Good Friday, so we heard lots of church bells ringings and locals making their way to mass. It was such a unique experience, and really made it feel like we were experiencing authentic Mykonos!

Read More: 6 Tips for Visiting Mykonos Town on a Cruise

After a morning of wandering, we made our way back down to small beach in town. My feet were begging to be dipped in the crystal-clear waters! The sea in late-April was much too cold to swim, but walking in up to our ankles was a nice refresh! We sat down for an early lunch at one of the many restaurants that hug the water for a spritz and, of course, more baklava. It was then time to head back to the ship, though this time we had to tender. The tender lines were pretty long, but waiting in line along the coast in Mykonos is not a bad place to be. Our ship left Mykonos around 1:00 pm so we spent the rest of the day relaxing onboard. Dinner that evening was in the second main dining room (The Manhattan Room), and catching their signature show Burn the Floor!

Day 6: Corfu, Greece

Day 6 was spent in Corfu- our last day in Greece! Our plan was to dock and explore the town, but if I were to do it all over again, I probably would have booked a shore excursion for this day. While the day ended up being a success, it was probably my least favorite day in port on the entire NCL Epic Mediterranean Cruise. We were in town on Greek Orthodox Greek Saturday, which was definitely bittersweet. The city was absolutely packed with those celebrating the holiday (Corfu is one of the best places in Greece to celebrate Easter!). On one had, it was really fascinating to see the locals celebrating their holiday! On the other, it was insanely crowded. It was difficult to get seated (and then get service) at restaurants, or even walk into shops. One of the most interesting Easter traditions in Corfu is locals smashing clay pots to celebrate. This made the streets covered in smashed clay, which was interesting, but it did feel a little dangerous! We were always on the lookout for flying clay pots! However, we made the most of it and spent the afternoon at the Old Fortress . This was a nice escape from the crowds, and was the highlight of our day! I loved getting to see the crystal clear waters, the beautiful boats docked, and see views of the city. We then made the walk back to the ship and had a realxing evening on board. We geared up to enter a new country in the morning: Malta!

Day 7: Valletta, Malta

Day 7 on the cruise and country #17 for me: Malta! The ship docked right in the heart of Valletta, which made for an easy disembark. We were able to get to exploring right away! Valletta is the smallest capital city in the European Union, and easy to cover on foot. We were surprised at how hilly it was (lots of “streets” were actually just staircases!), but we loved how unique that made Valletta! The day started with a quick elevator ride up to the Upper Barrakka Gardens . The gardens are beautiful and offer spectacular views over the harbor and out to The Three Cities. From there, it’s a quick walk to the City Gate and into town. With no plans for the day, the afternoon was spent wandering – literally. Since Valletta is a peninsula, you are pretty contained and really can never be “lost”. We turned and walked down whatever streets our feet took us down. We explored the city squares, gorgeous cathedrals, views of the water, forts, and more gardens. Making our way back to the ship was easy, and we geared up to make our way back to Italy in the morning! Valletta is a really easy port day and easy to do with no plans. I’m so glad to have had the day to explore this spectacular city, but am looking forward to my next trip to Malta to see what else the country has to offer! The Blue Lagoon is still high on my bucket list…

Read More: 5 Tips for Visiting Valletta, Malta on a Cruise

Day 8: Messina, Italy (day trip to Taormina)

Back in Italy, and finally touching ground in Sicily (which we sailed past a few days prior)! We docked bright and early in the port town of Messina. Messina is a major transportation hub between Sicily and mainland Italy, separated only by 2 miles of water known as the Messina Strait. Instead of spending time in Messina, we bee-lined it straight to the train station. We were off to explore the cliff-side city of Taormina!

Read More: How to Get to Taormina from the Messina Cruise Port

Taormina was easy to get to from Messina, and in my opinion, the best way to spend a port day! We started with a walk down Taormina’s main street Corso Umberto . This street is the heart of the city and home to tons of shops, cafes, and restaurants. I snagged a spectacular Nutella cookie at Pasticceria Etna and chocolates to take home at Nino and Friends . Just off the main road is the famous city square Piazza IX Aprile . This is the perfect place to stop, relax, and enjoy. We snapped pics of the famous  Chiesa di San Giuseppe  church and the  Torre dell’Orologio e Porta di mezzo  archway that surround the square. And of course, plenty of pics were taken at the  Belvedere di Taormina . This is a spectacular (and arguably the most famous) scenic viewpoint in Taormina! The checkered black and white tiled ground contrasting against the bright blue Ionian Sea is one of those pinch me moments that you will never forget! From there, we continued down into town and enjoyed the views at Terrazza Panoramica su Giardini Naxos . This little garden at the far end of town was a great little escape from the city with stunning views. Before heading back to the train to bring us back to Messina, we stopped at the Odeon. This old amphitheater right in the center of town was so interesting and fun to explore!

Read More: How to Spend a Half Day in Taormina

Once back onboard the ship, we got ready for our second complementary speciality dining. A hibachi dinner at Teppanyaki! It was such a fun way to close out the day. Our chef was a lot of fun: we laughed and sang at the top of our lungs! And the food was dynamite, and everything you’d expect from fresh hibachi. While we smelled like garlic for the rest of the night, I would recommend this speciality restaurant aboard NCL ships!

