Oceania or Celebrity for round the horn?

[chillie_queen]

I'm trying to plan a trip to SA and really want to go at Xmas this year. Unfortunately Celebrity only start the route in January but Oceania are doing a holiday cruise on the Insignia and there's a 2 for 1 deal with air at the moment, so is similar in price to Celebrity. We've only sailed with Celebrity before (Mercury and Infinity) so we're worried that with the Insignia being a small ship, we'd be bored during the sea days (I love the Infinity steam room and covered pool and they have a cinema). The only advantages are 1) date and 2) they overnight in Punta Arenas. We've never suffered from seasickness even on the rough English Channel crossings, so not too worried on that front. Food quality is important but don't care about casino or shows.

 

Anybody had experience of both lines? Can the smaller ships get to ports more easily when the seas are rough?

 

Denise

[xpcdoojk]

HAL and Princess also do a SA itinerary. RCI may start. I would explore all of your options before you make a decision. HAL, also, goes to Rio de Janeiro which was a plus for me.

 

 

jc

[Aussie Gal]

My sister and brother in law sailed on HAL's Amsterdam over Christmas and New Year and loved the cruise. HAL brought on board wonderful lecturers and the whole experience was great due to good weather and the opportunity of being able to sail so far South.

 

We are going on Regal Princess's inaugural trip on 8th January. This will be the first of a series of cruises by Princess but it does not go earlier. I know that the HAL's Rotterdam has a Christmas - New Year cruise this year down South.

 

I agree with jc and would look into all the different cruise lines as most of them are venturing down there. I know that Silverseas and I think Crystal also have itineraries there as well.

 

We have sailed on the Tahitian Princess which is the same ship as the Insignia (they were both Renaissance ships). It is a smaller ship but it does have advantages - not as many passengers for one and it is a lovely new ship. I do think though that it could rock and roll a bit more than some of the other ships. We sailed from Tahiti to the Cook Islands and even though the seas weren't rough there was a lot of movement.

 

Jennie

 

Jennie