Any good cruise suggestions for Summer 2019?

[floatel_lvr]

Joe,

I read through this thread and you obviously prefer Oasis class but would like a change. You don't care for Quantum Class. You don't care for Radiance Class. Would go on Adventure but you think it needs a refurb (which I think it had less than 2 years ago). You would do Explorer which actually is longer since the last refurb. You think you might have outgrown Royal and you think their other ships would feel small...

 

Well yes, other (almost all other) ships will be small compared to Oasis class. But each has their charm and each itinerary has its own charm. As others have mentioned Radiance is a wonderful ship for Alaska due to all the glass. You feel connected with the sea and the surroundings. That is something quite lacking on the Oasis class. Also, more than likely in Alaska you would not be on the flow rider or slides anyway due to the port intensive nature and the cooler temps. Alaska is VERY different from the other spots you have sailed and almost everyone who goes there LOVES it.

 

Out of all the choices posted this was the one that seems to be your best option. But only you can decide... :D

 

Sometimes the planning is the most fun part... Enjoy.

[Joe12]

Well yes, other (almost all other) ships will be small compared to Oasis class. But each has their charm and each itinerary has its own charm. As others have mentioned Radiance is a wonderful ship for Alaska due to all the glass. You feel connected with the sea and the surroundings. That is something quite lacking on the Oasis class. Also, more than likely in Alaska you would not be on the flow rider or slides anyway due to the port intensive nature and the cooler temps. Alaska is VERY different from the other spots you have sailed and almost everyone who goes there LOVES it.

 

Out of all the choices posted this was the one that seems to be your best option. But only you can decide... :D

 

Sometimes the planning is the most fun part... Enjoy.

 

Planning can be the fun bit, but it is looking like a bit of a nightmare with this one. I didn't like Serenade much, hence why I am hesitant to do Radiance. Not to mention that I would prefer a roundtrip. If EX was staying, then I would strongly consider her.

[steveru621]

You have ruled out almost the entire RCI fleet. Even manged to insult Texas and Southampton.

 

I suggest nothing.

[Joe12]

You have ruled out almost the entire RCI fleet. Even manged to insult Texas and Southampton.

 

I suggest nothing.

 

I didn't insult Southampton, those were my group's opinions. I'd be very happy to go on Independence again. As for Texas, I don't have an issue with Texans, but more a major cultural difference than what I am used to.

[njaloha]

Without getting into politics, I find it a bit conservative for my liking, not to mention that Galveston is a fair distance to Houston Airport.

 

They dislike Southampton because it is full of tacky Brits (their words not mines) who aren't always the best guests to sail with. A lot of drinking, smoking, sunbathing etc. It's compared to a floating Benidorm.

 

Wow, but isn't that what one does on a cruise, apart from the smoking for me.....drinking and sunbathing? I'm thinking of Celebrity Silhouette in 2021 if it's still running the western med 14 night from Southampton. No smoking in the casino and only in designated port side areas. And Indy has too much going on. To each his/her own!! :halo:

 

Hope you find something soon so you can enjoy the rest of your cruise.

[Joe12]

Wow, but isn't that what one does on a cruise, apart from the smoking for me.....drinking and sunbathing? I'm thinking of Celebrity Silhouette in 2021 if it's still running the western med 14 night from Southampton. No smoking in the casino and only in designated port side areas. And Indy has too much going on. To each his/her own!! :halo:

 

Hope you find something soon so you can enjoy the rest of your cruise.

 

I did Southampton 3 times and had no issue. Ask them not me. And yes, I am enjoying my cruise and have no plans to stop doing that.

[floatel_lvr]

Planning can be the fun bit, but it is looking like a bit of a nightmare with this one. I didn't like Serenade much, hence why I am hesitant to do Radiance. Not to mention that I would prefer a roundtrip. If EX was staying, then I would strongly consider her.

 

The one way trips provide a better chance to see more of Alaska.

[Eeyore1962]

Definitely try a B2B out of San Juan to hit most of the Southern islands. You will repeat maybe 1 or 2 ports but hit around 7 new ones. They are port intensive, but wonderful. My hubby and I did it this past March on Adventure right after her refurb. :D

[accio_7]

It's a shame that you are not a fan of Quantum class ships because I was going to recommend a sailing from Shanghai on the new Spectrum of the Seas next July. Lots of options to be found there!

 

Other options are Alaska (NCL Jewel, Bliss, Pearl, Carnival Legend), Cuba (RC Empress, Majesty, NCL Sky, Carnival Paradise, Sensation), Hawaii (NCL Pride of America), Baja Mexico (Carnival Inspiration, Splendor, Imagination), and Southern Caribbean (Carnival Horizon, Magic, Fascination, NCL Breakaway).

 

If none of those ships or itineraries interest you, then you may have to expand cruise lines beyond the traditional mass-market ones. I'm not sure what your budget is, but Silversea and Oceania offer world cruises ranging from 19 to 32 nights in July.

 

Good luck!

[dani negreanu]

Radiance does seem perfect for Alaska and has plenty of great restaurants, but the issue is possibly lack of activities for sea days.

