What's next for us? Thoughts please

[surfoz]

Ok guys,,, some of you may know we recently returned from Sun Princess. ( Sydney to new Zealand).

On this cruise we booked the Dawn Princess for Christmas 2008 but we won't be going, 2000 passengers is too many for us. We prefer smaller ships.

 

I looked into the deals on Rhapsody but she is also a big ship.

 

So, what is the next ship for us?

Of course we like discounts LOL and are happy to book well in advance.

 

Cheers and Happy Easter

 

Jeff

[rkmw]

Ok guys,,, some of you may know we recently returned from Sun Princess. ( Sydney to new Zealand).

On this cruise we booked the Dawn Princess for Christmas 2008 but we won't be going, 2000 passengers is too many for us. We prefer smaller ships.

 

I looked into the deals on Rhapsody but she is also a big ship.

 

So, what is the next ship for us?

Of course we like discounts LOL and are happy to book well in advance.

 

Cheers and Happy Easter

 

Jeff

 

hi jeff, the rhapsody is a big ship but she also has some very good prices, she arrives in our waters in oct 08 and she's cruising around here till april 09

 

there is the funchal out of perth and the Princess Daphne coming here at christmas time but i cant tell you anything about them, they are small ships

[S&D]

Hi there,

 

You can sometimes pick up some great deals on the Pacific Princess or Tahitian Princess..only 680 passengers...we loved the Pacific last year..up thru the Islands. Very plush ships, just gorgeous. Balcony aft cabin was big, with a sofa too, and large balcony. We did a 2 weeker for $2400 pp.

 

We have friends who have been on the Rhapsody and loved that one too.

 

I have seen some wonderful prices on the Tahitian for fly cruise prices - at short notice...for the 2 week Tahiti cruises. This is one we will definately be putting on the list. The prices were similar to the above Pacific cruise, but also included air.

 

Keep searching those cruise sites for the special deals!!!

 

Happy cruising..

S&D

[arxcards]

hi jeff, the rhapsody is a big ship but she also has some very good prices, she arrives in our waters in oct 08 and she's cruising around here till april 09

 

there is the funchal out of perth and the Princess Daphne coming here at christmas time but i cant tell you anything about them, they are small ships

 

Funchal? When I started to look at some itineraies (particularly an Adelaide to Kangaroo Island one, a friend told me there was an age restriction of 50+. Anyone know if this is true.

 

Pacific Sun is a much smaller ship, but it still carries around 1900 passengers.

 

As with S&D, Tahitian, Pacific & Royal Princesses are smaller, but they are a distance away. Amsterdam is HAL's ship here later this year, which is a little smaller than our local P&O\Princess ships. Superstar is an option too, but I haven't looked into their itineraries for a while.

 

The other smaller ships that come to mind are 5 star and expensive (Crystal, Silverseas etc)

 

Yes, Rhapsody is even a few % bigger than Sun\Dawn Princess. I like this size of ship though, and found only moments on SP where everyone wants to share the same space. Apart from those times, the ship splits into several smaller bars and hangouts. We did regular strolls around the top and promenade decks and crossed paths with less than 20 people most of the time. We would also love a smaller ship too, but we are looking at Alaska for this as they don't seem to operate on local itineraries much. At the same time, the first opportunity to get a good price & itinerary will see us on a 6000 passenger Genesis class ship, so maybe we aren't so fussy about size anyway.

 

Good luck finding your next one Jeff!

[surfoz]

Thanks for the thoughts guys... Actually I like the Oceana Nautica but she is right out of our price range.... We also are thinking of an Alaskan trip in the near future.

[surfoz]

Hi there,

 

You can sometimes pick up some great deals on the Pacific Princess or Tahitian Princess..only 680 passengers...we loved the Pacific last year..up thru the Islands. Very plush ships, just gorgeous. Balcony aft cabin was big, with a sofa too, and large balcony. We did a 2 weeker for $2400 pp.

 

 

Happy cruising..

S&D

 

Sensational price S&D ! Did you do any reviews by any chance?

[arxcards]

Thanks for the thoughts guys... Actually I like the Oceana Nautica but she is right out of our price range.... We also are thinking of an Alaskan trip in the near future.

 

The 3 small Princess ones are sisters to Nautica too. Not as lavish, but a lot less expensive. Tahitian Princess is doing Alaska mid '08, but only 14 nighters. Diamond is the only Princess that currently has Alaskan itineraries for 2009

[surfoz]

Thanks for that Geoff, we are tending to steer away from Princess, but yes if the price is right:D

[rugbypopsie]

Ok guys,,, some of you may know we recently returned from Sun Princess. ( Sydney to new Zealand).

