cruise holidays any advice please

simonts

Just wanted to point out that Ocean Village is not chavish, We went onboard in march and my partners parents go every year twice a year.

Its very good fun if you like informal, Also next November they are doing new destinations (Panama Canal, Jamaica, Belize, Venezuela etc)

welnik

What I can I say - cruising is just fabulous. You can lie about and sunbathe every day or you can be cramming every minute of the day with activities and food!

I have been on 4 cruises and so far would say that the P&O ones have been the best. Food is top quality. Kids are well catered for in kids clubs so they dont tend to bother anyone. Service is excellent. All the guests seem to be friendly and by the end of the holiday, you get to know so many interesting people.

The only thing I dont rate on the cruises Ive been on is the cabaret style shows. Ive not seen a good one yet. We had a QUEEN night once and it was so bad we couldnt stop laughing. Worth it for amusement value though.

Im absolutely hooked on cruising. My first P&O cruises was 6 months after the 9/11 attacks and they couldnt fill places. We have a cruise for 4 of us round the med for £900. Good loss leader for them as now we are hooked.

Cazzywazzywoo

Went on Thomson cruise last year with husband and 2 children -8 and 13. Had a fab time. Already booked for next year. Loads of variety and things to do and see. Great entertainment. Food not bad and unlimited. Time to relax if you prefer.
Would definitely recommend Thomson again

Cazzy

simonts

Cazzywazzywoo wrote:

Went on Thomson cruise last year with husband and 2 children -8 and 13. Had a fab time. Already booked for next year. Loads of variety and things to do and see. Great entertainment. Food not bad and unlimited. Time to relax if you prefer.
Would definitely recommend Thomson again

Cazzy

Its funny until I actually went on a cruise I would have never considered it, Now I want to go on one every time

Miss_Penny_Pincher_2

I just got back from our first cruise this morning at 2.15am!! It was on Thomson Celebration on the Red Sea Magic itinery - had an amazing time! Have never been a holiday person but now I'm itching to book another one around the Caribbean!

IvanOpinion

Caz312 wrote:

I am a fan of Fred Olsen, lovely small friendly ships and the staff are fab

BM160 leaves Gatwick/Manchester/Bristol/Belfast 7th Dec to Barbados
calling
Barbados, Grenada, Curacao, Jamaica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Tortola, Antigua, Dominica, St Lucia and back to Barbados

Prices are currently heavily discounted with prices from £995

I got an email for that one at £895 inside £995 outside .. nice itinerary.

Also have seen BW671 (19th Nov), 2 weeks Canary Islands (out of SOuthampton) for £495 inside, £595 outside (if only I had a couple of weeks holiday left )

ivan

Lizzy

Ive been on all the Thomson ships except the Spirit. Enjoyed every moment of it. Excellent food, fantastic service, great shows. I'm hooked line and sinker.

There is usually 1 formal evening a week.
The rest is smart casual. As for the comment about not dressing up for dinner. You have all day to slob around, you would not go out for a nice meal with beautiful table cloths and crystal in your shorts or jeans? or would you?. humm.............

mina626

Annieb wrote:

Hiya everyone
I'm newbie to this board, but found it very interesting, has any one got any advice about choosing a cruise holiday or perhaps a cruise & stay.
We're thinking about the Carabean early December this year, we have not done crusing before and don't know anyone personally who has so we're at a loss as to how to begin planning and booking so any hints & tips would be very wecome.

Annieb :T

hi, if you've not already booked something then I recommend checking out Celebrity Cruises.. I've cruised with them once before and it was a gorgeous experience currently saving up for my next..

Neoshoegal

Froggitt wrote:

You dont want Royal Caribbean then. Try Ocean Village or NCL......the NCL Jewel is a fabulous one year old ship cruising the Caribbean this winter.

Royal Caribbean isn't that formal. Yes, there are formal nights but if you don't feel like dressing up, there is absolutely no need or obligation to do so!
We can't recommend them highly enough! :T

Froggitt

From the Royal Caribbean Website

What are the dress codes onboard?
There are three distinct types of evenings onboard: casual, smart casual and formal. Suggested guidelines for these nights are: Casual: Sport shirts and slacks for men, sundresses or pants for women
Smart Casual: Jackets and ties for men, dresses or pantsuits for women
Formal: Suits and ties or tuxedos for men, cocktail dresses for women

3 to 4 - night cruises include one formal night and the remainder nights are casual.
5 - night cruises include one formal and the remainder nights casual.
6 - night cruises include two formal nights, one smart casual and the remainder nights casual.
7 to 9 - night cruises include two formal nights, one smart casual night and the remainder nights casual.
10 to 13-night cruises include two formal nights, two smart casual nights, and the remainder nights casual.
14+ - night cruises include three formal nights, four smart casual nights and the remainder nights casual.

We appreciate your usual parental guidance and cooperation in observing these easy guidelines with your children.

Youre right - you can go and eat in the buffet or the Hotdog Bar for half of a 7 or 14 night cruise if you dont want to dress up.