Western Europe and U.S. embarkation ports

[CrystalPrincess]

My biggest problem is the embarkation and disembarkation ports. If I could choose any U.S. port for a transatlantic crossing it would be Cape Canaveral or Boston, but Crystal ships go to cities I have no interest in visiting. In Europe my preference would be to see Italy on a land tour but that would take me to Greece instead of west to France, Spain, and the U.K. For a Hawaii cruise, I would prefer San Diego round trip but both Princess and Crystal sail from Los Angeles. The more I read about cruise itineraries in 2010 and 2011, the more I wish I could make up my own without sailing on a bad ship. Is anyone else feeling that way or familiar with the situatoin? What should I do to choose a cruise I like on the ship I want when my top preferences are not available options?

[Paul Motter]

Well, I don't your life history so I dont know why you would choose Boston, but I can say there is no thrill like sailing past the Statue of Liberty.

I would say more people are concerned with the ship than the city it leaves from. In fact, most people just fly in and get on the ship - hardly stopping to see the city it leaves from. They do their sightseeing at the ports of call.

So - yes, I would worry more about the ship than the city it leaves from, especially in the U.S.

In Europe you can leave from many different cities - Rome, Venice, Barcelona, Athens, U.K. - Many ships leave from Barcelona or Genoa and see the Western Med and Italy instead of the Greek Isles.

If you are going to limit yourself to Crystal then you have very few options - but if you look at Seabourn, Silversea, Regent, Azamara and other lines you will see a lot more vareity of options.

[CrystalPrincess]

Paul, I did look at other cruise lines, especially Silversea, to choose a ship. I may want to sail on a different company's ship another time, but for my first cruise Crystal seems to be the best, especially Serenity.

I named Boston because something else I thought about doing is a transatlantic cruise but later I read a tip that those should be done going west to gain an extra five hours. In 2012, all I am thinking about is Western Europe and the Mediterranean Sea.

[AF1]

Hang in there Andrea, I know it can be frustrating not to get the exact cruise that you would like. Maybe someone who has done a lot of transatlantic crossings will chime in. Also, have you considered posting your question on the European thread?

[Paul Motter]

I strongly urge you to look into the Queen Mary 2 out of NYC for a transatlantic crossing. It is great for single ladies - lots of gentlement hosts on board and ballroom dancing nightly. The daytime programs are also very entertaining.

I assume you are single, although I really don't know.