Has anyone ever done a long distance cruise?

[eagleontheroad]

I am looking at doing one with my partner later this year.

Haven't decided on the exact one yet but there are some great deals with MSC.

eg:-

http://www.msccruises.co.uk/uk_en/Cr...E&ship_code=MU

Has anyone ever done something similar before?

[dowieslovechild]

I did a 15 nights cruise of the Carribean last year, onboard P&O Ventura. It was great fun, a fantastic ship and I would highly recommend doing it. Look out for good cabin cash back deals, where you are given x amount of pounds to spend on drinks and excursions. We got £600 back when we went, but I have not seen that repeated since.

Tip: Try to avoid American cruise ships, they will automatically charge you 15% service on every drink and each drink costs about £7! On P&O you tip at the end of your cruise (and at your discretion in an envelope left in your cabin when you vacate it) and the average cost of a drink is ever so slightly above normal pub prices and no service charges, it really makes a massive difference to your spend over a period of a fortnight.

[TopKnot]

don't know anything about cruises really, sorry - but isn't it kind of weird to be stuck on a ship in the middle of the atlantic for 5 or 6 days? What would you do in that time?

[dowieslovechild]

Originally Posted by TopKnot

don't know anything about cruises really, sorry - but isn't it kind of weird to be stuck on a ship in the middle of the atlantic for 5 or 6 days? What would you do in that time?

Eat, drink, relax and there are plenty of activities for all age groups to keep you occupied. I was really worried about getting bored, but was pleasantly surprised. To give you an idea of how big these things are, to walk a one lap circuit of the entire ship would equate to a mile in distance.

[kellyking]

We have been on the Independance of The Seas, (Royal Caribean) cruising the med, Was awsome and excellent value for money when you take into consideration the excellent food and entertainment. Rooms were spacious and we would definatly go again. Med cruise departs Southmpton so no flying which is a nice start to your holday. If you enjoy asion cooking they do some beautiful authentic curries. All round great choice of food and a couple of restaurants that you can pay a supplement to use. Very much worth paying for a quite night out. Staff are great and you feel really looked after.

[dowieslovechild]

Originally Posted by kellyking

We have been on the Independance of The Seas, (Royal Caribean) cruising the med, Was awsome and excellent value for money when you take into consideration the excellent food and entertainment. Rooms were spacious and we would definatly go again. Med cruise departs Southmpton so no flying which is a nice start to your holday. If you enjoy asion cooking they do some beautiful authentic curries. All round great choice of food and a couple of restaurants that you can pay a supplement to use. Very much worth paying for a quite night out. Staff are great and you feel really looked after.

Apologies for the double post. The supplement on speciality restaurants ranges from £2.50 to £20 per person, so it will hardly make a dent in your spending money for a very enjoyable meal.

[eagleontheroad]

We have just been looking at it as a way to travel far without flying, and it is cheaper than flying including 2 weeks accommodation and all meals included. You also get a few stops on the way in places. We then plan to stay for a couple of months in the end destination in an apartment, maybe Rio, Buenos Aires, Miami etc.


For example this is only £475 per person for 19 nights inc taxes and all food. Only thing that isn't included are drinks.

[Selhurst Celtic]

Originally Posted by TopKnot

don't know anything about cruises really, sorry - but isn't it kind of weird to be stuck on a ship in the middle of the atlantic for 5 or 6 days? What would you do in that time?

Throw your ring up over the side/the shuffleboard deck/old people.


(Awaits a certain someone to correct me)


I have never been on a cruise ship, but I hope you have a jolly nice time.

[eagleontheroad]

Originally Posted by Selhurst Celtic

Throw your ring up over the side/the shuffleboard deck/old people.


(Awaits a certain someone to correct me)


I have never been on a cruise ship, but I hope you have a jolly nice time.

You don't even feel you are on one as they are so big.

[dowieslovechild]

Originally Posted by Selhurst Celtic

Throw your ring up over the side/the shuffleboard deck/old people.


(Awaits a certain someone to correct me)


I have never been on a cruise ship, but I hope you have a jolly nice time.

It takes a day or two to acclimatise to, especially when in bed and you feel like you are swaying from side to side. I put this to the test one evening, by leaving a glass of water on the table outside on the balcony. I was expecting the glass to be overturned, but not a drop had been spilled. I concluded that the feeling of the boat swaying was all in my head and yes you are right, they are huge boats and with massive stabilisers, so hardly any noticeable movement other than what you head wants to tell you.

[Selhurst Celtic]

Originally Posted by dowieslovechild

It takes a day or two to acclimatise to, especially when in bed and you feel like you are swaying from side to side.

Welcome to my world.

[El Aguila]

I've done the Stranraer - Larne cruise. Better to journey in hope, than to arrive, I would say.

[MasterYoda]

I've done 4 cruises now, a week in the caribbean, week in alaska, 2 in the far east and just back from 2 in the med.

3 times with RCI, most recently on Independence OTS, and once with Princess.

I found my sea sickness far worse on the smallest ship (far east) and that was a ship slightly bigger than the one you're looking at. I'm not sure I could cope with that run of 5 days at sea in the mid atlantic

I do love cruising though and I was dead against it when the wife first suggested one.

[eagleontheroad]

Little Al recommended this one to me, i'm not too sure :-(

[Selhurst Celtic]

Originally Posted by El Aguila

I've done the Stranraer - Larne cruise. Better to journey in hope, than to arrive, I would say.

Yuck. If I found myself in the middle of the sea and was given the option of either sailing to Stranraer or to Larne, I'd probably tie my hands to my feet and throw myself overboard.

[eagleontheroad]

Originally Posted by MasterYoda

I've done 4 cruises now, a week in the caribbean, week in alaska, 2 in the far east and just back from 2 in the med.

3 times with RCI, most recently on Independence OTS, and once with Princess.

I found my sea sickness far worse on the smallest ship (far east) and that was a ship slightly bigger than the one you're looking at. I'm not sure I could cope with that run of 5 days at sea in the mid atlantic

I do love cruising though and I was dead against it when the wife first suggested one.

I didn't consider that. MSC seem so much cheaper than any other sites we have looked on. Is there a reason for it?

Also looked at Costa but have never used them either. The other lines such as P & O are about 5 times more expensive.

[Maz]

Originally Posted by eagleontheroad

I didn't consider that. MSC seem so much cheaper than any other sites we have looked on. Is there a reason for it?

Very much so.

If it's transatlantic you are doing (and that's a fascinating life experience) don't do MSC. You get what you pay for.

The other thing I would add is that it generally works out cheaper to book through an agent rather than book direct.

[stevek]

Should BBS posters be required to declare any conflicts of interest when giving advice?

[dowieslovechild]

Originally Posted by Selhurst Celtic

Welcome to my world.

I have already been in it for some time mate

[Maz]

Originally Posted by stevek

Should BBS posters be required to declare any conflicts of interest when giving advice?

I suspect so, if there is a conflict that they hope to gain from.