Bonjour
Qui a voyagé sur le grand voyager
Merci de quelques renseignements sur ce bateau? confort
repas etc....
KASA
Original post
Qui connaît le bateau Grand Voyager?
by Kasa
This discussion is in French, the community’s main language.
voyager à avec son sistership quelque defaux majeur
lire ce fait divers de 2005
Parti de Tunis pour rallier Barcelone, le paquebot a été pris dans une violente tempête, avec des vents de force 11 et des creux de dix à quinze mètres. Une grosse vague a fracassé la verrière de la passerelle du paquebot, et l'eau s'est infiltrée dans le navire, endommageant le réseau électrique. A la suite de cet incident, seul un des moteurs du paquebot à pu etre remis opérationnel rapidement avant que l'équipage parvienne à relancer manuellement un deuxième moteur après 2 heures d'effort.
Le navire, dont les systèmes de communication sont toujours en panne, progressait depuis à environ 10 nœuds, escorté par trois avions de la Marine nationale française, dont un Falcon, et un gazier britannique, le Gimi, dérouté afin de lui porter secours. Un remorqueur italien a aussi appareillé de Cagliari et faisait route lundi soir vers le paquebot. Les blessés légers, dont une personne ayant eu la jambe fracturée, ont pu être soignés par le médecin du bord, alors que le paquebot se dirigeait vers le port le plus proche, celui de Cagliari, en Sardaigne, où il devait arriver mardi au petit matin, a-t-on appris auprès de la préfecture maritime à Toulon, chargée de coordonner les secours.
souvenez vous le cyclone valentin, et du grand explorer, si le gimi n'avait pas etalé, pour permettre aux techniciensr de remettre en marche, le navire avec 836 pax et l'equipage, passaient à la trappe le navire etait ravagé à l'interieure, les gens etait dans les salons en gilets de sauvetage... et heureusement la fin du navire n'était programmer par neptune - sans machine dans un tempete un navire est en danger de mort -processus vital engagé mais coincidence quasi mortelle; si le 14 Février 2005, en Méditerranée, par mer de force 8, vents de 11 beaufort, une vague s'abattit sur la verrière de passerelles du Grand Voyager, .
le 27 Janvier 2005, soit 19jours avant Voyager, son sistership avec 700 étudiants embarqués à bord du paquebot de 180 m, l'Explorer, pour le programme universitaire << Semester at Sea >> de l'Université de Pittsburgh (USA) ont observé de près, après une semaine de tempête, une énorme vague qui est venue briser les vitres de la passerelle et mettre hors service trois des quatre moteurs. Le navire a pu rejoindre Honolulu pour une semaine de réparations, avant de reprendre sa route vers Shanghai.
meme cause meme effets ces 2 navires jumeaux ex olympic voyager et olympic explorer, construits en 2000 et 2001 capacité 840pax 360crews coef espace/pass 29 ratio crew/pass2,3 3***+ avec 1314pts/2000 180,74/25,50m te 7,10m 6ponts 24391 tonnes de jauge brut, 51359cv a la propulsion se qui en font avec le QM2 les navire les plus rapide du circuit avec une vitesse de croisiere de 28knots pointe à 33, la comparaison s'arrete là , taillés pour la vitesse et faire le maxi d'escales en une semaine sur des itineraires necessitant habituellement 10jours=>+ d'excursion .Des "paquebots hors bord" gros gros defauts qui en font des paquebots très dangereux par tres forte mer il sont très bas sur l'eau, les 2 fois une vague à explosé les vitre de passerelle, pourtant blindées, et noyées et detruit l'electronique gerant le navire (accolé sur le fond de la passerelle), produisant black out coupure moteurs - dans les 2 cas le gene de secours, en circuit autonome à permis le redémarrage pârtiel -une video de la aeronavale française est disponible sur le net "seenot" sous titre "la croisiere s'amuse vraiment", à vous d'aller voir et que les croisieristes , pas très convaincus ne s'abstiennent pas... c'est le risque, toute activité humaine à un coef de danger
Parti de Tunis pour rallier Barcelone, le paquebot a été pris dans une violente tempête, avec des vents de force 11 et des creux de dix à quinze mètres. Une grosse vague a fracassé la verrière de la passerelle du paquebot, et l'eau s'est infiltrée dans le navire, endommageant le réseau électrique. A la suite de cet incident, seul un des moteurs du paquebot à pu etre remis opérationnel rapidement avant que l'équipage parvienne à relancer manuellement un deuxième moteur après 2 heures d'effort.
Le navire, dont les systèmes de communication sont toujours en panne, progressait depuis à environ 10 nœuds, escorté par trois avions de la Marine nationale française, dont un Falcon, et un gazier britannique, le Gimi, dérouté afin de lui porter secours. Un remorqueur italien a aussi appareillé de Cagliari et faisait route lundi soir vers le paquebot. Les blessés légers, dont une personne ayant eu la jambe fracturée, ont pu être soignés par le médecin du bord, alors que le paquebot se dirigeait vers le port le plus proche, celui de Cagliari, en Sardaigne, où il devait arriver mardi au petit matin, a-t-on appris auprès de la préfecture maritime à Toulon, chargée de coordonner les secours.
souvenez vous le cyclone valentin, et du grand explorer, si le gimi n'avait pas etalé, pour permettre aux techniciensr de remettre en marche, le navire avec 836 pax et l'equipage, passaient à la trappe le navire etait ravagé à l'interieure, les gens etait dans les salons en gilets de sauvetage... et heureusement la fin du navire n'était programmer par neptune - sans machine dans un tempete un navire est en danger de mort -processus vital engagé mais coincidence quasi mortelle; si le 14 Février 2005, en Méditerranée, par mer de force 8, vents de 11 beaufort, une vague s'abattit sur la verrière de passerelles du Grand Voyager, .
