The world of cruise holidays and river cruises ??? do tell.

[Wile E Coyote]

I have no intention of going on a cruise ship, or a river cruise, just curuous though.
There's a daily programme called Holiday and cruise, possibly linked with Vision cruise.Anyway, its an amateurish production but quite amusing.
Inept scouse presenters, flogging all manner of holidays on water.
The main man on here is a baked potato lookalike called John Cooper. Turns out, hes not just the presenter, he owns the company i think.

The prices always show £999 pounds , or £1,499. They look crass doing this, so as to make it appear cheaper.
It says from before the price as well, inferring that there will be huge add ons in my opinion.
All kind of packages, drinks, day trips available.

Whenever they do a film piece onboard, it always has model types sat about drinking cocktails, really cringey.
Greying 50 something couples who are too attractive.
If it was any good, surely they would dare to show fat harry from cleethorpes and his missus with their screeching kids running amok till all hours.

I know clarets travel a lot, am i being too cynical ?
Strikes me a week on board with all the hidden extras would be a kings ransom in reality.

[dsr]

There aren't any hidden extras, and most people are better behaved than your random imaginings. I think you might find there are some land-based holidays that have your "hidden extras" like charging for alcoholic drinks.

It seems a bit odd to start a thread about something so you can say "I know nothing about this subject, but I'm going to whinge about it anyway".

[FactualFrank]

I'd quite fancy a cruise. Going to different destinations as part of the same holiday, sounds wonderful. I guess it's just a case of finding the right destinations and right crowd - I think different cruises are suited for different people. Take my laptop, sail around the med, and instead of taking a break from work by flicking through shitty daytime tv, instead going out on deck for a cold lager in 90c heat. Sounds good to me!

[dsr]

going out on deck for a cold lager in 90c heat. Sounds good to me!

Just a touch warm for me!

[FactualFrank]

Haha, good spot. 90F.

[IndigoLake]

We'd like to go on a cruise one day. It would be great to have a room with a balcony with a view of the sea/ocean. The chance to see so many different places in one trip is quite appealing. However, we like the flexibility offered by the holidays that we usually have (ie not package holidays etc). I imagine we'd grow frustrated only being able to see a place for the one day at a time. We wouldn't have as much freedom perhaps.

[HelloHiGoodbye]

We'd like to go on a cruise one day. It would be great to have a room with a balcony with a view of the sea/ocean. The chance to see so many different places in one trip is quite appealing. However, we like the flexibility offered by the holidays that we usually have (ie not package holidays etc). I imagine we'd grow frustrated only being able to see a place for the one day at a time. We wouldn't have as much freedom perhaps.

This. I can see the appeal but I'd be itching to explore a new country. It always seems like you only have a few hours or a day or two at each location.

[FactualFrank]

It always seems like you only have a few hours or a day or two at each location.

But it could always be a nice thing to do, to enable you to find out which countries you'd like to revisit.

1) Go on a cruise covering several countries
2) Go back to the ones you loved as a non-cruise holiday

[chorleyhere]

Went on a 7 day cruise two years ago for the first time and followed it up with another last autumn. Not exotic ones just round the Mediterranean - a very relaxing holiday with plenty of food choice and entertainment - no pressure to go on excursions. Flew into Corfu from Manchester to pick up the ship and visited several locations. Liked Mykonos and (Turkish port)Ephesus and called in Crete and then the 2nd included Sorrento. Looked out for ones which didn't have many days at sea. Would certainly go again to more locations that give a flavour of the country and possible ideas for return holidays. Might do Baltic or Norwegian cruise next. TIP avoid the school holidays so that you don't have kids charging around all the time.

[FCBurnley]

Cruising is by far my preferred holiday. You have to choose the cruise line that suits your budget and age plus offers the ports you want.Unlimited great food and drinks and no driving sounds pretty good to me.

