10 yrs, 2 mths ago

Cruise Ships

Has anyone been on a cruise in the last few months or planning one this year? I’m really interested in going on one, mainly because of how affordable they are with inclusions etc. I’m interested in the South Pacific, but let me know where you’ve been and with what company! 🙂

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Replies

  • 8 yrs, 10 mths ago

    You most certainly have to keep an eye on spending. I found photo’s very expensive and their photographers take so many. Every port we went to, they would take at least two or three photo’s and they were like $30 a photo. My recommendation is that you wait until the end of the cruise to pick out your favourite and then purchase.

  • 8 yrs, 10 mths ago

    Sounds like a fabulous trip Shaper, and like you had exceptionally good service from Royal C with the collection from the airport etc

    I go on my first cruise early June – mine is going from Marseille to Morocco (2 ports), Spain (2 ports), Lisbon & Italy before returning to Marseille. Going on Costa Cruises – despite their horrible issue with the Captain and the Concordia, they are the biggest cruise company in Europe & reviews of the ship I’m going on (Magica) are excellent – so I feel very safe travelling with them, and I absolutely adore everything Italian, so an Italian cruise company & crew & food are going to keep me very happy.

    My sister & her hubby did a European cruise last year for a special birthday for her, which gave me the idea of adding a cruise into part of a trip to Europe. They went Royal Holland & really loved it. She’s also traveled to the South Pacific – I hear some say it’s too many sea days & not enough shore days on those trips, and they’ve found it boring – some friends of mine have had family travel there & wishes they’d gone a different destination – but for others who really like the boat life, a South Pacific cruise would be ideal.

    For me everywhere I’m going on the cruise are all new countries, with the exception of Italy – I had a big 2011 holiday there. But the port we’re visiting is one I didn’t get to (it’s near Genoa) so it’ll be all new cities. I head over in 2 days to Paris & Monaco for almost a week pre cruise & plan a few nights in Marseille after the cruise – cannot wait – it’s all very real now as I’m getting my packing organised & crossing off lists!

    I’m hoping I enjoy cruising & don’t get too sea sick, as our family trip next year is going to NZ – cruise goes from Sydney to Auckland – we plan to extend our stay over there & hire a car to tour the south island.

    What’s great about cruising for me is it minimises luggage movements, which helps me a lot – it’d be too hard for me to consider a big, regular trip like we did to Italy, not while my back is still so problematic. Plus I love how it’s a hotel, meals & entertainment for an upfront free – it’s so easy to help with budgeting properly for a holiday

  • 8 yrs, 10 mths ago

    Has anyone been on a cruise in the last few months or planning one this year? I’m really interested in going on one, mainly because of how affordable they are with inclusions etc. I’m interested in the South Pacific, but let me know where you’ve been and with what company! 🙂

    We have recently got back from a fantastic cruise on the Royal Caribbean ship
    Voyager of the sea . We flew from Perth to Sydney and were picked up and taken to the dock
    to board the ship, as we were early (6am) they let us board and gave us breakfast while we waited for our cabin..great service. The cruise was from Sydney to New Zealand seeing Milford Sound and other incredible sights as well as visiting 4 other ports around the North Island. We then sailed to Melbourne, Adelaide and home to Perth 17 days in all and we really did enjoy it all. Lots to do and see and the Food on offer !!! I think we put on 5 kilos!!! We found the staff on board really friendly and so helpful. One thing I should warn you about though is watch what you spend on board as you do not use money at all it all gets put onto
    a “Boarding Pass” and you pay at the end of the voyage. If you dont watch out you can end up owing a lot of money, just paying for drinks and gifts and even coffee can all add up.
    But saying that we did have a great trip. Go on one and give it a try.

