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seacruise9

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About Me

  • Location
    Chicago, IL, USA
  • Interests
    Travel and architecture
  • Favorite Cruise Line(s)
    Cunard, Celebrity and Princess
  • Favorite Cruise Destination Or Port of Call
    Singapore

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  1. Hi, I am booked on the Queen Anne's 2025 World Cruise cruise (98 days from New York to Southampton). I am then taking the QM2 from Southampton to New York so that I will completely circumnavigate the world by Cunard Queen. Even though I have done short world cruise segments on the QM2 and Queen Victoria (which I greatly enjoyed), this will be my first very long cruise. I am very excited about this cruise! As a long-time Cunard fan (first sailed on the QE2 in 1984), I will be following the dress code. Chuck
  2. Hi, I have cruised aboard both ships. This is a tough choice. I prefer the Celebrity Reflection, but the Caribbean Princess cruise is two days longer. I would probably choose the longer cruise. Chuck
  3. Hi, I am booked on the Queen Anne's 2025 World Cruise (98 days from New York to Southampton) and I am optimistic about the ship. I have greatly enjoyed sailing aboard the QM2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth. Also, I recently cruised aboard Holland America's Rotterdam (built on the same platform as the Queen Anne) and was very pleased with the ship. For what it's worth, the World Stage on the Rotterdam (comparable space as the Royal Court Theatre) did not feel claustrophobic. Also, I walked around Rotterdam's promenade deck every day. Although it is narrow (and much of it is behind lifeboats), I was still able to do a decent amount of walking. However, I will admit that the promenade decks on the three current Cunard ships are much better. I am looking forward to the new Queen Anne. Chuck
  4. Hi, I am still hoping for the best regarding the Queen Anne. In fact, I optimistically booked the ship's 98-day World Cruise departing in January 2025. My most recent cruises were on the Queen Elizabeth (August 2023) and Rotterdam (November 2023). I like both the Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth and think Cunard did a fine job distinguishing these ships from the Holland America Vista Class ships. Also, I enjoyed my recent cruise on the Rotterdam. I agree that the narrow promenade deck is not a positive development, but I still managed to take my walks around the promenade deck each day. At least it wraps completely around the ship (although much of the walk is behind life boats and is very narrow in places). Overall, I was pleased with my cruise on the Rotterdam. I started sailing with Cunard on the QE2 in 1984. After 20 crossings/cruises with Cunard, I continue to be a big Cunard fan. Hopefully, I also will like the Queen Anne. Chuck
  5. Hi, Thanks for your report. I have never cruised with MSC, but I am booked in a Yacht Club stateroom on the MSC Seashore for a four-night cruise in August 2024. After reading a lot of good reports on the Yacht Club, I decided to try it out. Chuck
  6. Hi, I have cruised aboard both Cunard (Queen Elizabeth in Aug. 2023) and Holland America (Rotterdam in Nov. 2023) ships during the past few months. In my opinion, Holland America seems to be an informal version of Cunard. Holland America still acknowledges its tradition and long history (celebrating its 150th anniversary this year) but has an informal dress code and contemporary features such as the Music Walk. Other than the Queen Mary 2, the Cunard ships are built on the same basic platforms of the newer Holland America ships. In terms of food and service, Holland America is similar to Celebrity. However, Celebrity has better entertainment and a more modern style (especially on the E Class ships). I think Holland America continues to be a good value and offer a variety of interesting itineraries. Chuck
  7. Hi, It is good to hear that you enjoyed the Volendam. I am booked on the Volendam for May 2024. I recently took my first cruise on a Pinnacle Class ship - the Rotterdam from Nov. 24 - Dec. 3, 2023. I enjoyed the Rotterdam and its many dining options. Chuck
  8. Hi, The single staterooms are very nice, but their prices vary and sometimes seem to be overpriced. Be sure to check the price compared to paying the single supplement for a standard outside or balcony stateroom. I had originally booked an inside stateroom, but I was upgraded to a Deck 2 single in 2016 and a Deck 3 single in 2017. These staterooms were new at the time. Most recently, I have been booking a sheltered balcony stateroom and paying the single supplement. Chuck
  9. Hi, I prefer a traditional balcony, but an IV is okay with me. I agree that it is not really a balcony. However, I like the large floor-to-ceiling window and the fact that I can lower the top half of the window for some fresh air or to take photos. Overall, I really like the design, dining options, and entertainment on the new ships. Chuck
  10. Hi, I have been assigned to both types of single staterooms on the QM2. They both are very nice, but I personally prefer the staterooms on Deck 3 with the very large round windows. The staterooms on Deck 2 have a very high ceiling. However, they do not have the large windows. Chuck
  11. Hi, Thanks for your review. I really like this class of ship. I cruised aboard the Celebrity Apex in April 2022 and the Celebrity Beyond in February 2023. I am booked on the Celebrity Ascent's February 18, 2024 sailing. At the end of a recent cruise on the Rotterdam, the Celebrity Ascent was docked directly behind us in Fort Lauderdale. I am really looking forward to my cruise on the Ascent. Chuck
  12. Hi, I have sailed on three Celebrity cruises during the past two years (Celebrity Reflection in Feb. 2022, Celebrity Apex in April 2022, and Celebrity Beyond in Feb. 2023). I had not cruised with Holland America since 2009, but I recently cruised aboard the Rotterdam (Nov. 24 - Dec. 3, 2023). Overall, I was very pleased with the Rotterdam (which is the Nieuw Statendam's newer sister). I agree with a lot of the comments above comparing the two lines. In terms of food and service, I think the lines are comparable. As noted above, the main difference between the lines is the entertainment. The main evening shows are much better on Celebrity. The main shows on the Rotterdam were very modest. However, Holland America has the Music Walk, which I enjoyed. I had the HIA package on the Rotterdam and think it worked out well. The tips for drinks are covered by the package. Chuck
  13. Hi, I recently returned to Holland America (Rotterdam, Nov. 24 - Dec. 3, 2023) after a long absence. I was very pleased with the cruise and had a wonderful time. Chuck
  14. Hi, I recently cruised aboard the Rotterdam (Nov. 24 - Dec. 3) and the Orange Party was held on a casual night at 9:00 pm in B.B. King's. Chuck
  15. Hi, Thanks for posting your review. I was on the same cruise and greatly enjoyed the ship. The Rotterdam has very attractive public areas (especially the main Dining Room) and is extremely well maintained. Overall, I was very pleased with the food and service. I was in a Vista Suite midships on Deck 6 (this is a nice balcony stateroom but not really a suite). I tried three of the specialty restaurants for dinner (Pinnacle Grill, Tamarind, and Canaletto) and enjoyed all of them. I also was pleased with the main Dining Room. The food in the Lido Market was okay, but this area usually was very crowded. As an alternative, I liked breakfast (the bagel breakfast sandwich) and lunch (the delicious pizza) at NY Pizza and Deli. I also enjoyed some light meals at the Grand Dutch Cafe. The only disappointment was the entertainment in the World Stage (main theater) each evening. The shows were very modest and there was not a live band to support the dancers or guest singer. The main entertainment on the Celebrity Beyond (I cruised on this ship in February) was much better. However, I enjoyed the live entertainment in B.B. King's, Billboard Onboard, and the Rolling Stone Rock Room. This alternative entertainment helped make up for the modest shows in the World Stage. I enjoyed the Origin Story (a review of Holland America's 150 years) and the City on the Sea (a look behind the scenes) in the World Stage. This was a great cruise and I definitely recommend the Rotterdam. Chuck
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