Day 9: Naples and Capri, Italy

Another day that started bright and early, as we docked in Naples, Italy at 6:00 am! Immediately after docking at the port, we beelined it to the Molo Beverello ferry docks. Today was day-tripping to the island of Capri ! We snagged our tickets for the very first ferry at 7:00 am and boarded the 45-minute long scenic ride out to Capri.

Read More: How to Get to Capri from the Naples Cruise Port

After arriving, we made our way up the funicular to Capri Town. Just outside of the upper station is  Piazza Umberto , which was the perfect place to take in the views and pinch ourselves that we really were in Capri! We enjoyed the quiet morning before the hoards of tourists arrived to wander through the tight, picturesque streets. We popped into small bookstores, shopped for Capri linens, and did some luxury window shopping on  Via Camerelle . After, we then made our way over to the  Giardini di Augusto  for some killer sea views. The gardens are about a 10 minute walk from the center of Capri Town, but a really easy walk that in lined with beautifully manicured homes, hotels, and shops. The grounds for the Luna Hote l were also open and we wandered through them a bit. They had stunning gardens and views of the cliffs and sea from their decks!

Read More: 5 Tips for Day Tripping to Capri from Naples

As to not push time, we took a ferry back to Naples in the early afternoon.  Since we still had a bit of time before all aboard, we took about a 15 minute walk into the city and did some quick exploring. The  Galleria Umberto I  is an absolutely stunning indoor shopping center that has a huge glass ceiling and dome. Inside, you will find some restaurants, shops, and coffee shops. It’s worth popping in for a few minutes to take it in! After, we grabbed some authentic Napoli pizza at  Pizzeria Vincenzo Capuano  on their outdoor patio. In Naples, it’s custom to actually cut pizzas with scissors instead of a pizza cutter, and this restaurant was the first place to do that!

After, we grabbed an “exploding lemonade” next door at  Acquafrescaio . The lemonade is mixed with club soda, and then at the very last second, a scoop of baking soda. The lemonade then fizzles up and you’re forced to bend over and spread your legs to chug it before it gets all over you. A super fun way to end the day before making the quick walk  back to the cruise ship !

Day 10: Livorno, Italy (day trip to Florence)

Our final day on our NCL Epic Mediterranean Cruise was in Livorno, Italy. However, let’s be honest, Livorno is just the gateway to other cities in Italy. Many people choose to head to either Pisa or Florence for the day. Even though Florence is much further away than Pisa, we couldn’t resist spending a day there! There were a lot of “logistics” to get from the Livorno cruise port to Florence. We had to board a bus, to another bus, to a train to Florence. But once we arrived, we realized how worth it all the hassle was!

Read More: How to Get to Florence from the Livorno Cruise Port

Once off the train, we hit the ground running and beelined it straight to the  Piazza del Duomo . The Piazza is home to the  Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore  and  Giotto’s Bell Tower , both of which are iconic landmarks in Florence! It was jammed packed with tourists, but absolutely no trip to Florence is complete without visiting, so it was still worth it. We then strolled down the  Via dei Calzaiuoli  into the  Piazza della Repubblica , stopping along the way for gelato at  Badiani . The Piazza della Repubblica was a nice place to people-watch and enjoy the stunning buildings that surround it. Just a short walk from there is the  Piazza della Signoria , which is home to dozens of impressive statues. The most famous being an exact replica of David. This replica is the exact same shape and size, made from the same materials, and is even located in the same spot as the original (the real is in the Accademia Gallery ). Right next to David is the entrance to the  Palazzo Vecchio , which we explored before strolling past the Uffizi Gallery  and down to the River Arno. We crossed Ponte Vecchio , the iconic bridge that crosses the river before grabbing (more) gelato at  La Strega Nocciola and shopping at a store with all things  Pinocchio .

Read More: How to Spend a Perfect Port Day in Florence, Italy

We then stopped at  Ristorante Beccafico  for some killer homemade pasta and immaculate vibes! They were also setting up for a cooking class while we were there, and if we had planned our time better, we would have loved to stay. Just a few minute walk from there was  Babae , a bar/restaurant famous for their wine window! We opted for a glass of the classic rosé and stood on the streets sipping our wine while simultaneously pinching ourselves. On our journey back to the train station to get back to the ship we crossed back over the River Arno over the  Ponte alla Carraia and did some shopping for authentic leather at Benheart . We made a quick stop at the  Piazza di Santa Maria Novella , which is a quaint little square filled with fresh flowers and is home to the  Basilica of Santa Maria Novella . This basilica is really beautiful and has such detail along the sides! We then arrived at the  Firenze Santa Maria Novella  train station to kick back on the long journey back to Livorno (and our last day on board!). Unfortunately the evening was filled with a lot of packing, but we did manage to squeeze in one last dinner at Shanghai’s, a complementary Asian restaurant on board. Get the twice-fried sweet and sour pork and thank me later!

Back to Rome, Italy

Back in Civitavecchia and our last morning on board our NCL Epic Mediterranean Cruise (insert crying emoji here)! We docked around 6:00 am and grabbed one last breakfast at the buffet and made our way off the ship around 8:00 am. The port bus took us back to the Civitavecchia train station where we boarded our train back to Roma Termini . Since our flight back home wasn’t until the next day, we had another full day to explore Rome! Our pre-cruise day in Rome was spent hitting all of the main attractions, therefore our post-cruise day in Rome was a little slower. We dropped our bags at the Bettoja Hotel Massimo d’Azeglio hote l near the train station and then took the subway to Vatican City!

