MDDCFlyer

We are staying couple of days before the cruise in Auckland and were thinking on seeing Hobbiton. Taking a private tour for 4 is almost the same price as the bus tours out of Auckland. If there is anyone who is interested in such a tour - get in touch.

As far as whether you should just choose another trip, only you can make that call. There's no promise that Atlantis will do the same trip again in 2014.

More likely they will not have it in 2014. Going on heavily international trips, and with the same itinerary, is not something Atlantis could afford to do. Like or not, most of Atlantis customers comes from the USA. The international trips are expensive and more likely than not, they are once in a life time experience (as opposed to the "normal" cruises that one go for the cruise experience, not for the destination). I simply cannot see how they can afford doing so year after year.

If they are smart, they will return to the international trips every couple of years, both to maintain demand (and make sure the trip is booked) for those who did not make it last time, as well as give those who did and want to come again a chance to make the financial investment needed and come again if need be.

If they have learned anything from 2010 is not to expand too fast too far. They simply do not have enough new customers to do so.

So we're booked on this cruise, but not in the preferred category stateroom. We'll have to play the waiting game to see if anyone cancels prior to the cancellation fee.

People always cancel. However, I suggest you'll be vigilante and follow-up on this regularly. Which category did you want BTW?

Has anyone heard when that will go on sale to alums? I'm opting for that cruise in '13 and want to book as soon as I can to get the cabin category I want.

 

MCCDFlyer - do you know that 2013 URL cruise number so I can get to it for informational purposes? :confused:

 

Thanks, folks.

The Asia cruise was not officially announced anywhere (apart from the dates and ship). If I had to guess it would be offered on the upcoming Caribbean cruise and then will be open to alums.

Today (3/15) it is supposed to be open to the general public. I predict it will sell out pretty quick. Many of the top categories have been sold out for days now.

The only problem is that I looked last night on Atlantis's website and most of the rooms are taken at this point for this cruise. I would have preferred a different ship though, Oosterdam seems like it has mixed reviews, with several people mentioning the need for drydock... Too bad with the Solstice being down there that they couldn't book that ship, as I'm dying to get on board.

 

So, we are reserved on the Independence for the Caribbean cruise in 2013, itinerary looks good plus it's there's an extra day which is a bonus as a backup and may switch to Australia if room category is available. Also would be interesting to see if there's any announcement for a March Caribbean cruise when the Summit goes out this week, or if it's just going to be the Asia cruise announcement.

 

Fingers crossed we get on board!

The Oosterdam just got out from dry dock (before the Atlantis Mexico cruise last year). The ship itself is OK (not Solstice though). the problem was they uses it as the training vessel (i.e., fresh crew members with no experience) and it showed in the level of service provided. The Atlantis' open seating just through them off completely.

This cruise might as well sell out before it will be open to the public. But Atlantis said they are keeping some rooms for Australian cruises till April 1st (I believe), plus there will be cancelling prior to the lock-in period. Just ask to be put on the waiting list. I would also call regularly just to check things out.

Do you have a price sheet for this cruise? As much as I enjoyed the RSVP cruise this year, the itinerary for 2013 doesn't really appeal to us thus looking for other options. Unless Atlantis comes out with a March cruise for 2013 after this upcoming cruise, it looks like we will be looking at this cruise or the hong Kong to Bangkok cruise.

The cruise is listed on the Atlantis web site. There is no direct link on the web site but just go there and look at any other vacations. You will see that each cruise or resort URL have the cruise/resort number. This cruise is number 20 just change the number in the URL and you get all the details. I am in the habit of checking those once in a while (with greater numbers). Usually you can get many details on new cruises like that before they go public.

The prices are not that expensive.

Now that I'm finally all booked on this cruise (and can take the stupid * from my signature), it is as good as time as any to start the roll-call.

Itinerary:

Feb 20 Auckland, NZ 4PM

Feb 21 Scenic Cruising - White Island

Feb 22 Wellington, NZ 3PM - 10PM

Feb 23 Lyttelton (Christchurch), NZ 8AM - 7PM

Feb 24 Port Chalmers (Dunedin), NZ 8AM - 5PM

Feb 25 At Sea

Feb 26 At Sea

Feb 27 Melbourne, AU 2PM - overnight

Feb 28 Melbourne, AU 3PM

Mar 1 At Sea

Mar 2 Sydney, AU 8AM - overnight

Mar 3 Sydney, AU

The cruise get into Sydney just in time for Mardi Gras.

It is a little too soon to start planning shore excursion, but I hope this thread will grow in that fashion.

See you all on board.

I think that if Atlantis would advertise their headliners before you had to commit money, it would be tempting, but they always seem to announce them after all the decent cabins are gone.

They cannot - they don't have the contract signed until few weeks prior to the sailing. You can count on the regulars entertainers to be present, but the new name, or big headliner would not be determined almost until the sailing date.

My partner and I been on gay and straight cruises. There are really two different species, and one can say even different genus.

As other noted the gay cruise is completely different experience. You can make it whatever you like it to be - either be on the parties, or in the other entertainment on the ship. It always nice to come back to old friends like Rick and Carla (Atlantis) which we enjoy very much (and even stay in touch off the boat). The atmosphere is completely different on the ship. And did I mentioned: NO CHILDREN on board. I'd pay premium for that everyday. Yes some of the cruises have an overt sexual overtone; but no one is forcing anyone to participate. It is not for everyone - that is for sure - but nothing is.

I enjoyed the straight cruise as well, but for a different reasons. The destination, the relaxation, the fact that the ship goes to bed at 10PM can have its virtues at times. Of course, the prices are more reasonable, which is a consideration. My next upcoming straight 14 days cruise, which I paid double for as I'm going alone, for a Concierge class cabin, is almost as expensive as the 7 days upcoming Atlantis cruise in the lowest internal cabin. Yes, I enjoy Atlantis, but cannot afford to go as much as I can.

So - there is time and place for everything. You should try it at least once and make up your own mind.