Seeking advice on first luxury cruise

[wripro]

Travelcat2 makes a valid point that it may be very difficult to find a TA who has every qualification outlined. I was just stating that I prefer a brick and mortar TA but would not rule out working over the internet and phone. If TC2 uses the TA I think she uses though, that one is highly biased toward one particular cruise line and until recently would not even sell Seabourn or Silversea. If she does not use the TA I am thinking about I apologize.

[Keith1010]

There really are Luxury Travel Specialists out there that have no bias and many that we have spoken with have personally sailed on all of the luxury lines. Now, it might have been five years since they sailed on a particular luxury line and things do change but to me that knowledge is very important.

 

I am also a believer that not all itineraries fit the same line/ship.

 

For example certain size luxury cruise ships work a lot better for certain itineraries than the other lines/ships.

 

When we were newbies, and looking to book our first sailing the agent tried to push one particular line and that made me very leary. I ended up picking a different line. I didn't have the benefit of the internet as it didn't exist back then nor did I have many of the other benefits but I did have that book I mention also and it was a big help to me. I did book the cruise with that agent but quickly switched to another one.

 

I want an agent who can add value and one who can give me some constructive suggestions and one that has first hand experience of the luxury cruises lines they are selling.

 

Keith

[nancy4elton]

I've been on over a dozen cruises (almost all 10, 11 and 14 nights), mostly mainstream including: Oceania, Celebrity, Princess, NCL and Renaissance (no longer in existence). Our one luxury cruise was this past February in the South Pacific on the Paul Gauguin, and I am definitely spoiled. It was everything I expected and more. Fabulous! I don't think I can go back to cruises that nickel and dime you for everthing. And the service was incredible - truly wonderful. I'm seriously considering trying Regent Seven Seas Cruises for our '11 winter vacation. I am considering RSSC over Crystal, Silversea, Seabourn, etc. for several important reasons: all beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) are included, most shore excursions are included, and it sounds less stuffy than the other luxe lines. I understand that some of the luxury lines charge extra for the alternative restaurants, and this seems petty to me. RSSC does not do this. I've done tons of research on the ships (cruise guide books, brochures and websites are a hobby) and am leaning towards the Mariner over the Navigator, because of their itineraries that time of year.

[Travelcat2]

I've been on over a dozen cruises (almost all 10, 11 and 14 nights), mostly mainstream including: Oceania, Celebrity, Princess, NCL and Renaissance (no longer in existence). Our one luxury cruise was this past February in the South Pacific on the Paul Gauguin, and I am definitely spoiled. It was everything I expected and more. Fabulous! I don't think I can go back to cruises that nickel and dime you for everthing. And the service was incredible - truly wonderful. I'm seriously considering trying Regent Seven Seas Cruises for our '11 winter vacation. I am considering RSSC over Crystal, Silversea, Seabourn, etc. for several important reasons: all beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) are included, most shore excursions are included, and it sounds less stuffy than the other luxe lines. I understand that some of the luxury lines charge extra for the alternative restaurants, and this seems petty to me. RSSC does not do this. I've done tons of research on the ships (cruise guide books, brochures and websites are a hobby) and am leaning towards the Mariner over the Navigator, because of their itineraries that time of year.

 

Nancy, as you probably know, Regent managed the Paul Gauguin for many years -- through 12/31/2009. It was also our first luxury cruise and we are addicted to luxury cruising.

 

The only luxury cruiseline that has a cost at some alternative restaurants is Silversea. Another difference is that Seabourn rarely includes airfare -- Silverseas does on most itineraries and Regent does on all itineraries. While we agree with the Mariner over the Navigator, the suites are slightly smaller (but larger than the PG). The public spaces on the Mariner is the best of the Regent fleet.

 

It really sounds like you have been doing your homework. Still, once you decide to book, it's a good idea to book through a TA rather than directly through the cruiseline:)

 

 

P.S. Wripro: Don't think this should matter since we picked the cruise line ourselves. . . . but, we used a Virtuoso T.A. for our cruises from 2004-2007. She had not been on a luxury cruise line, but, we were able to receive the Virtuoso benefits. We have done tons of research, as nancy4elton has and have never regretted our decision.

[Travelcat2]

There really are Luxury Travel Specialists out there that have no bias and many that we have spoken with have personally sailed on all of the luxury lines. Now, it might have been five years since they sailed on a particular luxury line and things do change but to me that knowledge is very important.

 

Keith

 

If a TA had not sailed Regent in five years, they would sailed when it under different ownership and while the Paul Gauguin was still under Regent's management. Don't think they would have been of much assistance to a person in 2010. On the other hand, they could be very helpful if they have kept up to date in the past five years.

[Keith1010]

If a TA had not sailed Regent in five years, they would sailed when it under different ownership and while the Paul Gauguin was still under Regent's management. Don't think they would have been of much assistance to a person in 2010. On the other hand, they could be very helpful if they have kept up to date in the past five years.

