galazio

We are considering seven night cruises during July and are hoping to take our kids; 19 and 20. They haven't been away with us for a couple of years but have been on many cruises as children with P&O, RCI, Princess, Celebrity.

 

There is a cruise we like the look of on Adonia (new ports for us), an adult only ship and also a small one. I have concerns about whether my two will find the size and 'adult only' aspect limiting. Does anyone have experience of this ship and facilities of young people?

 

We are also considering a 7 nighter on Ventura. We know that this is a large ship with more facilities, would it be preferable. for young adults? We will have been to most of the ports previously, however.

 

Any advice would be helpful. Thanks.

 

AJ

Oh, my goodness, don't!!

We're just back from an Adonia cruise [Hong Kong to Hong Kong] and unless your two 'young adults' are actually twenty going on sixty and with the narrowest of outlooks, they will hate it!

We are in our sixties and have travelled with many lines, on many, many cruises and we have never come across such a ship and such attitudes - so staid and hide-bound! There's nothing much wrong with the ship - cabins, layout etc - it's the approach; just terribly, terribly old fashioned.

That's the way P&O like it, I understand, but surely it's time for a more dynamic approach. Apparently, the Adonia is supposed to be like 'an old country house'! Well yes, the decor is dark and drab, hygiene is questionable and we certainly felt as if we had moved into another era.

Lots of people were loving the cruise though, and wouldn't dream of sailing except with P&O, but if you and your children like vibrancy and just a tiny bit of light-heartedness in your holiday, don't do it. As to entertainment for them: what about the Mason's meeting, or crochet, ballroom dancing lessons or beginner's bridge, or even a play-reading with five people attending?? Their idea of fun??

Hope this helps.

H

On a recent Holland America trip, we were surprised at just how dressed everyone was on the first night. Not formal, of course, but most people had made an effort.

It's all very well to say 'just wear what you come on board in'. But honestly, you've been travelling ... so a shower and a change of clothes is the least you can do before sitting down to eat. Smart casual is right: dressy trousers and a nice top, or a simple dress; trousers and polo shirt for the men would fine.

Yes, they are forgiving, and sometimes people don't get their luggage, but it is a nice start to your holiday to smarten up - and most people do.

I haven't seen any references to this ship, newly renovated & currently on its first world cruise now. I am taking the Sharm to Dubai portion next month. What I want to know .. anybody? .. is if the ship has outside passages all around the upper cabin decks, or at least on one level. The company's previous ship, called Discovery, had a lovely one on my cabin deck halfway around the ship. It's almost impossible to tell from the photos I've seen of Voyager. It would be nice to be able to step out into the fresh air mid-ship on one's cabin deck instead of hiking way up to the top. Hoping I'm not going to get claustrophobia!

We're going too! Haven't had any replies at all to my roll call. we're getting on at Athens 2nd November for the first leg then doing the Sharm to Dubai 18th November. Do please get in touch; we thought it was a ghost ship! H