Since we know that RSSC monitors this board from time to time (or they should, given Ngaire's association with them), I would like to open up a new discussion.

Part 1. Where would you like to cruise Radisson in 2006? Where would you cruise if they had really good promotions? (Almost anywhere, I guess)Asia/Vietnam is on my list after ROAR and 2005.

Answering this would give RSSC a cross-section of feelings of a wide variety of their loyal clients.

Part 2 of this discussion, is where should we send Ngaire & company to be in their company on a group cruise (WC segments excluded, not possible, I think}? Oh, could this maybe include group cruise on SS with Linda and Ron?

Keep in mind, this is for NEXT year, 2006, where itineraries have not been anounced.

Editing to say that I HOPE this will bring some postings from new/silent members on this board. We NEED everyone's imput, and welcome newcomers all the time. I noticed that most of the new members haven't even posted. Please do! We are not a clique here, just a friendly bunch who welcomes newbies all the time.

Olivia, with Asia this year and ROAR next, we have little time or money for cruising. However, what we would really like to see is another 19 day Caribbean cruise over Christmas and New Years. Hopefully on Mariner or Voyager with two for one pricing. :D

Olivia,
Almost anywhere is right on but NOT a 7 day-er and maybe in the late fall. Since ROAR is in April , I will need some time to recoup my stash. :eek:
I like the British Isles but that is more suited for summer and I don't do summer cruises.

My wish list for 2006 (or '07 with ROAR in the picture) includes So. America. Either an Amazon/ Bahia combo or the opposite coast with a pre or post to include Machu Pichu. (Actually both of these are on the future wish list).

What I would really like RSSC to do is to bring back some of those wonderful "exotic" itins the Song used to do in the winter in Asia. I would also like to see more ports in North Africa. Tunis would make a terrific port. I love the leg of the 2006 WC that goes thru the Suez. If I'm in that part of the world I want to do Petra which the '05 WC doesn't do. Unfortunately the '06 leg is way too close to ROAR :( .

Well, Marc you will be pleased to know that PARTY is 40% reduction! Still expensive but I am not used to those 14 night cruises! As I remember, you started out with RSSC with a two-fer? I know it was a holiday cruise, and a very long one.

Suzanne, have you done any research to see if SS or seabourne go to this areas? They are usually more adventurous since the ships are smaller (like the Song) and they don't have to "sell" so many seats! Unless RSSC leases another smaller ship, I just can't see them going to those less demanded ports anymore. It is all about business, I guess.

Suzanne, my problem withe the WC is also that it is too close to ROAR to do the things I want (Vietnam). Only so many months to cruise in certain areas? But Asia? It is always warm, isn't it?

They have to deal with certain things in Asia like monsoons, so it also is seasonal to an extent.

I hate to say it, but I am starting to look more and more at SS and Seabourne for the more exotic itins and smaller ship (not to mention totally all inclusive). Interesting how Marcie has said that it has changed the atmosphere on Voyager!

I'd love an overnight in Bali.

Now that I have my miles for a FF around the world business class & by next year should be up to 1st class, I might have to forgo a cruise. Impossible!!!

I also want to go to Cambodia & Vietnam & see some of South America.

My wish list is very, very long. Did anyone else get a copy of The Travel Book for the holidays? Start thumbing through it & your list will grow like you wouldn't believe.
http://www.moviemars.com/images/books/1741044510.jpg

My wish list doesn't include a cruise. It's for more time off from business, more money in the bank, and good health so I can travel any way I choose. Then I want all half price cruises.

We want to go to the Baltics in 2006 but might be willing to go elsewhere for the right itinerary during the right season. We can't travel from December to May.

I would like to see 12 days in Hawaii on the Voyager during cold weather in 2007.

Andi - you and Doug are always welcome. :)

Masaki

Thanks, but be forewarned...we don't do diapers, but we do cook.

I'll support Suzanne & Betty's wish lists of South America and Olivia's wish for Vietnam/Asia. I was tooling through Silversea & Seabourne this morning looking for itineraries; there are some in March & April (particularly Seabourne). I've written to my friends in the region to ask if tourism is a good idea in the near term (following up on Marc's post on another thread). If it is, I'm very tempted to go now with a mixed land/cruise on Seabourne. As always, finding a cruise with dates I can do is a headache. I need to reprioritize!! Cheers, Anne

Anne, are you talking 2006 here? I don't think SS and Seabourne schedules for 2006 are out yet.

