Your Cruise Questions Answered Part 5: Cunard Changes, Luxury Cruises, Japan, Panama Canal & More

Are Cunard’s fleet changes a sign of trouble? Is an ultra-luxury cruise really worth paying more for? Which cruise line would I choose for a world cruise? And what are the best ships for cruising the Panama Canal?

Welcome to Part 5 of my “Your Cruise Questions Answered” series, where I take a selection of the most popular and useful questions from my weekly live cruise Q&As and bring together my answers in one place.

I’ve grouped the questions by topic, rather than the order they came up during the livestream, to make it easier to find the cruise advice you’re looking for. As always, my answers draw on my experiences of over 130 cruises across mainstream, premium, small-ship luxury, ultra-luxury, river and expedition cruise lines.

Cunard Cruise Questions

Is Cunard In Trouble, And Why Is Queen Anne Leaving The Fleet?

One of the biggest topics in this week’s Q&A was the announcement that Queen Anne will leave Cunard in 2029 and transfer to P&O Cruises, while P&O’s Arcadia will move to Holland America Line.

A number of people asked whether this meant Cunard was in trouble or even that Carnival Corporation might be preparing to sell the brand.

My view is that this is much more about profitability and positioning than getting rid of Cunard. Carnival Corporation has made it clear that it wants to concentrate investment on the brands delivering the strongest returns.

I think Cunard has struggled to fill four ships consistently at the fares it wants to achieve, particularly because it’s so dependent on passengers sailing from the UK. Queen Elizabeth’s deployment in Australia and the Caribbean appeared to require significant discounting at times, while Queen Anne has been a rather divisive addition to the fleet.

I’ve said in my reviews that Queen Anne sometimes feels more like a ship Cunard has chartered than one designed around the traditional Cunard experience.

The Queens Room, theatre and overall atmosphere are different from what many longstanding Cunard passengers expect.

Moving Queen Anne to P&O Cruises, where I suspect it will fit the customer base better, while moving Arcadia to Holland America’s Vista-class fleet, makes business sense to me.

The other interesting development is the closer integration of Cunard and P&O Cruises management. I suspect this is about making the businesses more efficient and profitable.

I don’t see it as evidence that Carnival Corporation wants to sell Cunard.

In fact, I think a smaller, more focused Cunard fleet could be a good thing, provided the company invests in improving the remaining ships.

Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth particularly need investment in their cabins and bathrooms. And I think Cunard needs to concentrate on delivering the refined, traditional experience its core passengers want, rather than trying to appeal to an audience that may not be particularly interested in Cunard in the first place.

My view is that Cunard doesn’t necessarily need to chase younger passengers. There’s a growing market of older travellers who want exactly the sort of experience Cunard has traditionally offered.

The fleet changes discussed here were the announcements being considered at the time of this livestream; check the latest published deployment plans before making a booking decision.

Choosing Between Premium, Small-Ship Luxury And Ultra-Luxury Cruises

Is An Ultra-Luxury Cruise Worth The Extra Cost Compared With Celebrity Or Princess?

This is one of the questions I get asked most frequently.

And it’s one of the reasons some people are disappointed when they try an ultra-luxury cruise for the first time.vThey assume that because they’re paying significantly more, everything will be dramatically better.

But that’s not really what ultra-luxury cruising is about.

The biggest difference is the type of experience you’re buying.

On a line such as Regent Seven Seas or Seabourn, you’re paying for a smaller, quieter, calmer ship.

You’ll generally have more space per passenger, more personalised service, more inclusions and a more refined dining experience.vBut you’re also paying for less choice in some respects.

There will usually be fewer entertainment venues, smaller daily programmes and fewer activities happening simultaneously.vIf you love the big shows, casinos, entertainment and constant activity on Celebrity or Princess, you may actually find an ultra-luxury cruise less appealing.

Where I think ultra-luxury lines really stand out is the personal service, dining, space and often the itineraries.vSmaller ships can sometimes dock much closer to the heart of destinations where larger ships have to use more distant terminals.

I personally think ultra-luxury cruising can be worth the extra money.vBut only if you’re looking for the experience those lines are designed to deliver.

If you’re already booking a top suite on Celebrity or Princess and buying all the packages and extras, the difference in total daily cost may also be smaller than you expect.

What Is The Service Difference Between Viking, Explora Journeys, Regent And Silversea?

I think the first thing to understand is that these lines don’t all sit in exactly the same category.

I put Viking alongside Oceania, Azamara and Windstar in what I call the small-ship luxury category.vRegent Seven Seas and Silversea sit in the ultra-luxury category.vExplora Journeys is interesting because, although it has ultra-luxury inclusions, its ships are larger and the experience feels closer in some respects to small-ship luxury.

