Only cruises - cruise deals for all

coupon_collector

Thanks for the links and the html tip.

Unfortunately we cannot go until 13th March.

I had a quick look on both of those links and prices don't seem too bad. I expect they will come down a little bit if I leave booking until February?
Or do you think I should be booking between now and January?

Thanks again.

hollowhead

Looking for a cruise in February preferably a cruise and stay (not Florida) Any Ideas where I should be looking for a good deal for 2 people? Looking again quite fancy P&O Azuras 4th Feb cruise to the Caribbean. Also when would be the best time to book? Thanks in advance

zolablue25

Just a quick question on cruising in general. If you go on a cruise 'out of season' what is there to do during the day as you can't lounge around the pool. I'm meaning more for the 'at sea' days.

bcl999

In my experience it very much depends on the ship/cruise line. For example, on the Cunard Queen Mary 2 transatlantic crossings there is too much to choose from - you could be busy most of the day attending this & that! On the other hand, on a line like MSC, there isn't a great deal apart from the (in my opinion, inane) animation team antics. Some lines run themed cruises where there is a cruise-long bridge or chess tournament or such like. I learnt how to play blackjack on a particularly nasty day in Antarctica when my ship put on special events as we couldn't go out on the Zodiacs as scheduled.

getmore4less

Sorry should have done this sooner.

coupon_collector wrote: »

Thanks guys for all the useful tips they are much appreciated.

We have a budget of around £1K each including flights but that's not set in stone.

OK thats a good amount give a few choices,, we aim for 2weeks on that or shorter time if a decent cabin.

We don't mind where we go a cool med (but only if there's lots of entertainment on board) the carribean or anywhere else in the world.

Thats good more choice

Probably on top of our cruise budget we would need about £500 each for on board/on shore spends.

£1K soends should cover it depends on how much you drink and how many trips.

We don't mind formal dress for the odd evening but not every night.

MOst ships these days are 1-2 formal a week the rest from casual upto resort casual(posh casual normal nice night out stuff))

We are a young couple so it would be nice if there was a mixture of ages on board.

THis will vary a lot by ship and type of trip I would probably stick with the mains tream and avoid the more upmarket then.

As I am a fussy eater a good choice of foods or restaurants to eat at on board would be good.

How fussy most ships have plenty of choice but only a few have loads of different restaurants.

Apart from my tastes in food I am open to any suggestions you kind folks have.

P.S. Can you find cruise bargains like you can holidays e.g. through teletext etc. and are the last minute deals posted on holiday sites about 2 weeks before like ordinary holidays are? I do know my folks have gone to Majorca for a month before and while they were there booked a cruise from palma for a week for something silly like £200 the day before departure???

Most cruise lines have there late discounts starting just after final payment so around 10-12 weeks out, if things are still not selling then around a month away is when things start to drop a lot, occationaly there will be some lates often when the cancellations start coming in.

This week there have been a few very good deals for pre Xmas Dec, Jan are starting to fill so prices are holding, we picked up a stonking deal for April a bit back.

Anyway whats on offer for you 13 march 2011 or later.
I would stick the following on the short list.

14 march RCI Independence Canaries from Southampton 11nights currently around £864 incl tips so you could go to a better cabin than inside.
http://www.royalcaribbean.co.uk/findacruise/cruiseDetails/itineraryAndPricing.do;jsessionid=?&packageCode=ID11Q008&sailDate=1110314


18th March NCL jade canaries from Barcelona 9 nights cruise from around £400 I think this one will get cheaper for the more expensive cabins (flights are cheap to BCN) and this can be booked through the US if it is cheaper.
Check this out casual and loads of places to eat(we have been on 3 times and looking at Jan/feb)

http://www.ncl.co.uk/booking/booking.php?stage=sailing_details&offer_id=48875&search_url_id=3&showing_intermediate_page=1

There are a few from Florida but nothing grabs me
There are a copuple of panama canal cruise but they are currently going to be over budget there may be a deal out there I have not seen yet.

Thomsons have a ship in the red sea 17March but £800 for 7 days

getmore4less

hollowhead wrote: »

Looking for a cruise in February preferably a cruise and stay (not Florida) Any Ideas where I should be looking for a good deal for 2 people? Looking again quite fancy P&O Azuras 4th Feb cruise to the Caribbean. Also when would be the best time to book? Thanks in advance

there is a TXT page for cruise and stay

http://www.teletextholidays.co.uk/TV/Cruises/Cruise%20_and_%20Stay/ITV-CRY_759/TV.aspx

Some agent do packages or you can DIY a cruise with a stay.

P&O caribbeans in the new year are still over £1.5k the Nov/Dec ones dropped under 900 so there may be reduction in the pipeline..

zolablue25

getmore4less wrote: »

14 march RCI Independence Canaries from Southampton 11nights currently around £864 incl tips so you could go to a better cabin than inside.
http://www.royalcaribbean.co.uk/findacruise/cruiseDetails/itineraryAndPricing.do;jsessionid=?&packageCode=ID11Q008&sailDate=1110314

Where would this be available for that price GM4L? I followed the link and it was showing a bit more expensive but also stated that tips were extra.

Cheers

getmore4less

zolablue25 wrote: »

Where would this be available for that price GM4L? I followed the link and it was showing a bit more expensive but also stated that tips were extra.

Cheers

Just carry on with the booking there is a £100 off and there might be another 5% of some of that price if you book direct with RCI.

I will do it now to walk you through

link price says £892 + tips. (note the red deals box thats the clue there is a deal somewhere)
begin booking->save continue->show insides->select Q

price now on the box on the right £1722.44 -> summary of charges
SHould see the following in a new window/tab.
Cruise Fare*:826.00 826.00
Prepaid Gratuities*:71.72 71.72
Taxes/Fees*:66.00 66.00
Other Options*:-100.00 -100.00
Per Person Total*:863.72 863.72

Now if you continue to a courtesy hold this should come up with 5% off some or all of the £826.

THis will be cheaper through a travel agent
I found online
£752.40 + tips £71.72
£801.12 inc tips
£729 +tips.

So thats the current targets for this one all TAs should be able to get close or better this.

getmore4less

There is another Oriana deal come up for the Athens to Southampton leg of the RTW.

10Dec 7nights £329 inc GTW flight

Cruise1st have this on the web site not checked elsewhere.

Not on P&O site.

edit : update Iglu have flycruise with 1n in Athens for £459 call for availability

coupon_collector

Thanks again Getmore4less for the good advice.

Sorry for the late reply awell. We both like the sound of the
18th March NCL jade canaries from Barcelona 9 nights cruise.

If it weren't our honeymoon I would be tempted to go for the inside cabin at £400
plus ryanair/easyjet flight because it sounds a good price lol.

I think we will keep an eye out for reductions in the better cabins as a balcony would be
a nice thing to do on our honeymoon.