Cruise lovers/experts - please help me help the newbies!

[SissyGreen]

Hello all,

 

First post on the forum. My dad and his girlfriend want to go on their first ever cruise next year and as they are internet-phobes it falls to me the darling daughter to help out with research and booking! I've read many conflicting opinions on this site so would love some direct specific advice.

 

They want to go on a 2 week cruise of the Western Med in late June/early July 2009, the sort of itineraries they have been looking at include Spain, Italy, Palma and the South of France. They would like to sail from Southampton if poss but this is not essential if other cruises are better/much better value. They enjoy the sun, good food, gambling, dancing/drinking/generally having a good time and are also interested in the excursions as they want to make the most of the time they have in each place.

 

I would like advice on:

 

1. Which cruise company to go with - I am aware that everyone will have their own preferences! So far they like the look of P & O Ventura and the Oceana, would any of you recommend any other cruise lines?

2. When/how to book to get the best deal?

3. Which cabins are the best? They are looking at suites - are they really much better/worth much more than than the superior balcony statesrooms and which cabins on which decks are recommended?

4. Any advice on which excursions to go on/avoid and general tips about the ship/dining/entertainment really appreciated.

 

All help greatly appreciated! Thanks, Sissy.

[Rum Rat]

1. Which cruise company to go with - I am aware that everyone will have their own preferences! So far they like the look of P & O Ventura and the Oceana, would any of you recommend any other cruise lines?

 

As it is your Dad and his girld friend I would say stay clear of Ventura and go for any of the smaller ships.

 

Look at Thomsons as well

 

2. When/how to book to get the best deal?

 

Shop around. If they are in the South of England, look at Bath Travel. NEVER let me down on experience and co-operation. Yes they might save 50 quid going to somewhere else, but is that 50 quid SO important to the peace of mind and help from such as Bath Travel?

 

3. Which cabins are the best? They are looking at suites - are they really much better/worth much more than than the superior balcony statesrooms and which cabins on which decks are recommended?

 

Stear clear of a cabin which has an open deck above or an entertainments area below. we prefer a cabin as near to midships or just aft if possibe and we do like a balcony.

 

4. Any advice on which excursions to go on/avoid and general tips about the ship/dining/entertainment really appreciated.

 

All I can say here is "Personal Choice". After they have done a few cruises, they will see what they want ;-)

By the way they do know its addictive do they?

 

Best wishes

 

Mike

(In 2006 we spent 4 months cruising on Aurora. THAT is how addictive it is. Since then more time on Aurora, Queen Victoria :-(( Arcadia and just about to shoot off again on Arcadia)

[MattOsprey]

Hi,

I would say, P&O, Celebrity, Princess, Holland America or Thompson.

I agree that they should stay away from Ventura. We have just come off her. We had a great time, but it is very busy when it comes to sun loungers. And it is a huge ship to start on.

Check a lot of web companies as they have various offers.

We like inside rooms. We find balconies can be ruined by having a smoker on the balcony next door.

Suites can be great with some companies but you can still have the problem of smoke. That said, if they are smokers then it will suit them great.

I would book one or two excursions that they feel they would really like to do. Then I would do the rest with local people when you arrive at port.

We love cruising. Even a not so perfect experience on a cruise is still fantastic compared with most land holidays.

[haggis]

First two posts have just about covered it all. However, I would suggest that they be very choosey with their excursions. Don't do one at every port, they'll come home needing a holiday, and excursions are quite expensive. The best casinos I've been in at sea are on the Princess ships and Princess have two Grand class ships departing Southampton for the 2009 season. To my mind, the Aurora is the best of the P & O fleet, nice casino but, I'm afraid, very little atmosphere.

We always go for a balcony cabin, couldnt afford a suite the amount of cruising we do.

Next year, I bet, they'll be off to the Caribbean, they'll be hooked.

Jimmy

[Elaine0138]

Another cruise line is Royal Caribbean they sail from Southampton, and from various ports in the Med.

[supered]

I hate to contradict some of my fellow posters but I would say that Ventura is an excellent ship for first-timers. There is a lot going on and a lot of choice in what to do. It all depends what you're after. If your Dad and his girlfriend are quite fun loving it would be perfect, as would Oceana. Although there are relaxing spaces as well. The size of the ship is not really an issue once you get on board and get orientated. We had it down within 24 hours.

 

If you are heavily into gambling then British ships aren't the best for this. They don't have the largest of Casinos. As has already been said you need to go on an American ship such as Princess, Celebrity or Royal Caribbean.

 

On the question of smoking on balconies we have just got back from Ventura and we were out on our balcony a lot. The next door occupant was a smoker but you would never have known this but for the fact that we noticed the ash tray on his table when we happened to see it one day. So it's not necessarily a no-go area.

 

I hope this helps.

 

Eddie

[LibraLass41]

I would suggest Aurora or Arcadia

 

Arcadia is child free and very modern, with a great spa and two alternative restaurants -Gary Rhodes has one and The Orchid is a thai type restaurant, we have cruised on Arcadia 3 times so far and love her.