The biggest difference I’ve found between Viking and lines such as Regent and Silversea is how personalised the service feels.vI’ve always found Viking’s service good, but on Regent and Silversea the crew tend to spend more time getting to know you.

They remember your preferences, your usual orders and the little things that make the experience feel more individual.

I also think the dining on Regent and Silversea is a step above Viking, with more elaborate menus and a more elevated overall experience.vSilversea also offers butler service across its accommodation categories, which is another difference.

So, while I enjoy Viking, I do find Regent and Silversea deliver a more personalised and refined service experience.vWhether that justifies the extra fare comes back to what matters most to you.

World Cruises And Longer Voyages

Which Cruise Line Would I Choose For A World Cruise?

This is a fascinating question because I think the answer depends on why you want to do a world cruise.

Mark and I spent around seven weeks on part of Queen Victoria’s 2016 world cruise, sailing from Southampton towards Sydney.

That experience made me think quite differently about world cruising.

If your ambition is to sail all the way around the world, visiting several continents and enjoying a long period of life at sea, I’d look at Cunard, Holland America or Princess.vThey have considerable experience operating world cruises and provide the entertainment and activities needed for long stretches at sea.

But something that surprises people is how few ports a world cruise can include.vA voyage lasting several months may have long stretches of four, five or six sea days at a time.vIf your priority is visiting as many places as possible and spending more time exploring destinations, I’d look at smaller ships.

Oceania, Seabourn and Silversea are worth considering, although the costs can be considerably higher.vI’d also include Viking, particularly if destination enrichment matters to you.

Personally, I suspect that rather than doing one complete world cruise, I’d prefer to put together a series of longer regional voyages.vFor example, I’d take a Holland America cruise around Japan and Asia, then perhaps join an Azamara or another small-ship cruise exploring a different region.

It would take more planning, but I think I’d get to see more places in greater depth.

My advice is to decide whether your priority is the experience of sailing around the world or the experience of exploring the world.

Those aren’t necessarily the same thing.

How Do Cruise Lines Keep Entertainment Fresh On A World Cruise?

A viewer asked whether passengers on a world cruise eventually start seeing the same shows and activities repeated.

The answer is that some things do repeat.

World cruises are often divided into shorter sectors or legs, and the production shows may repeat on each leg.vSo, if you’re on board for several consecutive sectors, you might see the same production show more than once. What cruise lines do to keep things fresh is rotate the guest entertainers. On the world cruise sectors I’ve taken, the visiting entertainers changed regularly, meaning there were new acts in the theatre. Guest speakers also changed, often at the beginning of each new sector. Cunard, for example, brings in different speakers and experts to cover different subjects.

The ships also introduce events linked to where they’re sailing, such as equator-crossing celebrations.

The daily programme tends to follow a familiar structure, with trivia, talks, classes and other regular activities. And even the dining menus can start to repeat over longer periods, although dishes are mixed around.

So, you should expect some repetition, but the cruise lines do work to introduce fresh entertainment and enrichment throughout the voyage.

Japan And Mediterranean Cruise Questions

Which Cruise Line Is Best For Japan, And What Is The Best Time To Go?

If you’re looking for a Japan cruise on a ship carrying fewer than around 2,100 passengers, my first choice would be Holland America Line.

Holland America has been operating Japan cruises for many years and has a strong destination enrichment programme. I particularly like the fact that it has dedicated travel guides who can provide detailed information about the ports. That can make an enormous difference in a country with such fascinating history and culture.

My second choice would be Princess, which also has extensive experience cruising Japan.

Celebrity would be another line I’d consider, particularly when it uses one of its smaller ships in the region.

As for the best time to go, I personally really like October. I’ve been to Japan in spring and autumn, and I prefer the autumn weather. It’s generally pleasant, without the intense summer heat, and I found it a very comfortable time to explore. The cherry blossom season in March and April is obviously popular, but it can be expensive and crowded. The timing of the blossoms can also be difficult to predict.

One other tip: if you’re planning a Japan cruise, allow at least three or four days in Tokyo before or after.

There’s so much to see, and it’s worth building in time to explore beyond the cruise itinerary.

Is April A Good Time For A Mediterranean Cruise From Rome To Istanbul?

I think April can be a very good time for this itinerary.

The biggest advantage is that you’re travelling before the main summer crowds arrive. Places such as the Greek islands are generally much calmer than during the peak summer months.

But there’s one thing I’d check carefully: when Easter falls. Easter school holidays can make places such as Rome significantly busier, and prices may rise around that period.

In terms of weather, you’re looking at spring conditions. It can be pleasantly warm, particularly in the southern Mediterranean, but it won’t necessarily be reliable beach weather. Some days might be warm enough for shorts and a T-shirt, while others may be cooler or wetter.

If your priority is sightseeing rather than lying on a beach, I think April is a very attractive time to cruise the Mediterranean.

