P & O Mini Cruise

McKneff

EycplUK wrote: »

With Reference to the 1 Kilo Limit ...........:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:
Absolute rubbish !!
Its not a "limit" its an excuse for the UKBA to suggest that you may be a[STRIKE] lowlife scum[/STRIKE] decent UK citizen taking advantage of the better rates in the EU than our overtaxed fags !
And all the lobbying by the anti-smoke Nazis to try and stop the LEGAL trade from happening , keep shopping ! ignore the 1 kg rubbish

:T:T:T
rock on .............

SShar

Hi, I've done the hull to amsterdam and for what we paid it was worth it. Personally though, I feel you should go for the overnight option if given it, the day trips though good for what you pay for them, do not leave enough time to leisurely enjoy the city. I felt i needed longer in Amsterday but have spoken to those who have made the Bruges trip and they feel they time is enough to see and do everything they wanted. They can get very very packed so are probably worth booking to ensure you get something to eat (especially if your staying on the mini cruise for 2 nights), though make sure you take some munchies with you because they can charge a stupid amount for chocs/crisps etc - prob because they know you can't get them from any where else once it's set off!

ENJOY!

Piggo_2

We've been on the Amsterdam and the Bruges minicruises, they're great. Having the transfers in works a treat you don't have to think of a thing and if you're lucky you get to leave your cases in your cabin as well. We tend to pre-buy the meal going over in the evening which is really nice and saves a few pounds pre-booking. The food is gerenally good with lots of choice. We don't bother with the breakfast - far too early and it's nice to pick something up when you've arrived. Sometimes we get the meal coming home other times we've had a nice meal in the town at lunch time which works a treat. The cabins and crossing are usually pretty good, we haven't been on it when it's been really rough!

Empty_pockets

I found Bruges prices quite reasonable.

Did a brewery tour for about £6ph
Food and drink was cheap tbh.

You should try Paris, that would make your eyes water.

Should add - Include transfers and dinner on your package.

McKneff

Could I suggest anyone going on one of these cruises buys themselves a travel kettle, tea and coffee ar e£2.50/£3 a cup and its amazing how many you get through on one of these trips.

I saw some travel kettles at clas Ohlsen on Monday for £5.99 but in ordinary electrical shops they are anything up to £15

Ive had mine for years and its has paid for itself many, many times over (dont forget to buy and adaptor) saves a fortune.
Dont forget to take cups with you though.

shopaholic2

Thanks all for your input!!
Can anyone just tell me, what sort of places are on board to eat? Are there a few or just 1 or2?
Also, what sort of shops are there? Is there, for example,a WHSmith?
Many thanks,your input is invaluable!
x

dug123

Firstly there is a posh (expensive) restaurant which I think is called Lannigans Brasserie, from memory Fish and Chips and Mushy Peas is about £18!!
Then there is a buffet where you eat what you want for about the same price, it has usual starters main course and sweets and reminds me of an average all inclusive holiday restaurant.
Then there is a Costa type coffee bar which has sandwiches and buns etc, from memory sandwiches were like 3 or 4 quid and not as good as M&S sandwiches.
There is a bar which has crisps etc.
There is a "duty free" type shop with booze and cigs, perfume, magazines, pop etc (similar to a WH Smiths)
When we go we usually take a packed meal (some sandwiches and crisps etc) which we eat in the cabin before heading to the bar.
The bar on the Bruges boat is better then the bars on the Amsterdam boats (in my opinion) The beer etc is a similar price to what you would pay in the UK, the seating is comfy and they have some music and a band on later and also play Bingo! It costs a couple of quid to play Bingo but the prize is over £100 and helps fill in a bit of time.
You can walk out of the bar and you are on the back of the boat where you can smoke if you wish.
The only thing to remember is that because of the time differance when you reach Belgium, you get a wake up call about 5:30am UK time! Then it is breakfast (if you want to buy it) and then onto a bus for Bruges.
I am not enthralled with Bruges, there is not a lot there for me and you can walk for miles. From memory you get about 7 or 8 hours in Bruges but once you have seen one chocolate shop you have seen all 200.
If you want a sit down meal in a restaurant the daily specials are about £20+ each. Eating out is more expensive than Huddersfield! There is a market which has McDonald type burger shop which is reasonably priced and plenty of shops which sell sandwiches to take away (handy for the boat trip home) but again these are not cheap.
The bars are good and allow smoking in nice heated covered patio areas but the beer is a bit expensive. The secret is to find a backstreet bar which does snacks, more for the local workers than tourists.
I would prefer to spend just a couple of hours in Bruges and then go back to the boat with my 3KG of tobacco but this is not an option.
When you arrive back in the UK the customs check lots of people for tobacco, it is nothing like Dover.
I usually have to spend half an hour explaining that I smoke and it is all for myself and then I end up having to show them my own tobacco and having to roll a cigarette in front of them! Lots of people lose their tobacco but this is because they say they do not smoke and are bringing it back for friends etc, you can bring it back as a gift but surely not 3KG!! They also check how often you go abroad and ask how much tobacco you get through per month.
I do not bring it back to sell and I always tell the truth and never have a problem, in February I brought 6KG back through Dover and the customs checked my boot and I told them it was all mine (I had 2 other passengers) and they never even flinched.
So I go just to stock up on tobacco but try and have some enjoyment as well.
With the cost of petrol now it is a lot cheaper for me to go Hull to Bruges than to drive to Dover and to do Calais to Adinkerke.
If you go to Bruges you can pre order your GV and pick it up and pay in a shop which is about 10 minutes walk from where you catch the coach back to the ship
http://www.brugestobacco.com/en/
If you have any questions please feel free to ask, I am not on here all the time but I will try and answer as soon as I see it.
Also I will state that the above is only my opinion. Some people love Bruges and some people think that £18 is reasonable for fish and chips!

ferryenthusiast

I run a website about P&O Ferries, and not sure if I am allowed to post a link here or not But you if look at the following (copy and paste into your browser):

http://www.onboardpoferries.com/fleet/current/prideofyork/photographs.html
http://www.onboardpoferries.com/fleet/current/prideofbruges/photographs.html

These photographs have not been photoshopped, they are simply straight from Camera and then reduced in size for the website. They were taken in March this year whilst the ships were in Zeebrugge.

Whilst I have not been on the minicruise as such, I have done loads of return crossings on all the ships and would be happy to answer any questions about the ships and whats onboard etc.

Paul

shopaholic2

WEll it's booked!!!
Excited!!
We have booked breakfast for the morning we arrive in Bruges, and evening meal for when we return to the ship, got the booking confirmation, but there's no meal vouchers or anything, or am i over thinking this?
It does list the meals on the options though so maybe thats enough?
I suffer anxiety, and worry things will go wrong,
REASSURE ME!!!
Lol.
Thanks everyone for you input x;)

dug123

Just a couple more things, if you are parking your car in the car park while you are away take lots of pound coins to put in the parking meter.
You get stopped on the way onto the boat (in Hull) to make sure that you do not take any alcohol with you, so do not stash any to save drinking at the bar as it will be taken off you until you return!!