When we arrived by late-morning, Vatican City was pretty packed. The line to get into St. Peter’s Basilica zig-zagged through the queue and then wrapped around the entire plaza. However, line moves surprisingly quickly! All-in-all, it was about 45 minutes from the moment we got in line (snaked all the way around, past the  Bernini Fountain ) to the moment we got through security. It wasn’t bad at all and was worth the wait! We then visited the “pop up” post office right in the square to send a postcard to my parents back home! Mailing a postcard to the states cost about €3 and took about a month to arrive. I still thought this was such a fun and unique thing to do- especially from the world’s smallest country!

Read More: Top 6 Tips for Visiting Vatican City

By late afternoon, the entire trip started to catch up to us, so we crashed back at the hotel for an afternoon nap. Dinner that evening was at a nearby restaurant that was recommended to us by the hotel front desk, and then was followed by two desserts. The first was at Venchi , a gelato chain that had a location nearby in the nearby Roma Termini station. The second was across the street at McDonald’s (don’t laugh!) for pistachio McFlurries. When in Rome!

Overall Thoughts

I’ve traveled quite a bit, but this will go down as one of my favorite trips! I loved waking up to a new place every morning and enjoying all the amenities the Norwegian Epic had to offer. Cruises also offer such incredible value, all things considered. It includes your accommodations, meals, and transportation between ports. If we were to have done this trip on our own, it would have been exponentially more expensive! And one of the more underrated great things about cruises? Only having to unpack once! If you’ve ever lugged your suitcases between cities in Europe, you’ll understand how much of a luxury this is. Of course the downside is having such limited time in port to experience these new cities. However, I like to consider cruises a “sampler platter”. I walked away from this trip with a list of places I cannot wait to go back to explore more in depth (Malta, Florence). I also have a couple places that I felt like I got enough out of (Corfu, Santorini). This NCL Epic Mediterranean Cruise was the best way to see Europe, and I cannot wait for my next one!

Traveling soon? Check out my  Travel Tips  page to help you score good deals on flights, packing tips, tools to help you plan, and more!

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Norwegian Star Review [A 10 Day Mediterranean Cruise]

• Post last modified: November 2, 2020
• Post author: Katie Seemann

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I’m not a newbie when it comes to cruising, but this was my first cruise on Norwegian Cruise Line. This was also my first European cruise, so I was excited to check it all out.

The Norwegian Star is a Dawn Class ship that holds about 2,300 passengers, making it a mid-sized ship among today’s standards. It was built in 2001, but it got a makeover in 2018 so it doesn’t feel like an almost 20-year-old ship.

In this post you’ll find my full Norwegian Star review including info about the staterooms, dining options, amenities, kid’s club, art auctions, and shore excursions.

Legal Stuff (aka if I don’t write this the internet gods will not take kindly to me): This post may contain affiliate links and/or credit card referral links.  Also, we are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. I’m just a simple girl, trying to make a living off the internet…thanks for your support!!

Norwegian Star Review: A 10 Day Mediterranean Cruise

A Mediterranean cruise is something I’ve wanted to do for a while. I was so excited when the opportunity finally arose to travel with my family to Italy to start our cruise through the Mediterranean.

The interesting thing about this cruise was that the first 2 days were in Venice, so the ship stayed in port on Day 2 so guests could explore Venice. We opted to stay on the ship that day and added 2 days in Venice after the cruise was over.

Day 1: Venice, Italy

Day 2: Venice, Italy

Day 3: Split, Croatia

Day 4: Kotor, Montenegro

Day 5: Corfu, Greece

Day 6: Santorini, Greece

Day 7: Piraeus, Greece (Athens)

Day 8: Mykonos, Greece

Day 9: Kefalonia, Greece

Day 10: Dubrovnik, Croatia

Norwegian Star Staterooms

Staterooms on cruise ships are small, and the rooms on Norwegian Star were no exception. We booked a balcony stateroom, and it was teeny — smaller than most other balcony staterooms we have had on other cruise lines.

Now, you can easily solve the small stateroom problem by booking a suite, but until someone else pays for it, I’ll stick to just a balcony.

The bathroom was small as well, but the layout was one of the better ones on a cruise ship. The shower was actually a decent size, and the toilet had a separate door.

Cruise Tip:

Bring a  hanging toiletry kit!   There is very little counter space in the bathroom and a hanging bag gives you easy access to your bathroom essentials without taking up space.

Norwegian Star Dining Options

I was nervous about the food on the Norwegian Star before we even boarded the boat (as nervous as you can get about food on a 10 day Mediterranean cruise!) Some of my family members reported that the food on previous Norwegian cruises was average awful.

The food ended up exceeding my expectations (although I admit those expectations were low). While the main buffet and dining room weren’t great, the specialty dining was excellent.

I’ve tried specialty dining on Royal Caribbean’s Freedom of the Seas and I wasn’t impressed, but the specialty dining on the Norwegian Star was awesome.