Panama Canal Cruise Questions

Which Cruise Ship Is Best For A Panama Canal Transit?

I’ve now transited the Panama Canal six times, and my favourite ships for the experience are Holland America’s Vista-class ships.

These include ships such as Zuiderdam and Oosterdam.

There are two reasons.

First, they can use the original Panama Canal locks, which I personally find more interesting than the newer, larger locks. The original locks have the famous electric locomotives, known as mules, that help keep ships positioned correctly as they pass through.

Second, the Vista-class ships can open their forward viewing area, allowing passengers to get close to the action. You can watch the lines being handled, see the locomotives working and get a fantastic view of the lock operations.

I also think Holland America does an excellent job with Panama Canal enrichment and commentary. I’ve also transited on Oceania Marina and Regent Seven Seas Grandeur. Both were enjoyable cruises, but the forward viewing arrangements weren’t as good.Because the crew need access to the bow for lock operations, passengers couldn’t get the same close-up forward views.

So, surprisingly, although I enjoy smaller luxury ships, I’d actually choose a Holland America Vista-class ship for another Panama Canal transit.

Are Smaller Luxury Ships Better For The Panama Canal?

Not necessarily.

Smaller ships can be wonderful for many destinations, particularly where they can get into smaller ports.

But for the Panama Canal, the ship’s viewing arrangements can matter more than its size or luxury level. On some smaller luxury ships, the best forward views are through glass or from higher decks. That can make it harder to appreciate what’s happening immediately in front of the ship.

On Holland America’s Vista-class ships, being able to stand at the front and look down into the locks is a real advantage.

So, before booking a Panama Canal cruise, I’d check not just whether the ship uses the original or new locks, but also where passengers can watch the transit from.

River Cruise Questions

Are French River Cruises And Canal Barge Cruises Worth Doing?

Absolutely.

I’ve done several river and canal cruises in France, and some have been among my favourite river cruise experiences.

One was a canal barge cruise with CroisiEurope, carrying only around 15 passengers. It was a very intimate experience, with small-group excursions and the opportunity to explore places larger river ships can’t reach. There were some low-water issues during the trip, meaning we spent a little more time on rivers than canals, but I still thoroughly enjoyed it.

I’ve also cruised the Loire with CroisiEurope. That was one of my favourite river cruises.

The Loire is relatively shallow, so the ship used a paddlewheel design suited to the river.The excursions were extraordinary, particularly the visits to the region’s beautiful châteaux.

I’ve also cruised the Seine towards Honfleur.

If you’re considering a French river cruise, I’d strongly recommend looking at both the Loire and the canal barge options.

They’re very different from conventional river cruising, but they can be fantastic ways to explore France.

Galápagos Expedition Cruise Questions

Which Is Best For The Galápagos: Silversea, Celebrity Or National Geographic?

A viewer was comparing Silversea’s Silver Origin, Celebrity Flora and National Geographic’s Islander II. They wanted a comfortable, luxurious ship but also good enrichment and active excursions.

The first thing I’d say is that the actual Galápagos experience is more similar across these lines than you might expect.

The islands have strict rules governing where visitors can go, and expedition guides follow designated routes. So, you won’t necessarily get dramatically different walks or wildlife encounters simply because you choose a more expensive ship. The hikes also tend not to be particularly strenuous. There are some places where you have to climb over rocks or negotiate steps, but most of the walks are relatively manageable.

One of my biggest Galápagos tips is to be prepared to snorkel.

So much of the wildlife experience is in the water. You’ll have opportunities to see extraordinary marine life, and I think people who don’t snorkel miss a significant part of what makes the Galápagos special.

As for the ships, I’d regard Silversea as the more luxurious option.

Celebrity Flora offers a very comfortable premium experience.

National Geographic tends to be more expedition-focused and less plush, although it has considerable expertise in the region.

I enjoyed my Silversea Galápagos experience enormously. But I’d compare the itinerary, expedition programme and price carefully because the core destination experience will have a great deal in common.

Transatlantic Cruise Questions

Is A Transatlantic Repositioning Cruise The Same As A Queen Mary 2 Crossing?

No, and I think this is an important distinction.

A traditional transatlantic crossing is a direct voyage between Europe and North America, without intermediate ports. That’s what Queen Mary 2 does on its regular Southampton-to-New York crossings. Queen Mary 2 is also an ocean liner, specifically designed for the conditions of the North Atlantic.

A transatlantic repositioning cruise is different.

Cruise ships often reposition between Europe and the Caribbean or North America at the beginning and end of the seasons.

These voyages are usually longer and include ports along the way.

I’ve recently done one on Regent Seven Seas Splendor from Lisbon to New York.

Virgin Voyages and other cruise lines also offer interesting repositioning itineraries. They can be excellent value and a great way to enjoy plenty of sea days while visiting some ports. But they’re not the same experience as a direct Queen Mary 2 crossing. The ships are designed differently, and the itinerary is different.

