General Cruise Discussion

[SYD]

Surprised to see the Norwegian Sun off Port Macquarie NSW right now. Seems to be a one way trip from Fiji-would be a bit cold on the water tonight

Bit early for a repositioning cruise to down under.

 

[bPeteb]

Surprised to see the Norwegian Sun off Port Macquarie NSW right now. Seems to be a one way trip from Fiji-would be a bit cold on the water tonight

Our one and only NCL cruise was on Sun. Baltics. Loved it

 

[i0sam0i]

Bit early for a repositioning cruise to down under.

It was in Cairns 15 Aug and back here this Monday.

 

[SYD]

It was in Cairns 15 Aug and back here this Monday.

And den?

 

[RB]

And den?

Norwegian Sun Itinerary, Current Position, Ship Review | CruiseMapper. Seems not to be back to Sydney anytime soon

 

[SYD]

Norwegian Sun Itinerary, Current Position, Ship Review | CruiseMapper. Seems not to be back to Sydney anytime soon

Odd

 

[bPeteb]

Norwegian Sun Itinerary, Current Position, Ship Review | CruiseMapper. Seems not to be back to Sydney anytime soon

Maybe it's going to be replaced by Spirit that we're sailing on next June

 

[love_the_life]

I am on N Spirit in January (accompanying son to NZ) - will be a solo inside so interested to see what it is like.
Expecting a 'slight' difference from Silver Nova which Mr LtL and I are on in December - almost the same itinerary - don't ask.

 

[sanne]

I’m looking forward to getting on my new favourite ship the Silver Nova in October and again in December with family.

 

[tgh]

She is a lovely ship and we miss her...

 

[Pushka]

I’m looking forward to getting on my new favourite ship the Silver Nova in October and again in December with family.

Heck. Any ship will do. I'm just over 25 days out for NCL Pride of America touring round Hawaii.

 

[bPeteb]

Heck. Any ship will do. I'm just over 25 days out for NCL Pride of America touring round Hawaii.

Exactly!!

 

[Brissy1]

We're booking our 1st cruise. Eastern Mediterranean but flexible itinerary. Would like to go in March but we're a bit slow so might be May. 2 x adults + 1 adult (MissB). Looking at Silversea and Crystal Cruises, both have options of 3rd person on sofa bed. Cost of 3rd person varies, with Crystal Cruises can be cheaper to actually book an extra single cabin (which looks quite nice but no verandah) than booking 3rd in the same cabin! (But we'd be on different decks)
Interested in opinions on
-comparison of Silversea and Crystal Cruises
-tips on booking 3rd person
-tips on booking (we don't have a travel agent, so been communicating/pricing direct)

 

[drron]

We are long time Silversea. passengers with over 500 nights on board. But our cruise in 8 days time is on Crystal. Our Crystal cruise is a little more expensive than Silversea.
We have though talked to a few people we know who have done both and they all prefer Crystal.

One friend who is aboard Crystal now who on Silversea now and who never goes to the main restaurant on SS is going to the main restaurant on Crystal because the food is excellent. The first night he had caviar, scallops and lobster and said all were very good..

I will be doing a TR on the cruise.

 

[Lux]

A few years ago Crystal was essentially bought by the original founder of Silversea via his significant stake in Abercrombie and Kent. They have been busy enhancing their ships. Reducing capacity. More modern. Brilliant main room dining with absurdly talented chefs. Gorgeous bed linen, etc.

I loved my cruise with them and felt it was slightly more elevated than my Silverea experiences.

Silversea’s newer ships do have lots of dining options and the cabins are spacious.

Personally for a March med cruise I would book 3rd in the window cabin to get two bathrooms and feel less cramped.

Can Dm you a cruise specialist agent referral and explain benefits, if you wish?

 

[Brissy1]

...caviar, scallops and lobster

Thanks. Crystal will be my preference then!

 

[RooFlyer]

tips on booking (we don't have a travel agent, so been communicating/pricing direct)

Hi, I know you didn’t ask but I can but recommend using a cruise specialist travel agent to book. They would answer all your questions and more and fill in a lot of other gaps and things you haven’t even thought of yet (and may not realise until you are on board).

They’ll be able to tell you exactly which cabins are available at which prices and positions and the benefits and attractions of a particular cabin such as stability, near the lifts etc.

If something goes wrong, heaven forbid, they communicate directly with the cruise line on your behalf rather than you being at the mercy of whoever wants to reply to your email.

If it’s a ‘Virtuoso’ affiliated travel agent. You might get a 1 or €200 credit on board to spend.

I can recommend a great one that I use if you wish to DM me.

 

[zig]

I agree with the comments already made about Crystal v Silversea.
Another couple of matters to consider.
There is quite a variation in the Silversea fleet, so give some consideration to the ship you are considering as dining venues, facilities etc do vary.
Silversea inclusive plus pricing includes a cruise excursion credit, whilst Crystal does not. This may not be an issue for you as traveling as a group of 3 you may prefer to do private tours.

 

[drron]

Yes use a TA who sells a lot of cruises. We use a Virtuoso agent on the Sunny Coast but business is done over the internet. We have always had some OBC and occasionally extra.
But where they are essential is if something goes wrong. Always do better than expected with us.

 

[Brissy1]

group of 3 you may prefer to do private tours

Yes the tours x 3 will add up but I don't know of the alternative. I'm comparing...if I was a tourist arriving in the port of Brisbane for the ½ day, where would I start.