~ Cruising (travel by Waterways) megathread ~

soularnights · 02-12-2006 3:43pm #1

Howdy people,
I'm planning to book a shannon cruise for the family for next summer and was wondering if anyone would recommend a certain company. The main 2 i've been looking at are emerald star and locaboat.com. I'd appreciate any experiences people had on a shannon cruise.

Cheers.

Sonnenblumen · 02-12-2006 11:23pm

Did a long weekend cruise and had a very good time. AFAIK it was Emerald.
Tip hire a boat 1-2 larger than actual group size, eg, hire a six berth for 4 people.

Can be great fun with midgets at evening times, and jostling at lock gates during day. Great experience, not sure if I would do a 2 week family trip without previous experience. Could become very tense/claustrophobic if some people weren't happy after few days.

Expensive holiday but the sense of freedom and Shannon makes it worthwhile. Meet all kinds and some great local folk along the way.

wexhun · 03-12-2006 12:28am

My sister, her hubby and 2 friends went with emerald star last year, had a blast going from town to town visiting little pubs on the way. They only did it for a week though, I'd say two weeks might have been a bit long you'd be kind of getting sick of the sight of each other but its definitly one of the trips I intend on taking when my kids get a little older, remember as a child I used to look enviously at all the wealthy Germans sailing by!

spanner · 03-12-2006 10:59am

soularnights wrote:

Howdy people,
I'm planning to book a shannon cruise for the family for next summer and was wondering if anyone would recommend a certain company. The main 2 i've been looking at are emerald star and locaboat.com. I'd appreciate any experiences people had on a shannon cruise.

Cheers.

I did it two years ago in my cousins boat and it was by far and away the best holiday ever. stopping in small village get a feed of beer and move on. it was just great we went from lough dergh up to letrim village and back, I would recommend shannonbridge, rooskey and carrick on Shannon were all lovely places. I would love to do it again. It is very expensive to rent I think, the upper erne takes a long time to get through, we gave up half way but it is beautiful.

You will have a great time!!!

soularnights · 03-12-2006 5:55pm

sounds like its definately worth a week,

Thank you.

blue banana · 04-12-2006 11:03am

I've done Shannon cruising 4/5 times, always with a gang of frieinds. We normally do it for about 4 days at a time. We have gone from Killaloe up to Shannon Bridge taking in Lough Derg which has some lovely little villages like Terryglass and Garykennedy. If the weather is good it can be an absolutely fabolous holiday, but the length of time was just fine for us. It's mighty craic but it can get a bit claustrophobic if it's raining. We have always gone with Shannon Castle Line in Whitegate in Clare, I could not recommend them highly enough. Very professional, family run company. Enjoy

Alkers · 05-12-2006 12:01am

Done it loads of times, used to have a boat on it. I'd reccomend going for a weekend first before you embark on the full two-weeks. Have you kids? What age?

RiderOnTheStorm · 17-06-2010 4:14pm

I have booked a 4 night trip, starting from Carrick-On-S. Was thinking of going north up thru Lough Key, Lough Erne and maybe Enniskillin. Any reccomended sights to see? Things to do along the way?
Am I being ambitious in aiming for Enniskillin? How far can I expect to travel in a day ? Is 10 hours driving a day a lot ?

any & all tips / info / insight is welcome!

RiderOnTheStorm · 28-06-2010 9:56am

<bump>

dilallio · 28-06-2010 11:03am

I've done the Shannon Cruises 8 or 9 times over the past 20 years.
Lough Key is beautiful - very scenic, but give yourself a full day to see it - well worth it.

4 days is very tight to see Lough Key and travel up to Enniskillen.
Travelling from Carrick to Lough Erne, you will need to travel through 16 unmanned locks on the way, and return the same way (you need to purchase a pre-paid card to operate these locks). They are great fun but take time to get through, especially if the previous boat to go through it before you, is travelling in the same direction (as you have to close the far lock gate, equalise the water level, enter the lock, re-equalise the water to the level on the far side, and open the far gate).