le 27 Janvier 2005, soit 19jours avant Voyager, son sistership avec 700 étudiants embarqués à bord du paquebot de 180 m, l'Explorer, pour le programme universitaire << Semester at Sea >> de l'Université de Pittsburgh (USA) ont observé de près, après une semaine de tempête, une énorme vague qui est venue briser les vitres de la passerelle et mettre hors service trois des quatre moteurs. Le navire a pu rejoindre Honolulu pour une semaine de réparations, avant de reprendre sa route vers Shanghai.
meme cause meme effets ces 2 navires jumeaux ex olympic voyager et olympic explorer, construits en 2000 et 2001 capacité 840pax 360crews coef espace/pass 29 ratio crew/pass2,3 3***+ avec 1314pts/2000 180,74/25,50m te 7,10m 6ponts 24391 tonnes de jauge brut, 51359cv a la propulsion se qui en font avec le QM2 les navire les plus rapide du circuit avec une vitesse de croisiere de 28knots pointe à 33, la comparaison s'arrete là , taillés pour la vitesse et faire le maxi d'escales en une semaine sur des itineraires necessitant habituellement 10jours=>+ d'excursion .Des "paquebots hors bord" gros gros defauts qui en font des paquebots très dangereux par tres forte mer il sont très bas sur l'eau, les 2 fois une vague à explosé les vitre de passerelle, pourtant blindées, et noyées et detruit l'electronique gerant le navire (accolé sur le fond de la passerelle), produisant black out coupure moteurs - dans les 2 cas le gene de secours, en circuit autonome à permis le redémarrage pârtiel -une video de la aeronavale française est disponible sur le net "seenot" sous titre "la croisiere s'amuse vraiment", à vous d'aller voir et que les croisieristes , pas très convaincus ne s'abstiennent pas... c'est le risque, toute activité humaine à un coef de danger
bonne houle
ctw
OUI Chistianh
Je n'est pas répondu car sa me saoul de lire des gens qui ne voit que du noir.🤪 J'ai arrété de lire sur l'Allégra pour les mêmes raisons Je pense que le confort a bord bin il n'y pas de cabines les vitres sont cassées par la tempête de 2005 😉
Bon a part cela il va faire beau temps et ma mère fera j'en suis sur une belle croisière .😇
KASA
Je n'est pas répondu car sa me saoul de lire des gens qui ne voit que du noir.🤪 J'ai arrété de lire sur l'Allégra pour les mêmes raisons Je pense que le confort a bord bin il n'y pas de cabines les vitres sont cassées par la tempête de 2005 😉
Bon a part cela il va faire beau temps et ma mère fera j'en suis sur une belle croisière .😇
KASA
les faits sont les faits....
12/03/2012 mer et marine 10/03/2012 C'est au pied levé que les équipes de TAAJ Croisières se sont réorganisés en vue de changer de navire. Initialement, le voyagiste français, qui propose des croisières 100% francophones, devait réaliser ses 21 traversées prévues cette année sur le Costa Allegra. Mais le navire de Costa Croisières, victime d'un incendie dans la salle des générateurs le 27 février, est finalement sorti de la flotte de la compagnie italienne. En remplacement, celle-ci a rapidement proposé à TAAJ un autre navire de taille équivalente, le Costa Voyager, qui sera mis à disposition dès le 18 mars. « Les gens de Costa ont fait preuve d'un grand professionnalisme et d'une remarquable réactivité pour trouver une solution », souligne-t-on chez TAAJ. Pour la société, ce changement n'est pas une mince affaire dans la mesure où il ne s'agit pas uniquement de commercialiser un navire. En effet, TAAJ déploie tout un concept à bord, notamment en termes de spectacles, ce qui nécessite l'adaptation du bateau, qui doit être doté d'un certain nombre d'équipements et d'une décoration spécifiques. Ainsi, il faut prévoir l'installation d'un bassin en plein air pour les orgues aquatiques, ou encore un grand écran gonflable. Et certains espaces publics, comme les restaurants, sont relookés dans l'esprit TAAJ.
Orgues aquatiques (© : YVES CAURETTE)
Le pont piscine transformé en cabaret avec l'écran gonflable (© : YVES CAURETTE)
Adapter le navire
Lustres vénitiens, appliques, tentures, sculptures... TAAJ marque ainsi de son emprunte le paquebot, sur lequel on trouve des spécificités, comme un kiosque à musique avec un orchestre, ainsi qu'un salon de navigation où se déroulent présentations et conférences. Sans oublier les « Demoiselles TAAJ », des personnages en papier éclairés de l'intérieur, dont quatre mesurent 2 mètres de haut, qui tournent sur eux-mêmes chaque soir avec un carillon. Bref, l'adaptation du navire en prévision de la saison représente un gros travail. C'est pourquoi, début mars, une équipe de TAAJ, comprenant notamment des techniciens, s'est rendue à Charm el-Sheikh, en Egypte, où se trouvait le Costa Voyager. « Nous sommes restés trois jours à bord. L'installation de nos équipements et de notre décoration ne pose pas de problème mais il fallait régler une multitude de petits détails techniques. Les cotes ne sont pas notamment les mêmes entre l'Allegra et le Voyager. Il y a, par exemple, des différences au niveau des attaches des lustres. Nous devions aussi vérifier qu'il y avait bien des arrivées d'eau pour le remplissage du bassin des orgues aquatiques, ou encore des connexions pour l'écran gonflable. Il faut penser à tout ! ». Pendant ce temps, à Paris, l'équipe commerciale s'est mobilisée afin de prévenir les clients et les partenaires de ce changement. En somme, une grosse organisation avec pour objectif, dans des délais particulièrement courts, de ne pas rater le début de saison.
