bobbisailsolo

Thanks Fishywood. I hadn't realized it was such a popular itinerary! Currently Princess is one of the highest priced of the mainstream popular cruise lines, but I'm sure that can change. I haven't booked yet. Waiting for at least a bit of a price drop.

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Just wondering, since the ship sails from London ( or there about ) are there a lot of Brits on board? Lots of Americans? Lots of Europeans? When I did a med cruise out of Rome on HAL, it was probably 90% Canadian and Americans on board. This cruise departs June 13th, 2015 for 14 days. Should I expect lots of kids on board. Just wondering what to expect.

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I can say this, I will never sail silverseas, crystal, regent, or seabourne, because I can't afford it. [emoji19]. I can take two trips for the price of one luxury cruise which makes more sense for me (as a solo traveler).

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My first cruise was on Premier ( the big red boat) Oceanic! First time is always the best! It was an older ship, but loved the feeling of being on a ship, not like the floating hotels today...

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Not sure to whom you're referring when you say "ideas of grandeur." I'm a 34 yo professional (not wealthy by any means). I cruise RCL when my priority is having fun, particularly with groups of friends, and I cruise Celebrity when I want a more refined, relaxing vacation. I enjoy the variety. Never seen anyone on either line appearing to have "ideas of grandeur." I've never been on true "luxury" lines so I can't speak to their clientele, but I suspect the criticism that certain lines carry pax with hangups about money and class is, in actuality, more about the critic's own sense of fitting in with people with tastes different than theirs.

Regarding delusions of grandeur, I did have an experience my last RCL cruise through Panama Canal, and though it seems funny now, I never sailed on them again. Maybe it was because it was a holiday cruise (one of the more expensive times to travel) but the fellow at our table was so obnoxious and boastful, I wanted to gag. I guess that's why I like NCL. Very warm and down to earth people. I found HAL that way as well. I have to admit, I now prefer land vacations because of all the ostentatiousness you encounter cruising...Not to say I haven't met some very nice people...

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We just signed for June 6 on Ocean Princess [Midnight Sun]. It goes to Bergen, Hellesylt, Geiranger, Tromso, Magdelena Fjord [cruising], Ny Alesund [near Santa's Cabin at the North Pole], Honningsvag, Alta [new stop for them, anyone know it?], Gravdal Lofotens, and Stavanger, back to Dover. I wish they still did Kirknes because I have heard great things from over there. But this seems an awesome iteneray.

 

 

 

Any insights?

 

 

 

Doug

That one sounds fantastic. Small ship, plus spitsbergen! That would be my first choice, if I could afford it.

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I have friends (professional people) that only go on carnival! They love it! I've never been because it's marketed as the "fun ship", which doesn't appeal to my low keyed lifestyle. But everyone I know who's been has gone again!

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Off topic, sort of:

 

Why do some people refuse to use capitals at the start of their sentences, and never use a capital "I" when referring to themselves. This has got to be a major pet peeve of mine. I guess it's being a teacher in my younger days that makes this avoidance of a simple punctuation rule rub me the wrong way. It's like fingernails on a chalk board. :(

 

Sorry for the rant. :o

 

Back to our regularly scheduled arguments about whether Carnival is worth it or not. :D

If it weren't for auto correct, you'd see a lot more of that. I, also a former teacher, don't bother to punctuate when using an iPhone...,but it does it for me.... Sometimes... Lol

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I have a friend who won't touch RCI now that they are basing a ship in China with their human rights record.

 

 

 

It's a difficult personal conscience decision I guess.

You can't judge other countries by our standards. My son lives in china. It's a hundred times safer there than here in the states. What works for us, may not work for them, and vice versa. There is much propaganda on both sides. I'm not saying it's perfect there, I'm saying it's far from perfect here!

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Does anyone else find it obnoxious when all people talk about is how many cruises they've been on? I try to stay away from that kind of crowd as best I can. I was considering booking a cruise, and when I looked at the comments in the role call, where everyone defined themselves by how many cruises they've taken, I decided NO WAY! I never discuss that when I travel. I took my 90 year old mother on a cruise, and that's all that was discussed at dinner. She apparently felt so out of place (it was "only" her 3rd) she started fabricating stories. I would rather be with first time cruisers who are in awe of everything! That's why I like mainstream...

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I been on about 12 cruise, 4 different lines.. Several overseas. I sailed on the old Norway, which even though old and dying, I found it to be so enjoyable, just for those reasons. I guess it's how you look at things... Some people see the glass half full, some half empty. I guess as a world traveler, both land and sea, I tend to focus on what I like rather than what I don't like... Understanding the A/C problem which certainly is a valid issue. But I have to say, if I'm traveling, it's all good. Never had a bad trip...so yes, I have preferences, but not enough to rule anything out. I'm feel just so blessed to have been able to see everything that I have!!!

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Being a very casual person, I like a very casual cruise. I travel solo and feel stupid walking around all dressed up.. Lol. So for that reason I would avoid all of the high end cruises.. Though I've never been... To expensive for me. Food is not important because I'm always on a diet, so I happen to like NCL. I don't like to be with a lot of kids, so I'd avoid Disney as well. I think the mainstream companies are all pretty comparable, so I look at itinerary and price, trying to get the most bang for the buck.