The other important recommendation which I can't stress enough, is to top up the boat with diesel at a private station, before returning it to the rental company. The rental companies charge awful prices for diesel after you return the boat - ask around at any stop. I hired a boat 2 yrs ago for 7 days and filled it up privately for 150Euro (after 5 days cruising) the night before I returned it. After returning the boat, the rental company still managed to put 68Euro worth of diesel into it - I estimated that I saved at least 300 - 400 Euro by having it filled privately. This fuel charge can be a very nasty surprise for first timers. You will burn a lot of fuel if you run the engine on full throttle, which is something we all do the first few times.

You will also save by cooking meals on-board, and it's very pleasent having a meal out on the deck with a nice bottle of wine or a cool beer.

A lot of the hire-boats do not have an AC socket, so make sure you bring a car charger for your mobile phone(s).

Other than that, have a great cruise, and I hope you get the weather

Tabnabs · 28-06-2010 1:39pm

There's a full list of cruiser hire companies here. That site also has all the information you'll ever need about the Shannon.

RiderOnTheStorm · 29-06-2010 1:13pm

thx guys, much appreciated. Nice tip on the diesel Dillalio, and good maps Dyflin.

will let y'all know how we get on :-)

hope Lidl are selling fishing rods before then ! ;-)

gaz wac · 29-06-2010 1:49pm

We were going to do it this year but decided against it ( Mrs Wac preggers) but a friend told me, to wait for a week before you go to book the boat ( if possible )!!

he's been doing this for the past few years and getting great deals, sure who is going to wait to book a week before you go...!!

he said he always ends up getting a boat, cos fewer and fewer people can afford to pay full price!

Enjoy your trip

mikemac · 29-06-2010 2:02pm

Definitly a great idea for a holiday, check out Terryglass, Garrykennedy and Mountshannon.

Mind not to be wearing the incorrect GAA jersey when the hurling is on during the summer

You'll have a great time, stock up on the beer and as said get a larger berth boat then the number of people you have.

One week is ideal, realy two weeks might be too long
Emerald Star in is the company I know but there are others, they are based in Portumna

Tabnabs · 29-06-2010 2:20pm

gaz wac wrote: »

We were going to do it this year but decided against it ( Mrs Wac preggers) but a friend told me, to wait for a week before you go to book the boat ( if possible )!!

he's been doing this for the past few years and getting great deals, sure who is going to wait to book a week before you go...!! he said he always ends up getting a boat, cos fewer and fewer people can afford to pay full price!

Enjoy your trip

Just be careful of this. Emerald Star sold off a lot of their excess hire fleet a couple of years ago and their bargain days seem to be over. You used to be offered great discounts, but it's nothing spectacular now TBH.

budfox · 07-07-2010 11:59pm

Hi..

I've cruised the Shannon on renters for about ten years or so...personally, I prefer the lower Shannon as opposed to Carrick on Shannon. I'd say I've hired from most of the cruise companies. There were two in Killaloe but they've since gone bust and personally, I found Emerald just OK. For the past three years I've used Silverline Cruisers in Banagher, just north of Portumna. I've found them excellent and the service second to none.

They're family owned also which I always find to be better...they're more flexible with return times etc. I agree that it's a good ploy to wait until the week before. You can check out the weather and also get a last minute deal. You'll either get a bigger boat for your money or an extra day or two and at a minimum a discount. Lot of Germans aren't coming here as much as they used to but this might be offset this year by the staycation folks...either way, most private companies will want to get something for the boat rather than have it sit on the marina.

