"jumping ship" to a new cruise line

[arxcards]

7 hours ago, OzKiwiJJ said:

We're trying Holland America for the first time this year as well but I doubt it will become our favourite line for one very simple reason - US$ onboard currency.

The last time we cruised with them, a few years back, the wine options were extensive, and the food was a rung above Princess. That should be a tick for you. Christmas/New Years on HAL should be awesome.

 

If you book and our dollar slides, it is tough to get value. But if our dollar climbs after booking, it is better bang for your buck. I feel their ships are comfortable, restrained, and I feel they are a lot like what Princess used to be. As we age disgracefully, we are likely to spend quite a bit more time on HAL.

[sewgood]

11 hours ago, lyndarra said:

HAL still had it up 'till COVID. I was on Maasdam NZ to Oz in Feb 2020. Happy hour was two for the price of one in the Crow's Nest shortly before (early) dinner IIRC.

Thanks Lyndarra,

We'll will check it out next month. Sounds hopeful but you never know with all the cutbacks on the ships after covid.

[DT1304]

Thanks all for your comments.

 

Some interesting points.

 

I have only ever tried carnival once (all others have been of various RCI ships). To answer the question of what I disliked about Carnival, it was pretty much only the fact that i felt the quality of food and service, while very good, was still a level lower than I experienced on Royal.

 

And I also found that the activities were much more limited. You could do music trivia, or if you did not want to do that you could do movie trivia. After that if you wanted another activity you could do general trivia. finally there is always the option of cruise ship trivia 🤪

 

 

[GUT2407]

17 minutes ago, DT1304 said:

Thanks all for your comments.

 

Some interesting points.

 

I have only ever tried carnival once (all others have been of various RCI ships). To answer the question of what I disliked about Carnival, it was pretty much only the fact that i felt the quality of food and service, while very good, was still a level lower than I experienced on Royal.

 

And I also found that the activities were much more limited. You could do music trivia, or if you did not want to do that you could do movie trivia. After that if you wanted another activity you could do general trivia. finally there is always the option of cruise ship trivia 🤪

 

 

I know I have said it before but to flesh it out a bit.

 

You need to find wha5 fits you.

 

We like Princess, others don’t.

I have friends who will only sail on their own yacht, not even someone else’s.

one thinks Cunard it the height of sophistication another hates it but loves Silverseas.

A family I know would rather stay home than sail other than Carnival.

A dear friend sailed container ships till they told him he was too old, then would only cruise on the old R class ships

 

It is also part of the  reason that the two big companies (Carnival and Royal Caribbean) have multiple lines under their umbrellas, to provide various types of cruising for different demographics

[Bubbeh]

17 hours ago, MMDown Under said:

When I first visited the USA I got $1.45US for my Aussie $1.  Now I get .62c US for my Aussie $1.That is why cruise lines which charge in $US in Aust are not popular with Aussies!

When we first cruised in 2012 we were on a Royal Caribbean ship and the AUD had recently exceeded parity, we were getting $1.02 USD for our AUD.  I was buying a Brandy Alexander for $0.45; I'm a girl that doesn't usually drink cocktails and I'd not had a BA for probably 35 years but crikey, I drank a bucket load of those on that circumnavigation trip.  

[sewgood]

31 minutes ago, DT1304 said:

food and service, while very good, was still a level lower than I experienced on Royal.

 

32 minutes ago, DT1304 said:

the activities were much more limited

I found this as well on Carnival that there wasn't any variation in the day time activities offered by the entertainment staff. If we cruise on them again we know to pack the UNO cards and load up the kindle.

I didn't like the buffet as there was not much variety for example on our cruise there were only the same three types of fruit on offer every day. If there is a next time I would buy fruit ashore to bring back to the ship.

Having said this we enjoyed the dining room food as it was spicy and more exciting/different than our usual cruise line.

We found that we could always easily find an inside seat next to a window, hard to do on our usual cruiseline at times and we enjoyed the comedy shows that were different to our other cruises.