Une décoration spécifique (© : YVES CAURETTE)
Demoiselles TAAJ (© : YVES CAURETTE)
Un bateau plus moderne
Le pari est en tous cas réussi puisqu'en lieu et place du Costa Allegra, c'est le Costa Voyager qui arrivera à Marseille le 16 mars. Les équipes auront alors deux jours pour monter tous les équipements à bord et mettre le navire aux couleurs de TAAJ. Les clients fidèles ne seront donc pas trop dépaysés, même si les deux bateaux sont différents. Construit en 2000 par le chantier allemand Blohm + Voss de Hambourg, le Costa Voyager mesure 180 mètres de long pour 26 mètres de large. Affichant une jauge de 24.400 tonneaux, il dispose de 416 cabines (927 passagers maximum), 3 restaurants, 4 bars, une discothèque, un casino, un ensemble piscines et bains à remous, ainsi qu'un Spa et une salle de fitness. Plus ancien, le Costa Allegra, ancien porte-conteneurs transformé en navire de croisière en 1992, mesure quant à lui 187 mètres de long pour une largeur de 25.75 mètres, et une jauge de 28.600 tonneaux. Il dispose de 399 cabines et peut embarquer jusqu'à 1000 passagers. L'Allegra et le Voyager sont donc de taille équivalente, des navires intimistes qui se prêtent bien au concept de TAAJ. Le Voyager, plus racé et effilé, est également plus moderne, ce qui devrait constituer au final un atout pour TAAJ, bien que l'Allegra, malgré son âge, ne manquait pas de charme. Le premier départ de la saison aura donc lieu le 18 mars à Marseille. En tout, TAAJ proposera cette année 21 croisières de 9 à 13 jours, entre le 18 mars et le 7 novembre, en Méditerranée et en Europe du nord. En tout, le voyagiste français compte accueillir 14.000 passagers. __
12/03/2012 mer et marine 10/03/2012 C'est au pied levé que les équipes de TAAJ Croisières se sont réorganisés en vue de changer de navire. Initialement, le voyagiste français, qui propose des croisières 100% francophones, devait réaliser ses 21 traversées prévues cette année sur le Costa Allegra. Mais le navire de Costa Croisières, victime d'un incendie dans la salle des générateurs le 27 février, est finalement sorti de la flotte de la compagnie italienne. En remplacement, celle-ci a rapidement proposé à TAAJ un autre navire de taille équivalente, le Costa Voyager, qui sera mis à disposition dès le 18 mars. « Les gens de Costa ont fait preuve d'un grand professionnalisme et d'une remarquable réactivité pour trouver une solution », souligne-t-on chez TAAJ. Pour la société, ce changement n'est pas une mince affaire dans la mesure où il ne s'agit pas uniquement de commercialiser un navire. En effet, TAAJ déploie tout un concept à bord, notamment en termes de spectacles, ce qui nécessite l'adaptation du bateau, qui doit être doté d'un certain nombre d'équipements et d'une décoration spécifiques. Ainsi, il faut prévoir l'installation d'un bassin en plein air pour les orgues aquatiques, ou encore un grand écran gonflable. Et certains espaces publics, comme les restaurants, sont relookés dans l'esprit TAAJ.
Orgues aquatiques (© : YVES CAURETTE)
Le pont piscine transformé en cabaret avec l'écran gonflable (© : YVES CAURETTE)Adapter le navire
Lustres vénitiens, appliques, tentures, sculptures... TAAJ marque ainsi de son emprunte le paquebot, sur lequel on trouve des spécificités, comme un kiosque à musique avec un orchestre, ainsi qu'un salon de navigation où se déroulent présentations et conférences. Sans oublier les « Demoiselles TAAJ », des personnages en papier éclairés de l'intérieur, dont quatre mesurent 2 mètres de haut, qui tournent sur eux-mêmes chaque soir avec un carillon. Bref, l'adaptation du navire en prévision de la saison représente un gros travail. C'est pourquoi, début mars, une équipe de TAAJ, comprenant notamment des techniciens, s'est rendue à Charm el-Sheikh, en Egypte, où se trouvait le Costa Voyager. « Nous sommes restés trois jours à bord. L'installation de nos équipements et de notre décoration ne pose pas de problème mais il fallait régler une multitude de petits détails techniques. Les cotes ne sont pas notamment les mêmes entre l'Allegra et le Voyager. Il y a, par exemple, des différences au niveau des attaches des lustres. Nous devions aussi vérifier qu'il y avait bien des arrivées d'eau pour le remplissage du bassin des orgues aquatiques, ou encore des connexions pour l'écran gonflable. Il faut penser à tout ! ». Pendant ce temps, à Paris, l'équipe commerciale s'est mobilisée afin de prévenir les clients et les partenaires de ce changement. En somme, une grosse organisation avec pour objectif, dans des délais particulièrement courts, de ne pas rater le début de saison.
Une décoration spécifique (© : YVES CAURETTE)
Demoiselles TAAJ (© : YVES CAURETTE)Un bateau plus moderne
Le pari est en tous cas réussi puisqu'en lieu et place du Costa Allegra, c'est le Costa Voyager qui arrivera à Marseille le 16 mars. Les équipes auront alors deux jours pour monter tous les équipements à bord et mettre le navire aux couleurs de TAAJ. Les clients fidèles ne seront donc pas trop dépaysés, même si les deux bateaux sont différents. Construit en 2000 par le chantier allemand Blohm + Voss de Hambourg, le Costa Voyager mesure 180 mètres de long pour 26 mètres de large. Affichant une jauge de 24.400 tonneaux, il dispose de 416 cabines (927 passagers maximum), 3 restaurants, 4 bars, une discothèque, un casino, un ensemble piscines et bains à remous, ainsi qu'un Spa et une salle de fitness. Plus ancien, le Costa Allegra, ancien porte-conteneurs transformé en navire de croisière en 1992, mesure quant à lui 187 mètres de long pour une largeur de 25.75 mètres, et une jauge de 28.600 tonneaux. Il dispose de 399 cabines et peut embarquer jusqu'à 1000 passagers. L'Allegra et le Voyager sont donc de taille équivalente, des navires intimistes qui se prêtent bien au concept de TAAJ. Le Voyager, plus racé et effilé, est également plus moderne, ce qui devrait constituer au final un atout pour TAAJ, bien que l'Allegra, malgré son âge, ne manquait pas de charme. Le premier départ de la saison aura donc lieu le 18 mars à Marseille. En tout, TAAJ proposera cette année 21 croisières de 9 à 13 jours, entre le 18 mars et le 7 novembre, en Méditerranée et en Europe du nord. En tout, le voyagiste français compte accueillir 14.000 passagers. __
bonne houle
ctw
Merci beaucoup pour ces informations complètes sur les us et coutumes chez TAAJ . Nous avons déjà voyagé avec eux , ( sur le Marina ) et il est vrai que l' ambiance n' a rien pas comparable . Bien vu .
