Please note they are "Ships" not "Boats", you can put a boat on a ship not the opposite. I am being a bit picky as driving these ships used to be my profession
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.
Congratulations Chris. Welcome to the grandad club.
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.
Next January on Celebrity Beyond from Miami around the Caribbean…. Celebrity are the best cruise line by far
why?
Just the service you receive .. the boats , entertainment the staff , the whole package is way above anyone else .. unlike PO who since COVID have gone the other way especially on their smaller boats .. cut back on the service
Assume you have sailed on Regent Seven Seas, Silversea, Seabourn, Oceania, Ponant, Azamara, Royal Caribbean, Ambassador, NCL, Princess, Celebrity, Disney, MSC, Virgin Voyages, P&O Cruises, Marella, Cunard etc. to be able to substantiate that?
The good news is. There's something for everyone with cruising. And let's be fair you can't compare half these cruise companies to the other half. This morning me and the wife booked Msc Preziosa next month for 7 nights , Northern Europe. £1250 all inclusive with parking for the 2 of us. We'd spend more going down Coombe haven for a week in November. Someone once tried to tell me when they was moaning about MSC that they payed the same price for a Royal Caribbean cruise as the MSC. I replied what you doing on the MSC cruise then. If I could get the RC cruise all inclusive for the same price as MSC no way would I be on the MSC cruise.
Bump. Just got back off a 6 night cruise on Regal Princess. 1st time on a Princess ship and the best line we've been on so far. Anyone been on P & o lately? We have the Britannia booked for later on in the year. Thinking of ditching this and doing another Princess.
Bump. Just got back off a 6 night cruise on Regal Princess. 1st time on a Princess ship and the best line we've been on so far. Anyone been on P & o lately? We have the Britannia booked for later on in the year. Thinking of ditching this and doing another Princess.
Cruises do seem to very different, depending who you go with. P&O is very much british, over 50yos with more dressing up and pomp/ceremony (at least used to be)
NCL is a great middle ground of Yanks and Europeans, but also good entertainment and food choices - laid back
Royal Carib' is just pure American in your face - typically either younger people or families- lots of entertainment during the day and drinks flowing
MSC is your European based cruise - bugger all on, everyone squished onto the pool deck in their budgie smugglers and cigars, very basic customer service/attentiveness
Celebrity is one our favorites, recently tried Azamara which was really good but for both you need to try and find a good deal as they can be a bit punchy price wise. Have sailed with Ambassador out of Tilbury a few times, bit more basic, not a lot of balcony cabins so expensive if you need one but quite decent for a window cabin if you can get a good price with drinks etc. Smaller ships with in the main very good itinerarys.
I avidly follow cruise news and updates - Gary Bembridge Tips for Travellers is my favourite You Tube channel. In the last few months in the USA there has been a stark and quite sudden rise in really bad behaviour and attacks by passengers on other passengers on board cruise ships causing lots and lots of people to be banned for life by cruise lines - 24 people on one cruise alone. However, this was trumped on Sat 3rd May when MSC Virtuosa on a 2 day booze cruise from Southampton had a man from Exeter arrested on suspicion of murder on board the ship. A well known You Tuber is currently on the next sailing of the ship from 5th to 10th May and it appears that sailing is continuing as normal and he says the people he encountered getting off the ship as he got on knew nothing about the incident - it is a big ship with a 6,000 capacity.
Whatever you do don't book on MSC Cruises, after a guy was murdered on a two night trip to Bruges over the weekend from Southampton... Talk about Agatha Christie..." Death on the Solent"...🙄
Whatever you do don't book on MSC Cruises, after a guy was murdered on a two night trip to Bruges over the weekend from Southampton... Talk about Agatha Christie..." Death on the Solent"...🙄
Did some filming work on some of those big ones when they were launched in the early 2000s, incredible places Stay out of the padded cells and the mortuary would be my advice.