I did a work cruise with two boats and ten people three years ago. We put together a great itinerary for the lower shannon that I can send you if you want to PM me. It takes in the locks, Portumna bridge lift and calculates the cruise time from Killaloe through Garykennedy etc so it might be useful. It does the East side of the lake only so you could extend to make a week out of it if you include Scarriff and Mountshannon. (Beware Mountshannon btw as hire boats have been broken into there so personally, I wouldn't stay over night there...just my preference...). If you do Banager, make sure to take a night in there..there's some great pubs in the town and one in particular which has sing song every night..packed to the gills and you'll really enjoy it. Brendan Graces in Killaloe is good as is Terryglass and the grub in Garykennedy is superb...in fact, they're all good...

Hope this helps..

Have a great trip.

budfox · 08-07-2010 12:05am

BTW, beware of Terryglass harbour. If you are mooring there, only do so on the inside, regardless of how packed or busy it is. I made a mistake, only once, when I arrived there late afternoon when it was dead calm only to wake up to a stiff wind and the boat being bounced against the harbour wall as I took a berth on the outside. I thought the punt was going to go through the side of the boat...

Go inside...You're entitled to a berth, it's a public marina and the private boats cant deny you a berth alongside (most go stern in to avoid having boats beside them)...

If it's the week of the Terryglass festival, you'll need to get there early otherwise there'll be 10+ deep and it may well be tricky to get a berth that is safe for all concerned....

BBTW, I'd check out the boats with bowthrusters...makes life a lot easier..particularly say in Killaloe or with a breeze against the cockpit which can swing the boat around...

Just a tip....

olaola · 08-07-2010 9:20am

We're off next weekend - can't wait. It's a holiday we always look forward to every year!!

We're going to do the lower Shannon again this year - I prefer it to the rest. Even though Carrick is a good aul spot.

Has anyone heard of any issues in Banagher? I've heard from a few people that there are problems with break-ins and general harassment from knacker-drinkers.

Budfox, we haven't been in Lough Derg other than Terryglass for a few years. Where is the best place to visit? We're prob going to pick the boat up from Portumna on Thurs, head south and spend Friday in and around Lough Derg. Head to to Banagaher on Friday evening. And then upwards to Shannonbridge and head down the Suck to Ballinasloe. Back down to Portumna on Sunday. Any tips, recommendations!? I'd love to give Silverline a go, but they don't allow dogs

budfox · 08-07-2010 9:58am

olaola wrote: »

We're off next weekend - can't wait. It's a holiday we always look forward to every year!!

We're going to do the lower Shannon again this year - I prefer it to the rest. Even though Carrick is a good aul spot.

Has anyone heard of any issues in Banagher? I've heard from a few people that there are problems with break-ins and general harassment from knacker-drinkers.

Budfox, we haven't been in Lough Derg other than Terryglass for a few years. Where is the best place to visit? We're prob going to pick the boat up from Portumna on Thurs, head south and spend Friday in and around Lough Derg. Head to to Banagaher on Friday evening. And then upwards to Shannonbridge and head down the Suck to Ballinasloe. Back down to Portumna on Sunday. Any tips, recommendations!? I'd love to give Silverline a go, but they don't allow dogs

HI...I haven't done that particular cruise. I've hired from Emerald in Portumna and travelled south stopping at every second harbour on the way down and then getting the other ones on the way back up. So, maybe Dromineer on your first night, Killaloe on your second, over to Scariff third night and then maybe last night in Terryglass. As I said, I have a mapped out itinerary for 4-5 nights if you want it. North of Portumna might be good also but I just dont know it that well. Also, some people prefer rivers than lakes...more interesting particularly in a slow moving cruiser. Personally, I prefer the range of stopovers south to Killaloe. Dromineer is lovely for a BBQ if you moor in beside the castle...

PM me if you want anything else...

