Yes it is for the end of April but if someone can get 9 nights on this grade of ship they are still getting a good deal. Weather that is another matter last year April had the best weather of the whole summer.
The Ports may not be that interesting but if you have never been to Ireland or say Scotland then you can get a little flavour.
Me I have just spent too much money on booking my NZ and OZ cruise right now. Need to get time to gather my wits about me for the what next I will be looking at. I am only coming home on the 11th March from the Caribbean but I will need something around June/July time to tide me over until November.

Sue

This is a good offer from Fred Olsen and Cumbria Cruise
http://www.cumbriacruise.co.uk/cruise-itinerary/?CruiseID=49172&FromSearch=Y
£499 + £50 OBC for a July Fjord cruise I think is good. Most other agents have the same cruise for at least +£200
Maybe its because everyone want end of July for the Eclipse so there might be more good offers on for times not including it

Hi again Sue,

If the dosh will stretch then do what you want, supprised you have written off NCL,they compare very well against RCI,princess and the jewel class ships are a very nice size. Get a suite up and butler, concierge thrown in. The TA on the Gem this year has zero single sup so balcony cabins were £350 for a 9n cruise. get into the courtyard area on these ships and you are in luxury. they do a two bedroom suite AB/A3 which may be suitable for you and your friend, have a look at http://www.nclsuitesandvillas.com/ this would open up options from Southampton and Barcelona and other sin the USA.

eg. dam web site is down cannot price up.

The NZ/Oz trip sounds great we are thinking about something over that way to visit with friends but time is our enemy we still need to work to pay for these things.

Have you looked at driving to get to ports by doing it over two days with a hotel stop it would be almost as convenient as a taxi but much lower cost.

With the restrictions you impose on yourself I think looking at flight options from your local airports is the first thing to do and then look for cruises from the places they go too.

Thanks Windjammer I don't drive and I could go to Manchester Airport by train but it is much easier to do it without any change so it's a taxi. There is also a bus runs from town to Leeds/Bradford airport but I still choose a taxi but I do have some issues with lifting baggage etc. I just make life as easy as possible for myself.
The New Zealand cruise sounds great. I am now toying with the idea that I might just go out a couple of days prior to the cruise so that I can get over the jet lag!!
I have flown to Australia a few times as well as cruised there on Canberra now no longer in use. Great White Whale is what she became after the Falklands.

All that said I try to find a cruise at the best possible price that suits me. As you all now know should the price of my cruise come down then I will get my TA to get this applied to my booking.
My holidays are my luxury and so the cost for me is not the main issue. Not everyone can be in that situation and I realise that for everyone this may be their only holiday this year. They may need to save up for it and I think this site does help people to make informed choice. I think this is important as hopefully the cruise will meet the individual needs.
Like all holidays there will be problems sometimes but my advice is deal with it right then. If they won't or can't resolve the issue then take it up with the company when you get home' I have had this and obtained my objective. What not to do is to allow the problem to ruin the rest of the holiday as no compensation will ever make up for it.

Bother I am way off topic and I do apologise and thank you for putting up with me!!

Sue

Ok here are a couple of deals

First the extended TAs on Ocean Village 1 and 2 they are 23n for under £1k. both seen on txt for early april.

Next is a NCL Dream 14night round South America, leadin $900pp or a suite at $1400 pp only need to find some cheap flights over easter cruise leaves 16march.

Sue,

You might want to check the dates every where says 23rdNov not 27th Nov..

Hamrag

Thanks for the confirmation of dates. Im on a short cruise the weekend before so too soon.

Unfortunately, I can only do ex UK cruises as we have a problem with flying.

Thanks.

Kath x

OOPS Yes Windjammer you are correct my November cruise is for the 23rd November. I am confused as I am leaving on the 27th February for the QM2 NY Caribbean cruise. Too much on my mind I think. Tired yesterday and today and I will get to sleep earlier tonight. This computer is a nuisance when I come to turn it off I look at one thing and before I know where I am it is LATE very late.

Hamrag Not long to go now 13 days I believe you are leaving a day before so 12 days to go. Hope all the plans are going well. Me I am not looking at any more teletext just in case something out there tempts me!

