Hi Prestos..... Fancy meeting you in this forum!!
We did our first cruise with P&O in June 2005 and loved it. We are just about to embark on our 2nd cruise in 4 days time and again with P&O. We do the week cruise and we have 2 formal, 2 informal and 3 casual nights. We loved the whole dressing up whilst on there, but again like yourselves are very laid back. The nice thing was that even on formal nights if you did not want to participate you did not have to because some people went and ate in one of the more informal restaurants where you can wear 'normal evening' clothes.
I know you don't have children, but for our 2, they had the best holiday (well probably 2nd best because Yllas is now at the top), and we go out of season so the ship was not overrun with kids, so I think it worked for everybody. We are off on the Oceana's iberian interlude this Sunday and doing Spain, Portugal and France in 7 days.
I would recommend that everyone has a cruise in their life and then let it make your decision. Happy cruise hunting, all the different cruise companies and ships however can be pretty daunting.
To Prestos
Received some cruise details this week for 2008 and noticed one you may consider, based on your stated preferences being culture and Greece etc.
It is a 12 night cruise on a new ship, Emerald Princess sailing from Rome on 4th august 2008. It goes to Monte Carlo, Livorno (Florence/Pisa), Naples, Santorini, Kusadasi (Ephesus), Mykonos, Athens, Katakolon (Olympia), Corfu, then Venice (overnight onboard).
You have mentioned "crashing out" for a week but on a cruise there are always 2 or 3 days at sea when you do just that, with all the on-board facilities. There is also the option of staying on board at any port of call, with full on-board facilities available, or going to a beach at say any or all of the Greek Islands of Santorini, Mykonos or Corfu. Also at Kusadasi if you want to do Ephesus, do so in morning and there is a beautiful beach a couple of miles away from port for afternoon. You do as much or as little as you want, that is the beauty of cruising. We discovered cruising in our late 40's and had always enjoyed the resort/crashing out thing. If I say to you that in June we will be doing our 7th cruise in 3 years you may begin to understand the beauty of cruising, although until you experience it you cannot fully understand!!
The cost of this cruise for an inside cabin is approximately £1500 each, including flights, which is fairly costly given this peak holiday time. All you will need is money for drinks, and any excursions etc. although many can be done DIY at low cost. If you were wanting to make it a full fortnight you can get to Rome a couple of days pre-cruise and see Rome if that suits. You would not have an opportunity to see Rome if you flew out on the day the cruise leaves.
My advice would be forgot the balcony...the cruise ship, and all its amazing facilities, is your balcony and all you need is a room which will be very very comfortable on a brand new ship. Any further detail needed please ask. Much better to spend the money on a premium ship and go inside rather than have a balcony on an older, poorer quality ship.
Received some cruise details this week for 2008 and noticed one you may consider, based on your stated preferences being culture and Greece etc.
It is a 12 night cruise on a new ship, Emerald Princess sailing from Rome on 4th august 2008. It goes to Monte Carlo, Livorno (Florence/Pisa), Naples, Santorini, Kusadasi (Ephesus), Mykonos, Athens, Katakolon (Olympia), Corfu, then Venice (overnight onboard).
You have mentioned "crashing out" for a week but on a cruise there are always 2 or 3 days at sea when you do just that, with all the on-board facilities. There is also the option of staying on board at any port of call, with full on-board facilities available, or going to a beach at say any or all of the Greek Islands of Santorini, Mykonos or Corfu. Also at Kusadasi if you want to do Ephesus, do so in morning and there is a beautiful beach a couple of miles away from port for afternoon. You do as much or as little as you want, that is the beauty of cruising. We discovered cruising in our late 40's and had always enjoyed the resort/crashing out thing. If I say to you that in June we will be doing our 7th cruise in 3 years you may begin to understand the beauty of cruising, although until you experience it you cannot fully understand!!
The cost of this cruise for an inside cabin is approximately £1500 each, including flights, which is fairly costly given this peak holiday time. All you will need is money for drinks, and any excursions etc. although many can be done DIY at low cost. If you were wanting to make it a full fortnight you can get to Rome a couple of days pre-cruise and see Rome if that suits. You would not have an opportunity to see Rome if you flew out on the day the cruise leaves.