Norwegian Cruise Line Dining Tip: Norwegian offers a specialty dining package as a special (often called “Free at Sea”) quite often, so I would suggest keeping a look out for that so you can have those restaurants included in your price.

Complimentary Restaurants:

Buffet: I detest buffets and cruise ship buffets are no exception. If, however, you enjoy elbowing strangers to grab 18 different types of food on the same plate then wandering around the crowded dining room to find a space, then you’ll love it.

O’Sheehan’s Bar & Grill : This restaurant overlooks the main atrium and has a (shocker) Irish pub type of feel to it. I enjoyed it for breakfast, but it wasn’t awesome for lunch or dinner.

Versailles Main Dining Room: The main dining room wasn’t great. It wasn’t terrible, but I was really happy we only ate here twice.

Aqua Main Dining Room: We only ate here once because we didn’t realize it was a complimentary restaurant at first (oops!) It served the same menu as the main dining room (Versailles), but the atmosphere was so much better. Overall, not a bad place.

Ginza Asian Dining Room: I was surprised to see a specialty type restaurant that was complimentary. It was very good.

Specialty Restaurants:

These restaurants all had an additional charge, either a la carte pricing or a $39 flat fee. You can often find cruise packages that include specialty dining — do this (you won’t regret it).

Reservations are recommended. Especially if you are traveling with a large group, make your reservations on the first day. Restaurants can book up quickly.

Cagney’s: This steakhouse offers a la carte pricing, and was a crowd favorite.

La Cucina: A la carte pricing is offered at this Italian restaurant. It was good, but hard to compare to the Italian food we had in Venice!

Le Bistro: This French restaurant offers a la carte pricing and a delicious menu. We all enjoyed this one.

Moderno: This is a Churrascaria (think meat on a stick) restaurant that charged a flat $39 fee.

Sushi Bar: The sushi bar is within the Ginza Asian Dining Room and offers a la carte pricing. You can sit at the sushi bar or order sushi from your table at Ginza. They were very accommodating and made me a lovely veggie sushi. I ended up going back the next night.

Teppanyaki: This traditional teppanyaki restaurant charged a $39 flat fee.

If you are looking for a relaxing pool day without the crowds, stay on the ship while it’s in port. Most of the passengers will get off the ship leaving the pool much less crowded!

Norwegian Star Amenities

If you have been on a cruise before, you might notice the lack of amenities on the Norwegian Star. One of the big problems with this ship is that it only has 1 pool and it’s small!

You won’t find the high-end amenities that you might see on some bigger or newer ships like rock climbing, a wave rider, water slides, or an ice skating rink.

What you will find is some bare-bones amenities (as far as mega cruise ships go) including:

• Shuffleboard
• Fitness center
• Video game room
• Golf driving nets
• Walking track

Check to see if your cruise is going to a destination that has a  sunscreen ban . If so, you will want to be sure to pack some  reef-safe sunscreen, so you don’t have to purchase it at an overpriced gift shop.

Norwegian Star Kids Club

This was my daughter’s second cruise and I was thrilled to find the kid’s club! Free babysitting, y’all!!

The facilities and staff were great, and I felt totally comfortable leaving my 5-year-old in their care. They offered lots of themed events and you could even leave the kids there for meals (although there’s an extra charge for that.)

On the last day, the kids put on a show in the ship’s theater — it was a much bigger production than I was expecting. My daughter was thrilled to be able to do a show in the big theater.

Overall, I have zero complaints about the Norwegian Star kids club.

Norwegian Star Art Auctions

Cruise ship art auctions are my favorite onboard activity. I’ve always been artsy, so I gravitate toward these events easily. Once I bought my first piece of art (a Michael Godard onboard the Caribbean Princess) I was hooked.

Since then, I plan my cruise ship days based on art auctions and other art events. I think they’re fun even if you don’t buy anything (but, of course, I usually do!)

The auctions on the Norwegian Star are run by Park West Gallery . If you have ever been to an auction on a cruise, it was probably a Park West auction.

Unfortunately, the art auctions on the Norwegian Star were the most unorganized and poorly run auctions of any ship I have ever been on.

The ship didn’t have a great space for the auctions, and the art team (while they were mostly lovely people) just seemed like they didn’t know what was going on half the time.

If this were my first experience with cruise ship art auctions, I think it would have been my last.

It can get windy on a cruise ship deck. Leave your big, floppy hats at home and instead opt for a cruise friendly hat like  this one .

Norwegian Star Shore Excursions

There are so many different shore excursions you can choose from during a cruise. There is some debate about whether or not it’s best to book through the cruise line or to book on your own.

On one hand, if you book through the cruise, you don’t have to do any research because it’s all laid out for you. Plus, you won’t get left behind if your tour runs late. But booking excursions on your own tends to be cheaper. So, there are benefits to both.

I tend to book through the cruise line because I like things easy, but I’m not opposed to booking separately if the occasion arises.

