Part 3 – Everything Else
Breakfast and dinner will be part of the cruise experience but consider trying the local cuisine while ashore. If you are not sure ask your tour guide or a local where to eat. Many cities have markets where you can pick up the makings for a picnic, or check out a local café, small restaurant or street vendor. For us the best part of Europe is the chance to sample different foods and local wines.
Tourists can be the target of the unsavory element in any country. Being cautious in the more popular tourist areas is the key to keeping you safe. By remaining vigilant at all times we never really felt unsafe.
Some of the areas that we had not considered but should have include the availability of Wi-Fi and the use of our phones, accessibility to cash and acceptability of our credit cards, the availability of laundry facilities and choosing the best travel insurance coverage.
Even if you do not subscribe to the Wi-Fi available on your ship, once ashore you can find a café or restaurant that offers free Wi-Fi. It was the only reason we would stop at a McDonald’s while in Europe, but they did serve a purpose. Check with your service provider for European calling plans that also allow you to text family and friends. You may not have to use your calling plan if you can access Wi-Fi but it will be invaluable in an emergency situation.
Most European countries have chip and pin technology in their ATM’s and at retailers. If you do not have a chip and pin debit or credit card I would recommend you get one. I have also found some banks offer prepaid VISA chip and pin cards that can be loaded with foreign currency. We buy our Euros throughout the year as part of our budget so we dollar cost average the exchange rate. If lost or stolen the thieves cannot get the money without the PIN number. And the banks will send you another one if time allows.
To avoid dragging around a huge suitcase full of clothes you never wear, or only wear once remember that cruise ships offer laundry services. Keep an eye out for deals, such as a bag of laundry for a set fee. It does take a couple of days to get your laundry back so don’t wait until you have nothing clean left to wear. You can also buy single packets of laundry detergent so you can wash your delicates in your room.
As we age medical considerations are important. Be sure to take enough of any prescription medication to last you the time away, plus about three days extra in case of delays. We also pack a small amount of over the counter medication that we use occasionally. Heart burn, upset stomach or aches and pains are not uncommon and should not ruin your vacation. I also take gravel. I rarely need it but when I do, I really do.
Planning is essential to get the most of your Mediterranean adventure. Take advantage of different sources, from online sites and travel blogs to travel books, DVDs or magazines, or talk to your travel agent or the cruise consultant directly. Better still, talk to someone who has been there. We spoke to several friends who had visited the Mediterranean and took their recommendations into consideration.
Every time we return from a European cruise I am asked about our favourite stop. I couldn’t name just one. I loved the Tuscany region of Italy and the historic city of Florence. Greek food served on a patio by the shore in Mykonos was a relaxing lunch but a plate of pasta and a glass of wine in Rome was the most romantic. The biggest surprise was how much I loved the bustle, sounds and smells of the friendly city of Istanbul.
A cruise allows you to sample many of Europe’s finest cities. Use the opportunity to decide what you liked the most in order to plan a more in depth return visit. Sample the history, culture and cuisine of the Mediterranean, and see if you can pick a favourite.