 

If you like plenty of daytime activities you should like Princess but don't expect active things such as flowrider or ice-skating.

I've found that the lower priced lines like Carnival or P&O have to cut costs somewhere and offer in some areas less choice (or you have to pay for it) than Royal Carribean, HAL, Celebrity or Princess.

But at the right price I will sail with them and usually doing three cruises a year we like a bit of variety.

 

 

[onlyslightlymad]

I've only cruised with NCL and Celebrity.  So far, I've enjoyed Celebrity.  NCL, not as much, but I've still enjoyed it and would consider them again if the price was right.

[Mareblu]

On 10/23/2022 at 5:41 PM, MMDown Under said:

My memory must be playing tricks on me.  I know we always came back with eight suitcases full of bargain purchases, with everything made in USA.

No, Marion, you are correct.  Before our dollar was floated, our exchange rate was extraordinary.  When we were extremely young newlyweds and on a tight-budget world trip (working as we went, of course) we were actually getting Two (2) $US for our $1.  No-one believes it these days, but that is exactly how it was.

[MMDown Under]

1 minute ago, Mareblu said:

No, Marion, you are correct.  Before our dollar was floated, our exchange rate was extraordinary.  When we were extremely young newlyweds and on a tight-budget world trip (working as we went, of course) we were actually getting Two (2) $US for our $1.  No-one believes it these days, but that is exactly how it was.

Thanks.  $1.45 was a funny number to remember, if it was incorrect.  I can't understand why our dollar is now so weak.  I'd like to talk with Keating, maybe he could explain the reason. I thought it may have been because US has the "working poor", but we have the "working poor" now.

In addition to our strong dollar at the time, everything was so cheap.  My girlfriend lives near Woodburiy Common Upstate NY.  Busloads of shoppers come up from Manhattan.  However, she saves discount vouchers for me, eg 75% off, so I shop cheaper at shops in small shopping centres which gives her much pleasure.   

[GUT2407]

I recall when I left the bank it was around $1.20 a year later a friend was heading to the US and I thought about a new camera but it had dropped to around 80c

[sayaguru]

On 10/23/2022 at 8:45 PM, lyndarra said:

HAL still had it up 'till COVID. I was on Maasdam NZ to Oz in Feb 2020. Happy hour was two for the price of one in the Crow's Nest shortly before (early) dinner IIRC. I'll know on January 3 when Westerdam departs Sydney for Singapore.

 

We did a few cruises on HAL in 2018-19. Beginning of the year was 2 for 1. A few months later it was Buy 1 get the second for $1. That was in Europe and Canada.

 

We travelled full time for 4 years 2016-2019 so price was important to us. We'd go overseas for 3 months at a time and do a few cruises as well as land based. We found some great deals on HAL so did quite a few with them. In the end we got sick of the problems. We spent more time at the desk on one cruise than the total of all our previous cruises. I do love their free computer classes and guest lecturers.

We always liked Princess and when we went on one again after a few years away we thought- Yep this is for us. I liker the food vand service. I like International Cafe. 

We did a few Carnival and found for the money, they are great value. I like the comedy Club. They are the funship. We had fun. 

We do like Celebrity but normally above our budget. 

Norwegian are great to for the pricepoint. I think Norwegian have the best entertainment.  

RCL are great for families. Our daughter and grandkids loves them. 

I won't go on P&O or MSC again. Life's too short!  

[MMDown Under]

On 10/24/2022 at 9:50 AM, Bubbeh said:

When we first cruised in 2012 we were on a Royal Caribbean ship and the AUD had recently exceeded parity, we were getting $1.02 USD for our AUD.  I was buying a Brandy Alexander for $0.45; I'm a girl that doesn't usually drink cocktails and I'd not had a BA for probably 35 years but crikey, I drank a bucket load of those on that circumnavigation trip.  

Can't pass up a bargain.

[MMDown Under]

Just now, MMDown Under said:

Can't pass up a bargain.

Now they hold an "Aussie Day" to meet their alcohol target and wonder why!!

