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Holland America Mediterranean 12 Days Review - Advice & Cruise Tips

Ask a Real Travel Expert - RTE Travel Talk
Ask a Real Travel Expert - RTE Travel Talk
Casual
👁️ 18K views📅 3 years ago⏱️ 21:05
What This Creator Said
Creator RecommendsFull Ship ReviewCasual Creator
Mediterranean · Fall · 12 nightsFrom VeniceVeteran Cruiser

Source: Our analysis of the creator's lived experience, based on what they said in this video.

Creator's Key Takeaways

I would always say two days and if you're if you're doing a backto back or if TST is your whole day stop I still don't recommend you go to Venice because it takes an hour and a half to get in

I found the people that were on the ship were not explorers but they're more into the culture they're they more out to see what's there as opposed to your Caribbean passengers

I loved it all Ken I ended up in Barcelona which is another one of my very favorite cities

I would rank it right up there because you've hit most of the important stock

Creator's Tips & Advice

Spend at least two days in Venice before the cruise to avoid rushing
Pick just one thing to see in Rome if visiting for a day from the ship
Pack comfortable walking shoes and daytime clothes
Book a veranda stateroom for Mediterranean itineraries
Consider shoulder season (October) for better weather and fewer crowds

🆕New to Cruising? This Creator Addresses:

Not enough time in portsCruising gives you a taste of places; add pre/post cruise days to immerse yourself
Packing for formal nightsHolland America has relaxed formal nights; pack a few nice outfits but prioritize comfort
Rome being too big for a day tripPick just one specific attraction or district to visit from the port

Questions This Creator Answers

QIs 12 days a good amount of time for a Mediterranean cruise?
QWhat is the demographic on Holland America ships?
QWhat are the best ports to visit in the Mediterranean?
QDo I need a balcony on a Mediterranean cruise?
QWhat is the best time of year to cruise the Mediterranean?

Topics Covered

Itinerary Route4 Happy BaconShip Condition3½ Happy BaconEntertainment Shows3 Happy BaconService Crew2½ Happy BaconValue Pricing2 Happy BaconCabin Balcony4½ Happy BaconEntertainment Nightlife3½ Happy BaconCrowd Capacity2½ Happy Bacon

Port Highlights

Barcelona4½ Happy Bacon
Cannes3½ Happy Bacon
Dubrovnik4½ Happy Bacon
Top: Tuk-tuk tour
How to read the Trip Bacon Score
Happy Bacon — creators loved this aspect
Sad Bacon — creators took issue with this
Meh — no strong opinion either way

Scale: 0–5 strips in half-step increments. 0 = “meh”, 5 = “bacon bliss”. Aggregated from creator-review sentiment, weighted by channel expertise.

About our Bacon Score methodology
YouTube Video Description

Holland America Mediterranean 12 Days Review. Real Travel Expert Carol Patterson owner of Cruise Holidays of Burlington joins Ken to review her recent voyage aboard Holland America's Oosterdam in the Mediterranean. Carol and Ken discuss the twelve-day itinerary departing Venice, Italy and finishing in Barcelona Spain. Carol describes the ports long the way including Dubrovnick, Sarande, Naples, Livorno, and more. Carol also details what to expect for cruises departing Venice under the new ship restrictions and provides great cruise tips for folks looking to visit Venice when arriving by cruise ship. Carol and Ken review the Oosterdam with Carol pointing out several of the new additions such as the EXC lounge and the Music Walk, in addition to detailing the ship's size and passenger demographics. And finally, Carol describes her highlight for the cruise and provides travel tips for cruisers looking for that Mediterranean one-and-done cruise. Contact Real Travel Experts: questions@realtravelexperts.com https://realtravelexperts.com/​ https://www.facebook.com/RealTravelExperts/ https://www.instagram.com/realtravelexperts/ Contact Cruise Holidays Burlington: info@cruiseholidaysburlington.ca Cruise Holidays Select Website:​ https://compasscruises.ca/ Image & Video Credits: Oosterdam interiors and exteriors: courtesy of Holland America Line Trieste courtesy of Denisez77 via Wikimedia Common Porto Marghera courtesy of Piergiuliano Chesi via Wikimedia Common Katakolon courtesy of Basilis petroulakis via Wikimedia Common Olympia Museum courtesy of G. Bembridge via Wikimedia Common Other Images courtesy Adobestock, Bigstock and Carol Patterson RTE Travel Talk does not endorse any of their guests' products or services. The opinions of the guests may or may not reflect those of the host and RTE Travel Talk. 00:00 Introduction 00:24 Introducing Carol 01:25 Venice: New Rules for Cruise Ships 02:28 Tips for Venice 03:29 Dubrovnik 03:57 Albania and Katakolon, Greece 04:13 Naples (Sorrento, Capri, Pompeii) 04:34 Rome & Tips 06:12 Livorno (Lucca, Florence) 07:01 French Riviera: Cannes, Nice 07:56 Length of cruise - too little or too much? 09:28 The Oosterdam 12:01 The new demographic - younger cruisers 13:22 Staterooms 13:55 Best time to visit the Mediterranean 15:20 Packing Tips 16:31 Overview of cruise: Highlights 18:37 Upcoming travels 19:21 Contacting Carol