On this cruise we booked the Dawn Princess for Christmas 2008 but we won't be going, 2000 passengers is too many for us. We prefer smaller ships.

 

I looked into the deals on Rhapsody but she is also a big ship.

 

So, what is the next ship for us?

Of course we like discounts LOL and are happy to book well in advance.

 

Cheers and Happy Easter

 

Jeff

 

Happy Easter to you too.....We have sailed various sizes and lines and on Princess from the relatively small Pacific Princess to Star Princess.

 

I actually found the large ships really did have a "small ship" feel. Never felt crowded at all but any ship is a good ship for me....except for one when we had a 4 berth almost below water level and our bed was a futon that followed the curve of the hull but that's another story!

 

I noticed this year some great cruises between NZ and OZ doing the glaciers looked very reasonable prices too...was Princess, Diamond I think.

Just register with the major cruise TA's and you will get all the specials.

 

For a cruise tragic like me that keeps me occupied between cruises.

[surfoz]

to mind are 5 star and expensive (Crystal, Silverseas etc)

 

Yes, Rhapsody is even a few % bigger than Sun\Dawn Princess. I like this size of ship though, and found only moments on SP where everyone wants to share the same space. Apart from those times, the ship splits into several smaller bars and hangouts. We did regular strolls around the top and promenade decks and crossed paths with less than 20 people most of the time.

 

I agree with not many people being on the top and promenade decks but we found many people tended to sit and sit on levels 5, 6 and 7.

 

Good luck finding your next one Jeff!

 

Thanks Geoff, always appreciate your assistance.

 

Cheers

Jeff

[S&D]

Surfoz,

 

We did a BIG review on our first Asia cruise a couple of years ago on the Sapphire, but did not do one on the Pacific Princess last year.

 

We shall however, definately be boring you all on here with a HUGE review of the Sun Princess 3 weeker to Asia in May, as the ship is now based here, I will try to be as detailed as possible for our future CC members who may sail on her.

 

Good luck with your future plans, such a lovely lot of choice for us down here in Oz now....I looked through our old cruise folders (yes, sadly we have many)...LOL....and NO ....of course we are NOT addicted...:eek:

 

....we were looking at the prices from 2001 and 2002.

 

It seems it is cheaper to cruise now than ever before, obviously because of the amount of competition about!

 

Has anyone else found this?

 

We looked up the prices of our first Mexico cruise thru Princess, and we could still do that cruise for the same $ or slightly less...now.....and we were both earning a LOT less wages 6 or 7 years ago! Go figure!!

 

S&D

[The Fox]

Hi ,

 

Some of the Captain cook cruises around Fiji islands are great .They are small intimate vessels that can get into small bays etc for great snorkling ....they are only small but its all inclusive and a bit expensive.I believe star cruise now have superstar aquarius (formally norwegian wind 50,000 ton) doing great fly/cruises out of singapore or superstar libra (formally norwegian sea 42,000 ton out of tiwain.

 

hope this helps

 

Col:p

[jessica3152]

If you like small and luxurious but not completely outrageous in pricing maybe the MV Ammari out of the Whitsundays is your ship of choice.

http://www.fantasea.com.au/AmmariCruise.aspx

 

I saw her on TV and she looks stunning.

[arxcards]

The 3 small Princess ones are sisters to Nautica too. Not as lavish, but a lot less expensive. Tahitian Princess is doing Alaska mid '08, but only 14 nighters. Diamond is the only Princess that currently has Alaskan itineraries for 2009

 

FYI, some new news. 2009 Princess Alaska cruises have just been announced, with Pacific Princess doing the boutique 14 nighter.

http://www.princess.com/news/article.jsp?newsArticleId=na940

[karmac]

If you like small and luxurious but not completely outrageous in pricing maybe the MV Ammari out of the Whitsundays is your ship of choice.

http://www.fantasea.com.au/AmmariCruise.aspx

 

I saw her on TV and she looks stunning.

 

She is a beautiful little ship but I think $2000 for 3 nights is a little on the expensive side.

[surfoz]

Great idea guys thanks heaps.

I hear the one in the Whitsundays is great for cruising but not the greatest if you want to spend a lot of time snorkelling etc...

 

Captain Cook cruise in Fiji, now theres an idea...

