From Newfoundland-Long Cruise Ideas?

[glutenhab]

Looking to book a 30-50 day cruise for spring or fall of 2011 (probably fall).

Ports are our priority but we want a dependable, clean, fairly quiet ship.

MV Discovery caught my eye for ports, but reliability issues worry me. Other considerations are HAL, Princess, Celebrity, Azamara, Oceania & with these I know we may have to book several to get that length. Looking to at least cruise through the Asia, Africa, Australia area but where we start or finish doesn't matter a lot as we have many points collected for airfare or are willling to pay extra for one-ways if necessary. Any suggestions/ideas for us (a maried couple, 52M/49F, celebrating our 25th Anniversary & her 50th birthday next fall)?

[paul929207]

We will be on the Ocean Princess next spring for 44 days on a b2b. First cruise is 16 days from Shanghai to Singapore and the following cruise is 28 days continuing on to Rome.

[PrincessE]

I'd recommend Princess. Their ships are very quiet. The space ratio is excellent. There is always a quiet little area to sit and read or just people watch.

 

You would like their demographic too. Not a lot of loud, partying type folks on Princess.

 

It's my favorite line.

 

Enjoy your cruise! It sounds fabulous!

[maryann ns]

I am hooked on Azamara. It is a small ship, tastefully decorated. The crew are outstanding as is the food in my opinion. It is quiet. The casino is tiny and can be avoided. There are no programs or facilities for children so there are few on board. They have well planned intineraries with longer times in port that some other lines.

 

I have looked at MV Discovery as well. It's intineraries are great and it has loyal fans.

 

Read the reviews for all the ships you are considering, but in the end I would look at the ports and times.

 

Be sure to check into open jaw flights where you arrive at one city but depart from another. You can get these on points or on your own.

[glutenhab]

Thanks all. Azamara looks great but itineraries are generally shorter & somewhat pricier. How do they compare to Oceania, do you know? Princess looks good also, as does Discovery for the itineraries. However I have read that ports are often skipped or time there shortened because of boat problems with Discovery & that worries me.

 

I am sorta leaning toward Holland American because of their longer & more often one-way itineraries. They seem to be middle of the road for quality, am I right?

 

Any other suggestions for our 30-50 day cruise for the fall of 2011 would be very much appreciated.

[maryann ns]

Many of the Azamara cruises are designed to be done as back to backs. This gives you a saving as well as extra time in major ports. If you go to the Azamara page here you will find thread comparing Azamara to Oceana. It is a hot topic.

[glutenhab]

Thanks again maryann. I see you're not far from me.

Do you mean Azamara offers discounts if you book back-to-back-cruises?

[maryann ns]

Apparently most cruise lines do. You can do a search on the forums for the various cruises. I have put a link here, but apparently the search links do not work for long.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1195026&highlight=back+discount+b2b

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1146508

The discount is for each segment of a b2b voyage and is either $300 or $400 depending upon the length of that segment.

 

I am not far from you and I have a daughter in law from Bay D'Espoir!

[glutenhab]

Thanks once again. Followed the links & some great info on both.

I may consider using Azamara for parts of my trip.

 

By the way, I worked for 20 years with a guy from Bay D'Espoir.

He is a pharmacist, Garf Collier. Know him?

[maryann ns]

No, I have yet to go there. My DIL may know him, but of course she is much younger and he will have been gone from there for many years. Coincidentally, DIL is a pharmacist!

[flamomo]

A tad bit shorter than your parameters, but the Sapphire Princess is doing a 28 day itinerary out of LA in October 2011.

She sails to Hawaii (4 ports - Hilo, Honolulu, Kauai and Maui), then Western and American Samoa, then Tahiti (plus Moorea and Bora Bora), then returning to LA.

We've booked this one because we have been wanting to return to French Polynesia, and would like to visit Samoa. And for us, a bonus that we don't have to make that lengthy flight to Papeete again.

Just a thought for your consideration!

[glutenhab]

Thanks Flamomo. I have looked at many South Pacific Cruises & while I would LOVE to do one, especially one that continues on to Australia or even farther, all, like this one, have way too many sea days for my liking.

My interest is mainly in the ports, long days in many ports.

 

Hey maryann, does she live here or Nova Scotia.

Was her last name Willcott by chance?