I avidly follow cruise news and updates - Gary Bembridge Tips for Travellers is my favourite You Tube channel. In the last few months in the USA there has been a stark and quite sudden rise in really bad behaviour and attacks by passengers on other passengers on board cruise ships causing lots and lots of people to be banned for life by cruise lines - 24 people on one cruise alone. However, this was trumped on Sat 3rd May when MSC Virtuosa on a 2 day booze cruise from Southampton had a man from Exeter arrested on suspicion of murder on board the ship. A well known You Tuber is currently on the next sailing of the ship from 5th to 10th May and it appears that sailing is continuing as normal and he says the people he encountered getting off the ship as he got on knew nothing about the incident - it is a big ship with a 6,000 capacity.
One of the 1st reports I see on the death was they was both known to each other. Although I can't see that being reported in the last 24 hours. On the one about the 24 being banned I said to the wife it would be a carnival ship. We happen to be going on the Virtuosa for the day on the 17th of May.
Booked on the Allure of the Seas - one of the biggest ships in their fleet in August. Taking in Spain, France and Italian stops. The ship appears to have so much to offer I probably won’t want to get off it tbh. Watched a 1 hour tour video of it which felt like 10 minutes - a lot to get excited about.
It was indeed a Carnival cruise where 24 got banned.
Touch wood - will be getting off MSC Virtuosa as you get on CLB74, last summer we booked 10 - 17 May Norwegian Fiords cruise on it - I saw Cruise 1st were doing this visit on 17th May, these visits are a good idea. Did a visit to a Cunard ship where you get a tour and a meal - discovered Cunard wasnt for us from it !
And Allure of the Seas will be fantastic. Only been on Independence of the Seas with Royal Carribean and that was great, but Allure will be at a whole extra level !
Sorry, Jumping in this thread with a bunch of questions
who do you guys book with ?
is it always cheaper to book directly with the cruise company or do the brokers often have better deals?
Am interested in Caribbean cruise next summer - 2 adults and kids who will be 13&15 Do you recommend any particular cruise company or ship that would suit us ? Do we book flights separately and then just book the cruise or is it a fly/cruise one price thing ?
Have been on Royal Carribean 4 times, Norwegian once (not again) and the Britannia.
I have heard Celebrity is excellent, as is Royal Carribean. Always look out for their flash sales direct. Have booked flights through them and directly. Now prefer latter as they book everything standard, then you may realise you want specific seats more bagge allowance etc.
Have been to Caribbean on RC but in April. Summer can be really really hot and dependent on whether early or late, risk of hurricane season. I would not want to be on land or water around that sh*t!
I have been on Anthem, Independence and Freedom of the Seas on RC btw so if you choose any of those please let me know and I can provide a review. All the newest ships have great facilities, arcades, pool tables, table tennis, outdoor mini golf, surfing simulators and or air riding machines, quizzes during the day (not pub style) but fully blown Price is Right and Deal or No Deal style games with big prizes if you are lucky enough to be selected randomly on the day. You can still win via bingo style cards in the audience etc.
Theatrical shows, comedy nights, movies under the stars with recent releases on a jumbotron etc etc.
My 21 and 18 year olds still love it, at 13 and 16 they were having a blast and enjoying more independence at the various activities.
Sorry, Jumping in this thread with a bunch of questions
who do you guys book with ?
is it always cheaper to book directly with the cruise company or do the brokers often have better deals?
Am interested in Caribbean cruise next summer - 2 adults and kids who will be 13&15 Do you recommend any particular cruise company or ship that would suit us ? Do we book flights separately and then just book the cruise or is it a fly/cruise one price thing ?
thanks all.
Fly cruise will be a multiple higher than booking separate, perhaps only benefit being you’ll get ATOL protection.
best book cruise direct as you may get additional on board credit not otherwise offered
flights can be pricy, especially if flying to Orlando as you’ll be competing with theme park visitors flying also.
best to research which islands you really wish or don’t wish to visit and plan accordingly - cruises will typically alternate between western and eastern Caribbean.
be prepared for possible changes to plans however as cruise lines will monitor adverse weather and may change order of port visits or switch all together from western to eastern and other way around.
