What Cruise Line Do You Want to Try Next and Why?

[navybankerteacher]

24 minutes ago, ontheweb said:

Earlier today, I posted in the NCL section and asked if people wanted to meet others at dinner or dine alone. Basically, the responses were all we would rather just eat as a couple. The closest to I want to meet others at dinner was someone who said she liked that as a solo, but her husband would be with her on their next cruise (his first cruise), and his attitude was the exact opposite.

I suppose there may be certain general attitudes on different lines.

 

NCL of course emphasizes the “Freestyle” motif of doing your own thing - which seems to translate into not with others.  I’ve found Cunard the furthest in the other direction - where most seem to want shared tables- followed by Celebrity and HAL, then Aramara, then Oceania then Royal Caribbean.   I only sailed Carnival once, so didn’t get a clear feeling

[iancal]

We have cruised on RCI, Celebrity, HAL, Crystal, NCL, Carnival, and Princess.    When we first started cruising it was mostly tables of 8 or 10 at predetermined settings.

 

Now, our very strong preference is for anytime dining (or whatever descriptor the cruise line uses), table for two.  No matter what cruise line/ship we happen to be on.   

[donaldsc]

On 11/10/2021 at 6:31 AM, DirtyDawg said:

The last time I was in a Woolworths was around 1970.

Stick with "Walmarts of the seas".

 

But "Costco cruise ships" and "Bezo's boats" have a nice ring to them too.  😊

 

I call them "Monstrosities of the Seas"

 

DON

[navybankerteacher]

5 hours ago, iancal said:

We have cruised on RCI, Celebrity, HAL, Crystal, NCL, Carnival, and Princess.    When we first started cruising it was mostly tables of 8 or 10 at predetermined settings.

 

Now, our very strong preference is for anytime dining (or whatever descriptor the cruise line uses), table for two.  No matter what cruise line/ship we happen to be on.   

Have you never run into interesting people while travelling?  Or perhaps risked interaction?

[iancal]

1 hour ago, navybankerteacher said:

Have you never run into interesting people while travelling?  Or perhaps risked interaction?

Absolutely.  We met an Australian couple in Thailand who are now good friends of ours.  We have since toured parts of Australia with them on two trips.  Met them poolside at a resort in Thailand.  They introduced to real Thai cooking at small family restaurant on our first trip.   Enjoyed it so much we went back for five more winters.

 

 Ditto for a British physician whom we met on a beach in Thailand.  Asked us lot of questions about Canada as she we trying to decide on whether to immigrate to Canada or Australia.  Still in contact four years or so later. She chose Melbourne.

 

Not so much on cruises though we have met a number of interesting people.  Some of whom we still keep in touch with and trade travel recommendations. 

 

Some of our best travel tips have come from fellow travelers.  On board and on land.  

 

The last thing we want is to eat at the same time every day, especially when we have been out and about touring.   Sometimes we may eat lunch at 3, then we do not want dinner until 8 or nine.  Or not at all.  Absolutely do not want to be tied down with fixed seating.

Edited November 13, 2021 by iancal

[cruising cockroach]

On 11/11/2021 at 7:09 AM, ilikeanswers said:

I'd love to try Ponant or Lindblad once. They have interesting itineraries and uniquely specialised ships. Unfortunately they will most likely always be out of my price range especially if I have to add single supplement to the cost 🤑. 

 

There are some cruises (namely, the less-popular ones) where Ponant does not charge a single supplement.  Met some two persons who were good friends and usually share a cabin who did a long sailing 2 years ago.  They  each got their own cabin with this promo.  And it wasn't an unexotic either.  3 parts Ushuaia to Hanga Roa (yes, you can leave or join a cruise there!) then the eastern Pacific to Papeete, and then to Honolulu.

[navybankerteacher]

1 hour ago, cruising cockroach said:

 

...3 parts Ushuaia to Hanga Roa (yes, you can leave or join a cruise there!) ...

