Cruzaholic41

My vote is Half Moon Cay, HALs private island.  There are others in the Bahamas that are so clear, the water is almost invisible, but you’re not getting there on a cruise. 
 

Otherwise, Bonaire and Cozumel. 

For heaven sake. Is Princess STILL advertising those cruises as Inside Passage?

Discovery Princess doesn’t sail the Canadian Inside Passage. Princess is kinda notorious for misleading in that regard. 
 

On 3/25/2024 at 8:15 AM, theotherchad said:

Is it just general level of friendliness or is there more? 

 

BTW, I have lived in NYC in my youth and I did discover that, while New Yorkers and Eastern Seaboard folk in general are less likely to greet and smile at strangers, the actual friendliness of the people there is pretty much the same once you get to know them. 

Oh gosh, if you think eastern seaboard folk aren’t likely to greet and smile at strangers, stay far away from west coast cruises. Seattle freeze is a real thing out there. 

Just gonna be blunt. Your criteria is a thing of the past. You’re not gonna find a 2 week cruise for $2500 on a line that hasn’t had noticeable cost cuts.  
 

Mainstream lines and other premium lines have all made cuts - even more than Cunard. I highly recommend Viking Ocean as an upgrade because they are new enough to not have cut quality like Oceania and Azamara but like the previous person said, not gonna happen at that price. 

It’s hard to say which is best. It’s easy to say Princess, especially Royal Class, is the worst though. Otherwise, everyone seems to have lounges with really nice panoramic views. 
 

I like Celebrity Solstice Class Sky Lounge best for indoor views. The windows are twice as high as HALs Crows Nest. For an outdoors feel, RCIs Quantum Class forward facing Solarium is really nice. 

15 hours ago, Heidi13 said:

 

If pax are bored on any cruise ship, perhaps they need to reconsider their choice of holiday.

Ordinarily, I’m in lockstep with your opinions and I can appreciate your view of cruising due to your career, but I think this comment is a little ignorant. 
 

This is becoming a huge problem on this board. Certain people just can’t accept that others enjoy different things on cruises. 

2 hours ago, zdcatc12 said:

I'm not sure if this class is still doing Alaska, but I took the Island Princess in 2012. That was a great ship for the itinerary.

Ah, yes. Coral and Island are 2 old time favorites. 
 

OP - Go with Sapphire for the reasons Aquahound mentioned. Caribbean is a very crowded ship. 

I have sailed all 3 of these ships and Koningsdam would be my pick. Grand, and her whole ship class, is a ship I will never sail again as long as there are other choices. Grand is old and tired, and the cabins look and feel like visiting grandmas house. 
 

Zaandam is ok. She is nice for that small ship feel, but don’t expect much for evening entertainment. 
 

I loved Koningsdam. She is a beautiful ship. Whenever I consider HAL, the Pinnacle Class ships are the first I look at. 

That’s a tough call because you two are so different.  Someone mentioned Celebrity Edge and I agree whole heartedly. Edge Class ships are amazing and are some of my favorite ships. They’re a great mix of class and good entertainment. 
 

Princess has good activities and great itineraries, but their ships are my least favorite of all cruise lines.  For as good of a reputation they have in Alaska, you’d think they’d build ships with better viewing spaces. 
 

I don’t recommend Disney at all. They’re ok but for what you pay, they’re just not worth it. If that’s the way you’re leaning, go with RCI. 

If that’s the place I’m remembering in Whittier, it was the best halibut sandwich I ever had. I lived in Kodiak for 3 years when my husband was serving and still, that little place in Whittier is my favorite. 

4 hours ago, wolfie11 said:

 Some of the best seafood in Alaska is at the Swiftwater Cafe in Whittier.  A fishing boat delivers fresh halibut and shrimp every day.

1 hour ago, CaribbeanIsland said:

I appreciate @Coral info on this board. They know more about Alaska than most which is what this forum is about. If you want to discuss entertainment on ship - go to that cruise line forum.

 

I come here for Alaska information. So glad there are people on this board that stick to the topic.

40 minutes ago, Casey12 said:

I will take Coral's helpful ALASKA information on this board any day over your ship's entertainment commentary. I appreciate everyone on this board who talks about Alaska and who has been to many of the ports and glaciers. We don't need negative comments on this board.

Wow, you people are something else. The topic was the “good or bad” of HAL, NCL, and RCI. Read the first post. Entertainment is just as much a legitimate topic when comparing cruise lines as anything else, and that was verified by several in this thread who agreed. 
 

