high end cruise lines
#91
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
#92
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 1
Did you hear about Hapag-Lloyd?
MS Europa and MS Europa II are top-rated by Berlitz. Europa II is more casual.
hl-cruises.com
#93
Join Date: May 2011
Location: San Antonio, TX
Programs: AA EXP, DL Silver, Global Entry
Posts: 1,863
Susposedly a great line with superior professional and cruiser reviews. If there is an issue it's that non-German speaking passengers may have some trouble or feel out of place. Certainly the crew is accommodating and many speak better English than German but then again all announcements are in German and all tours are in German. Interesting that it's not all-inclusive which I kind of look for in a full luxury line especially at the fares charged in the case of Europa/Europa II.
#95
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: Delta Gold, silver, what yr is it?
Posts: 2,417
Europa is on this season's Mighty Cruise Ships - we watched it last week. I had ordered the brochure a few weeks back - only Europa 2 (from the US website) or expedition ships was available.
I too am dismayed that, at their per diems, they don't provide any alcohol.
You could say - if you're going to pay $10,000 for a cruise, you can spend $200 more for alcohol. I say - if I'm going to pay $10,000 for a cruise, why can't you throw in $200 worth of alcohol
The cabin sizes (on europa 2) look really nice! The smallest is 350sf I think? So, add it to the "when I have more money" list ^
I too am dismayed that, at their per diems, they don't provide any alcohol.
You could say - if you're going to pay $10,000 for a cruise, you can spend $200 more for alcohol. I say - if I'm going to pay $10,000 for a cruise, why can't you throw in $200 worth of alcohol
The cabin sizes (on europa 2) look really nice! The smallest is 350sf I think? So, add it to the "when I have more money" list ^
#96
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Hawai'i Nei
Programs: Au: UA, Marriott, Hilton; GE
Posts: 7,141
Perhaps a middle-ground is a flat-rate upcharge for those who drink?
#97
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: Delta Gold, silver, what yr is it?
Posts: 2,417
Had you asked me that six months ago, I would have totally agreed. One likes the feeling of all-inclusive. However, now that I developed a medical condition that is incompatible with drinking, I really appreciate not having to subsidize drinkers
Perhaps a middle-ground is a flat-rate upcharge for those who drink?
Perhaps a middle-ground is a flat-rate upcharge for those who drink?
[I do spreadsheets for potential trips - and alcohol is one of the categories I track - whether it's included in my per diem cost or I add it in by estimating independent bar charges or the company offers a drinks package. I like to compare apples to apples as much as possible...]
#98
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Hawai'i Nei
Programs: Au: UA, Marriott, Hilton; GE
Posts: 7,141
Some lines' models include alcohol and some don't. Some lines include excursions/tipping/etc, and some don't. The more all-inclusive, the more the aura of getting "free stuff" and not being hassled for the key card at every stop.
#99
Join Date: May 2011
Location: San Antonio, TX
Programs: AA EXP, DL Silver, Global Entry
Posts: 1,863
They have to set the price-point somewhere, typically that their models predict maximum profit. There is no such thing as it "washing out somewhere."
Some lines' models include alcohol and some don't. Some lines include excursions/tipping/etc, and some don't. The more all-inclusive, the more the aura of getting "free stuff" and not being hassled for the key card at every stop.
Some lines' models include alcohol and some don't. Some lines include excursions/tipping/etc, and some don't. The more all-inclusive, the more the aura of getting "free stuff" and not being hassled for the key card at every stop.
#100
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 568
My wife and I are 53, no kids, and want to take a 7-8 day luxury cruise in the Mediterranean next summer.
Cruise History:
Queen Elizabeth II Cruise (Very formal, prefer casual)
Alaska Silver Sea (Food was disappointing but liked small size ship)
Amawaterway Rhine River cruise (Okay overall).
Travel History:
We have been to Venice.
We have never been to Rome so that is a mandatory stop on the front or back end.
Critical Factors:
Money isn't an issue
We really want good food.
Regarding destinations, we can either go East or West from Rome. If we go West, then we could theoretically go as far as Barcelona. Going East to Greece and Croatia sounds interesting but I am a little concerned about the suffering economy (Greece) and totally unfamiliar with Croatia.
Questions:
1) Any feedback on the Eastern itineraries which include Greece & Croatia? Where would you suggest we go (East or West from Rom)?
2) What is the best cruise line for food in the Mediterranean?
