Which Ship. Norway on Fantasia or Preziosa for Norway Cruise, Kiel or Hamburg departure?

[garycarla]

Looking to do Norway cruise on either ship.

Preziosa from Hamburg

 or 

 

Sailed lots, mostly NCL, so new to MSC.  Will probably get Balcony via Casino.

 

 

[Raj.K]

9 hours ago, garycarla said:

Looking to do Norway cruise on either ship.

Preziosa from Hamburg

 or 

 

Sailed lots, mostly NCL, so new to MSC.  Will probably get Balcony via Casino.

 

 

Hi garycarla,

 

I think this depends on how convenient it would be for you to get to Hamburg and Kiel. I personally find it easy to fly into Hamburg and then a short taxi ride to port. 

 

As for Fantasia or Preziosa (or even Divina) are Fantasia Class ships and are all very similar. Personally, if you are able treat yourselves to Yacht Club cabins you will get to enjoy the views from the secluded areas of the ship as well as the Top Sail Lounge. 

 

We have done a two week Norway cruise on the Preziosa five years ago and planning on the next in June 2023 (also on the Preziosa). The benefit of 14 night (or 14+) also tend visit Svalbard.

 

You have got to "hunt" for a good deal with travel agents.

 

[Nunagoras]

As mentioned above; same ship class, Preziosa slightly larger than Fantasia. That will ultimately depend on 2 factors: Whether you want the extra mile to go from Hamburg to Kiel and on which itinerary is better for you in ports of call terms. Yacht club at that region is now quoting at insanely high prices... No surprise! This region is the one where front view from the ship is a real pleasure to have, then selling at a real deserved premium!...

[dexddd]

Recognize OP from NCL boards 

 

Either will be fine.  MSC you will find to be good choice.

[Essiesmom]

If you choose Preziosa, do not book junior balcony….it is much smaller with smaller balcony.  EM

[kelleherdl]

We just did a back to back Norway/Baltic on Preziosa out of Kiel. We spent a few days in Hamburg before the cruise. Personally, I would not do a cruise out of Kiel again. The ‘new’ terminal in Kiel is a slipshod modification of a port warehouse at the ferry port some distance out of Kiel. The ‘Journey’ from Hamburg to Kiel was a major pain. We took the train, but the only trains going on Saturday were local commuter runs. And the MSC shuttle from Kiel hauptbahnhof was not convenient. If there is another YC ship out of Hamburg I would recommend that.

 

All that said we loved the Preziosa YC and the cruises themselves. We have taken 2 back to back itineraries on Preziosa, Lesser Antilles and Norway/Baltic. We like her as much as Divina.

 

Dennis

[jjcruise2]

We are also staying in Hamburg and sailing on Fanatasia out of Kiel. What is the best way to get from Hamburg to Kiel?

We leave on a Sunday

[perakcruiser]

9 hours ago, jjcruise2 said:

We are also staying in Hamburg and sailing on Fanatasia out of Kiel. What is the best way to get from Hamburg to Kiel?

We leave on a Sunday

This bus if you go from airport:

https://kielius-onlinebuchung.de/

 

This bus if you go from town center:

https://global.flixbus.com/

[paddy1112]

I would choose Hamburg. The way from Hamburg to the northsea on the river Elbe is fantastic and unique.

[Stockjock]

8 hours ago, paddy1112 said:

I would choose Hamburg. The way from Hamburg to the northsea on the river Elbe is fantastic and unique.

We cruised into Hamburg on New Year's Eve.  While we couldn't see a lot on the land, there were fireworks everywhere all of the way into Hamburg, which was quite nice.