There are lots of things that "can" be done -- but considering the time and travel expense involved in some of them, they are hardly worth the effort -- except, perhaps, for bragging rights.

[ilikeanswers]

1 hour ago, cruising cockroach said:

 

There are some cruises (namely, the less-popular ones) where Ponant does not charge a single supplement.  Met some two persons who were good friends and usually share a cabin who did a long sailing 2 years ago.  They  each got their own cabin with this promo.  And it wasn't an unexotic either.  3 parts Ushuaia to Hanga Roa (yes, you can leave or join a cruise there!) then the eastern Pacific to Papeete, and then to Honolulu.

 

I appreciate the tip there. Unfortunately I am destination focused and the itineraries I want I am yet to see them waive the single supplement. Maybe one day when I am done exploring the world and just want to experience the ship it could be an option. 

Edited November 13, 2021 by ilikeanswers

[ISLABONITA]

In November of 2019 I took a leap of faith and booked a cruise of the Canary Islands and Madeira with Pullmantur and had the best time ever with an incredible price for a suite and all the perks that came with the Black Wave members program.                                                                                                       Next year I am on MSC for the first time to W Caribbean and with an aft balcony for a ridiculous price on the Divina. The itinerary was one reason it drew me to it and all the great comments about this particular ship and cruiseline.

[cruising cockroach]

6 minutes ago, navybankerteacher said:

There are lots of things that "can" be done -- but considering the time and travel expense involved in some of them, they are hardly worth the effort -- except, perhaps, for bragging rights.

 

Hanga Roa is (or was, pre-COVID) very easy to get to and from. LAN Chile flew there regularly, sometimes up to 2x a day.  It's a domestic flight from Santiago and one of the longest flights where there is no emergency airport to land at: The flight either has to land at Hanga Roa or return to the mainland.

 

You can also visit the UNESCO World Heritage site, which lots of cruise pax will never be able to do so because the seas are too rough to tender.  There is no port suitable for any passenger ship (even Ponant''s small ships) so one will have to get in by tender or Zodiac (Ponant ships carry a fleet of these). 

[ilikeanswers]

16 minutes ago, navybankerteacher said:

There are lots of things that "can" be done -- but considering the time and travel expense involved in some of them, they are hardly worth the effort -- except, perhaps, for bragging rights.

 

I spent a week in Rappa Nui and for me it is one of the top ten places I have visited. To be honest I wouldn’t call it the hardest place to visit. There are daily flights from Santiago and a few times a week from Papeete (which was my flight). But I have been to some real out of the way places and I didn't do it for bragging rights but because they piqued my interest and they were places I really thought I would enjoy. So far they have lived up to expectation so I must be doing something right😂. 

Edited November 13, 2021 by ilikeanswers

[navybankerteacher]

1 hour ago, iancal said:

…

 

 

The last thing we want is to eat at the same time every day, especially when we have been out and about touring.   Sometimes we may eat lunch at 3, then we do not want dinner until 8 or nine.  Or not at all.  Absolutely do not want to be tied down with fixed seating.

Being willing (perhaps even preferring to) dine with others has nothing to do with fixed seating.  I was referring to those who always insist on just dining alone.

[cruising cockroach]

1 hour ago, ilikeanswers said:

 

I spent a week in Rappa Nui and for me it is one of the top ten places I have visited. To be honest I wouldn’t call it the hardest place to visit. There are daily flights from Santiago and a few times a week from Papeete (which was my flight). But I have been to some real out of the way places and I didn't do it for bragging rights but because they piqued my interest and they were places I really thought I would enjoy. So far they have lived up to expectation so I must be doing something right😂. 

 

Not to mention, a large cruise ship just would not be able to load unload and reload the number of passengers just for a stop or excursions.  Even if they could, there just isn't the required transportation capacity.   