Sue

Can anyone remember how much the NCL cruise from Istanbul-Athens came down to last year for a suite?
At the minute its over $4000 for an AE

If I remember correctly the Istanbul Barcelona came down <£500 can't remember if that was cruise only or a UK price with flights, its in the thread somewhere, not sure of the price of the suites though.

Flights for these open jaw cruises are a bit more expensive for DIY trips when I looked the Istanbul flight was not cheap over £100 compared to the easyjets to Barcelona of under £30.

I would be leaving these cruise hoping for a late booking, most of the US people will be finalising their european cruises over the next few weeks so they can be sure of flights, just watch the cabin availability on NCL if there is a particular cruise you want so you don't miss out.

Thanks WJ....there is a cruise we have our eye on its the 13th October one
Chepeast at the minute BA Flights AE grade is £3238 thats boking with BPC
I am almost tempted to booked the flight at £331 for both return doesnt seem that bad
. But then knowing me I will panic and pay far too muh for the cruise
I will search through thte thread and see if can find it

Hi M.

If you find good prices on the flights would be interested, I am now looking at the Jade April Istanbul Athens cruise,to fill the gap before June 29. I have even looked at the new Easycruise Life for a cheap filler.

I have done a bit of mooching round and the flights from Luton are not too bad with easyjet
is it the 11th April one?
10th into Istanbul - Sabiha Gökçen from LTN with easyjet is £107 for 2 (inc 2 check in bags) 23rd ATH-LTN €169.96
makes it about £230 return for both...not as cheap a Barcelons but not bad if the crusie can be got cheap enough
Not sure if you have seen this site for info on transfers http://www.turkeytravelplanner.com/go/Istanbul/Transport/yolcu_salonu.html but it doesnt look as if its too hard to get to the port
BA flights is £165 each

Thanks, good info, I have a feeling this one could come good on price.

We are a bit annoyed we did not grab the £500 14n med trip for May/June in Oct last last year but thinking about it we had done those port enough times and are prepared to pay a bit more for something new, It is looking like the June trip to the North cape will cost us so we need to save a bit on the other plans so keeping a few on the watch list.

NCL must be getting ready for one of the sales or promtions it seems ages since the las one.
I would be good if you did that cruise in April because its the same one we are looking at for October tehn I could pick your brains when you got back
I will keep an eye on the agents newsletter I get from my friend and post any heads up on future sales/pomos

Just looking at the Celebrity Web Site and see that they are offering cruise Millennium 14 night cruise New Zealand -Austalia for something just over £500 but I could not get on directly as the site is undergoing maintainance.
Vacations to Go have it for $999 for an inside room and the date is mid March. There are some very good flight prices so if anyone has the time and the money then go for it. The price for ocean view and balcony is high so obviously the insides have not sold.
I am booked on the November 23rd cruise and I will be keeping my eye on prices just in case of price drops.

Sue

Hi Everyone

Hamrag will be off tomorrow on his QM2 Caribbean 13 nights cruise. I have just had a letter from my TA enclosing a letter informing me of an upgrade!! Yes an upgrade the very first time! Had a good look at just where it is and it is fine.

Still debating whether to stop over on my way to NZ or whether to stay for a couple of days in Sydney. Life is so hard for we cruisers. Part of the enjoyment of the cruise is these boards and finding useful information. It is great when someone finds something and then passes that info on to others. Hamrag got that early deal on the NCL Jade. Also the early booking for Ventura. I got a £100 for early booking on my Celebrity OZ trip.

Keep that info coming!

Sue

Well done Sue, an upgrade is always good news. For us, no upgrade but looking forward so much to setting off!

Hamrag

One never knows what will happen. I have never had it before so by all means go and have a look and let me know. I think the ship is probably pretty much sold out and they may want to release a lower price room to sell. Either that or they are taking pity on the poor souls who have to pay the single supplement.
In the past I have taken someone with me and paid for both but this way I only have to pay one airfare. I also have the room to myself and from previous experience when you get taken for granted I now would only take my Sister. She isn't up to it at the moment.

Got an email today from Check in Cruise and lots of offers for April/ May for really fantastic prices. £699 11 nights in the Med on Brilliance of the Seas aslo the Canaries and some of the prices are around £400-500 for shorter cruises.
Have a look on their web site.

Sue