Have sailed royal Caribbean from fort Lauderdale and Orlando on allure and wonder - both western but different ports including their own island coco cay
loved their island and their other, labadee in Haiti but they’re not sailing there due to instability there. Roatan was a stand out of our most recent and on Cozumel we rescued turtles then a beach club.
good mix of entertainment and never personally felt crowded despite the size of the ships.
really important to follow the timings of being back on the ship as they don’t generally hang around
Have been on Royal Carribean 4 times, Norwegian once (not again) and the Britannia.
I have heard Celebrity is excellent, as is Royal Carribean. Always look out for their flash sales direct. Have booked flights through them and directly. Now prefer latter as they book everything standard, then you may realise you want specific seats more bagge allowance etc.
Have been to Caribbean on RC but in April. Summer can be really really hot and dependent on whether early or late, risk of hurricane season. I would not want to be on land or water around that sh*t!
Hurricane season is officially June through to November, although some countries avoid it and others are at different risks
Sorry, Jumping in this thread with a bunch of questions
who do you guys book with ?
is it always cheaper to book directly with the cruise company or do the brokers often have better deals?
Am interested in Caribbean cruise next summer - 2 adults and kids who will be 13&15 Do you recommend any particular cruise company or ship that would suit us ? Do we book flights separately and then just book the cruise or is it a fly/cruise one price thing ?
thanks all.
Are you thinking of doing 14 night cruise as your 1st cruise?
We went on a Princess cruise at Easter was for 6 nights was meant to be 10 nights. A lot of Americans, Canadians cancelled because of this. Could be a problem if you've booked flights separate from the cruise. The wife and I look back to when we went to memphis then on to Hawaii. We booked flights and hotels separately saved a lot of money, scary looking back. There are packages out there were you can do a stay and cruise. A week on cruise might be your best bet as your 1st. Agencies normally have the better deals.
I'd suggest a seven night Norwegian Fjord one. We have only ever used P&O and never had any issues or problems and have loved it every time so no need to have tried the others.
Been inspired by this thread, never thought I'd be one for a cruise but really given it some thought after comments on here.
Booking a 4 night Northern Europe cruise in a sunset sky suite with celebrity cruises to see how much we like it. Don't think there's any way we wouldn't, all I like to do on holiday is drink and eat anyway (like one of the gluttonous bastards someone referenced above!)
Going in August, if we like this will definitely do the Fjords, but definitely won't splash out for The Retreat I don't think for 7 nights!
Comments
I am being a bit picky as driving these ships used to be my profession
There's something for everyone with cruising.
And let's be fair you can't compare half these cruise companies to the other half.
This morning me and the wife booked Msc Preziosa next month for 7 nights , Northern Europe.
£1250 all inclusive with parking for the 2 of us.
We'd spend more going down Coombe haven for a week in November.
Someone once tried to tell me when they was moaning about MSC that they payed the same price for a Royal Caribbean cruise as the MSC.
I replied what you doing on the MSC cruise then.
If I could get the RC cruise all inclusive for the same price as MSC no way would I be on the MSC cruise.
Just got back off a 6 night cruise on Regal Princess.
1st time on a Princess ship and the best line we've been on so far.
Anyone been on P & o lately?
We have the Britannia booked for later on in the year.
Thinking of ditching this and doing another Princess.
Got a Caribbean cruise booked for November, again with P&O but this time on Britannia.
Looking forward to it ... just need to make sure I book the drinks package in time!
P&O is very much british, over 50yos with more dressing up and pomp/ceremony (at least used to be)
NCL is a great middle ground of Yanks and Europeans, but also good entertainment and food choices - laid back
Royal Carib' is just pure American in your face - typically either younger people or families- lots of entertainment during the day and drinks flowing
MSC is your European based cruise - bugger all on, everyone squished onto the pool deck in their budgie smugglers and cigars, very basic customer service/attentiveness
(from my experience anyway)
In the last few months in the USA there has been a stark and quite sudden rise in really bad behaviour and attacks by passengers on other passengers on board cruise ships causing lots and lots of people to be banned for life by cruise lines - 24 people on one cruise alone.
