Short Luxury Cruise Ideas...for 2009
 

We have an calendar interval in November and early Dec. this year and would like to take a cruise, hoping to find a small boat adventure, and enjoy being on a craft, good food and compan;y, and the destinations are not the prime issue. Sadly, we don't have a good travel agent anymore, wo we have been scoping it out ourselves. Can anyone recommend something to us, from personal experience, that might have a 'last minute' option...say 10-14 days, somewhere sunny, etc.

Call Ann Stilson at 888-800-117. She is now independant but started her career with NCL then has been with two big agencies. She has done nothing but cruises for almost 20 years so she really knows her stuff. She now only takes referrals, past guests and groups. (Ann doesn't need to wait for the phone to ring.) She will ask and you must say Bonnie J from NC said to call. She always seems to have the lowest price and will match any lower ones if you find one.Sometimes she is so busy she can't get right to the phone but she will call you back. She can be emailed at [email protected].
You will be pleased with Ann! Also, if you know the ship you want, check their sites! We got $249, 7 which left in a week!

Sorr somehow cut cut off. The $249 was Carnival's Glory, 7 days, deck 9,(the Lido deck)and we left a week later.

Well I hate to say it, but I wouldn't consider either NCL or Carnival as luxury cruise lines which was the heading of Clarasong's thread or "small boat adventures" which was in her post.

Clara I think you need to define "small boat." Is 600 passengers small to you or are you talking 100 - 300 like Windstar or Silversea? In the 690 range you have Oceania which is great. I can also recommend a good TA who we've been pleased with who is very prompt in e-mail replying. Try [email protected] I think the TA can check directly to find out any last minute specials

If you are all interested in French Polynesia (FP), there are some amazing buys on Regent's Paul Gauguin because they won't be managing the ship after this year. We've been on the ship 24 days. FP is probably the most beautiful place we've ever been, and the PG has great food and great service and less than 350 passengers. But if you are not beach people, I don't know if you'd enjoy it.

Regent and Silversea have had some great deals on other all-inclusive ships, but I don't know what is still available fitting your constraints. They are true luxury experiences, and remember in comparing costs, that many of these cruises include free air fare, and Regent includes free excursions on most cruises. Give a call to Debbie Tate at Brown & Keene 800-856-1155. They also handle Oceania, Seabourn, and Silversea. B&K has fantastic service and great pricing.

dreps: yes, we have been on the PG thrice...and it was wonderful, as you say..DH is pretty insistant that we go someplace new, although we have been almost everywhere. I had hoped to go to Costa Rica, and would love to go back to Norway, but now is not the time of hear for that. I think I will give the agency you mentioned a turn. thanks.