Cruising

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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!

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

An opportune email here.

www.foe.org/cruise-report-card

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

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.

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!

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.

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 - 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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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!!