alexandra cruiser

that would require long bus rides,or car travel to get to.Hard with all the different languages,driving,etc.

That s why we love river cruising,but we alternate with ocean too.

Suggest you TRY other cruise lines too, we started with Viking and sort of moved up to more luxury on AMA and trying Scenic.Fun to see how other lines compare.Others prefer to stick with one,but I like at least TRYING others.

Now mostly itinerary based,after 10 cruises.Loved the Egypt,Russia,Portugal,Vietnam ones too.Try France,doing a new north France one in 2015(did south)and enjoyed.it.Loads of places to see,so little time.:)

good to hear ship is taking rough water pretty well.Was really concerned about that.

Good point about rain jackets,never thought it would be cool and rainy.Thinking HOT,lots of research to do,it seems.

Loving this thread,look everyday.Wish the cruise was sooner.

Read a negative review re.simlar cruise on Regent board.(but re ship,not cruise ports,etc).

Did you order any guidebooks prior?What resources were helpful to you.Have a yr.to plan.

Thanks again.:)

as far as ports,excursions,etc.?/

Thinking of taking this itinerary, just not sure of cruiseline.

Have been on both Regent and Oceania,and enjoyed both.

Just prefer not to be on Voyager (due to vibration probs),but loved my Marina cruise(and food ,too).

Maybe a new chef?Sad to hear you did NOT like it.Always room for improvement on any line,it seems.

Let us know about the rest of it,please.;)

on the islands.Which with ship,own?Ones to avoid,great ones,etc.

As said ,doing this one in Dec.and never know in advance whether to book online with ship,try on own.Seems to vary with ea.island.

;)

and will be following you everyday.Have looked many times on Celebrity section and finally found you.Yeah.

Why did you chose that ship, itinerary,etc.Trying to narrow it down and concerned Solstice too big ,we prefer smaller.But always open to suggestions.

Let us know about Tasman Sea,hear it can be rough.

Lookd forward to your New Zealand shore exc.posts.

Thanks,enjoying my trip(on computer,for now)/:)

got ANOTHER brochure with cruise only price,but STILL lower than what I m paying AGAIN.Every brochure seems to be lower,checked O web price and not reflected there,what gives?

What am I missing this time?

Contacted my TA again to check this out.

Dont remember this on my last cruise in Oct.,,,anyone else noticing big changes in prices,brochures,etc.?

Cant imagine what price will be by time I actually take cruise in Dec????:confused::(

and really appreciate them.

Now all you have to do is ALL THE REST of the ports,right???

Love the photo link ups and for the time it must have taken to gather all the info.Sure many readers will also appreciate them.

CC is so great for info,thanks to all who share their knowledge.

I m chosing SB because I thought the smaller ship would be able to get in smaller ports and in the Sounds,etc.right?Hey, I also have referral credit to use.haha:)

rougher waters well.Was worried since its smaller.But we did some parts of north sea on Sojourn and no probs.

Temps.not a real prob,will feel right at home(from FL).

Was wondering about taking a HOHO bus in both Melbourne and Sydney?or the city tram tour.May only have 1 full day pre cruise,due to vacation days.But HOPE to come back for Sydney to Bali,or similar after that.Know you CAN T see all of Australia in 2 wks.

Always been on my bucket list,but had to wait till we could afford the airfare,haha.:)

was wondering how many days to spend there and what to do.Good to hear it from an Aussie.

Also, going to Melbourne so look forward to that review too.

Re.the ship.Did it seem to take the Tasman sea ok,know it can be rough.

How was New Zealand,did you take any shore exc.with ship or on your own?

If you can post your pics,that would be great.Thanks for links to other cruises posted also.:)

asked under roll call section.

Need opinions please.:)

or HAS done it?

Looking into it for 2015.:)

in US,BUt,VERY EXPENSIVE,,and MUST be booked at time of deposit.So for me to get it for the next cruise.I Must PAY for whole thing($2,000) at time I put down money(maybe a yr.ahead of time,in some cases).As compared to $500 for reg.policy.So I ve skipped it due to that.

