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I really need your help and expertise If you don't mind! My friends and I are planning a cruise in January 2008. We have two options and need to make a choice within a few days due to limited availability of cabins aboard one of the ships.
Both cruises leave within one day of each other, both are ten nights.
First cruise:Ship: Sun PrincessDate: 9th Jan 2008Length: 10 NightsPrice each for four people: $2023 in a balcony cabin on Baja DeckDeparts: SydneyDestination: South Pacific
Second cruise:Ship: Pacific DawnDate: 8th Jan 2008Length: 10 NightsPrice each for four people: $1736 in an outside cabin on Dolphin DeckDeparts: SydneyDestination: South Pacific
The cruises are really similar, the main difference that we're worried about is the sorts of people that are going to be on board and the sort of cruising experience we'll have. We went on Pacific Sun in Jan/Feb this year and although it was great, the ship was a bit of a let down and we were excited about getting onto something bigger and newer. Sun Princess seemed to look really awesome on the virtual tours and we can get a balcony cabin on a high deck for only a couple of hundred each extra as opposed to a bottom deck on Pacific Dawn.
My question is basically this: for four to eight 20 year olds who want to have some fun, which ship would you recommend?
We would like to party, and were wondering if the disco on Sun Princess operates in the same way as on the 'fun ships' and if it is still a fun environment. My idea was that since the ship is newer, there would be... hopefully more to do... and more to enjoy. We really don't know!! We're going to discuss it this evening since I've booked two cabins aboard Sun Princess with no obligation, ie, they're held for seven days and after that I can lose them. P&O consultant told me there are only four balcony cabins left aboard Sun Princess for that particular sailing so we have to make a decision quick smart.
Thanks everyone for your help!! Trying to move my excitement to the side and think logically but it is difficult =P Maybe you could all give me some insight.
Thanks again!
Tazza
I think you would get better value for money. Sun Princess is still part of the Princess fleet and outdoor fast food eating venues are free on all Princess ships. My parents are going on the New Zeaand cruise on this ship and the fast food outlets are free. Pacific Dawn/Sun/Star you have to pay for extra's.
As for nightlife it should be good. I refer to Sapphire Princess we had a great time at night and security were quick to kick the under 18's out of the Disco. I think that particular cruise you will get a young crowd but I seriously doubt that this market will attract the eight trash we see on tv in the inquest.
I think you will be better entertained and looked after on a ship that has the Princess name and a world wide reputation to uphold.
Mind you I would go on Pacific Dawn as well, but if I had to choose between the two it would be the Sun Princess.
Also Pacific Dawn will be new to P&O Australia and may have teething problems with the crew getting used to facilities and routines etc.
Also don't book with the cruise lines, a specialist TA should give you at least 5% off any brochure discounts.
I can't tell you which cruise to do!
[ 06-30-2006: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]
I think it is travel agents in the UK that get cheaper than the lines.
quote:Originally posted by Sutho:I think it is travel agents in the UK that get cheaper than the lines.
I assume OZ works in the same way as the rest of the planet, so shop around.
Here in the UK, the brochure price always has 10% commission built in for the TA. Some TA's will only take 5% and give 5% back to the customer, to sell more cruises and make more commission. So yes, they can sell cheaper than the cruise line.
The cruise lines love you to book 'direct' because they keep all the 10%. I notice the P&O UK web site and a few others now give an extra 5% discount for on-line bookings, which is fine. Of course they still keep the other 5%.
I was quoted the same price from a travel agencey and P&O in this case, but I do know for a fact that on my last cruise, P&O charged me more than what I could have got from the travel agent. Trust me, I'm tight, I always shop around lol. I will probably check with one more travel agent before I go ahead and pay the deposit if this is the cruise we choose. I'll let you know which one it is =D
Thanks againA VERY excited Tazza
I once did that and paid $813 for a six night voyage on Oriana from Sydney to Auckland in a cabin to myself on A deck. They sold it to me only a month before it sailed but I requested it six months before.
I am now waiting to go back on Oriana in January sailing from Southampton to Sydney for 40 nights in another cabin to myself on A deck. This time for $365 per night with 300GPB onboard credit.
quote:Originally posted by mec1:the Sun Class ships are poorly designed
While the sun class ships might have generally small cabins, the layout of the public areas is excellent.
