Cruising

monte_2

I have just read the Cruise thread started by Saveapenny, with interest. I have been trying to persuade my wife to go on a cruise for quite some time but she has always refused to even consider one. We recently met some avid cruisers and they have convinced my wife to give it a go. They have suggested starting with a short cruise round the Med ( maybe Italy- we have seen most of Spain ) followed by a longer cruise of the Western Caribbean in late 2007 early 2008.

We are both retired and can travel with little or no notice, should we keep our eye open for last minute bargains or book in advance, and what type of cruise should we be looking for? I would welcome the comments of those cruise experts amongst you, Thanks

Neoshoegal

Personally I'd recommend booking as far in advance as possible. But it depends a bit what you're after. If you want a very specific cruise, than it's more important to book early. However, if you're not too bothered about which one you go on, you can look for last minute deals.
We've booked a cruise for October 2007 back in April on the day it was released. Within 3 days the price had gone up by $100 per person and currently it's sold out (every once in a while a few cabins become available from people who cancelled).
I can highly recommend Royal Caribbean, excellent value for money. We've cruised with them several times and are hooked!
I would also suggest you book with a specialist cruise agent rather than a normal travel agency as their prices are often better and they obviously have more experience. It may also be a good idea to book your flights seperatly as you will save some serious money that way (last time we cruised it was £800 more expensive to book our flights with the cruise line than with Expedia!)
We've got 2 videos online from previous cruises in case you want to have a better idea of what it's like (https://www.2legalaliens.com)

MissBehaving

I would also recommend booking early. That way you can almost choose the cabin you want. If that is not a major issue for you, then I suppose late deals would be okay.

We did our first cruise in September this year and chose a 7 night cruise with 5 days in port. We were scared that we would be 'claustrophobic' on the ship because we couldnt get off when we wanted. We did the Southern Caribbean.

I also recommend Royal Caribbean but then I cant compare it to anything else.

I am sure that you have already had a look at https://www.shiphappens.co.uk and https://www.cruisecritic.com.

saveapenny

In some respects I agree ...if there is one cruise you want book early or if you have to have a type of cabin book early. Otherwise book when you see the cruise at the right price. For example if you want a PO cruise 1 week round the med its not too easy to find but if you dont mind the less formal like Ocean Village or Island Star (not escape) leave it late and pick up a bargain. This year you could get a balcony cabin on Island for around 600 for 1 weeks cruise. PO cruise around the Caribbean I have seen for 899 for 2 weeks leaving in November (booking last minute) or TransAtlantic 15 day cruises with various compnaies for about 799 taking in some med soem caribbean.
Keep an eye on teletext page 227 http://www.teletextholidays.co.uk/WebTVTextAds/TVTextAds/TVOffers.aspx?area=cruise&T=ITV-CRY:227.*&D=Cruising%20Mediterranean%2FEurope&M=Cruises allows you to view several pages in one go click print version Just watch the prices to get an idea on whats about

Froggitt

Sorry to be contrary, but if you are flexible, leave it late to get best offers, and if none come up, look again the following month etc. You can get a place on the NCL Pearl Inaugral cruise to Miami on Dec 2nd for £600 each for a balcony cabin from Southampton for 11 nights I think.......and if you look at something like Vacationstogo website, you can book a week NCL Caribbean cruise for $400 each on top of that.

saveapenny

Froggit heres a link to the cruise you mentioned....good value at 499 for base cabin inc flights from Gatwick
http://www.1st4cruising.com/cruisev2_details.phtml?id=35897&session=A879C100-78A8-11DB-9D7A-D844A8BD6E94&depname=LGW

monte_2

Thank you all for comments you have certainly given me something to think about.