 

Ventura is a big family friendly ship, there will be children in the pools and around the ship and in the bars.... if they are happy with that good, but remember this when booking.

We did a Med cruise last year and a Eastern Med this, if going to Rome or Pisa/Florence best to book tours as the port is a long way from the city.

Tours are quite expensive but if they have never been to Rome or Florence then you do get to see a lot in a short time .

 

Sue

[Rum Rat]

"" I would suggest Aurora or Arcadia""

 

How can you compare Aurora to Arcadia?

 

Chalk and cheese.

 

Aurora is the chauffeur driven limousine, Arcadia is the works bus

 

Mike

[daiB]

"" I would suggest Aurora or Arcadia""

 

How can you compare Aurora to Arcadia?

 

Chalk and cheese.

 

Aurora is the chauffeur driven limousine, Arcadia is the works bus

 

Mike

 

Dear Sissygreen,

 

This last post just shows that if you ask this type of question you will get a different answer from each of the posters who reply.

 

Mike has not liked Arcadia from the start, Sue has loved it. We have been on both and loved them both.

 

Whichever P&O ship we have tried we have loved and I am sure that is the case with other lines we have not been on.

 

95% of people who go on a cruise for the first time get hooked and are spoiled for other holidays.

 

Whichever ship your parents choose they will love the experience and want to go back again and again and again.

 

 

 

:):)Happy Cruising:):)

 

 

 

 

:cool:

 

 

Dai

[Rum Rat]

"" Mike has not liked Arcadia from the start""

 

That's not quite true. Arcadia is loud and brash. People everywhere. Even the cybastudy had a walkway through it!! Hopefully more peaceful after the refit. The half height walls meant you could see people everywhere.

 

However I did have, or should I say 'make' a good time when I was on her last time and the young lady I met, we were able to 'find' some quiet spots. I have since met her again and she has visited so it wasnt all bad news on board ;-)

 

I am on Arcadia again for the first two legs of her Worldie to Singapore. I ""KNOW"" I will have a good time, BUT, I used a works bus to get from home to go on a ship's visit to Artemis in September. Can't say it was enjoyable, but it was there.

 

Arcadia and Queen Victoria can be put together. Big. Lots of people. Precious little seclusion. Noisy. And by what I can see, the 'Blocks of flats' are even worse. :-((

 

Mike

[supered]

Dear Sissygreen,

 

This last post just shows that if you ask this type of question you will get a different answer from each of the posters who reply.

 

Mike has not liked Arcadia from the start, Sue has loved it. We have been on both and loved them both.

 

Whichever P&O ship we have tried we have loved and I am sure that is the case with other lines we have not been on.

 

95% of people who go on a cruise for the first time get hooked and are spoiled for other holidays.

 

Whichever ship your parents choose they will love the experience and want to go back again and again and again.

Hear hear Dai. I think you've summed it up nicely.

 

Eddie :)

[Gerrym]

Ventura could be an option for you. The only people that seem not to like her are those who have something to compare it with. If you have not been on a cruise, Ventura will become your benchmark.

 

 

I would strongly recommend Celebrity, very different to Ventura, so if Ventura is your bag then probably steer clear of Celeb.

[supered]

Ventura could be an option for you. The only people that seem not to like her are those who have something to compare it with. If you have not been on a cruise, Ventura will become your benchmark.

 

I would strongly recommend Celebrity, very different to Ventura, so if Ventura is your bag then probably steer clear of Celeb.

I like Ventura and I have the QM2 to compare it to. I know Ventura is not in that league and Cunard is vastly superior to P&O, but to compare them is to compare cheese with tyres. So not everyone who likes Ventura is first time cruiser by any stretch of the imagination. In fact my travel agent was a die hard Aurora fan and now counts Ventura as one of her favourite ships. And she is a P&O customer of long standing. So, as they say, it takes all sorts.

 

Eddie

[LibraLass41]

"" I would suggest Aurora or Arcadia""

 

How can you compare Aurora to Arcadia?

 

Chalk and cheese.

 

Aurora is the chauffeur driven limousine, Arcadia is the works bus

 

Mike

 

Mike

I have cruised on Arcadia 3 times ( which is 2 times more than you) she is a lovely ship and I really tire of you slagging her off at every opportunity then booking ANOTHER cruise on her next year...

I have also cruised on Aurora twice.

 

My suggestions were for the size of ship, they are BOTH lovely in their own way, and I think I did say, if you are not overly keen on lots of children, then go for Arcadia, suggesting, if you don't mind children go for the family based Aurora.

 

Aurora is lovely, but I think Arcadia is too, my opinion and I'm entitled to it!

[Rum Rat]

""my opinion and I'm entitled to it!""

 

And you have mine.

 

I enjoyed my time on Arcadia I had some wonderful company at the tables and met a lovely young lady where I have been able to continue the friendship.

