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We recently returned from the 68 days Grand Sth. America & Antarctica Voyage on board Holland America Prinsendam, Jan-Mar 2009.   It was fantastic trip!!! The cruise, service, cabin, entertainment, food could not be faulted.

The only thing I would warn against is the exorbitant prices they change for the land tours, i would book them myself next time, people who knew what they were doing did that.

Our cabin ss verandah suite was excellent!

Ron Bennett

I was a little hesitant as I arrived at the port and saw the size of my home for the next two weeks – Holland America Line’s ms Oosterdam, for which I was about to embark.

I’d heard comments that cruise ships were for “oldies” and with a capacity of over 1800 guests – that’s a whole lot of “oldies”. But as I waited in the check-in line, I was surprised to see that there were people of all ages and as I later found out onboard – they were from all places and walks of life. It made for a very interesting experience.

The ms Oosterdam had a lovely modern feel to her and all the public areas were bright and relaxing and what surprised me was that there was always a bar or quiet area to go to that took you away from the many guests if you just wanted some time-out.

Every evening when you turned in to your stateroom for the night, there was tomorrow’s daily activity list that was jam-packed with fun. There were so many things that I wanted to do that I found myself rushing form one event to the other just to do everything that I possibly could. There were movies (with yummy popcorn), culinary classes, walk a mile along the promenade and so many more that should be mentioned. The most popular though, was the bingo and I found myself hooked on the daily event were the money jackpots are in the thousands and even chances to win future cruises. No luck there – so thought I’d try out the casino. A small win on the blackjack table and I was in high spirits. The shops, comprising of jewelery, fragrances and beauty care, alcohol and cigarettes and souvenirs would take care of my new found winnings!

The food was in-describable with so many options that you could go on at least a one week cruise and not have the same food twice. And there is a dining experience for every occasion – feel like dressing up for the formal dining, relaxing with a casual ambience or pulling on the pyjamas and having dinner bought to you in your stateroom – it can all be done and I tried them all. But it’s not just breakfast, lunch and dinner – if I feel like a pizza by the pool in the afternoon, or chocolate at midnight – there is food all day. And just when I thought I was so full from lunch I spotted the ice cream shop – enough said!

After hardly being able to walk after eating so much at dinner – I ventured to the show lounge where there was a new show every evening. The magician was world class and I’m still trying to figure out how he managed his tricks, the opera singer entertained the whole room and the dancers amazed me with their energetic routines. And to top it of, there was a crew show where the crew members performed some of their traditional Indonesian and Filipino rituals – truly fantastic.

I disembarked the ms Oosterdam with a sad feeling and wished I could cruise away every day on the Holland America Line ship., but the happy memories will last a lifetime.

What defines The Regent Experience?

For me, it’s a level of luxury with no pretensions; a relaxed sense of well-being - gracious service and warm smiles; every wish is anticipated and I feel totally pampered.

This extraordinary 6-Star cruise line offers all-inclusive value;

• Spacious, all ocean-view suites and staterooms – most with balconies
• All on-board gratuities included
• Complimentary beverages including select wines and spirits, soft drinks, bottled water and hot beverages served throughout the day
• In-suite bar setup and Butler service in categories B and above
• Refrigerator replenished daily with soft drinks, beer and bottled water

The Regent Seven Seas Voyager & Mariner have a more modern propulsion system, thus better operability for the larger vessel in small ports. The cruise feels smoother.

In comparison to other 6-Star cruise lines, the Regent ships have larger staterooms and the public spaces are spacious which means you do not notice the population on the vessel.

Regent Seven Seas offers interesting itineraries and longer voyage segments. Cruise through less charted passages and leave behind mass-market tourist meccas.

One big ‘wow’ factor for Regent is their Single Occupancy Supplement - It starts from just 25%.

Most other cruise lines are 75% or even 100%.

Simply put, Regent’s uncompromising excellence is in the service and attention to detail by the staff-to-guest ratio; in the diversity of fine cuisine found in their restaurants; in the richness of experiences you’ll discover throughout the themed programs and land excursions. And, of course, in the luxurious accommodations.

