So many ships, so little choice

[Gothic]

I'm recently home from a cruise aboard Minerva, Hong Kong to Vietnam and Cambodia. Last year I sailed on Discovery from Hong Kong to Borneo and Brunei. For 2012 I had booked to sail on Regatta around French Polynesia but reality kicked in when we realised just how long was going to be spent in a plane getting to and from the 11-night cruise. So we cancelled that. I'm now looking for an alternative trip: never has there been so many cruise ships to choose from yet most of them are of no interest to me at all. The destinations are really important, so I have no interest in a ship that goes to dull Caribbean locations on a 7 day circuit as those ships really are the destination. Also, nothing over about 40,000 gt appeals as I don't like the mass-market experience. I'm a Carnival-free zone, so nothing owned by that company and I'm disenchanted by Fred Olsen Line. So many of the ships that I still feel I'd like to sail on spend the winter months in the Far East and having taken two cruises there recently I was looking to sail elsewhere. As I said, so many ships, so little choice!

[Gothic]

It wasn't meant to be a 'rant'. Those are the facts as far as I'm concerned. I've taken 62 cruises on a very wide variety of ships and owned by a huge number of companies. A lot of the cruises I have taken were before the market was dominated by Carnival, RCI and NCL, so I know cruising when there was genuine variety in all aspects. So I do have a great deal of experience, albeit limited experience of the mega-ships that dominate the market now. But as such ships tend not to be destination oriented they aren't going to appeal to me. The largest cruise ship I have sailed on was P&O's Aurora, which is now classed as mid-size. I'm afraid that 1,800 or so passengers is really 1,000 too many. The basic fact is that I like ships to be ships, I don't want them to be resorts with countless dining options, production shows, casinos, shopping malls and English or Irish pubs. Many of those things I can find in the city where I live! Hence the original title of my posting, so many ships, so little choice!

[Goldryder]

I know that you are none too keen on CCL owned ships but one firm at the edge of their umbrella has small ships (older & more authentic Italian too)...Costa.

 

My cruise for next year is a 37 day jaunt, ports listed in my sig below.....Costa Classica, around 1400 passengers (probably less due to length of the 2 B2B's joined together).

 

Twin cabins are leading in at under 1000 quid for each part...Singapore to Venice, with a few overnight stays along the way.....Phuket, Maldives, Mumbai....and sea days too :)

 

The smaller/older ships are Allegra, Marina, Classica, Romantica & Victoria (she is the largest of the pre-Carnival Farcas Fantasy ships).

 

As a solo cruiser, Costa have some brilliant itineraries and without breaking the bank...they suit me fine :)

[Cuizer2]

It wasn't meant to be a 'rant'. Those are the facts as far as I'm concerned. I've taken 62 cruises on a very wide variety of ships and owned by a huge number of companies. A lot of the cruises I have taken were before the market was dominated by Carnival, RCI and NCL, so I know cruising when there was genuine variety in all aspects. So I do have a great deal of experience, albeit limited experience of the mega-ships that dominate the market now. But as such ships tend not to be destination oriented they aren't going to appeal to me. The largest cruise ship I have sailed on was P&O's Aurora, which is now classed as mid-size. I'm afraid that 1,800 or so passengers is really 1,000 too many. The basic fact is that I like ships to be ships, I don't want them to be resorts with countless dining options, production shows, casinos, shopping malls and English or Irish pubs. Many of those things I can find in the city where I live! Hence the original title of my posting, so many ships, so little choice!

 

You are unhappy with the direction cruising is going. Like I said, interesting rant.

[Gothic]

I know that you are none too keen on CCL owned ships but one firm at the edge of their umbrella has small ships (older & more authentic Italian too)...Costa.

 

My cruise for next year is a 37 day jaunt, ports listed in my sig below.....Costa Classica, around 1400 passengers (probably less due to length of the 2 B2B's joined together).

 

Twin cabins are leading in at under 1000 quid for each part...Singapore to Venice, with a few overnight stays along the way.....Phuket, Maldives, Mumbai....and sea days too :)

 

The smaller/older ships are Allegra, Marina, Classica, Romantica & Victoria (she is the largest of the pre-Carnival Farcas Fantasy ships).

 

As a solo cruiser, Costa have some brilliant itineraries and without breaking the bank...they suit me fine :)

 

Thank you for the constructive reply. Costa Classica and Costa Romantica are a pair of ships that I've often thought might be rather appealing. They are a good size and are attractive vessels. I saw Classica in Hong Kong only recently. However, when I want to sail she is still locked into her 3-day Far East cruises. I'm limited to January or February. Allegra and Marina are also of interest. I am, however, amused by your assumption that Costa is 'at the edge of the Carnival umbrella'. Well, true the above mentioned ships are Costa pre-Carnival but with all their vast ships, Carnival clones, Costa is perceived as being the European version of Carnival Cruise Line. Even so, thank you again for the suggestion and I shall now see if I can find out what Romantica, Allegra and Marina are doing Jan/Feb 2012.

