First time cruising

getmore4less

Is that £1k before drinks, other expenses, shore costs etc.

sparrer

VfM4meplse wrote: »

Btw I really dislike cruises (I go out of duty, my mum expects each of her children to accompany her at least once a year) but I know I'm in a teeny tiny minority. I don't like the excess, being waited on, being herded with the masses and much prefer independent travel.

Slightly off topic but had to mention - couldn't agree with you more VfM4meplse. The good and the bad - I've been on 2 mini's which were okay and we got what we paid for, and a 10-day Med cruise with Royal Caribbean to keep the mother happy, but never again. If I'm paying that sort of money I expect waiter service at the very least, but we had to to join a queue to get our breakfast and lunch. We could have taken them in 'select' restaurants but that would have cost even more. Having said that the food was very good, and more than enough for the biggest appetites (as we saw many a time!)

Tipping - never, ever tip in advance. They suggest each of one of you tips x amount a day to every member of staff you come into contact with. At that rate it would add hundreds on to the cost of a holiday! On the advice of long-time cruise friends we took our own envelopes and put in what we felt was appropriate, and only for those we wanted to tip at the end of the cruise.

If you need assistance even getting it in writing is no guarantee of getting it at the airport transfers as we found to our cost both ways. If I'm travelling with someone who needs help I'd rather go by train in future. Unlike cruise staff, railway porters don't think they're better than us, the people who pay their wages.

I would recommend a balcony cabin if you can afford it, to give you a little privacy when you feel like it. The cabin staff couldn't do enough for us and 'our lady' was really the saving grace of the whole 10 days. I understand they're all much the same so you know you'll be in good hands.

Drinks - you have to buy it by the glass on board, we couldn't take a small flask of brandy on with us. When we tried to buy a bottle on board they wouldn't let us have it til the end of the cruise. A glass of brandy was about £5. Fortunately I don't drink and there were free tea stations around the ship.

Sorry to be so down but this is just my experience. I'm assured they're not all as bad (but I'm not willing to pay another £1k to find out) and I'm sure if, as advised, you read cruisecritic carefully you'll soon find the cruises to look at, and those to leave well alone.

saxonlady

getmore4less

Is that £1k before drinks, other expenses, shore costs etc.


Yes that's £1k before all other expenses.

getmore4less

Some seem to have been on different ships to us.

plenty of included waiter service for all meals

never had a problem taking drinks on board

Tipping is recomended for dining room and cabin not everyone you contact

£1k should find you something decent

We target around £50pppd and usualy find something balcony would be a bit more.

what date do you need/want to be away?

if you give yourself a bit of flexability there shoiuld be some bargains at the end of Oct heading into Nov.

2 weeks Caribbean come down to around £800(inc flights) most years so that is an option.

keep an eye on the cruise bargain thread

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2713505

for a uk perspective there is a uk forum, the deals are posed on
http://www.cruises.co.uk/483-cheap_cruise_deals_last_minute_cruises_special_offers

Archergirl

Saxonlady said she needs to be away 11/10/12.:j
Not too sure about the Caribean at that time of year, surely it's hurricane season in some of it.

LondonDiva

We've mainy cruised in the Carribean in November with no problems at all. However, did get persuaded to cruise in December - never again.! (no hurricanes, but horrid weather.)

coupleuk

Hi

Might I suggest https://www.cruisecompete.com too

You sign up - dont worry you wont get lots of spam - and select the cruise and date you are thinking of. Then, cruisecompete invite tour operators from across the US to put forward their best price.

You get one email from cruisecompete to say your quotes have arrived and you then find the best one for you - many will come back with same cruise price but will offer onboard freebies like credit, robes, chocolates, free speciality dining etc etc.

Nothing to lose trying it out.

One more thing, in the US they are obliged to refund any difference in your cabin price should they reduce the price after you have booked (it cant go up). To get this refund you must use a US cruise agent and you just let them know if you see a reduction and they'll claim it for you.

In 2006, we booked a cabin at $999 and by the times we sailed we had 3 refunds and the price was down to $499.

Have fun !!!

saxonlady

thank you coupleuk.

Yesterday I compared the Royal Carribean Mediterrean 12 night cruise going out 3/10/12 with an USA agent and uk based one.

The US agent quoted me £767 less for the same tour! Mind you the price they quoted for P&O was alsmost double the UK agent price.

Still not sure whether to go for P&O Ventura 14day Western Med from Southampton or Royal Carribean 12 night from Barcelona. Both are similarly priced.

This forum is full of hints & tips. Thanks to all who have posted.

Archergirl

I didn't know we in the UK could book through a USA site, will have to look into it.

coupleuk

We've not used P&O so cant comment - impression is a bit stuffy though so may not be a 1st cruise choice.

Royal Caribbean are our favourite - 8 cruises with them.

Look on the Royal Caribbean USA website (not the .co.uk one) and register for their Passport Deals and Tuesday Specials (not exactly sure of name but thats roughly it).

They have some amazing deals - but remember you still have to add port taxes and airfare etc.