Olivia - I'm talking about 2005. Thanks, Anne

I am still pining for the perfect British Isles cruise. Radisson was to have one in 2002, and we were booked on it (Mariner). Mark decided he didn't like that much Scotland, I canceled and booked a European one on Celebrity, canceled that one on 9/10/01 because I didn't want that much Norway.

Now he searches for one for me.

Unfortunately we are unable to cruise to these exotic ports at the present due to work and the children.

That being said, we will probably look at Italy or British Isles in 2006.

Anthony

I'm most interested in Vietnam, Burma and Japan in Asia, Antarctica on a deluxe ship, Iceland, Norway and Baltics in Europe and Galapagos on a nice small luxe ship. I am an auction chair for a big fund raiser in June so I can't look at an extended trip until the end of July this year, ruling out the Iceland cruise you are on, Olivia.

The best time to visit Southeast Asia is November thru February when it is not as hot and is the dry season.
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Leslie

Betty - I read about the Travel Book and forgot to write it down - thanks for the reminder - i will order it.

Another good resource for your wish lists is the book "1000 Places to see Before you die." by Patricia Schultz.

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Leslie

I found that "1000 Places to See Before You Die" to have some excellent sites to visit. BUT it also pushed hotels too much and literally said you must stay in this or that hotel. I'd like a book on exotic places and not expensive sxotic hotels.

Olivia, PARTY is a canal cruise vice caribbean; same cruise we did last year. It is nice to be on with the World Cruisers.

Leslie, the 2006 World Cruise is going to Burma. Looks like some real nice shore excursions there.

We will be ready for Antarctica in 2007; if we don't do a long Caribbean over the holidays. Maybe antarctica Nov-Dec 2007?

Re: Silversea

They have a nice online feature that allows you to e-mail them with questions. Nice touch. So I e-mailed them and asked when the 2006 brochures would be available, and this was the reply:

The 2006 itineraries will be available in February. I would be happy to send one to you as soon as is it available.

Lets hope that they are more timely than RSSC in getting out the itineraries, even though I sympathize with RSSC with all the changes going on...Diamond staying or leaving....PG leaving or staying. They must be pulling their hair out!

My wish list would contain Iceland and Norway in 2006 and Antartica in 2007. Marianne

greenflash/Marianne, my wish list about Iceland and Norway is coming true this June! I know you are new to this board, and hope you will keep on posting! I will post from the ship as internet is available, as we have some sea days and there will be time to do so. I am so eager to visit this area, and finally it is to be!

I'd like an extended Alaska itinerary (I could go there every summer). Something on the order of 10 to 12 nights with multiple nights in each of the ports. I'd even go for a 16 nighter that hit some of the Aleutian Islands too (not sure if that's logistically possible).

Also a circumnavigation of the Caribbean would be really cool (maybe it would take 16 nights or so). I remember talking with the Staff Captain on DDD about that - he's dying to do that type of itinerary. Considering how it's now -5 degrees with windchill in wretched NJ, that sounds like a very nice option!

I agree with Suzanne and Olivia on more exotic ports. Unfortunately, I just don't think I can muster the will to try Silversea or Seabourne. I'm addicted to RSSC's balcony cabins to such an extent that I cannot even bear to go on the PG because of the lack of affordable balconies.

Lawrence : Oh I so agree with with you - longer trips to Alaska and I am not willing to rock the boat and try other lines - silly I guess but Radisson has been so perfect for us I think I will just stay put - Joanna

Lawrence, we took a 19 night circumnavigation of Caribbean on Mariner Dec 02/Jan 03. It was great. Radisson does this every year (booked as back to back with stop in Aruba or San Juan). We are looking at doing this trip again Dec 2006.

I like your Alaska itinerary suggestions, Lawrence. And the balconies on RSSC keep me coming back too.

Well our 35th anniversary is in August 2006 and I wanted to do something special. I was thinking the Voyager or Mariner in the Baltics for a 14 day cruise that includes several days in St. Petersburg. I would really love it at a 2 for 1, even though I have never seen it. And if you could arrange it so that the 13th was in the very middle of the cruise that would be great!!!

Just my 2 cents worth! Now I'm broke again.

Greenflash,

I am with you on hoping for another Norway fjords cruise in 2006. We couldn't go this year because of Jim's work schedule. I hope they keep that cruise on their schedule.

Olivia, hope you have a great cruise and I will be reading all your posts. That is my next area of interest, after our Baltic's cruise this August.

Ginny

Thanks for the info Marc - I'll have to look into this itinerary.

jhp,
It would be wonderful if you do find some time to report on your cruise this summer then I can live vicariously through you! I've been throughly enjoying Marcie's postings from the WC. There is such a sense of immediacy.
Marianne