I tried out these tours on this cruise:

• Charming Split Riviera & River Cruise: This tour involved a little boat ride, a small lunch consisting of prosciutto, cheese, bread, olives, and wine, and then a walking tour through Split. I enjoyed it, but this would also be an easy stop to get off and walk around Split on your own. Book your own Split river cruise here.
• Best of Montenegro: Montenegro was so surprising to me — the scenery was gorgeous! What I liked about this tour is that we took a bus up the mountain, so we got killer views of our cruise ship in Boka Bay. Book your own Best of Montenegro tour here.
• Corfu Beach Break: This was a nice half-day transfer to the beach. The beach was all rocks until you were well into the water, so you might want to invest in some water shoes. I really enjoyed this relaxing day on an otherwise very busy trip. Book your own Corfu tour here.
• Charming Oia and Winery: The tour itself was good and I enjoyed the winery stop, but I really was disappointed with Oia! This was one of the main places I was interested in on this trip and it was the biggest let down — it was too crowded with people trying to get that 1 iconic shot of the blue roofs. (If you are looking for a charming Greek Island, stick with Mykonos). Book your own tour of Santorini here.
• Best of Athens and its Scenic Coast:  This was a full-day tour that took us to the Acropolis, the temple of Poseidon, and included a drive through Athens. Plus the lunch that was included in this tour was AMAZING!!! I was shocked at how much I liked Greek food. Book your own tour of Athens here.
• Cephalonia Highlights:  If you like sitting on a bus for 4 hours, then this is the tour for you…otherwise, I’d skip this one. Book your own Cephalonia tour here.

Ports Where You Can Explore On Your Own

1. When you’re in Mykonos, Greece you can just get off the ship and wander around the little town. It’s so charming and there are tons of restaurants and shops to check out. I LOVED this place!

2. Dubrovnik, Croatia is another city where it’s relatively easy to get off the ship and wander on your own. We purchased cable car tickets ahead of time (because they were cheaper online), but other than that we just winged it.

3. If your cruise is stopping in Santorini, Greece you can get off the ship and head up the cliff (you’ll need to take a cable car) to the town of Fira. Honestly, I liked this town so much better than Oia (which is what everyone associates with Santorini) — if I ever go back, I’ll stay in Fira. We also had an awesome dinner in town at Ouzeri. The food was incredible!

A word of warning: getting the cable car down to your ship in Fira can get super busy — we waited in line for about 1.5 hours!!! So, leave plenty of time to get back down so you don’t get left on Santorini!

4. Split, Croatia is another port that has a bustling town right at the cruise ship port. You can stop at a restaurant or walk through the old walled part of the city very easily without a tour.

5. Venice, Italy is another port where you can just hop off and walk around. I loved just wandering the charming streets, stopping in for pizza and wine along the way. If you’re traveling to Venice with kids, check out these ideas for things to do in Venice with kids.

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Planning the Ultimate Mediterranean Cruise: How We Picked Our Upcoming 10-Day Adventure on Norwegian Viva

It’s 125 days until I set sail on the Norwegian Viva , visiting 9 different Mediterranean ports over 10 days. I originally booked the cruise in February 2022, 823 days before the cruise. It’s the furthest out I have ever booked a cruise, and it’ll be the longest cruise I have ever taken, but I’m really excited about it. Two months after I booked, several other friends liked the sound of it, so it’s now a group cruise, which makes it even more exciting. 

Because planning a cruise can be intimidating, even for seasoned cruisers, I’ll show you how I selected and booked this cruise and what we’ve done since then. 

An unexpected booking on the Norwegian Viva

This cruise booking was different for me because I didn’t go into it looking to book a vacation. Usually, I start my cruise search based on when or where I want to go and narrow it down from there. However, for this cruise, I stumbled across it on a random Sunday morning after reading Norwegian’s press release about their newest ship, the Viva. 

This cruise is all about the itinerary 

The main thing that caught my eye about this cruise was the itinerary. A Mediterranean cruise is a perfect adventure cruise for me. You get a sampling of many different cities and cultures at once. It’s so great to get to see a variety of cities and countries without having to drive or fly in between and unpack and repack in each hotel. In 2008, I did a Mediterranean cruise from Barcelona to Rome and always wanted to do another one, but I didn’t have any immediate plans. 

Then I saw this itinerary during the announcement of the Norwegian Viva ship, “Mediterranean: Italy, France & Greece from Athens.” Athens and Rome have always been high on my list of destinations, but it’s tough to find itineraries that do both. This specific one starts in Athens and ends in Rome, which means I could easily do an extra day in both cities. 

This 10-day cruise stops in 9 different ports across four countries and stays for an average of 9.5 hours per day. It’s pretty different from a typical Caribbean cruise, where half the time can be at sea, and you’re only in port for a handful of hours. 

It visits some ports I’ve been to before and loved, like Santorini and Florence, and some new stops I had never even considered visiting before, like Kusadasi, Turkey, and Nice, France. 

Usually, this type of itinerary is relatively uncommon, but with the introduction of the Prima and Viva, Norwegian Cruise Line decided to emphasize the destinations. For these ships, there are rarely two back-to-back itineraries that are identical; each voyage gives you access to different cities. 

Choosing the date for the 10-day Mediterranean Cruise

As I mentioned, Norwegian has tried to shake it up with itineraries for the Viva. This exact sailing with these ports only had three possible dates. I had the option of late May, mid-July, or late August. I’ve done a summer cruise in Italy before, and the heat was really rough, so May was perfect. Also, it takes place over Memorial Day weekend, meaning everyone needs one less vacation day. 