Restera a comparer les cabines , ( mais je pense que cela ne peut pas être ..... plus " rustique " ) ainsi que l' agrément des parties communes , et ponts . Car la , l' Allégra avait des aménagements trés agréables a vivre .
Merci encore ,
Cordialement ,
Restera a comparer les cabines , ( mais je pense que cela ne peut pas être ..... plus " rustique " ) ainsi que l' agrément des parties communes , et ponts . Car la , l' Allégra avait des aménagements trés agréables a vivre .
Merci encore ,
Cordialement ,
Christian
Oui merci pour les photos sa remonte le moral
J'avais vu déjà l'allégra c'est pour cela que je voulais savoir l'autre plus moderne je pense d'après ce que j'ai vu Donc je voulais l'avis de personnes qui ont voyagé sur le voyager
KASA
J'avais vu déjà l'allégra c'est pour cela que je voulais savoir l'autre plus moderne je pense d'après ce que j'ai vu Donc je voulais l'avis de personnes qui ont voyagé sur le voyager
KASA
le navire navigue depuis une huitaine d'année chez ibero
pour avoir une vraie appéciation il nous faudrait dzes forumeur espagnol
personnellement c'est un navire, sur ces données techniques et pour l'avoir
cottoyé en martinique en 2001 , qui ne me fait pas confiance -moins qu'allegra
- de plus c'est un navire très fermé, les emmenagements ne sont pas génial
un ratio espace de 29, il etait de 34,7 sur allegra
ce ne sont pas avec son sister, des navires qui ont séduitn explorer est devenu
le navire d'une université us, pour un voyage d'étude marine une fois par an...
bonne houle
ctw
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More discussions
hi there
Here’s the cruise schedule for 2026.
It’s a great way to get ideas and maybe even meet up with other members.
2 essential rules:
1) never "quote" the calendar when replying—this’ll avoid any confusion 2) follow the format below DD/MM - username / SHIP IN CAPS / number of days / cruise title / departure port DON’T FORGET THE SPACES between the / /
REMINDER Despite my requests, few people follow the requested format. Cruises that stray too far from it won’t be listed anymore—sorry!PLEASE respect the templates! COPY AND PASTE THE FORMAT BELOW AND REPLACE WITH YOUR DETAILS IF YOU’RE STRUGGLING DD/MM - username / SHIP IN CAPS / number of days / cruise title / departure port DON’T FORGET THE SPACES between the / / It takes time to fix mistakes, so THANKS TO EVERYONE for your help!
YOUR TURN 😉
NUMBER OF CRUISES 2026: JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER
1) never "quote" the calendar when replying—this’ll avoid any confusion 2) follow the format below DD/MM - username / SHIP IN CAPS / number of days / cruise title / departure port DON’T FORGET THE SPACES between the / /
REMINDER Despite my requests, few people follow the requested format. Cruises that stray too far from it won’t be listed anymore—sorry!PLEASE respect the templates! COPY AND PASTE THE FORMAT BELOW AND REPLACE WITH YOUR DETAILS IF YOU’RE STRUGGLING DD/MM - username / SHIP IN CAPS / number of days / cruise title / departure port DON’T FORGET THE SPACES between the / / It takes time to fix mistakes, so THANKS TO EVERYONE for your help!
YOUR TURN 😉
NUMBER OF CRUISES 2026: JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER
Hello everyone,
It’s with immense sadness that I learned this morning of the passing of our friend Nathalie (nadu). Many of us knew her through this forum, which she loved so much. She enjoyed reading your travel stories, joining discussions, sharing her cruise reviews, and offering valuable advice—always with kindness, gentleness, and discretion.
For me, Nathalie was so much more than just a cruise enthusiast. She was a friend, a deeply kind person who was always there to listen, despite the many health challenges she faced with tremendous courage. We corresponded regularly, and sometimes we had the chance to visit each other’s homes or attend the cruise show together with our respective husbands.
We shared a common dream: when we both retired, we had planned to finally go on a cruise together. Life had other plans, and that trip will forever remain a journey we never had the chance to take. That thought weighs heavily on my heart today.
I’ll remember her as a gentle, generous woman who was always ready to help others. Her presence on this forum will leave a huge void, just as her friendship has in my life.
I send my sincerest thoughts to her husband, her family, and all those who had the chance to know her.
Fair winds, Nathalie. I like to think you’re now sailing on an infinitely calm sea, under an eternally blue sky. You’ll remain in our thoughts and hearts every time we talk about cruises or set off on a new journey.
Rest in peace, Nathalie.
For those who’d like to send a message of comfort and sympathy to her husband, you can send me a PM, and I’ll pass it along. THANK YOU
For me, Nathalie was so much more than just a cruise enthusiast. She was a friend, a deeply kind person who was always there to listen, despite the many health challenges she faced with tremendous courage. We corresponded regularly, and sometimes we had the chance to visit each other’s homes or attend the cruise show together with our respective husbands.
We shared a common dream: when we both retired, we had planned to finally go on a cruise together. Life had other plans, and that trip will forever remain a journey we never had the chance to take. That thought weighs heavily on my heart today.
I’ll remember her as a gentle, generous woman who was always ready to help others. Her presence on this forum will leave a huge void, just as her friendship has in my life.
I send my sincerest thoughts to her husband, her family, and all those who had the chance to know her.
Fair winds, Nathalie. I like to think you’re now sailing on an infinitely calm sea, under an eternally blue sky. You’ll remain in our thoughts and hearts every time we talk about cruises or set off on a new journey.
