Forum-Gallery-Shop-Sponsors

« Advertise on Freel2.com

Home > Off Topic > Going to book first Cruise
Post Reply  Down to end
Page 1 of 5 12345>
Print this entire topic · 
iain cooper



Member Since: 27 Aug 2007
Location: north of Glasgow
Posts: 1989

Scotland 2009 Freelander 2 TD4_e HSE Manual Lago Grey
Going to book first Cruise

we've decided to try our first Cruise.

fancy a P&O 7 day Mediterranean cruise on the Oceania.

any tips/comments from any of you guys appreciated.

Iain

Post #306951 17th Sep 2016 8:52 am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Steve D



Member Since: 19 Jan 2013
Location: Essexshire
Posts: 4091

United Kingdom 

A two-week med cruise on the Oceana was our first cruise too. Still our favourite ship. Just the right size too - we don't like those floating cities. Im assuming it's a fly-cruise as it'll take 4 days getting to and from the Med. Where are you sailing from/to and where are you visiting? Past: FL2 TD4 HSE Auto
Evoque SD4 Dynamic Lux Auto
Present: Audi A3 S Line.

Post #306961 17th Sep 2016 11:17 am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
martslander



Member Since: 28 Mar 2016
Location: Leicestershire
Posts: 70

England 2010 Freelander 2 TD4 Sport Auto Santorini Black

I have also been on Oceana, on a four night cruise to the channel islands
My favourite ship is Azura, but for a first cruise, Oceana will be perfect.
She's still quite modern and classed as a 'mid sized' ship

Don't know how much research you have done on cruising but I would expect on a 7 night cruise you would have 2 formal nights so you would need to take appropriate clobber for that ( or just go in the buffet restaurant on those occasions)
No real baggage restrictions on cruising but as it would be a fly/cruise you are obviously limited by the airline.

Also look into drinks packages when you get onboard, can make some good savings there

I'm sure you will love it! Martyn

2010 Sport LE Auto

Post #306978 17th Sep 2016 4:57 pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
iain cooper



Member Since: 27 Aug 2007
Location: north of Glasgow
Posts: 1989

Scotland 2009 Freelander 2 TD4_e HSE Manual Lago Grey

Hi Steve, flies to Malta to pick up ship, then tour of Greek islands and Turkey, then back to Malta to fly home.

we went to Malta about 40 years ago, and would like to see it again.

would like an outside cabin with balcony if possible.

Iain

Post #306979 17th Sep 2016 4:59 pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
iain cooper



Member Since: 27 Aug 2007
Location: north of Glasgow
Posts: 1989

Scotland 2009 Freelander 2 TD4_e HSE Manual Lago Grey

thanks Martyn, will look into the options re drinks packages, etc

need to think about the formal dining scenario, not really my cup of tea, but I suppose it's part of cruising.

Iain

Post #306981 17th Sep 2016 5:08 pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
SakoQuad



Member Since: 15 Jun 2013
Location: Gloucester
Posts: 314

United Kingdom 2010 Freelander 2 TD4 XS Auto Santorini Black

Agree re the formal evenings being a bind but a suit and tie covers it if DJ and bow tie too much hassle and the meals are always a bit special and worth it in my experience.

Drinks package worth it as said. Balcony worth it if you are going at a time of year when you can sit out and use it otherwise save your money and go for an inside, we are only ever in the cabin when unconscious so don't even bother with portholes most of the time.

Never sailed with P&O though have friends who do and love it. We always go with small ships - Swan Hellenic, Voyages of Discovery, Fred Olsen. Can't imagine what it must be like on the large boats but P&O somewhere in between I believe.

Watch out for expensive shore trips especially around the Med. You can explore these places yourself and won't need guides, can be a bit different in Asia and Central America or other destinations that are very different culturally and wealth-wise, have little spoken English and where you might be more tempting as a target for the more unscrupulous!

Enjoy your trip.

Post #307011 17th Sep 2016 9:27 pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
dorsetfreelander



Member Since: 20 Jul 2013
Location: Dorset
Posts: 4336

United Kingdom 2014 Freelander 2 SD4 XS Auto Loire Blue

If you want a more interesting and different cruise on smaller ships try Norway's Hurtigruten Line. There is a fleet of ships travelling up and down the coast dropping in at all of the small ports and Fjords like a bus service. The food and scenery is excellent. They stress that there is NO entertainment of any kind, no dressing up and there is a sign saying that you are not allowed to sit at the captain's table. I know some people who have been 6 times. I will be going again. 3 x FL1 2 manual + 1 auto
5 x FL2 4 manual + 1 auto
Now Discovery Sport P250 MHEV SE

Post #307012 17th Sep 2016 9:56 pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
SakoQuad



Member Since: 15 Jun 2013
Location: Gloucester
Posts: 314

United Kingdom 2010 Freelander 2 TD4 XS Auto Santorini Black

I agree! A brilliant experience. Iglu cruise do some good Hurtigruten prices. Northern Lights stunning if you get lucky during winter months. Not really a cruise though more a fab trip on a working boat. Points to note, buy the packages (coffee, drinks) as Norwegian prices are painful especially alcohol, and make sure you book onto one of the new large boats, the older ones (that I think are still in service) can be a tad lively in rough seas. Phenergan is a handy sea sickness med to take for first 48 hrs if prone to Mal de mer, good enough for astronauts and good enough for me!

