Athens (Piraeus) to Europe - Black Sea Cruise Reviews

While we have sailed on various Holland America ships, this was our first on the Prinsendam. In reading other reviews before departure, I was somewhat nervous about what the condition of the ship would be. I don't know if the ship has recently had some refurbishments or not, but I found most of the criticisms I had read to be unfounded. Keep in mind, this vessel is 27 years old. I have been on ...

I just completed two back to back cruises, 9/5-9/12 Piraeus-Istanbul (Greek Isles) and 9/12-9/19 Istanbul-Istanbul (Black Sea Odyssey) This was my first SB trip. For comparison, I have done 8 prior cruises, most of them on luxury competitor lines. EMBARKATION was pleasant and efficient, took less than a half hour. We got on board on a very hot day around 12:30 for a 4 PM departure, then ...

My partner and I booked a 14-day cruise on the Emerald Princess last October. Cruising out of Athens, the itinerary was to include Odessa and Yalta, Ukraine. Unfortunately those two stops were replaced with stops in Bulgaria and Romania, but they both turned out to be very interesting. After spending 5 wonderful days in Athens, we boarded the Emerald for our 30th cruise. Embarkation was fast and ...

We (a group of six) were on the Prinsendam on the October, 2014 Black Sea Explorer. This was our fifth HAL cruise in the past six year each on a different ship. We have been on the Zaandam (Alaska), Nieuw Amersterdam (TA repositioning), Noordam (TA repositioning) and Veendam (South America repositioning). We are 3* Mariners and will be 4* when our Prinsendam cruise is credited. In part this review ...

Having just completed our second cruise on Minerva we think that its still doing things right. We shopped around the cruise lines at one time, and have sailed with some that we find too opulent, some with excessively expensive alcohol prices, some are too crowded, and some where the on-shore trips are just too expensive. Minerva prices are all inclusive, so do the maths and you'll see that the ...

I chose this cruise because of its Black Sea itinerary, mostly places I have never seen. Spending a few extra days in Athens was the icing on the cake. Check-in and boarding staff were efficient and cordial. My stateroom, a free upgrade surprise, was large and luxurious with a bathtub and walk-in closet. Cabin stewards were gracious and eager to please. The small size of the ship gave me a chance ...

I start with stating that I am quite a seasoned cruiser at all levels, We decided to go on this cruise largely because of the destinations. Not expecting too much as the price was more than reasonable. * Itinerary started with the rather uncomfortable " squeeze em in Thomas Cook Airways to Athens. Not the best way to start a holiday, but for the price we paid more than acceptable. Met at ...

Our first trip with Oceania and we loved it. Previous cruises include Seabourn, SeaDream, Le Ponant, Island Sky, Windstar, Star Clippers, Hapag-Lloyd's Hanseatic, Paul Gauguin, and others. Embarkation -- Seamless, speedy and we were sipping a glass of bubbly before we knew it. Luggage placed outside the door which was just fine by us. When the day comes that we can't move our cases a few feet, ...

These smaller ships are much more pleasant than the 2000+ passenger ones and you get to know your fellow passengers, as you meet them around the ship much more often. Getting on & off the ship's quicker, the restaurant is far superior and there's plenty of room on the top deck (never any need to worry about getting a sunbed at any time of day). OK, the entertainment is not so good, but it's still ...