Opinions if you have/or are going on a World Cruise

[traveller333]

In August we got the brainstorm to go on a World Cruise. Unfortunately by the time I started getting quotes and weighing my options, the sailings were sold out. Rather than go on a waitlist we decided to wait until 2006 so we had time to research and choose the right ship/ports etc. and really make the right choice since this will really be a once in a lifetime trip for us (we are certainly not wealthy people!)

I had originally requested a brochure from Radisson (received) and one from HAL (never received). What I was able to learn (though very limited) indicated that Radisson was a good choice in my case:
get a 5% savings since I'm a past passenger
get another 5% savings by booking the WC on board
100% complimentary drinks (including all liquor) 24 hours a day
All Gratuities included in fare
Lots of complimentary excursions thrown in (including some overnights)
Free 1st Class Air (or a $3,000 credit) I'd take the credit
$1,500 per cabin shipboard credit
All cabins on the Voyager are large suites with balconies so will go with cheapest
An overnight at the LA St. Regis with limo service from home and to the LA pier. Also limo service upon return.
They pick up and deliver our luggage to and from the ship from our home
They pay for all Visas needed

These are the things I remember. Now since I never received a brochure from HAL, I have nothing to compare it to. Also, with the HAL ship, we would have to go with an upgraded cabin inorder to get a balcony. The only quotes I received (but waited too long to act upon any quotes) was more expensive for HAL than for Radisson (maybe because we are not past HAL passengers). I was like a deer in the headlights and froze finding there was too much info to absorb to make a quick decision without taking my time to think everything through and explore all options. Thus, everything sold out. Alas, maybe things happen for a reason so this 2006 go around I have much more time. I've cruised on Radisson and loved it. I'm not familiar with HAL except it seems to get high praise.

Now that I have the time, I do want to do my research and make the best choice for us if the itineraries and prices for 2006 are somewhat similar and act early when 2006 bookings open up.

Questions please:
Why did you choose HAL over any other cruiselines?
Did you price Princess, Radisson or other lines that offer World Cruises?
Is the savings for past HAL passengers substantial? (there would be no problem taking a short HAL cruise so we qualify as past passengers)

Any guidance from those who have or are going on a World Cruise is appreciated. Thank you.

[traveller333]

I STAND CORRECTED...my spouse just read my posting and reminded me that we did sail on HAL once before so this would make us past (1 time) passengers. I was mixing up Celebrity with HAL. Sorry.

[petlover]

We are booked on the '2005 Radisson world cruise. Although I didn't check into other options, my sister did as she and my brother-in-law also booked. I just went by her recommendation when she said that Radisson was a better value and a lot more bang for the buck. Sorry, I'm not much help! If you haven't already, you might want to post your questions on the Radisson and Princess message boards.

[jdrblue]

Don't hold your breath waiting for a price break from HAL for Mariner Society members. I have yet to find one. HAL offers a very nice cruise experience but Radisson is a little more upscale. With HAL drinks and tips are extra. That could really add up on a 100 plus day world cruise. For us the itinerary is very important. That could be the deciding factor. I have never been on a world cruise but will have that on my to do list after retirement. We sailed on a leg of a QE2 world cruise a few years ago. We disembarked in Honolulu. We were on Waikiki Beach and saw the QE2 leaving port for the South Pacific just at sunset. My wife and I would have given anything to have been going with them.

[Lovebirds]

Decisions, decisions! :D We received a brochure from a TA back in July and saw the 2005 HAL Prinsendam world tour advertised. There was something about the idea that just instantly appealed to us. We did a little checking and decided that we liked the itenerary better than the others we could find. We booked a veranda cabin and are now awaiting the sailing date.

As of this morning, there were still a couple of Cat A verandah cabins and one or two Cat SS and Cat S available. There might be others available after the Oct 15 final payment day passes.

I've seen a little info on the Prinsendam 2006 world tour, but not sure I would want the itenerary.

Yes, the addons for gratuities for 112 nights and alcoholic beverages will add another $3000 or so to the total cost, which is still less than the discount we got for past cruisers. As I recall, the cost was comparable to the others that we looked at. For us, the choice was more itenerary than price, so I wasn't concerned about finding the lowest price.

I hope you find one to your liking.