You can feel very comfortable cruising with Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

Silversea Cruises, with its intimate ships (never more than 382 guests on board) and new collection of 13 Elegant Explorations for 2009, aims to offer travellers the ultimate opportunity to discover the world at a slower pace, allowing more time to savour new places and personally connect with the people and cultures they meet along the way.

Created exclusively for the traveller who has the time and passion to indulge in travel on a grand scale, this special collection features extended voyages of 24 to 92 days. These unique odysseys combine the luxury of sailing aboard the line’s elite, award-winning ships with expanded journeys to diverse regions of the world, combining visits to must-see traditional ports with exotic destinations that are off the beaten path - all on one cruise.

“Our Elegant Explorations are all-inclusive extended escapes perfectly suited to those guests who have the time to indulge their wanderlust at a leisurely pace, in unabashed luxury and comfort,” said Steve Odell, Silversea’s Senior Vice President for Asia Pacific. “You can explore the most desirable ports of the Mediterranean for 24 days, sail for 46 days around South America and the Caribbean or take a diverse 53-day voyage that spans from Tokyo to Barcelona. Throughout each unforgettable journey, you’ll enjoy superb accommodations coupled with Silversea’s famous personalised service and gracious hospitality.”

Highlighting the programme are generous savings incentives and onboard spending credits of US$500 per suite (based on double occupancy) for guests sailing 40 to 57 days and US$1,000 per suite for guests sailing 58 to 91 days. For the Grand Pacific Voyage, guests who sail the full 92 days will enjoy an onboard spending credit of US$2,000 per suite. Complimentary Business Class air upgrades are also available with the purchase of the optional Silver SKY Air Program on voyages of 50 or more consecutive days.

Grand Pacific Voyage

Of special note is the company’s first-ever Grand Pacific Voyage, a 92-day extended odyssey timed to coincide with prime regional seasons of the Pacific Ocean. Departing Los Angeles on March 7, 2009, Silver Shadow will follow the mild trade winds of spring as they dry the skies south of the equator, find northern Japan’s cherry blossoms in full bloom, and arrive in Alaska as the region awakens from its winter slumber with warmer, longer days. On this epic journey, guests will visit 45 ports, 15 countries and two hemispheres, enjoying overnight stays in Bora Bora, Sydney, Singapore, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong and Tokyo.

In addition to the US $2,000 per suite onboard spending credit, other special amenities available to guests sailing the full voyage include complimentary hotel accommodations in Los Angeles on the eve of departure, plus transfer and baggage handling between airport, hotel and ship. Fares start at US$55,170 per person, based on double occupancy.

Following below are the six themed segments of Grand Pacific Voyage 2009:

Voyage 3907: “Enchanted Polynesia,” March 7 - 23, Los Angeles to Papeete, 16 days.
Voyage 3908: “Escape to Dreamland,” March 23 - April 11, Papeete to Sydney, 16 days.
Voyage 3909: “Adventures of the Imagination,” April 11 - 29, Sydney to Singapore, 18 days.
Voyage 3910: “Oriental Mystique,” April 29 - May15, Singapore to Tokyo, 16 days.
Voyage 3911: “Bridge Across Time,” May 15 - 28, Tokyo to Seward, 14 days.
Voyage 3912: “Of Mists and Majesty,” May 28 - June 7, Seward to Vancouver, 10 days.

Elegant Explorations for 2009

Silver Cloud departs February 5 on a 46-day voyage from Santiago to San Juan with calls in Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, Devil’s Island, Grenada, Barbados, Bequia, St. Lucia, Antigua and Virgin Gorda. Highlights include journeying through the Chilean fjords, Cape Horn and the Amazon’s Breves Narrows. Best-available fares start at US$22,567 per person.

Silver Whisper departs April 5 on a 53-day voyage from Tokyo to Barcelona with calls in Kagoshima, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, India, Oman, Dubai, Egypt, Jordan, Greece, Malta, Italy, Monaco and France. Highlights include overnight stays in Ho Chi Minh City, Mumbai, Dubai, Safaga and Aqaba. Best-available fares start at US$25,792 per person.

Silver Wind departs July 28 on a 24-day voyage from Monte Carlo to Athens with calls in Italy, Spain, Corsica, Greece, Montenegro and Croatia. Highlights include a three-day, two-night stopover in Venice. Best-available fares start at US$17,985 per person.