Spacious and breathtaking four storey atrium with two quiet bars and a bistroBeautiful split level pool deck with 2 pools and 2 hot tubs24 hour dining in the deck buffet2 inside public decks with a good size discoWell laid out and attractive showlounge at the stern, with good bar service.An excellent theatre.Sensational views from the deck bar overlooking the stern, with a semi covered pool and 3 hot tubs.
Poorly designed.... Sun Class.... I disagree, of 19 cruises I have been on "Sun" class ships 4 times and have 2 future bookings on the same class of ship.
Maybe mec1 is just trying to keep partying 20 year old's off !!!!!!!
[ 07-03-2006: Message edited by: andyc ]
quote:Originally posted by mec1: But there we are - give me the Millennium sisters, the Oriana, QE2, Sea Dream, Silver Whisper, Aurora, Thomson Destiny - any of them - over a Sun Princess class any time (and that includes Oceana)
I'm with you Mike. The "Sun Class" class sisters never appealed to me, which is probably why I have never sailed them. I have extensively visited SUN PRINCESS so I am very aware of the design.
I did sail on CORAL PRINCESS which is somewhat of a Sun Class on steroids, and quite enjoyed the ship. Go figure. Even so, give me the decor of a Celebrity ship any day.
Ernie
Whilst I agree that ships like Aurora and Oriana would be far superior to the Sun class.
This Tazza wants to do a cruise in and out of Sydney. There are only two ships available to him. Pacific Dawn and Sun Princess.
he has previously been on Pacific Sun (Jubilee - a Carnival Holiday class) Obviously the Sun Princess would be far superior to this Pacific Sun so it will be a welcome change for him.
I gave my opinion that he would find Sun Princess better than Pacific Dawn (Regal Princess) and for that kind of cruise I would choose the Sun Princess.
The only other advice I can offer him is if neither of these ships or cruises were acceptable to him and his friends, then the Sapphire Princess will be back in 2008 offering 12 night cruises to New Zealand. The brochure is not out yet, but I can say from experience I had the time of my life on Sapphire Princess and met alot of young people close to my age of 23 at the time. I actually found the facilities on Sapphire Princess far superior to Aurora and Oriana (I do stress facilities meaning gym, pools, nightclubs - I am not commenting on decor and style)
quote:Originally posted by Sutho:I think the the comparisons of the ships should be limited to what is available here.
Yes, a valid point!
quote: he has previously been on Pacific Sun ...Obviously the Sun Princess would be far superior to this.
I think this is another good point... and valid for most aussie cruisers. Just about any international visiting cruise ship is superior to what is offered here by P&O Aus. Once you experience one of these ships its hard to go back!
Ive mentioned it before, but it is because of the above reason that I think RCI would do well sending a ship downunder. Their modern fleet is full of 'wow factors' which will blow the socks off the aussie cruising public.
I hope you enjoy your cruise. Lizzie this year is my first after dreaming since childhood and I can't wait. So this is the first time I've ever really looked into cruise pricing because usually I book everything through a travel agent. You only really get anything cheaper than direct when there's last minute offers in the windows.
quote:Originally posted by Patsy: Every cruise I'm doing next year I've gone direct because I didn't really save anything with a travel agent.
I alway have by using a specialist TA?
I have found I have got better deals directly through the company. When I approach travel agents they dont want to lose their comission and are not interested in selling cheaper cruises to us.
quote:Originally posted by phil_a:Ive mentioned it before, but it is because of the above reason that I think RCI would do well sending a ship downunder. Their modern fleet is full of 'wow factors' which will blow the socks off the aussie cruising public.
I have seen one of their brochures today and the ships are impressive. The only disappointment of flying over to the US to do one of their cruises is that they are way to short after such a flight. If I have to fly longer than a day I want to relax for 14 nights or more.
I am interested to hear what Tazza has booked. I am planning 2008 now. I am thinking of either spoling myself and trying to get one of the top suites on Sun Princess for the 8 night Tasmania cruise, or alternatively waiting to May and flying to US to see Alaska. If I did that I would opt for a back to back cruise like Seattle to Ancorage for 7 nights and then the same cruise in reverse. I dont care for a land tour after and would not want to fly all that way just for 7 nights.
quote:Originally posted by Patsy: Imagine the furore there would be if direct cost far more than someone else. LOL!
For years booking 'direct' (ly) with the cruise line HAS cost more than using many Travel Agents. I still think it does in many cases.
However, P&O now give a 5% on-line discount, which helps.
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