After reading your post I made some enquiries myself and am thinking of hiring for a long weekend...just not too sure about bringing a very active 2 year old on a cruiser...he might be just a bit too young....

olaola · 08-07-2010 10:16am

budfox wrote: »

HI...I haven't done that particular cruise. I've hired from Emerald in Portumna and travelled south stopping at every second harbour on the way down and then getting the other ones on the way back up. So, maybe Dromineer on your first night, Killaloe on your second, over to Scariff third night and then maybe last night in Terryglass. As I said, I have a mapped out itinerary for 4-5 nights if you want it. North of Portumna might be good also but I just dont know it that well. Also, some people prefer rivers than lakes...more interesting particularly in a slow moving cruiser. Personally, I prefer the range of stopovers south to Killaloe. Dromineer is lovely for a BBQ if you moor in beside the castle...

PM me if you want anything else...

After reading your post I made some enquiries myself and am thinking of hiring for a long weekend...just not too sure about bringing a very active 2 year old on a cruiser...he might be just a bit too young....

Thanks for the info! Dromineer castle you say... that sounds lovely. We've moored beside Portumna castle for a BBQ, and that was a lovely marina. But we were hoping to get further south than that on the Thursday evening. So we might head to Dromineer.

Tabnabs · 08-07-2010 10:20am

Highly recommend Garrykennedy, a cracking little village with two lovely pubs. Have a look at the new marina first for a space before going into the old harbour. If going up to Scarrif, take care, low water is a problem this year so stick to the centre of the river.

Banagher has suffered a few anti social problems in the old harbour, the marina jetties are much safer from what I've heard.

poldebruin · 08-07-2010 10:37am

We went on a Shannon cruise last year and after much (an I mean a lot) of online research went with this family-run company:

http://shannonprivatecruisers.com/

Amazing value compared with the bigger companies - couldn't believe how reasonably priced the boats were. All were in good shape, and the one we got had ac power, they fill the boat at the mooring, and when we returned the boat (that is the downside, it must be a return trip) they filled it with Diesel at the same rate as a private pump.

As we hadn't rented before, they offered to take us out for an hour to show us how to handle the boat and also offered to go through a lock to show us how that worked too - they couldn't have been nicer. Also, they offered the boat for a couple of extra days without charge as it wasn't being rented when we were dropping it back!!! We couldn't take them up on the offer though.

Also, they do a great (IMHO) offer for an Appartment at Dromad:

http://shannonprivatecruisers.com/apartment.htm

includes a 17ft lake boat with outboard motor for 400-500 euro.

Enjoy the cruise - we will definately be doing it again. The Boda Borg in Lough Key visitor centre is good fun too - seems a tad pricey but well worth it especially for kids aged 9-15, but great laugh for adults too.

gerrycollins · 09-07-2010 8:09am

just remember too that going down stream take a lot less time than going up

olaola · 09-07-2010 4:29pm

And to note, the Emerald Star bookings are now being handled by TUI over in the UK - they're not as accommodating when looking for a bargain etc. I used to find the Irish office great (have booked with them about 9 times over the years) and these guys are just pushing the requests around. Not really the personal service it used to be. Which is unfortunate, as there was always an opportunity for some friendly bargaining. And we ALWAYS got a good discount.

I'm never booking with them again!

Mr CJ · 01-08-2010 12:18am

I have cruised the shannon around 4 times and always use Silverline, there service is excellent and the quality of there boats is top class.

I have never used emerald star and I dont think I ever would, the quality of there boats seem to be poor, that is the impression I get.

Anyone who is going to lough key I would recommend bringing a fishing boat, usually they are free from hire companies. With the small boat you can go to castle island and also go into the canal that leads to fairy bridge if you can find it, for anyone into scenery it is great!

You should leave a day for lough key, as there is loads to do, after your adventure it is only a short hop to boyle harbour

If you are new to lough key and heading west in the evening be cautious with the navigation markers as sometimes depending on time and weather you cannot tell there colour

Modified-IRL · 01-08-2010 2:32pm

Im on the shannon all my life but in latter years i havent been on it as much, but i do plan to go again soon..

We usually go Easter weekend and October bank holiday, rates are most reasonabl then, weather isnt always good but its the craic i go for more then anything..