 

I remember reading some trip report of a "smaller" HAL ship (1,200-1,500pax capacity?) getting there. and aborted tendering after a few tries.  Some fortunates got to go ashore but most of the others could only see the island from the ship.  I'd be royally p*****d if I paid for such a cruise and could not land.  A not exactly uncommon occurrence for these kinds of ports.

[ontheweb]

8 hours ago, navybankerteacher said:

Being willing (perhaps even preferring to) dine with others has nothing to do with fixed seating.  I was referring to those who always insist on just dining alone.

Yes, all the lines now seem to have some form of anytime dining.

[ontheweb]

Many of the posters who replied in my thread on NCL about dining with others were very defensive in their comments. It is an interesting thread, and if anyone wants to read it, it can be found at:

 

[ilikeanswers]

11 hours ago, cruising cockroach said:

Not to mention, a large cruise ship just would not be able to load unload and reload the number of passengers just for a stop or excursions.  Even if they could, there just isn't the required transportation capacity.   

 

I remember reading some trip report of a "smaller" HAL ship (1,200-1,500pax capacity?) getting there. and aborted tendering after a few tries.  Some fortunates got to go ashore but most of the others could only see the island from the ship.  I'd be royally p*****d if I paid for such a cruise and could not land.  A not exactly uncommon occurrence for these kinds of ports.

 

I read a blog of someone doing

IIRC a world cruise that had Hanga Roa as a stop. They had been told beforehand that the chances of actually achieving landing was slim and they ended up not getting off, however the weren't so upset as they booked knowing it was a slim chance.

 

I think it also helped they weren't terribly interested in visiting Rappa Nui anyway and perhaps most who do those cruises are like them could take it or leave it. I think those who really want to visit the place would make the effort to find the best way to achieve that goal. It didn't take me much Google search to figure a cruise was not the best option. 

[marco]

We also have always wanted to try Crystal, but it seemed a bit pricy.  They had a good deal on a recent sailing (Sept out of NY) to Bermuda, so we went.  Yes, the price was a bit more competitive, yes, it was very nice, but  we were not as impressed as we expected to be.  I thought it quite on par with Celebrity and HAL.

[cruising cockroach]

2 hours ago, ilikeanswers said:

 

I read a blog of someone doing

IIRC a world cruise that had Hanga Roa as a stop. They had been told beforehand that the chances of actually achieving landing was slim and they ended up not getting off, however the weren't so upset as they booked knowing it was a slim chance.

 

I think it also helped they weren't terribly interested in visiting Rappa Nui anyway and perhaps most who do those cruises are like them could take it or leave it. I think those who really want to visit the place would make the effort to find the best way to achieve that goal. It didn't take me much Google search to figure a cruise was not the best option. 

 

True enough, but the Ponant cruises not only stop there, but start a cruise or get off one there.  There are those who don't want the dreary (to them) 9 sea day voyage from Ushuaia and Hanga Roa so elect to fly to Easter Island and board there.  I guess that is the advantage of small ships and Zodiacs.

 

I just can't fathom anyone not wanting to visit the sights on the island.  They are one of the few truly iconic things in the world to see.  But then again, one is dealing with the cruise crowd.

Edited November 13, 2021 by cruising cockroach

[ldubs]

On 11/10/2021 at 12:17 PM, rkacruiser said:

 

😃   Cooked for how long?  😃   

 

Dunno.  Never cooked one.  😃.   

[ldubs]

On 11/10/2021 at 2:33 PM, navybankerteacher said:

I seem to recall the term “mega ship” first being applied to anything much larger than 2,000-2,500 passenger capacity - when such ships started coming on line - in the first few years of this century.  I still think of them as “mega ships” and still do not particularly like them.

 

 

 

One of my favorites is the Grand Princes at about 2500 passengers. Another is Jewel of the Seas at 2700.  Hard to think of either as other than a mega ship.  But they are considerably different than the newer 5000+ Cruise ships.  

