cruise

[stylinsam]

Im currently looking to book a cruise for next year, now iv never been on a cruise before and am a bit new to looking to book ? so what do I look for when booking and are there any places recommended where I should go to? Any websites etc thankyoux

also i am only 22 do you think a cruise is suitable? x

[fistralboy]

**********!
Why not have a look at the Ocean Village cruises? They're aimed at the younger end of the market with loads of activites on and off the ship. Also they don't have the stuffy formal dress codes so you can dress casually and not get sniffed at!! If you do wish to dress up for dinner thats fine and you should smarten yourself up for one certain restaurant.
Onboard you have shops, bars, pools, jacuzzis,casino, cinema, table tennis, golf, volleyball and loads more whilst when you dock at the different destinations you can either exlpore the cities by yourself or take part in guided excursions...or do something different such as hire mountain bikes, go powerboating, sailing, wine tasting etc depending on your particular destination. During the summer the ships cruise the Med and during our winter months they head to the Caribbean...prices are pretty good too, especially when you conside what you'd pay to stay in a 4 or 5 star hotel with all your meals included! This way you get all that plus the chance to exlpore different places. Check out www.oceanvillageholidays.co.uk

[fistralboy]

can't believe that word got 'bleeped' out! It wasn't bad language, just a word beginning with 'Abs' that means the same as totally! Didn't know you couldn't use that word on here!

[sddsddean]

Loads and loads of info at www.cruisecritic.com
Although its a US website, there are contributions on there from people all over the world. What I love about cruises is you only unpack once! Our first cruise was 14 days San Diego to MIami via Panama Canal. 5500 miles in 14 days and a new view every morning! Just got back from our longest to date, Sydney to LA, 10500 miles in 29 days. The Carribean is always a good start as there are loads of lines and itineries. Personally my favourite line is Royal Carribean, but look on cruise critic for lots of other suggestions. BTW, 22 is not a problem. Youngest I have met is 6 months, oldest 97!

[sddsddean]

Try again!
http://www.cruisecritic.com/

[jno]

Ocean Village are fine, been on two of their cruises. No black tie evenings, lots of excursions (but these are expensive; most of them you can just walk off the ship and arrange for yourself locally at half the price), good choice of food; and flights and tips are included in the price. (Drinks aren't.) With any cruise, don't book straight from a brochure, it's always cheaper to look at the ads on the travel pages in the weekend papers or go to a cruise specialist like http://www.1st4cruising.com/ Cheapeat and commonest ones tend to be Carribean in the winter, Med in the summer.

I love cruising, and generally age is no problem, though some of the older ships with older customers are a bit more formal; but you'll never be banned from a dining room for not wearing a ballgown.

[bednobs]

hi, not anything to do with cruises, but the word must have been starred out cause you spelt it wrong
absolutely
if you miss the o out there is a word that ab will not accept

[auntiebertie]

Suggest you try Royal Caribbean - they have a million activities including Rock climbing and an ice skating rink - seriously. Their ships are newer, bigger and far far nicer than Ocean Village - think 4* as opposed to 3* - and because they are an American cruise line their standards of service and quality of food are much higher. Variety of places to eat - and good itineraries.
There are no "stuffy formal dress codes" - if you do not want to dress for formal night then don't bother! But it is rather nice to get dressed up once in a while I think....

No you are not too young to cruise at 22 - the concept of cruising being for the older generation is totally misleading - my 15 yr old stepson is off on his 2nd cruise next week and he just loves it - something to do with being able to eat all day I suspect - and he actually loves the getting dressed up aspect too as it is something that doesn't happen that much in Kent!!!!

I also suggest going to http://boards.cruisecritic.com/index.php for a ton of information.