We use Silver line, i think Emerald star are over priced anyway, Carrick craft are meant to be half decent..

Our trip at easter would bring us as far as Killaloe as we have enough light hours, but in october we'd go as far as Garrykennedy or Mountshannon although its abit rough there same with Scariff..

RiderOnTheStorm · 21-09-2010 3:45pm

well, the cruize is a long way in the past now. But I wanted to come back here and say thanks for all the advice & tips!

We had a great time, and I would def do it again. 4 days (5 nights) is not long enough really. You loose a whole day out of that, as you cant take the boat out before 3pm and you have to have it back for 9am on the last day. And if you go up-river from Carrick-On-Shannon then all the locks are electronic and shut down at 8pm and start again at 9am, which makes it hard to be back for 9am the next day! You really have to get there the evening before.

That said, we did have a great time. Both my sons did some time at the wheel while I took a break (the youngest one took great delight in driving the boat and then running around the outside while it motored on by itself and he was still the 'captain' lol) We even managed to catch a couple of fish.

One more small thing.... when traveling upstream from Carrick, there is not much in the way of shore-side facilities (only passed 2 towns in 4 days and neither had a beer garden on the river). Next time we will go south, or rent from further south .

Fuel was not too expensive. Diesel was about same price as it is on road-side garages. We used less than e100 for 5 days. Driving at 1000-1200 revs is quiet fuel efficient!

Anyway.... good luck to any/all that try it, and see you on the water sometime!

Wasted · 13-07-2011 4:48pm

Looking to bring my girls on to Lough Derg this Friday looking for some tips on travel times stop overs etc, picking it up in mount shannon, using shannoncruisers.com. the girls are 10 6+6

budfox · 13-07-2011 8:11pm

Hiya...

The crusing times are here...

http://www.iwai.ie/boating/distance.html

If you PM me your email addy I can send you an itinerary that i've done a few times taking in Killaloe etc over 4 four days. It's great fun and you will have a super time.

Wasted · 13-07-2011 8:22pm

Thanks Budfox it's on the way, kids are veery excited..

ChippingSodbury · 13-07-2011 9:27pm

Hi Budfox,
I'm going for 3 nights next week from Banagher so I've PMed my email address for that famous itinerary too!!!

Thanks.

Wasted · 14-07-2011 1:42pm

Have PM'd you Budfox
Thanks

user_name_d · 07-08-2012 8:54pm

Hey - Great thread here. Have a long weekend family break planned for August - 3 nights/4 days. Cant wait

So I have been trying to think about what we can/cant cover in that time. Its our first time so we're completely novice to this. So appreciate all the help.

We're renting day 1 from Portumna and must return the boat back there. In 4 days does planning on making our way to Athlone and back seem a bit ambitious? Would like to go from lough Derg up to lough Ree. And more importantly - is this the best use of our short time on the water? Have read that travelling south is probably easier but we would like to go through a few locks for the experience!

The group is me and my partner, her folks and her brother with a child(10 yrs). So there is a good mix but we're up for touring/fishing/few stops and a bit of beer along the way

Any tips/itineraries/experience on a long weekend would be great to hear.

Thanks!

Mr CJ · 07-08-2012 10:02pm

I miss-read it the first time

Lough Ree is no problem to get to the only thing about travelling north is you have to do exactly that to reach good spots, if your up for a fair bit of cruising I have 2 good options that you might like to think about, if you had longer you could cross Lough Ree and do the whole of Derg.

Option 1: Good bit of travelling

Day 1: Head north to Banagher and stay the night
Day 2: Visit Shannonbridge/Athlone and head into Ree to Glason for the night
Day 3: Visit Clonmacnoise and head south to Terryglass for the night

Option 2: If you get the boat early

Day 1: Head south and stay the night in Scarrif.
Day 2: Visit Mountshannon and head to Killaloe for the night
Day 3: Visit Garrykennedy and head to Terryglass for the night

I would choose the second option from a lot of experience I would say its the best, next time you could go further north if you go for a week and make the Ree crossing
Enjoy anyway and hope this helps

Mr CJ · 07-08-2012 10:13pm

Another option that would give you the best of both worlds would be the following but there is a fair bit of travelling on the second day so if you dont mind that it might be perfect.

