Ship's Wake

For anyone who wants to reminiscence or has never seen what the Norway looked like, here is an interesting video showing the Norway on a Western Mediterranean cruise. Some really neat interior shots are found in the video, including when the ship was the SS France:

For your reply to my request for honest information. It is helpful to know about the lock situation. Is the noise from the workings of the lock or from slight bumping of the boat or something else?

I hope to hear from others as well. Our cabin is #118 which is considerably back from #100, plus we would love to hear some other opinions.

Lock noise is part and parcel of river cruising. We've heard lock noise on Uniworld ships as well. Did not keep us from getting a good nights sleep.

Wasn't a problem for us - probably won't be for you either.

Having just completed my first river cruise with Uniworld I would place them squarely in the "Upscale Light" category. The CC cruise guide compares the Uniworld vibe with Silversea and the amentities with Crystal. I would say Uniworld is just not in the same category as Silversea and I was disappointed by my expectation of such. The decor was uncomfortable and tacky and the food was particularly disappointing. The included wines were almost undrinkable. The daily tours were also disappointing in that the only accommodation made was for slow walkers but all the tour groups were much too large and very slow moving. Some of the guides were pretty bad, too. Overall, far from luxury. OTOH the personnel were very professional, friendly and well trained.

Have cruised Uniworld three times. In my opinion they are a first rate river cruise line. "Upscale Light" is a good description for Uniworld. I would not put them in the luxury category at all.

My first cruise with Uniworld was in 2005. Interestingly, I found them to be a more inclusive river cruise line then (other than included alcoholic beverages) - many of the optional excursions that are offered now were previously included. Instead of a walking tour being the standard excursion (as it is now) there was usually a walking tour combined with an experience such as a lunch in a castle wine cellar or lunch in a historic restaurant.

Instead of having a reusable water bottle in your cabin (which they have now) they provided complimentary bottled water that you could take with you when you headed out for the day.

I actually like the decor, but then again I like boutique hotels. Obviously this is an area where people will have individual likes and dislikes.

Their "luxury" marketing and "luxury" pricing has exceeded the actual product that they offer. Just my opinion, fwiw.

Perhaps they are using a 1oz jigger instead of a 1.5oz jigger fleet wide?

If so, this could explain how they are able to fill the jigger (and then some at times) and the drink still being weak.

I'm not concerned about ISIS threats in western or Central Europe. We've decided not to pursue any Russian itineraries right now, though.

 

 

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Interesting comment on Russia.

Are you avoiding Russia based on your political views or do you feel that as a cruise passenger you will be unsafe?

Here are my guesses for the 5 specialty restaurants on the Koningsdam:

-Pinnacle

-Tamarind

-Canaletto

-a pub type restaurant that has proven to be popular on Norwegian, Carnival, and on Princess

-a seafood/crab shack similar to what is on the Royal Princess

Not sure if this has been posted on another thread.

Captain Albert recently mentioned in his blog that there will be 5 specialty restaurants.

"The ship is an evolution again from the Vista and Signature class and will incorporate the latest “needs” in the industry. Do not expect an ice-skating rink or a rock climbing wall, but the number of specialty restaurants will be boosted up to five. On the Nieuw Amsterdam, there are currently three; Pinnacle (Pacific Northwest cuisine), the Canaletto (Italian) and the Tamarind (Asian fusion). Now there will be two more. What they will serve is still a well-guarded secret."

http://www.hollandamericablog.com/20...bor-maine-usa/

Thank you to everyone who responded. I appreciate you taking the time. My normal TA is away, but I spoke to one of her employees and was told that they can't see any more cabins than I can! I spoke of my suspicions about it being a marketing ploy not to show all cabins available, but he said he didn't think they were allowed to do that. Who knows, but it wouldn't surprise me at all!:rolleyes: As far as entering a particular cabin number to check what happens, I had already tried that. The problem I had there was that the field seems to insist on a 4 digit number. It is the small Prinsendam I am looking at, and the cabins are all 3 digit numbers. I tried putting in a leading zero, but that doesn't work either. Does anyone know how to get around this? Thanks again!

