Cruise Talk: Which will it be...

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Topic: Which will it be...

Crooza
First Class Passenger
Member # 92

posted 09-07-1999 08:29 PM

I recently discovered this site and it seems like a terrific forum for those of us that spend most of our waking hours thinking of the next cruise we'll take. My wife and I have decided on a seven day Eastern Caribbean cruise this year(February)and are looking for some insight on what ship to book. I think the Norway would be fun - - price is right too, but my wife thinks she'll have to take her bath in a rusty tub, although I know they have newer cabins on certain decks(?) Has anyone sailed her recently? The other potential candidates are the Veendam or the Grand Princess. I believe the ports are esentially the same, so the choice of ship is our only quagmire at this point. We will probably go for a mini-suite "type" cabin on whichever ship we choose. We did sail on the Veendam last year(West.Carib)and loved the ship and the Indonesian Staff. We have never sailed on the Norway or the Grand. Thanks in advance for any thoughts/suggestions.

Posts: 32 | From: MA | Registered: Sep 99

jal33406
First Class Passenger
Member # 603

posted 09-07-1999 09:06 PM

Hello!
If you enjoyed VEENDAM (which I love), you may not be happy with an old ship like Norway or a very large ship like Grand. Suggest you look into Celebrity's CENTURY for an eastern Caribbean cruise.
John

Posts: 35 | From: West Palm Beach FL USA | Registered: Aug 99

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 09-08-1999 06:00 PM

Of course it is all a matter of opinion. This survey, taken from this very web site recently, may help you:

Over 400 Internet users responded to the 1999 survey which was conducted online at the TravelPage.com web site.

In the category of Best Cruise Line, the top 10 cruise lines were:

#1 Royal Caribbean International
#2 Holland America Line
#3 Princess Cruises
#4 (tie) Carnival Cruise Line
#4 (tie) Celebrity Cruise Line
#6 Norwegian Cruise Line
#7 Crystal Cruise Line
#8 Cunard Line
#9 Costa Cruise Line
#10 Renaissance Cruises

In the category of Favorite Cruise Ship, the top 10 cruise ships were:

#1 Norway (Norwegian Cruise Line)
#2 Century (Celebrity)
#3 Statendam (Holland America)
#4 Grand Princess (Princess)
#4 Sun Princess (Princess)
#6 Veendam (Holland America)
#6 Legend of the Seas (Royal Caribbean)
#8 Enchantment of the Seas (Royal Caribbean)
#8 Grandeur of the Seas (Royal Caribbean)
#10 Crystal Symphony (Crystal)

In the category of Best Service, the top 10 cruise lines were:

#1 Holland America Line
#2 Royal Caribbean International
#3 Princess Cruises
#4 Celebrity Cruise Line
#5 Carnival Cruise Line
#6 Norwegian Cruise Line
#7 Crystal Cruise Line
#8 Cunard Line
#9 Costa Cruise Line
#10 Renaissance Cruises

In the category of Best Food, the top 10 cruise lines were:

#1 Celebrity Cruise Line
#2 Royal Caribbean International
#3 Holland America Line
#4 Princess Cruises
#5 Norwegian Cruise Line
#6 Norwegian Cruise Line
#7 Carnival Cruise Line
#8 Crystal Cruises
#9 Cunard Line
#10 Costa Cruise Line

In the category of Favorite Destination, the top 10 cruise destinations were:

#1 Southern Caribbean
#2 Alaska
#3 Western Caribbean
#4 Eastern Caribbean
#5 Mediterranean
#6 Bermuda
#7 Panama Canal
#8 TransAtlantic
#9 South Pacific
#10 Canada & New England

In the category of Best Public Rooms & Staterooms, the top 10 cruise lines were:

#1 Royal Caribbean International
#2 Carnival Cruise Line
#3 Holland America Line
#4 Princess Cruises
#5 Celebrity Cruise Line
#6 Norwegian Cruise Line
#7 Crystal Cruises
#8 Cunard Line
#9 Costa Cruise Line
#10 Renaissance Cruises

In the category of Best Itinerary, the top 10 cruise lines were:

#1 Royal Caribbean International
#2 Princess Cruises
#3 Carnival Cruise Line
#4 Holland America Line
#5 Norwegian Cruise Line
#6 Celebrity Cruise Line
#7 Cunard Line
#8 Crystal Cruises
#9 Orient Cruise Line
#10 Renaissance Cruises

[This message has been edited by Malcolm (edited 09-08-99).]

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago!

KruzinKat
First Class Passenger
Member # 260

posted 09-08-1999 07:22 PM

We were on Norway just last month for her trans-Atlantic - our second cruise on a ship that is very special to us. We were on Fjord deck - a very good deal on spacious cabins with obstructed views. Not all cabins have bathtubs on that ship. Ours did and it was NOT rusty. From those we spoke to, all cabins were kept very clean while still showing their age. The cabins vary widely throughout the ship - some are quite "cozy" - so you should deal with a TA who can advise you. There really is no other ship quite like the Norway - so you need to sail her expecting a bit of history and an experience that takes you back to the old ocean liners, which is what she is. We love the new ships, but Norway has a piece of our hearts.

KruzinKat

Posts: 101 | From: Kingston, MA USA | Registered: Jun 99

scotto
First Class Passenger
Member # 766

posted 09-09-1999 12:55 AM

I would vote for the Norway, if only because it's sort of one of a kind. This may your only opportunity to experience a little of what a traditional ocean liner was once like. I've done the Norway twice and enjoyed it both times, and I'm glad I had the opportunity to go on it. I don't plan to go on it a third time; at this point my personal preference is for the newer ships. But if you can get a great rate............

hey, kruzinkat. are going to post a review of your trans-atlantic adventure on the Norway? at one point I seriously considered doing that in order to see the eclipse. I'd like to find what I missed, if anything.

Posts: 28 | From: florida | Registered: Mar 99

Renegade4
First Class Passenger
Member # 392

posted 09-09-1999 06:52 AM

KruzinKat and I are still working on the Norway review (btw. I'm KKat's dance partner). I think we're up to day 5 out of 13. It's amazing how much detail you can write from abbreviated notes taken on the cruise (or in this case "crossing").

If we didn't have to work to afford our next cruise, we'd have the review done long ago.

Posts: 57 | From: Kingston, MA, USA | Registered: Apr 99

Mercy
First Class Passenger
Member # 322

posted 09-09-1999 10:45 AM

I love Celebrity cruise lines! But the Norwegian C.L.new ship the "Norwegian Sky" looks really good! Check it out on their web site. I have seen some really good rates too. They are the first ship to have a Internet Cafe. It makes all the difference in the world what ship you go on.

Posts: 697 | From: Stanwood, Wa. USA | Registered: Sep 99

All times are ET (US)

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