Transpacific cruises
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Staffordshire UK
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Transpacific cruises
In potentially one of the least appropriate topics for FT, I am planning on doing a 'Round the Northern hemisphere' without flying, likely to be in 2017. I will obviously need to cross the Pacific, either from China or Japan to Canada/US. (QM for the Atlantic)
Do the learned denizens of this forum have a view on the best cruise company to look at? I'm more of a quiet traveller than a wild party animal.
Thanks in advance
Do the learned denizens of this forum have a view on the best cruise company to look at? I'm more of a quiet traveller than a wild party animal.
Thanks in advance
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2010
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For cruises like transatlantics and transpacifics, because they are longer and usually at times when kids are in school, they tend to be less rowdy or party filled, even on lines that might typically be a bit more lively. For example my first transatlantic was on Royal Caribbean, a mass market line that markets heavily to families. I would say the average age on the ship that cruise was in the low 70s, and that is not atypical for a long, one-way cruise.
Because transpacifics are not as common as transatlantics, especially northern transpacifics (which is what you want), your selection may be limited.
At that point it comes down to amenities on ships, size of ships, and cost.
Instead of choosing a cruiseline first, I would take a look at what is available in your desired time period, then ask about specific cruises and ships.
For time periods to look at, you are most likely to see a transpacific in the direction you want in April-June.
Because transpacifics are not as common as transatlantics, especially northern transpacifics (which is what you want), your selection may be limited.
At that point it comes down to amenities on ships, size of ships, and cost.
Instead of choosing a cruiseline first, I would take a look at what is available in your desired time period, then ask about specific cruises and ships.
For time periods to look at, you are most likely to see a transpacific in the direction you want in April-June.
#4
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Would you be averse to taking a cruise on a container ship?
https://www.freightercruises.com/voy...p#transpacific
https://www.freightercruises.com/voy...p#transpacific
#7
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: UK
Posts: 1,644
Most people's mindset is for big cruise ships - over 1500 passengers and lots to do on board. That isn't what I like at all. I go for luxury expedition ships with about 100 passengers. There is no organised entertainment but you do get to meet all your like-minded, well-travelled fellow passengers and you also get to visit some extraordinary places, the sort of remote locations that big ships just cannot reach. The expedition ships have an expert team aboard as well as a fleet of zodiac landing craft so you can get ashore without the need for any kind of pier or jetty.
There are a few ships in this admittedly expensive, niche market which regularly cross the Pacific. There is, for instance, a tried and tested route from Japan up through the Kamchatka Peninsula, across to the Aleutian Islands and then to Alaska and ending usually in Vancouver. Other trips run across from Japan to Micronesia, Polynesia and all the way to Pitcairn and Easter Island.
Companies to look for are Silversea Expeditions, Zegrahm Expeditions, Lindblad, Hapag-Lloyd (Germany) and Noble Caledonia (UK).
Here's a link to a typical expedition cruise:
http://www.noble-caledonia.co.uk/voy...earch_url_id=4
Friends have done this and regarded it as the best trip they have ever done. I've crossed the Pacific - from PNG to Easter Island - on this ship when it was called the Clipper Odyssey.
There are a few ships in this admittedly expensive, niche market which regularly cross the Pacific. There is, for instance, a tried and tested route from Japan up through the Kamchatka Peninsula, across to the Aleutian Islands and then to Alaska and ending usually in Vancouver. Other trips run across from Japan to Micronesia, Polynesia and all the way to Pitcairn and Easter Island.
Companies to look for are Silversea Expeditions, Zegrahm Expeditions, Lindblad, Hapag-Lloyd (Germany) and Noble Caledonia (UK).
Here's a link to a typical expedition cruise:
http://www.noble-caledonia.co.uk/voy...earch_url_id=4
Friends have done this and regarded it as the best trip they have ever done. I've crossed the Pacific - from PNG to Easter Island - on this ship when it was called the Clipper Odyssey.
Last edited by Pausanias; Apr 18, 2015 at 5:11 am
#8
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re silversea, their "personalized voyages" allow you to pick any embark/disembark, as long as 2 countries or round trip and 5 nights, that kind of thing can be especially useful for transoceanic and other 'transit' type trips
#9
Moderator, OneWorld
Join Date: Feb 2002
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Would you be averse to taking a cruise on a container ship?
https://www.freightercruises.com/voy...p#transpacific
https://www.freightercruises.com/voy...p#transpacific
Ship arriving at Auckland -
At port in Suva -
Public market at the Suva docks -
Sunset on the equator -
SF Bay pilot approaching, last night -
#10
Join Date: Jan 2013
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Gardyloo: Thanks for post and pics. Can you provide information about the cabins? Private bathrooms? Bunk beds vs Queen? Laundry? Are the rooms serviced? Any fitness facility? Alcohol on board? Thanks!
#11
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Our cabin had an L-shaped sofa and table, a full size desk, a single bed in the main room, and a double bed in a separate bedroom, along with a 3/4 bath (shower, not tub.) Also a fridge. We had windows facing out to sea and forward (thus blocked by containers for the most part.) It was probably twice the size of "veranda" cabins we've occupied on conventional cruise ships. We had a steward who made the beds daily and changed linens every few days. Laundry was available - can't remember the cost but cheap - and you bought alcohol from the ship (at duty free prices) and they would provide setups. There was a stationary bike, a plunge pool (which we didn't use as it was unheated and prone to sloshing quite a bit) and a ping pong table. (The officers were German and Polish, the crew mostly Pacific islanders from Kiribati, where evidently ping pong is quite the pastime - they were good as well as able to balance on a moving deck.)
#12
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Great story, pics. You forgot to mention no wi-fi. Important to know nationality of ships officers if you care about food. You were fortunate.
#13
Join Date: Jan 2013
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Our cabin had an L-shaped sofa and table, a full size desk, a single bed in the main room, and a double bed in a separate bedroom, along with a 3/4 bath (shower, not tub.) Also a fridge. We had windows facing out to sea and forward (thus blocked by containers for the most part.) It was probably twice the size of "veranda" cabins we've occupied on conventional cruise ships. We had a steward who made the beds daily and changed linens every few days. Laundry was available - can't remember the cost but cheap - and you bought alcohol from the ship (at duty free prices) and they would provide setups. There was a stationary bike, a plunge pool (which we didn't use as it was unheated and prone to sloshing quite a bit) and a ping pong table. (The officers were German and Polish, the crew mostly Pacific islanders from Kiribati, where evidently ping pong is quite the pastime - they were good as well as able to balance on a moving deck.)
#14
Moderator, OneWorld
Join Date: Feb 2002
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Not easily come by, but not too different from the cabin pictured here.
Our ship was older (built in the 70s) and had, shall I say, a more "mid-century modern?" feel to it. But clean and shipshape.
Right, and your phone is pretty useless too. Not a lot of cell towers in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.
Our ship was older (built in the 70s) and had, shall I say, a more "mid-century modern?" feel to it. But clean and shipshape.
You forgot to mention no wi-fi.
#15
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: BWI
Posts: 1,782
I think that you need a travel agent. That way you can get someone who will find the right ship for you. I'm partial to Silversea and will do our first Seabourn cruise next summer. If you need the name of a TA that specializes in cruises, please let me know and I'll refer you.