cool cruiser 14107

There is currently a Level 3 (!) State Department "reconsider travel" to Equador presently! I hope this improves; we want to explore Quito & area as well. I don't know when that changed to level 3?

Wow; that's frustrating so many flight changes; do you think it was all due to covid; or I wonder if they always do that; even pre-covid.

thx

wow; that's sooo late!  I guess if you do the flights with SilverSea though, you're on the American 1:50 a.m. for the most part?

so when they say don't book a flight before 5:00; did most people not do that? and what time did most people book flights for then?

I'm interested in the gift shop too! does it have a lot to offer? If you don't buy stuff by day 2 is all the good stuff gone?

In another thread; someone was notified about 23 days ahead! for Galapagos  (silversea)

I hope she comes back to answer questions!!

thanks!  Does that mean it's now part of the question that ideally Barbara Muckermann will see and answer? 

thanks : )

when will the Machu Picchu extension be added back to the Galapagos cruise? and/or where how do I post this new question for Barbara Muckermann?

can this be watched online anywhere? I missed her talk. thx

thanks!

unfortunately that Galapagos trip never happened; cancelled; and who knows when it's safe to go there again! : )

14 hours ago, Tapi said:

 I would lump them as follows:

- Viking

- Holland America

- Princess

- Celebrity

 

- Royal Caribbean

- Norwegian

- Carnival
 

One cruise line not listed is MSC, which offers various classes of service ranging from Bella to Yacht Club. Depending on which class you select, the experience can feel as budget as Carnival or as upscale as more premium cruise lines. I place it somewhere near Royal Caribbean.

 

Our last cruise was on Holland America’s Nieuw Statendam. Even though we are a younger family and we don’t quite fit into HAL’s older demographic, we had an absolutely fantastic cruise. Just the right amount of upscale while still maintaining an unpretentious vibe. HAL has truly stepped into the 21st century with this class of ship. A more modern but still traditional cruise experience with more offerings for younger cruisers.

thanks!

Yes, I think this seems to be in correct range of what many others are saying (about the ordering).

and in the middle category (HAL, Princess, Celebrity), you'd put Princess above Celebrity? That seems to be about 50/50....1/2 like Celebrity better...

I don't know anything about MSC, I'll have to check them out; thanks! : )

14 hours ago, Tapi said:

 

11 hours ago, CruiserBruce said:

The difference in weather is miniscule. The second half of December is holidays season, normally crowded and more expensive. January a bit less so.

oh; got it! thanks

13 hours ago, MicCanberra said:

I think you are better off aiming for the 2021-22 season to come here.

and by '21-22 season'; does that mean, I assume you mean about october to february 21-22? thanks

2 hours ago, Fletch1 said:

No, Princess are our cruise line of choice and we do most of our cruising with them. Although there are some P&O cruises mixed in with that figure. Here in OZ, Princess include cruises undertaken with P&O Australia in their total figure, however days at sea are not counted towards total Princess days at sea. Confusing I know.....I am not quite sure why Princess do this. 

 

Personally, we found Celebrity better than RCL. They did things better and were a better cruise line IMO. Personal choice though. We would cruise RCL again. 

oh! so those numbers people put after the cruise line are days at sea?

2 hours ago, pully8 said:

https://www.thepreismans.com/index.html Not sure if you have read this webpage?

It is excellent in terms of details, pictures and helpful comments about various cruise lines and experiences.

 

thanks; I did just check it out; very informative! and I added a couple of things to my travel list : )

4 hours ago, scottca075 said:

No, I think princeton is saying that the 14 day quarantine for visitors may extend into July 2020. I think HI will be open without a 14 day quarantine for visitors by September at the latest. But I would still take a January cruise over a December one.

oh! I guess I read it too fast; and you'd take Jan over Dec because it's a better time to go weather wise? or because of all the covid stuff?  thanks

wow; I thought when 2 other trips were cancelled outside the U.S. I'd have a better chance at the U.S.! I guess not.

and you're saying July 2021!! that's a long ways away!

thanks

On 6/8/2020 at 6:35 AM, Fletch1 said:

Out of the cruise lines you mentioned, I have cruised Princess (50), Celebrity (4), RCL (2) and Viking River cruises(2), but not Cunard. Out of all my experiences, I could not fault Viking River cruises.

