Discussion
Well, we're just back from a week on Virgin Voyages around the Adriatic and have booked another for next year.
Availing of the recently announced Portsmouth departures but this ones a reposition cruise.
12 nights 29th Sept leaving Portsmouth, then France, Spain, Portugal, Morrocco, Ibiza and then finishing in Barcelona.
We have to fly to Portsmouth anyway from Dublin, so we'll just do our return flight Barcelona to Dublin.
Theres big onboard spend offers and the cruise itself was quite cheap being a repo cruise, so ended up with $1200 onboard spend (Virgin dont do drinks packages) included free, and then another $200 onboard spend for being in their Voyager Club (Deep Blue Extras).
Availing of the recently announced Portsmouth departures but this ones a reposition cruise.
12 nights 29th Sept leaving Portsmouth, then France, Spain, Portugal, Morrocco, Ibiza and then finishing in Barcelona.
We have to fly to Portsmouth anyway from Dublin, so we'll just do our return flight Barcelona to Dublin.
Theres big onboard spend offers and the cruise itself was quite cheap being a repo cruise, so ended up with $1200 onboard spend (Virgin dont do drinks packages) included free, and then another $200 onboard spend for being in their Voyager Club (Deep Blue Extras).
NOT booked (yet!) but Mrs DG has pushed a circumnavigation of Australia cruise under my nose which does look very interesting. Problem is it's 40 days and our take is that if you're going to Oz, it'd be sensible to do NZ too (in truth I prefer the thought of NZ), time isn't really an issue due to being retired, what is an issue is what do you do with 2 cats if you're away for 2 or 3 months? I know that they're not going to care as long as someone (anyone!) is feeding them but....
DodgyGeezer said:
NOT booked (yet!) but Mrs DG has pushed a circumnavigation of Australia cruise under my nose which does look very interesting. Problem is it's 40 days and our take is that if you're going to Oz, it'd be sensible to do NZ too (in truth I prefer the thought of NZ), time isn't really an issue due to being retired, what is an issue is what do you do with 2 cats if you're away for 2 or 3 months? I know that they're not going to care as long as someone (anyone!) is feeding them but....
I'd certainly visit NZ at the same time. It's a brutal trip to get down there, so you might as well maximize your time. There is some great stuff to see in NZ. 40 days on a ship is probably too much for most people, so maybe do a shorter cruise and possibly some land-based holiday as well?paulguitar said:
I'd certainly visit NZ at the same time. It's a brutal trip to get down there, so you might as well maximize your time. There is some great stuff to see in NZ. 40 days on a ship is probably too much for most people, so maybe do a shorter cruise and possibly some land-based holiday as well?
in truth, most of our ideas of Oz have involved either the Ghan or (and?) the Indian Pacific railway - problem is that these are not cheap!! 
Still best to start looking for late '24 or '45 about now 
just had this sent to me - looks quite good value: Tokyo to Vancouver
https://www.imaginecruising.co.uk/holidays/luxury-...
'sadly' unable to make it as we're already away then
https://www.imaginecruising.co.uk/holidays/luxury-...
'sadly' unable to make it as we're already away then
DodgyGeezer said:
just had this sent to me - looks quite good value: Tokyo to Vancouver
https://www.imaginecruising.co.uk/holidays/luxury-...
'sadly' unable to make it as we're already away then
Would love to do that itinerary, really like the idea of crossing the date line and getting to spend some time in Japan before the cruise starts would be fantastic. https://www.imaginecruising.co.uk/holidays/luxury-...
'sadly' unable to make it as we're already away then
DodgyGeezer said:
s111dpc said:
Got a week on Ruby Princess in June doing the inside passage along the coast of Alaska from Vancouver.
did you also go for the Rocky Mountaineer as part of the cruise? Fabulous experience IMOMarkJS said:
Azamara now booked again for May. Simply can’t get past the quality they offer for the money with no pretentiousness.