 

You have one full sea day, and one when visiting Hubbard glacier in the morning -- so actually not so many "sea days". Me thinks Radiance is the perfect ship for Alaska, and July is the best month for visiting there.

I highly recommend Galapagos Islands as a trip of a lifetime (Celebrity is doing it very well), and Hawaii with Pride of America (we didn't like the ship, but the itinerary is simply amazing, with 2 overnights in Maui and Kauai -- almost no "sea days").

As a last "resort" - a B2B from San Juan, though I'm not sure July is the best month to visit Southern Caribbean.

[in Yiddish we call your "dilemma" - "silk troubles" ;p]

[kmorg1234]

How about a little cruise around French Polynesia? Get to explore a different part of the world. Not RC ships, but so port intensive, you will be exhausted enough to not care about the ship’s activities. Several of the luxury cruise lines go there.

[Joe12]

I might pencil in Freedom from San Juan for the future. That itinerary does interest me.

 

For now though, 2019 is still looking like a grey area. I have a special celebration coming up, but the group object to the ship that I want to do (Indy). I can't sail solo for multiple reasons in 2019 (possibly in 2020) so can't do Oasis Class either as the itineraries have became repetitive. The only possible RC cruise that would fit our needs would be Scandinavia on Explorer. It's only the Med and Canaries sailings that they say is an issue from Southampton.

[little britain]

I want to try Adventure at some point, but planning to avoid her next year as my least favorite Cruise Director is said to be going there. I probably won't be able to cruise during Winter either. July and possibly a 2nd one in October if it lines up with timings and is a good deal.

 

Never miss an opportunity to have a dig at Mr Brown do you???? It think it is called 'cutting off your nose to spite your face' if the presence of a specific CD can determine whether you book a cruise or not.

 

Bringing this conversation up again as I was having the 'next cruise' conversation with one of the group in the hottub tonight.

 

I am loving it here on Symphony, just as I loved all 3 of her sisters. However, we agreed that we don't want to do Western Med or Caribbean next summer, so that rules Oasis Class out. Rules out Liberty as well. As said previously, I don't care for Quantum Class which rules out either Anthem or Ovation. Also worried about a Radiance or Vision Class having a lack of activities.

 

I also don't want to do a land vacation either. Need my yearly cruising fix alongside the fact that land vacations are exhausting.

 

Really not sure what to do. FYI - It has to be early to mid July.

..... perhaps time for a different cruise line?

[Joe12]

Never miss an opportunity to have a dig at Mr Brown do you???? It think it is called 'cutting off your nose to spite your face' if the presence of a specific CD can determine whether you book a cruise or not.

 

It's not Bobby that I am talking about on AD.

[little britain]

It's not Bobby that I am talking about on AD.

 

No one knows who is on AD next summer for sure. If you do have insider knowledge then perhaps you should kindly share, just in case there are others who base their cruise experience purely around who is the CD?

 

ADVENTURE: Clo O'Connor July 6 until early September. (then who?)

[Joe12]

No one knows who is on AD next summer for sure. If you do have insider knowledge then perhaps you should kindly share, just in case there are others who base their cruise experience purely around who is the CD?

 

ADVENTURE: Clo O'Connor July 6 until early September. (then who?)

 

The Blairs want Adventure next year. Husband and wife CD & AM team.

 

Anyway - this is completely off-topic.

[moesyk4]

HIPPO, but I would recommend a change of pace with NCL in their Breakaway class or newer. We found the shows and activities on par with Royal and in some cases better...we are sailing Allure next year and I am going to really miss Getaway's ropes course and slides. You can literally go out over the ocean and the side of the ship in their ropes course. It was incredible. Shows were great, we got the specialty dining package and did the free drinks promo and had great service and wonderful drinks. Freshly made mojitos at the mojitos bar were awesome!

 

Gorgeous ship and we also did the spa balcony...thorougly enjoyed their spa options. Not a single complaint.

[Joe12]

I'm starting to think that I need to give cruising a miss next year. Cannot find any good Royal options. No interest in doing other lines as none have ships nearly as impressive as Royal.

[Bigbluegal]

Loyal 2 Royal all the way!

 

I am also desperate to do Alaska. Just not with Ovation.

 

Sailing from Australia is my ultimate bucket list cruise destination, but as I currently have to sail during the Summer, I can't get there for now.

 

BTW - I don't have any issue with sailing from Southampton. It's the people I sail with that you would have to convince.

 

We are looking at Alaska for next summer....what do you not like about Ovation?

[masterdrago]

I really want to do Indy again, but I am the only one in our group that wants that as they don't like sailing out of Southampton.

 

Freedom is yet to have her refurb and is getting tired, so will save her for 2020 or later.

 

Liberty is the interesting one. I have wanted to see her after her refurb in 2016, but something scares me about sailing from Galveston.

Dang! Galveston is fast and easy. Scared?? And the ship was in great shape June 3, 2018.

[atonal1]

We did this cruise over Christmas, and it was easily our favorite cruise so far.

 

Boy am I glad that I read this thread. My favorite cruise was Christmas on Serenade in 2003. So I did a little research, and booked the 10-night cruise for December 2019!

 

Thanks for the suggestion. (y)