Rest in peace, Nathalie.
For those who’d like to send a message of comfort and sympathy to her husband, you can send me a PM, and I’ll pass it along. THANK YOU
Hello everyone,
So happy to be back on this Forum!
We’re heading off on another cruise—our 7th—after a 5-year break...
We’ll be leaving from Venice on April 26th with stops in Kotor, Mykonos, Santorini, and Ancona.
Could you help me plan the stops by sharing tips, tricks, and advice?
For those who already know me, you know we prefer not to take the cruise line’s excursions but instead organize everything ourselves.
Thanks in advance to everyone, and looking forward to chatting with you all!
Hi there,
I'm looking at a cruise in the north.Which one do you think is more interesting? Thanks
Hello,
We’re back from this cruise.
Boarding in Dunkirk: The doors opened around 12 PM. Since we were a bit early, I asked if my husband, who uses a walker, could wait inside instead of outside. I left him with the two suitcases and our two backpacks in the small hall while I parked the car in the reserved CFC parking lot for 10 € per day.
The shuttle that was supposed to take people from the parking lot to the model pavilion was supposed to arrive in 5 minutes, but after 15 minutes, nothing. After waiting 15 minutes, I saw a man walking and asked if I could follow him. In 15 minutes, we arrived, and still no sign of the shuttle—it must have passed us. Arrived at the model pavilion.
My husband had already checked in the suitcases with the help of a CFC staff member. The remaining formalities were completed quickly. We were on board by 12:15 PM. Headed to the buffet on deck 11 and waited in a lounge to access our cabin.
At 2 PM, we discovered our balcony cabin on deck 9 at the rear: spacious with a large balcony compared to MSC/COSTA.
Since we were at the rear, cabin 9202, there was always an issue with elevator number 4: "priority."
Elevator number 2 stops at deck 10... and elevator number 3 was often out of order, leaving only number 1 for those with mobility issues to reach the buffet, especially for people who struggle with stairs. Note: only one child on board and lots of "gray hair."
DAY 2: At sea. Lots of activities offered.
Day 3: GOTHENBURG (Sweden). Sunny, 19°C at 11 AM.
Excursion booked with CFC: Gothenburg and Haga for all.
Interesting visit with a great guide. The HAGA district, in our opinion, is full of cobblestones and nothing special, not suitable for people using a cane or wheelchair. Elevator number 3 was out of order again.
Day 4: Copenhagen. 15°C in the morning, showers in the afternoon.
We didn’t book an excursion since we’d already stopped here with CFC in 2025, and based on advice from this forum, we took the hop-on/hop-off bus right in front of the ship. I still went to see the Little Mermaid again.
No TV, but the elevator was fixed.
DAY 5: At sea. Still no TV.
DAY 6: GDANSK (Poland). 15°C, rain all day.
There’s a shuttle to get to the city center.
We took the excursion: Panorama of Gdansk.
The guide left us at the entrance of the city center for 45 minutes, telling us what to visit. Meet-up for the rest of the tour at 3 PM. The bus left at 3:15 PM to cover 10 km to see St. Mary’s Cathedral. We arrived at 4:16 PM... The guide said there are often traffic jams in that direction. We had 10 minutes on site before heading to see the lighthouse and the Westerplatte monument, where we also had 10 minutes.
Many of us wondered why we didn’t do the tour in the opposite direction since they knew there would be traffic...
I went to reception to complain about the organization. The staff member read me the program: we were supposed to start with the lighthouse, then go to the cathedral and stay for 30 minutes before heading to the center of Gdansk for a short guided walk with some free time to buy souvenirs, etc.
The guide did the complete opposite of what was planned and didn’t even give us a guided tour—just dropped us off in the city...
DAY 7: Bornholm Island (Denmark). 14°C, a few sunny spells.
We saw in the excursions that there was a walking tour of RØNNE. So, like many others, we explored on our own. There was a small orchestra welcoming us at the port and two people with city maps. We took the shuttle to leave the port—it ran every 15 minutes. The tourist office was next to the "shuttle bus." A pleasant visit at our own pace.
DAY 8: KIEL (Germany). 18–23°C, nice weather.
We took the "Kiel for all" excursion. Great guide and interesting visits.
The port is in the city, and in 10 minutes, we were in the city center by following a blue line on the ground from the port. Elevator 3 was stuck again... and the TV was back.
DAY 9: At sea. Elevator 3 works.
DAY 10: At sea. Elevator 3 is out of order again...
DAY 11: Disembarkation in Dunkirk.
Cabins had to be vacated by 7:30 AM. Buffet open until 9 AM.
Elevator number 1 was "reserved," leaving only number 2, which doesn’t go up to deck 11... a problem for people with mobility issues who had to cross the entire deck 11 and try to use one of the four working elevators at the front, which were crowded.
My opinion: Interesting stops.
The onboard staff were always welcoming, smiling, and mostly French-speaking.
Evening shows were better than in March/April 2025—better singers, dancers, and presenters, and the costumes were improved.
I liked the "magician" shows less.
There were three onboard lectures by a very cultured person, but they went off-topic and were too historical for my taste. I didn’t attend the other two; my husband went to the second but not the third.
For this cruise, there was a bridge theme, but we’re not players or interested.
We didn’t take a drink package on board—water, coffee, tea, and herbal teas were available.
