cruise holidays

lisao1

Hi first time asking anything on here, not sure if i'm in the right forum. Lots of info about cheap flights but, can anybody tell me where to look for cheap cruises. I'm unable to fly anymore and read about a moneysaver who saved loads by haggling for a cruise. The haggling really works well for flight destinations and i've saved loads but i cant find cruise sites that display the price. They only have telephone numbers. Having never cruised i haven't got a clue

Kez100

We bought our cruise online from Gills Cruises having signed up a few months earlier to their email service. Also www.cruise.co.uk have offers. I also look at Cruise King for deals. I have seen some good deals at the back of the national papers - Mirror and Mail while reading them free in coffee shops.

I've no idea if haggling works on the major deals but would do if working from main prices, I would think - even if all they give you is on board credit.

You do need to suss out which boats you'd be prepared to travel on and www.cruise.co.uk is great for that as they have reviews from real people (bear in mind when reading them that cruising gets its fair share of travellers with the ability to moan for England)

lisao1

Thanks for that. Really appreciate it, i'll have a look at whats going

moonrakerz

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/cruises/3066005/Cruise-deals-of-the-week.html

Kez100

Lisa what sort of cruise are you looking for? Age of travellers? Does departure port matter? Budget? Do you mind where you go or it is as much you just 'want to be on a boat being pampered'? When are you thinking of going? Areyou very flexible on dates?

lisao1

hi. Its for me(38) and my daughter(14), flex with dates , pref southampton, liverpool or dover. Needs to be all sailing because i've been told i can never fly again. Budget = no more than about £700 each, destination =somewhere warm!!! lol In a bit of a panic about going on one because i dont know the script on board and i dont know anyone who takes cruises. Been looking on the sites you mentioned.
Thanks
Lisa

andrinaperry

Hi Lisao1

Give Cruisekings a ring or go onto their website and ask the question, I have dealt wtih laura and Les there and they know there stuff, P & O have a great club for you 14 year old, you will never clap you eyes on them if you dont want to and she will have a ball.

Andrina

mitchg

Try www.vacationstogo.com they do great deals its a US site but will deal with UK£ and a freephone number if i recal right.
Another alternative is BestPrice Cruise.

Enjoy and hope you find a bargain

Kez100

I've read that some people were turned away at check in by using USA sites. I don;t have any experience myself so be very careful.

Our family experiences on budget last minute deals -

NCL Norwegian Jade - my relatives cruised on this boat. Lots of added extras, feel like extra charge every time you turn aroud. Food which is included and not from the cover charge restaurants wasn't rated very highly so they ended up spending more just to eat a decent meal. However, last minute deals can be good and lots of people like the freestyle cruising where dressing up is not required.

Fred Olsen - Balmoral - no childrens facilities unless school holidays (called Family Friendly cruises). That makes average age of cruiser really old in school term time. In school holidays they run a skeleton teenage programme which seemed to be more aimed at getting them together to know each other rather than full on programme, and on our cruise there were about 20 teens and they all seemed to get on really well - many would sit happily for hours taking in the Observatory as the adults went to bed. The food was good (not excellent) and the service impeccable. This cruise has some formal nights (free drinks at Captains cocktail/farewell party!). What we liked the most was it was so friendly and the last minute deals can be a steal at less than £50 a night. I saw their 13 night Canaries cruise (30/11/08) for £665 the other day with free Dover parking!

lisao1

Hi Kez?
Thanks for all the info, especially the warnings. I'm still looking
Lisa

pjran

I usually look at Holiday - Truth .com website, and teletext.
Post subject: Re: Latest deals for cruises
http://www.holidaytruths.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=101339&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&sid=8ca630e9ec85f02de5ebfb3a15d6344b&start=740

Hope you find what you're looking for.

Pj