Haven't mentioned the Barcelona thing, will simply sort that out while on board. They cannot stop us, Barcelona is the final port visit before sailing to Savona. Just been pointed out by TBH that customs would need to be cleared. Will need to e-mail Costa Cruises.

Traveller1 wrote:

Thanks once more for sharing your research Hamrag. Sensational value. I will be v. v. interested on your views on this line. Not long to go - Bon Voyage and have a great trip. Interesting variation on disembarking at BCN. Did you have to make any special arrangements for this regarding any customs implications etc final credit card payments etc. I looking at a TA in April and it would suit me to do something similar if I go ahead with it.

Have you seen a post I made on Monday 9th February, on the previous page here. The Vision of Seas one is what I really would have chosen, but April was not suiting my wife!

great price for 17nights,

I remember when we got the gem 9n TA in a mini suite for £250($500) almost cheaper than staying at home.

Hamrag wrote
Have you seen a post I made on Monday 9th February, on the previous page here. The Vision of Seas one is what I really would have chosen, but April was not suiting my wife!

Yes I have Hamrag, I follow the deals news and the one you mentioned is in my sights. But there are as ever the usual complications, not least the wife's hols to sort out. But for these I would be on it like a shot. I have only sailed with RCI once on the Brilliance. This was a deal I booked from this thread. I loved it. There is so much good stuff on the deals thread I always look here as part of my booking ritual.

Traveller1 wrote:

Hamrag wrote
Have you seen a post I made on Monday 9th February, on the previous page here. The Vision of Seas one is what I really would have chosen, but April was not suiting my wife!

Yes I have Hamrag, I follow the deals news and the one you mentioned is in my sights. But there are as ever the usual complications, not least the wife's hols to sort out. But for these I would be on it like a shot. I have only sailed with RCI once on the Brilliance. This was a deal I booked from this thread. I loved it. There is so much good stuff on the deals thread I always look here as part of my booking ritual.

There are a few transatlantics being promoted on RCI ships. Teletext Page 228, dedicated to worldwide cruises, has over 30 screens of offers. Also try Page 246 and 298, although some will be repeated at 228. One thing I have noticed is that if you access teletext on digital TV there are less offers than doing the same thing on the analogue ITV channel....not sure why, anyway I always check analogue as well.

Hope you get something suitable, and do keep us posted!

Traveller1 wrote:

Thanks once more for sharing your research Hamrag. Sensational value. I will be v. v. interested on your views on this line. Not long to go - Bon Voyage and have a great trip. Interesting variation on disembarking at BCN. Did you have to make any special arrangements for this regarding any customs implications etc final credit card payments etc. I looking at a TA in April and it would suit me to do something similar if I go ahead with it.

I called Costa Cruises today and asked about disembarking at Barcelona, and they are absolutely fine with that. TBH, we think there will be a good number doing this as Barcelona is more accessible than Savona. I managed to establish that the closest airport servicing Savona is Genoa (1 hour coach), Nice (3 hour coach) or Milan (3 hour coach).

Bolsover cruise club offering P&O Oceana 12 april £799 13 nights, just emailed to me.

hamrag wrote:

Traveller1 wrote:

Hamrag wrote
Have you seen a post I made on Monday 9th February, on the previous page here. The Vision of Seas one is what I really would have chosen, but April was not suiting my wife!

Yes I have Hamrag, I follow the deals news and the one you mentioned is in my sights. But there are as ever the usual complications, not least the wife's hols to sort out. But for these I would be on it like a shot. I have only sailed with RCI once on the Brilliance. This was a deal I booked from this thread. I loved it. There is so much good stuff on the deals thread I always look here as part of my booking ritual.

There are a few transatlantics being promoted on RCI ships. Teletext Page 228, dedicated to worldwide cruises, has over 30 screens of offers. Also try Page 246 and 298, although some will be repeated at 228. One thing I have noticed is that if you access teletext on digital TV there are less offers than doing the same thing on the analogue ITV channel....not sure why, anyway I always check analogue as well.

Hope you get something suitable, and do keep us posted!

Best way to access TXT is on-line not via the TV.
get 10 sub pages at a time, all the sub pages up at once with some simple html

last update is here
http://www.holidaytruths.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=93370&p=1301043#p1301043

Cruise Club UK email today RCI Brilliance of the Seas Canaries 10 night Balcony room for £699
Cancellation 1 room only.

Sue

oops Sorry 27th February.

Sue

Traveller1 wrote:

Hamrag wrote
Have you seen a post I made on Monday 9th February, on the previous page here. The Vision of Seas one is what I really would have chosen, but April was not suiting my wife!

Yes I have Hamrag, I follow the deals news and the one you mentioned is in my sights. But there are as ever the usual complications, not least the wife's hols to sort out. But for these I would be on it like a shot. I have only sailed with RCI once on the Brilliance. This was a deal I booked from this thread. I loved it. There is so much good stuff on the deals thread I always look here as part of my booking ritual.

With the help of a friend at home, have discovered an incredibly straightforward way to get from Glasgow to Santo Domingo for the Vision of Seas T/A sailing 19th April. Globespan direct to Sanford Orlando on Tuesday 14th April. Flights daily from Orlando International (25ish miles from Sanford) to Santo Domingo, via Fort Lauderdale or Miami, for $150ish. You can even have up to a few days in Florida, and drive to Fort Lauderdale and go from there. Total cost of flights would be around £300-£350 without any real hassle changing flights etc. Cruise cost itself is still from around £260.