We had a water leak in our cabin the night before disembarkation. We reported it, and after the technical staff came (with a translator who didn’t speak English), we were asked to leave the cabin for a while for repairs. We went to a lounge, and after 1.5 hours, I checked in at reception. The repair took longer than expected... we had to change cabins... not ideal the night before disembarkation. No balcony cabins were available, so we got an ocean-view cabin, 6075, with a bathtub (impossible for both of us to use). We packed our suitcases, took a shower in our cabin, and moved to the new one. Noise from chairs until 12:30 AM because the cabin was under a lounge, and constant ventilation noise in the hallway... sleep was hard to come by. Disembarkation: Well organized. We were helped with transporting the two suitcases and bags to the waiting room while I took the shuttle to get the car. Guylène
We had a water leak in our cabin the night before disembarkation. We reported it, and after the technical staff came (with a translator who didn’t speak English), we were asked to leave the cabin for a while for repairs. We went to a lounge, and after 1.5 hours, I checked in at reception. The repair took longer than expected... we had to change cabins... not ideal the night before disembarkation. No balcony cabins were available, so we got an ocean-view cabin, 6075, with a bathtub (impossible for both of us to use). We packed our suitcases, took a shower in our cabin, and moved to the new one. Noise from chairs until 12:30 AM because the cabin was under a lounge, and constant ventilation noise in the hallway... sleep was hard to come by. Disembarkation: Well organized. We were helped with transporting the two suitcases and bags to the waiting room while I took the shuttle to get the car. Guylène
Hello,
We’re taking a cruise to Northern Europe with a stop in SOUTHAMPTON.
We’d like to visit the Stonehenge site.
Is it possible to get there on our own (my husband is a wheelchair user), since the MSC excursion to Salisbury is priced at 127 € per person?
There’s also a stop in Rotterdam, and it seems there’s a "miniature village to visit" nearby. Has anyone here been there, and if so, how did you get there?
Thanks so much for your tips. Mum49
If you're traveling on the Costa Diadema from October 17th to 28th, 2026 to Lisbon, we can meet up for a drink. Share our cruising experiences, an excursion, a table...
hi there, a group of friends and I are going on a cruise at the end of June with CFC in Norway. I’d love to get some info on the different stops we’ll be making. Most of them are one-day stops (from around 10 AM to 8 PM on average). Here are the stops: Andalsnes, Trondheim, Honningsvåg, Alta, Hellesylt, Sandane, Austefjorden.
Thanks in advance to anyone who can share what there is to see or do in these places.
When I get back, I’ll post what we did—it might help others who come after us.
Also, does anyone know if the boat sticks to the arrival time in Dunkirk for catching tickets to head back south? We’ll plan a buffer just in case.
Thanks everyone!
Thanks in advance to anyone who can share what there is to see or do in these places.
When I get back, I’ll post what we did—it might help others who come after us.
Also, does anyone know if the boat sticks to the arrival time in Dunkirk for catching tickets to head back south? We’ll plan a buffer just in case.
Thanks everyone!
Hi there, The day before boarding the Costa Favolosa for the Norwegian Fjords cruise departing from Hamburg, I'd like to book a hotel. Which one would be the most convenient location-wise relative to the port?
Thanks in advance for your reply.
Hi everyone on the cruising forum,
I’m looking to get in touch with someone who’s been on an Arctic Cruise aboard the ship POLARFRONT, operated by the French company "LATITUDE BLANCHE", for some info.
https://www.latitudeblanche.com/voyages-grandnord-polarfront/
I already posted a similar message here 2-3 months ago, and it mysteriously disappeared... ??
Hoping for a response this time.
Best to all,
Puma2A
...
I’m looking to get in touch with someone who’s been on an Arctic Cruise aboard the ship POLARFRONT, operated by the French company "LATITUDE BLANCHE", for some info.
https://www.latitudeblanche.com/voyages-grandnord-polarfront/
I already posted a similar message here 2-3 months ago, and it mysteriously disappeared... ??
Hoping for a response this time.
Best to all,
Puma2A
...
Hi there, I was wondering if anyone has ever taken a cruise with this PO Cruise company.
Would love to hear your thoughts!
They’ve got some great itineraries for Norway.
Hello,
We’ll be sailing on the Renaissance with CFC to southern Norway from July 4 to 11, 2026, departing from Dunkirk (the cruise was booked through "Planète Croisière").
When entering some personal details or pre-selecting options on the CFC website, I’m wondering about the "optional" categories for drinks and WiFi.
I’m actually a bit surprised by these extra charges, as we weren’t used to them on other cruises (Australis in Patagonia; Hurtigruten’s Coastal Express in Norway and Alaska; Rivages du Monde in the Arctic or on the Douro River; a Nile river cruise in Egypt), where we sometimes had access to basic drinks at meals and free WiFi when near land.
Anyway, for those who’ve already taken a CFC cruise on the Renaissance, could you share some advice? Specifically about the most basic drink package, called "Fraîcheur" (238 € for two), which doesn’t seem to be described anywhere. The "Premium" package seems excessive (490 € for two for the week) for light drinkers.
As for WiFi, it’s 10 € per day per person. While I find that price acceptable for parking our car in Dunkirk, it feels overpriced here (especially since it was free on the Nordlys "Coastal Express" just 3 or 4 years ago).
So, I’d love to hear from experienced cruisers who’ve been on this ship!
Looking forward to seeing the excursion prices, which should be available soon! 😐
Thanks in advance!
Thanks in advance!
Hi there,
I’d love to hear from travelers who’ve done this cruise with Rivages du Monde or CroisiEurope.
Thanks!
Elettra69
Hi there,
I’m considering a cruise on this ship in the recently introduced Yacht Club category.
Have any forum members tried it?
What are your thoughts? Positive or negative? Which cabins should we go for—or avoid?
We’re already familiar with the Yacht Clubs on the Splendida, Fantasia, Preziosa, and Divina series.
We weren’t as keen on the one on the Seashore—we found it too big.
Thanks in advance for your feedback!
Best,
Claudine
Hi there,
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this cruise and its slightly unusual itinerary.
Also, what do you think about the price?
Good deal or too expensive?
Thanks
We're considering a new cruise soon and would like to try the Renaissance.
The uniqueness of the promenade cabins appeals to us, but could anyone give us some insights on the following points:
- Is the glass door sufficiently tinted to prevent outsiders from seeing into the cabin?
- Is the soundproofing good enough to block out conversations on the promenade deck?
Thanks in advance to anyone who can help!
Hi there,
Do you have a hotel near the cruise port (or easy to reach by metro with luggage) to recommend? I’m planning to spend two days there before boarding.
