Cruises: Beats any package holiday...

hansi

Just found this site and have to agree that cruising is the "tops" We have cruised for over ten years with three cruises last year. Our favourire line is Princess cruises on which we now have "Elite" status and get some great "perks" In the cruising world they say that there are three things you must do.1, Cruise the Panama Canal, 2 Sail out of or into Venice and 3 sail from New York. We have done two and sail from NY in September. Our next one is "Oriana" on 9oth July. If anyone wants any info on cruising, happy to help.

hansi

IvanOpinion wrote:

Been on Princess and it very much depends on when you are cruising ... in term time there will be an older crowd but in the holidays is a different matter. The average age would be older than Royal Caribbean but it does have an excellent childrens club and is a fantastic cruise line (possibly one of our favourites). On our last Princess cruise I will admit that DW and I were referred to as 'the youngsters' ... it seemed to stick and was used even by a couple that were younger than us (with several children on tow).

Ivan

I totally disagree! We have cruised Princess several times and the average age is no more than with other cruise lines( unless you count OV and Easy which are not really cruise lines). We have always enjoyed Princess and we are not 65 yet!!

hansi

missk_ensington wrote:

Yeah I don't like the automatic tipping, Id rather know that the staff giving the best service are receiving the tips properly. Think it's an incentive for they to try harder too, rather than think 'well we all get the same tips regardless so why bother making an effort'. In UK restaurants, Ive always found the service better in restaurants where the individual keeps the tips, rather then where its pooled together.

Ocean Village don't charge for tips, its included in the price of your holiday-although on the last day there are boxes around the ship where you can, if you like, put some change in. Anyone know any other ships which don't add tips to your account??

You can always opt out of automatice tipping you know. It's not compulsory"

IvanOpinion

OK, the Q1 2008 brochures are starting to come out. On 22/02/08 P&O have a 2 weeker on the Arcadia from Barbados to Acapulco (through the canal) ... I was quoted £1450pp for an OE ... very tempting.

Ivan

MrSmartprice

Has anyone been on the Island Star? Just seen a good offer and wondered if there are any good/bad reports.

hansi

My brother went on the Islane Escape ( sister ship) in April. Not that good. No waiter service unless you pay extra to go in the ala carte restaurant.

IvanOpinion

We couldn't resist it .... first of all you need to click this .. and let the music load then click this. Just booked this morning (don't tell Martin though .. he'll have my guts for garters .. absolutely no money saving content here).

Ivan

catsmum

Hi all im sooo new to all this, but am looking to take my elderly but somewat fitter Mum on a cruise, and came upon this one for
Ocean village 2 Maiden Voyage in April next year for 13 nights for £675

Any advice would be grateful as this is first time ive had a holiday for 7 yrs due to accident at work and really need a break, is this company ok for us older ladies lol,

Thanks in advance for any help given

catsmum:o

IvanOpinion

catsmum wrote:

Hi all im sooo new to all this, but am looking to take my elderly but somewat fitter Mum on a cruise, and came upon this one for
Ocean village 2 Maiden Voyage in April next year for 13 nights for £675

Any advice would be grateful as this is first time ive had a holiday for 7 yrs due to accident at work and really need a break, is this company ok for us older ladies lol,

Thanks in advance for any help given

catsmum:o

catsmum, that is very very cheap, are you sure of that price ... for that sort of price I would be very tempted myself. I assume that is a basic inside cabin, does it include return flight?

OV2 is the new addition to the fleet (previously called Crown Princess and then Aida Blue) ... supposed to be a nice ship. We did Ocean Village in 2004 and had a great time .. it is a bit different to traditional cruising since it is much more casual but all the main ingredients are still there.

Ivan

saveapenny

MrSmartprice wrote:

Has anyone been on the Island Star? Just seen a good offer and wondered if there are any good/bad reports.

I am hearing good things about the Star and it seems it much much better than the ferry they call Escape.
Take a chance there are some good deals about but there are also some good deals for other ships too it all depends on your budget.

not sure when your going but this weekend you can go onthe star from Gatwick for £339 with https://www.cruise1st.co.uk you have to ring them its not on the web site