  • 10 yrs, 1 mth ago

    I’ve been on a couple, I went on a P&O Cruise to New Caledonia in feb last year on the Pacific Jewel (Isle of Pines, Mare, Noumea), I booked it about 2 months ahead and got an awesome deal, think my partner and I paid 750 each for an ocean view (cabin with a window). I believe its cheaper the more ‘last minute’ it is.

    I highly recommend P&O- such good value, amazing food/ service and sooo many things to to on board. P&O is the one I think a lot of younger people go on because of its affordability (anyone below the age of 50!), having said that there’s a huge variety of age groups that go on too. My parents go on the “Celebrity Cruise” liners- more expensive but more luxurious I hear.

    If you do a South Pacific cruise go on one that visits Mare- AMAZING beach/crystal clear water which is fab for snorkelling (if you’re into that!)

    Check out ozcruising.com.au- they have all the cruises from every company available and they sometimes have sales as well 🙂

  • 10 yrs, 1 mth ago

    Just saw a promo on the Today Show (channel 9) for Cruise ships (best ones for different ages etc) and the story will be on their Weekend Today Show (the one with Cam and Leila). Don’t know which day it will be on so you might want to set the recorder as it’s on Sat and Sunday 7am to 10am Sydney time.

  • 10 yrs, 1 mth ago

    Has anyone been on a cruise in the last few months or planning one this year? I’m really interested in going on one, mainly because of how affordable they are with inclusions etc. I’m interested in the South Pacific, but let me know where you’ve been and with what company! 🙂

    Hi Imi11, cruises are great value for money all your accommodation, meals & entertainment are on board and you only have to unpack once! I do suggest you book a balcony room, it’s much liberating knowing that you can step outside anytime.

    I’m a travel agent and have booked plenty of cruises & I recommend Carnival, they are a very good cruise line & quite affordable. Also Princess Cruises are quite good… P&O are the most cheapest their newer ships are good, however their older ships are not that great – they’re more like a floating RSL club!

    Let me know if you ever need any information or prices – I’d be more than happy to assist! 🙂

  • 10 yrs, 1 mth ago

    I did see you could do that, but i know i don’t really get seasick.
    And i don’t really have time to just trial a cruise, as i don’t live near any of the ports so i’d have to fly interstate, so i’d rather just do the whole thing!

    I’m glad to hear it was a success for you though! 🙂

  • 10 yrs, 1 mth ago

    Would you consider a short 3night cruise to trial? I was just on the 3night Australia day P&O cruise on the Pacific Jewel, we as a family group ages (22-70/80) decided to try it so we could see if
    1) It was actually good
    2) To check if we got seasick

    It was good, being Australia day though It did add to the excitement, however the first night we were hammered by 80kmp/h winds, which contributed to choppy water,s a very rocking ship and the majority of the passengers being seasick. I did asked the room attendant and he said that it doesn’t occur much. It was a good experience and I’m now giggling when I’m reminded of slamming into the corridors, trying to keep upright and being rocked to sleep.

    I’m considering next years 4 night P&O Australia day cruise from Brisbane and a 16night Princess cruise From Perth in June 2015.

  • 10 yrs, 1 mth ago

    Hubby and I went on a cruise last oct, with Carnival spirit to Vanuatu and New Caledonia. there are so many misconceptions about cruises.It is not only for retired people its good for all.

    The room, food ,entertainment,facilities – nothing to fault at all.We booked shore excursions separately as they were cheaper.

    Cruising is total value for money-please do give it a try. Eventhough there are so many people, the ship is huge so there will be privacy. For children there are clubs and activities.
    ( we are a 28 year old couple)

  • 10 yrs, 1 mth ago

    But from what i found, the further away you book from the cruise date the more expensive it is. I looked at next year and it was over $1500, and when I looked up to July this year it was well under $900

    Yes, that is true methinks. My Mum & I have had our cruise booked since June last year (for some reason Mum wanted to be an early bird) & in the months that have followed, there have been all these deals for our cruise including $400 onboard credit, which would’ve been handy. Oh well.

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