Ben and I are planning a holiday for September this year, but we’re having a bit of trouble making a decision. We’ve got Florida with the family booked for May, but we really want to take a break that’s just the two of us later on in the year too. It’s been quite a few years since Ben and I have been abroad together with just the two of us as we usually take one big holiday a year with my family (last year was our Europe road trip), so in the past few years, we’ve also done a smaller something for the two of us, like weekends in the Peak District, or last year’s UK road trip (I know, I’m almost done with those posts!).
So this year, we’re looking at something similar to the road trips that we love, but with a bit of a difference – location hopping via cruise. To be honest, we’re not sure if we have the time for one that we’d really like to do yet, so it may still just be a traditional holiday in the sun for us, but these are a few options we’re considering:
1. Disney Cruise
Because I couldn’t not consider one, could I?! This one by Iglu Cruise sounds fantastic, with the option to take on that stops at Disney’s own island, Castaway Cay – that’s somewhere I’ve always wanted to visit! There are however some more realistic Disney cruise options for us for a week in September around Europe, such as ones that stop at Barcelona, Naples, Rome and La Spezia – I can hardly resist a trip that includes the option to visit the ancient towns of Pompeii and Herculaneum, plus Rome, AND be engulfed with Disney magic the rest of the time! Can you believe that I also haven’t ever visited Pompeii and Herculaneum, despite my years of classical study and even teaching about them? I know!
2. Greek Island Hopping Cruise
I’d love to do a Greek Island hopping cruise, and not because I want to visit the party islands! In fact, I think a cruise between the Greek Islands would be ideal for me as the ships normally leave before the evening can get too far underway, so you’re away from the noisy party-goers before it gets too rowdy – why do I sound like an 80 year old?! I’m just way more into exploring the culture during the day time and having good food then getting plenty of sleep rather than dancing the night away – just the way I roll.
As I said above, the opportunity to visit more ancient sites is always a major draw for me, so I’d love to take a cruises that sets off from Athens (and spend time in one of my favourite places beforehand) then head off to Santorini, Mykonos, Ephesus (I know this is in Turkey, but they seem to stop here!) and more.
3. Norwegian Fjords
It’s a shared dream of mine and Ben’s to visit the Norwegian Fjords – they just look so spectacular, unique, fresh and clean! Norway is very in at the moment too, so I’m sure we’d find plenty we’d love to do and see in the area as well as taking in the sights of the fjords. I’d love to visit Oslo for one, but the scenery and nature has to take precedence here.
Have you ever done a cruise? What would you recommend?
All 3 sound amazing, my husband and I have been thinking on going on a cruise next year, probably Norway way. We’ve not been on a cruise before and don’t really know where to start. There are so many ship types as well as places to go.
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I’ve never done one either so I’m feeling the same – there’s so much to consider! What ship, what room type, whereabouts, budget – so many things!
Hello there, so what did you finally decide to do?
I wish I could have shared this info earlier with you. I am writing about the Greek Island Hopping tour. I’ve been on a cruise in Greece and found it pretty hectic. There was a schedule we should follow, I went to so many islands but didn’t have the chance to get the most out of them. And then it hit me. Why not try to plan it on your own? If you want to try to make your own itinerary and be more free to stay and do what you like most on your island destination I would suggest what I and my friends did this summer. We found this Greek Island Pass ( https://www.hostelbay.com/ferries ) and we managed to get to Paros, Naxos, Ios, Santorini, Mykonos, Amorgos & Crete on a budget. The hotel accommodation is not included, we are talking only for the ferry tickets cost. It was pretty amazing, we could book our tickets online, didn’t even have to print them. It works as an e-pass, you just show it on your smartphone or tablet and board the ferry! I hope it is still on next year, cause I cannot get enough of the Cyclades!
Norway is on my future plans as well. A friends is going in Spring unfortunately I can’t follow…
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We actually ended up doing a short break to Disneyland Paris! There was an offer on and I couldn’t say no!
Thank you for your tips – I’ll definitely look into the Greek Island Pass – it sounds amazing 🙂
Wow! Disneyland, now that is one interesting trip! 🙂 Like Peter Pan, as long as you remain a child in heart & soul you can get the most out of life 🙂 Yeah, the Greek Island Pass is definitely worth to check it out next time in Greece. The most relaxing of all for me was Amorgos… Santorini is Gorgeous, and so is Paros <3 If you go to Crete you need to spend at least 10 days there, even that might be enough to see most of it!