Thanks in advance! Claudine
Do you have a hotel near the cruise port (or easy to reach by metro with luggage) to recommend? I’m planning to spend two days there before boarding.
Thanks in advance! Claudine
Hello,
My husband, our two teens, and I are going on a cruise on the COSTA Esmeralda at the beginning of July. We’re thinking of exploring the ports on our own. Do any of you have recent experiences or tips to share? Are there shuttles between the port and the city center? Are they free? Looking forward to hearing from you.
My husband, our two teens, and I are going on a cruise on the COSTA Esmeralda at the beginning of July. We’re thinking of exploring the ports on our own. Do any of you have recent experiences or tips to share? Are there shuttles between the port and the city center? Are they free? Looking forward to hearing from you.
Hi, can you eat in the evening at the Costa Smeralda’s cafeteria, or do you have to dine at the restaurant? Thanks for your reply.
contact me to get referred at MSC, for your first cruise or if you haven't traveled with MSC in over 5 years
Hi everyone,
As promised, here’s my review of the cruise I took from the 5th to the 19th on the MSC Virtuosa.
As you know, I had initially booked a cruise with Mein Schiff departing from Dubai (from Dubai to Cape Town). It was a 22-day cruise. Due to the issues in the Persian Gulf, my cruise was canceled by Mein Schiff.
So, we started looking for a Plan B because we really wanted to go. Especially my wife, who had just had a minor procedure and needed some rest. Since she had already taken time off, she was determined to travel. However, we were looking for an affordable Plan B since we weren’t sure when Mein Schiff or the airline would reimburse us.
While browsing online, I found a 15-day cruise departing from Pointe-à-Pitre (including flights, transfers, the cruise, and drinks) for a price of 1,200 € in a Fantastica balcony cabin. We thought, *Why not?*
I should mention that I’m not usually a big fan of MSC. My last experience with them was post-Covid (I took two cruises, one in 2021 and another in 2022), and it was honestly a disaster. We didn’t want to repeat that, but after talking to Catherine, who told me she was very happy with a short Christmas cruise, we decided to give it a try.
I have to say, I was left speechless. Honestly, the cruise was absolutely perfect. There’s nothing to complain about (or just a few minor details). In terms of service and food, I felt like I was on a premium cruise line. I’d even say MSC has nothing to envy from some of those companies. While premium lines like Holland, Celebrity, and Royal are cutting back on services, I think MSC has made huge improvements. Seriously, I wasn’t expecting this at all. You’ll see what I mean as we chat more.
I won’t do a full review like I usually do because there weren’t many stops: 1. We boarded in Pointe-à-Pitre 2. We stopped in Saint-Martin 3. Then it was a direct crossing to the Azores...
This cruise was really about relaxing, even if it’s not the kind of trip we usually take.
First off, I’m not a big fan of "flight and cruise" packages. I asked if we could leave two days early, but they said it wasn’t possible. We had to take the flight, then the bus, and board the ship directly.
It’s not really my thing, but given the price we paid and since we really wanted to relax, we thought, *Why not?*
Here’s the itinerary:
Boarding in Pointe-à-Pitre Saint-Martin Five days at sea The Azores Four days at sea Hamburg One day at sea Le Havre
But as I mentioned, it wasn’t about the itinerary. It was really about taking a break and unwinding. Honestly, I came back thrilled.
Departure and boarding details to come
As promised, here’s my review of the cruise I took from the 5th to the 19th on the MSC Virtuosa.
As you know, I had initially booked a cruise with Mein Schiff departing from Dubai (from Dubai to Cape Town). It was a 22-day cruise. Due to the issues in the Persian Gulf, my cruise was canceled by Mein Schiff.
So, we started looking for a Plan B because we really wanted to go. Especially my wife, who had just had a minor procedure and needed some rest. Since she had already taken time off, she was determined to travel. However, we were looking for an affordable Plan B since we weren’t sure when Mein Schiff or the airline would reimburse us.
While browsing online, I found a 15-day cruise departing from Pointe-à-Pitre (including flights, transfers, the cruise, and drinks) for a price of 1,200 € in a Fantastica balcony cabin. We thought, *Why not?*
I should mention that I’m not usually a big fan of MSC. My last experience with them was post-Covid (I took two cruises, one in 2021 and another in 2022), and it was honestly a disaster. We didn’t want to repeat that, but after talking to Catherine, who told me she was very happy with a short Christmas cruise, we decided to give it a try.
I have to say, I was left speechless. Honestly, the cruise was absolutely perfect. There’s nothing to complain about (or just a few minor details). In terms of service and food, I felt like I was on a premium cruise line. I’d even say MSC has nothing to envy from some of those companies. While premium lines like Holland, Celebrity, and Royal are cutting back on services, I think MSC has made huge improvements. Seriously, I wasn’t expecting this at all. You’ll see what I mean as we chat more.
I won’t do a full review like I usually do because there weren’t many stops: 1. We boarded in Pointe-à-Pitre 2. We stopped in Saint-Martin 3. Then it was a direct crossing to the Azores...
This cruise was really about relaxing, even if it’s not the kind of trip we usually take.
First off, I’m not a big fan of "flight and cruise" packages. I asked if we could leave two days early, but they said it wasn’t possible. We had to take the flight, then the bus, and board the ship directly.
It’s not really my thing, but given the price we paid and since we really wanted to relax, we thought, *Why not?*
Here’s the itinerary:
Boarding in Pointe-à-Pitre Saint-Martin Five days at sea The Azores Four days at sea Hamburg One day at sea Le Havre
But as I mentioned, it wasn’t about the itinerary. It was really about taking a break and unwinding. Honestly, I came back thrilled.
Departure and boarding details to come
Hi there
Is the water from the cabin sinks drinkable?
Is the water from the cabin sinks drinkable?
We’re stopping over in Rovinj this coming May, and since we’ve already visited the main sights (port, church, etc.), is there a walk we can do on our own—no boat needed—that would fill a morning?
