Who on AFF are the cruise gurus and what are your preferred cruise lines and ships?

[Pushka]

Re: Who on AFF are the cruise gurus and what are your preferred cruise lines and ship

I love sea days esp on ships like QM2 where they have excellent speakers. Last trip (amongst others) it was the Captain of the last CX plane into the old Hong Kong airport. People you would never otherwise get to hear.

 

[scotus]

Re: Who on AFF are the cruise gurus and what are your preferred cruise lines and ship

The thing I've noticed with HAL is that they dont seem to have many normal balconies without dipping into suite territory. Is that a correct observation?

They do have balconies but tend to call their bigger rooms with balconies "suites". We usually book seaview as the windows are generous size. We generally book itineraries with lots of port days so don't spend too much time in our cabin. We booked a trip with an obstructed view which was really good. There was a lifeboat in front of our window but the window was floor to ceiling so loads of natural light. Can recommend Alaska, Japan and St Pietersburg (our favourite).

 

[love_the_life]

Re: Who on AFF are the cruise gurus and what are your preferred cruise lines and ship

I love sea days esp on ships like QM2 where they have excellent speakers. Last trip (amongst others) it was the Captain of the last CX plane into the old Hong Kong airport. People you would never otherwise get to hear.

And on the same cruise, there was a fantastic lecture series on opera/musicals of the Pacific/Asia with a lecturer in music from one of the west coast US universities. He was fantastic.

 

[straitman]

Re: Who on AFF are the cruise gurus and what are your preferred cruise lines and ship

I love sea days esp on ships like QM2 where they have excellent speakers. Last trip (amongst others) it was the Captain of the last CX plane into the old Hong Kong airport. People you would never otherwise get to hear.

On Aurora earlier this year we had the current Head Yeoman Warder of The Tower of London and his wife. She also had a lot to offer as she had worked with the Crown Jewels.

They made for a very interesting series of lectures.

We had dinner with them one evening.

 

[Pushka]

Who on AFF are the cruise gurus and what are your preferred cruise lines and ...

And on the same cruise, there was a fantastic lecture series on opera/musicals of the Pacific/Asia with a lecturer in music from one of the west coast US universities. He was fantastic.

The older Dame is so much more kultered than me. I stuck to my 'all things airline' obsession.

 

[love_the_life]

Re: Who on AFF are the cruise gurus and what are your preferred cruise lines and ...

Wot, moi kultured??? Aw get off it! :shock:

 

[Pushka]

Re: Who on AFF are the cruise gurus and what are your preferred cruise lines and ship

So thoughts about HAL and specifically Volendam? Just throwing it into the mix here.

 

[love_the_life]

Re: Who on AFF are the cruise gurus and what are your preferred cruise lines and ship

So thoughts about HAL and specifically Volendam? Just throwing it into the mix here.

Cruise Critic posts are giving it a good wrap. The size (smaller) is a plus in some ways and those showers look great.

 

[GladstoneTim]

Re: Who on AFF are the cruise gurus and what are your preferred cruise lines and ship

Definite thumbs up for HAL and the Volendam. Did a 17 day cruise around NZ and across to Sydney and Melbourne 8 years ago. Our family fell in love with cruising, the ship and the crew. It was their first season in Australia so had some bugs to iron out e.g. The fact Americans didn't like Aussie kids swimming in "their" pool. Management did a great job handling such situations. A high-quality of service, dining and crew relationships were evident and very "olde world" art works spread throughout. Have also cruised Celenrity and P&O. Would sail HAL even if it was a big circle of sea days on the open oceans. Happy to answer any questions.

 

[Major]

Re: Who on AFF are the cruise gurus and what are your preferred cruise lines and ship

We completed a 14 day cruise on ms Volendam earlier this year from SIN to HKG. We are fans of HAL ships as they suit our age bracket and tend to be medium sized ships.

It was our 4th HAL cruise and we have just booked another one for the end of the year.

We couldn't find any negatives for this ship or the cruise line.

 

[Pushka]

Who on AFF are the cruise gurus and what are your preferred cruise lines and ...

Good to hear the great reviews about HAL. There is an interesting itinerary in April 2018. We like a balcony but the HAL prices seem much higher than a Concierge balcony on Celebrity and way higher than a normal balcony. Also waiting on Princess to release their Japan 2018 cruises. They are always much later than the rest and I wonder how many bookings they miss as a result. Still, the same cruise as I am looking for but in 2017 has been sold out for months.
Decisions Decisions.

 

[fjc]

Re: Who on AFF are the cruise gurus and what are your preferred cruise lines and ship

We usually cruise Holland America (HAL), as they suit us. Not too many kids running around, and they are very good with passengers who have disabilities. The Lido food is fair to good, and we quickly work out which food bars to avoid.

 

[SydneySwan]

Re: Who on AFF are the cruise gurus and what are your preferred cruise lines and ship

Have cruised Volendam twice and its twin Zaandam once - all three cruises were very good.

 

[Pushka]

Re: Who on AFF are the cruise gurus and what are your preferred cruise lines and ship

Thanks everyone. Great to see I really cant go wrong I guess.

 

[Major]

Re: Who on AFF are the cruise gurus and what are your preferred cruise lines and ship

I forgot one negative and that is the outrageous price for on board wi- fi.

At most ports you would see heaps of passengers at the nearest café with a coke so they could get their password.

 

[scotus]

Re: Who on AFF are the cruise gurus and what are your preferred cruise lines and ship

Hi Pushka
You'll like HAL, have done 6 HAL cruises and 2 on Volendam, nice size ship of about 1400 guests. Have also cruised Royal Caribbean, P & O and Carnival but HAL by far the best. Enjoy

 

[straitman]

Re: Who on AFF are the cruise gurus and what are your preferred cruise lines and ship

I forgot one negative and that is the outrageous price for on board wi- fi.

At most ports you would see heaps of passengers at the nearest café with a coke so they could get their password.

P&O Australia now have packages that only require you to sell one of your children and Princess give free internet with status.

Wot, moi kultured??? Aw get off it! :shock:

It's amazing who you bump into on Cruise Critic and (heaven forbid) on the same cruise. :!:

 

[Pushka]

Re: Who on AFF are the cruise gurus and what are your preferred cruise lines and ship

It's amazing who you bump into on Cruise Critic and (heaven forbid) on the same cruise. :!:

So I believe! Someone will regret telling me that little tidbit! At least my name is always consistent too, eh Dame Older?

 

[love_the_life]

Re: Who on AFF are the cruise gurus and what are your preferred cruise lines and ship

So I believe! Someone will regret telling me that little tidbit! At least my name is always consistent too, eh Dame Older?

Just watch it Pushka; chickens might come home to roost :mrgreen:
And remember - we are travelling together again. Ripe pickings there for me I think

 

[Pushka]

Re: Who on AFF are the cruise gurus and what are your preferred cruise lines and ship

Just watch ii Pushka; chickens might come home to roost :mrgreen:
And remember - we are travelling together again. Ripe pickings there for me I think

Oh. I have quietened down considerably.
Cant wait until April!