Cruises: Beats any package holiday...

IvanOpinion

I see where you are coming from now. An Itinerary change has only happened to us once where a 4 hours top in Cartegna was taken off the itinerary (due to civil unrest) and we got a full day in Aruba (rather than a half day). Most people referred to this as a significant upgrade to the itinerary I also know a lot of people missed out last year on New Orleans due to Katrina (?).

I am a ports person therefore would be disappointed if we missed a port (since that is waht I look for when booking). I am hwever led to believe that if the ports change then (in some cases) you can also change your booking without loss of deposit.

Ivan

Ems!

Just read through this whole thread with great interest as I have recently booked my first ever cruise for this November - and now I am sooo excited! We're going to the Caribbean and I can't wait!I'v e always been someone who said I wouldn't do cruises - mainly as I get seasick on ferries but gradually over years of ppl who go on cruises telling me how good it is I have been convinced!

IVAN - - read through your list of activities that you have done on cruises - WOW!, 2 of the ones you've done - zipwiring and tubing are one's that I fancy doing, but was a bit worried about them safety wise -(I'm a bit of a coward!), what are they like? -especially zipwiring - is it a lot of physical exertion? - cos it says in the blurb that you need to be physically fit to do it, I'd be a bit worried that I would be too weak!! Any info on this would be much appreciated!

Em

nelly_2

Ems! wrote:

Just read through this whole thread with great interest as I have recently booked my first ever cruise for this November - and now I am sooo excited! We're going to the Caribbean and I can't wait!I'v e always been someone who said I wouldn't do cruises - mainly as I get seasick on ferries but gradually over years of ppl who go on cruises telling me how good it is I have been convinced!

IVAN - - read through your list of activities that you have done on cruises - WOW!, 2 of the ones you've done - zipwiring and tubing are one's that I fancy doing, but was a bit worried about them safety wise -(I'm a bit of a coward!), what are they like? -especially zipwiring - is it a lot of physical exertion? - cos it says in the blurb that you need to be physically fit to do it, I'd be a bit worried that I would be too weak!! Any info on this would be much appreciated!

Em

Ive done the tubing it was on Dominica we was in a shallow river and you sit in a big blue inner tube and float down the river, some small rapid bits but i do mean small great fun, it was christmas day too very weird.

alexandra1

Ems! I wouldn't worry about sea sickness, especially in the Carribbean, not least the ships are so big, you might only hear a gentle hum. Usually the more you pay the further up the level of the ship you go, but you hardly feel the ship moving at all, at least I didn't and I am a really light sleeper. You will have a great time I am sure.

rockbabe

Thank you for your help and information re QE2 crusing. I would press the 'Thanks' button, but it appears to have disappeared?

Has anyone been cruising on the oceana with teenagers?

Thanks
RB

beautifulgorgeous_2

saveapenny wrote:

I agree when the cruise in under way that the captain as ultimate say but I dont think they should be allowed to change at will before the cruise as even set off without offering compensation. People often book a cruise for the ports of call and pay the money in good faith that they will be seeing those places. Then the cruise company can change the ports without any warning and you are left with ports that you have no interst in

And in shopperholic ds case will also be shut. Very disappointed:sad:

VeryTrying_2

IvanOpinion wrote:

I am a ports person therefore would be disappointed if we missed a port (since that is waht I look for when booking).

You don't know the meaning of the word 'disappointed' until you've sailed out of Cape Town, three days or so up the Southern Atlantic to St Helena, and then had to circle the island because it was too rough to land passengers! To say I was disappointed was an understatement.

saveapenny

alexandra1 wrote:

Ems! I wouldn't worry about sea sickness, especially in the Carribbean, not least the ships are so big, you might only hear a gentle hum. Usually the more you pay the further up the level of the ship you go, but you hardly feel the ship moving at all, at least I didn't and I am a really light sleeper. You will have a great time I am sure.

Just dont do the Caribbean in January on the OV that thing will bob on a bucket of spit...sooo rough
It was calmer crossing the north sea than that one

IvanOpinion

Ems! wrote:

IVAN - - read through your list of activities that you have done on cruises - WOW!, 2 of the ones you've done - zipwiring and tubing are one's that I fancy doing, but was a bit worried about them safety wise -(I'm a bit of a coward!), what are they like? -especially zipwiring - is it a lot of physical exertion? - cos it says in the blurb that you need to be physically fit to do it, I'd be a bit worried that I would be too weak!! Any info on this would be much appreciated!

Em

I have been trying to remember where exactly it was that we did these. I think the tubing may have been Dominica (eeeuurrrgghh, could I have sat in the same tube as Nelly ) and the zipwiring was in Ocho Rios (it was called the canopy tour). The tubing was very relaxing and unfortunately I did not have a high enough sun-factor on that day (doh!). The zipwiring was great fun and was done in about 8 or 9 steps ... there was no real exertion (in fact one of our group was a lady who must have been well into her 70's) ... DW didn't do this because of the warnings but I generally find the ships blurb to be over protective and reckon she could have managed it.

Ivan

IvanOpinion

rockbabe wrote:

Has anyone been cruising on the oceana with teenagers?
Thanks
RB

We are doing Oceana next January so I have been doing a lot of reading. When we were on Arcadia last year I heard several passengers and crew alike saying that Oceana was their favourite. One of the things I have also heard/read is that parents often have to bribe their kids to leave the relevant kids/teenage club.

Check out the review section of ship happens for various reviews (good and bad).

Ivan