Cruises. What are they like? Recomendations?

LilacPixie

I wonder if anyone can help me. I am having an ongoing battle with my parents about childcare costs. They have my kids while I work and do alot of the running about like picking up from clubs and nursery plus lunches 5 days a week. I posted about it before and the main sugestions were transfer money into their bank account, borrow dads car and fill it with fuel or get them a treat like a short break away that they must use or lose type thing.

I tried 'borrowing' his car and filling it with diesel and transfering cash into their bank account but the stubborn stubborn people that they are transfered it back and we played FP transfer for a week until I gave up.

I have been noseying around for a weekend break for them but nothing stands out until I remembered they sailed from rosyth to bruge a few years ago and loved the boat and wished they had went on a specific cruise rather than just a crossing so I now wonder if I could buy then a cruise or similar.

Thing is I have no idea where to look for a cruise, what is a good/bad operator/cruise line or if booking something is even practical.

We live about an hour north of Rosyth parents are later 50's early 60's. Usually visit Spain and my mum doesn't like it too hot so they go away in April or October.

Anyone got any sugestions on where to start and even if its possible to do? I am a total novice.

mrweetabix

Hi

Big cruise companies like Royal Caribbean, P&O, Celebrity and Cunard offer short breaks from 2-5 days.

If you get a good deal you can pay about £199 but generally you are looking about £80-£100 a night.

These short cruises generally go to Ireland, Belgium or France.

The key questions -

Budget and dates.

Hope this helps.
Rich

nw_man

Wow... so let me get this straight, mum and dad wont accept any money for helping you out ? COOL ! :beer:

Seriously though to answer your cruise questions, we were hesitant to do a cruise til we actually did one.... now there is no stopping us.

We have done 2 in 2 years, got one booked for Oct / Nov this year and I am currently hunting for one for Jan 2011.

There are so many ways to find one, I simply started by googling ' cheap cruises '

Try www.cruisecritic.co.uk absolutely tons of info and stuff on there.

Its a BIG topic, different ships have different dress codes, different quality levels and expectations, different dining options... then there are the ports of call etc etc.... not to mention prices !

You need to be doing some research yourself first based on mum and dads preferences. Do they like dressing up in tuxedos and ballgowns? Or are they a jeans and t-shirt type ? Plain food, or posh food ?

Also take a look at tripadvisers cruise forum, which is well hidden !

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowForum-g1-i10703-Cruises.html

Good luck.

LilacPixie

Budget is it costs what it costs. around 1k ideally. My dad does some work taking soecial needs childeren to school in a taxi so scottish school holidays which are between 23rd december and 5th january, 1st and 18th April 2011 and start 2nd july 2011.

Ball gowna and tuxedos are not their style, probably food more towards the basics as my mum can be a bit funny with a la carte.

My kids are 2 and 3 so its literally 800-1000 a month they save me.

I will get a googling tonihgt when kids in bed.

travellerboy

An ideal Web-Site to begin your search/quest would be www.smartcruiser.co.uk
You can enter your choice of departure port, duration, cruise line, destinations and the search will give you the options available.

Short cruises from the UK are best in spring/summer, not a great choice this time of the year. (Example - 3nts cruise on P&O Ventura out of Southampton in April -£252)

My advise would be to avoid the very large ships and choose a mid-range size not geared to the young. Talk to a good Travel Agent specialising in Cruise Holidays for advise on the best boat for your needs/requirements. They are all so different - and make a wise choice that suits your parents.

LilacPixie

Thank you travellerboy

BillTrac

LilacPixie wrote: »

I will get a googling tonihgt when kids in bed.

Your luck just never stops eh?....:rotfl: