The Cruise thread
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Norbury90

Original Poster:

6,904 posts

224 months

Tuesday 21st April 2009
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There is a distinct lack of Cruise-related stuff on PH. Contrary to popular opinion, cruises are not restricted to fogeys and/or gays, and they are actually pretty awesome, depending on what you want from your particular cruise.

So, tell me where you have been on a cruise, which company you went with, and your opinions of the trip. Are you going on any more cruises in future? What is the best cruise ship company to go with? Any particular recommendations? etc etc.

Over to you lot.

srebbe64

13,021 posts

255 months

Tuesday 21st April 2009
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We do a couple of cruises a year - just got back from a trip comprising: Acapulco, Guatemela, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama Canal, Jamaica and Fort Lauderdale (where we stayed for a few days).
In the summer we're doing an eleven night cruise to Norway, Iceland and Ireland - leaving from Southampton. Next year we'll probably do Alaska in the summer and the Caribbean in the spring. In my view it's a great type of holiday because:

1) The kids love it (there are kids clubs which our kids enjoy);
2) You wake up in a new place every day (in five star accomodation/service);
3) It's 'all inclusive' (apart from alcohol) so it's not as expensive as many think;
4) Modern ships have stabilizers, so there's no sea sickness (at least not in our family);

Always a good idea to avoid the cruise line's excursions - generally it's better value (and you have more freedom) to hire a taxi for the day.

We've been on many cruise lines, but the one that most suits for our family is Princess - it's not too formal or too chavvy and we've found their product suits us.

We've found it's best to go on modern ships which aren't too big (up to 2000 people) - beyond that and it can get very crowded. Also, some of the very big ones have to moor out at sea and you have to tender to land - which can be a pain. We've just got off the "Coral Princess" which was just perfect - nearly a thousand feet long but with just 1900 passengers. It honestly felt empty on board at times - I was frequently founding myself alone in various bars and shops.

'Cruise Critic' on the web can be a good source of info (bit like PH but for cruise lines!)

Norbury90

Original Poster:

6,904 posts

224 months

Tuesday 21st April 2009
quotequote all
Nice one Srebbe, I was actually looking at a Princess cruise in August up towards Denmark from Southampton, it looks pretty cheap compared to most others.

I have already done Alaska, it was my first cruise and it was extremely impressive, espeically if done in conjuction with a tour of the Canadian Rockies. I suppose a downside of the Alaska cruises is that the ports are so tiny, and there are usually several ships in dock each day during the summer. That means tonnes of American tourists wandering around - one port we went to had ~500 permanent residents, but up to 10,000 cruise passengers arriving during the day!

I have also done a 12-day Baltic Capitals cruise, which was also brilliant. Most people say that Russia is the highlight, but I thought Tallinn was absolutely beautiful. Russia was a bit scary, the cruise line advised passengers to only go on their excursions... we know of 2 passengers who did their own thing and got arrested and locked up overnight, before some cruise people went and had them freed hehe

On both cruises, I went with NCL, they seem pretty laid back and casual, but still providing amazing service.

I think one of the most important things when booking a cruise is making sure you go with the right company... my sister went on an Ocean Village cruise and was disappointed.

I'm hoping to go on a Med cruise next year, or a Caribbean one if funds allow!

srebbe64

13,021 posts

255 months

Tuesday 21st April 2009
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Holidaying on cruise ships is, in my opinion, generally under-rated. Most people that say "it's full of old farts and it's boring", I find haven't done one (or at least done one recently in a decent ship). On our most recent cruise, I reckon I raised the average age and I'm 44.

Incidentally, another reason for choosing Princess is that you can have 'anytime' dining at a table you choose (like a restaurant). Having been say with (always loud) Americans every night, at the same time (on another cruise line), I can assure you it's not something I'd choose to do again!

Muzzer

3,814 posts

239 months

Tuesday 21st April 2009
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I'm flying to Barbados in December for a Christmas and New Year cruise round the Caribbean, encompassing Aruba, St Kitts, BVI, etc.

First cruise. Looking forward to it.

taffyracer

2,093 posts

261 months

Tuesday 21st April 2009
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we did the caribbean in 2007 with celebrity cruises....just awesome, the food, the service and the way everything just worked.....will do again, the only downside was that there was too many yanks on board!

Norbury90

Original Poster:

6,904 posts

224 months

Tuesday 21st April 2009
quotequote all
taffyracer said:
the only downside was that there was too many yanks on board!
The eternal problem! Although the Brits are just as bad IMO...

Carl_Spackler

2,953 posts

206 months

Wednesday 22nd April 2009
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Only been on one cruse in my life, the Canberra in 1991 to the Canary Islands, that's about to change as I'm on P&O's Ventura this summer around the med, should be a bit of a contrastlaugh

Norbury90

Original Poster:

6,904 posts

224 months

Wednesday 22nd April 2009
quotequote all
euroboy said:
Is anyone going to try the new Royal Carribbean boat, I forget the name (should be Dominator of the Seas because of its size!) I was looking at the publicity stuff whilst sailing on the Liberty and it looks very impressive, although maybe 'too' big?
Was checking it out the other day, its the Oasis of the Seas. A pretty incredible feat IMO, apparently its costing 1.2 billion dollars! I think ships are getting a bit too long now though, they will start to expand in width and height I think.

I suppose there aren't many limits on the size of the boats either, all the biggest ones are sailing year-round in the Caribbean from Miami/Fort Lauderdale, and they anchor out in the bay at each stop. As long as they fit into the port in Miami, I imagine they will just keep getting bigger!

I have also noticed that Princess have decided not to order any new ships until the economic situation improves, they must be on more rocky ground than RCI, who have the Oasis and the Allure being built.

llewop

3,816 posts

229 months

Sunday 17th May 2009
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euroboy said:
Is anyone going to try the new Royal Carribbean boat, I forget the name (should be Dominator of the Seas because of its size!) I was looking at the publicity stuff whilst sailing on the Liberty and it looks very impressive, although maybe 'too' big?
The Mrs fanicies Oasis some time!

Last year we went on Independance down to Maderia and the Canaries and the year before Navigator into the med. really enjoyed both and similar to your earlier comments - even with the size of the ships, you don't feel crowded very often. Also very easy for us to get too with Southampton 20 miles down the road!

This year we are going on Jewel (I think) out of Harwich to go on a Baltic/Scandinavia trip - so have had to work out how to get ourselves + luggage across the other side of London cost effectively and simply!

Prior to the last couple of years most of our holidays had been driving round France (and to Italy once) - with both the touring and cruises the nice thing is sampling different places

miniman

28,609 posts

280 months

Sunday 17th May 2009
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We've done a couple with Royal Caribbean, most recently on what is now the second biggest ship (but was the biggest at the time we were on it). We didn't find it overcrowded at all, in fact, the number of bars / restauarants etc is higher so it actually felt quieter than smaller ships we have been on. The climbing wall / mini golf etc are gimicky; fun once but not something you would do over and over again.

Echo the comment above about avoiding the organised tours, there are plenty of websites giving tips on how to get from the various ports to the interesting bits for free / cheap.

llewop

3,816 posts

229 months

Sunday 17th May 2009
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Norbury90 said:
I have also done a 12-day Baltic Capitals cruise, which was also brilliant. Most people say that Russia is the highlight, but I thought Tallinn was absolutely beautiful. Russia was a bit scary, the cruise line advised passengers to only go on their excursions... we know of 2 passengers who did their own thing and got arrested and locked up overnight, before some cruise people went and had them freed hehe
sounds similar to the one we're going on this year (July) - actually you can't do your own thing in Russia without a visa.... (I have looked into it)

For that matter, even with one; and knowing some Russian; I'm not sure it is the place to be 'independent and adventurous!' although we had hoped to go walkabout at the one of an excursion...will see if that is an option.

Norbury90

Original Poster:

6,904 posts

224 months

Sunday 17th May 2009
quotequote all
llewop said:
sounds similar to the one we're going on this year (July) - actually you can't do your own thing in Russia without a visa.... (I have looked into it)

For that matter, even with one; and knowing some Russian; I'm not sure it is the place to be 'independent and adventurous!' although we had hoped to go walkabout at the one of an excursion...will see if that is an option.
Would make sense:





Our two boats in Tallinn.

NCL sorted us out with day Visa's for our stay in Russia, the whole process of checking passports/handing out Visa's took a fair while, although for us it involved queueing outisde in the rain. Its not easy when almost all excursions are leaving the ship at the same time, and there are only 2 port authorities people to check the passports.

It was a brilliant holiday though, you will really enjoy it!

sawman

5,071 posts

248 months

Sunday 17th May 2009
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Anyone been on the QM2??

tips or advice appreciated!

mybrainhurts

90,809 posts

273 months

Sunday 17th May 2009
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They take 17 coffins on long cruises...

That's the average number of passenger who croak on board...

HTH...

Norbury90

Original Poster:

6,904 posts

224 months

Sunday 17th May 2009
quotequote all
llewop said:
Harwich
Also, have you checked out Google Maps? If you zoom down on Harwich on Satellite view, you will find a RCI boat in port. Cool, eh?

llewop

3,816 posts

229 months

Sunday 17th May 2009
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Norbury90 said:
llewop said:
Harwich
Also, have you checked out Google Maps? If you zoom down on Harwich on Satellite view, you will find a RCI boat in port. Cool, eh?
beer I did look at that this afternoon!

Which places did your trip call in at: If I can remember it correctly, we are going into
Copenhagen
Stockholm
Helsinki
St Petersburg
Tallin
Oslo

Norbury90

Original Poster:

6,904 posts

224 months

Sunday 17th May 2009
quotequote all
llewop said:
Norbury90 said:
llewop said:
Harwich
Also, have you checked out Google Maps? If you zoom down on Harwich on Satellite view, you will find a RCI boat in port. Cool, eh?
beer I did look at that this afternoon!

Which places did your trip call in at: If I can remember it correctly, we are going into
Copenhagen
Stockholm
Helsinki
St Petersburg
Tallin
Oslo
We did Copenhagen, Warnemunde (near Rostock in Germany), Stockholm, Helsinki, Saint Petersburg (2 days) and finally Tallinn.

We went on NCL organised excursions for all ports except Tallinn, where we did our own thing. The centre of Tallinn is very close to the port and very picturesque, we thought that not going on an excursion was the right choice there.

Have you chosen your excursions yet?

Also, take a look at www.cruises.co.uk if you haven't already, there are reviews of similar cruises on there etc.

Edited by Norbury90 on Sunday 17th May 18:39

llewop

3,816 posts

229 months

Sunday 17th May 2009
quotequote all
Norbury90 said:
llewop said:
Norbury90 said:
llewop said:
Harwich
Also, have you checked out Google Maps? If you zoom down on Harwich on Satellite view, you will find a RCI boat in port. Cool, eh?
beer I did look at that this afternoon!

Which places did your trip call in at: If I can remember it correctly, we are going into
Copenhagen
Stockholm
Helsinki
St Petersburg
Tallin
Oslo
We did Copenhagen, Warnemunde (near Rostock in Germany), Stockholm, Helsinki, Saint Petersburg (2 days) and finally Tallinn.

We went on NCL organised excursions for all ports except Tallinn, where we did our own thing. The centre of Tallinn is very close to the port and very picturesque, we thought that not going on an excursion was the right choice there.

Have you chosen your excursions yet?

Also, take a look at www.cruises.co.uk if you haven't already, there are reviews of similar cruises on there etc.

Edited by Norbury90 on Sunday 17th May 18:39
we've got 2 days in St P too - just sorted out the ones we wanted to pre-book. Our (current) plan for Stockholm, Tallinn and Oslo is to diy. Looking forward to Tallinn as we'd heard it was easily do-able and picturesque - also our local restaurant in Ukraine is 'Tallinn' and has a huge frieze on the wall of the town

srebbe64

13,021 posts

255 months

Sunday 17th May 2009
quotequote all
We've been on a few Royal Caribbean ships, including Freedom of the Seas. We found it too crowded to be honest.