3) What time of year would you go?
Thanks in advance.
Cruise History:
Queen Elizabeth II Cruise (Very formal, prefer casual)
Alaska Silver Sea (Food was disappointing but liked small size ship)
Amawaterway Rhine River cruise (Okay overall).
Travel History:
We have been to Venice.
We have never been to Rome so that is a mandatory stop on the front or back end.
Critical Factors:
Money isn't an issue
We really want good food.
Regarding destinations, we can either go East or West from Rome. If we go West, then we could theoretically go as far as Barcelona. Going East to Greece and Croatia sounds interesting but I am a little concerned about the suffering economy (Greece) and totally unfamiliar with Croatia.
Questions:
1) Any feedback on the Eastern itineraries which include Greece & Croatia? Where would you suggest we go (East or West from Rom)?
2) What is the best cruise line for food in the Mediterranean?
3) What time of year would you go?
Thanks in advance.
Last edited by atwnsw2; Sep 18, 2017 at 1:08 pm
#101
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
#102
Join Date: May 2011
Location: San Antonio, TX
Programs: AA EXP, DL Silver, Global Entry
Posts: 1,863
My wife and I are 53, no kids, and want to take a 7-8 day luxury cruise in the Mediterranean next summer.
Cruise History:
Queen Elizabeth II Cruise (Very formal, prefer casual)
Alaska Silver Sea (Food was disappointing but liked small size ship)
Amawaterway Rhine River cruise (Okay overall).
Travel History:
We have been to Venice.
We have never been to Rome so that is a mandatory stop on the front or back end.
Critical Factors:
Money isn't an issue
We really want good food.
Regarding destinations, we can either go East or West from Rome. If we go West, then we could theoretically go as far as Barcelona. Going East to Greece and Croatia sounds interesting but I am a little concerned about the suffering economy (Greece) and totally unfamiliar with Croatia.
Questions:
1) Any feedback on the Eastern itineraries which include Greece & Croatia? Where would you suggest we go (East or West from Rom)?
2) What is the best cruise line for food in the Mediterranean?
3) What time of year would you go?
Thanks in advance.
Cruise History:
Queen Elizabeth II Cruise (Very formal, prefer casual)
Alaska Silver Sea (Food was disappointing but liked small size ship)
Amawaterway Rhine River cruise (Okay overall).
Travel History:
We have been to Venice.
We have never been to Rome so that is a mandatory stop on the front or back end.
Critical Factors:
Money isn't an issue
We really want good food.
Regarding destinations, we can either go East or West from Rome. If we go West, then we could theoretically go as far as Barcelona. Going East to Greece and Croatia sounds interesting but I am a little concerned about the suffering economy (Greece) and totally unfamiliar with Croatia.
Questions:
1) Any feedback on the Eastern itineraries which include Greece & Croatia? Where would you suggest we go (East or West from Rom)?
2) What is the best cruise line for food in the Mediterranean?
3) What time of year would you go?
Thanks in advance.
#103
Regarding destinations, we can either go East or West from Rome. If we go West, then we could theoretically go as far as Barcelona. Going East to Greece and Croatia sounds interesting but I am a little concerned about the suffering economy (Greece) and totally unfamiliar with Croatia.
Questions:
1) Any feedback on the Eastern itineraries which include Greece & Croatia? Where would you suggest we go (East or West from Rom)?
2) What is the best cruise line for food in the Mediterranean?
3) What time of year would you go?
Thanks in advance.
Questions:
1) Any feedback on the Eastern itineraries which include Greece & Croatia? Where would you suggest we go (East or West from Rom)?
2) What is the best cruise line for food in the Mediterranean?
3) What time of year would you go?
Thanks in advance.
#104
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Hawai'i Nei
Programs: Au: UA, Marriott, Hilton; GE
Posts: 7,141
#105
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Hawai'i Nei
Programs: Au: UA, Marriott, Hilton; GE
Posts: 7,141
Your choice of where to start and end is best decided on where do you want to spend your jet-lag recovery time and how your flights arrange themselves most efficiently/economically.
Don't know what is the best cruise line food, but we really enjoy Seabourn's food. Not perfect, but nothing on a ship is.
Time of year: Don't do it in the Summer, which can be oppressively hot.
Boy Voyage.
PS: If you decide on Seabourn, and are first-time Seabourn cruisers, PM me and I can get you a $400 OBC as a newbie.