Customer Reviews

Frommer's European Cruises and Ports of Call (Frommer's Cruises)

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3 star:		(1)
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1 star:		(2)

 

 

I have several cruise books but found this to be the least informative. 90% of the book focuses on the ships and cruise lines themselves. While that may be helpful to some I don't need that much info on the ship and cruise lines. Do any of us care about the ship measurements? I wanted more information on the ports of call and general cruising advice etc.

The best book I have found so far, which also includes information on cruise lines and ships just not the whole book, is Anne Vipond's "Mediterranean by Cruise Ship." This book not only covers the cruise lines but is an excellent primer for many large and small ports of call. If you only get one book, her's should be it.

The book is a very comprehensive review of all of the cruise lines and individuals ships cruising in the Med. In fact half of the book is devoted to this area. However, I really wanted much more on the ports and excursions, which I felt were not covered in detail at all. The cruise web sites and message boards, including on Frommer.com, are far more in-depth.

This guide was a terrific help in confirming our thoughts for excursions. Had used the Frommer's guide for the Caribbean ports of call and loved it. This is just as helpful. Super ideas for things to do on your own, where to eat, what to buy. I especially liked the comparison charts for alternative cruise lines in categories like dining, activities, service, etc. This guide is worth the money.

I must say, this is one of the most comprehensive European cruising guides I have ever seen. Floating your boat, so to speak, is in my opinion, the very best way to travel. Why? Because you always have a lush entertaining "home" to return to at the end of each exotic port.

Frommer's gives us an elaborately planned book with maps, cabin layouts, colorful photography , and a seemingly endless wave of useful information.

Just some of the material covered: Part 1) getting married at sea, best ships for families, most romantic ships, best ports, watching out for scams, shipboard gyms and spas, and important money matters.

Part 2) The cruise lines and their ships, cruise line ratings at a glance, how to compare prices, and almost every line is then reviewed in depth. Including my favorite, Cunard.

Part 3) The Ports of Call! We're not in Kansas anymore!--a glorious comparison section of fabulous places I have been and others I yearn to see: The steep donkey rides up Santorini, Greece, The windmills and wild (human) life in Mykonos, to The French Riviera & Monte Carlo and more.

So, get your bags packed, and be an experienced cruiser with Frommers, even if it is your virginal maritime thrill!

A book to thumb and "ahhhh" through-over & over again.

Thanks for your interest & comments--CDS

It's true that this book is called European Cruises IN BIG LETTER and Ports of Call in small letters...but I would not have expected the Ports of Call to be SO tiny. There is a tiny amount of information on the various ports...info that could be found on even the most basic website. I bought the book very cheaply from a reseller, knowing that it was a few years old. I was hoping for a little port insight, because I figure that information hasn't changed much.

It was not worth the $4.00 I paid. The cruise line info is almost completely out-of-date. The port info is very surface level. Frankly, even if the latest version of this book was reasonably priced, I wouldn't buy it either because the AMOUNT of useable content is so skimpy.

The book was not up to date. It had information from 2006. It didn't mention the Queen Victoria and the newer ships. I thought I was going to get current information. I wish I had ordered the Fodor book.