 

More ideas to keep me busy...thanks again

Jeff

[NSWP]

Without a doubt of the ships I have sailed on...Pacific Princess was the best..only around 650 pax, great food/service, happy crew. Easy to get on and off, enough facilities for us. If you have not tried those R class Pacific Princess like ships, Tahitian etc, you must !!

 

BRING PACIFIC PRINCESS BACK TO OZ !!

 

Looked at this Princess Daphne..and Funchal..many good deals, but a little small. Friend of mine did Rome to Perth on Funchal recently..never again he said too small for long trips, maybe OK for the 7 dayer's.

 

Cheers..Les:cool:

[surfoz]

We would also love a smaller ship too, but we are looking at Alaska for this as they don't seem to operate on local itineraries much.

 

Geoff, I am now looking at an itinerary which includes canada rail, alaskan cruise & hawaii stopovers through adventure destinations. This is on Celebrity Infinity, yeah I know it isn't a smaller ship:rolleyes: I have not yet been able to find 2009 and 2010 itineraries though the 2008 looks ideal. I will be contacting them soon.

 

Do you know of anyone else who specialise in this type of combined holiday?

 

Cheers

Jeff

[arxcards]

Geoff, I am now looking at an itinerary which includes canada rail, alaskan cruise & hawaii stopovers through adventure destinations. This is on Celebrity Infinity, yeah I know it isn't a smaller ship:rolleyes: I have not yet been able to find 2009 and 2010 itineraries though the 2008 looks ideal. I will be contacting them soon.

 

Do you know of anyone else who specialise in this type of combined holiday?

 

Cheers

Jeff

Not sure of the Hawaii bit, but HAL and Princess have Canada and Alaska cruise tours including rail - probably others as well.

[tgard76]

Captain Cook cruise in Fiji, now theres an idea...

 

 

What about Captain Cook in Tahiti? I believe he had a spot of bother last time he was there :D :D

[Kinkacruiser]

Hi Jeff,

After sharing similar experiences on our recent NZ Sun Princess cruise, we are now looking into a cruise on the smaller Tahitian Princess. A return flight to Papette ex Sydney and 10 nights on this ship comes as tiny as $3436 (balcony $3860). There are 5 packages available from Oct 30 to Dec 9 this year...the best part is that there are two day stops at many of the ports, definitely not as crammed as visiting the NZ ports.

I can send you details if this interests you.

Happy planning...

Anna

[surfoz]

Hi Jeff,

After sharing similar experiences on our recent NZ Sun Princess cruise, we are now looking into a cruise on the smaller Tahitian Princess. A return flight to Papette ex Sydney and 10 nights on this ship comes as tiny as $3436 (balcony $3860). There are 5 packages available from Oct 30 to Dec 9 this year...the best part is that there are two day stops at many of the ports, definitely not as crammed as visiting the NZ ports.

I can send you details if this interests you.

Happy planning...

Anna

 

 

Hi Anna

 

Thanks for the idea.

 

Yes i saw the Tahitian one as well and I agree it looks a great cruise, unfortunately it will take us some time to save for our next cruise so we are aiming for mid 2009. If the Tahitian is in Alaska then, we will definitely consider her.

 

 

 

Cheers

Jeff

[CruiseKidz]

Geoff, I am now looking at an itinerary which includes canada rail, alaskan cruise & hawaii stopovers through adventure destinations. This is on Celebrity Infinity, yeah I know it isn't a smaller ship:rolleyes: I have not yet been able to find 2009 and 2010 itineraries though the 2008 looks ideal. I will be contacting them soon.

 

Do you know of anyone else who specialise in this type of combined holiday?

 

Cheers

Jeff

 

I know you mention it is too big but Rhapsody is doing a 16 night Sydney to Honolulu April '09 then onto Vancover in a B2B

[surfoz]

Well guys, the decision has been made, we have chosen Rhapsody of the Seas on 13 Dec, 10 nights Sydney to Pacific Islands, not a smaller ship I know..... but some of you have told me how nice it is and the price is very good, and look, so we have a new countdown clock!

 

Thanks for all your tips!

[arxcards]

Well guys, the decision has been made, we have chosen Rhapsody of the Seas on 13 Dec, 10 nights Sydney to Pacific Islands, not a smaller ship I know..... but some of you have told me how nice it is and the price is very good, and look, so we have a new countdown clock!

 

Thanks for all your tips!

 

Sounds fantastic Jeff. Should just get time to read your review and view your pics before we take our turn.