Caribbean Cruise Xmas 2010

easy

Caz3121 wrote: »

My parents do Xmas and New Year in the Caribbean every year (they do for a month mid Dec to Mid Jan) they have done this for about 9 years - there is a gang of about 12 of them that met on the ship and meet up every year... the first 2 weeks...dancing on deck in the Caribbean rather than freezing at home...no brainer!

Oh bliss. Must buy me lottery ticket

doelani

I have crusied with Thomson and although the " drinks package" seems a good option there are a few things to consider.

You are paying for this and from jsut looking at December 2010 it is aprox £1500 for 4 people. You need to work out if you will spend that much on drink. Do not like the fact they have a package make you decide this cruise is the best value.

As already suggested have a look at www.crusiecritic.co.uk and go to the forums, loads of info and if you look at the Thomson board I am sure you will find drink prices.

lisyloo

This is supposed to be a money SAVING forum.

Hi nw_man,

Don't confuse moneysaving with frugality.
I realise for many people it goes togather, but others like to save money on champagne, luxury cruises, hot tubs, diamonds, rolex's etc.

I've saved money on a 2 grand cruise before by paying in dollars istead of pounds.
That IS money saving even though it's was a quality and expensive item.
I've also used various techniques to save money on Rolex watches.
So it doesn't matter whether your life is one of frugality ior luxury, you can still save money at all ends of the scale. So, don't confuse it.
Posh people can save money on luxury goods too

I've been on quite a few cruises (Fred Olsen, P&O, Holland America, Royal Carribean, Voyages of Discovery and Cunard) and the variety in quality is MASSIVE. Cunard is a bit like the Titanic where there are special rooms for 1st and 2nd class and waiters with white gloves serving cucumber sanwhiches.
So I'd advise the OP to look at reviews (of which there are many sites) to see what is most suitable for them.
For example the average age on Fred Olsen is about 75.
The entertainment may involved songs from the war era and bingo.
I'm 41 and quite often get mistaken for a personal trainer when I'm hanging around the gym (I don't mind that :j)
BTW - we went with parents so that's why we chose that one.
You really need to find out what's more suitable for your age group and preferences.

One way to save money is to book late, but you will have to be prepared to take any cabin and probably a low grade one.
If money saving is a priority then this is a good move because you can spend most of your time outside the cabin anyway.

We are going with Princess cruises in March and that's about £2K each but we have a good cabin and they are a superior cruise line.
They come highly recommended but they won't be the cheapest.

keeprighton

I seem to have created a debate .... sorry.....

I've looked at Thomson Dream, Caribbean experience:

4 Adults 2 Outside kabins, 3 adults with the drinks package.
Cruise118 £9130
Thomson £8946

Flight from Gatwick, would prefer Midlands or Manchester

Decided this is the one, now want the cheapest price,

Lee

Caz3121

keeprighton wrote: »

I seem to have created a debate .... sorry.....

I've looked at Thomson Dream, Caribbean experience:

4 Adults 2 Outside kabins, 3 adults with the drinks package.
Cruise118 £9130
Thomson £8946

Flight from Gatwick, would prefer Midlands or Manchester

Decided this is the one, now want the cheapest price,

Lee

Looks a great itinerary

Had a look at the Thomson site and it does let you select Manchester for flights. It says the drinks package needs to be taken by everyone in the party but it comes out at £8124 (deck 4/5 outside) - no premium seats or insurance added

barginunter

We cruised the Med with Thomsons in October - loved it. I think you really have to bathe in it to make the drinks package good value - the drinks aren't particularly expensive on those ships. Most people on all -inc had got it free by booking v early or by being regular customers.

HoofeHearted

The other thing to remember about Thomson cruises is the fact that you can buy 'booze' whilst ashore and bring it back on-board to consume in your cabin. I am not aware of any other cruise line that allows this. (The others confiscate it and give it back to you at the end of the cruise).

Also you can purchase bottles of spirits from the ship's store, when at sea, and again consume in your cabin. I found out this year that Ocean Village will charge you a 'corkage fee' for spirits purchased from the ship's store.

Having said all this, I have been on quite a few Thomson cruises with and without purchasing the AI package. It does depend on how much 'partying' you intend to do.

Hope that helps:beer:

Caz3121

good point...as someone said you would probably have to bathe in it to get your moneys worth from over £100 a day bar bill