Where to go?

[Kat196]

We have cruised the Caribbean (many times), Hawaii and Alaska......we're looking for something new. Asia, Mediterranean, Panama, Australia???

 

What has been your favorite cruise outside of the three areas we have cruised and which ship did you cruise on? Thanks!

 

Kathy

[Langley Cruisers]

Would you consider a B2B (back to back) on two different itineraries? Might mix it up a little for you, and a B2B is too fabulous. :) For instance, a week on a Caribbean and then a week on a Bahamas would be nice. Check out Serenade for next Feb/March.

 

Our Med cruise two years ago was incredible, the trip of a lifetime. Our day in Santorini fulfilled a lifelong dream.

[Ashland]

We stepped out of our caribbean and Alaska comfort zone just a couple of years ago (I lived in Hawaii once so no cruises there). We loved the western med but so far the northern Europe Baltic we did was our favorite. Considered doing an Asia but in the end we opted for a three city (Beijing, Xi'an & Shanghai) two week land tour...Regardless of what you choose you'll have an amazing trip that opens up new and exciting itineraries..Enjoy !

[CruiseMore1]

If you like at sea days, why not try a transatlantic? I especially like the Westbound ones - get the long flight over with at the beginning and have the leisurely cruise back to US. As for ship, any Royal Caribbean or Celebrity suits us just fine!

:cool:

[Jimbo]

Panama Canal........... A amazing relaxing cruise. Radiance of the Seas. Had a great Roll Call bunch on that cruise also.

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=7522

[Kat196]

Would you consider a B2B (back to back) on two different itineraries? Might mix it up a little for you, and a B2B is too fabulous. :) For instance, a week on a Caribbean and then a week on a Bahamas would be nice. Check out Serenade for next Feb/March.

 

Our Med cruise two years ago was incredible, the trip of a lifetime. Our day in Santorini fulfilled a lifelong dream.

 

We've heard Santorini is amazing......you went on the Brilliance for this? Where was the originating port? What month would you recommend cruising the Mediterranean? Would like it warm enough to swim in the pool but not too hot/humid to do the great excursions.

[Langley Cruisers]

We've heard Santorini is amazing......you went on the Brilliance for this? Where was the originating port? What month would you recommend cruising the Mediterranean? Would like it warm enough to swim in the pool but not too hot/humid to do the great excursions.

 

Yes, Brilliance out of Barcelona before her refurb when she still had her amazing Seaview Café. :) This was June/July and it was HOT! Oh my goodness, the ports were stifling and crowded, but they usually are in summer. That's the chance you take when you visit Europe in summer. The pool decks were crowded every day, yes.

 

I've heard others say they would cruise the Med in the shoulder season, like late Spring and early Fall. The weather is still pleasant but most of the crowds have dispersed.

[Kat196]

Yes, Brilliance out of Barcelona before her refurb when she still had her amazing Seaview Café. :) This was June/July and it was HOT! Oh my goodness, the ports were stifling and crowded, but they usually are in summer. That's the chance you take when you visit Europe in summer. The pool decks were crowded every day, yes.

 

I've heard others say they would cruise the Med in the shoulder season, like late Spring and early Fall. The weather is still pleasant but most of the crowds have dispersed.

 

Thanks! The Med is one of our top choices. I've heard good things about Barcelona so that's definitely a plus!

[cruisequeen10]

how about the Canada New England itinerary.

[Kat196]

Panama Canal........... A amazing relaxing cruise. Radiance of the Seas. Had a great Roll Call bunch on that cruise also.

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=7522

 

Love your review! The cruise looks great but I've been to a lot of the ports and my daughter and son lived in San Diego for years so I've been there many times. I'll need to see if there are other itineraries.....thanks!

[SeagoingMom]

Have you considered Bermuda? How about New England/Canada? Those are on MY list, anyway! Canary Islands, too, and a TA or some other repositioning cruise. Or Tierra del Fuego!!! ooh, and Antarctica! or the Amazon. :)

 

We loved our Panama Canal partial transit on HAL Zuiderdam. If I had my druthers, though, I would do a full transit on a HAL (or maybe Princess?) ship. We did the full transit on a ferry -- glad I did it, but it was not quite the experience I had hoped for. Still, it was the Panama Canal!! And I'm glad I got to see the original one.

 

Of course, the partial transit includes the S. Caribbean, which we had not done, but perhaps you have. I like the length of the cruise -- 10 nights, and there is an 11 night, too -- and the four sea days. I love sea days. Loved the ship, and the HAL experience.

[Kat196]

how about the Canada New England itinerary.

