they're almost the same ship. I have been to both destinations, but not on those ships. Our kids enjoyed both, but they are very different. I would read cruiseciritc.com or other reviews of the ports to decide. they are very different cruises. N. Europe is more of a city-oriented cruise, Med. is more about iconic monuments/ruins of Roman, early Med. civilizations. Both offer a lot. If summer, Med. will be much hotter. In N. Europe, you can even need a sweater in July. What do you like to do? Is there any port you are especially interested in?