The average temperature will be between 55 and 80 degrees during our sailing, perfect for visiting places like Pompeii or Florence. It’ll be a bit too cold for beach adventures; the water will only be 65-70 degrees, but if I wanted that, I could enjoy the beautiful beaches of the Caribbean. 

Picking the Norwegian Viva

This cruise will be on the Norwegian Viva. The Viva is the second ship in Norwegian’s brand-new Prima-class, although at the point we’ll be sailing on it, it’ll be almost a year old. The Prima-class represents a radical redesign from Norwegian’s previous ships. The biggest change is that the ship is 14% smaller than its predecessor, the Encore, and holds around 900 fewer people. It should provide a more intimate and high-end experience, especially for a mainstream cruise line. 

On top of that, the Viva has everything you’d want to keep you busy. It has a 3-level go-kart track, water slides, pools, hot tubs, glass walkways extending over the ocean, 3 thrill slides with 10-story drops, mini-golf, and more. There’s just so much to do on this ship.

I got a preview of what’s to come on the Prima

When I booked this cruise, the Prima-class ships were nothing but renders; the ships were still scraps of metal being assembled in Italy. Many details, like restaurants and entertainment, were yet to be revealed. Spending so much money on something that wasn’t even real yet was intimidating, but I took the leap and booked anyway. 

Thankfully, in October 2022, I had the privilege of sailing on one of the inaugural sailings of the Norwegian Prima, the nearly identical sister ship. From the minute I stepped on board, I knew this ship would be perfect for this group of friends. ( You can follow along on that sailing here )

As I explored the Prima, I could see us having cocktails on Ocean Boulevard overlooking the beautiful deep-blue waters of the Greek Islands. I knew they’d love the Indulge Food Hall, and could picture them enjoying having a delicious dinner at Food Republic. The high-end look of the ship looked classy and elevated without feeling pretentious. While the Prima-class ship has some design flaws, and I wouldn’t recommend this ship for those with kids, it was perfect for our group of 30-somethings to explore the Mediterranean.   

Choosing the cabin on the Norwegian Viva

The next step was choosing the cabin. Personally, I usually opt for balcony cabins. Waking up in the morning and seeing the beautiful sun shining through the large windows energizes me. I love walking out on the balcony and getting a breath of fresh sea air or spending some time at night looking out at the ocean, watching the moonlight reflecting across the gentle waves. It’s the ultimate ocean experience. 

But balconies come at a price. A balcony cabin on this sailing cost 50% more than an interior cabin for this cruise. Because I’d have to fly from the US to Europe to go on this cruise, which would be pricey, and spend money on nine days of potential excursions in the ports, I decided to save money and try an interior cabin for this cruise.

But of all ships, this one feels like a good one for an interior cabin. The Viva will have tons of outdoor lounging space. This class of ship has more outdoor lounging space than any other mainstream cruise line. The Viva has beautiful glass walkways, an art garden, and lots of comfy exterior lounge seating. 

On top of that, we’ll rarely be in our room on this cruise. With nine days in ports and ports lasting from 8 to 10 hours, we will be out and about, not sitting in our rooms. I’d rather save money and spend it on experiences while we’re onshore. 

Another downside of interior cabins is that they’re typically smaller than balcony or ocean view cabins. When the Prima and Viva were announced, Norwegian bragged about how their cabins were more spacious and roomy. That is technically true; the inside cabins are roughly 18% larger than Norwegian’s Breakaway class ships. That being said, they’re around the same size as inside cabins on the Carnival Mardi Gras and Royal Caribbean Oasis-class ships, so it’s an improvement for Norwegian but not best-in-class. 

On the Viva, an interior cabin comes in at around 160 sq ft, roughly the equivalent of a 12′ x 14′ room. When I had a chance to preview an interior cabin on the Prima, I was surprised at how airy and spacious it felt. I was also surprised that these cheaper cabins featured the same large bathroom and shower the balcony cabins had; the shower was almost as large as my one at home, a rarity for a standard cabin on a cruise ship. 

One nice thing I enjoy about the Viva is the variety of cabins available. There’s something for everyone on these ships. If you want to be budget-conscious, there are plenty of interior cabins that will suit your needs and don’t feel like industrial prisons. If you want to go all out, the Prima and Viva has a supersized Haven area, which has large upscale rooms along with a dedicated restaurant, bar, and sundeck. 

Two members of our group were traveling solo. Usually, that means they have to pay double, but Norwegian doesn’t leave solo travelers out, unlike other cruise lines, and offers them dedicated solo staterooms. I saw the cabins on my Prima sailing, and it was amazing how efficient these cabins were, cramming everything you needed in a small space. These cabins also have access to a dedicated lounge with plenty of seating, snacks, and even a soda and premade cocktail dispenser. Honestly, it made me jealous. 

Cruise planning party to sort out all the last-minute details

Because this cruise is so port-heavy and is more about exploring Europe, as opposed to a relaxing Caribbean vacation, there’s a lot of planning that has to go on. It’s even more complicated when coordinating with 6 people. We have to decide on the hotels for Athens and Rome, arrange flights, figure out which excursions we want to do and which cities we might explore on our own, and maybe learn Greek or Italian.  

To help with this, we had a cruise planning party 150 days before the sailing. This way, we could strategize and make appropriate plans. We put together spreadsheets and a PowerPoint to go over all aspects of the trip. We even had cruise-inspired cocktails (we attempted to recreate Norwegian’s Red Bubbles and Monkey Business cocktails.) 

