commodoredave

Pretty much amateur hour by SD on not having pre and post-cruise land options available by now, but that's why they're not making as much money as they could. Guess they're already too profitable.

In any event, here's what we have booked for DR:

- AA biz class air bought recently on sale as several here have mentioned;

- Pre-cruise Los Suenos Marriott Ocean and Golf Resort in Herredura for 2 nights. Premium Ocean View room for $184 per night;

- Post-cruise Marriott Hotel San Jose for 1 night. Pool view room for $154 per night;

- Private van transportation for two to Los Suenos, then to Caldera to ship, then from Caldera to Marriott San Jose for $350.

Remember that on Regent, even the lowest priced cabin is 300 sq feet. We have been in the Med. 4 times during the summer, as I was once a teacher. It was not unbearably hot. Of course, you could be there during a heatwave. That would not deter me. This is your honeymoon---get a regular cabin on Regent and go to Santorini. We were there this past Sept. where the only other ship in port was Seabourn. There was a 45 min wait to get on the funicular, but I was able to shop while DH waited in line. If you sail Regent, you will be on an included excursion most likely, where you will bypass the line. I highly recommend going to Oia---the city with the white washed buildings and magnificent view!

I agree with visiting Oia.

However, after 10 cruises with Regent, I can say from experience that their "free" land excursions (which you pay for in your cruise fare), are not worth the cost. Forget Regent and try one of the other luxury lines.

Think I'm going to finalize my pre- and post-cruise travel arrangements on my own tomorrow (Monday) as I am tired of waiting for SeaDream to announce something for the Costa Rica itinerary. Seems they are very slow on arranging this king of stuff compared to other lines we've sailed with. Oh well, they won't be making any profit on us for the land portion of this cruise.

We have done 3 Greek Island cruises, and we have been fortunate enough to visit Santorini on days when there were 3 cruise ships or less in port. However, two of those cruises were in the shoulder season -- June and September -- while the other was in August and we may have been lucky that day.

As for the best cruise lines, I would definitely add Windstar to the mix. Crystal, Regent, Seabourn, SeaDream and Silver Sea like to refer to themselves as "Ultra Luxury," while Windstar, Oceania and Azamara like to consider themselves "luxury." I consider Cunard and Celebrity to be in the premium class category.

While I prefer the luxury and ultra-luxury lines, we did our last Greek Island cruise on the Celebrity Solstice because we had our twenty-something children with us. We had a blast because it's a large enough ship to have lots of entertainment options. However, if you are not party people, go with one of the luxury or ultra-luxury ships.

59 cruises? wow that is amazing :)

 

And here I am getting ready for my 2nd one :@

Watch out -- it's habit forming!:D

Look at the Wind Surf. We spent two very romantic weeks on her last summer, including a day in Santorini.

 

We booked the least expensive cabin and it was more than enough space. The itinerary was amazing, the price was reasonable, the food was terrific, the service was wonderful.

 

There is something to be said for cruising the Greek Islands under wind power with the sails unfurled.

 

No formal wear required (the dress code is smart casual every night), and it's a really laid back atmosphere on board to compliment the busy port days.

Good advice. We did a Windstar cruise in the Greek Islands a few years back and it was wonderful.

In my opinion, you should think of it like buying real estate -- buy a home in the most expensive neighbourhood you can, and the best value is the smallest home in the richest neighbourhood. So, translated to cruise vacations, that would be a smaller cabin on a more luxurious ship, rather than a larger cabin on non-luxury ship. The reasons are the same......to take advantage of the food, service, and amenities of the luxury ship, but stay within your budget. From my own cruise research, the service and food quality on the luxury lines can't be matched, even though other lines may offer larger cabins/suites.

 

Well, that's my philosophy, and I'll be sticking to luxury or premium lines.

After 59 cruises, I agree 100% with the advice from calliopecruiser.

Luxury lines should have their language and grammar checked: FEWER than 320 guests....

Good one! Maybe we should take a star away from them!:D

Well, I do not. Anytime I have to shell out money onboard for a drink or wine or bottled water it is not a luxury experience. Even Windstar does not describe itself as a luxury line.

Wrong! The word luxury is all over the Windstar website including in this description:

"Teak-lined decks. Towering white sails. A voyage on a Windstar luxury cruise feels like your own private yacht — luxurious amenities, gourmet cuisine, exceptional service and the world’s most exotic and unique ports of call. Sail to the Greek Isles, Italy, Europe or warm waters of the Caribbean or Costa Rica. With less than 320 guests on board you’ll quickly discover a genuine freedom to escape and explore as you want, when you want. You’ll love this journey as much as the destination! "

Windstar provides a choice for pax to buy an alcohol package. They also provide free bottled water. And the alternative restaurants are free. Let's not forget that it wasn't too long ago that Crystal did not include alcohol -- and it was luxury anyway. Having sailed on 59 cruises including most of the luxury lines, my opinion is that Windstar is luxury.

Maybe when we're on our next cruise. I want to get the 15% discount. :D

Smart. No wonder you've paid off your car!:)

Ahh, go ahead and book. You'll be helping the economy. And you've just created more room on your credit line by paying off the car.