BUt know they TRY not to pay for anything,if they can.So many clauses,its awful to be so frustrated.Tried to use it ONCE,for Egypt cruise.But NO,,,the terrorism section did NOT apply.Was after the Cole ship bombing and travel warnings for US..Said "the ins.company deteremined if TERROR,not state dept.:"tricky wording.:(

or get cancel for any reason,which has to be booked at first deposit and is VERY EXPENSIVE.

Will keep that in mind,and now REALLY hope all goes well.

So far, out of 10 river cruises,no big probs YET, and hope luck holds.

Sad,but seems MANY of the cruise lines did NOT treat the passengers well during the floods.Wish CC had put a thread of all the companies and treatment so we could easily see.I had posted this,but it was never done.??:confused:

but sorry not traveling as much.

Have not been on SB site as often,but noticed I hadn t read anything from you and was worried.

Thanks for update.

Have you ever done SB to Australia and New Zealand.That s my next cruise for 2015?:)

I havent seen any post s for awhile,let us know.

So much good info given in past,I miss it.:confused:

I ll be on R in Dec.for first cruise on that ship.Also,going to Carib(but southern).So any info re ship,excursions,islands will be appreciated.

Booked a concierge suite.

Looking forward to blog:)

I ve been getting them inc.in my O cruises from my TA.Get free gratuites,OBC, don t need drinks pkg.Then a 5% cash back for booking "luxury"line)or premium(definition??).

I never used the air pkg.(prefer to do on own and get discount).

Like to do SOME shore excursions with ship(depending on port and country)but like to have a choice.

Have been on Regent(twice) and had problems with the Voyager vibration.Did love the Mariner,but it limited my cruising choices.

So now have done 2 O s and have another booked this Dec.

My advice,give the different lines a try,look at itinerary choice.After cruising 20 yrs.I m getting limited in just ONE cruiseline.

To each his own,right?;)

and yes Marty ,I have read your posts re this company.But am taking my chances with first cruise on it in June.Know things can go wrong(sorry about yours) and do feel they should have compensated you much better.Know you also have a lawsuit going.Sometimes they CHANGE,one can only hope.

Just liked the brochure and the good reviews I read,plus the itinerary seemed best for me.Also, has the full balcony(a plus).

Like to at least TRY new experiences and if not pleased,don t go again.

Have taken 10 river cruises on all the major lines,some I liked others not so much.And I ALWAYS get insurance,just in case.

This is marketed as LUXURY and we ll see.;)

all the ships DONOT have jr.suites(from brochure details).

Maybe majority of ships similar,but NOT ALL.

Also, the new one for France,DOES NOT have jr.suites,or tubs in ANY of the cabins.

If they switch ships on me,I WILL BE VERY UPSET,unless exactly similar.Or expect large refund for paying for cabin I DIDNT GET>:(

was also thing about PG,but after looking at boat(cabins smaller) and some reviews,agree Regent might be better.

Figured if I spent 12hrs to Papeete,or so,why not little more to Aust?:confused:

Of course, hope you don t get many.But have only been on it in Norway and very calm.Want to do one that may have rough seas(Tasman) and just wondering.

Have a great time.Thanks for posts.:)

section.

Hope they don t change the ship I signed up for,since some of them don t have a jr.suite per se(with a tub).

I have one in June.

Was concerned about negative reviews,but many have also been positive.Lets HOPE for the best.Do post one when you get back.;)

and thought it was mid ship(sort of),but even felt it in tub,water seemed to vibrate too.Did feel bed was one of the quarter things,but not at all relaxing.

May just wait and take the Mariner again,since I had NO PROBLEMS on it .Better than taking a chance if not fixed.Sad...

My DH had no problems,called it the princess and the pea syndrome.What can I say??:o

after looking at map,realize not really same area.But info WAS helpful and just never know,it seems.

Thanks all.;)

but on different line, we enjoyed the mix of BIG cities,and small ports in New Brunswick,Prince Edward Island,Nova Scotia.Those were the hi lites for me.Wanted to do a driving vacation,but this gave us an overview.

Leaves were not fully changed,but weather a mix of sun,warmth,then a few cool,rainy days, Can t guarantee THAT.

We spent 2 days pre in Montreal.Took the HOHO bus and saw all the sites.Great little restuarants.We got a guide from tourism bureau,that might help to convince her.(google it).Or look at Toms Port Guides(again google_,very helpful and loads of photos and pics.

Let us know.;)