Olympic Countess
 

We are thinking of doing the 58-day South America Circumnavigation on the Olympic Countess next January. Any advice on the ship and length of cruise, thank you.

<BR>Hi Margaret, <BR> <BR>If you are an old ship buff I would give the ship some consideration but for 58 days ..... that is a very long time. <BR> <BR>Again you may be looking at price and ports and could care less about the ship and it's creature comforts. <BR> <BR>I was on the Triton (about the same age) a couple of years ago and although the food was good and the service excellent, I did not care for the ship, it's entertainment and activities. <BR> <BR>I sailed the new Voyager a couple of weeks ago and I can see where the line is getting more Amercanized. It was a very good cruise with very good food and service. The entertainment was OK but the daily activities were lacking. <BR> <BR>One note of caution. Royal Olympic keeps a very minimum of money on board. They have no money exchange. <BR>Be sure to demand your passport (which they keep) if you plan on visiting a bank to get money. <BR> <BR>Good luck, <BR> <BR>Paul

Paul, unless ROC has changed their policy in the last three months you are incorrect in saying that they have no money exchange. I've sailed on them numerous times in Europe, the Caribbean and South America and they have ALWAYS exchanged money for local currency. <BR> <BR>As for the passport scenario, yes they do keep your passport and frankly I would prefer it that way (it means I don't have to be worried about having it pick pocketed). They always give you a copy of your passport with a ship stamp on it. I have never been turned away from any international bank when using this documentation in place of my passport. <BR> <BR>Now for the Countess, can't say as I have never sailed on her. But I have sailed on a few of ROC's older ships and I would call it a "kinder gentler way of travel". No glitz and no glam.

<BR>Hi Margaret, <BR> <BR>Yes, apparently this is the cruise for you. You like the ambiance of the old ships. <BR> <BR>When I was on the Triton they did have money exchange but this past sailing on the Voyager there was none. Also, I tried three banks in Istanbul and 4 in Egypt and none would accept the ship's green card. <BR> <BR>It was quite a delimma since I phoned the line 3 times before sailing and they stated there would be money on board up to the amount of the limit of my charge card. I am a TA and I do know who to talk to. <BR> <BR>The casino did not have enough U.S. Currency they were paying in Drachmas. <BR> <BR>I have an uneasy feeling about ROC even though their market share is strong. <BR> <BR>Thanks for your input. <BR> <BR>Paul

Thank you both for your replies. 58 days is a long time but we are now empty-nesters so thought we'd try it.

Margaret, I met someone who had taken that exact 58-day trip on the Stella Solaris just over a year ago. Although they said they enjoyed it they did mention that it was long. Don't know if you are used to sailing for that length of time but one of the recommendations was to take the optional land tours where you could get off the ship for a few days (i.e. Mancu Pichu, and Iguassu Falls). I'm sure the ship will be full because this cruise last spring was cancelled due to problems with the Solaris. I know because I was supposed to do the transatlantic crossing on her last December and it was also cancelled. <BR> <BR>In addition to the length they did mention that the average age of the cruisers was about 72. Don't know your age but if you are looking for a lively crowd this may not be it. I also heard that the lecturers aboard were wonderful and very interesting. I am assuming they will have the same cast (or similar). <BR> <BR>Good luck and enjoy.

Thank you, Rita. We're in our late 50s and have done about 16 cruises, one of them a month long to the Amazon on the Stella Solaris. We love to cruise and can mix with and make friends with passengers of any age. Margaret