My advice would be forgot the balcony...the cruise ship, and all its amazing facilities, is your balcony and all you need is a room which will be very very comfortable on a brand new ship. Any further detail needed please ask. Much better to spend the money on a premium ship and go inside rather than have a balcony on an older, poorer quality ship.
Many thanks for that!
Must admit it sounds just us. Having read everyone's views I think we're settling on a more up marlket cruise line, and may consider a 14 day cruise rather than a cruise and stay. Still want that balcony though - I know it sounds daft to some but I am 'sea mad' and just to sit by the sea is my idea of heaven! When we holiday I love my balcony, sea view , feet up, glass in hand , good book ---------- this would be multiplied by 100 on a ship --------------- I think I was born to be a sailor!!!!!
Will have a look in the various brochures / web sites re the cruise above ----
Thank you again to everyone who has posted - all of the ideas have / are helping us to come to some sort of conclusions re what we do!
Must admit it sounds just us. Having read everyone's views I think we're settling on a more up marlket cruise line, and may consider a 14 day cruise rather than a cruise and stay. Still want that balcony though - I know it sounds daft to some but I am 'sea mad' and just to sit by the sea is my idea of heaven! When we holiday I love my balcony, sea view , feet up, glass in hand , good book ---------- this would be multiplied by 100 on a ship --------------- I think I was born to be a sailor!!!!!
Will have a look in the various brochures / web sites re the cruise above ----
Thank you again to everyone who has posted - all of the ideas have / are helping us to come to some sort of conclusions re what we do!
Still want that balcony though
I love my balcony, sea view , feet up, glass in hand , good book
I feel the same. When we cruised the caribbean we just couldn't get a sunbed! Mind you that was because some people were reserving more than they required, and leaving them unoccupied most of the day.
It was very disappointing, walking round and round trying to find somewhere to settle. So much so, that the next cruise we take we will have a balcony.
Kath x
Have just picked up a brochure for the new P&O ship - Venturer - wow! Must admit, seeing what it offers re a 16 day cruise with my cherished balcony --- others will take some beating.
Saying that - savung up for the cruise is one thing - saving up for the posh clothes is another!
Saying that - savung up for the cruise is one thing - saving up for the posh clothes is another!
Presto - ever heard of TK Max ??
The best time to buy any as you say 'posh' clothes is immediately after Christmas in the January sales!
Ventura is the ship I am sailing on.
Kath x
The best time to buy any as you say 'posh' clothes is immediately after Christmas in the January sales!
Ventura is the ship I am sailing on.
Kath x
Yes I do agree January sales are fantastic for evening clothes.
Monsoon Phase 8 Laura Ashley and the designers at Debenhams. When I started cruising seriously about 9 years ago I had 1 long evening gown and 2 cocktail dresses. Now I could start a shop I have so many. Can't pass that 70% off rails.
Don't worry too much as it is OK for men to wear a dark suit and women can wear trousers with dressy top and short dresses are also acceptable. You will build a cruise wardrobe in time as you become addicted to cruising as I did.
Just about to book either Millennium or Century for October. Will have to make a decision by Tuesday.
Good luck and you have been given very good advice.
Sue
Monsoon Phase 8 Laura Ashley and the designers at Debenhams. When I started cruising seriously about 9 years ago I had 1 long evening gown and 2 cocktail dresses. Now I could start a shop I have so many. Can't pass that 70% off rails.
Don't worry too much as it is OK for men to wear a dark suit and women can wear trousers with dressy top and short dresses are also acceptable. You will build a cruise wardrobe in time as you become addicted to cruising as I did.
Just about to book either Millennium or Century for October. Will have to make a decision by Tuesday.
Good luck and you have been given very good advice.
Sue
Presto2- if you think a sea view is wonderful,wait till you're cruising, far out on the ocean,late at night, go up on deck (or on your balcony if you get one) and just sit in silence and look at the stars above.... it's absolutely magical.
