Cruises - European Cruise

I have a few weeks coming up beginning of April where I'd like to look at taking a cruise with some friends. Cause we're in grad school in England, we were looking around the Mediterranean and there are a few great options that we can see.

Has anyone taken a Mediterranean cruise before? Would you recommend it? Any horror stories so we can choose the right one?

Whereas FT relates to flying, cruisecritic.com applies to cruising. Check them out.

Basically, the beginner traveller starts with Carib or Mexico cruises. If they like them, they might venture out and try a Canal cruise or try for the Mediterranean. Then, the experience traveller goes for river cruising or Baltic or SPacific.

Also, the amatuer traveller starts with a 7-day cruise. Then moves up to 10-12 day cruises, then several weeks.

The younger traveler starts with Carnival. For me, that's a nightmare -- I'd rather stay home. Middle aged and more sophisticated travelers might go for Princess or HAL or similar. For a luxury cruise, you'll need to go with Seaborn or Cunard (my favorite) or Crystal.

Do you want a small ship -- 500 to 1000 pax? medium -- up to 1,500 or 2,000. Or a mega ship?

There also are two kinds of cruises. If you need to be entertained on a daily basis, you might want a cruise that stops in a new port everyday. Many friends and I prefer cruises with multiple sea days .... 4 or 5 or 6 days on the ocean, just simply relaxing on board, reading, sitting in the sun, spa days, etc.

Have I been on a Mediterranean cruise. Yep, dozens. Did I enjoy them? Mostly.

I was lucky as a kid. I spent 3 months on QEII every other year on a World Cruise. I like the formality of Cunard. Now that QEII is out of service, I like the QMII and the QMII and the am looking forward sailing on the Queen Vic. Tux for dinner! White gloved service. Several days at sea on a TALT crossing.

Whereas many FT members try to get on a new airplane as soon as it flies for the first time, I try to sail on a new ship after she's christened.

I love European cruises. Am planning one now for June. The itinerary and time constraints dictate which cruise line. I would think that you would like a Norwegian Cruise Line or Carnival for the younger folks. Go to www.cruisecritic.com and read the cruise line reviews from the experts and then, if you seem to like that line, read the member reviews. The reason I like the cruises is that it gives you an idea of places you would like to go back to and/or places that once is enough.

Thanks for the input, you were both very helpful! I'll definitely check that site out too.