There is a reason for this. No cruise line wants to make available a true reading of their unsold inventory. They want the customer (in this case you) to act sooner than later.

Hope you are able to book at a fare to your liking.

She'll be as good as the budget they give her ;)

That's how I see it as well.

Yeah, just save an empty water bottle or two and fill them up and toss it in your beach bag :D

Sounds like a good plan!

 

This is a cropped portion of a picture of the QV I found on flickr. It does indeed seem to have a walking promenade. Only thing to worry about would be if they moved the lifeboats down to deck level in response to those new safety regulations.....

 

Bob

You are correct about this. The QV does in fact have a wrap around promenade.

http://www.avidcruiser.com/cruise-reviews/luxury-cruises/cunard-line/queen-victoria/

Koningsdam.

Works for me.

Fred111, thank you for taking the time to share the details of your trip. :)

Look forward to reading about your journey when you have time to post.

OP, thank you for sharing this.

Lots of passion on this thread!

Comparisons between lines from cruisers who have actually sailed on both lines are especially valuable and worthwhile.

Carnival Celebration - my very first cruise back in 2001. :)

I've been on the Niew Amsterdam twice and I really like the fact that it has the Tamarind and the Silk Den, I think this sets it apart from the rest of the fleet these are both excellent venues and give you a sense of tranquility from the rest of the ship.

-Paul

 

Eurodam and Nieuw Amsterdam then became our favorites and we enjoyed many cruises on both ships, they are very similar IMHO and we enjoyed the art deco decor on NA. Love Tamirand!!

 

Agree about the Tamarind. Have sailed on both the Eurodam and the Nieuw Amsterdam and dined most nights in either the Tamarind or Pinnacle Grill.

While the Signature ships are the largest current ships in the HAL fleet, they are smaller than most mainstream ships.

I found the NA interior to be delightful.

Until you have actually used them, you have no idea how wonderful they are to use! We couldn't have been more impressed with the way they worked and the ease of using them. I guess people are just skeptical of using something "new!"

What need have they solved?

To me, these bands are a solution in search of a need that does not exist.

Many people don't want to be told what to do. Some rebel at the idea of having to tuck a shirt in or button a collar.

Sydney does not have a bridge issue. Cruise ships do not have to go past that bridge to get in or out of the port.

Thanks.

Carnival deploys its ships to maximize its profit. Some bean counter there has determined that the Spirit-class ships are making more money elsewhere going forward than they will in Tampa.

 

My suspicion (based on speculation) is that the average passenger out of Tampa is spending less onboard than the average cruiser out of other Spirit-class home-ports. Since the Spirit class offers the highest space/passenger ratio of all Carnival ships, they depend on higher onboard sales to maintain an acceptable profit margin.

The Spirit and the Legend are Down Under. Sydney seems to be a more profitable home port than Tampa (must be selling lots and lots of Fosters).

Another bridge issue in Sydney.

Why bother with the RFID bracelet? Just implant a chip and be done with it. No need to carry around a card or wear a band.:rolleyes:

Here's what the Disney one looks like:

They announced more changes today (RCI). Had the distinctive feel of disney speed pass wrist bands.

I had the same thought. Perfect tracking device.

I wonder if they will put mini readers of the tracking bands in the "preferred" stores ashore to help track their commissions earned when customers buy there.

It is just a matter time before a cruise line (perhaps Carnival) follows what some hotel chains are doing (like SPG properties) where you can forgo having a housekeeper clean your room each day and get a perk in return. SPG allows you to go a maximum of three days before they come in to clean up.

In the case of SPG you get more SPG points for each day you participate. Maybe for a cruise line you get a coupon for a beverage or a credit in the casino, or something along those lines for each day you opt to do this.

Of course, the marketing aspect will promote "Go Green" to make it appear the choice is going to help save the environment.