With four new cruisers in the group, we had to go over everything, from how things work on a cruise ship to customs and international travel laws. Let’s just say there were a lot of questions. At about an hour in, someone said they were surprised at how quickly the planning was going. I then informed them we were on slide 11 of 40 and just got to the point where we first board the Viva; there were still 10 days to go!

But at that party, we made lots of decisions and got really excited about the cruise. We decided which ports we’d do together, where we’d split up, and which sites we’d see in which cities. There are still plenty of decisions to make, like which of Viva’s many specialty restaurants we want to try, but we got a lot done.

I’m sure it will be an amazing adventure and unlike any cruise I’ve done before. I’ll take you along with us when we sail in late May, but if a Mediterranean cruise is on your bucket list, I recommend you start looking now. The earlier you look, the cheaper the fare and the more cabin/sailing options to choose from.

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Randy Young

Randy Young is the founder and editor-in-chief at Cruise Spotlight. He has been in marketing for 20 years and has been cruising for just as long. Over the years, he's worked with products like TVs, copiers, light bulbs, and EV chargers, but cruising has always been his passion. There's nothing Randy likes more than the first couple of hours on a ship, exploring every nook and cranny and seeing how it's different from everything else out there. He's known for providing detailed and analytical coverage of cruising to help cruisers get a comprehensive picture of a ship's offerings.

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10 Night Mediterranean Cruise

Norwegian Cruise Line pioneered freestyle cruising with a variety of specialty dining restaurants, entertainment and onboard activities, including go-kart racing!

Comb the Greek Isles for culinary delights and immerse yourself in the religious history of Italy on a cruise to the Mediterranean and Greek Isles.

Experience the serene, romantic splendor of Venice, but don’t forget to check out its wonderful museums and neighborhoods located off the Grand Canal.

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Has anyone done the Baltics or the Mediterranean cruises?

By NJDeb , July 22, 2005 in Norwegian Cruise Line

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I was just looking at the latest Latitiudes magazine. Was wondering if anybody has any feedback on either one of these cruises? I do not recall reading anything on the message boards about them. They certainly look great and spend quite a lot of time in port. Thanks.....

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I cruised the Baltic capitals (Oslo, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Helsinki, Tallinn and St. Petersburg) on Splendour of the Seas back in 2000. It was a great trip. Wonderful ports with lots to see. Lots of history and great architecture.

I cruised the Med (Venice, Athens, Kusadasi, Rome/Civitavecchia, Livorno/Florence/Pisa, and Cannes/Monte Carlo) on Pacific Princess (the original Love Boat!) back in 1997. Again, an excellent trip. Very port-intensive and tiring, but well worth it. Historic sites, archaeological ruins, wonderful churches/cathedrals/museums.

I would do either again in a heartbeat.

Did the Baltic several years ago on NCL's Norwegian Dream. Loved the itinerary, but the ship was certainly not our favorite. The highlight on that cruise was the Kiel Canal, a shortcut into the Baltic from the North Sea - many ships are too large to fit through. We were so impressed with the Kiel and the Baltic that we are going again this year, on Oceania's Regatta.

Have been in the Med with Princess - great part of the world.

I cruised the Baltic on the Dream in 2001. Almost the same itinerary as johnql except we stopped in Germany instead of Oslo. Kiel Canal was a highlight. Did an excursion to Moscow; once in a lifetime thing. Loved this cruise. It's my favorite to date.

daybreakbds

quick question for you seasoned cruisers. how much money did you set aside for excursions and other things? would love to do either cruise but never sure on how much money we will need. thank you.

There would be many who would agree that this is one of the best cruises there is. The Kiel Canal crossing with an oompah band playing all the way and the Dream flipping its funnel to clear the bridge are delightful.

I'm afraid I have to agree with Cecilia. A Baltic cruise can be quite expensive and I didn't even go to Moscow! But I did see a lot of St. Petersburg and it was fascinating. The highlights were the world-famous Hermitage Museum, St. Catherine's Palace, Peterhof, and Peter & Paul Cathedral. $1,000 is probably a good estimate.

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• Other Mediterranean and Black Sea Ports

Average age on a summer 12 day Mediterranean cruise?

By snshn3 , April 23, 2004 in Other Mediterranean and Black Sea Ports

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I am 26yrs old, and my husband is 33.

Would we find other cruisers our age on the Brilliance of the Seas next summer (June)?

I am suspecting that on a cruise this long and as expensive as it is, the average age is probably 40-50. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but we would like to have other people our age to relate to.

Our last cruise was on November to the Caribbean and we were one of the few younger couples there. I guess it had to do with the time of the year, most kids are in school in November.

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petersonwith3

we are going next month and we are in our early and late 30's with small children (age 8)...I will post on this when I get back.

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I am 28, my husband is 27, we are on a Galaxy med cruise leaving on June 21. Like you, I suspect most people will be older than us, and even older than the 40-50 average you mention (not that there is anything wrong with that!).

In Jan. 2002, we took a 10-night cruise to the Caribean and the average age must have been at least 65. This did not bother us, but I think your assumption is right that there won't be many younger couples on your cruise.

You'll have a wonderful time I'm sure!