[Goldryder]

Thank you for the constructive reply. Costa Classica and Costa Romantica are a pair of ships that I've often thought might be rather appealing. They are a good size and are attractive vessels. I saw Classica in Hong Kong only recently. However, when I want to sail she is still locked into her 3-day Far East cruises. I'm limited to January or February. Allegra and Marina are also of interest. I am, however, amused by your assumption that Costa is 'at the edge of the Carnival umbrella'. Well, true the above mentioned ships are Costa pre-Carnival but with all their vast ships, Carnival clones, Costa is perceived as being the European version of Carnival Cruise Line. Even so, thank you again for the suggestion and I shall now see if I can find out what Romantica, Allegra and Marina are doing Jan/Feb 2012.

 

Allegra January/February 2012 - Red Sea cruises...

 

http://www.costacruises.co.uk/gb/cruises_list/costa_allegra-201201.html

http://www.costacruises.co.uk/gb/cruises_list/costa_allegra-201202.html

 

Marina January/February 2012 - Mauritius?Seychelles/Madagasgar & homeward repo cruises...

 

http://www.costacruises.co.uk/gb/cruises_list/costa_marina-201201.html

http://www.costacruises.co.uk/gb/cruises_list/costa_marina-201202.html

 

Romantica February 2012 - Canaries & Eastern Med cruises...

 

http://www.costacruises.co.uk/gb/cruises_list/costa_romantica-201202.html

 

Classica January 2012 - Far Eastern cruise...

 

http://www.costacruises.co.uk/gb/cruise_details/201201-SIN09007-CL_14_SIN_S_F0B0H0_SIN_LAM_SGN_NHA_DAD_HAL_SYX_HKG-CL14120106.html

 

Costa is also chartering (with Costa crew/livery) Grand Voyager from Iberocruceros, another smaller ship....

 

Voyager January/February 2012 - Red Sea cruises...

 

http://www.costacruises.co.uk/gb/cruises_list/costa_grand_voyager-201201.html

http://www.costacruises.co.uk/gb/cruises_list/costa_grand_voyager-201202.html

 

Costa Victoria January/February 2012 - Canaries, East Med & Dubai repo (on her way to Far East)....

 

http://www.costacruises.co.uk/gb/cruises_list/costa_vittoria-201201.html

http://www.costacruises.co.uk/gb/cruises_list/costa_vittoria-201202.html

 

 

Hopefully these will give you an idea of what is available :)

[jocap]

Voyages of Discovery? Spirit of Adventure...Voy./Antiquity....Marco Polo, Ocean Countess....lots of little ones still around.

Or some of the German ones...(sorry, Tui, though, and Thomson ditto).

Or even Louis cruises, which we happen to find fills a need for port saturation.

Whilst understanding your rant against the biggies, there are several ships which wouldn't have continued without their backing...I believe the Queens were under threat (although the 2 new Queens =P&O's Arcadia).

I hope you manage to find something for you-

Jo.

[insidecabin]

there are a few upmarket EU based ships not pushed in the UK..

 

There is also Oceana

 

What about Azamara(RCCL brand) we are trying that for a TA to see if the "club" cruise experience works for us.

 

We like the NCL courtyard/garden villa experience(small ship within a big ship).

 

Anything close to home over winter is going to be limited.

 

 

Have you looked at cruise and maritime, marco polo has done some decent trips

[Gothic]

there are a few upmarket EU based ships not pushed in the UK..

 

There is also Oceana

 

What about Azamara(RCCL brand) we are trying that for a TA to see if the "club" cruise experience works for us.

 

We like the NCL courtyard/garden villa experience(small ship within a big ship).

 

Anything close to home over winter is going to be limited.

 

 

Have you looked at cruise and maritime, marco polo has done some decent trips

 

Thank you for coming forth with some ideas for me.

Oceania, I assume that's who you meant? I'd booked a cruise with them around French Polynesia but cancelled that because of the lengthy flights involved in getting there. I've sailed with them once before and loved the experience. However, for Jan/Feb 2012 they didn't have an itinerary other than the one we cancelled that appealed. Likewise Azamara, one of their ships had a cruise up to China and Japan which sounded wonderful but rather stretched the budget too far. NCL holds zero appeal, the villa experience (small ship in a big ship) seems to indicate to me that NCL realises that there are those of us who much prefer to sail on smaller ships and thus attempt to recreate that ambience "but it is more cost effective for us to do that on board a large ship." Sorry but I'm not buying into that idea. Apart from the logistics involved that put us off French Polynesia we aren't particularly looking for 'close to home.' As mentioned in my previous posting here, Marco Polo goes each year on the same itinerary out to the Caribbean and up the Amazon. A great trip but I've cruised to the Amazon twice already and in the Caribbean countless times. I wish they'd send her somewhere else as I would quite like to try her. Anyway, thanks for your suggestions.