[ilikeanswers]

11 hours ago, cruising cockroach said:

True enough, but the Ponant cruises not only stop there, but start a cruise or get off one there.  There are those who don't want the dreary (to them) 9 sea day voyage from Ushuaia and Hanga Roa so elect to fly to Easter Island and board there.  I guess that is the advantage of small ships and Zodiacs.

 

Since I'm not a fan of sea days that Ponant cruise would be terrible for me😆. Besides flying to Papeete is alot more convienient for me than flying to Ushuaia. At the time we were already planning a trip around French Polynesia and so finding out there were flights from PPT to IPC was just a no brainer to add Rappa Nui to our trip. It is a place I had always wanted to visit.

 

11 hours ago, cruising cockroach said:

I just can't fathom anyone not wanting to visit the sights on the island.  They are one of the few truly iconic things in the world to see.  But then again, one is dealing with the cruise crowd.

 

Not everyone is into the same thing and cruises like tours they visit many different places to try and cater to as many preferences as possible so a person might join a cruise to visit certain places, doesn't mean they are interested in the whole itinerary. Then again there is always ship as destination type travellers which I guess the Ponant 9 day Ushuaia to Hanga Roa probably caters to. I would assume you have to really love the ship to want to be on it 9 days straight.

[cruising cockroach]

11 hours ago, ilikeanswers said:

 

Since I'm not a fan of sea days that Ponant cruise would be terrible for me😆. Besides flying to Papeete is alot more convienient for me than flying to Ushuaia. At the time we were already planning a trip around French Polynesia and so finding out there were flights from PPT to IPC was just a no brainer to add Rappa Nui to our trip. It is a place I had always wanted to visit.

 

 

Not everyone is into the same thing and cruises like tours they visit many different places to try and cater to as many preferences as possible so a person might join a cruise to visit certain places, doesn't mean they are interested in the whole itinerary. Then again there is always ship as destination type travellers which I guess the Ponant 9 day Ushuaia to Hanga Roa probably caters to. I would assume you have to really love the ship to want to be on it 9 days straight.

 

There are voyageurs.  The ship was repositioning after the austral summer Antarctic season.  No place to stop en route to Hanga Roa (that's why Europeans could not believe Polynesians not only found the place but apparently traded/acquired stuff (e.g., sweet ptatos) with South Americans and left (and acquired) DNA there.)  Many are content to sit on the ship and enjoy the fine food and wine (alcoholic drinks inc. non-fine wine complimentary).  I did the leg from Honolulu to the Sea of Japan side of Japan.  9 days to enjoy the ship without any nuisance stops. A fine bargain at ~$135 pp pd.

 

From Hanga Roa, the ship stopped at Pitcairn and a few other stops the Aranui goes to a couple of times a year.

[donaldsc]

Aranui; Clipper; Viking; Hurtigrutin to AK.  Interesting ships which are small - as far as I am concerned and ship that is larger than ~1000 passengers is a monstrosity,   Interesting ports.  

 

DON

[cruisemom42]

On 11/12/2021 at 12:05 PM, ontheweb said:

Earlier today, I posted in the NCL section and asked if people wanted to meet others at dinner or dine alone. Basically, the responses were all we would rather just eat as a couple. The closest to I want to meet others at dinner was someone who said she liked that as a solo, but her husband would be with her on their next cruise (his first cruise), and his attitude was the exact opposite.

 

I checked out (and posted on) that thread -- I'd say the folks in that forum are actively hostile toward dining with others! 😨  Quite a few aggressive remarks to say the least.

 

[rkacruiser]

30 minutes ago, cruisemom42 said:

 

I checked out (and posted on) that thread -- I'd say the folks in that forum are actively hostile toward dining with others! 😨  Quite a few aggressive remarks to say the least.

 

 

I appreciate your information.  One more reason why I would never consider sailing on one of their ships.  I did once many years ago before the name change of NCL:  Sunward II, a very good cruise and one that I have rated as being the best cruise for value that I have ever booked.  It seems the clientele has changed just as the cruise experience that was once offered.