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Trip Coach: September 9, 2008

Carolyn Spencer Brown, editor of CruiseCritic.com, answered your questions about the latest in cruise ships and booking strategies.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008 |

Revere, Mass.: We are getting married Oct 10, 2009. We would like to take a cruise but unfortunately it is hurricane season. I have started to look at Greece for cruises. This will be our first cruise. Any advice on a cruise line? Thank you.

Carolyn Spencer Brown: First of all, you're smart to avoid the Caribbean at that time of year. Second? I don't think there's a more romantic place to cruise than Greece and heck, it's the most beautiful time of the year.

What I'd recommend would depend a bit on your age and budget. But, sky's the limit-wise (since it is your honeymoon), if SeaDream is still in the region then that would be my first choice. The two SeaDream ships are more inclusive than most, completely romantic (check out the Balinese beds above the smokestack), offer flexible dining (no rigid rules about who you sit with and when) and only carry 110 passengers.

If you like the big ship style cruise, I'd then suggest going with Princess; ships have nightlife, lots of balconies, flexible dining, and excellent alternative restaurants. And terrific spas and fitness programs. Make sure you aim for one of Princess' newer vessels (like Crown Princess, Emerald Princess, Ruby Princess); not sure which is in the Isles at that time.

Best of luck to you.

Anyone else have a good romantic pick?

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Oceanside, Calif.: We wish to visit South America by cruise ship but do not know what is the best time to go. I understand that the swing season is the cheapest—when is that? Also what are the best places to visit? —Joy

Carolyn Spencer Brown: South America as a cruise destination is still (amazingly to me) under the radar. It's just fantastic, you've got European cities like Buenos Aires, gorgeous beaches in Rio and other parts of the Brazilian coast, nature all throughout Argentina (penguins, tundra) and then the incredible Chilean fjords which are like Alaska's but better (and less trafficked).

The season typically runs November - early March (it's the flip side of the Northern Hemisphere so it's the region's spring, summer and fall). And as always, cruises in the beginning and at the end tend to be good values. Also, remember too that low season for cruising in general is lowest after Thanksgiving and before Christmas—which fits right into prime time South America—so I expect there will be plenty of good deals.

South America is basically divided up into Amazon cruising and round-the-horn trips. The latter is a better choice for your first time. You go between (generally) Buenos Aires and Santiago, dipping sometimes as remotely as the Falkland Islands and even drive-bys in Antarctica.

Make sure you spend a few extra days in B.A. if you can—it's a Parisian influenced South America city that's magic.

Note: This story was accurate when it was published. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

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