[USC]

I always thought of cruises as an old person's holiday. Went on my first on aged 30 and loved it; Alaska from Vancouver - very relaxing, great food, good entertainment (some a bit cheesy, but still enjoyable). Not really that expensive when you consider it includes your transport, hotel and food all-in and drinks are not that expensive. Since then, been on two cruises around Hawaii and one around Caribbean/Central America/Panama Canal. If you want to chill out, meet nice people, enjoy food/drink and like visiting different places, it is the way to do it. If you look around you can get some great deals too - just avoid the overpriced land-trips they encourage you to take.

[FactualFrank]

I always thought of cruises as an old person's holiday. Went on my first on aged 30 and loved it; Alaska from Vancouver - very relaxing, great food, good entertainment (some a bit cheesy, but still enjoyable). Not really that expensive when you consider it includes your transport, hotel and food all-in and drinks are not that expensive. Since then, been on two cruises around Hawaii and one around Caribbean/Central America/Panama Canal. If you want to chill out, meet nice people, enjoy food/drink and like visiting different places, it is the way to do it. If you look around you can get some great deals too - just avoid the overpriced land-trips they encourage you to take.

You mentioned hotel - don't you sleep on board?

[USC]

You mentioned hotel - don't you sleep on board?

Most people do!

[dsr]

You mentioned hotel - don't you sleep on board?

The ship is a hotel. As well as restaurants, bars, lounges, pools - it's like a hotel/resort on land, except that it moves.

[HB Claret]

Do about 3 or 4 cruises a year and thoroughly enjoy them. Good food, plenty of choice, lots to either do or not do depending on what you want. Visited some amazing places on cruise ships including Hawaii, Norway, Barbados and Aruba/Curaçao. Not everybody's choice but we have never had a bad cruise. In July we will be celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary with a cruise from New York to Bermuda and then to Canada.

[Wile E Coyote]

presumably then, from the lack of comments on the company i mentioned, it is literally plain sailing, with no cons . i am surprised.

[USC]

presumably then, from the lack of comments on the company i mentioned, it is literally plain sailing, with no cons . i am surprised.

From that point of view, cruises are no different to hotels; there are great ones, good ones and sh!t ones. Stick with a reputable line and you'll be fine.

[dsr]

presumably then, from the lack of comments on the company i mentioned, it is literally plain sailing, with no cons . i am surprised.

That's a false presumption. If no-one's heard of Vision Cruises, it might not be because they're brilliant in every way - it might be because they're very small or very new.

I am interested in your idea about Fat Harry from Cleethorpes being on the brochure, and his absence being a sign of a dodgy company. Can you post links to the holiday companies that do use unattractive people for their adverts?

[Polesworth]

I'm on one right now. Cruising the Yangtze River at the moment from Wuhan to Chongquing. Having a great time, all included on board meals and drink. Does appeal to older folk as it isn't cheap. We're with Viking cruises and this is part of a wider holiday. We're also visiting Shanghai and Beijing . Only downside is I'm missing Everton and Man Ure. Visiting a school later today for poor kids. I've brought over a number of burnley shirts for the kids to spread the word.

[winsomeyen]

We normally do 2/3 cruises a year,living in France we book cruise only and make our own way to the port as the better deals eg packages which include flights are only available from UK airports with the agents we deal with.
We received an email this morning offering a 9 night cruise round the caribbean including flights to and from Miami for £699 from Cruise Nation which is really good value.

[PaintYorkClaretnBlue]

Last December my wife and I did a cruise round seven islands in the Caribbean followed by a week in Barbados, both parts of the holiday were fantastic!

[Blackrod]

Has anyone been on a cruise with their kids ? Is it a bad idea and what facilities are available for them and at what sort of age ? Presumably sea sickness isn't too much of a issue with these large cruise ships now.

[HB Claret]

I cruised with my 4 granddaughters last year on the Carnival Vista - there was plenty for them to do including daily activities, Camp Ocean and on board water park etc with slides.

The ship also had a baby sitting service and we were given a pager for if we were needed !