wow! you've been on 50 Princess cruises; was that a typo!!? So what do you think of RCL? thanks

14 hours ago, Chiliburn said:

If you’re only concerned about food and how clean the ship is ,any of those cruise line would be suitable .

thanks; yeah; I'm flexible in terms of whether it's a large or small ship; whether there's kids around or not; entertainment, etc. no matter either to me. But I do like a nice ship and good food; : )

12 hours ago, OzKiwiJJ said:

 If cruising does open up in Australia/NZ for the 20/21 season I suspect that it will be restricted to passengers from Aus/NZ only. I think we'll still be operating in a bubble at that stage and borders will still be closed to overseas visitors. I'd recommend waiting until the 21/22 season to do your cruise down under.

oh dear; I'm so disappointed; I really thought the January might be ok; but I guess it's not looking good; thanks

11 hours ago, Blackduck59 said:

 Eclipse is a beautiful ship, she is very well maintained. When we booked the January 26th cruise we expected that the "Revolution" would be done but they postponed that last October. We were quite disappointed but on further investigation found that there wasn't that much in it for non suite guests. I was looking forward to the change from "Cellar Masters" to "Craft Social", Cellar Masters was always deserted.

We almost cancelled the cruise because of the postponed "Revolution" but looked at the price and perks we had and decided to keep the booking. We are in Concierge class which was very little more money when we booked in "future cruises" while on the Alaska cruise; the biggest reason for selecting concierge was the advanced boarding.

 

Hi!

thanks for the additional info on the Eclipse; I've finally today just learned how to do the quote thing; I hope it comes through ok. Oh, so you got postponed from October! We had to cancel a trip from March to Israel and figured we'd settle on Australia in November (and canceled that) and were hoping for Dec/Jan; but it looks like that's probably too optimistic.

what's cellar masters and craft social? I'm not sure what you're referring to?

I also just realized that most of the people in this thread are from Australia or New Zealand! That's helpful so it sounds like several of you from Australia/New Zealand thinks it's overly optimistic for Dec/Jan as well.

thanks

Hi,

what do people think are the chances of a being able to do a cruise to Hawaii (for a U.S. resident) in December or January?

thanks

Hi all,

thanks for all the replies!! Very helpful!

I have some comments and questions:

chiliburn: you asked about kids, big/small ship; dress up, etc. I should have been clearer in my original question; I meant all things being equal, and ONLY considering those 2 things (so whether it has stuff for kids or not, I don't care, etc.). Just considering food and nice well kept ship. thanks!

blackduck59:  thanks!! so you've been on the Eclipse! and you're doing the Jan 26 cruise! that's one of the ones we're thinking of! BUT I just learned that that ship hasn't been refurbished in about 10 years? and it's going into full complete dry dock refurbishment in March; it was originally scheduled for this November. So I'm wondering if the ship is a little run down? when were you on the Eclipse? is it really nice?

miccanberra: I agree; I did one other celebrity cruise (but it was celebrity constellation not the solstice or eclipse I'm thinking of). But we were very disappointed in the food. But as people have said every ship is different! I'm definitely willing to give Celebrity another try!

fletch1:  thanks; turns out the Viking one was a little too long; oh well. we would have liked that.

pully8: which celebrity ship did you go on that you liked the food?

the Big M: you nailed my question! (all else equal or irrelevant); thanks....so you'd put Cunard over Celebrity; thanks

phoenixx: I'm so curious now! because we are torn with booking this Dec or Jan 21! and you mentioned no cruises 'down here' this year. Are you from there? So is that the word on the ground?! And so do you think there's only a 10% chance any large cruise ship will make to Australia or NZ in December? thanks. I was hoping they'd all be up and running for their busy Christmas season; what do others think?

pushka: thanks; yes, um....as you say...mature; for sure we are! so we'd fit right in. ha ha; And why is Viking sooo much more expensive than the others? I wish Viking weren't so long, that would have been the choice.

thanks!!

We're thinking of an Australian/New Zealand cruise for Dec/Jan

and we're torn whether to go with:

Viking; Princess; Cunard or RCL

keep in mind the things we care about the most:

good food

clean well kept ship

what do people think?

I didn't like Celebrity (for Greece anyway); food was terrible; among other things.

thanks!