Cruise Talk: Caronia, what's it like?

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»	Cruise Talk » Cruise Ships » Caronia, what's it like?

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Topic: Caronia, what's it like?

seatrial
First Class Passenger
Member # 1658

posted 12-11-2003 08:19 PM

I'm in need of some opinions. I just saw that there is a really nice Norwegian Fjord cruise on Cunard's Caronia on 8/7/04. The rate is very reasonable and Cunard has a special on airfare from the states right now. In reading a bit about the Caronia on various websites I'm left with the following. The ship is nice but geared toward an older crowd. This is really OK with me, I think. I am 31 years old and will be traveling with a friend the same age. We both enjoy classy things and places and are not party animals. I have always wanted to cruise the Norwegian Fjords. Will we be out of place on this ship?
Is the ship in good shape? There is very little about Caronia on the web. Does anyone have good pictures of her interior and exterior. I really need some feedback as I am really considering this ship. Thanks

Posts: 122 | Registered: Oct 2000 | IP: Logged

cruiseny
First Class Passenger
Member # 2928

posted 12-11-2003 09:43 PM

You might want to start here for a good overview and photos.

If I were you I'd go for it. To be honest I'd rather be on CARONIA than SEVEN SEAS NAVIGATOR next summer!

She's one of the last real liners left (at least in the English-speaking market) and is about to go to Saga at the end of next year. I don't think she'll be around in 20 years when you're old enough to go on her so this is your last chance .

I know of a number of people who have been on CARONIA recently and they've all been quite satisfied.

Posts: 4730 | From: New York, USA | Registered: Mar 2002 | IP: Logged

joe at travelpage
Administrator
Member # 622

posted 12-11-2003 11:57 PM

We actually have a number of more current reviews in the reader reviews section.

Here's one and here's another.

Joe at TravelPage.com

Posts: 29976 | From: Great Falls, Virginia | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

John Bowman
First Class Passenger
Member # 4119

posted 12-12-2003 03:41 AM

Hi. If you're planning a cruise to Norway, make sure you know what you're getting. I cruised to the North Cape on QE2 this summer and saw very little Norway, lots of the North Sea. Most of the time we were out of sight of land. For the best, I;d recommend the Norwegian Coastal Voyage, 12 night round trip, leaving Bergen every day of the year. You will really see the coats and fyords this way, although the ship will be less glamorous. I never sailed Caronia, but a friend who has said she is really good except that because of her size if you find people who annoy you, you'll keep bumping into them.

Posts: 38 | From: London | Registered: Sep 2003 | IP: Logged

seatrial
First Class Passenger
Member # 1658

posted 12-12-2003 10:47 AM

Thanks for the replies. I think that my biggest concern in that since Caronia will be leaving Cunard very shortly after August Cunard may not be taking as much care of the ship as in the past. I love older ships, but only if they are well cared for. Any thoughts?

Posts: 122 | Registered: Oct 2000 | IP: Logged

cruiseny
First Class Passenger
Member # 2928

posted 12-12-2003 12:04 PM

quote:
Originally posted by seatrial:
my biggest concern in that since Caronia will be leaving Cunard very shortly after August Cunard may not be taking as much care of the ship as in the past.

Well as she's now owned by Saga and leased back to Cunard, I don't think Saga would be very happy if Cunard skimped on maintenance.

(Incidentally I am reliably told that Saga takes better care of SAGA ROSE than Cunard ever did.)

Posts: 4730 | From: New York, USA | Registered: Mar 2002 | IP: Logged

Willem
First Class Passenger
Member # 3005

posted 12-13-2003 02:49 PM

quote:
Originally posted by seatrial:
I'm in need of some opinions. The ship is nice but geared toward an older crowd. This is really OK with me, I think. I am 31 years old and will be traveling with a friend the same age. We both enjoy classy things and places and are not party animals. I have always wanted to cruise the Norwegian Fjords. Will we be out of place on this ship?
Is the ship in good shape? There is very little about Caronia on the web. Does anyone have good pictures of her interior and exterior. I really need some feedback as I am really considering this ship. Thanks

If you wait a few days, I publish my photos of the 6-13 December cruise.
We disembarked today in Amsterdam.

Willem van der Leek

Posts: 1469 | From: In the namesake city of Cape Hoorn. | Registered: Apr 2002 | IP: Logged

seatrial
First Class Passenger
Member # 1658

posted 12-21-2003 06:15 PM

I am still trying to decide if Caronia would be a good ship for me. One big question I have is; what is the smoking policy on Caronia? I just got off Oosterdam today in Fort Lauderdale and I had a cabin that smelled so badly of cigarette smoke from the previous occupants that it made me feel sick. How does Caronia compare to say the ex Rotterdam V/ Rembrandt or maybe the Norway? I am concerned that the ship may be in a bit of disrepair.

Thanks

Posts: 122 | Registered: Oct 2000 | IP: Logged

Aussie1
First Class Passenger
Member # 25

posted 12-21-2003 06:25 PM

Seatrial, CARONIA is very well cared for, no worries in that area.

Posts: 493 | From: Sydney,NSW, Australia | Registered: Sep 99 | IP: Logged

Willem
First Class Passenger
Member # 3005

posted 12-22-2003 02:35 AM

Allthough there was an ashtray in our cabin, it did not smell at all.

Starboard is smoke-free and portside is the smoking-area in the Ballroom as well in the Garden Lounge.
In the White Star Bar it is blue of smoke around the bar (which is the smoking-area). At the casino-side is smoke-free.

In the diningroom you might have bad luck that the adjoining table is a smoking one. Just complain with the Maitre d' and probably you will given another table like they did with us.

As was told, on our cruise much more smokers were on board than on other cruises.

Happy sailings,

Willem van der Leek

Posts: 1469 | From: In the namesake city of Cape Hoorn. | Registered: Apr 2002 | IP: Logged

seatrial
First Class Passenger
Member # 1658

posted 12-22-2003 08:17 AM

I am actually shocked that the dining room on Caronia is not non-smoking. This may actually prevent me from sailing on her. I just can't smell smoke while I eat. I understand that QM2 dining rooms will be nonsmoking. Does anyone else have any experinece with smoking on Caronia?

Posts: 122 | Registered: Oct 2000 | IP: Logged

Eric
First Class Passenger
Member # 2724

posted 12-22-2003 03:07 PM

Yes Seatrial, we were on Caronia in Fall 2001 & following a terrible coach ride from NY to Boston (consequence of 9/11) we arrived in DR @ 9.20pm to find we were in smoking section port side. Moved next night to non smoking starboard side. At that time this ship was still very popular with our German friends as it had been used some time ago in a "German TV soap opera" consequently they still had to cater for smokers in dining room & from above comments obviously still do!!!!!!
Eric

Posts: 421 | From: UK | Registered: Jan 2002 | IP: Logged

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