Where to Go Next?
Day 62, Grand Asia 2017
Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017 – At Sea
Today ended with a sad reminder that we will be getting off this ship sooner than many of us might want. We received a form asking for our disembarkation plans — flight numbers and times, whether we want to take a shuttle to the airport or travel independently, etc. On a seven-day cruise, this form shows up about midweek. I didn’t expect to see it this soon, more than two weeks before the cruise ends.
Several friends about won’t leave in San Diego, but instead will continue on for a 15-day holiday cruise through the Panama Canal, ending in Fort Lauderdale. Many of them live in Florida or elsewhere on the east coast.
One couple I have met will take the train home to Connecticut. He doesn’t fly, and they came out to San Diego by Amtrak. Their train route will take them to Los Angeles, east to San Antonio, through Dallas to Chicago, and then east, arriving home on Dec. 23.
When I left, my family (two sisters, two nephews) hadn’t made Christmas plans yet, but it now seems that we all will be in Dallas for Christmas. It will be a full house.
Some people have asked if I would take a long cruise like this again, and my immediate answer is yes. I have enjoyed almost every minute. Holland America has a representative on board who will book future cruises, with the added advantages of larger shipboard credit given and smaller initial deposits required.
I’ve considered some longer cruises, like the 35-day Voyage of the Vikings. It sails roundtrip from Boston to ports in places such as Greenland, Iceland and Norway. It’s very popular and thus more expensive than many cruises. You can string together multiple cruises (HAL calls them collector voyages), but there isn’t usually a price discount beyond the established trips.
The Amsterdam is a relatively small cruise ship, with a capacity of about 1,300 passengers. Holland America’s Prinsendam is smaller (about 800 passengers), and thus can go into more ports. Its interesting itineraries also are more expensive.
When I get home I may look into some of the larger ships on Royal Caribbean, Princess, Celebrity and NCL. I enjoyed my 30-day Mariner of the Seas cruise a few years ago and found that the bigger ship offers more options for activities.
I will probably stay on land in 2018 and take at least one road trip. I’d love to return to Chicago for the summer if I can find a good furnished apartment rental. Or I would go anywhere interesting if someone would like me to housesit.
Meanwhile, I’d love to hear your ideas about where to sail and what cruises I should consider next.
HI JO,
It’s Kate R. I am back home and happily reading your blog. I recommend doing the Voyage of the Vikings. Mu husband and I did it once as passengers in 2004 and loved it so much we did it again the following summer. You won’t regret it. Just pack enough clothing so you don’t get bored. However, nothing else will bore you about doing this cruise. I wish you all good things as you continue in the Pacific.
Thanks, Kate!
Sent from my iPhone
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I wonder if the CT couple is one we met a couple years ago on the Queen Victoria, 48 day round trip out of LA to Australia and the S. Pacific. They were on the train home with us, we’re from NH.
We did the Amsterdam WC this past year because of the itinerary but we prefer Cunard. We are doing the ’round South America cruise this coming January on the QV – 50 days.
Have you done a Baltic Cruise? We loved that and hope to do it again. Don’t do it on NCL though terrible berthing at almost every port. We should have done it on Cunard.
We love doing cross country trips and have done several. Have you ever taken the trans Canadian train from Vancouver to Toronto (or vice versa). We loved it, met so many interesting people and loved spending time in Vancouver at the end.
Thanks for all your wonderful ideas! Sorry I didn’t reply earlier. I haven’t done the Baltic, but I did travel independently to Saint Petersburg a few years ago. I have signed up for HAL’s Voyage of the Vikings in 2019. I would love to try Cunard. The trans Canadian train looks fun — early last year I took Amtrack’s Empire Builder from Seattle to Chicago and enjoyed it.
Hey, Jo, want to come to NJ and house sit for us for two weeks while we’re in Maui for our 25th (yes – 25th can you believe it?) anniversary?? Don’t forget, we have two little fur babies now. They would really appreciate staying home and not being boarded!! So glad you are enjoying your extended cruise so much; as I’ve said before, you are far more adventurous than I. Continued safe travels.
Laurie, Can’t believe it’s been 25 years! i’ll email when I get home. >