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Which cruise line would you consider after Hal?

COLLEYBERRY

By COLLEYBERRY,
in Holland America Line

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SwissMyst

SwissMyst

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We have already picked Voyages of Discovery and Voyages to Antiquity because they are small, unique itinerary, lecture enhanced single ship cruise lines. I will never do Crystal again. Regent would be my high-end choice if money were no object, but they don't really have the itineraries that immediately appeal to me. Nice ship but kind of boring itineraries.

 

I might also look into Louis Cruise lines or MSC for their unique Mediterranean itineraries and the fact they leave from Genoa, Savona and Livorno; not Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy.

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RuthC

RuthC

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Saga would be my second choice cruiseline. It's HAL the way HAL used to be.

Third choice might be Cunard. I was too young for Cunard when I sailed that line, and it was not a good fit at the time; I think it would be now. The only thing that would stop me from choosing them is the size of the ships. They really are too large for my taste. I don't know if the atmosphere would compensate for that.

Or, maybe Hurtigruten. I love their itineraries.

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bepsf

bepsf

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Third choice might be Cunard. I was too young for Cunard when I sailed that line, and it was not a good fit at the time; I think it would be now. The only thing that would stop me from choosing them is the size of the ships. They really are too large for my taste. I don't know if the atmosphere would compensate for that.

 

Ruth--

 

Some of us are considering something aboard Queen Elizabeth for 2012 after her World Cruise...

...and we've been talking w/ Susan (it's her Birthday today) and John about a Westbound Transatlantic on QM2 in '13 or '14.

Perhaps you'll consider joining us?

:)

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tcook052

tcook052

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The next cruise on my list beyond HAL would be CEL as several family & friends have sailed on the Solstice class and really raved about the experience so am probably going to try to book something, maybe as early as April '11 but a few things have to happen first.

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LynnObie

LynnObie

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We consider HAL & Celebrity "equal but different" & love them both. Just booked our very 1st Princess cruise so will have a new experience and somethng else for comparison. We'll probably consider a Cunard transatlantic RT with something in between in a couple of years or so.

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tytan

tytan

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Having sailed HAL and Carnival the other main stream I would like to try is Celebrity.

 

If money were no object I would have my own personal mini cruise ship with the itinerary determined by me depending on what I feel like that day, OK back to reality now.

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Gablin

Gablin

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I haven't been on a HAL ship since 1999, and have cruised with Carnival, Hurtigruten, Royal Caribbean and Victoria Cruises (Yangtse River) in the meantime. I am cruising with HAL next month.

 

I am certain that I would like to try Celebrity, particularly a balcony, because of their more restrictive smoking policies. I would be on a Celebrity ship next month in South America, except that the friend who is traveling with me is a HAL loyalist. We have each cruised with HAL for 38 days.

 

The Carnival cruise I experienced in 2003 was on the only nonsmoking ship ever in the Caribbean - the Paradise. There were a number of things on that cruise that were not done the way that I liked them, but I sure liked the air quality. No other cruise line will experiment with this in the near future however, as it was clear to us that the bars and casino did not do as much business. Apparently, the fact that there was no smoking on the ship attracted a lot of family groups and people whose religions prohibit drinking, gambling and smoking.

My family was attracted to the Paradise due to my granddaughter's asthma and my having had part of one lung removed in 2002. We did a lot of business in the bars and a bit in the casino, too. ;)

On the Veendam next month, I do not expect to spend any time in the Casino or nearby bars, due to the smoke. I guess we'll drink in the dining areas.

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GeriatricNurse

GeriatricNurse

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Just curious again.:D...Which cruise line would be your second choice after Hal... just for fun you have to pick one.

 

 

Colleen, I would choose Oceania!:) Upscale premium cruise line, with NO formal dining, (smart casual), a VERY restrictive smoking policy and FEW if ANY children onboard, (as there are no activities/programs for children)!:)

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sapper1

sapper1

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We were given the opportunity to tour and have lunch on two ships in the harbour this year---the Celebrity Summit in August and the Crystal Symphony last week.

 

I took one look at the concrete outside deck on the Summit as we boarded and was completely turned off, spoiled as we are by HAL's lovely wooden decks. The whole ship seemed very ordinary and we saw nothing to entice us away from HAL.

 

The Crystal Symphony was another story. What a beautiful ship! The carpeting underfoot was very plush all through the ship and the cabins were appointed in a quiet luxurious manner. They even had lights which switched on inside the closets when one opened the doors. (Nice touch).

Although it carries only about 900 passengers, it seemed to be such a spacious ship. We were served a buffet lunch in what would be the equivalent of the Crow's Nest and the staff were very friendly and helpful.

 

It would happily take a cruise on Cystal but it seems that now that we are getting some meaningful Mariner perks on HAL, it would be starting all over again at the bottom of the heap. Our upcoming cruise on HAL required two deviations; one for only taking Cruiseair in one direction, and one for getting our flight info right away. Having 3 star status saved a few hundred dollars in deviation fees right there.

 

Crystal's free air sounds good unless you live in the Maritimes. The only gateway cities are Montreal, TO, and Vancouver, with an add-on option offered from Calgary. You are responsible for a round trip flight to your gateway city, and flights from the Maritimes to Montreal and TO are not cheap. Because of fog delay issues to pick up what is not a connecting flight you would have to plan to fly up a day early and stay in a hotel overnight to catch your flight. The same thing applies on the return flight----not connecting so you have to plan on spending the night in your gateway city to allow for delays. All that added expense means that it is just as easy to book your own flight straight through to Florida, making Crystal's free air a non-issue.

 

If you choose to take a chance and do it all in one day with a flight that does not connect, you have to pick up your luggage, stand in line to re-register and then go through customs and security after that, hopefully in time to catch your plane. If you miss that second flight you are on your own. Not good.

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COLLEYBERRY

COLLEYBERRY

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OK Celebrity ... no experience other than what I've heard and read.

 

We'll be in "your" Zuiderdam suite in 12 days Colleen:D:D.

 

 

Have the most wonderful cruise.. .I am sure you will enjoy the cabin:)

Don't forget to check the bible for the postcard and soda card I left for Sailkeywest...pretend it's for you :D

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COLLEYBERRY

COLLEYBERRY

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Saga would be my second choice cruiseline. It's HAL the way HAL used to be.

 

Third choice might be Cunard. I was too young for Cunard when I sailed that line, and it was not a good fit at the time; I think it would be now. The only thing that would stop me from choosing them is the size of the ships. They really are too large for my taste. I don't know if the atmosphere would compensate for that.

 

Or, maybe Hurtigruten. I love their itineraries.

 

Thanks Ruth :)

I have not heard of Saga or Hurtigruten ....I enjoy cruise researching even if I may never cruise the line or take the itinerary...couple more to check out... thanks again.:)

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