Cruise Holidays

[monmouth]

A cruise ship in constant rain sounds like a special kind of hell.

It was worse than that, it was also full of Germans.

 

[exiledclaseboy]

It was worse than that, it was also full of Germans.

Ours was mostly populated by Canadians. Who were amusingly vocal in their disdain for Americans.

 

[Cooperman]

Hated it, youngest couple by at least 20 years and we were close to 50. No days at sea (Mediterranean) but not nice, grannies and grandpas going to the bar in their swimming stuff. Went to the restaurants each night rather than the buffet, to avoid the clamour, the food and drinks were excellent.

Only positive to come out of it was to see so many countries in two weeks and gave us tasters for places we'll aim to go back to for a longer time. Dubrovnik being one.

Seriously unlikely I'll go on another until my 70's at least.

Re Dubrovnik, we stayed in Cavtat for a week and caught the bus/boat to and from Dubrovnik when the urge took us. Whilst I like Dubrovnik, it’s always mental busy and I prefer somewhere a little more tranquil. Cavtat ticked that box. Ten mins from airport, small and quaint, stunningly beautiful, easy to reach Dubrovnik. Highly recommended.

 

[Cooperman]

I’ve never been on one with no sea days. That’s when I tend to relax. Couldn’t do a trip every day. We did the Greek islands a couple of years ago. Be prepared for some crowds on Santorini. I’d been there in the eighties when it was quiet and I had a hell of a shock.

We went to Santorini a few years back. Wasn’t keen on Fira and thankfully we stayed in Imerovigli which was much more low key.

Quite a good itinerary here as it’s 7am landing and 10pm departure, so the plan will be leisurely brekky, get ashore and then take a local bus to Oia for the day.

 

[monmouth]

We went to Santorini a few years back. Wasn’t keen on Fira and thankfully we stayed in Imerovigli which was much more low key.

Quite a good itinerary here as it’s 7am landing and 10pm departure, so the plan will be leisurely brekky, get ashore and then take a local bus to Oia for the day.

Diving off the rocks at Ia, then watching the sunset . Was single then too and a topless girl with superb assets came out of the water to sit next to me on the rocks and chat me up. It was like Dr No, but better.

 

[Niigata Jack]

Whilst I failed in my attempt to snag Oasis tickets, I have taken the plunge and booked a cruise. My old man (and my mrs to an extent) have been banging on about it for years, but it’s never quite tickled my fancy. I’m not sure I’ve got the hwyl to be up and about each morning trekking off to some town, even more so if there’s evening entertainment which will keep me up into the small hours.

Anyway I’ve pulled the trigger so no going back now. Anyone got a view on cruising?

Not for me. my Mrs talks about it though and our friends have been on more than a few, but it doesn't appeal to me being stuck on a Ship for a week or more.

 

[MajorR]

I’d always been hostile to the idea of cruising but relented albeit under pressure from er indoors & the family and about 10 years ago we ended up going on one of the big P&0 ships down to Spain and Portugal. The first 24 hours were horrendous, sailing through the Bay of Biscay at 20 to 30 knots in a violent Wind Force 10/11 storm wasn’t a great introduction to life at sea, the ship’s bow was being lifted out of the water and was crashing back in to the sea making a huge noise and it shook the ship. The place was almost deserted, anyone who was out and about was zig zagging across the rooms and decks and lots of the passengers and a fair number of the crew were ill. Not the best start to the holiday, but things picked up when the storm passed.

We’ve since done another couple of cruises - a Norwegian Fjords trip from Southampton and a Med cruise to the south of France and Italy which sailed from Malta, but the flights were from Bristol and once we’d dropped our cases off at check in we didn’t see them until we were in our cabin. Both were with P&O and I enjoyed.

Travelling on P&O means the passengers are likely to all be British, there should be no language issues, the food and beer will be familiar, the entertainment will be English and the kind of things most Brits will be used to. It’s identical to going on a British package to a nice hotel on the Costas.

There is 24/7 all inclusive food so you can come and go as you please. The pools can get busy, but there is an adult only area which is quieter.

Waking up somewhere new every few days is good and gives you a taste of somewhere, but you aren’t there long enough to really explore. Cruising on the big ships isn’t the preserve of the rich and famous like it once was, the ships can be huge and some have ice rinks, bumper cars etc.

These days there’s plenty of choice when it comes to cruising, there’s the cheap and cheerful at one end of the market and then there’s the smaller more exclusive ships at the other end. I’m doing another 1 later this year, but if truth be to,d I’d rather a decent road trip.

 

[Niigata Jack]

Spent 9 years working for "Grey Funnel lines" (Royal Navy to you and me) so did a lot of sea time, so was a bit like a busman's holiday, would love to do a cruise without having to work, probably will one day, I've got good sea legs

No you haven't you got skinny wobbly ones

 

[Pegojack]

Never been on a proper cruise, I'm not the greatest sailor (nearly died of sea sickness in a rough Bay of Biscay coming back on the Pompey to Santander overnighter) so a cruise wouldn't be for me.
I did have a mini cruise experience twenty years ago on a long holiday in Oz, cruised the Barrier Reef out of Cairns for three days on a smallish ship, only 300 passengers. The crew were all Aussies, the catering and entertainment was fantastic, but snorkelling on the reef every day from the ship's tenders was an unforgettable experience I will remember until I peg it.

 

[Muteswan]

Not done a cruise, just a day on the Red Sea. Wonderful time and the snorkelling was outstanding.

 

[Darran]

Never been on a proper cruise, I'm not the greatest sailor (nearly died of sea sickness in a rough Bay of Biscay coming back on the Pompey to Santander overnighter) so a cruise wouldn't be for me.

Your mate had an horrific crossing a couple of years ago.

He’s 70 on Tuesday too.

 

[Niigata Jack]

Just watched Rich Holiday Poor Holiday, couple of rich lads spent a week in Skegness whilst the Poor Husband and Wife went to the Maldives which looks fanfuckingtastic to bastard hot though I bet.
Maldives holiday came to a total spend of 11,1/2 grand whilst the Skegers Holiday cost £417

 

[MajorR]

Re Dubrovnik, we stayed in Cavtat for a week and caught the bus/boat to and from Dubrovnik when the urge took us. Whilst I like Dubrovnik, it’s always mental busy and I prefer somewhere a little more tranquil. Cavtat ticked that box. Ten mins from airport, small and quaint, stunningly beautiful, easy to reach Dubrovnik. Highly recommended.

Croatia has been on my list for a while, but I’ve not got round to going there. Do you have any other tips for visiting, I’m looking to get there next year. Thanks

 

[Squarebear]

I’d love to do the Atlantic crossing.

I think that's the only one I'd seriously consider, as it's the most civilised way of getting the dog to the US if we decide to go for a proper stretch.

I did a bike and barge holiday once. We cycled from Amsterdam to Bruges, leaving the barge each morning after breakfast, meeting up with it late afternoon. Thirty-odd people, all ages, from all over the world, cycling at their own speed. That was the best holiday of my life. Though not really a cruise.

There's only one way to find out for certain but I think I'd probably loathe a cruise. What's odd is that - even though folks on here are describing their experiences - I still feel "Nah, there's got to be more to it than that".

 

[Cooperman]

Croatia has been on my list for a while, but I’ve not got round to going there. Do you have any other tips for visiting, I’m looking to get there next year. Thanks

Not really. Do your own research on where to go as there are obviously other nice spots (eg Hvar) and then make your choice. I cannot comment about Hvar, but Cavtat was ideal for day trips to Dubrovnik, Kotor in Montenegro and some local islands of interest.