Day 1: Head north and stay the night in Banagher
Day 2: Leave early and head back south to visit Mountshannon (if you have the time) and head to Scarriff for the night (lovely spot)
Day 3: Visit Garrykennedy (should not be passed by) then afterwards head north to stay the night in Terryglass (perfect place for your last night)

user_name_d · 07-08-2012 10:24pm

Hi Mr CJ,

Thanks for the reply. I'd read the first post and pretty much convinced myself option 1 you had recommended as the best. (Think this is what you are suggesting as option 2 now?)

It looks like its about 8-10 hours to make our way up to Athlone. Do you agree?
This is probably about 2 days travelling i'm guessing as we'd like to be off for a bit of time each day.. it might be that bit much.

If we went with option 2 - Is there still a lough/bridge to go through? I'm thinking for the youngest (and the child in all of us

) that this would be one good thing to do. Either way this looks like the best option.

We're taking the late drop off option so we'll have a bit of time on the last day to drop the boat back.. Think we have till about 4.

Cheers for the advice!

Mr CJ · 07-08-2012 10:46pm

user_name_d wrote: »

Hi Mr CJ,

Thanks for the reply. I'd read the first post and pretty much convinced myself option 1 you had recommended as the best. (Think this is what you are suggesting as option 2 now?)

It looks like its about 8-10 hours to make our way up to Athlone. Do you agree?
This is probably about 2 days travelling i'm guessing as we'd like to be off for a bit of time each day.. it might be that bit much.

If we went with option 2 - Is there still a lough/bridge to go through? I'm thinking for the youngest (and the child in all of us ) that this would be one good thing to do. Either way this looks like the best option.

We're taking the late drop off option so we'll have a bit of time on the last day to drop the boat back.. Think we have till about 4.

Cheers for the advice!

My mistake on the first one I had it in my head you where getting the boat from Banagher. You can travel from Glason to Portumna in one day and having time to stop of in Athlone.

There is an option 3 that you might like above?

If you go to Banagher you will pass through the swing bridge and 1 lock beyond Banagher up to Glason there is an extra lock to pass.

If you decide to go north fully I would spend the night in Glason rather than Athlone especially with the kids its a real nice spot and the hotel is 100%

No afraid there is no locks or anything of the nature south of Portumna, option 3 you might like?

wicklowwonder · 06-01-2013 9:42pm

I have never gone on a cruise and we are looking into going on one this year. A Mediterranean would be probably best (or anywhere with sun really). What are the best sites to look at and has anyone got an recommendations. Hoping to get a decent enough deal. How much should you expect to pay? Also do you usually have to buy your own flights to the port?

McChubbin · 06-01-2013 9:57pm

http://www.royalcaribbean.co.uk/destinations/

Went with these guys on my last holiday. You can get a package deal with flights included. The prices include room, all food and transfers so all you need to bring is spending money.
Great value, fantastic service and the ships are like floating cities. I went on the Voyager class. The restruants vary from standard buffet and snacks to 5 star formal dinner, there's a theatre, a cinema, an ice skating rink amongst loads of other activities on board so even if you opt to stay on board the ship, you'll be hard pressed to run out of things to do.

finbarrk · 07-01-2013 12:50pm

We have this one booked for July. Around €2k for 4 of us. 2+2. From Barcelona.
http://www.msccruises.com/gl_en/Ships/MSC-Preziosa.aspx

Zimmerframe · 10-01-2013 12:48am

McChubbin wrote: »

http://www.royalcaribbean.co.uk/destinations/

Went with these guys on my last holiday. You can get a package deal with flights included. The prices include room, all food and transfers so all you need to bring is spending money.
Great value, fantastic service and the ships are like floating cities. I went on the Voyager class. The restruants vary from standard buffet and snacks to 5 star formal dinner, there's a theatre, a cinema, an ice skating rink amongst loads of other activities on board so even if you opt to stay on board the ship, you'll be hard pressed to run out of things to do.