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Why are princess cruises so high? Even with a 60% single sup, the other lines are cheaper with a 100% sup! I really like the princess itinerary, but I don't think the line is any better than HAL, Celebrity or even NCL to warrant paying more. And it appears, that as prices drop, you have to pay the 100% supp! $4600 for an inside seems awfully high.....Any thoughts on this? Any suggestions as to the best time to book?

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This is very interesting... I thought I would like an aft balcony on the princess cruise. I went to reserve on line and low and behold, the deck plan shows them all sold out! Along with MANY others on the port and starboard side. So just out of curiosity I looked on Expedia... And yep, they were available! Expedia shows it as a sale price... Which actually they are 200 higher...on top of that, Expedia wants twice as much deposit... I'm kind of flabbergasted. Think I'll call princess and see what up. I remember getting an aft balcony on a South American cruise... 14 days...for around 3000.00 when rates were just rolled out! total! Now they want 8000!

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With I cruisers help, I have changed my mind. Decided on the Caribbean Princess 14 day north cape sailing June 13 from Southampton. Now just waiting for a price drop, then I'll book!

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Ok... Norway it is. So now I have two choices... Princess or NCL. 5 ports are the same so it comes down to Laknes, hammerfest and Molde on NCL... Or gravdal, stavanger, and flaam on princess.

It appears that Laknes and gravdal are pretty much the same as far as excursions. My impression is the stavanger and flaam might be a better choice, as they look more picturesque. Any opinions on this?

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I-cruiser, I am looking at several for the north cape... HAL, NCL & Princess. All visit Bergen, trosmo, gerainger and honningsvag, but differ in the remaking ports. The combo on HAL called northern isles sails August 1 2015 on the Ryndam. Looks to be a new itinerary... 4 ports in Iceland, 3 in Norway and the Faroe and Shetland isles. I'm thinking a little more variety on this one?

VIEW SHORE EXCURSIONSEmail this ebrochure

DayDatePortArriveDepart

0 01 Aug 2015Harwich (London), UK 04:00 PM

1 02 Aug 2015 At Sea

2 03 Aug 2015Lerwick, Shetland Islands 08:00 AM 04:00 PM

3 04 Aug 2015Torshavn, Faroe Islands 08:00 AM 04:00 PM

4 05 Aug 2015Djupivogur, Iceland TR 10:00 AM 06:00 PM

5 06 Aug 2015Heimaey, Iceland TR 10:00 AM 06:00 PM

6 07 Aug 2015Reykjavik, Iceland 08:00 AM 05:00 PM

7 08 Aug 2015Isafjordur, Iceland 08:00 AM 04:00 PM

7 08 Aug 2015Scenic Cruising Isafjardurdjur CO

8 09 Aug 2015Akureyri, Iceland 07:00 AM 03:00 PM

8 09 Aug 2015Scenic cruising Eyjafjordur CO

9 10 Aug 2015 At Sea

10 11 Aug 2015Alesund, Norway 10:00 AM 06:00 PM

11 12 Aug 2015Bergen, Norway 08:00 AM 05:00 PM

12 13 Aug 2015Eidfjord, Norway 08:00 AM 05:00 PM

12 13 Aug 2015Scenic cruising Hardangerfjord CO

13 14 Aug 2015 At Sea

14 15 Aug 2015Harwich (London), UK 07:00 AM

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Considering a Northern Europe cruise for next year. I had pretty much decided on a 14 day north cape cruise, going as far as honningsvag , but then came across a 14 day cruise that does Bergen, alesund, and eldfjord in Norway plus 4 ports in Iceland plus a stop in the Faroe and Shetland islands, thus combining norway and Iceland. Wondered if anyone has some thoughts to share on this? Is the north cape or Iceland preferable. Anyone done both? They have 28 day cruises that combines both itineraries, but I don't think that's an option for me at this time...

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This thread has been really helpful. I too am planning on a Norway cruise in 2015. I have booked on NCL north cape for 14 nights, as it the most reasonable thus far. Ncl has assured me I can cancel if I change my mind, and will meet any price reductions.The HAL RYDAM and Rotterdam I've eliminated as they have 5 days at sea as opposed to 4 on the STAR. I do like the itinerary on the prinsendam , and the ocean princess, and will consider those if their prices drop B4 the final payment is due for the NCL Star. As I am going solo, NCL right now is 100% single supplement, where as princess and HAL offer about 60%. So if their rates drop a bit, it might be a wash. I have to admit though, I prefer the casual atmosphere on norwegian.

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Don't think I'd like staying by the airport. Even with the easy transport, IMHO, you miss something if not staying in the city... Especially the ability to have your hotel nearby for a little rest before dinner! Or a short nap if you have jetlag. Nothing like being able to walk out your door and find yourself in a beautiful European city!!!!

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Sparkle and Viking, On trip advisor the nyhavn area was recommended. Any thoughts on that?

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I am researching hotels for 2 nights precruise in Copenhagen. Looking to spend about 200.00 a night for a 3* close to attractions. Traveling solo. Location, historic neighborhood and safety are my main criteria. I've done a bit of research but always like to hear from fellow cruisers. Thanks in advance for all suggestions for area or hotels!

Sarnia, No, not worried about food on board... Just thought since it will be cold, and no shops to browse, might like a meal in port. I was under the impression in some ports, the larger ones, you might be there several hours. Did you do many excursions?

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