Replacing the Crown on the SA route?

[DroopySails]

Question for shoreguy and other intrepid NCL experts: Any plans that you know of to replace the Crown on the Valparaiso-Buenos Aires route? We'd love to take this itinerary, but I hesitate to book it on such an old/not recently refurbished ship, since it's a longer cruise.

 

Thanks!

[Goldryder]

I am doing the cruise on Crown over Christmas/New Year this year and looking forward to it too. The size/age of the ship doesn't bother me, the fact she is smaller means she can access areas that might be out of reach of the bigger ships.

 

I can't wait to go on her, she isn't that old anyway there are liners around still twice as old as she is and they have to be well maintained to be certified, so I certainly wouldn't have put the age of the ship as a hurdle in the way of taking my cruise.

[scm200]

we sailed on the crown last august out of nyc to bermuda. we had cabin 8031 (an obstructed view on the lido deck). the cabin was great, there was enough space for lots to be stored in the closet (3 good size closet sections) and there was even enough drawer space. we stored our suitcases under the bunks and were comfortable with 3 in the cabin. the ship does not feel small (at least it didnt to me) and I have sailed on much newer ships that looked much more worn than the crown. it is a pretty ship, and as they don't get as many kids year round it seems to be in pretty good shape.

[DroopySails]

Well, that's heartening. Thanks, y'all, for the feedback. Goldryder, don't forget to share your stories when you return!

[Goldryder]

I will be leaving the UK on December 15th to fly out to Santiago, staying there for 2 nights, then joining Crown, 2 nights at Buenos Aires before flying home on the 4th Jan.

 

21 days in total, so the review is bound to be very very long with loads of photos too.

 

My NCL Jewel 2 night Jersey cruise used 9 rolls of film, which I am collecting the prints/discs on Wednesday, so a 20 night holiday is going to be quite a few more ;)

[Smooth Sailing]

We were on the NCL Crown last Jan and had a great time - my 7 part review should still be avaiable on the destination boards. On the South American cruise - you don't need a huge pool deck and outside bars - too cold and windy - this cruise is all about the ports, the fantastic scenery, penquins, glaziers. Please read my review.

[Goldryder]

I read your review with interest, very informative :)

 

It reinforced that I have made the right choice in liner and itinerary. I much prefer smaller ships and the scenery, wildlife etc are what I go on holiday to see, and not to sit in casino's or over commercialised places.

 

Crown is my idea of perfection and the SA itinerary is excellent.

[shoreguy]

My NCL Jewel 2 night Jersey cruise used 9 rolls of film, which I am collecting the prints/discs on Wednesday, so a 20 night holiday is going to be quite a few more ;)

 

Might be time to invest in a digital camera :D The trip will pay for it. It is hard to give up film but you can buy a 3-5 meg camera for a couple hundred dolars even it it is just for snaps.

 

After a few days you will find yourself only carrying that compact little camera :)

[Smooth Sailing]

Hey Shoreguy - I have a Casio EX - Z50 - It is so tiny that I put it in my pocket - takes great pics - 3X zoom - 5 mega pixels - 12X digital zoom - but, if you have any movement in this mode, your picture will come out blurry.

[Goldryder]

Might be time to invest in a digital camera :D The trip will pay for it. It is hard to give up film but you can buy a 3-5 meg camera for a couple hundred dolars even it it is just for snaps.

 

After a few days you will find yourself only carrying that compact little camera :)

 

I did own a digital camera but hated it, prefer a proper heavy 35mm instead.

 

Bought a Canon EOS just before the Jewel trip and found it more than adequate. I am processing films to prints and CD's.