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cruise tips by Maxine Bates In response to Trudi-Joy's request in VISA (issue 35) I, too, am a big fan of cruising and luckily it seems to be getting cheaper every year. At first glance cruises look horribly expensive, but when you consider that accommodation, meals (all seven of them per day!), entertainment and first class service are included some cruises can work out better value than a week on the Med! Here are my opinions on some of the ones I've tried: Cunard QE2 This was a 3 night 'taster cruise' from Southampton to France and back! Being my first cruise everything was very impressive. There are five restaurants assigned according to the grade of cabin booked. In the most expensive diners may order any meal they wish (with a little notice) and do not have to select from a menu! As expected from the world's most famous ship, service in all areas was excellent. On this particular cruise we met Liz Dawn (Vera Duckworth from Coronation Street) and Matthew Collins (the travel writer) who were both on board for a lecture and book signing. P&O Canberra Now sadly out of service. This was one of the friendliest ships sailing the world catering well for British families on any budget. She will be missed by her regular visitors. Cunard Crown Dynasty By far the best ship I've travelled on and with the unique experience of passing through the Panama Canal! The central feature was a five deck high glass atrium and all the public lounges were airy and spacious. The restaurant at the stern with layered seating areas gives every diner a sea view and the occasional buffet lunches were delicious! Cabins were compact, but with lovely pastel decor. The mostly American hosts-cum-dancers worked tirelessly to make everyone welcome. Prizes for the various quizzes and competitions were good, i.e. bottles of champagne that could be taken into the restaurant! Festival Bolero A 'late deal' that took us to Italy, Croatia, Greece and Turkey. The shows featuring the out-of-step 'Bolero Girls' dance troupe were unintentionally comical and the karaoke bar was usually in full swing into the early hours. The most pleasant bar was 'Topsiders', a partly covered cocktail bar at, as the name would imply, the top of the ship overlooking one of the two outdoor pools. On this 7 day cruise there were 2 formal nights. The dress code for other evenings was to wear the colours of the flag of the country we had visited that day! One of the midnight buffets was an unusual 'fruit buffet' around the pool. Festival ships cater for all nationalities and the over-enthusiastic Cruise Director did become annoying making every announcement in five languages! Thomson Emerald Owned by top travel operators Thomson and catering exclusively for British clientele. We took a 14 day cruise around the Caribbean visiting 12 different islands. Dining tables seated 4 or 6 and the service was good, though buffets tended to be somewhat chaotic. There was a good range of shore excursions and on board entertainment. The jacuzzis on the top deck offered splendid views as you cruised and there was plenty of space for sunbathing. Being a smaller ship you do need to book early to guarantee a place. Costa Romantica Another 'late deal' and good value for money. (After all, you only get what you pay for!) The cabins were spacious and we only saw our steward once - beds were turned back, towels changed and night lights switched on as if by magic! The restaurant, however, seemed cramped and our waiting staff were either shy or didn't speak much English! But the food was good with many themed evenings such as 'romantic' (with red roses for each lady), 'Italian' (with pasta choices and the waiters wearing straw gondolier hats), plus the obligatory parade of baked Alaska. The gala midnight buffets were spectacular with a giant chocolate Eiffel Tower that everyone wanted to photograph, but nobody had the heart to eat! For those on the later sitting 'Romeos' served pizza to tide you over between afternoon tea and evening meal! The shows were some of the best I've seen afloat with good views from the tiered theatre-style seats. The standard of the ship's photographers was poor. I'd be interested to hear which ships other Travel SIG members would recommend! Which cabin to choose? If you're on a budget the cheapest are inside on the lower decks. But, let's face it, there will be so much going on upstairs you won't be spending much time in your cabin! The most expensive cabins usually have balconies and are located on the higher decks, but bear in mind that in choppy seas these get the most sway, so if you're prone to sea sickness a berth on a centrally located lower deck would be more suitable. If you want a particular cabin then it's wise to book as early as possible. However, if you are not choosy then there are excellent 'late deals' to be found on Teletext. I found a 7 night cruise around the Mediterranean in November with Cruise Club UK (based in Manchester). It was all booked over the phone and the tickets arrived within 48 hours - saving £100 on exactly the same cruise offered by Lunn Poly! What about money? For some time I was put off cruising by the thought of having to leave enormous tips at the end of the holiday. Many cruise lines now include these as part of the deal, others offer guidelines and provide envelopes so that there is no embarrassment when you say goodbye to your cabin steward, waiter and busboy. The service is usually so good you don't mind tipping anyway! Nearly every ship issues an 'on board credit card' upon arrival which you settle the day before disembarkation. You can use your card to pay for shore excursions, drinks, purchases in the ship's shops, beauty treatments, etc., hence a cash free holiday. (But do remember you have to pay for it eventually!!) I'd recommend reading the Berlitz 'Complete Guide to Cruising and Cruise Ships' which is updated annually and contains everything you need to know about life at sea as well as details of every ship in operation. Bon voyage! First published in VISA issue 36 (spring 2000) |