Advice Please: First Time Cruise From Sydney

[BadgerBoi]

Due to a huge change in my life circumstances (ie my partner has been diagnosed with a terminal illness), if we are to take a holiday together it needs to be a cruise as flying beyond short haul is now out of the question for us.

I have no idea where to start looking, so I'm hoping that experienced AFF cruisers might be able to point me in the right direction.

Ideally, we would be looking at a cruise departing Sydney, probably going to places like Noumea , Ile des Pins, Vanuatu. Not too fussy about where, actually, but that region. We'd like to leave Australia.

We definitely don't want a party ship, but I guess we don't want to feel as though we are in God's waiting room either (although I guess technically my partner is!). I wouldn't say that price is no object, but the cost is not high on our priorities, having a decent holiday together is.

So, could anybody please be able to point me in the right direction as far as ships or companies are concerned? I did look through the forum but could find anything that really addressed my question, and I've never been on a ship before so I really can't tell from the ads what might be appropriate.

Many thanks in advance.

 

[Pushka]

So sad to hear about your partner Badgerboi. I hope you can create many lovely memories.

I would avoid school holiday periods. Celebrity Solstice is a beautiful ship and maybe book Aqua class which has its own small restaurant. I'd say people in their forties onwards in non school holidays.

I'd avoid Carnival and P&O. Party ships.

Also avoid the short sailings - eg four day return trip to Sydney. Usually party trips for Hens parties/birthdays and general drink as much as you can cruises.

Cunard has sailings in February and March. An older crowd maybe but QM2 is very special.

Sailing out of Sydney Harbour is wonderful especially at night time.

I am sure you will find some wonderful cruises that will suit. You will need to sort out Travel Insurance also.

Love_the_life and I did an Aussie QM2 trip report onboard the QM2 in 2014 you might find helpful. Its in the trip report section and just search for Dames.

 

[VPS]

Sorry to hear your news - CruiseSheet.com - The Cruise Search Engine™ this might help seeing what's available from Sydney and then you can narrow it down for your preferences

 

[Pushka]

From my Facebook this morning

 

[love_the_life]

Sorry to hear about your partner Badgeroi and I second Pushka's comments on Solstice and Cunard. Oceania also has had good reports and we liked P&O international (not to be confused with local P&O whose ships are all Pacific xx_). I suggest looking at the cruise lines websites to get an idea of itineraries and ship features then checking prices through online TAs though usually book direct with the line as it is easier to make changes etc. Remember that in the Pacific large ships will use tenders for some ports as the ports will not be able to handle their size. Also you will need to look at travel insurance. Most have a long list of exclusions so you may need to shop around. Good luck. Hope you find something suitable. Cruising is great - have done lots of them.

 

[ksthommo]

Also sorry to hear about your partner BadgerBoi.
My vote is also Celebrity Solstice, Aqua Class is great as you can dine whenever you like.
Also have access to the relaxation area (check the website).
Bit bias, have only cruised Carnival & Celebrity.

 

[BAM1748]

You have your location set as Paris, so you're cruising out of Europe?

 

[BadgerBoi]

You have your location set as Paris, so you're cruising out of Europe?

Oops, fixed that. I was in Paris for a couple f months earlier the year, forgot to change it back

 

[BadgerBoi]

Thanks to everyone for your kind words.
and thanks for the great suggestions, you've really pointed me in the right direction. Most grateful!

 

[love_the_life]

....... I suggest looking at the cruise lines websites to get an idea of itineraries and ship features then checking prices through online TAs though usually book direct with the line as it is easier to make changes etc..

Sorry, what I meant to say is that we usually book direct with the cruise line, not that you should BB. If you have a good TA let them do the work for you.

 

[Imw]

Sorry about partners news but good you have a chance to make some wonderful memories together and cruising is certainly ideal for that!
We have cruised 5 times with princess (www.princess.com) and about to embark on our 6th cruise at end of October. We find Princess to be classy upmarket without a huge price tag. They are mixed ages we find from young right through to mature, and everyone seems to get along so well. The staff and service are out of this world too! Actually we are heading to South Pacificfrom Melbourne, which leaves from Sydney first on 28th, so you could back to back cruise and join us!!!

 

[love_the_life]

Funny you should suggest Princess. It is a very popular line and has a big presence in Australia. I'm on the 2 nighter from Sydney on the 28th. I've only been on Dawn P (before refurb) and wasn't overly impressed by her compared with Celebrity but keen to see how this newer ship stacks up. I know 2 nights isn't enough to do heaps but I can get an idea of cabins/public areas etc. The feel of a ship is usually much different on the longer cruises. Hope you have a great South Pacific cruise Imw. We are looking at something similar - but maybe on Celeb.

 

[Pushka]

And we are cruising Princess in Alaska. People rave about the crews' standard of service so definitely worth thinking about.

 

[Imw]

We've been on dawn and sea couple times and Janet got any other lines to compare as were were so happy with princess, and great loyalty program (like we stuck with qantas for same reason). The three nighter we did was definitely different that week or two weeks but still very enjoyable

 

[love_the_life]

And we are cruising Princess in Alaska. People rave about the crews' standard of service so definitely worth thinking about.

We've been on dawn and sea couple times and Janet got any other lines to compare as were were so happy with princess, and great loyalty program (like we stuck with qantas for same reason). The three nighter we did was definitely different that week or two weeks but still very enjoyable

And this is why I am checking them out again. I am looking forward to the short cruise. Mr LtL is not coming but adult son is sailing and has his own cabin (and not having cruised at all is very excited. He had some health issues and does not like flying so hopefully he will enjoy this). Mother (as in LtL) is footing the bill as usual.