Or, in the Caribbean just look at the colour of the waters,it is the deepest clearest turquoise.
Or, in the Caribbean just look at the colour of the waters,it is the deepest clearest turquoise.
Just to let everyone know what we've decided to do! Have spent what seems an age weighing up all of your ideas, checking up and doing our sums!
As we have already booked a winter stay in Yllas, Lapland Feb 2008(magic - you should all try it!) , we can't go 'all out' for our cruise! We've had a good look and decided that we are going to wait a year and go for a P&O cruise for the year after, 2009, when we can spend that bit extra - get the location we want and with that balcony cabin! Am already looking at the 2008 offers and would love to hear from anyone who does a P&O this year that touches places like Rhodes, Ephesus, Athens etc.
Though we are not booking this year, thanks to everyone who has given their ideas / opinions etc ----- like we've said P&O seems like us and the Venturer, the new ship looks ace!
Happy holidays to all HT reviewers -
At the minute we are now rethinking 2008! (I think I'm in Maderia now --- have NO idea why but its fun just researching and dreaming!!!!!!)
PS Re all the comments about the January sales and cruise wear --------- its ok if you aren't 5 ft tall and a size 8 --------------------------- then you are stuck with the expensive stuff ---------
Then again, I wait until the end of the end of the end of their sales and it's usually ok! ORRRRR, even better, I wait until I go to Cyprus where every female is small anyway so all the clothes fit and I buy the shops out ------------------------------------ off in August so I may persuade hubby I can go cruise shopping! Woolworths, Paphos here we come!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
As we have already booked a winter stay in Yllas, Lapland Feb 2008(magic - you should all try it!) , we can't go 'all out' for our cruise! We've had a good look and decided that we are going to wait a year and go for a P&O cruise for the year after, 2009, when we can spend that bit extra - get the location we want and with that balcony cabin! Am already looking at the 2008 offers and would love to hear from anyone who does a P&O this year that touches places like Rhodes, Ephesus, Athens etc.
Though we are not booking this year, thanks to everyone who has given their ideas / opinions etc ----- like we've said P&O seems like us and the Venturer, the new ship looks ace!
Happy holidays to all HT reviewers -
At the minute we are now rethinking 2008! (I think I'm in Maderia now --- have NO idea why but its fun just researching and dreaming!!!!!!)
PS Re all the comments about the January sales and cruise wear --------- its ok if you aren't 5 ft tall and a size 8 --------------------------- then you are stuck with the expensive stuff ---------
Then again, I wait until the end of the end of the end of their sales and it's usually ok! ORRRRR, even better, I wait until I go to Cyprus where every female is small anyway so all the clothes fit and I buy the shops out ------------------------------------ off in August so I may persuade hubby I can go cruise shopping! Woolworths, Paphos here we come!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Not so with size 8's. I am 5ft 1" and a size 8 and can always find things in the sales. My friends say that I can find so many bargains because I am this size.
Shortening is not a problem as I have a good bridal dressmaker who does this for me. She is excellent and not too expensive.
I do hope that you find a cruise that suits both your lifestyle and your pocket. I am sure you will be hooked once you try it.
Sue
Shortening is not a problem as I have a good bridal dressmaker who does this for me. She is excellent and not too expensive.
I do hope that you find a cruise that suits both your lifestyle and your pocket. I am sure you will be hooked once you try it.
Sue
Post a Reply
Please sign in or register an account to reply to this post.
Similar Topics
-
Ocean Blue / Ocean Sands in Punta Cana
Posted by KellyD in Caribbean Discussion Forum
-
Hotel Ocean Resort / Ocean Resort Palace, Costa Adeje
Posted by jane38 in Spain - Canary Islands - Tenerife Discussion Forum
-
Ocean Florida
Posted by CatherineEvans39 in America/Canada Discussion Forum
-
Ocean Florida
Posted by Tracy N Rob Lever in Travel Agency Complaints
-
Ocean Florida
Posted by slapper55 in America - Florida Discussion Forum