Post #307015 17th Sep 2016 10:07 pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
dorsetfreelander



Member Since: 20 Jul 2013
Location: Dorset
Posts: 4336

United Kingdom 2014 Freelander 2 SD4 XS Auto Loire Blue

Yes drinks are a problem in Norway, due to the long dark nights and an obvious national drinking problem all alcohol has to be purchased at crazy prices from government shops. Cheapest bottle of wine on the boat was about £40 and it was about the same on shore. Best smuggle your own booze from UK on board. 3 x FL1 2 manual + 1 auto
5 x FL2 4 manual + 1 auto
Now Discovery Sport P250 MHEV SE

Post #307016 17th Sep 2016 10:12 pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Steve D



Member Since: 19 Jan 2013
Location: Essexshire
Posts: 4091

United Kingdom 

iain cooper wrote:
Hi Steve, flies to Malta to pick up ship, then tour of Greek islands and Turkey, then back to Malta to fly home.

we went to Malta about 40 years ago, and would like to see it again.

would like an outside cabin with balcony if possible.

Iain


Fly cruise is best for a 7 night med cruise. An outside balcony is certainly worth it if the views and weather merit it. We went on Oceana in 2009 and what I like about P&O compared to the other lines is that drinks are reasonably priced, in sterling, and they always provided free shuttle service into the towns when you stopped. They also cater for a mainly British audience with regards to food, drink and entertainment etc.

We celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary during the cruise and there were a few restaurants you could go in for a few extra quid. Well worth it. Unless travelling with friends I don't like dining on large tables with the same people each night so we chose the freedom dining option where you turned up and got a different table each night. There's not many tables for two in freedom dining so on the Oceana, if a table for two is not free when you turn up, they give you a pager so you can go off for a drink in one of the bars and they page you when your table is ready.

On all the cruises we went on, I always found it cheaper to book through a cruise specialist rather than direct with the cruise company as you got a better deal. Have you heard of the ten-week rule? Most final balances are due ten weeks before sailing. That's when people change their mind, drop out and when the best bargains can be had. A few years ago, we booked a Caribbean cruise on the Azura. We had a larger cabin with a balcony and I'm pretty sure we paid £1900 per person inc flights etc booking nearly a year in advance. Two of our friends booked a few months later and got a better price. About two months before departure, another two of our friends decided to join us and when they phoned up, they got an absolutely massive suite complete with a butler and breakfast in a special restaurant for suite occupiers for the same price. If you don't need to book for a specific date, it can pay you well to hold your nerve!

Oh, and until I went on my first cruise I was definitely not into the whole 'formal' night scene but once started, I got to like it and it was nice for me and the wife to dress up. Be warned though, the suit starts to get a bit smaller by the end of the cruise! Past: FL2 TD4 HSE Auto
Evoque SD4 Dynamic Lux Auto
Present: Audi A3 S Line.

Post #307025 18th Sep 2016 6:56 am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
iain cooper



Member Since: 27 Aug 2007
Location: north of Glasgow
Posts: 1989

Scotland 2009 Freelander 2 TD4_e HSE Manual Lago Grey

thanks guys, a lot of good tips.

Iain

Post #307035 18th Sep 2016 8:19 am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Lurcher



Member Since: 08 Feb 2013
Location: Stalybridge
Posts: 398

United Kingdom 2014 Freelander 2 TD4_e GS Manual Orkney Grey

We are looking to book a cruise out of Southhampton next May , Cunard "Queen Elizabeth"/P&O "Britannia"/Royal Caribbean "Independence of The Seas" have sailings with date we have in mind .

Any feedback on these ships ?

Thanks FL2 gone now in 2016 Discovery 4 Loire Blue .

Post #307922 28th Sep 2016 9:44 am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Dartman the one



Member Since: 04 Apr 2013
Location: Seville, Spain
Posts: 1650

England 

Cruise ships technically are not my scene, they are opposite to ice bergs, most of the volume and weight are above water, even in mildish inclement weather the itinerary is likely to be disrupted as it seeks shelter or needs to head in the wrong direction as it can't cope with winds or seas abeam. There may be a broadcast indicating it is for your comfort, yeah right, they don't want it to fall over Laughing my PC is slightly to the right of Genghis
2012 HSE SD4 In Orkney Grey now gone, best car ever.

Post #307926 28th Sep 2016 10:34 am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Steve D



Member Since: 19 Jan 2013
Location: Essexshire
Posts: 4091

United Kingdom 

Lurcher wrote:
We are looking to book a cruise out of Southhampton next May , Cunard "Queen Elizabeth"/P&O "Britannia"/Royal Caribbean "Independence of The Seas" have sailings with date we have in mind .

Any feedback on these ships ?

Thanks


If I had to choose, I'd go for P&O every time for the reasons I posted earlier. Didn't much like Royal Caribbean when we went on it - expensive drinks - 20% tip automatically added on to every drink you bought including water and full of Yanks who's idea of formal night attire was a clean basketball vest and shorts. On P&O they would have been refused entry to the formal evening dining and referred to the self-service buffet. No personal experience of Cunard but I've got a friend who has been on the QE and he said they made you feel like you were beneath them and they were doing you a big favour by taking your money. Only personal opinions, mind - everyone's different. Past: FL2 TD4 HSE Auto
Evoque SD4 Dynamic Lux Auto
Present: Audi A3 S Line.

Post #307933 28th Sep 2016 11:17 am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Lurcher



Member Since: 08 Feb 2013
Location: Stalybridge
Posts: 398

United Kingdom 2014 Freelander 2 TD4_e GS Manual Orkney Grey

Thanks for the feedback Steve , will bear your points in mind , we are going to see some good friends (went on hols with them in August) to discuss the options we have been quoted . FL2 gone now in 2016 Discovery 4 Loire Blue .

Post #307934 28th Sep 2016 11:30 am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Post Reply  Back to top
Page 1 of 5 12345>
All times are GMT

Jump to  
Previous Topic | Next Topic >
Posting Rules
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum



Site Copyright © 2006-2024 Futuranet Ltd & Martin Lewis
Freel2.com RSS Feed - All Forums


Switch to Mobile site