Cruising (on ships not the mucky kind)

Solidgone said:

I think that’s why I’m looking at Tui and setting off from Barbados instead of fort Lauderdale. I think Tui will have more people on board from the UK than very loud American families. But i will check out Royal Caribbean. Thanks.

Been there, done that, would recommend Tui

For some reason, a couple of years before he died, my Dad decided he really wanted to do a cruise to Alaska via the Vancouver Island Inner Passage [insert Kenneth Williams meme here].  When he got back we asked if he'd had a fantastic time and he said it was alright if you liked fir trees.  Not sure what else he was expecting.

Personally I have no interest in a cruise: some horrendous crossings on the Birkenhead/Belfast ferry;  the complete boredom of 20 hours on the Plymouth/Santander ferry (fantastic food on board though); and breaking down in the middle of the North Sea on the Harwich/Hook of Holland ferry was more than enough boat time for me.

And then there's the Captain's Table thing - why on earth would I want to eat with the staff? (Or perhaps Megabus are missing a trick and should offer the optional extra of a fag break with the driver and a swig from his hip flask).

cafcfan said:

For some reason, a couple of years before he died, my Dad decided he really wanted to do a cruise to Alaska via the Vancouver Island Inner Passage [insert Kenneth Williams meme here].  When he got back we asked if he'd had a fantastic time and he said it was alright if you liked fir trees.  Not sure what else he was expecting.

Personally I have no interest in a cruise: some horrendous crossings on the Birkenhead/Belfast ferry;  the complete boredom of 20 hours on the Plymouth/Santander ferry (fantastic food on board though); and breaking down in the middle of the North Sea on the Harwich/Hook of Holland ferry was more than enough boat time for me.

And then there's the Captain's Table thing - why on earth would I want to eat with the staff? (Or perhaps Megabus are missing a trick and should offer the optional extra of a fag break with the driver and a swig from his hip flask).

The captains table isn’t a thing (it may have been 20 years ago). 

SporadicAddick said:

cafcfan said:

For some reason, a couple of years before he died, my Dad decided he really wanted to do a cruise to Alaska via the Vancouver Island Inner Passage [insert Kenneth Williams meme here].  When he got back we asked if he'd had a fantastic time and he said it was alright if you liked fir trees.  Not sure what else he was expecting.

Personally I have no interest in a cruise: some horrendous crossings on the Birkenhead/Belfast ferry;  the complete boredom of 20 hours on the Plymouth/Santander ferry (fantastic food on board though); and breaking down in the middle of the North Sea on the Harwich/Hook of Holland ferry was more than enough boat time for me.

And then there's the Captain's Table thing - why on earth would I want to eat with the staff? (Or perhaps Megabus are missing a trick and should offer the optional extra of a fag break with the driver and a swig from his hip flask).

The captains table isn’t a thing (it may have been 20 years ago). 

It was on the cruise I just went on. Though definitely not for the likes of me!

Next January on Celebrity Beyond from Miami around the Caribbean…. Celebrity are the best cruise line by far 

PopIcon said:

Justin20474 said:

Booked Marella Explorer (TUI) for end march 2025 for a week all inclusive around the canaries and Madeira. This will be our first cruise, went for a smaller ship with hopefully less loud Americans.

I'm thinking about two weeks on Marella in December. Ten stops across the Caribbean. Never done a cruise before.

I always thought it was an old folks trip, started cruising at 40 and to be honest land based holidays, even if all inclusive seem quite boring to be honest. There is a lot of hustle and bustle, especially if you are not docked and having to tender but it is really great to wakeup and be in a different location most days.

dicktracey said:

Doing Sydney to Vancouver April 2025 via NZ, Tahiti, Hawaii - should be fun

Sounds a good can I ask which cruise company you are cruising with?

iaitch said:

His mistress, don't tell his wife.

Sorry after your very funny comment I just had to amend my question.

dicktracey said:

Doing Sydney to Vancouver April 2025 via NZ, Tahiti, Hawaii - should be fun

Princess?

Congratulations CLB. All the best to you and your family. 

clb74 said:

Should of been in Sydney last Tuesday for 9 nights before boarding Celebrity Solstice for a cruise round Australia,  overnight in Bali on onto Singapore for a 2 night stay.
Blew it out as the boy said the 1st Grandchild was due 3 days into getting to Sydney.
Currently sitting indoors as me back went at work this morning. 
Grand daughter arrived with no complications.

You'll be taking her on a Disney cruise before you know it ! 

Well done to all concerned for the addition to clb74's family. 

CharltonKerry said:

dicktracey said:

Doing Sydney to Vancouver April 2025 via NZ, Tahiti, Hawaii - should be fun

Sounds a good can I ask which cruise company you are cruising with?

Royal Caribbean.. Quantum of the seas 

red10 said:

clb74 said:

Pavoren007 said:

Will continue to cruise but never again on Norwegian. The show casts were good, but I had misgivings about every other aspect of the cruise holiday versus Royal Caribbean and Britannia. Keen to try Celebrity mind. 

 

Was looking at a couple of Norwegian cruises for next month.
What's the food and drink like?
Cheers

You do need to get the drinks package, glass of wine with dinner could set you back $20 bucks !!. Food is pretty good and the speciality dining is very nice, some of the best steak I have ever had. Le Bistro is my favorite but depends if you like French cuisine. I think they have La Trattoria if you fancy some nice Italian nosh. Done a lot and Celebrity would be my go to. Just done Azamara and would love to go again but pricing is quite eye watering so looking out for a good deal.

I've recently watched a couple of Youtube videos about the Iona (A mate of mine is currently on board sailing around Portugal and Spain).  There was one where a couple pointed out that you need to look very carefully at the drinks package, as they by no means include everything.  They reckon that taking into account the drinks they preferred they saved money by not having it.  At about £60 per person per day it soon racks up - about £1,500 for two on a two week cruise.