1 week cruise in July. Recommendations

[Jack Frost]

Greetins,

I was just enquiring if any of your contributors can ake any recommendations regarding a cruise in July for 2 Adults and 1 child.... For between 7 and 12 nights.....

Never tried the cruise thing yet...Was looking at some of the websites.Thomsons etc.and while they look good....... in the brochure I would appreciate any comments from someone who has been on a cruise..

Regards

Jack

 

[NHG]

We went on Island Escape med cruise 4 years ago and can't wait to go on one again, just waiting for our little lad to be a little older (3 soon). from the minuite you are picked up at the airport til you are dropped back to airport you are treated like royalty! Since we have been, some of our friends have gone on cruises and now won't go anywhere else - its hard to find a holiday to match it!

It was the cheapest holiday that we have ever been on. The food was fab - to die for actually. They don't rip you off for the drink (everything is paid for in sterling on board). Nightly entertainment. Duty free and Casino open once you are 20 mins from a port of call. Hairdressers, beauticians, gym's, kids clubs, some have mini golf others basketball etc Its like being in a small town.

Travel by night and you have breakfast in a different city every day! Loads of organised trips available (extra charge) or you can arrange your own - the minuite the cruise ship docks into port all the taxi's line up to take people to wherever they would like to go (always do the deal before you set off).

We went for 7 days but will go for the 14 the next time (next year hopefully). Some cruise's are casual and some are formal, so make sure you know which one you are booking. Every age group on it (amazing the amount of 14 to 20 year olds).

We booked our last minuite on teletex through falcon travel. There are a few going from Ireland this year.

 

[battyee]

I have been on more cruises than I can remember & even brought our 3 year old on a Med cruise on an old Greek rust bucket/liner long before cruising became popular.Just a few tips-
1. A Med cruise would be ideal for !st. trip. Some of the best are on P&O out & back to Southampton but for this you need more than 7 days.
2. I have used www.thecruiseline.co.uk (no connection) & always found them to be reliable & have always come up with a better price than the already discounted rates quoted if you deal directly with the cruise companies.
3. I would avoid the "cheap & cheerful" package deals on smaller ships that you find in the holiday brochures. That is unless you want "Butlins at sea".
4. If you find the cost of an outside cabin too high (especially with kids) don't go at all. If you haven't cruised before you may find it claustrophobic if you cannot see beyond 4 steel bulkheads. A sea view even thro a small porthole is so important especially the first time.
5. When choosing your accommodation try to get on a higher deck (best views & furthest away from propeller shaft/generators/engine room noise & vibration). Get a cabin midships where there is less movement although the Med. in Summer is pretty calm. Avoid a cabin at the end of a corridor or near the lifts (noise problems). Also watch out for cabins where your sea views are obscured by the position of lifeboats.

 

[Jack Frost]

Listen..Folks

thanks a lot to you al for this very useful information..and comments.....I will check out your recommendations.Thanks again......


Thanks again

Jack

 

[podgerodge]

Alaskan Cruise fantastic - glaciers rainforests and all that - went with carnival cruise lines and booked directly - cheaper than going through the tour operators.