Cruises: Beats any package holiday...

catsmum

IvanOpinion wrote:

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

Ivan

Hi there, i have rechecked these prices and yes its 675 for inside cabin and 765 for outside cabin, sailing from Southampton, have emailed the company to recheck they havent messed there prices up, so will let you know outcome, but just needed to know would it be ok for us older ladies lol, just need to relax and unwind,

Catsmum

Spad_2

Never been on a cruise before but I see in today's Times a full page advert for a cruise on QM2 to New York and Canada from Southamton this August. Some prices nearly half of what the full published ones are. In two minds if I should book it for myself and wife. She cannot fly due to heart problem's so it looks like the ideal chance to go. Not getting any younger and my Wife not in the best of health.
Are they any hidden extra's/costs we need to be aware off. ?
I have to make a fairly quick decision owing to dep date not too far away.
Any tips on insurance for such a trip.?
.
Thanks
Alan

VeryTrying_2

Don't forget tipping - this is added automatically to your account (whether you want to pay or not) and will cost more than £6 per person per day. That makes a twelve day cruise for two people about £150 dearer!

BTW don't rush at the Times offer. Have a look at the website https://www.savensail.com who I've always found to offer very good prices on Cunard cruises.

thomasbentley_2

Enjoyed reading the threads, but what's the point about sniping about grammar? Saddos
No expert about cruise but found great, constructive site, I can highly recommend
http://www.cruisecritic.com/
going to Caribbean in November ,
got the price of the trip, half what the s**ts in uk were asking
(Incidentally, the uk branch of the company lied, about there being the last cabin at such a special price! I’ve heard that one before!)
by ringing America. Do- it- your self- I have saved £2500 for three people by not taking the bull.
No fear- (
spellchecked so that saddo does not gripe)
Dyslexically yours,
TB

ckerrd

Hi all. Cruises do have their benefits but a downside as well. Apologies if this has all been covered before.
I first went on a Med cruise in the 70's and thought is was great. Did a few more and thought they were wonderful. My parents could leave me to wander about as they always knew where I would be at the end of the day. Was a good way to make friends and I had a ball. However.....
Now that I am older and with my own family when we went on a Caribbean cruise it wasnt as fantastic as I had hoped.
The "eat anytime you want" didn't actually mean that. Nearly anytime, just not the time we wanted to eat which was early evening with a four year old boy.
Inside cabin was poor. Clean enough but I have been on ferries with just as nice cabins.
When the weather was not great it altered where we could dock and what trips we could take as the time ashore was curtailed. Very difficult to get any sense of the places you are visiting as to be honest you are just passing through, sampling the touristy delights and then back on your big bus - sorry boat.
And in fact if you go on a lot of the tours it is just that - a bus trip from your ship to site and back again, stopping only at the "bargain" tourist places to pick up that unmissable knick knack.
I know couples who have gone on small ships, "barefoot cruising" and this sounds fantastic, but not for kids.
If you are booking a Caribbean holiday do go through a US company - you will save a fortune. http://www.buycruises.com is the site my sister uses and she goes every year so maybe they are not that bad.

hansi

VeryTrying wrote:

Don't forget tipping - this is added automatically to your account (whether you want to pay or not) and will cost more than £6 per person per day. That makes a twelve day cruise for two people about £150 dearer!

BTW don't rush at the Times offer. Have a look at the website https://www.savensail.com who I've always found to offer very good prices on Cunard cruises.

Not true. They can't automatically force you to pay tips. You have the right to change the automatic tipping system at your discretion, and pay tips yourself. We cruise with Princess regularly and we always opt out of the automatic tipping system, for one thing, we don't dine at the same table each night, so our waiters are always different.

IvanOpinion

hansi wrote:

Not true. They can't automatically force you to pay tips. You have the right to change the automatic tipping system at your discretion, and pay tips yourself. We cruise with Princess regularly and we always opt out of the automatic tipping system, for one thing, we don't dine at the same table each night, so our waiters are always different.

Hansi, not looking an argument here but I don't really see the connection between dining at different tables and tipping. On most lines (especially American) all the tips are 'pooled' anyway ... you can remove the auto tips and give envelopes to the staff but they are expected to hand them in to the 'pool'. This ensures that all those working hard behind the scenes also get their share of the tips (e.g. chefs, laundry, dish washers etc. etc.)

I am sure however you will agree that the staff deserve every penny of the tips they get.

Ivan

IvanOpinion

catsmum wrote:

Ivan

Hi there, i have rechecked these prices and yes its 675 for inside cabin and 765 for outside cabin, sailing from Southampton, have emailed the company to recheck they havent messed there prices up, so will let you know outcome, but just needed to know would it be ok for us older ladies lol, just need to relax and unwind,

Catsmum

That really is a great price ... I am tempted but we are already on a cruise in January next year ... work may get a bit stroppy with me. At that price I would say go for it.

OV can be a little livlier than some of the cruise lines however until it really gets going nobody will know the clientelle that OV2 is likely to attract (I am very keen to see what they are doing with OV2 over winter ... rumour says South America). A holiday is what you make it and if you wish to relax there will be plenty of areas to do so and if you wish to have knees up (I know what you 'older ladies' can be like) then there will also be plenty of opportunity for that as well.

Ivan

hansi

IvanOpinion wrote:

Hansi, not looking an argument here but I don't really see the connection between dining at different tables and tipping. On most lines (especially American) all the tips are 'pooled' anyway ... you can remove the auto tips and give envelopes to the staff but they are expected to hand them in to the 'pool'. This ensures that all those working hard behind the scenes also get their share of the tips (e.g. chefs, laundry, dish washers etc. etc.)

I am sure however you will agree that the staff deserve every penny of the tips they get.

Ivan

I just don't think that cruise companies should decide how much should be given, after all as a tip is something that should be given for good service, and if I don't get good service in a restaurant, I don't tip, simple as that. If the staff know that they are going to get a pooled tip anyway, what incentive is there to offer service over and above the call of duty. I always tip the room steward before the cruise. You wouldn't believe the difference it makes.

saveapenny

Tipping....My only problem with automatic tipping is some companies, RCCL for one have come under criticism for using the tips as wages so they get nothing extra. Much the same as some restraunts have come under criticism for using the tips you add on to the CC bill for wages or not passing them on.
Its better to use cash that way if they get pooled they get it and not at teh discretion of the cruiseline