miketheExbaker

I haven't done it but every year I analyze the QM2 transatlantic schedule to see which sailings lend themselves to two crossings with some time (for me, ideally between 5 and 12 days) in England between the crossings.

 

For 2015 the good itineraries are (eastbound/westbound/days ashore):

May 10 / May 27 / 10 days

July 14 / August 11 / 20 days

August 4 / August 27 / 16 days

September 4 / September 20 / 9 days

October 11 / October 22 / 4 days

 

For 2016:

May 31 (Q.Victoria) / June 23 (QM2) / 14 days

July 6 / July 17 / 4 days

August 9 / September 1 / 16 days

September 8 / September 20 / 4 days

October 11 / November 3 / 16 days

October 26 / November 19 / 23 days

 

The best are the itineraries with something like an 8 day circumnavigation of the UK between two transatlantics. There were two of these in 2014 but none in 2015 or 2016.

This is a great piece of research you've done! Thanks to you and everyone for chiming in.

I was thinking it may be fun to use a transatlantic as roundtrip means for transportation for a european vacay. 7 days from NY to UK, a couple weeks in the UK then a return to NY via a 7 day. Has anyone done this? Thoughts? Feelings?

I will be driving to the port. If I were to bring a case of wine, should I just carry it on or check it in? And I shouldn't wrap it, or divide it out into our luggage? Just stroll in with a mixed case?

How bout regarding the CS on M class ships... Is there a balcony privacy issue? It seems that since they are on that bubble, the balcony is in plain sight of all other balconies. I do like a very private balcony.

Seems to be problems using Firefox

I cannot load "find a cruise "

I used IE worked fine

Yeah, I agree. I love Firefox but it's been giving me lots of O problems. Doesn't seem to be the case on Chrome. But I'm sure it will all be good soon enough.

I have been following this post closely (as I'm the OP). It always amazes me on CC how far off on a tangent discussions can go. (another board I frequent has broken out into a political argument) Sometimes I find myself more confused than when I originally asked the question! I gotta say this one has been very informative and helpful. Well actually it makes me want to be in the SS1 AND the CS! But anyway, thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and preferences, I thoroughly enjoy reading them.

Mike

A week or so ago in the find cruise section, I could select Nov and Dec and then select Sirene as the ship and cruise choices would appear. I could click on one and see the details.

 

Today I tried to do the same selections. The cruise choices appear but when I click on any one of them, I get an ERROR and a message that says the link is in error or has been removed.

 

It would be nice to be able to specify show me all cruises of 7 days or less and all cruises 8-10 days in one search. I have to do two searches to see what I'm looking for.

 

Thanks!

I'm having this problem too. I can only search one block of cruise lengths at a time. I am using firefox.

I guess it was a little naive for me to think that there would be a decisive fave without providing a little more detail. For me, I would prefer a smaller ship or one that disperses crowds well as I do not want to feel like I am lost in a crowd of thousands. Also not interested in any type of Kids activities or plans that are at all geared to a family vacation. Fine dining options are important. Generally less of a party atmosphere, and more intimate. Maybe this info can narrow it down?

I don't understand your premise. Why would itinerary fall second to ship if, as you claim, there are lots of places in the world you want to see? So pick one of those places and then go with whatever ship sails there. It doesn't go me any good if the Pacific Princess is my favourite ship if, for example, she's sailing in Alaska and I don't want to go to Alaska.

I just want to experience the best of what Princess has to offer. Like I said, it doesn't matter where it goes.

With the being so many ships in the Princess fleet......how should I choose just one ship? This is considering, with other trips planned I will only get the chance to try Princess once in the next 5 years. There are a lot of places in the world I have yet to see, so itinerary falls secondary to ship in this case.

Princess regulars...What is your FAVE ship?

How excited you must be! Have a wonderful voyage!

Ditto, nothing after Dec 2016.

Anyone know when some 2017 itineraries will be released?

Doh, yes of course, sorry I don't know what I was thinking. I guess I was just caught up in the 6 to 5 payout. My bad, I'll keep quiet, lol

Wait A sec.... I'm not sure this means what I think it means but does this mean they only pay 3 to 2 or 6 to 5 on a Blackjack? If so, I would wait til I was at a casino with better odds. I wouldn't play less than 2 to 1. They already do a great job at taking our money. Why give them an even better edge?

It would be nice if they had matching programs for cabin mates. Would love to find someone who can cruise in June of this year but its so expensive to cruise solo.

I agree, until recently I had a partner to travel with. Now I have three booked and paid for cruises, and as of now I'm going solo. Which I really would rather not do. I think traveling with a new friend would be a great time!

Which side of the ship is better for viewing the goings on while passing through the canal, heading eastbound.

I would say one of them is a ringer. She only became a CC member in 2015, never made a post and wrote one terrible review about the Infinity in South America. Another also gave it one point only. Again this was the only review the poster did and only has posted eight times.

You see this all the time on Trip Advisor.

 

I ignore the lowest and the perfect reviews for the most part and look for a blaanced review overall.

Great advice, thanks!

We just got off the Infinity. It is not a new ship, but I did not find it beat up. Celebrity does not sail beat up ships.

That kinda makes me feel better, but how would you explain why many reviews say otherwise?

There used to be a page on the O website that gave a whole bunch of options for bon voyage gifts. Since they redesigned the site, it has disappeared!

Looking at a spring Panama Canal cruise on the Infinity in 2017. I'm reading current reviews that the ship is looking pretty beat up. Anyone know of any major refurbs before 2017?

That's what I figured, thanks!

O is advertising 50% off deposits on the new itineraries coming up for booking. Does this mean half of the deposit is deferred until final payment or it is a discount off the advertised price?

So sorry to hear this. Of course, food poisoning can happen in the US as well. My last severe attack was from eating chicken at an Applebee's restaurant in South Carolina. So sick! And it makes me not want to eat at Applebee's anywhere every again.

Applebee's is awful. I was there once and once only. I had ordered a glass of milk and when i finished it I asked for a water. The waitress just filled up the milk glass with water, i looked at her and she knew she did something wrong but didn't bother to correct it. Not a food safety issue, but pretty sad and pathetic table service!

I really hate the fact that in an industry where a failing restaurant is the norm, places like Applebee's, Chili's, Red Robin, And TGIFridays are always busy and make killer profits. Just goes to show you how simple people are and how bad the average persons taste in food is.

Food poisoning is way more common than people think. Nearly everyone gets it at least once a year, and most likely several times. In different degrees of course. And sadly there's not much you can do about it if you like to eat out.

Thanks everyone for some great advice. There is a guy that posts some really great "live photo reviews" on this page. I think he's got me convinced on SS!