I am the same as you - my wife is the same as your husband. Since women rule the roost, I have no chance at all of getting her to fall in line!! :D


^ +1

Seabourne - I am currently at the planning stage with them.

seabourn has $700/nt per couple for med right now
was previously as low as $500 (and $333 for TATL)
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/cruis...l#post23326059

seadream's lowest was similar for caribbean
once they even did a 3 night for caribbean

wish there were more 'book cabin on yacht'
(not seadream, crystal espirit, tere moana)

silversea discoverer did 2 alaska this year

curious to see crystal residences
(residensea not bookable anymore)

I just did a cruise with scenic tours an australian company in europe and it was amazing

Scenic river cruises? That's the only I'm award of - or are they doing ocean/sea cruises now as well?

River cruises -totally different animal:D

for river cruises there are 'barges'
like belmond (orient express), including >
might be just once a year

Well, OP didn't ask about river cruises - for certain they aren't for kids ;-)

i dont recall belmond having a minimum age, france drinking age is 16

there are a lot of stereotypes re luxury that are just that, stereotypes

The generic demographic on river cruises is old. They have no activities for kids. THey have no space in cabins for kids. This is the first year a couple of lines have offered single cabins & connecting cabins and some family trip options (and Disney is partnering with one company). But in general, no, river cruises (note I didn't say anything about barges, or yacht charters either in case that's where you go next:p) are not full of kids. I have no idea how this is a stereotype of luxury that you mention, but whatever....

Since the OP wants to avoid kids, it's an idea. I did a river cruise in 2014, age 41, and I hated it. It was a lovely cruise but I'm an independent traveler and I didn't like having to pay for things I didn't want to do (eg "included" tours). We did a Christmas Markets itinerary since I love the Markets, and there were 2 families (youngest were old teens) and a couple of middle aged couples like us, but I would say 85% of the guests were >65. That's neither good nor bad, it's just what it is.

im not talking about charters... that is the whole point

many are not aware of what options are actually out there

Most current experience in 2017 with Crystal: it just seems that the ship and decorations were outdated by at lest 10 years.

Ha! Sounds like Crystal in 2007, too! ;)

In my mind Crystal is a luxury want-to-be line. Certainly they've always been in the upper end of the mass market and probably occupied a very small niche as a premium line. A few years ago they decided to go all-inclusive but using older existing ships that were really not designed to provide that level of service. I guess it kind of works for some passengers as they have a loyal following. Crystal doesn't interest us because the notion of a 900+ passenger ship and luxury level service are mutually exclusive.

Randyk47: Interesting and informative-thanks. What is your take on Regent?

We've never tried Regent. I can't say we've considered them for every cruise but we have looked at them in the past for a few cruises. Bottom line has been they have been more expensive than Silversea where and when they have a similar or competing itinerary. It's not been worth it.

Thanks. Always value your insights!