Last summer my husband and I (ages 49 and 50 ) were with our 4 children (17-9) on the Brilliance 6/29 sailing out of Barcelona. You will find many couples your age group if sailing after 6/15. This is the beginning of summer vacations for European families and many were on-board. We were surprisded at the absolute wide variety of ages. You will definitely find many couples your age group, some with children some without. It is a far different group than caribbean cruisers. Enjoy, it was just a phenomenal vacation, I wish we were returning.

Our experience on the Splendour 12 day itinerary in May 2000 surprised us. I would say the median age was 35 to 40. There were lots of honeymooners on board and one couple was our dinner mates. I was traveling with my college age son and daughter and there were plenty of others their age on board too. Not too many teens and I don't remember seeing any young children although I'm sure there must have been some.

I really don't think that the passenger mix is as important on a port intensive itinerary like the Med. You will find that you are in port all day and on sea days you will be ready to relax somewhere. It is a totally diffent cruise than the Caribbean!

You should consider joining us on the Cruise Critic Group Cruise on the Brilliance 6/5/05 sailing. Use the link below for more info.

Carnival Miracle 11/07/04

Jewel of the Seas 11/20/04 - Thanksgiving Journey on the Jewel

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Brilliance of the Seas 6/5/05 - Mediterranean

http://www.cruisecritic.com/interests/groups.cfm?ID=51

The cruise lines normally try to seat you with dinner partners your own age....however, you are generally right about Med cruisers being somewhat older. I went two years ago and was one of the babies on the boat at 47! Wouldn't change a thing though..loved the people I met.

The age groups on Med cruises does vary, but generally you will find its a bit older than in the Caribbean (especially when school is out), the passengers are a little more sophisticated (don't usually see plaid jackets on formal nights), and the late night activities are not as well attended. However, you should find enough in your age group to keep you happy. By the way, us ole folks are not that awful!

Bruin Steve

We were on the Millie this past August for a 13-nighter in the Med...

I wouldn't even guess as to an "average" age...

There were over 2,000 people on board and there seemed to be a pretty good cross section of humanity...everyone from infants to the elderly...

Our dinner table was 4 couples ranging in age from 38 to early 60s--but at least one spouse in each of the four couples was right around 48-50...The table closest to us was all 20-somethings and there seemed to be several other tables nesr us filled with 30-somethings...

On the whole, the passenger demographics seemed FAR younger than when we did the Baltic cruise a couple of years back...Older cruisers tend to like a little cooler climate...

Personally, I would not hesitate for one minute to go on a Med cruise...no matter what age...

Summit, July 3, 2004: Alaska: 13 night cruisetour

• 2 weeks later...

On the Golden Princess last May & June there was a great variety of ages. We are mid-30's and ended up at a table of retired couples from Britian who were all a hoot! We had a wonderful time at dinner with them even thought they were of a totally different demographic than us. We hooked up with fellow CCer's during the day, who ended up being 20 and 40 somethings and had a great time on tours with them. I think you'll have no problem finding people around your age and the 'older' folks tend to be more active then in the Caribbean, since the Med is so port intensive.

Don't worrry, you'll have a great time and meet some wonderful people. My Med cruise was the most enjoyable cruise I have been on. People were a lot more respectful and courteous than on any of my Caribbean cruises. I think the Med trips attract a different clientele and that made for a great experience.

NEXT UP: Tahitian Princess October 2004 (Tahiti)

Golden Princess May 2003 (Mediterranean)

Golden Princess January 2002 (Eastern Caribbean)

Sea Princess March 2001 (Western Caribbean)

Carnival Inspiration March 1997 (Southern Caribbean)

------------------------------

Less than 2 weeks till my dream Med vacation!

Splendour of the Seas May 15, 2004 (Europe!!!)

Century 07/12/03 Eastern Caribbean FFL-San Juan - St. Thomas - St.Maarten- Nassau -FFL

Komarno(Volga)07/91 Moscow - Astrahan' - Moscow (honeymoon)

Komarno(Volga)07/90 Moscow - Astrahan'- Moscow

Admiral Nachimov(or Nakhimov) (Black Sea)04/1986 Odessa - Batum

GO BRUINS!!!!

I would agree that people take this cruise to sight see so that the pax mix is not as critical as it may be for the Carribean, etc.

It is not an old group at it is too hot and the ports are too much for the elderly. On ouw cruise in 2000 it was a very sophisticated group of travelers from all over the world. SOme were doing it as a segment of their honneymoon.

Constellation 3/20/04

HAL Westerdam 7/30/04

Tahitian Princess August 2003

Grand Princess Western Caribbean 2003

Brilliance of the Seas Baltic 2002

Ocean Princess- Alaska 2001

Celebrity Zenith- Bermuda 2001

Grand Princess Med 2000

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Istanbul, Turkey

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There's a new aura of excitement in Istanbul these days, as this centre of the Ottoman empire has become one the world's focal points for art, fashion, haute cuisine and nightlife. Of course there's always an abundance of ancient monuments and grand mosques with stunning frescoes to see here, like the Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque. Head to any park and you'll see why tulips have long been the symbol of this city. Explore more of Istanbul on a Middle Eastern cruise!

Istanbul Cruise Image Gallery

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What you NEED TO KNOW

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