 

The people made the cruise what it was and I sincerely hope that the same will apply again. On ALL my cruises I have met wonderful people or cruised with wonderful people. That does NOT stop me having an opinion on the ship itself. I had a wonderful cruise with the family over Christmas and the New Year on Queen Victoria. Great fun and the crew in the main were wonderful and pulled out all the stops to make it special as we had ALL the family with us, but as for the ship? A very badly finished flat bottomed block of flats with very poor sea keeping qualities and not in any hurry to go on her again.

 

My opinion and I'm entitled to it!

 

People make a cruise. Not the ship. People can also spoil a cruise or event as we have all found out.

 

Kindest regards

 

Mike

[Gerrym]

I like Ventura and I have the QM2 to compare it to. I know Ventura is not in that league and Cunard is vastly superior to P&O, but to compare them is to compare cheese with tyres. So not everyone who likes Ventura is first time cruiser by any stretch of the imagination. In fact my travel agent was a die hard Aurora fan and now counts Ventura as one of her favourite ships. And she is a P&O customer of long standing. So, as they say, it takes all sorts.

 

Eddie

 

 

Eddie, you are of course entitled to your opinion as we all are. I would point out though that the balance of negative vs. positive views on Ventura seems in the main to reflect seasoned vs. virgin cruisers. That does not equate to everyone who likes Ventura being a first time cruiser!

 

 

 

Gerry

[SissyGreen]

Oops, looks like I have started a debate!;)

 

Just wanted to say a very big thank you to all of you who posted your opinions, I will be printing all of this off and taking home for my dad to read through tonight. What I have seen from the replies to my post is that it is a matter of personal choice when it comes to ships and cabins and I will urge my dad to keep this in mind. I know that he's really looking forward to it and is likely to have a fab time whichever ship he chooses.

 

Will let you know when we've narrowed it down and may have some questions about specific cabins...and my dad's verdict at the end of it (!) but thanks again for your help so far. He might even see some of you on board!

 

Sissy

[BrianI]

Sissy,

As for getting the best deal, here is a list of P&O preferred travel agents.

http://www.pocruises.com/TravelAgents.axd

You will get a better deal from most, if not all, of these rather than booking direct, even on line. Once you have decided what you want, phone a few of these to get a price. You can also go into the P&O on line booking system as though you were making a booking. This will tell you cabin availability and prices as a starting point for negotiation

Brian

[supered]

Eddie, you are of course entitled to your opinion as we all are. I would point out though that the balance of negative vs. positive views on Ventura seems in the main to reflect seasoned vs. virgin cruisers. That does not equate to everyone who likes Ventura being a first time cruiser!

Gerry

Fair enough Gerry. Point taken. :)

 

Eddie

[seattlelover]

"" I would suggest Aurora or Arcadia""

 

How can you compare Aurora to Arcadia?

 

Chalk and cheese.

 

Aurora is the chauffeur driven limousine, Arcadia is the works bus

 

Mike

 

I find it strange that you would pay a considerable amount of money to take a fairly long cruise on a 'works bus'. :confused:

[Stackerman]

Sissy

 

Be carefull who's advice you take, everyone quite rightly has an opinion of which ship they think is the best. But, make sure their opinion is based on experience, there are people giving opinions on P&O ships who have never been on some of them, infact one person bases their opinion on really having been only on a proper cruise on one ship the others being weekender and ship visits. Another person is giving an opinion on a ship they have never been on.(mind you I do agree with him on this one). So beware and I hope everything works out for you.

[Rum Rat]

How much cruising experience should one have to pass comments?

 

9 Cruises covering:-

 

5 ships of :-

 

3 Cruise operators.

 

10th (Part World Cruise) and 11th cruises booked

 

Past cruises include

 

Round the World

 

Crossing the Equator

 

Crossing the Arctic Circle

 

212 nights.

 

Visits to the Bridge and ‘Below decks’ including Engine Room

 

Volunteer Guest Lecturer.

 

With regards to commenting on Ventura, not having sailed on her. Arcadia and Cunard’s Queen Victoria are ‘of the same ilk’. Half height bulkheads so you can see people ‘everywhere’ etc. Been on both and back on Arcadia in January.

 

 

 

As a Design Engineer, I can ‘see’ things before I put pen to paper. As an example, I would not like to have my house painted all over pink with large blue dots on it. I feel it would look horrible. Not had it done mind you, like I have not been on Ventura, but ......................................

 

Kind regards

 

Mike

[Rum Rat]

Sorry, forgot to add ship's visit to Artemis

 

Mike

[LibraLass41]

Yes we were on that one weren't we Mike - same tour group:D

[Stackerman]

Sorry RUmRat, what I meant was, that QV and Arcadia are Vista class ships, In my View although I have had some enjoyable cruises on Arcadia, it's only redeeming feature is its free from Children. My previous Advice to you regarding Ventura still stands.