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Topic: Right cruise line for frugal sophisticates

erato
Just Boarded
Member # 1329

posted 06-04-2000 05:02 PM

My spouse and I plan to cruise next March in the Carribean with two older female realtives (we are 40's-50's, they are spry 70's). Things we like: gourmet food (quality above quantity), jazz, classical music, reading, good lounges and bars. Things we don't like: casino, Las Vegas-type shows, rowdy drunks, noisy kids. We would prefer a 3-4 day cruise as opposed to a 7-day, and we don't want to spend a fortune. Is this realistic? Can anyone recommend a ship or cruise line?

Posts: 1 | Registered: Jun 2000 | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 06-04-2000 05:21 PM

Just about all ships have Casino's and Las Vegas shows. But todays mega-ships do offer you choice. You do not have to go to the Casino or shows! Most offer music and educational lectures as well.

I'm sure many of the contributers to 'Cruise Talk' can give you more precise advice than I can, but you should look at 'Holland Amererca' or maybe 'Celebrity'?

Avoid 'Carnival' at all cost

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

harborman
First Class Passenger
Member # 1248

posted 06-04-2000 07:34 PM

Sounds like HAL or Celebrity, don't know if
either offer short cruises. Do stay away from
Carnival.

Posts: 147 | From: Pennsylvania, USA | Registered: Apr 2000 | IP: Logged

sympatico
First Class Passenger
Member # 797

posted 06-04-2000 07:55 PM

The Westerdam is having 5 - 5 day cruises in 2001, Jan. 14,Feb. 4,25, Mar 28 & April 8.
They are a more upscale line, quieter, have classical music in the Explorer's Lounge in the evening (Rosario Strings). They also play in the Dining Room for about 1/2 hour at the beginning eacg dinner seating.
They have a very nice Library and Reading Room. More older people on these ships. Stay away from Carnival if you want a quieter cruise.
You can usually get a good price on the Westerdam as most people want to go on the new ships. When we used to cruise on the Westerdam we always took an DD or E cat. cabin on A deck. Good size room that also has a couch.

Posts: 3305 | From: Toronto, Ont. Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

jake14
First Class Passenger
Member # 602

posted 06-05-2000 04:49 PM

i think cunard would be good for you

Posts: 136 | From: susanville ca us | Registered: May 99 | IP: Logged

NAL
First Class Passenger
Member # 1102

posted 06-06-2000 09:30 AM

jake14......

Just when does Cunard offer 3-4 day cruises
on QE2 and Caronia?????????????
Have you priced Cunard recently?????? It's
true they have lowered prices a bit, but I
would hardly say they fall into "frugal"!!!!!

Posts: 2243 | From: Watsontown, PA | Registered: Feb 2000 | IP: Logged

Terri Lee
First Class Passenger
Member # 942

posted 06-06-2000 07:33 PM

Further to Sympatico's post....

HAL's WESTERDAM offers 5-day sailings,with Sunday departures on the dates Sympatico mentioned starting at $849 CDN.Sorry ,don't know the fares in US$.

The ports of call are Key West,Florida,Half Moon Cay,Bahamas(HAL's private and beautiful island) and Nassau,Bahamas,starting and
ending at Ft.Lauderdale,Florida.

Personally,I found Half Moon Cay absolutely beautiful and would be quite memorable for all of you.

Don't forget,nobody has to use the casino or even go to the shows....you can do your own thing on any HAL cruise!! Have a wonderful cruise!!

Posts: 292 | From: Burlington Ontario Canada | Registered: Dec 1999 | IP: Logged

Justine
First Class Passenger
Member # 1335

posted 06-06-2000 09:14 PM

Definitely Holland America, Most staterooms are the same size on their ships. Beautiful library, choice of evening quiet bars. The Explorer's lounge is a nice place to spend an evening. Their buffets are better than most.
Second choice Celebrity.

Posts: 126 | From: Northern Ontario | Registered: Jun 2000 | IP: Logged

desirod7
First Class Passenger
Member # 1626

posted 12-15-2002 10:10 PM

My vote would go for the Universe Explorer. It is a 'High Culture" cruise line. The voyages tend to be long though

Posts: 5727 | From: Philadelphia, Pa [home of the SS United States] | Registered: Oct 2000 | IP: Logged

mamamcd
First Class Passenger
Member # 2880

posted 12-17-2002 01:49 PM

If you're talking inexpensive, for me HAL doesn't come to mind. For real inexpensive on classic ships, you might try to see if there are themed jazz or classical cruises offered on the Regal Princess or Majesty cruises (out of Ft. Lauderdale) - this way you avoid the party crowd you might normally find on these ships. RCI's Majesty of the Seas sails out of Miami on 3 day Bahama cruises - this has a good contingent of partiers and kids, but the ship's large enough that you should be able to find the atmosphere and music that you're looking for. If you're willing to try a 7-day cruise, the Norway sails out of Miami to St. Maarten and St. Thomas. You will definitely be able to find the entertainment you're looking for on her, along with some very inexpensive cabin options.

Posts: 12 | From: Toronto | Registered: Mar 2002 | IP: Logged

tg_lindo
First Class Passenger
Member # 806

posted 12-17-2002 10:17 PM

But don't forget the obsolete elevators on the Norway....it's hard to avoid walking up and down steps.

Posts: 349 | From: San Francisco, CA | Registered: May 99 | IP: Logged

DOWNDIE
First Class Passenger
Member # 1517

posted 12-18-2002 12:53 AM

Another suggestion,ROC's Olympia Voyager 7 day trip out of Houston TX. Modern,smaller ship with an interesting itinerary (Mexico,Honduras and Belize). I doubt very much if there would be many partiers or children from my experience with Royal Olympic. Good food,interesting lecturers,low key entertainment including Eastern European classical musicians.
Prices don't seem outrageous on some of the cruise web sites.A fun Greek experience

Posts: 70 | From: Penticton, BC, Canada. | Registered: Aug 2000 | IP: Logged

Dolphins
First Class Passenger
Member # 2043

posted 12-18-2002 12:09 PM

I would also recommend any HAL 7 day Caribbean cruise. You can be frugal on HAL by booking an inside "J" cabin on the lower promenade deck. It is midships for minumum motion in rough seas, near the base of the Atrium and only steps away from the best feature on HAL ships- the teak all-around lower promenade deck where you can enjoy the largest "veranda" on the ship. The people across the hall from you will be paying almost twice as much as you. The above applies to all HAL ships except the Noordam and Zuiderdam. Enjoy.

Posts: 324 | From: Commack, New York | Registered: May 2001 | IP: Logged

cncservo
First Class Passenger
Member # 532

posted 12-18-2002 04:56 PM

If you want a 3 or 4 day cruise the Bahamas is about as far as you will be able to travel. Royal Caribbean is probably the answer to your quest. A 4 day Bahamas will most likly take you to Nassau, Coco Cay and Key West. It will be less roudy than Carnival and more lively than Hal. I agree with mamamcd in their reply, we took the Majesty on the 4 dayer and it was soooo goooood. We took a Hal cruise once and they were actually selling duty free coffins.

[ 12-18-2002: Message edited by: cncservo ]

Posts: 170 | Registered: May 99 | IP: Logged

Waynaro
First Class Passenger
Member # 3484

posted 12-18-2002 10:16 PM

Can someone tell me how to tell the difference between a good cruise line and a okay cruise line? I went on the Elation last February and thought it was pretty good. I have been on the Vision of the Seas a few years back and definitely better than the Elation in terms of the ship.

Posts: 6108 | From: Vallejo,CA : California Maritime Academy!!! | Registered: Nov 2002 | IP: Logged

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