Pamela27

I would prefer May, June or September. July and August are very hot. Two years ago we spent 3 nights in Rome after our cruise and since then I know why the Romans leave their city every August.
 
I also would spend sone nights in Venice. Moist of the tourists are staying only a few hours in Venice and the city is totally packed during daytime. A whole different experience late at night and during early morning hours, you will love it.
 
And July/August is also high season for the "Meltemi"-Winds in Greece, which can last several days and may reach 8 Bft. 
 
The greek isles are definitely worth a visit, especially Santorini is an absolut highlight and should be on everybody's bucket list!

We have been to the Greek Isles from Venice as late as mid October. The weather was still warm without being sweltering. Around 24 degrees. Also been in July to Rome and it was sweltering hot..too hot for us. Not enjoyable going sightseeing in blazing heat..We have also cruised the med early September, schools are back in and prices are generally cheaper then. Still great weather but not as hot as july/august.

I agree with pamw. Go to the Canaries, Greek Islands are worth a sail to early October. We have been there middle of October and still been 24 degrees.

I wouldn't cruise in October round the Med. The weather will be unstable.
Choose the Canaries if there is a suitable cruise for you.

Follow the money trail, more profit in the larger ships. I do like the Radiance class ships best, similar to the Island/Coral Princess ships.
 
Have been on the Liberty, Navigator, Allure.......They were fine(never had a bad cruise) but, we prefer the smaller ships. Doing a T/A on Rhapsody shortly, have not tried a Vision class yet.

Building new smaller ships has been debated before, most think it won't happen and if it does they will be under the Celebrity name.
Myself, I'd like to see them be built. Small ships offer many things and experiences that big ships can't, less crowds, different ports, better service, ect.
One thing smaller ships don't offer is a as high of a profit to the cruise line, so...

Arebee, I'm afraid I side with your wife on this one.  Whether it's fair or not, I just do not like the buffet format.  Maybe it's a "girl" thing.  I don't like food that others have picked through and I don't like having to serve myself so I always consider it a great cruise if I never step foot inside the WJ.  I also hate fighting for a seat and it seems like I always have to hunt for a seat when I go in there.  I just prefer having someone save me the hassle !

Personally, I wouldn't book a flight before 11. I agree sitting at the airport stinks, but stressing about making my flight is a much worse feeling.

The Anigua-Barbuda tourism minister just wrapped up a bunch of meetings with cruise executives, including RC.  You can read about it here: http://www.caribbeannewsnow.com/topstory-Antigua-Barbuda-tourism-minister-presents-cruise-facilities-masterplan-to-cruise-executives-33385.html
 
Of interest, was this paragraph
 
 

Nice to have someplace new to go to.

I'd probably skip the package and bring two bottles of wine on with you and then just buy wine by the glass ($8+) or by the bottle ($28+).

For breakfast, I usually make a run up to the Windjammer and bring it back to the cabin as the selection and quality is better.

My husband wears a tux and I wear a long evening dress. Whether we cruise Caribbean or Europe. I'ts all part of the highlight of our cruise to dress up.

My husband wears a tux and I wear a long evening dress. Whether we cruise Caribbean or Europe. I'ts all part of the highlight of our cruise to dress up.

My husband wears a tux and I wear a long evening dress. Whether we cruise Caribbean or Europe. I'ts all part of the highlight of our cruise to dress up.

​My son and I are wearing our kilts, complete with dress Argyle jackets and plaid fly

Even if I didn't want to join in the formal night and use the Windjammer I would never go in shorts/ flip flops. I wouldn't go out for a pub meal in the evenings dressed like that ! Always a smart dress or trousers and top - not T shirt.

On one cruise there was a Scotch tasting on a formal night in which we participated, and there were two fellows there that had the full, formal kilt outfit on.  That was really neat as far as I was concerned!

My husband wears a tux and I wear a long evening dress. Whether we cruise Caribbean or Europe. I'ts all part of the highlight of our cruise to dress up.