Cruise Ship Advice
Discussion
SWMBO and myself are cruise virgins and quite like the idea of one next summer.
The brochures are baffling and there seems to be lots of extras which are not included in the price, food, drink, excursions, service charges.
You look at the brochure then think 'f
k me! how much extra on top am I going to have to pay to survive on board.
Norwegian Cruise Lines seem to charge for almost everything whilst Thomson had an (almost) all inclusive package that was very reasonable.
What are the PH experiences of going on a cruise of the ship variety and how much extra am I going to have to set aside?
Thanks in advance for the advice.
The brochures are baffling and there seems to be lots of extras which are not included in the price, food, drink, excursions, service charges.
You look at the brochure then think 'f
k me! how much extra on top am I going to have to pay to survive on board.Norwegian Cruise Lines seem to charge for almost everything whilst Thomson had an (almost) all inclusive package that was very reasonable.
What are the PH experiences of going on a cruise of the ship variety and how much extra am I going to have to set aside?
Thanks in advance for the advice.
Are you over 60? 
Seriously, for me, cruises seem to be a way to pay thousands to be locked away in a luxury prison, with only minor short outings allowed for 'good behavoiur'!
I think the main thing for me, and probably most of PH, is having a two week holiday without the ability to drive anywhere....
Up to you though
Seriously, for me, cruises seem to be a way to pay thousands to be locked away in a luxury prison, with only minor short outings allowed for 'good behavoiur'!
I think the main thing for me, and probably most of PH, is having a two week holiday without the ability to drive anywhere....
Up to you though
Been on NCL epic, you only have to pay for alcohol, juice / tea /coffee is all free, you can pay for food if you want but all of the free eating places are more than adequate. We had a couple of nights paid meals in the evening they were very good.
Been on a few Thompson ships, they are poor. Floating motorway service stations full of Sun readers. Avoid.
Do the excursions yourself and not via the operator, the agents will be on the quayside anyway.
Beware of some having daily service charge, it can add up, if you are no embarrassed to kick off about it then you will probably get it removed from your bill.
Been on a few Thompson ships, they are poor. Floating motorway service stations full of Sun readers. Avoid.
Do the excursions yourself and not via the operator, the agents will be on the quayside anyway.
Beware of some having daily service charge, it can add up, if you are no embarrassed to kick off about it then you will probably get it removed from your bill.
GarryA said:
Been on NCL epic, you only have to pay for alcohol, juice / tea /coffee is all free, you can pay for food if you want but all of the free eating places are more than adequate. We had a couple of nights paid meals in the evening they were very good.
Been on a few Thompson ships, they are poor. Floating motorway service stations full of Sun readers. Avoid.
Do the excursions yourself and not via the operator, the agents will be on the quayside anyway.
Beware of some having daily service charge, it can add up, if you are no embarrassed to kick off about it then you will probably get it removed from your bill.
Thanks for that.Been on a few Thompson ships, they are poor. Floating motorway service stations full of Sun readers. Avoid.
Do the excursions yourself and not via the operator, the agents will be on the quayside anyway.
Beware of some having daily service charge, it can add up, if you are no embarrassed to kick off about it then you will probably get it removed from your bill.
Has anyone used any other Cruise lines? What were your experiences on quality and cost?
I'd recommend NCL / Royal Caribbean / Celebrity
Depends on your age, I've done quite a few now and I'm 30yrs old lol.
The boat is more the key to a good cruise, you can have a great company but if the boat is st then there is nothing you can do about it, I was on the Thompson Dream and people who boarded were leaving the ship before it had even left the first port. It was on Watchdog for being so st.
Fred Olson / P&O seem to be old biddie cruises
Cunard / Silver seas are out of my price range and class range :-)
Depends on your age, I've done quite a few now and I'm 30yrs old lol.
The boat is more the key to a good cruise, you can have a great company but if the boat is s
t then there is nothing you can do about it, I was on the Thompson Dream and people who boarded were leaving the ship before it had even left the first port. It was on Watchdog for being so st.Fred Olson / P&O seem to be old biddie cruises
Cunard / Silver seas are out of my price range and class range :-)
Assuming you are 30-50 ish and reasonably active then Princess or Royal Caribbean are the way to go. A good mix of everything cruising has to offer. If you decide you would like to go a little more formal the next time then Holland America or P&O are a good option.
Cruising has an (undeserved) reputation as a newly-wed and nearly-dead vacation - primarily from people who have never cruised.