Hi m8,
I am interested in the Mediterranean cruise with Royal Caribbean, but haven't been on a cruise before, so any additional info appreciated.
If I book the "flights from Dublin included", the details are a bit hazy, how does this work.
Do you get specific flights or a choice i.e could you stay at your own expense in the final city for an extra day.
Are transfers from airport to ship included etc.

Unshelved · 10-01-2013 11:35am

Have a look at the website www.cruisecritic.co.uk for a review of all cruise ships and general tips about getting the most from your holiday.

We did an Eastern Med cruise with Royal Caribbean on the Navigator of the Seas last June. We booked it all in with Trailfinders in Dawson Street so it included flights and transport to and from the airport. If you want to do it independently you could end up saving a good deal of money, but we liked the convenience - people who we talked to on the cruise who booked their own flights ended up having to stay a day extra in Rome so it all depends on what you're looking for.

We enjoyed it very much and we'd probably do it again. We found the food in the main dining room a bit disappointing but fine - other dining options were better we thought. Alcohol is very expensive on board with a mandatory 15% "tip" added to every drink. Otherwise as a holiday it works out at good value.

runawaybishop · 10-01-2013 11:37am

Unshelved wrote: »

Alcohol is very expensive on board with a mandatory 15% "tip" added to every drink. Otherwise as a holiday it works out at good value.

On most cruises you are also not allowed to carry any drink of any type back on board also.

ronan45 · 10-01-2013 11:40am

wicklowwonder wrote: »

I have never gone on a cruise and we are looking into going on one this year. A Mediterranean would be probably best (or anywhere with sun really). What are the best sites to look at and has anyone got an recommendations. Hoping to get a decent enough deal. How much should you expect to pay? Also do you usually have to buy your own flights to the port?

A chap that I know said he went on a cruise where EVERYTHING was included in the price, Alco beverages, Food. Never found that offer online thou!:rolleyes:

coylemj · 10-01-2013 7:52pm

ronan45 wrote: »

A chap that I know said he went on a cruise where EVERYTHING was included in the price, Alco beverages, Food. Never found that offer online thou!:rolleyes:

That's at the very top end of the market, people like Silversea etc.

VERY expensive and usually all suites.

+1 to the earlier post which said that most cruise lines do not allow you to bring alcohol on board and that includes returning from shore trips.

Pablo Sanchez · 10-01-2013 10:37pm

You could give www.cruise.co.uk a try, booked a couple through them, literally covers every cruise available at any time, the only problem is that there are so many options its hard to decide!

Emcm · 11-01-2013 8:12pm

We went on this ship for our honeymoon October 2010

http://www.msccruises.co.uk/uk_en/Ships/MSC-Magnifica.aspx

It was our first experience cruising the ship was brand new so it was so beautiful and like another poster said floating 5 star hotels. The food is great and you will never be hungry and you have buffet style or a more formal sit down setting to choose from- prepare to put on about 7lbs we did nothing but eat. I also enjoyed the whole formal nights with champagne and dressing up adds a real sense of occasion. Our route did Venice, Izmir Istanbul and Dubrovnik which were great to see. We opted for a cabin with a balcony so it was lovely spacious light and airy.

You cannot bring any alcohol on board they even scan our bags when we were getting on ship. Alcohol is pricey but we were able to buy a deal on day we departed which worked out cheaper there were beer deals or wine deals. It all works on a card system no cash your door card is what you use to purchase drinks or even any shopping and you pay it all when leaving.

