Cruising

We have never fancied an actual cruise, but we have just booked a return journey from New York on the Queen Mary2 in the new year. I love the idea of sailing in or out of New York!

And I did consult Galen on cabins / suites etc!

I am cruising in June to the Baltic capitols, always wanted to see St Petersburg and Talin, don't several others, but not for a few years, having to go on my own, bit nervous. Love to hear from anyone on where they have cruised. I been through the Panama Canal, beautiful, I was very surprised, done couple around the Caribbean, Alaska, Norwegian Fiords, and of course the med. loved them all, but this is first time on my own!! Wish me luck.

An opportune email here.

www.foe.org/cruise-report-card

Bet you never think about this when you go on a cruise.

We are destined never to meet!! as far as I can make out,

30 Aug Leave so'ton
31 - 1 Sep at sea
2 sep - Gibraltar
3 Sep at sea
4 Sep Nice France
5 Sep Rome
6 Sep Florence/Pisa
7th SEP Genoa
8th at sea
9th Malaga
10 Lisbon
11 and 12 at sea
13 disembark

We could go on deck and wave if we are ships that pass in the night!! I will take a bed sheet that should be large enough.

Are you embarking the ship at the end of the cruise Galen?
Look at all those places you will miss!

30 Aug 15 Mon 31 Aug 15 Tue 1 Sep 15 Wed 2 Sep 15 Thu 3 Sep 15 Fri 4 Sep 15 Sat 5 Sep 15 Sun 6 Sep 15 Mon 7 Sep 15 Tue 8 Sep 15 Wed 9 Sep 15 Thu 10 Sep 15 Fri 11 Sep 15 Sat 12 Sep 15 Sun 13 Sep 15 Tue 15 Sep 15
Details
Southampton, England
At Sea For 1 Day
Vigo, Spain
Lisbon, Portugal
Seville (Cadiz), Spain
At Sea For 1 Day
Barcelona, Spain
Monte Carlo, Monaco
Monte Carlo, Monaco Florence/Pisa (Livorno), Italy Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy At Sea For 1 Day
Cartagena, Spain
Gibraltar, Great Britain
At Sea For 2 Days Southampton, England
Embark Ship

Sorry forgot! Must compare itineries. We might meet up?

Eclipse Celebrity out of Southampton - but we have had this conversation!!!!! Sail 30th August back 13 Sep.

Just booked parking for the holiday. They take the car from the dock and bring it back on return.

Can't remember where we are visiting but we do go as far as Italy and back.

Thought we would try the Adriatic next year, although a friend has just come back from the Panama Canal and so enjoyed it - she was on the QE I think. She also plans to cruise to the South Sea Islands some time - now that is something I would love to do. Last year she did from Hong Kong to Southampton on the QV.

We have only ever cruised in the Caribbean so fancy spreading our wings.

That's when mine is as well. Which ship are you on?

Soooo looking forward to our cruise but soooo long to wait until the end of August.

We went on our first cruise last year with Thomson and had a wonderful time, so much so that we've booked another for later this year. We went with Thomson as they fly from our local airport which is a big consideration in cost. Lots of activities/entertainment if you want that, several restaurants, excursions if desired. We just did our own thing, ate casually, didn't bother with any entertainments, took just one (very good) excursion. Booked the all inclusive package which was good value as we only spent £200 in total!! We are now converted!

We are going on the Rhone in a couple of weeks and I can't wait! We have been on a couple of there river cruises and always found we have plenty of time for our own sightseeing and there is no compulsion to go on the tours but they are very good if you do choose to go on them!

A river cruise combines touring with the luxury of a hotel - just what we need at the moment.

Must say, I just do not feel 'ready' for a cruise. I totally get how it must be wonderful for Galen, who would find it difficult to travel otherwise- but I think I'd get soooo frustrated at having to get back on board at a precise time. I would always be feeling rushed and wonder why I didn't have time to go and look behind the scene, climb that hill to see that building, and so on. When on holiday we like to mooch, turn left, turn right, and be totally spontaneous. So I am so glad you all enjoy cruising, that is wonderful- just not for me/us, just now.

I saw a small ship cruise to the Channel Island and the Scillies the other day, and I must say I was sorely tempted- but for the price, I can organise so much more for our money. Hope you don't mind- this is just how I/we feel.

annsixty you mean it's not! . I'd better cancel my trip then

I always thought it was Sex And Games for the Aging.

What do you call small? Personally I love the QV and QE both of which are small compared with a lot of the bigger new ones. I don't like the QM as I find her too large and impersonal.

Perception can be a bit handicapping. I was barely 55 when I went on my first Saga cruise...the age and ability ranges of the other passengers was no different to those encountered on both Fred Olsen and the other smaller P & O cruise ships. To be quite honest the sheer 'get up and go' of many that we met on our Saga cruises was amazing. If you make a judgment about someone because they are over a certain age/use a walking stick/etc. you can miss out on getting to know some incredibly 'young' and vibrant folks.

Because it stands for Send All Grannies Away

Actually I like the sound of some of their holidays<runs and hides>

Why is it Saga always sounds so "OLD ".

P&O cruise last year a couple were left behind in Gibraltar, late getting back.

The idea of cruising doesn't really appeal to me, but this on the other hand, is a different kettle of fish entirely.

Mrsmopp....have been on 3 Saga cruises and enjoyed them all. Small 'country house' style ships and amazing service. The cabins on the Sapphire are a little more generous than usual.
The open dining arrangement works well and made for entertaining dinner conversations....a few old timers still prefer to book a permanent seat but they are very much in the minority.
We soon got to know a good few people who we felt we had something in common with and would arrange to meet up for the meal in the evening.
If you are feeling a bit anti-social some nights you can just ask for a smaller table...even just eat on your own if you prefer.
From what we gleaned from other passengers who had tried other lines the Saga mix is no older/less able than any other adult only cruise and the smaller ships gave you plenty of opportunity to sit quietly and read a book if you wished or join in something a bit more gregarious.

Reviving this thread to ask for comments on Saga cruises please.
I have to admit I don't fancy a huge ship that looks like a block of flats and takes thousands of passengers. You might make friends and never see the person again.

Bothiegran have you cruised with Saga before?

Have only just found this forum, and would like to say that Norway is a beautiful place to cruise too for your first cruise, and it's normally only 7 or 8 days.