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Another cruise post (no children)

32 replies

everyonebutme · 05/01/2020 17:43

Never done one so don't know where to start. Fancy trying 7-10 days somewhere warm (possibly June or late September). Really don't know where to start! Does anyone have any tried and tested recommendations please? Which ships? Where to go? What company to use? Also what to ensure that we are aware of what we are spending, ie what's included and no surprises regarding expensive drinks and tips at the end that we have to pay. If it makes any difference we are a couple in our 50s.

OP posts:
ElinoristhenewEnid · 07/01/2020 13:48

Had my first cruise with Fred Olsen cruises - small ship, fabulous food and outstanding service. Next time will take my zimmer and walking stick with me to fit in withe clientele - tends to be older people - quite a few with mobility problems. Has been likened to an English country hotel. Loved it and looking to go back again.

Babysharkdoodoodood · 07/01/2020 14:33

@BlueSkies2020 I was looking at Pullmantur. Why do you say it's not for the faint hearted? I know it's for mainly Spanish speakers but I'm fine with that.

When I was teaching I went on a Cruise &Maritiim ship, as it was the only sailing that fitted with the holidays. Went on Magellan which was an older ship and did the Baltic's in July and the weather was gorgeous. I joined Cruise Critic and we had a couple of meet ups and they also arranged a drinks with Captain. Big plus was sailing from London, so no hassle with luggage. Just dump it in the pile at the car park and it magically appears in your room Grin

BlueSkies2020 · 07/01/2020 15:57

@ElinoristhenewEnid that’s exactly what I’ve heard about FO! Reinforces what I always say when asked which line is best - there is a cruise line for everyone!

BlueSkies2020 · 07/01/2020 16:13

@Babysharkdoodoodood if you’ve been on C&O and Magellan I’d say go for Pullmantur- it’ll be an upgrade.

Pullmantur was great overall

The bad... the ships were old and cabins very dated. But they weren’t threadbare and they were clean. The bed was comfortable. However the air con in our cabin was shite and patchy all over the ship. The worse thing was the toilet situation. You had to put your paper in the bin provided. The sewerage system can’t cope. Of course Spanish people are used to this. Brits generally aren’t and I know they can have issues at times (backflow!). We did not have any issues. We loved the cruise. But we’re quite adventurous... the reason we like cruises is the variety of places we get to see.

There is only 1 restaurant and buffet and a handful of drinking / entertainment spots. The show was ok (decent dancing, good singers) but the bloody bingo! Was just constant. The animation staff activities were naff. There was one band and they played the same naff music every night. And weirdly their only English song was Creep by Radiohead. The Spanish seemed to like The music and danced a lot.

The good. The food was some of the best I’ve had on a cruise. Not the fancy steaks and lobster you get on American lines, but the chefs do an amazing job. Beautifully presented. Multiple courses. Something special for all diets (menu was split into ‘from the land/ sea/ farm etc). A standout was the Greek medley night when we left Athens - honestly so much better than what we ate in Greece! The waiters were lovely - same people each night. Really looked after us. Everyone spoke English it was not a problem. The Spanish staff (customer service) were not as helpful or efficient, but ok. The itinerary was really good, but I did notice we paid for the cheaper births. Not a problem for us with good mobility.

The drinks package was amazing. I think we paid 50 euros to upgrade on the included beer wine and spirits. We were drinking bottles of fantastic Malbec and Albariño. Lots of cocktails with premium spirits. If you’re not on the package it’s standard cava, Spanish table wine, cheap larger. Definitely worth the upgrade for gins alone (Tanquery 10 etc).

Didn’t have a problem with the guests but I’m used to holidaying in Spain and appreciate their culture and customs.

Overall we loved it and would go again. It was clean, food was very good, I liked the ship because it had wooden decks and was lovely to stroll. Pool was pleasant, not too crowded. There was a group of us and we had a lot of fun.

BlueSkies2020 · 07/01/2020 16:14

^ The communal areas had recently been upgraded and looked smart - lots of pictures online of individual ships

BlueSkies2020 · 07/01/2020 16:24

One more thing... buy the upgrade and any extras on the ship- not beforehand. Staff on ship great. The office are rubbish and don’t communicate with ship staff well. You get very little information and service before you cruise. It’s not an indication of service on the ship

Funf · 07/01/2020 18:08

At $12 its still another $1000 for us. Even when we had a suite I still paid my own.

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