[Gothic]

Voyages of Discovery? Spirit of Adventure...Voy./Antiquity....Marco Polo, Ocean Countess....lots of little ones still around.

Or some of the German ones...(sorry, Tui, though, and Thomson ditto).

Or even Louis cruises, which we happen to find fills a need for port saturation.

Whilst understanding your rant against the biggies, there are several ships which wouldn't have continued without their backing...I believe the Queens were under threat (although the 2 new Queens =P&O's Arcadia).

I hope you manage to find something for you-

Jo.

 

Lots of useful suggestions - thank you.

I sailed on Discovery last year and really enjoyed her, however, she seems to be focussed on Far East cruising these days and I've sailed those waters two years running. Voyages to Antiquity appears not to operate their ship during the winter months (I can only go away during Jan/Feb) the fact that they aren't sailing at that time is annoying as I really like the look of their ship. Marco Polo goes each winter to the Caribbean/Amazon and I've sailed the Amazon on two occasions. An exciting journey but twice in recent years is enough. I have no idea what Ocean Countess does in the winter, probably the Atlantic islands and I wish to go further afield. I'd considered Thomson Dream as I've sailed Thomsons in the past and was quite impressed (aboard the Topaz) but they seem now to be attracting a really down market crowd. Carnival did not 'save the Queens' they were long gone from the Cunard fleet before Carnival was even thought of. However, Carnival has certainly revived Cunard in a way that a few years back would have never been thought possible. I've been aboard Queen Mary (2) she's vast and thus holds no appeal, her slightly smaller consorts Elizabeth and Victoria are still too large for my tastes. There are, fortunately, some other ships out there that still appeal that offer a cruise experience as opposed to a resort experience.

[Elizanessie]

Just a little reminder folks...posts which name Travel Agents will be removed.

 

Thank you for your understanding.

[Gothic]

Just a little reminder folks...posts which name Travel Agents will be removed.

 

Thank you for your understanding.

 

I'm confused, looking back through this particular thread I cannot see any reference to travel agents; cruise lines yes but travel agent, no.

Please explain.

[Elizanessie]

I'm confused, looking back through this particular thread I cannot see any reference to travel agents; cruise lines yes but travel agent, no.

Please explain.

 

The two posts which named Travel agents have been removed..that is why you cannot see them.

[Gothic]

The two posts which named Travel agents have been removed..that is why you cannot see them.

 

Then it would seem that I never saw them in the first place!

I have been please (and impressed) by just how helpful some of the members of this site have been with their suggestions and ideas. Even though I probably have more cruising experience than most people on here it is still good to ask for suggestions etc.

[Elizanessie]

Then it would seem that I never saw them in the first place!

I have been please (and impressed) by just how helpful some of the members of this site have been with their suggestions and ideas. Even though I probably have more cruising experience than most people on here it is still good to ask for suggestions etc.

 

Very often someone will post great useful info but because a Travel Agents name has been included in the post then the whole post must be removed as per CC guidelines. If the post is posted again with the TA name taken out then that would be fine :D

 

One of the great things on this forum is the fact that there is a good mixture of cruisers who cruise on different cruiselines. Therefore often info/advice/suggestions can be found easier.

[insidecabin]

OK guys I will try again.

 

One thing to do is look around various sites for decent cruise search engines,

 

It is a shame Cruise Critic don't invest in a decent one.

 

The UK travel agents don't tend to be that good at providing this service

 

most independant sites also have poor interfaces

 

The best I have found is with with a US based agent that has great interface and is very quick.

It has a cruise summary page for each which are also very informative but simple.

for example it would allow you to select ship size dates budget and length of cruise regions etc and filter your choices.

 

Down side it does not include all the ships no TUI(thomson) or other EU specialist lines.

 

One feature I like a lot is the "90 day ticker" which shows you up coming cruises that are on offer from the cruise lines, they also have a 55+ cruises search which are usualy hard to find.

 

 

The other thing that occured to me was you had not mentioned South America.

 

Summer so good Jan Feb destination, also not as far as the Pacific

found a Oceania Peru/Chile cruise that looked good.

 

http://www.oceaniacruises.com/findcruise/southamerica/ins120122/default.aspx

[Cuizer2]

Just a little reminder folks...posts which name Travel Agents will be removed.

 

Thank you for your understanding.

 

So if I mention that my travel agent is named John, you are going to remove this post? :confused:

[insidecabin]

So if I mention that my travel agent is named John, you are going to remove this post? :confused:

 

I think it is more to do with the commercial aspects CC being part of ....

 

There have been some undercover promotions using members so the aim is to be 100% clean from now on so no TA promototions.

 

The crazy thing is that US TAs have to display cruiseline pricing so it makes no difference if you highlight a non price sensitive facility that a TA offers

 

At least in the UK they(TAs) can compete on price but remebner some in the uk are owned by the cruse lines so tend to offer slightly better deals.