To wonder how the fluffing hell you can 'fall off' a cruise ship?!

[katiefromtheblock]

I mean HOW? Just HOW?

I am an average height (5 ft 4ish) and the rail was up to my chest when me and DH went on a cruise ship 3 years ago. It was like this on the attached pic.

*start and end points that should say!

EnglishGirl
That's what DH and I did when both DC were gone - Athens to Venice last year. It's a little addictive though! Having said that, to be paying for two of us rather than four is quite nice.

My little boy costs me a bloody fortune in the arcade on RCI so I’ll put that towards it! I know they’re pricey but do much included I’m sure it works out about the same as a mid range line, that’s how I’m planning to justify it

Oh, English, my son cost a fortune in the arcade on a Carnival cruise. Thanks for your input. Carnival also runs a Panama Canal cruise from Galveston port that is a 10-day, but of course, you need to travel to the port, but it may work out cheaper overall.

leftright which Carnival did you go on? We fancy the Vista and the prices are great compared to RCI but something’s putting me off, I think it’s the Carnival FB page tbh!

Leftrightcentre - I think you are referring to my post, I didn't think I said cheap, if I did I meant cheaper so I am sorry for the poor wording, we paid £5k for a family of 4 over xmas to go on a 2 week Caribbean cruise on the Britannia, this is still affordable for many people in comparison to some of the med or baltic cruises which are £7/8k. I really apologise if my post came across wrong, I did not intend to suggest it was cheap, we didn't eat lunch in the ports, we spent a few hours at each beach and did the odd tour. I don't think I was being out of order, it was just an observation that the trouble tended to be on the caribbean cruises, in the school holidays. I certainly did not mention low life creeps. It was not just me who said they have experienced such things.

We have done a few weekenders and there has never been one bit of trouble that we have seen, in spite of the stag/hen do parties. I do reckon a lot of it is dealt with discreetly. RCI do the AI drinks which is when things can get out of hand, P&O will follow suit I think soon.

I don't know why you are being so snarky, we have done over 200 nights on cruises so the few incidents I have discussed are not many in relation to that. Cruising is our favourite holiday by far.

@kewcumber - we did that itinerary in 2016, it really is brilliant. We did the pirates of the caribbean trip in St Vincent I think it was, was so much fun.

If you go on a British Isles cruise, do you need a passport?

According to this, yes you do (see first question on list)

www.cruiseswithgocruise.co.uk/faqs/

zany P&O are trialling a drinks package on Azura I think if the demand is there it’ll stay. I’ve also done a few short cruises on P&O and RCI and never seen any trouble at all.
I think any place where you have several thousand people drinking and relaxing there’s potential for problems so in relation to the numbers cruising incidents are still pretty rare really.

which Carnival did you go on? We fancy the Vista and the prices are great compared to RCI but something’s putting me off, I think it’s the Carnival FB page tbh!

I haven't done the PC, but don't let the page put you off! I've been on three Carnival ships: the Freedom, the Breeze (just last month) and the Valor. Ok, it's not P&O or RC, but it's excellent value for money and I've never seen the likes of people fighting over sunbeds or stag and hen do's or even anyone kicking off at all.

Last month we were on the Carnival Breeze, Galveston to Key West, Freeport and Nassau, 7 days. It was fine. Of course, there are more kids because it's during school holidays.

Englishgirl - I thought I had heard it somewhere, will be interesting to see how it goes, I think it works out ok price wise if you are big drinkers but we're not really so not sure we will do it. I love the gin and wine flights but I doubt they are included.

Totally agree, it really is rare as I think that the cruise companies are strict re behaviour so it's generally fine.

leftright we do RCI in school hols so I’m used to kids! I do fancy trying Carnival they’re brilliant value and the newer ships look fab. I know I should ignore FB, the P&O page is outraged today because they’ve replaced the daily biscuits with a French brand

zany we do like a drink but for us on holiday it’s all about the cocktails and they aren’t on the drinks package with P&O so probably not worth it for us either.

