A Diamond in the rough.

[ellen10]

Our one and only cruise was on Holland America to Alaska, and they were fantastic.

 

[Pushka]

Our one and only cruise was on Holland America to Alaska, and they were fantastic.

Yes - I just have this 'thing' about HAL.

 

[Timtammi]

Thinking all cruises are the same is almost like saying all hotels are the same, which of course they aren't. Horses for courses.

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

Thinking all cruises are the same is almost like saying all hotels are the same, which of course they aren't. Horses for courses.

We like SMALL ship cruising, our favorite is the Silverseas Silver Explorer - 110 passenger expedition ship - we have done 7 cruises on it with another 4 booked. Now the Noble Caledonia/APT Caledonian Sky is the same size as the Silver Explorer but you couldn't get me back on that ship if you paid me !!

 

[zig]

We like SMALL ship cruising, our favorite is the Silverseas Silver Explorer - 110 passenger expedition ship - we have done 7 cruises on it with another 4 booked. Now the Noble Caledonia/APT Caledonian Sky is the same size as the Silver Explorer but you couldn't get me back on that ship if you paid me !!

Another vote here for small ship cruising, and Silversea in particular.

 

[QF WP]

Homer advised me that he joined another online travel community - Cruise Critic Community - Cruise Critic. It’s similar to AFF - lots of “elites” with status enjoying their VIP treatment and lots of people who are paying tens of thousands per person for a high end cabin complaining about the number of “elites” in the free VIP lounge during coughtail hour…

 

[Pushka]

Homer advised me that he joined another online travel community - Cruise Critic Community - Cruise Critic. It’s similar to AFF - lots of “elites” with status enjoying their VIP treatment and lots of people who are paying tens of thousands per person for a high end cabin complaining about the number of “elites” in the free VIP lounge during coughtail hour…

That happens on Trans Atlantics (repositioning cruises) that are swamped by Elites.

On the other hand, love_the_life and I will enjoy receiving our Gold Cunard pin next April - and I think some free internet.

Lots of familiar people on Cruise Critic btw. Some even stupidly have the same name

 

[love_the_life]

Lots of familiar people on Cruise Critic btw. Some even stupidly have the same name

But not me

Actually I think Princess take the cake for the most of the Elite whinging on CC.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Thanks for an interesting trip report. We haven't been on a cruise yet, but I am building up info for the future. . I suspect we are more small ship cruising.

 

[Pushka]

Our one and only cruise was on Holland America to Alaska, and they were fantastic.

Yes - I just have this 'thing' about HAL.

I guess I got over my 'thing'.
I have for ages had a cruise booked on Celebrity in April 2018 around Japan - maybe catch the Cherry Blossoms. On CCritic there is discussion that Celebrity now requires exit from the cabin at 7am on disembarkation day as they have cut back on cabin assistants. Great enhancement there - not. This cruise is basically sold out 18 months in advance and I got a gem of a cabin.

So I did a little searching and there is an excellent 14 night HAL Volendam cruise that has an overnighter in Shanghai and it berths opposite the Tower. Its a little more expensive but has an extra night.

Itinerary current trip: Celebrity

Concierge cabin (doesn't mean much, balcony), 1 less night, touches into Taiwan, a fair bit less expensive as I booked when fares were low. Drinks and tips included. (Now much more expensive.)

Possible itinerary

Vista balcony, overnight in Shanghai, deposit non refundable (Vacations to Go, around the same price as first cruise, no tips or drinks included).

Might ask as a separate thread. Decisions decisions.

 

[love_the_life]

If you want to book HAL I think you may need to do that through your other contact if possible as I have a feeling they are like Princess in not allowing US bookings for non-US residents. Or were VTG happy to quote? Things may have changed.

 

[bobe]

You will enjoy the Shanghi experience did it a few years ago on our way to Beijing, got a couple of celebrity Booked up to now for this year Constalation in March around Asia then Reflection around the Med in June,that will take us very close to Zenith in the Captains Ladder, enjoy your cruising⛴⛴

 

[GarrettM]

No, he's grumpy because you didn't press play AND put the earphones in properly

Maybe Grumpy Cat is grumpy because everyone keeps referring to her as a he? Of course people's personal sexual preferences for their stuffed animal companions is nobody's business but their own

Awesome TR Pushka. I've just powered through the last 23 pages of it.

 

[Pushka]

If you want to book HAL I think you may need to do that through your other contact if possible as I have a feeling they are like Princess in not allowing US bookings for non-US residents. Or were VTG happy to quote? Things may have changed.

They mentioned that there would be a booking fee of $200USD and somehow that would take care of the problem? Maybe they buy us a house?

 

[love_the_life]

That is an interesting development then.

 

[drron]

That second cruise would miss most of the cherry blossoms-too late when going south to Okinawa first.
In Kyoto and Osaka we were there at the end of March and ended up in Hirosaki(aomori) about the 26/4 and they were in full bloom.
So for cherry blossoms the first itinerary is better.

 

[Pushka]

That second cruise would miss most of the cherry blossoms-too late when going south to Okinawa first.
In Kyoto and Osaka we were there at the end of March and ended up in Hirosaki(aomori) about the 26/4 and they were in full bloom.
So for cherry blossoms the first itinerary is better.

Thanks drron. I did wonder about that. Priorities priorities. MrP quite keen on the Shanghai overnighter now. Maybe land trip first might work.

 

[drron]

Or do a week after the second cruise.
Shinkansen to Akita.
Romantic train from Akita to Hirosaki.
Then local train to Shin aomori and shinkansen to Tokyo or continue to Hokkaido by shinkansen.
You could use the JR East pass but it wouldn't include Hokkaido.It does cover the romantic train.Valid for any 5 days in a period of 14 days.
JR EAST PASS (Tohoku area) | Fares & Passes | JR-EAST

Here were the dates for 2016-
Cherry Blossom Reports 2016