Statendam 14 day China,HK,Japan or....

[CJcruzer]

14 Day Australia Statendam??? How is the weather for February Australia sailing vs March/April for Far East.... Ireally would like to sail the volendam, so would like opinions about the Statendam - I've been on the Veendam and the Westerdam.

Hubby and I want to visit a different part of the world, while still taking a winter vacation-so that eliminates Europe for that time of year...

any input, advice, suggestions regarding these 2? My other alternative would be South America, but we've been to Mexico the past few years, and to Venezuela - I think I'd like to put that vacation on hold for awhile

CJcruzer

[cands]

February is probably the best month to visit Southern Australia and New Zealand. New Zealand will be pleasant and quite warm in the north and a little cooler in the south. Daytime maximums of between 20c and 30c (68 - 86). The weather is less stable on the South Island of New Zealand and cold snaps can occur at any time - so bring some warm clothes.

The Tasman Sea crossing from New Zealand to Australia can be very rough, but February is one of the better months for smooth sailing, so that is an advantage.
Tasmania's weather will most likely be mild, with temperatures in the mid 20s (c).
Melbourne can be very hot in February. Temps in the high 30s or even 40 are not uncommon.(40 = 106).
It is a dry heat though, so just drink lots of water.
Sydney is also very warm in February - it has a sub-tropical summer, so expect higher humidity. (great beach weather)

Enjoy, whatever you decide.

We are on Statendam earlier in the season (November).
The weather then will be much cooler and more variable.

Regards,
Steve.

[CJcruzer]

thanks for the info, maybe November would be the better month to travel to Australia......perhaps I'll investigate weather in the orient fr March/April....

CJcruzer

[cands]

thanks for the info, maybe November would be the better month to travel to Australia......perhaps I'll investigate weather in the orient fr March/April....

CJcruzer

Sorry, I though I was giving the heads-up for your February plans. I think the weather is ideal. Do you prefer cooler weather, then?

[CJcruzer]

soory, misunderstood that, because you were going in November....I'm looking into it, however would also appreciate input from anybody having been on the Hong Kong to Osaka cruise..

Wondering which cruise is more port intensive - since both pretty much require a lot of air travel for us, I'd like to do the "heavier touring" while I'm younger (that's relative) and more in shape!!!

CJcruzer

[alsas]

In all of our cruising experience (over 400 hundred days) the hong kong to osaka was the most memorable. The statendam is wonderful, there executive chef Christian is the best, the ports are the best. You cannot make a mistake. Happy sailings Alsas....we just returned and we still cannot stop talking about this cruise.

[CJcruzer]

Regarding the Osaka-Hong Kong cruise - they are offering this March/April but I've heard that October is the best month to travel in the Far East??


CJcruzer