 

We're from Delaware so we've been to New England quite a bit by car and have actually been to Canada several times as well. We really would like to do a New England/Canada cruise out of Newark, NJ or Baltimore, MD but it would need to be an "extra". For our main vacation each year we try to go someplace we've never been......so many places to see, so little time! (Even though we've cruised the Caribbean 3 times, with the exception of San Juan, we've not been to the same port twice). Thanks!

[bighairtexan]

I second the above for Bermuda. It's definitely not Caribbean in feel. A unique experience close to home. A gorgeous, clean and friendly island nation. Also the Panama Canal.

[Sassy19305]

Panama Canal transit is a wonderful itinerary. We saw more wild life (in the ocean, not on the ship) than in any of our previous cruises.

Also New Zealand or Australia are also great on Radiance; it's a great ship and fantastic places to see.

[jmf123]

Yes, Brilliance out of Barcelona before her refurb when she still had her amazing Seaview Café. :) This was June/July and it was HOT! Oh my goodness, the ports were stifling and crowded, but they usually are in summer. That's the chance you take when you visit Europe in summer. The pool decks were crowded every day, yes.

 

I've heard others say they would cruise the Med in the shoulder season, like late Spring and early Fall. The weather is still pleasant but most of the crowds have dispersed.

 

My parents loved their Mediterranean cruise on the Brilliance about eight years ago in the fall. The weather was much more comfortable for them than sailing in the summer. It was r.t. from Barcelona and I know the itinerary included Santorini.

 

kat196, I have to recommend French Polynesia with the stunning islands of Bora Bora, Moorea, etc. on the wonderful 'Paul Gauguin'. Eight hour flight from LAX and you're in paradise. My wish list includes the British Isles and Australia/New Zealand.

[Desertbelle]

Europe, any itinerary, you can't go wrong.

 

We have done the Mediterranean twice, the Holy Lands, Norwegian Fjords, and a transatlantic from Rome. They were all amazing.

 

This coming year we are doing a transatlantic in the other direction, from Tampa to England, then continuing on to the Baltics...can't wait to see Russia!

 

It took us 55 years to get to Europe, now we want to go there all the time. :D

[SPacificbound]

I fell in love with cruising on Rhapsody of the Sea from Sydney to Honolulu. :)

[Kat196]

Wow, sooo many great suggestions......now I'll start doing my research. Thanks to everyone!!

[1ParticularHbr]

We did Mediterranean in mid-October from Barcelona on Liberty last year. It was perfect weather for touring in the ports...temps in low to mid 70's and the ports were (from what we were told) MUCH less crowded than in summer. Pool days were really a non-issue since there was only one sea day. It was pleasant but not hot. Have fun planning!

[SeagoingMom]

Panama Canal transit is a wonderful itinerary. We saw more wild life (in the ocean, not on the ship) than in any of our previous cruises.

What kinds of wildlife did you see? I am intrigued...

[markeb]

Baltics. UK to St Petersburg. Best.....cruise.....ever!

 

Honestly, definitely not the Caribbean. The 12 day itinerary covers many of the major cities of Scandinavia, and two nights in St. Petersburg was amazing.

[SeagoingMom]

We're from Delaware so we've been to New England quite a bit by car and have actually been to Canada several times as well. We really would like to do a New England/Canada cruise out of Newark, NJ or Baltimore, MD but it would need to be an "extra". For our main vacation each year we try to go someplace we've never been......so many places to see, so little time! (Even though we've cruised the Caribbean 3 times, with the exception of San Juan, we've not been to the same port twice). Thanks!

So you must have done the Eastern, Western and Southern in 3 cruises! Talk about covering all the bases! Good for you -- now you truly can say, "Been there, done that." Except for the Canal... :rolleyes:

 

You know you have to do it! :D

[G85 SS]

I cannot speak from experience but I can speak from a "Must do" perspective of myself.

 

South Pacific leaving from Sydney Australia? Assuming cost isn't going to play much of a factor here.

 

Maybe others here who have done a South Pacific cruise can shed some light on the Ports of Call.

[fendbass]

While we really liked the Hawaii / Ensenada cruise (excet for Ensenada), two othere stand out

 

Tahiti on one of the smaller Proncess ships

Rio to Valpariso, South America

 

Both are once in a lifetime cruises, we especially enjoyed a day at Iguazu Falls, and 3 days in Rio

[hawlcruiser]

We loved the Baltic cruise and also the Panama Canal. If I had to pick, most likely it would be the Baltic. The opportunity to visit several countries plus St Petersburg is an awesome trip. Most of us that have cruised for many years have visited most everywhere we want , the ship becomes the trip.