 

You are now analyzing each word too literally. The TA's I am thinking about have indeed taken Regent since a variety of changes have been made.

 

The point that I am making is that there are strong TA's out there with lots of experience in the luxury travel field who have sailed the luxury lines and are not biased and can give their clients objectivity.

 

I have met quite a few and gotten to know them very well especially over voyages that are either long or have a lot of sea days.

 

I want my TA to be knowledgeable and to give me objective feedback when I am looking for input. There are times that I am not looking for input. If I was a first time luxury cruiser or one who wanted to try a new cruise lines I would want a TA who is knowledgeable having experienced it for themselves.

 

Keith

[wripro]

Interesting how different things are important to different people. To me included shore excursions are a big negative instead of a positive since I rarely do them. I hate being in a bus with 40 other people and much prefer my own private excursions. Since, imo, Regent is charging a hefty amount above the other lines in order to include them, I stay away.

[Travelcat2]

Interesting how different things are important to different people. To me included shore excursions are a big negative instead of a positive since I rarely do them. I hate being in a bus with 40 other people and much prefer my own private excursions. Since, imo, Regent is charging a hefty amount above the other lines in order to include them, I stay away.

 

I agree with what you say about excursions. . . . but, am totally lost in terms of where this subject came from. Assuming it relates to how different things are important to different people. Keith sounds like he had a lot more questions than I would have as a first time luxury cruiser. There are four (or five) luxury cruise lines. The size, amount of inclusivity, suite size and formality would cut it down to two (at least for me). You don't need a TA to give you the basics of suite selection (avoid under the pool, gym, lounges, restaurants, etc.). A TA is good to ask specific questions about the couple of remaining cruise lines you are considering. The biggest reason we have a TA is to have them as our representative if something goes wrong. Of course, we enjoy the benefits of working with a TA.

 

Obviously, this subject could keep going in circles endlessly. At one end of the discussion is a new luxury cruiser that needs as much assistance as possible. You have to sit and speak with them -- they need to have been on the ships, etc. The other end is where you pretty much figure it out what you are interested in from an overview and go to a TA with a few specific questions. I do remember when it sitting in your TA's office and chatting with them -- picking up brochures, etc. was what everyone did. Now we can work with anyone -- regardless of location -- scan information into the system and send it. One thing I particularly like about communicating with my TA via internet (we do speak occasionally) is that I have the asnwer to my question in writing rather than taking notes or trying to recall what was said.

 

There is no right or wrong to this dicussion. Just different ways of approaching the issue.

[Keith1010]

TravelCat, I didn't have a lot of questions because I had done a great deal of research ahead of time. But often people post on Cruise Critic and they have not done any research and that is where I think that a good TA can be of a lot of help to them because they can talk it through with them.

 

Before I can truly give advice to someone I have to know a lot more than what they post on Cruise Critic and the converstation needs to be iterative.

 

Keith

[siouxrose]

In my opinion (yes, I know many will disagree) you may want to consider Cunard and the QM2 if you choose a Trans Atlantic. I've crossed 4 times on her and it's really lovely sailing on a ship that was purpose-built for TA's. I've sailed in gale force winds and not felt a thing. You can book one of the Grills class cabins and have a fairly luxurious experience while on a mass market ship. The Grills have great food and Todd English is divine.

 

In the Carribean, have you looked at SeaDream? Great food & great service. Luxury without the formality, if that appeals at all.

[wripro]

Travelcat2,

 

My reference to included shore excursions came from nancy4elton's post where she stated that she had chosen Regent in par because the excursions were included. I guess I should have quoted her to make myself more clear. Sorry.

[room010]

This discussion has touched briefly on the importance of the itinerary and for those of us who don't want to travel half way around the world before or after our cruises our choice of cruiseline is often dictated more or less by those itineraries. If we are looking specifically at luxury cruiselines our choices are even more limited.

 

As I happens I will be taking Crystal Symphony from San Francisco to NYC via the Panama Canal in August 2011 which will involve some epic flights to and from the US but I'm willing to do it because it's such a great itinerary. I am also planning a cruise in Feb/Mar 2011 to Asia (Sydney to Beijing) and Regent seems to have the best itinerary for that one.

 

If we assume that all the luxury lines are more or less the same - and they have to be in order to compete with each other - then other factors come into play when deciding which one to pick. Reading the CC reviews is helpful to a certain extent but it's interesting to see that what one disgruntled passenger describes as the Cruise From Hell is also a Heavenly Cruise to someone else. Most CC luxury line reviews are glowing so I take the hugely negative reviews with a large pinch of salf anyway because I'm afraid some people seem to spend their lives looking for things to whinge about :(

 

And I ALWAYS consult a good travel agent.