Re the stag and hen dos, P&O have banned printed tshirts and accessories, also the drinks policy has changed, used to be able to take unlimited alcohol on board but now it's 1 bottle of spirits or wine per person. RC is still none I believe.

Generally I think stag/hens/birthday groups are just there for a laugh so no hassle, I imagine most of the complaints are from those on there to enjoy the cruise as they would a normal, longer one.

Very true, Zany, I apologise for coming across half-cocked. I really love the Caribbean but it can be quite expensive! . Bermuda, for example, is far from cheap, nor is Grand Cayman or indeed most of the E. Caribbean. A lot of people travel there expecting cheap and get sticker shock. We did the Atlantis excursion to Nassau last month. It's a beautiful resort but it is anything but cheap! I've been on some pretty dumpy ships in my time, so has my family, my folks have been cruising for decades, but we take the rough with the smooth and for the most part, it is good value for money and unpack once, see many places.

It's not for everyone, I've met a lot of people who tried it and hated it, but that's the same for every mode of travel and holidaying.

Just had a quick look, think it's going to be drinks under £7 so will exclude some cocktails, shame really. We would definitely have a few cocktails every day and a few gins but it would still be cheaper to buy rather than do the package I think.

leftrightcentre - it's always what you make of it though isn't it, I was on the Britannia and people were there saying how awful it was, awful decor, food etc. It's like being in an alternate universe. If I am on holiday, I want to chill and enjoy it whether its 3 or 5. If I am not at home and travelling around it's all good!

This is making want to go on a cruise now lol. We are not going till December 2019 now.

The newer ships are quite nice, English. We travelled on the Breeze. The exterior staterooms have two bathrooms! That was a first! The one has a bath with a shower over, but no toilet and they did not supply a plug for the bath, but I bring a universal plug and it was nice to be able to have a soak. The other one has the toilet and a shower cubicle and is a generous size. It was the first time we'd ever been so low, we were on deck 1 as we booked late and cheaply, amidships (room 1374) although it's considered aft. I thought it would be horrible, but it had its pluses! For one, I like white noise and bring a powerful fan with me on all cruises, and there was plenty of that, being above deck 0. For another, it made port days a breeze, as you only needed to descend one set of stairs and similarly, ascend one. It was also much quieter than higher decks, barring port days which are noisy anyway.

Zany if you stick with the cocktail of the day, is it not cheaper than £7? Yikes!

zany I was on Britannia earlier this year and honestly don’t know what all the moaning was about! We were late leaving Southampton due to a technical issue and people were outraged and demanding compensation. We went to Sindhu then had a few cocktails, exactly like we would have done if we’d been sailing. I just consider myself lucky to be able to go on nice holidays and enjoy whatever we do.

leftright when I worked on a shop my cabin was next to the crew bar. I can sleep through anything I’ll definitely look at Carnival again when we want to do Caribbean.

On a ship!

Re the stag and hen dos, P&O have banned printed tshirts and accessories, also the drinks policy has changed, used to be able to take unlimited alcohol on board but now it's 1 bottle of spirits or wine per person. RC is still none I believe.

Yeah, RC is strict. Carnival is, too, even with soft drinks. Carnival is actually stricter than RC. RC used to allow 1 bottle of wine/ticketed passenger over 21 or 18. I do prefer RC, FWIW, but they can be expensive.

Oh, English, I can imagine! If you're looking for value for money, Carnival definitely offers that. It's why we've taken them a few times and if we get to do Panama Canal, will probably use them, as they do offer shuttle service to and from Houston airport to the port of Galveston at a very reasonable rate. The food is okay, too, and the staff are really good. Also, NCL offers quite cheap shuttle service from port of Galveston to their port in New Orleans, roughly $35USD/passenger for what's a 5-hour drive.