Thanks Hamrag. Sadly, I may be stymied, a combination my wife's inflexible holidays (she works at a Uni) and a fairly recent medical event has resulted in a surge in my insurance costs quotes for US and Carib. When I checked for the trip we discussed the INS was more than the trip. I am hoping that when there is sufficient time elapsed that my insurance quote will come in as being a reasonable quote and I can enjoy one of these mega deals. I am told that after a year has elapsed following a 'major' event that the price comes down considerably , all things being considered.
Despite this I am still tempted as the deals are so good but will have to defer to common sense on this occassion at least.
Fortunately, there is no similar INS loading for Europe, and I think the rest of the World, just US/Carib attracts the huge premium. So I will be looking to find a deal when the weather warms up.
Thanks for sharing your inventiveness once more. Its smashing to get great value on some wonderful ships and the feeling that you are 'beating' the system.
Best Regards

Fantastic deal from Check-In Cruise Club

14 Nights Transatlantic Fly-Cruise from only £579* per person
Departure Date: 11 April 2009

This is a rare opportunity of an absolute bargain on the world's largest cruise ship - Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Seas.

Independence of the Seas is the third in the spectacular Freedom Class of ships and is the largest ship ever to be home-ported in Europe. Weighing in at 160,000 tons, the Freedom Class ships have the most spectacular, and innovative on board features in the cruise industry today.

Fly to Miami & stay 1 night in a 4 Star Hotel. Following day join Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Seas in Fort Lauderdale.
Cruise visits: Fort Lauderdale - Ponta Delgada, Azores - Funchal, Madeira - Vigo, Spain - Southampton.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Flight Options:

Flights from Bristol or Birmingham
Prices include flight to Miami, 1 night stay in a 4 Star Miami Hotel, cruise to Southampton & Port Taxes.

Inside Stateroom
Over 55 Offer* only £579pp
Non-Senior Offer only £609pp

Ocean View Stateroom
Over 55 Offer* only £729pp
Non-Senior Offer only £759pp

Balcony Stateroom
Over 55 Offer* only £749pp
Non-Senior Offer only £779pp

Call 0845 345 7447 for more information



Flights from from Manchester including flight (Southampton to Manchester)
Prices include flight to Miami, 1 nights stay in a 4 Star Miami Hotel, cruise to Southampton & Port Taxes, flight from Southampton to Manchester.

Inside Stateroom
Over 55 Offer* only £639pp
Non-Senior Offer only £669pp

Ocean View Stateroom
Over 55 Offer* only £789pp
Non-Senior Offer only £809pp

Balcony Stateroom
Over 55 Offer* only £799pp
Non-Senior Offer only £829pp

Call 0845 345 7447 for more information



Flights from Edinburgh including flight (Southampton to Edinburgh)
prices include flight to Miami, 1 nights stay in a 4 Star Miami Hotel, cruise to Southampton & Port Taxes, flight from Southampton to Edinburgh.

Inside Stateroom
Over 55 Offer* only £669pp
Non-Senior Offer only £699pp

Ocean View Stateroom
Over 55 Offer* only £809pp
Non-Senior Offer only £839pp

Balcony Stateroom
Over 55 Offer* only £829pp
Non-Senior Offer only £859pp

Call 0845 345 7447 for more information

*Please note that on all over 55 Offers, at least one paying passenger per stateroom must be aged 55 years or older on the date of departure.

And another, this one from Gill's cruises!

Transatlantic Balcony Voyage
15 April 2009 - 14nts
Navigator of the Seas

We are very excited here at Gill's Cruise Centre because we have managed to secure a limited number of cabins at extremely ridiculous prices on board Navigator of the Seas. With world class facilities including an ice skating rink, a five-storey theatre, miniature golf course, spectacular three-storey dining room and of course the Royal Promenade spanning four decks of the ship.

Over 55 Offer

Inside from only £599pp

Balcony from only £799pp

A Truly Unique Opportunity!

Fly UK / Fort Lauderdale (overnight in hotel) - Tenerife - Lisbon - Cadiz
Malaga - Barcelona / Fly UK

Gill's Tip
As you're reading this cabins are disappearing!

Book today to avoid disappointment!

Book your dream cruise today by calling 0845 460 6076

This e-mail is sent from an unattended e-mail address.
Please use enquiries@gillscruise.com to enquire about any of the offers listed here

Don't forget to check if there are any solo rates on the late deal TAs.

That way you have the option of trying to get ajacent cabins. or can book a better cabin for one and the cheapest for the other to get them on the ship.

NCL Jade 8 night Rotterdam-Southampton 21st may. 8n. B2B

Some good pricing at all levels cruise only

Courtyard villa(A3) at £650pp on a 4 share.

Insides start at £400, 3-4pax £200.

Not a deal but an interesting email from Cruise.co.uk stating that if you book with them with RCI and the price comes down they will honour it. This is the first time I have ever seen this in writing so good news as other TA's will I suspect have to follow the lead. It will take all the hassle out of trying to get these price drops.
I see also offers for Cunard and P&O where 12 bottles of wine packages are being offered for bookings.

Hopefully more of the same to come.

Sue

As a cruising newbie - what are my chances of finding a good deal for this October half term (24th- 31st October), going with husband and 2 kids (obviously !) of 12 & 8 ?

Was thinking of the Med. but would consider the Caribbean if the price was right - I don't even know where to begin to look ...or have I left it too late for this year ?

Any advice appreciated.

Cruise1st.co.uk do a great Orlando cruise and stay on the Emerald Princess for £699 in October, although it is for 14 nights. Great price ( booked it myself !! ) .