[Pushka]

I've tried a few new. RCL, Princess, Celebrity, Cunard and Viking. My favourites are Celebrity and Viking but they are vastly different. Itinerary is also really important. I don't tend to do Australian cruises.  We don't tend to go to the shows as much. Viking is adults only, no photographers, casinos nor art shows. Alcohol etc is included with meals and generous pours. A much quieter experience. Beautiful amenities. Things like beautiful rugs draped on every chair. Wonderful food and specialty restaurants are free. 

Edited October 25, 2022 by Pushka

[MMDown Under]

1 minute ago, Pushka said:

I've tried a few new. RCL, Princess, Celebrity, Cunard and Viking. My favourites are Celebrity and Viking but they are vastly different. Itinerary is really important. I don't tend to do Australian cruises. 

How was Viking?  They are on my wish list.  

[Pushka]

6 minutes ago, MMDown Under said:

How was Viking?  They are on my wish list.  

Very adult.😂 We have completed an Alaskan Cruise pre Covid, and will do Passage to India next year for 21 days, which has been booked out for over a year. Very much decorated in Swedish/Norwegian style. Simple and very classy. Wonderful food. Not a Ra Ra kind of ship though if you like that. Nothing in your face. 
 

Things like heated floors in the bathrooms. Quality soaps etc. large bathrooms. The mini bars are replenished with snacks every day, the suites their alcohol is replenished. Free washing machines and dryers with soaps. 
 

We also have booked a River Cruise for Christmas 2023 and Circumnavigation of Iceland in 2024. I would also still cruise on Celebrity. Not sure about HAL. Never Carnival. 

Edited October 25, 2022 by Pushka

[MMDown Under]

6 minutes ago, Pushka said:

Very adult.😂 We have completed an Alaskan Cruise pre Covid, and will do Passage to India next year for 21 days, which has been booked out for over a year. Very much decorated in Swedish/Norwegian style. Simple and very classy. Wonderful food. Not a Ra Ra kind of ship though if you like that. Nothing in your face. 
 

Things like heated floors in the bathrooms. Quality soaps etc. large bathrooms. The mini bars are replenished with snacks every day, the suites their alcohol is replenished. Free washing machines and dryers with soaps. 
 

We also have booked a River Cruise for Christmas 2023 and Circumnavigation of Iceland in 2024. I would also still cruise on Celebrity. Not sure about HAL. Never Carnival. 

Thank you.  I love Norway.  We have cruised on four big cruises with Hurtigruten (basic) and I would trust them with my life in Antarctica.  I'm a last minute booker so I'll probably never get to cruise with Viking. unless they change their itinerary as they have just done in Australia. 

[MMDown Under]

25 minutes ago, Pushka said:

I've tried a few new. RCL, Princess, Celebrity, Cunard and Viking. My favourites are Celebrity and Viking but they are vastly different. Itinerary is also really important. I don't tend to do Australian cruises.  We don't tend to go to the shows as much. Viking is adults only, no photographers, casinos nor art shows. Alcohol etc is included with meals and generous pours. A much quieter experience. Beautiful amenities. Things like beautiful rugs draped on every chair. Wonderful food and specialty restaurants are free. 

Agree itinerary is very important.  I'm a destination cruiser, with the ship secondary as long as I feel safe. 

[Pushka]

9 minutes ago, MMDown Under said:

Thank you.  I love Norway.  We have cruised on four big cruises with Hurtigruten (basic) and I would trust them with my life in Antarctica.  I'm a last minute booker so I'll probably never get to cruise with Viking. unless they change their itinerary as they have just done in Australia. 

When they had to cancel Japan this month there would have been some great deals. The ship currently has less than 100 passengers aboard and it has a capacity of 900. 

[MMDown Under]

3 minutes ago, Pushka said:

When they had to cancel Japan this month there would have been some great deals. The ship currently has less than 100 passengers aboard and it has a capacity of 900. 

Precovid I would have grabbed the opportunity however I don't have a current passport and I was on holidays already.