Crystal, Celebrity, Silversea, RCI, MSC and Princess all on the Cards!!

Crystal Serenity is due to dock in Southampton on Friday 5^th September and I have been fortunate enough to be invited on board for the day to have a look around. Crystal pride themselves as one of the best cruise lines in the world, in the same league as Silversea, Seabourn and Regent. Difference is that Crystal have much larger ships but they operate at half capacity so therefore you get more space per passenger than most other cruise lines. The Crystal Serenity is 68,000 gross tons and holds 1,050 passengers with 650 crew.

On Sunday the 7^th September I have then been invited back to see my favourite ship of all time, and as most of you will know I adore Celebrity, personally I think they offer some of the best ships in the world. The elegance and sophistication found on board is to rival many of the 6 and 7* cruise lines. The food is out of the world and the ship itself is simply stunning. What more can I say than that. At 121,800 gross tons, the Celebrity Eclipse is one of 5 Solstice class ships, the largest ships currently operation for Celebrity Cruises.

Following this on the 9^th September, I have also been invited to an exclusive viewing of Silver Sea’s Silver Whisper whilst she is docked in Southampton for the day. After being on the Silver Cloud last year I hold high hopes for her, and I hope considering the Cloud is the oldest ship in the fleet, that the Silver Whisper holds up to her reputation. Silversea are an Ultra Luxury cruise line offering all inclusive cruses that gives you as much Champagne you can drink. At 28,000 gross tons she can hold 382 passenger with 295 crew giving some on the highest passenger to crew ratio’s in cruising.

Then on Friday 12^th September I will be on-board the Adventure of the Seas whilst she Is in Southampton. Adventure will be leaving Southampton in October and not returning next year as Explorer of the Seas will be replacing her but Explorer is of the same class so I am looking forward to seeing how this class compares to the larger Freedom Class. At 137,000 gross tonnage, the Voyager Class is the 3 largest class in the Royal fleet but will drop down to the 4^th Largest when Quantum Class joins later this year. Adventure holds 3,114 guests and 1,180 crew.

Then on the 1^st October I will be setting off to Southampton to see the MSC Magnifica whilst docked in Southampton. Magnifica is one of the largest ships MSC have based in Southampton ever so it will be interesting to see what she has to offer. Currently the MSC Opera has been based in Southampton although she is in need of the refit she is due to have where 4 Licra ships will have major refits and even be extended. MSC Cruises have a strong passenger following but they also are not ever ones cup of tea – but hey its worth giving them a try to see what you think! MSC Magnifica weighs in at 95,000 gross tons and holds 2.550 guest with 1,027 crew.

Finally and the sadly the last visit of the year scheduled in, is the Emerald Princess, before she sets sail back across the pond to the Caribbean for her winter season. After being on the Crown Princess last year I am interested in seeing how she compares although something tells me she will be identical but we will have to wait and see. Emerald Princess is 113,000 gross tons and holds 3,080 guests and 1,200 crew.

But hopefully that won’t be all as we are hoping to get some spaces on Oasis of the Seas and Quantum of the Seas when they call in to Southampton in October and November this year.

Have you been on any off the ships or have anything you want me to find out, all you need do ask.

Which is your favorite

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