Cruising - Anyone done it ?

Flukester

Flukester

Flukester

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Lo all

Off on first ever cruise on weds, going to canaries on Idependance of the Seas with royal carribean for 10 days. Not the best location in the world but a break still which is main thing.

Just wondering what anyones experience is with this type of holiday.

I know about the formal dress code on some nights... had to buy a dam tuxedo lol

Anyone got any handy tips, or been on this ship or similar ?

Ship is currently largest cruise ship in world at 160,000 tons :eek:

cheers

edit: here is piccy http://www.lifepr.de/attachment/40183/F_Independence_Storebelt+Bridge.jpg
 
it was about £1200 per person all inclusive, thats just a standard cabin with porthole as opposed to balcony...

has crazy amount of stuff to do onboard, like ice skating, theatre, tons of bars / clubs / places to eat, flow rider surfing, rock climbing up funnel, kids water parks, shopping mall, casino, cinema... madness.

my biggest fear is it will feel like a holiday camp... plenty of shore excusions though so wont be onboard all time


best bit though is ship leaves from southampton, which is just up road :)


tour of ship here http://www.royalcaribbean.com/img/fla/VT_Flash_Freedom.swf, just ignore annoying voice over :(
 
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Been a few years, but twice i've been on a singapore - singapore cruise (with stop offs at penang, phuket and langkavi)

Absoultely brilliant. 2 of my favourite holidays. Especially give that it's a large ship. Almost everything you could want to do, will be there.

Not looked up details of the ship you mentioned, but the one I went on at least - had a video game arcade (with video game competitions occasionally), movie theatres, 5 restraunts (where you have to pay mostly) including an all you can eat buffet (which is included in the original price). Also had a casino (which I was too young at the time to go into :p), swimming pools (yes, plural ^_^), saunas etc. even a basketball court, lol. Really, anything you could want to do, you could. Rooms were slightly small, but you really won't be spening much time in them. Even had quiz nights etc (as a kid, they made me quite happy).

Just look up their events list (they usually send you one daily or weekly or something once you're on the ship. maybe its available in advance?) and see what on there intersts you. Most have something or the other going on constantly so absolutely loads to do.
 
Cruises are great. I was a bit wary about them before I went on my first one, but they've moved on from their 80's image. I've been on several round the Med. Relaxing, a new city/country each morning, loads of things to do, people are generally very friendly and the staff are too. The only annoying thing was the parents who decided that once on ship, it wasn't there duty to watch what their kids were up to :( (but I suppose you get that on normal holidays in places like Spain and Portugal as well).

Not been on a Royal Caribbean ship but I would love to. Was that £1200 through a travel agent? Any discounts because that seems quite expensive.
 
molinari said:
Not been on a Royal Caribbean ship but I would love to. Was that £1200 through a travel agent? Any discounts because that seems quite expensive.
Click to expand...

that was direct through royal carib... there is 11 of us going :eek:, think we got one place free, not my place though haha

meant to be a 4 star ship though so I guess thats what you pay for..no doubt some agents could have got better deals
 
yea i've cruised every year for the past 9 now.
Absolutely love it :)

Although we always travel with p&o cruises, not to sure about your chosen company though.
But im sure you'll have a lovely time.

The destinations are always good fun, and there's always lots of onboard activities with shows and things.
Also, its a really good place to meet people, I met my boyfriend (who is NightmareXX on this forum) on a cruise nearly 4 years ago, and still going strong! heh :D

How does the tip system work btw? on p&o you pay whatever you want at the end, but some companies auto-charge you (which i think is a bit rude)
just be aware of that
 
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Its something Ive always fancied doing, especially since watching a programme on TV about making the Queen Mary 2 recently. Cruising really looks a great way to visit other countries at a more leisurely pace. Ive totally gone off the idea of flying since i was stranded in America just after 9/11, although that really shouldn't really stop people traveling.

Hope you have a great time, we need a report and photos when you get home.

C.
 
I did find that the average age on the ship was way older than me and my wife but really enjoyed the experience. I went with Royal Carribean round the Med. The food was just exceptional, all I did was eat.

Excursions can be very expensive and should be booked ahead to aviod dissapointment. However most ports have something different to do.

My best excursion was a helicopter ride up to the top of an Alaskan glacier, obviously on an Alaskan cruise.

Tipping was done via a load of envelopes being pushed under the door on the last night. I think there was a guide somewhere for suggested amounts.
 
Does anyone have any suggestions for a Cruise round the Med in Early Sept? Probably looking to spend about 700 per person for a 10 day'er - is that doable if we book late?
 
they do tend to have some quite good last minute offers, so I would definitely say that it was reasonable..

the only thing going to the Med is that you should be aware that the bay of biscay can be a nightmare, and quite rough depending on the weather, but normally you're not travelling through it for that long a time.
 
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