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Late autumn sailing in the Eastern Mediterranean
 
Reviewed By: Wilson, Swindon on 11th Mar 2010
Cruise Line: Royal Caribbean Cruises Times cruised before: 1-2
Cruise Ship: Splendour of the Seas Sailed: October, 2009
Destination: Mediterranean Age: 46-55
Cabin: Outside
Pre cruise information
My wife and I booked a late cruise as it was being offered at a very reasonable price. We also booked independant flights with EasyJet which was a cost effective option compared to booking a cruise with flights included. Please bear in mind that transfers from Venice Marco Polo airport are not included. However there is a dedicated ATVO Fly bus service (Blue coach) which takes you directly to Piazzale Roma, on Venice island, for 3 euros each. Piazzale Roma is also where the Royal Caribbean transfer bus picks up on the day of the sailing.

Pre cruise accommodation
We stayed in The Holiday Inn Mestre, which is up to the usual Holiday Inn standard but some way out of Venice. However it is about half the price of a hotel in Venice and offeres a regular shuttle bus to Piazzale Roma for around 7 euros each way.

Boarding
The boarding process was very good and we were able to access our cabin whilst waiting for the suitcases to arrive.

The ship
Although the Explorer of The Seas was over 10 years old it is still in very good order as far as we were concerned. The cabins were very clean and the cabin crew were excellent. We used the Windjammer self service restaurant during the day which was very good, if a little crowded at times. We had our evening meal in the main dining room which provided first class food, with the waiters beings very friendly and attentive. We shared a table with three other couples we had never met before from USA, Canada and The Phillippines and this enhanced our cruise experience. In fact we did meet up in the bar with the couples and joined them for shows in the main theatre. The entertaiment was for the most part very good, although a little variable in quality, but there was something for everyone. We did not use the casino - one unpleasant aspect was walking in the casino through a wall of cigarette smoke which , being asthmatic, was not a great experience fro me. Ok, I hear you say - so don't walk through there!

Ports of call
They were Dubrovnik, Corfu, Pireus for Athens, Kusadasi, and Heraklion. We particularly liked the cleanliness and charm of Dubrovnik and our least favourite was probably Corfu which seemed a bit dirty.

Tours
There has been much debate over the cost of RCI organised trips versus booking independently. This is a very personal choice and whilst I recognise that RCI tours tend to be more expensive, they have all been very good and you have the added reassurance that if, for example the coach broke down, RCI would have an obligation to get you to the ship before it sets sail.

Weather
It is worth bearing in mind that the cruises are much cheaper this time of year, possibly because the weather is more unpredictable. We enjoyed reasonably fine weather, but were unlucky on two trips. The first to Athens, we had torrential rain whilst visiting the Plaka, a well known tourist shopping area, which, incidentally is over rated. We were drenched from head to toe! The second trip to Ephesus from Kusadasi involves being dropped off from the coach at one end of the remains of a roman town and walking through to view the impressive ruins to be picked up at the other end. The heavens opened again just for an hour or so but with no real shelter we were again dowsed!

Disembarkation
This was a well organised experience. We were given colour coded passes, and waited in the main theatre until we were called. We did end up walking from the ship to Piazzale Roma as things were a little chaotic and we were unable to easily locate suitable transport back to Piazzale Roma. However it is a reasonable walk of 15 to 20 minutes but watch out for the traffic!

Overview
A very good experience. I would recommend that if you fly independantly then arrive at least a day before the cruise is due to depart to avoid any chance of missing the ship. The Eastern Med is a lovely area although I cannot give a comparison with the Western Med, as I have yet to sail on that stretch. Do not be totally discouraged by some of the negative comments or necessarily over enthused by the positive feedback for any cruise - It is very much a personal choice with people having different expectations. We have been on two RCI cruises now and were equally impressed by both. Bon Voyage!
Quality of Food5
Entertainment4
Shore Excursions4
Staff5
Children's Facilitiesn/a
Onboard Activities4
Cabins5
Overall Rating4
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Comment by Miller, Newcastle (11 Mar 10 19:01) about this REVIEW
we are sailing from Venice and are booked into Holiday Inn Mestre - how did you get to the hotel from the airport? By bus or taxi? I wandered if the bus to Piazale Roma and then taxi to hotel would be a better option than paying for a taxi from the airport direct to the hotel - or is it too much hassle? We sailed on Splendour four years ago and loved it.
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Comment by Wilson, Swindon (12 Mar 10 12:35) about a COMMENT by Miller (11 Mar 10 19:01)
We caught ACTV No 15 public bus signed Marghera, from the front of the airport. However it was very busy and not designed for suitcases! Also we were not sure where exactly to get off as it does not stop directly at Holiday Inn so we ended up at the end of the bus journey near a shopping Mall, ( I cannot remember the name), and ended up catching a taxi for a short journey to the Hotel. From memory the distance from the airport to Holiday Inn is not much different to Piazza Roma so I would probably go for a direct taxi to the hotel
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Comment by Miller, Newcastle (12 Mar 10 21:48) about a COMMENT by Wilson (12 Mar 10 12:35)
thanks for that, Ive searched on Holiday taxis on the internet, it is very expensive for 2 people in a taxi from Marco Polo to Mestre area?
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Comment by Brown, Law (11 Mar 10 18:40) about this REVIEW
The title says Splendour of the Seas, but the main text says "Explorer of the Seas" - whihc was it please (we are going on Splendour!)
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Comment by Wilson, Swindon (12 Mar 10 12:27) about a COMMENT by Brown (11 Mar 10 18:40)
Oops! Yes should have read "Splendour" as in the title. Sorry just booked a 2010 cruise on Explorer and must have had that on my mind
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Comment by Brown, Law (12 Mar 10 21:38) about a COMMENT by Wilson (12 Mar 10 12:27)
phew!! Sounds like you had a good time.......hope Explorer is good too!
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