We booked through travel counsellors so all flights transfers were part of deal. In memory we paid 2500 euros

keezer · 11-01-2013 9:54pm

We went on our first cruise last July on board the Norwegian Epic. As it was our first cruise we were a little nervous. We booked the cruise itself through a cruise consultant and the flights separate.

It was the best holiday i have been on on i am 23. We went as a group, and we had 2 rooms booked for our family.

A mini suite, just a larger balcony room non suite amenities. Big spacious and plenty of room to move around And a studio which i stayed in small cosy, and big enough for 2. These rooms are aimed towards the solo traveler with no single occupancy to be paid. Also for these rooms there is a lounge with snacks in a fridge , bar, and speciality coffees all free apart from the bar.

About 20 bars and 19 restaurants enough to keep one going, some have an extra charge but you could last the week with out paying the extra.

Shows are out of this world, Blue Man Group free. Cirque de solay dinner show well wort the small charge, legends are just some of what's on offer.

One thing about Norwegian cruise line, is its freestyle, you eat when ya want go to what ever show you like, unlike other cruises you go to a show the corresponds to your dinner time. This was a winner in our books.

Your not suppose to bring alcohol on board, but we followed others advice and bought it in barcelona port and stuck it in our hand luggage before boarding. Nothing said at all

Reati · 11-01-2013 10:24pm

McChubbin wrote: »

http://www.royalcaribbean.co.uk/destinations/

Went with these guys on my last holiday. You can get a package deal with flights included. The prices include room, all food and transfers so all you need to bring is spending money.
Great value, fantastic service and the ships are like floating cities. I went on the Voyager class. The restruants vary from standard buffet and snacks to 5 star formal dinner, there's a theatre, a cinema, an ice skating rink amongst loads of other activities on board so even if you opt to stay on board the ship, you'll be hard pressed to run out of things to do.

Have to agree with this post. My better half brought me on a RC "floating city" (and trust me that what these are!) for the first time a few years ago. It was amazing. Going to sleep in one place, waking up in a new place to explore. When you are sailing it had everything you could think of for the sporty type. Rollerblading, Ice skating, rock climbing, soccer, pools, gym etc. We go ever year with RC and it's always amazing (helps that my better is high up on their loyalty club scheme!). There is always something to do be it a show or dance classes or bell flop competition or something else going on. You'll never get to do everythingbut you'll never be bored.

If your looking, the Voyager Class is the best one I've been on. We've been on the smaller class boats. These are very cozy and you get a more personal experience but I find them a little boring without the more sporty things. The bigger ones are great for all they have onboard, like a surfing simulate, (though they have these awesome pools that float of the edge of the ship http://www.cruisemates.com/images/RCI/freedom-tubs.jpg) but it's very busy and LOTS of people.

We also book our own flights, but that's normally as we book the cruise through some website. If you book your own flights, you will need to get from the airport to port yourself. When you book cruise and flight, RC orangise a bus for you I believe.

The only hidden cost to be aware of it you are asked to pay tips to your waiters, cleaners etc at the end of the cruise. It's about 60-100 dollars per person. They do everything in dollars. You don't have to pay this, but for the fuss they do over you, you'd need to be a real tight person not too.

Which ship / route are you looking at?

tan11ie · 12-01-2013 12:30am

ronan45 wrote: »

A chap that I know said he went on a cruise where EVERYTHING was included in the price, Alco beverages, Food. Never found that offer online thou!:rolleyes:

Alcohol is the only thing I've ever paid for on any cruise I've been on....If it's included I'd bet it half a glass of muck every so often..

The Davestator · 12-01-2013 3:34pm

tan11ie wrote: »

Alcohol is the only thing I've ever paid for on any cruise I've been on....If it's included I'd bet it half a glass of muck every so often..

I was on a Cruise last year and they sold an upgrade to include wine and beer. It was 220 euro for the week. I got value, but the missus didn't as she got sick of wine and wanted cocktails!

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