Note: First time cruiser ( except scuba live aboards)

Wife and I will be in Europe (AMS) from 5/23 - 6/13. Our anniversary (33rd) is June 1, so I thought we might try cruising for the 7-12 day period spanning that date. I've looked at river cruises but the ones I like ( Uniworld, AMA, Tauck) have already filled or are too long for our other plans. These river cruises aren't cheap, they've established my budget at app. $1000/nt for the two of us. I'd certainly like to get value for money at these price points.

So, I'm now choosing between an all suite ship like Seabourn or Silver Seas vs upgrading to a suite on Celebrity, Princess or similar. I do prefer the smaller ship approach, except for the formality of dress. Living in Hawaii I'm a resort casual guy and don't even own a suit. And I really don't care for the cattle car disgorgements that I imagine the port of calls to be with the larger ships.

However, I think we could be very comfortable with the big ship options of dining, facilities, and entertainment. A suite and the Ala carte charges seem to still be under the price points of the luxury lines.

I'm looking at the Med and the Baltic.

Any suggestions or opinions are welcome. Mahalo.

vacationstogo.com has a cruise finder which will show a lot of options....look there for your dates....

we like seabourn & rssc, but have enjoyed many of the cheaper lines....

Go to cruisecompete and put in your requirements. There should be plenty of agents trying to bid for your business.

I've done several cruises from CPH so maybe this will help.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises (rssc.com) are like traveling in luxury with out a wallet since almost everything is included.

Holland America provides a nice experience but be ready to pay extra for almost every thing.

Baltic and Norway would best from CPH but you are a bit early in the season.

Send me a PM with contact info if you would like to discuss.

definitely seadream - no dress

smaller seabourn was fine, but some dress (i did formal nights in other restaurant)
there are more deals though, can get pretty cheap

i can recommend against silversea

Oceania Cruises . . . less inclusive, less fawning service little sister line to Regent Seven Seas. Generally good value for cost. Also consider Azamara Club Cruises, upscale division of RCCL. Both lines operate the old Renaissance "R" ships. Oceania has 2 new larger builds. Try 'em all and enjoy.

A Cunard Grill Suite sounds like it might meet your requirements.

Wow, went on Cruise Compete for a single sailing, Celebrity AS suite, 11 days, East Med, and got some very good (tightly bunched) quotes. Have to ferret out the onboard credits vs. lower cruise price issue.

I've looked at Azamara and Oceania, I'll run them on CC now, along with Seabourn, which has a very good sailing in my time period. Hopefully the reference to "deals" plays out.

I'll check out the Cunard Grille, that's one line I hadn't looked at all. Same with Sea Dream.

Mahalo

Are you requiring a suite? We like the Windstar line and have just done rooms. Windsurf does have suites but I don't know their price point.

Here is Nice to Rome on May 28 http://www.windstarcruises.com/itine...528-11043.aspx

Rome to Venice on June 4 http://www.windstarcruises.com/itine...604-12797.aspx

seadream is best regarded, both in europe for your dates

look at small seabourn, not big seabourn, only bigger i would trust are ms europa and residensea
small - legend spirit pride - are all in europe for your dates

cunard has dress.. queens grill is famous for enforcing dress code (on wealthy DYKWIA CEOs etc)

would suggest booking via virtuoso travel agent

Mahalo all
Cruise Compete is quite addictive. Don't know what it's like to actually work/rely on the agencies.
Ive now evaluated 40 + bids on 7 different voyages and am deciding between X Reflection suites ( CS or AS )

I've never used Virtuoso agents, what are the advantages?

I'm curious what the OP decided.

Kag, with all due respect, I would find your cruise line suggestions to be a joke if you did not make yourself sound like an authority on the topic. Please let us know your qualifications to make such egregious statements.