Thanks to anyone who knows the area…
My wife and I are going on a cruise on the MS Vesteralen on August 4th. The ship stays close to the coast to deliver mail and packages. My wife is a musician and is sensitive to the movement of the boat. Which deck and cabin should we choose?
Thanks in advance
Thanks in advance
Hi there,
So, I booked this cruise...
I know CFC gets a lot of criticism—
- And that it’s not really like the ships I usually take.
But the destination really interested me...
So, I’m giving it a try...
I’m going in with an open mind, thinking I got a good deal, so I’m not expecting the same experience as when I travel with Yacht Club or The Haven.
We’ll see... soon!hi, we’re going on a cruise with MSC Virtuosa in the Caribbean. Has anyone done this cruise before and could give us some tips for excursions on the different islands? Thanks for your help
😉Hi there,
A few months ago, CFC put the EN VOGUE experience on sale, departing from Dunkirk.
I booked this package to test the boat and onboard services for myself.
I’d read a lot of reviews mentioning numerous issues on board, so I wanted to see for myself what it was really like…
Okay, I’ll stop rambling… The package included boarding at 6 PM on Friday, dinner, a show, an overnight stay, and breakfast. We chose an interior cabin for this experience—since the boat wasn’t leaving the dock, we didn’t see the point in paying more… All in all, it cost 130 € per person. My mom joined us; she got the same cabin for 130 € with no single occupancy supplement.
We’d checked in online to board faster. We took the train to DUNKIRK, then a taxi to the shuttle pavilion—7 € for the ride. When we arrived at the pavilion, we were told to wait because there was a connection issue with check-in. Great start… After about ten minutes, we were finally allowed to proceed. At the counter, they said they didn’t have our cabin cards and no record of our check-in… Very odd. With no solution, they put us on the bus and said we’d sort it out at reception. Perfect. We went through security, and they confiscated our water bottles—never seen that before! Then they said my mom had a corkscrew in her bag, so they searched it… but there was no corkscrew. Total amateur hour… They eventually dropped it.
We got on the bus for a ten-minute ride… We boarded the ship with a crew member and headed to reception. Turns out, we weren’t the only ones in this situation. The nightmare began… Only two staff members were handling all the issues, and everything seemed complicated. They told my mom her cabin had been given to someone else 😲. That was the last straw…
It took forever—they had to redo the entire check-in. Finally, they told my mom her cabin was good to go; they’d mixed her up with someone else… After a solid half-hour, we could finally head to our cabin.
I’m determined to test everything: the pool, jacuzzi, show, restaurant, spa, etc… TO BE CONTINUED
Okay, I’ll stop rambling… The package included boarding at 6 PM on Friday, dinner, a show, an overnight stay, and breakfast. We chose an interior cabin for this experience—since the boat wasn’t leaving the dock, we didn’t see the point in paying more… All in all, it cost 130 € per person. My mom joined us; she got the same cabin for 130 € with no single occupancy supplement.
We’d checked in online to board faster. We took the train to DUNKIRK, then a taxi to the shuttle pavilion—7 € for the ride. When we arrived at the pavilion, we were told to wait because there was a connection issue with check-in. Great start… After about ten minutes, we were finally allowed to proceed. At the counter, they said they didn’t have our cabin cards and no record of our check-in… Very odd. With no solution, they put us on the bus and said we’d sort it out at reception. Perfect. We went through security, and they confiscated our water bottles—never seen that before! Then they said my mom had a corkscrew in her bag, so they searched it… but there was no corkscrew. Total amateur hour… They eventually dropped it.
We got on the bus for a ten-minute ride… We boarded the ship with a crew member and headed to reception. Turns out, we weren’t the only ones in this situation. The nightmare began… Only two staff members were handling all the issues, and everything seemed complicated. They told my mom her cabin had been given to someone else 😲. That was the last straw…
It took forever—they had to redo the entire check-in. Finally, they told my mom her cabin was good to go; they’d mixed her up with someone else… After a solid half-hour, we could finally head to our cabin.
I’m determined to test everything: the pool, jacuzzi, show, restaurant, spa, etc… TO BE CONTINUED
Hi,
We received a promotion from our CFC agency offering cruises at up to 40-100% off, and among other details: CFC organizes parking for departures from Dunkirk.
"Unattended parking located about 12 minutes away, fenced off with barriers, at a rate of 10 € per day. Drop off passengers and luggage at the Model Pavilion, and a CFC shuttle will take you from the parking lot to the Model Pavilion every 15-20 minutes. Same for disembarkation. You can book through your agency or on their website. No refunds if the booking is canceled; payment is due at reservation."
Have a great day,
Guylène
PS: Personally, we’d rather keep our vehicle in a free, supervised parking lot and take a taxi to the Model Pavilion.
Hi there,
In June we’re taking a cruise called "Pearls of the Baltic" on board Renaissance CFC Cruises—with stops in Kiel (Germany), Gdańsk (Poland), Rønne (Bornholm), Copenhagen (Denmark), and Gothenburg (Sweden).
This layover in Gothenburg doesn’t really inspire me—could you tell me what’s worth seeing? Are there locals offering excursions around the area by van right when you leave the port, like you often see on Caribbean cruises?
I saw there’s a hop-on hop-off bus, but I’m not sure if there’s a stop near the terminal.
What are your suggestions? Thanks in advance! Best regards,
This layover in Gothenburg doesn’t really inspire me—could you tell me what’s worth seeing? Are there locals offering excursions around the area by van right when you leave the port, like you often see on Caribbean cruises?
I saw there’s a hop-on hop-off bus, but I’m not sure if there’s a stop near the terminal.
What are your suggestions? Thanks in advance! Best regards,
Hi! On June 10th, we’re heading off on a 10-day Baltic Sea cruise with CFC Cruises’ *Renaissance*. We’ll be stopping in Copenhagen, and we’re planning to take the City Sightseeing hop-on hop-off buses to explore the city with multiple stops. Could anyone tell me which quay cruise ships usually dock at and how to get from the quay to the nearest stop to board the tour bus? Thanks for your tips and suggestions!