Grand Mediterranean-Venice to Barcelona?

[atlantagal]

Hi there! Well found someone at my work that would like to go on a cruise, woohoo! So we have decided on the above one for June 2008 on the Emerald Princess. I was wondering if any of you have gone on the below itinerary or something similar to it and could recommend it? Also, my friend smokes, and I was wondering what the smoking policy on the ships was? She is considerate of other people and I know if it is strict, she won't be put off by it. The itinerary is below, any information would be helpful, thanks!!

Days 1&2: Venice, Italy (will we be on the ship?)
Day 3: At Sea
Day 4: Athens, Greece
Day 5: Kusadasi (Ephesus), Turkey
Day 6: Istanbul, Turkey
Day 7: Mykonos, Greece
Day 8: At Sea
Day 9: Naples/Capri, Italy (looking forward to Pompeii on this day)
Day 10: Rome, Italy
Day 11: Florence/Pisa, Italy
Day 12: Marseille, France
Day 13: Barcelona, Spain

Thanks so much!!
Keri
Atlanta, GA

[f-mattox]

Hello again, atlantagal;

I did pretty much the same cruise in 1998 on Grand Princess; we started in Barcelona and ended in Istanbul and stopped at Monte Carlo instead of Marseille.

It should be a fantastic trip; the Emerald Princess is new; June is a good time to go (before it gets too hot, humid and crowded); and you are visiting some of the most facinating places on Earth: they are all wonderful, but the standouts, at least for my wife and I, were Florence and Venice. So much culture; so much history; so much art; I get excited just thinking about it.

As for smoking; it is permitted in the cabins and balconies, in a couple of lounges, and on the port side of the open decks and in the casino. It is not permitted in any dining area, theater, and most lounges and interior public areas.

Have fun planning--this is going to ge one fantastic experience.

Rick