I went back and read this thread again. The first direct attack on another poster was by Coral in post 29, so how about calling out the source rather than the responses. 
 

By the way, I should remind you that posting under multiple accounts violates board rules. 

7 hours ago, Coral said:

My comment was related to your suggestion of Alaska Marine Highway as an adequate way to visit ports which made absolute no sense. Your knowledge on this was incredibly wrong. Also, the cost of expedition ships is not something most can afford. They are cost prohibitive for majority of vacationers who visit this board.

It has nothing to do with entertainment on board. It is your ignorance on other things.

 

Obviously you do not get it.

You really need to let it go. You made a comment about not understanding why people want entertainment on AK cruises. That opinion was countered. Drop it. Your way isn’t everyone’s way. 

5 minutes ago, Aquahound said:

 

No, your problem is you can't follow context or any other opinion contrary to yours.  My post was a snide response to those who seem to have such a terrible time understanding why others like to have good entertainment on board.  But hey, if you didn't get it then, I don't expect you to get it now.  See ya.  

I totally get what you’re saying. I’m a very active 60-something who likes to dance the night away, even after an active day in port. For me, the cruise line and the cruise ship is just as important as the itinerary. 

I’ll never understand why certain posters just can’t accept that other cruisers have different likes. 

LOL. So true. But hey, isn’t everyone who works for the government a Navy SEAL?  😂😜

4 hours ago, Aquahound said:

 

Again...c'mon.  I know it's cool to act that way sometimes but in reality, that's more of a movie thing.  Those careers are very few and far between.  

14 hours ago, JRG said:

 

.... along with the self-respect of some of the Naysayers.

 

Sad to see.

 

 

Huh?  That doesn’t make any sense. 

I think the only way it’s ok is if you know you are with like-minded people, and you are able to keep the volume at a level other tables can’t hear you. Nowadays, people get judged by such stupid reasons as being from a particular state. 
 

With as ugly of a year this is going to be, cruises should be a safe space to get away from all the nonsense. 

4 hours ago, Aquahound said:

 

The point was......it was ONE solitary meal during what was almost a 3-week trip eating almost exclusively local meals, and I happened to like it.  If you can't accept that, just move the heck on.  Good heavens. 🙄

My friend, I know exactly what you are saying. Sometimes a quick and familiar bite can be refreshing, especially when exhausted. No need to explain yourself. 😊

I’ve been on both ship classes multiple times. Without a shadow of a doubt, go with Beyond. Celebrity Edge Class ships are stunning and are some of my favorites at sea. 
 

Princess Royal Class - not so much. I am not a fan of the minuscule balconies, lack of outward views from lounges, and cramped cabins. 

Viking Ocean with an honorable mention to Celebrity. 

On 10/5/2023 at 11:18 AM, Suzanne123 said:

Celebrity Flora

+1. Celebrity Flora was the most amazing cruise experience I have ever had. 
 

Runners up are the Viking Sea and Celebrity Edge. I anticipate Viking Octantis being up there, if not #1. 

On 8/26/2023 at 7:58 AM, CatalinaUK said:

 

My research has me leaning towards Viking Ocean, Azamara, and Oceania - but all of them seem to attract a much older crowd who have very vocal opinions about how other people look.

Help?!

I have actually cruised all 3 of these lines multiple times and without a doubt, I recommend Viking. Not only did I find the service and food better, but in general, the passengers seemed more relaxed and not so judgmental. Oceania is the worst and for some odd reason, that attitude even makes it’s way here by their loyalists. 
 

I also recommend Celebrity. Given your description of your husband, this might actually be a better choice because there are more activities. 
 

Good luck on your decision. 

Those are 2 fantastic cruise lines on 2 ships I cannot wait to experience. I would give the slight edge to Octantis. Viking is one of my favorite lines and Condé Nast recently named them best cruise line. 

32 minutes ago, navybankerteacher said:

How did you stand Oceania - when most of their ships were R class (which I happen to prefer greatly over the absurd, multi thousand passenger tubs which cannot even enter many most attractive ports)?

It’s not a competition, NBT. Different people like and dislike different things - although I know that concept is getting harder and harder to accept nowadays. 🙄

2 hours ago, navybankerteacher said:

Have you actually sailed Oceania - or are aware of some of their many itineraries in the $14,000 range ?  Seems strange to classify them with the likes of NCL and Carnival.

I have - several times. They used to be one of my favorite lines. But since falling under NCL, I experienced significant decline and I am not happy with their product anymore. Thank goodness Viking created an ocean line because they feel more like what Oceania used to be. 

I also can’t stand R class ships, which significantly reduces my O choices.