However, this was trumped on Sat 3rd May when MSC Virtuosa on a 2 day booze cruise from Southampton had a man from Exeter arrested on suspicion of murder on board the ship. A well known You Tuber is currently on the next sailing of the ship from 5th to 10th May and it appears that sailing is continuing as normal and he says the people he encountered getting off the ship as he got on knew nothing about the incident - it is a big ship with a 6,000 capacity.
Talk about Agatha Christie..." Death on the Solent"...🙄
Although I can't see that being reported in the last 24 hours.
On the one about the 24 being banned I said to the wife it would be a carnival ship.
We happen to be going on the Virtuosa for the day on the 17th of May.
Touch wood - will be getting off MSC Virtuosa as you get on CLB74, last summer we booked 10 - 17 May Norwegian Fiords cruise on it - I saw Cruise 1st were doing this visit on 17th May, these visits are a good idea. Did a visit to a Cunard ship where you get a tour and a meal - discovered Cunard wasnt for us from it !
And Allure of the Seas will be fantastic. Only been on Independence of the Seas with Royal Carribean and that was great, but Allure will be at a whole extra level !
who do you guys book with ?
is it always cheaper to book directly with the cruise company or do the brokers often have better deals?
Am interested in Caribbean cruise next summer - 2 adults and kids who will be 13&15
Do you recommend any particular cruise company or ship that would suit us ?
Do we book flights separately and then just book the cruise or is it a fly/cruise one price thing ?
thanks all.
Have been to Caribbean on RC but in April. Summer can be really really hot and dependent on whether early or late, risk of hurricane season. I would not want to be on land or water around that sh*t!
tables, table tennis, outdoor mini golf, surfing simulators and or air riding machines, quizzes during the day (not pub style) but fully blown Price is Right and Deal or No Deal style games with big prizes if you are lucky enough to be selected randomly on the day. You can still win via bingo style cards in the audience etc.
Theatrical shows, comedy nights, movies under the stars with recent releases on a jumbotron etc etc.
My 21 and 18 year olds still love it, at 13 and 16 they were having a blast and enjoying more independence at the various activities.
best book cruise direct as you may get additional on board credit not otherwise offered
flights can be pricy, especially if flying to Orlando as you’ll be competing with theme park visitors flying also.
best to research which islands you really wish or don’t wish to visit and plan accordingly - cruises will typically alternate between western and eastern Caribbean.
be prepared for possible changes to plans however as cruise lines will monitor adverse weather and may change order of port visits or switch all together from western to eastern and other way around.
Have sailed royal Caribbean from fort Lauderdale and Orlando on allure and wonder - both western but different ports including their own island coco cay
loved their island and their other, labadee in Haiti but they’re not sailing there due to instability there. Roatan was a stand out of our most recent and on Cozumel we rescued turtles then a beach club.
good mix of entertainment and never personally felt crowded despite the size of the ships.
really important to follow the timings of being back on the ship as they don’t generally hang around
We went on a Princess cruise at Easter was for 6 nights was meant to be 10 nights.
A lot of Americans, Canadians cancelled because of this.
Could be a problem if you've booked flights separate from the cruise.
The wife and I look back to when we went to memphis then on to Hawaii.
We booked flights and hotels separately saved a lot of money, scary looking back.
There are packages out there were you can do a stay and cruise.
A week on cruise might be your best bet as your 1st.
Agencies normally have the better deals.
Might try a 6-8 days European one first
Booking a 4 night Northern Europe cruise in a sunset sky suite with celebrity cruises to see how much we like it. Don't think there's any way we wouldn't, all I like to do on holiday is drink and eat anyway (like one of the gluttonous bastards someone referenced above!)
Going in August, if we like this will definitely do the Fjords, but definitely won't splash out for The Retreat I don't think for 7 nights!