We also get right into Seville & Bordeaux which very few ships can do due to their size.
+1. Booked Azamara for early July. Departing Monaco and ending up in Barcelona. Booked flights independently with Jet 2.We also get right into Seville & Bordeaux which very few ships can do due to their size.
Mark-ri571 said:
MarkJS said:
Azamara now booked again for May. Simply can’t get past the quality they offer for the money with no pretentiousness.
We also get right into Seville & Bordeaux which very few ships can do due to their size.
+1. Booked Azamara for early July. Departing Monaco and ending up in Barcelona. Booked flights independently with Jet 2.We also get right into Seville & Bordeaux which very few ships can do due to their size.
Cruise newbie here, and looking to book my first for next year. Ideally in the Med, but would love to stretch to the Caribbean if possible.
Is there a hierarchy of cruise operators? I've had a look at the usual names but getting a bit lost/overloaded. The Royal Carribean ships seem more our style, we're be going as a group of 5. Me, wife, 4 years old and two grandparents. So needs to be a broad range of things to do, entertainments etc.
Is there a hierarchy of cruise operators? I've had a look at the usual names but getting a bit lost/overloaded. The Royal Carribean ships seem more our style, we're be going as a group of 5. Me, wife, 4 years old and two grandparents. So needs to be a broad range of things to do, entertainments etc.
Heartworm said:
My first cruise next year, Disney Norwegian cruise. Not sure about cruising so hoping to enjoy it. My green loved cruising and she always talked about her Norwegian cruise.
We're on the dream next year too - Norway from Southampton and back again. I'm looking forward to spending a bit more time in port - our last cruise only really did half a day in Norway on the way up to iceland.justin220 said:
Cruise newbie here, and looking to book my first for next year. Ideally in the Med, but would love to stretch to the Caribbean if possible.
Is there a hierarchy of cruise operators? I've had a look at the usual names but getting a bit lost/overloaded. The Royal Carribean ships seem more our style, we're be going as a group of 5. Me, wife, 4 years old and two grandparents. So needs to be a broad range of things to do, entertainments etc.
very much so!! IIRC Silversea, Seven Seas, Regent, Oceania seem to be in the leading bunch of (semi) normal operators - and are priced accordingly with Azamara and Celebrity below them. For a lot of the rest it's more a matter of what your priorities are - for example Ambassador and Fred Olsen seem (to me) to cater more for an older clientele. P&O, Princess, HAL, MSC, Virgin more of a broader range of customer ages.Is there a hierarchy of cruise operators? I've had a look at the usual names but getting a bit lost/overloaded. The Royal Carribean ships seem more our style, we're be going as a group of 5. Me, wife, 4 years old and two grandparents. So needs to be a broad range of things to do, entertainments etc.
Cruise Critic is an excellent resource
justin220 said:
Cruise newbie here, and looking to book my first for next year. Ideally in the Med, but would love to stretch to the Caribbean if possible.
Is there a hierarchy of cruise operators? I've had a look at the usual names but getting a bit lost/overloaded. The Royal Carribean ships seem more our style, we're be going as a group of 5. Me, wife, 4 years old and two grandparents. So needs to be a broad range of things to do, entertainments etc.
Gary Bembridge is a great source of knowledge. Hes very objective and not at all like the usual cruise vloggers "OMG every is A-MAY-ZING" style. Very down to earthIs there a hierarchy of cruise operators? I've had a look at the usual names but getting a bit lost/overloaded. The Royal Carribean ships seem more our style, we're be going as a group of 5. Me, wife, 4 years old and two grandparents. So needs to be a broad range of things to do, entertainments etc.
https://www.youtube.com/@tipsfortravellers
among his vlogs he has one that attempts to break out the different cruise classes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1hiYS0Y8uA&ab...
I wouldnt describe them as being in a hierarchy as cruise lines cater for different types of passengers looking for different types of experience.
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