sfmaster

I posted on the SA board but just realized Fodors also has a cruise board! I got one other comment and have looked at cruise critic but still haven't heard any comments about this particular itinerary......

I am posting to do some research for my mom and her husband. I am not finding much information here, perhaps some experts can direct to other sites that might have more information as well.

They are intersted in taking a long cruise that starts in NY and goes through panama canal and down entire continent around the horn ending in Buenes Aires. The trip is through Vantage Travel on the NCL - Norwegian Crown.

They were about to book it because they have a dream of doing the canal and the horn and this is the only place they say they found such an itinerary.

They are very good travellers, flexible, don't need a lot of frills, pretty adventurous.

Would love comments on general quality of cruise, ship, service food. I haven't cruised so I don't know best questions, but just making sure there are no huge disaster stories out there about this line/trip.

Here is the link
http://www.vantagetravel.com/Trip/Trips.aspx?TripID=298

Thanks for any feedback or research advice

charli

hello sfmaster,
We did a similar cruise in the opposite direction, from Buenos Aires to Ft. Lauderdale, via the Horn, thru the P. Canal. It is one of our most memorable cruises and I would do it again in a minute. Several friends asked if that wasn't too long on a ship - no, it was very easy to do and so interesting. Sea days were interspersed with port days and it just flew by. I took the 2 night shore trip to Macchu Picchu, a place I have always wanted to see, and my husband stayed on the ship - it was a great way to do what we each wanted to do.
I say to you and your parents - GO FOR IT, you only live once!
I can't comment on NCL or Vantage Travel, never have traveled with either, perhaps someone else will do that on this board or you can do a search for comments on the NCL page. We sailed on Princess (we loved the Royal Princess which has now left their fleet). Our personal cruise line preferences are Oceania, Princess, and Holland America in that order. My sister likes NCL for whatever that is worth. If your parents like that itinerary, that is the way to go. Good luck.

petlover

I recently returned from a 62 night South America trip from Ft. Lauderdale and back (went down the east side and around the horn then through the panama canal on the way back to Ft. Lauderdale,) It was a fabulous trip and a great itinerary. We were able to see Machu Pichu and Iguazu Falls too. We were on the Radisson Mariner (just changed the name to Regent Mariner) and I can't say enough great things about the ship, the crew, the food etc. No nickel and diming at all...just pure luxury and so many fun things included in fare. I have been on NCL before and would not go on this line again. To me, there were so many people, lines for this and that all the time, way too much waiting time to even get a tender to go ashore and talk about nickel and diming...they charge you for EVERYTHING when ever you turn around. You even pay for bottled water! By the time we were done our NCL cruise cost far more than some of the more luxury lines where you pay more up front but you're done with it because they're all inclusive(even includes tips). I can only speak from my experience but I much prefer the ships that hold fewer passengers. The Mariner was full (700 passengers) but we never sensed that it was crowded. Every cabin is has a balcony and is over 300 sq.ft. so No need to upgrade. If this isn't up their ally, there are other fine ships and cruiselines to South America that are much better than NCL.

juliaelzie

Hi,

You might consider Princess if you like a more casual atmosphere and a larger ship or Holland America if you are more traditional and like a smaller ship. They are both premium cruise lines and I've frequently gotten similar prices to NCL. There are often special guest lectures on the destinations and ports which add a lot to the experience. Crystal, Oceania, as well as Regent are also good choices.

Best Regards,
Julia

sfmaster

This is all great stuff - my mom had said that she wasn't finding any other place with the itinerary that included the horn and the panama canal but she isn't as saavy about research as some could be. I would love her to have some options to compare vs what she thinkgs is the only option for this itinerary. I will check out the Regent Mariner.

pat

check out www.cruisereviews.com, before you make a choice. I`d skip NCL.

sfmaster

Would still love to hear more ideas about where to look for similar itinerary. The Regent is almost 2x as long and 3x as much cost so not a real option.

Any other ideas on cruises that use both panama canal and the horn.

I am not seeing when I look around so far.

charli

sfmaster,
I would go see a good cruise travel agent to locate the other alternatives rather than spend time looking at the Internet. Our Princess cruise was actually 2 cruises back to back. Sometimes it is not that easy to find what you want, especially if you aren't that great (or interested in spending so much time) at research. It doesn't cost extra to see a travel agent (no I am not one) and can save time and trouble, not to mention answering questions, etc. You may not find a cruise that starts in NY, but perhaps FL. You need someone that can put several cruises together if necessary.

traveller333

In the Regent Grand Voyages 2006/2007 catalogue the segment that I think your parents would want is the same as me, Segment 3. It leaves Buenos Aires on February 6 '07 and ends in Callao (Lima) Peru. This is 19 nights. After doing research I think it's the best offered with everything all inclusive and larger balcony cabins on the Mariner. I've cruised on Regent before and it does get less expensive after your first cruise with them with things like past passenger savings and on board booking discounts . At least they will get the early booking discount if this is their first time.

If they want to combine the Panama Canal (segmemt 4, is 12 days)with the South America itinerary then they would need to stay on past Lima and go back to Fort Lauderdale arriving March 9th making a total trip of 31 days. We did the PC before on Princess so will only do segment 3 next year. I agree with others NCL is substandard to other lines.