If you want the classic ocean-liner experience, I’d choose Queen Mary 2.

If you want a longer, more leisurely cruise with ports along the way, a repositioning cruise may suit you better.

Cruise Fares, Bookings And Insurance

What Should I Do If My Cruise Fare Drops After I’ve Booked?

A viewer noticed that the price of their MSC cruise had fallen and wondered whether they could get an upgrade or onboard credit.

My advice is always to ask.

First, make sure you’re comparing the same cabin category, fare conditions and inclusions. A cheaper advertised fare may not actually be the same product you originally booked. If it is genuinely cheaper, contact the cruise line or ask your travel agent to investigate. You may be able to get a price adjustment, onboard credit or an upgrade, depending on the cruise line’s policies and your booking conditions.

It’s generally easier to negotiate before final payment. After final payment, it can be much more difficult.

But even then, I think it’s worth asking.

This is also one of the reasons I recommend using a good travel agent like The Cruise Globe Travel Agency , because they can investigate the options and handle the discussion for you.

Cruise Industry Questions

Are Cruise Lines Building Too Many Ships?

I don’t think we’ve reached the limit of demand for cruising yet.

Cruise lines still see enormous potential in attracting people who’ve never taken a cruise before. That’s one reason so much investment is going into larger ships with extensive entertainment, activities and attractions.

The lines are competing not just with other cruises, but with land-based holidays and resorts.

However, I think the bigger challenge may be where all these ships can go.

We’re already seeing increasing concern about overtourism in popular destinations. Cities such as Barcelona are dealing with pressure from large numbers of visitors, and cruise passengers are part of that debate. One response from the cruise lines has been to make the ships themselves more of a destination. We’re also seeing greater investment in private islands, beach clubs and purpose-built destinations. That allows cruise lines to control more of the experience and reduces their dependence on some of the busiest traditional ports.

Shipbuilding capacity is another constraint, with major shipyards booked years ahead.

So, I don’t think the industry has necessarily run out of potential customers.

But I do think the question of where ships can operate, and how destinations manage growing visitor numbers, will become increasingly important.

SS Rotterdam Questions

Is It Worth Staying On The Historic SS Rotterdam Hotel Ship?

I’ve just spent two nights staying on the former Holland America flagship SS Rotterdam, and I found it a fascinating experience.

The ship is now permanently moored in Rotterdam and operates as a hotel, with restaurants, bars and tours.

I stayed in an executive room overlooking the bow.

It was an unusual experience because reaching the room involved walking through an area used for offices and meeting rooms. So, if you want to feel more immersed in the atmosphere of the old ship, you might prefer one of the other cabin categories. The ship has been restored and adapted for its current use, although not everything is as it was during its cruising days.

One thing to bear in mind is its location.

It’s a little way from central Rotterdam, and there aren’t many restaurants or attractions immediately around it. There’s a shuttle connection to the nearby metro station, but you may find a taxi or Uber easier when arriving with luggage.

My biggest recommendation is to do both the self-guided ship tour and the guided engine room tour.

The engine room tour was particularly fascinating.

The ship’s history is a huge part of the attraction, and I think you’ll get much more from staying there if you take time to explore it properly.

Is The Afternoon Tea On SS Rotterdam Worth Booking?

Definitely.

As regular followers know, I’m a huge afternoon tea fan, and I was very impressed by the one served aboard SS Rotterdam.

It started with a little soup and savoury item before moving on to the more traditional afternoon tea selection. There were sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and a good selection of sweet treats.

I thought it was excellent value at the price I paid, €32.50.

One thing to know is that afternoon tea was only available on weekdays when I visited, and advance booking was required.

At the time, the booking system also required a reservation for at least two people.

I’d also recommend booking ahead if you want to dine in the Lido restaurant, because it can get busy with hotel guests, visitors and local diners.

I enjoyed both the breakfast and dinner there.

Overall, I thought the afternoon tea was one of the highlights of my stay.

More Cruise Questions Answered

That’s another selection of questions from my latest live cruise Q&A.

As you can see, there’s rarely one simple answer to questions about cruising.

The best ship for a Panama Canal transit may not be the most luxurious one. A more expensive cruise line may offer a calmer experience but fewer activities. And the best world cruise depends on whether you want to spend months enjoying life at sea or visit as many destinations as possible.

That’s why I enjoy these Q&A sessions so much.

They give me the opportunity to share what I’ve learnt from my own cruises and, hopefully, help you avoid mistakes or make better decisions when planning yours.

This is Part 5 of my “Your Cruise Questions Answered” series. You can explore the earlier articles in the series for more answers to questions cruisers regularly ask.

And if you have a cruise question you’d like me to answer, join one of my regular live cruise Q&As or leave it in the comments below.