[Lovebirds]

Don't hold your breath waiting for a price break from HAL for Mariner Society members. I have yet to find one.
The brochure we received for the Prinsendam world tour showed the early booking discount of 20% off brochure, past cruiser discount of 24% off brochure and Mariner discount of 25% off brochure. It isn't much, but there is a mariner discount.:D Of course, with a little careful shopping you might find a first time cruiser could beat the Mariner rate.:rolleyes:

[digby]

"What I was able to learn (though very limited) indicated that Radisson was a good choice in my case:"

Sounds great! What will be the total cost per person on Radison?

[jdrblue]

Lovebirds

I looked at your itinerary and it looks fabulous. This is one of the choices of the world cruises I have seen. You return from Asia through the Indian Ocean via Mauritius and the Seychelles, around South Africa, across the South Atlantic to Brazil and north. A lot of world cruises go through the Suez and Med and across the North Atlantic. I have been to a lot of the Med ports so your trip would be very attractive to me.

[Lovebirds]

Next years Prinsendam is scheduled to go around South America and visit Antartica, I believe, according to another thread that I saw. Also it is scheduled to visit Libya, so I guess it will be in the Mediterranean. I like our itenerary much better. We did a Mediterranean cruise two years ago.

[WCB]

In regards to comparison pricing for a world cruise, we may shed some light on the subject for you.
We sailed a 64 day cruise on HAL Volendam in a verandah suite 2 years ago. Last year, we sailed a 57 day cruise on Radisson's Mariner in a comparable suite. We did a total cost comparison, and found that Radisson was only $8.00 more per day per person than HAL.
We found the suites on the Mariner much larger than the Volendam, but in all fairness, we liked the ambience of the Volendam much better. Radisson's ships are conservatively decorated, while HAL ships are expertly appointed with artwork, walkaround promenade deck (really missed on a long voyage), and beautifully decorated public areas.
The service on both lines was excellent.
We have booked the World Cruise on the Prinsendam next January and are looking forward to it. One suggestion you may keep in mind....the earlier you book, the better savings you will receive on both lines. We deposited in March 2004, and paid in full at the end of June, receiving 25% off for Grand Cruise Members, and additional savings for paying in full.
Good luck with your quest!
Bill and Mary Ann

[merryecho]

WCB- now that is what I call a helpful post. Thanks for the insight.

[petermccue]

Recieved this last week...

http://www.hollandamerica.com/HALpromo/GWV2006/GWV2006.html

We like this itinerary more than many others we've seen, but of course, that is because we're already booked on the Amsterdam's Pacifc Rim cruise of the Far East that goes in Oct-Nov of 2005, so we have no desire to repeat the stops again in early 2006.

HAL for 2005 is offering rountrip first class airfare included for Full Voyage guests, plus limo airport transfers, plus luggage delivery to the ship. I THOUGHT they included tips, too, but I can't find that.

Radisson offers first class air, shipboard credit, visa costs, luggage service, and a couple of complimentary excursions.

Crystal offers pre-paid tips for stewardess, butler, waiter and assistant waiter, plus two 'gala events' and transfers and some shipboard credits.

All three offer 'exclusive pillow gifts'

Cunard also offers a world cruise, but I don't have the brochure in front of me.

For my mother, it came down to HAL and RSSC. In the end, this itinerary fits better given that we're doing the Far East a few months before. And we've been on the Prinsendam and like her.

V - who has her TA already waiting on booking.

[traveller333]

So much helpful information. Thank you.

So it is not confirmed regarding HAL includes the tips for world cruise? Is all liquor included on the HAL world cruise (I know it isn't on shorter cruises)?
This HAL itinerary looks wonderful especially the stop in Cape Town, but then again I've never been to Australia or New Zealand so it looks like some decisions will need to be made.
WCB, I do agree with you about the differences in cabins. The Verandah cabins just can't compare with the Voyager/Mariner cabins. I can't get past the wonderful walk-in closets. Does HAL still have set dining times for dinner or have they adopted the open seating option?

[Lovebirds]

It is my understanding that tips of $10 per person per day will be added to your shipboard account and divided among all of those that provide your daily services. Many people tip extra to those that provide them with exceptional service. Room service should be tipped as used. Liquer is not included.

The Prinsendam has assigned dinner seating, but only two dinner times rather than the four times that the larger ships have adopted.

We made our final payment yesterday, so I guess we're "official" now.:D