Which will be fine as long as he does not require a luxury experience.

I consider Windstar a luxury experience. Maybe he does, too.

Really? What other luxury ships are out there in these sizes? Sea Dream is half the size and you are mostly limited to seven day cruises in the Caribbean or Med. Silver Cloud and Silver Wind are much larger and more shiplike than yachtlike. I would love to hear where jpver plans to sail in the future?

On the three little sisters with Windstar!

Additionally, of the top 15 cities in the world with the highest murder rates, 7 are in Mexico; number 4 is Acapulco and number 15 is Mazatlan. Regardless of what has happened at any cruise port, it is hard to imagine that any cruise line is going to risk putting people in harms way in a place that is more dangerous than Afghanistan.

Interesting stats. That certainly explains why Acapulco was taken off the cruise stop list.

I think we can agree that cruising in Mexico is pretty safe, and that anyone thinking of going beyong the cruise stops who doesn't know much about the country might want to get additional information before making a decision about where to go. Well, at least I can agree on that.:)

This recent story from the BBC News lists the most dangerous areas of Mexico. In terms of cruise ports, only Acapulco is listed. And the cruise lines no longer visit Acapulco.

Where are the worst-hit areas?

Violence was first concentrated in Mexico's northern border regions, especially Chihuahua, as well as Pacific states like Sinaloa, Michoacan and Guerrero. Ciudad Juarez (just across from El Paso in Texas) was the most violent city. In 2010, some 3,100 people were killed in Juarez, which has a population of more than a million. Violence has now dropped markedly in Juarez.

However, Guerrero, home to the resort of Acapulco, as well as Sinaloa and Nuevo Leon remain among some of the most violent regions. One of the focal points for violence since 2010 has been Mexico's third-largest city, Monterrey.

2011 also saw new areas hit. For example, Veracruz on the eastern coast saw a series of mass killings.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-10681249

Don't understand why, but some folks get their knickers in a knot when someone says violent crime is in an issue in some parts of Mexico. There are a number of safe and wonderful areas including PV (where I hope to return next winter), and in Ajijic where I spent some time last winter. However, my friends who live full-time in Mexico tell me that things are getting worse, not better. That's why I look at the crime stats and media reports before I choose a place to visit. Just being careful.

I've booked my hotel because it's totally refundable up to 48 hours in advance. If the SD package is better, I'll switch over.

That has happened in places other than Mexico, so the advice of checking crime stats really should apply to all cruise ship ports, especially some of the Caribbean Islands.

By all means, check crime stats and media reports on any port that makes you nervous. As for me, I am more nervous about certain parts of Mexico than anywhere else.

Just got off the WindSurf on Feb 2, our 4th Windstar cruise in the last 15 year. It was better than ever. If you liked the old Windstar, you will love the new Windstar.

Of cities(300K population or more) in the world with the highest murder rates --- 5 of the Top-10 are in Mexico.

 

#4 on that list is Acapulco @ 128 homicides per 100K.

#15 on that list is Mazatlan @ 69 homicides per 100K

 

By comparison, the cities in the U.S. with the highest rate come in at:

 

#21 New Orleans @ 58 homicides per 100k of population

#30 Detroit @ 48 homicides per 100k of population

 

Those stats are just a factual reality.

 

One's chances of getting caught in the crossfire or being a victim of a violent crime are simply going to be highest in certain Mexican municipalities. That's why the cruise lines have pulled those particular ports from their planned sailing itineraries for the present and near future.

 

That stated, Neither Cabos San Lucas nor Puerto Vallarta (or even Cancun) are even close to finding their way on to the list of the "World's Most Dangerous Cities"....So one can generally be assured of a safe enjoyable time as long as they aren't venturing too far outside of the tourist friendly areas into the more dangerous neighborhoods (where most tourists never go anyways).

 

The chances of having a violent crime occur against one may actually be the same or higher in their U.S. embarkation/departure city (Ie. Los Angeles, San Diego, Miami etc.) than in the Mexican Riviera ports that the cruise lines still visit.

Good job on the stats. I like Mexico and there are a number of cities there that are reasonably safe to visit. However, violent crime has been growing in Mexico, so it is advisable to check media reports or crime stats before going off the cruise port itinerary. If cruise ships stop there, it is reasonably safe. But there have been reports of shore excursions outside of the port city having occasional problems with armed bandits.

If you want to stay outside San Jose pre or post cruise, the Los Suenos Marriott Resort in Herrudia has a "blues" sale on until Feb 28, and one of the major online booking agencies has added its own discount on top of that until midnight tonight (Sunday). You can book and cancel without penalty until 48 hours before your arrival date. We just booked a premium ocean view room for $188.00 in place of the regular $300 per night.

Many places are reasonably safe, but a few are not. Google the places you would like to visit and check what media reports have been saying. Then make your own judgement. Better to be safe than sorry.

I also like to nail things down far in advance. I've booked the cruise, I've book the air, and now I want to book the hotels. Just hope SD gets around to this in the next few weeks or I am going to book land without them.