Avoid small ships unless you are paying for the high end exclusive stuff (Silver Seas or Seabourne) as they are likely to be lacking in facilities and certainly past their best. Ideally look for something flying the red duster if you are concerned about safety, though it means less now than it once did.
The big ships, though carrying thousands of passengers never seem busy. You rarely queue for anything, and will not have time to try everything in one trip. They are great for kids too, but some ships are adult only - check this if it is important to you.
Oh, and with most the major lines, the only stuff you pay for is the gratuities, the booze and the shore excursions - not necessary IMO as unless you are somewhere really exotic, as you can just walk off and do whatever you like.
Anything else PM me. HTH
Cruising has an (undeserved) reputation as a newly-wed and nearly-dead vacation - primarily from people who have never cruised.
Avoid small ships unless you are paying for the high end exclusive stuff (Silver Seas or Seabourne) as they are likely to be lacking in facilities and certainly past their best. Ideally look for something flying the red duster if you are concerned about safety, though it means less now than it once did.
The big ships, though carrying thousands of passengers never seem busy. You rarely queue for anything, and will not have time to try everything in one trip. They are great for kids too, but some ships are adult only - check this if it is important to you.
Oh, and with most the major lines, the only stuff you pay for is the gratuities, the booze and the shore excursions - not necessary IMO as unless you are somewhere really exotic, as you can just walk off and do whatever you like.
Anything else PM me. HTH
Edited by LimaDelta on Wednesday 11th April 21:48
What is included on most ships?
Accommodation.
FOOD! You can eat all day and all night on many.
Entertainment. Shows, lectures, parties etc.
Tea, coffee, juice drinks, tap water.
Facilities. Pools, sunbeds, library etc.
What is not included on most ships?
Booze. This is where they make their money, UKish prices.
Specialist restaurants. Some ships charge a nominal fee for their smaller restaurants. Worth it on a special night.
Excursions. Again a cash cow. Can be expensive. Do your own thing.
Spa. You pay for all treatments.
Internet. Can be expensive, packages are available or go ashore for WiFi.
Room Phone. Expensive to phone ashore!
Mobile Phone. Be careful, most ships have their own cell onboard, it can be expensive!
Doctor. Make sure you have insurance!!
Casino, Bingo.
Room TV Movies. Often pay per view, but there will be free TV as well.
Transfers. Check your package includes the airport transfer to and from the ship.
Gratuities. Most drinks will have an 'auto-gratuity' added, this pays the waiter.
Service charge. Often levied as a per person per room. This pays the room stewards. It is often optional but check.
Can't think of anything else. There are some lines which are all inclusive, Silversea, Seabourn etc, They still charge for lots though.
Accommodation.
FOOD! You can eat all day and all night on many.
Entertainment. Shows, lectures, parties etc.
Tea, coffee, juice drinks, tap water.
Facilities. Pools, sunbeds, library etc.
What is not included on most ships?
Booze. This is where they make their money, UKish prices.
Specialist restaurants. Some ships charge a nominal fee for their smaller restaurants. Worth it on a special night.
Excursions. Again a cash cow. Can be expensive. Do your own thing.
Spa. You pay for all treatments.
Internet. Can be expensive, packages are available or go ashore for WiFi.
Room Phone. Expensive to phone ashore!
Mobile Phone. Be careful, most ships have their own cell onboard, it can be expensive!
Doctor. Make sure you have insurance!!
Casino, Bingo.
Room TV Movies. Often pay per view, but there will be free TV as well.
Transfers. Check your package includes the airport transfer to and from the ship.
Gratuities. Most drinks will have an 'auto-gratuity' added, this pays the waiter.
Service charge. Often levied as a per person per room. This pays the room stewards. It is often optional but check.
Can't think of anything else. There are some lines which are all inclusive, Silversea, Seabourn etc, They still charge for lots though.
Ray Luxury-Yacht said:
Random O/T question...why does Fred Olsen have a fullstop between the names - i.e. Fred.Olsen?
It jars and annoys the crap out of me every time I see it, for some reason!
Because Fred. is an abbreviation of Fredrik and so the correct way of showing that is to put a fullstop after it.It jars and annoys the crap out of me every time I see it, for some reason!
GeraldSmith said:
Ray Luxury-Yacht said:
Random O/T question...why does Fred Olsen have a fullstop between the names - i.e. Fred.Olsen?
It jars and annoys the crap out of me every time I see it, for some reason!
Because Fred. is an abbreviation of Fredrik and so the correct way of showing that is to put a fullstop after it.It jars and annoys the crap out of me every time I see it, for some reason!
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