[CaptJohn]

Cruising has increased in popularity over the years and it's easy to see why. Relaxed way of life, everything is taken care of for you and a different view from your cabin every day. What's not to like? Safety unfortunately. Having worked on cruise liners the concept of disembarking thousands of untrained, terrified passengers from a vessel has focused the minds of naval architects for many years and they still haven't come up with a workable solution IMHO.

All I would say to you is attend the safety drill. Know the route to your disembarkation point and know how to put on a life jacket.

[Ashingtonclaret46]

Cruising has increased in popularity over the years and it's easy to see why. Relaxed way of life, everything is taken care of for you and a different view from your cabin every day. What's not to like? Safety unfortunately. Having worked on cruise liners the concept of disembarking thousands of untrained, terrified passengers from a vessel has focused the minds of naval architects for many years and they still haven't come up with a workable solution IMHO.

All I would say to you is attend the safety drill. Know the route to your disembarkation point and know how to put on a life jacket.

You forgot to add --- and hope that you never have to use it

[Pstotto]

It's interesting to see the BBC4 documentary about the golden age of the cruise liner, to see where it came from and to hear first hand stories about the fantasy island (moving from Southampton to New York.) No doubt the program will be repeated Ad Nauseam for the next few years, so you'll be able to watch it.

Never been on one, myself, but I imagine without a sex partner and drugs to enjoy it, one would go mad and jump ship.

[FactualFrank]

All I would say to you is attend the safety drill. Know the route to your disembarkation point and know how to put on a life jacket.

Yeah there is a downside to me going on a cruise - I'm afraid of the sea! So long as it doesn't sink, I'd be fine.

[Dyched]

I prefer to holiday on my private yacht these days. So much easier.

[Dyched]

I prefer to holiday on my private yacht these days. So much easier.

[ClaretinMyBlood]

Never really looked at cruising, a quick Google search and it sounds quite interesting.

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.p ... id=4915043" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[dsr]

Cruising has increased in popularity over the years and it's easy to see why. Relaxed way of life, everything is taken care of for you and a different view from your cabin every day. What's not to like? Safety unfortunately. Having worked on cruise liners the concept of disembarking thousands of untrained, terrified passengers from a vessel has focused the minds of naval architects for many years and they still haven't come up with a workable solution IMHO.

All I would say to you is attend the safety drill. Know the route to your disembarkation point and know how to put on a life jacket.

Safety? Two o fthe last three cruise ships to be evacuated (one ten years or so in the Antarctic which didn't sink, and one twenty-plus years ago off South Africa which did) did so without loss of life - and the South African one had a crew who panicked and evacuated (probably in more ways than one!) in terror, leaving the passengers in the hands of the entertainments staff who handled it just fine.

If safety in travel worries you, it would make more sense to give up the drive to work than the cruise holiday. Whatever the problems of evacuation, you have a btter chance of evacuating a cruise ship with a hole in it than a plane with a hole in it!

[fatboy47]

I did 10 days or so around the Carribean earlier this year, after hearing several friends and relations raving about cruising. To be honest though it really wasn't my bag...I just don't like being part of a herd and cant get with anything that seems prescriptive.

Fair play to those that enjoy it though, but it's just not for me.

[CaptJohn]

Safety? If safety in travel worries you, it would make more sense to give up the drive to work than the cruise holiday. Whatever the problems of evacuation, you have a btter chance of evacuating a cruise ship with a hole in it than a plane with a hole in it!

Agree entirely. There are lots of planes in the oceans but no ships in the sky to the best of my knowledge. However I do have my opinion about cruise liner safety and it is from a well informed position.

[martintheaker]

Followed the Everton match today from Doha airport awaiting a connection to Abu Dhabi.

From there we are picking up a cruise ship and sailing round the Gulf of Aden (avoiding Somali pirates) then up through the Suez Canal in to The Mediterranean.

Done lots of cruises and seen some places I wouldn't have visited on a 'normal' holiday.

Great way to spend a couple of weeks.