New England Cruises

[gbanshee]

We decided we could not wait until 2004 to do Alaska without another cruise in between. (Alaska is still on!) So we checked group rates for the New England/Canada cruises out of NYC. (that way we don't need airfare).

We found a fantastic rate for June 2003 on the Norwegian Sea. Has anyone done this itinerary? Has anyone sailed this ship?

gb

 

[CamColt]

I havent done it but its quite a coincindence as Im sitting here with the Norwegian brochure right on my desk and I just finished reading it. We are thinking of doing Boston to Bermuda next year(and skipping WDW or DCL, gasp!).
I know Norwegian ships definitely dont measure up to Disney in regards to size, room size, etc...but you can still have a great time on them. My parents have done the Majesty 3 times and they really enjoy it. Hoping to do it again with all of us.

Do you have any specific questions about the Sea that I could check out for you in the brochure?

 

[Mjasp]

Is the Norwegian Sea a new ship? Large ship?

You are aware that the Carnival Triumph goes from NYC to Canada. Just an FYI.

 

[gbanshee]

Thanks.

Yes, I know the Triumph does it, but they are a 5 day that time of year and the Sea has a better itinerary. Martha's Vineyard, Bar Harbor, Boston, Newport and Halifax, places we always wanted to see.

The Sea is an older ship, built in 1988 and has small cabins. But for the price of $699 inside(K) and $899 outside(G) for a 7 night cruise that <B>includes</B> the taxes and fee's, we thought it would be just fine! (Alaska will be expensive in 2004)

CamColt, we have a bunch of cabins held, care to join us!LOL

gb

 

[CamColt]

LOL, I just might be! Actually, we are thinking of going on the Majesty. The biggest plus is that we live about 25 minutes from the ship. It almost makes it too easy to go.

 

[mcnuss]

CamColt - first of all, I live about 20 miles north of you in NH. So many "neighbors" on the boards. Second, if you are going to do Bos-Bermuda, I HIGHLY recommend looking into Celebrity. My TA is very high on them, and I have several friends who have done this trip and loved it. I have another friend who just came back from Alaska where they were on the Mercury and it looks to be a beautiful ship. They were with a family reunion and had many kids with them and said they were great, the kids loved the programs, etc....They all say you get first-class treatment for moderate prices. I think they sail out of Boston but maybe only NYC. For what it's worth...good luck!

Also, do you subscribe to SeaSavers and iCruise emails? Great sources for discounts.

ABN

 

[donnabres]

Just came back from this trip on the 7th of July. We were a group of 32 and had a great time. I agree that it wasn't the Magic, but when we stopped comparing it to the Disney Cruise, we had a great time. The best part is not wasting a day traveling, and having to go to the airport. On Sunday a.m. it took us about 50 mins. to get there, and even a little less when we came home. Just be careful of the time you go, early and late in the season can result in not too calm seas. They were GREAT when we went. Hope this helps.
Donna

 

[CamColt]

Hi neighbors, donnabress & mcnuss!

Thanks for the info donnabres. My parents have always enjoyed their Majesty cruises but my Mother keeps warning me, dont expect rooms the size of Disney. I think she thinks we will be disappointed. And you are right. Once they went the last week in August(when we would plan to go for next year) and the seas were really rough. I guess glasses were falling off tables and stuff. Scary!

Mcnuss, Thanks for the idea. Ill look into Celebrity too. Although my parents are big Majesty fans, and since this is a family trip, I think we would end up there. What part of NH are you in? My FIL lives in Derry.

 

[wovenwonder]

According to the Dreams Unlimited website they will have a message board for other cruise lines coming soon. BUT in the meantime be sure to check out www.cruisecritic.com message boards for 'other' lines.


I have to be honest that they only reason I give the cc site out is to help out fellow DIS cruisers --- NOT to help out CC! I get so angry whenever I post anything about the DIS boards over on their site they delete it! They are afraid of the competition (as they well should be!).

 

[CamColt]

Thanks for the info wovenwonder. Thats exciting!
I did try posting one question on the Norwegian board on Cruise Critic and havent been able to get an answer in a couple days(and only 29 views)! Definitely not like these boards!

 

[donnabres]

When we got to our cabin we looked at each other, and said "This isn't like the Magic" We had a closet on the Majesty, and they don't have tubs, but we made do. You don't spend much time in your cabin anyway.
If you go, I'm sure you'll have a great trip. Bermuda is beautiful, I like it better than St. Marten which is where we went on the Magic, although St. John was great.
Donna

 

[Diz-Me]

Hi, from another neighbor in southern NH!

Thanks goodness we cruised the Majesty before taking our 2 DCL cruises. The staterooms on the Wonder and Magic seemed absolutely HUGE to us after the tiny room we had on the Majesty (as well as the very small room we had on the HAL Rotterdam).

We really enjoyed enjoyed the Majesty cruise to Bermuda and plan on taking another in the future. The ship was fine and there isn't a better destination IMO than St. Georges Bermuda. You step off the ship and are in the heart of the most charming and quaint spot on the island. And you can rent mopeds or take public transportation to the 'big city' of Hamilton and the other end of Bermuda.

And what a treat it is to disembark the ship and be home in 45 minutes!

 

[mcnuss]

Diz-Me -- where are you from? I am in Londonderry.

Thanks for the info about Bermuda. DH and I keep planning to go, and with the very high cost of lodging & food on the island, it seems like a cruise is a very economical way to do it. (In fact, until I decided I wanted to bring DD on this trip, we had planned to take a Celebrity cruise to Bermuda to celebrate my 40th). What month did you go? One of the things that scared me off was that I get seasick and I heard it can be rough.

ABN

 

[Mjasp]

I wish the ships from NY to Bermuda were a little newer and larger in tonnage. I would LOVE to try Bermuda, but am concerned the Celebrity ships the "Horizon" and "Zenith" may be rustic, so to speak. Anyone go on these ships and any opinions on them?

 

[mcnuss]

I have not personally experienced them but have friends who have and thought they were excellent. I like the smaller ships so their size attracts me. We were on the Radisson Diamond for our 1st cruise - 300 passengers - it was exceptional. Now if they did the Bermuda route, I'd hop on it! We have also considered going to either Europe or Tahiti with them. Of course, this defeats the "no air" reasoning, but I think Tahiti is one of the last unspoiled corners of the globe and I'd like to see it.

 

[donnabres]

I have taken the cruise to Bermuda 3 times. First ny to bermuda end of Oct. You get what you pay for!!! It was cheap, and my first cruise, so I didn't know any better. Seas were ROUGH. 2nd Boston to Bermuda middle of Aug. going over seas were ok, a little rough on the way home. Last one June 30 this year, seas were great!!!!! This was also Boston to Bermuda.

We're headed up to NH today for the races. This is the only traveling my husband will do.
Donna

 

[mcnuss]

Good luck with the traffic! When I used to commute to Boston, the worst days of the year to get home (other than snow storms ) were Loudon race Fridays. It could take me 3 hours to go the 45 miles. It's supposed to be a gorgeous weekend, not hot, so have fun. You'll pass right by me at Exit 4!!

 

[CathyCanada]

DreamsCruise is online now and can be found here
Hope that helps!
CC