Cruising

Our cruise tickets arrived this morning, so it looks as if we`re really going!

Nonnie, P&O do short mini cruises. Southampton to Guernsey for example. My DH was very anti cruise " What all those people ?" But we took the whole family for our 50th wedding anniversary , 6yrs old-70, and we all loved it.

That's great news number! Be sure to let us know how cruise went.
I'm sure you'll be booking your next one when you get back.

Good news number. Have fun. Be interested to hear your experiences.

We had a bit of good news today, regarding our cruise. We were booked into the very cheapest cabin with no window, we`ve now been upgraded to one with an ocean view. That was one of the things bothering me, that I wouldn`t be able to look outside as soon as I woke up.

Ginny I love it when we arrive at the dock hand over our luggage and car keys and get on the ship. Holiday started! No hassle, instant relaxation.
When we did land based holidays it would take my OH a few days to get into relaxation mode, now soon as we're on ship he's happy. Food and entertainment provided, no cooking washing up or cleaning , bed made cabin cleaned. Perfect!

Kitty's I agree with you. We have never been 'stickered' but of course if most. People are leaving the ship there will be a queuing. Just have to wait for a short while and you are off quickly. As for being processed, all we have ever done is scan our card . There has to be some way to know who gets off the ship so that the right people get back on. The attraction for us is seeing different parts of the world whilst doing most of the travelling when we are asleep or enjoying other things and being look after.

Yes - have a good time. Come back and let us know how it was!

I watched the"cruise" programme on tv. They always show the most "over the top"people on these programmes. I've been on lots of cruises and you do meet the "odd" person now and again. Before my first cruise I worried that everyone would be posh and glamorous as portrayed in the holiday brochures. The people we met were ordinary people like ourselves who'd worked and saved hard for their holiday.
Our first cruise was supposed to be a one off for a special occasion but we were hooked. Your holiday is what you make it. We don't do organised trips anymore, we do what we want when we want and enjoy dressing up for the evening. We find cruising the most relaxing way to holiday.
Numberplease enjoy your cruise, you'll love it [ smile]

We are off on our first ever cruise in just over 2 weeks time. We watched the first of that series on cruising, and my husband said that he truly hopes ours isn`t like that! So do I.

I am guessing that different cruise companies have different styles and regimes on their ships. The one on this film was dire - people really were queuing up (a very long queue) to leave the boat - and badges were being stuck on their chests as they were "processed" and checked off on a list.

I would be interested to hear your comments galen on the programme - I think it is a series and the one I saw was the first.

If you spent all the time on your own struggling to cook for yourself. You would appreciate the company and service on a cruise ship. You do not have to queue up for excursions. You can organise your own. I usually do as I find that there are not many suitable for disabled people.
It may not be your cup of tea, but for others it's a very welcome break.

Luckygirl - I agree with you, I couldn't be doing with all that stuff and I especially object to being told what I must wear to eat my dinner! Incidentally, there has been a thread about cruising which seemed to indicate about half of GNers felt like us but the other half were in love with cruising. So, as you say, each to her own!

I have just watched a TV documentary programme about a cruise ship. I was totally gobsmacked! We both thought that it looked like our idea of ultimate hell! I would have dived over the side rather than stay there.

Queuing up to go on land and having a badge stuck on your chest, like processed chickens on a factory line. Hyperactive staff trying to create false jollity. All that food.....I felt sick just looking at it.

Someone tell me what they see in it! I know there are enthusiasts on this site.

My idea of a wonderful holiday is a quiet and secluded cottage overlooking the sea.

Each to his own I guess.

Haven't been to China for nearly 20 years but friends whose children work in Beijing say the pollution in Beijing is fearful. Face masks like the Japanese? The pollution was bad when we went. If you like reading travel books Isabella Bird on her travels in China is eye opening.

Has anyone done the Viking cruise of CHINA. Shanghai to Beijing via the Three Gorges?? Husband has booked for later this year and I am not feeling so intrepid these days!! Any thoughts or tips anyone?

Igranma SAGA really does always sound so old, and when I foolishly entered a Saga competition I ended up splashed across the local newspaper front page as "Wales most intrepid Granny". At 56 that was a bit of a facer!!

Not been on Arcadia but have cruised with P & O several times. Always thoroughly enjoy ourselves. No complaints. We are trying the Britannia next month.

Has anyone been on the Arcadia, (P&O)? We have not tried P&O before and wondered how it compares with Cunard.

Did you know that ex service men/women cañ get £150 cabin on board credit with P&O, Cunard etc. This includes national service. We got this on our last Cruise with very little effort.

Yes Galen, it looked interesting but unfortunately we got back to the ship too late to have a browse - they were closing up! That is one thing I found - that as we went on the trips at each stop off, there was no spare time for doing anything on our own. But I did like the organised trips, as the guides were so informative and we saw more than we would have by ourselves.

I love Talin. The market outside the terminal was very good

Bluesky1 - did you enjoy your cruise? We did and we especially liked Tallin and had a wonderful talk in the Museum of Occupation about their history in recent years. Of course The Hermitage in St Petersburg was wonderful too.

We are off to North America a round trip 25 days in Sept visiting the east cost NYC Newport Boston and about 5 ports in Canada.
There was a special deal on covering just a few days and the day after I booked the prices went up from £200 pp, was I happy I booked.
This is our third cruise and it's with P & O, our first one was on the Queen Mary 2 and the second Holland and America, these were very different cruises.
I guess the different lines specialise in different cruising.
I never thought we would enjoy cruising but I hate flying and this was a way of reaching the US and Canada without flying.
My husband would never cruise because he is seasick but as a treat to me for my 70th he agreed to cruise and he wasn't sick at all said he couldn't believe we were on a liner the passage for so smooth.

I hope you have a lovely time.

Bluesky1 - which boat are you going on? We are also doing a Baltic cruise in June, on Minerva. We found the people very friendly on our previous cruise with them.