HOW ABOUT A CRUISE WITH NO STOP’S

[wowzz]

I would be quite happy to sail around in circles for a max of 7 days in a warm climate,  as long as the other posters on this site were on board as well.

(I think I've come over all sentimental! )  

[Selbourne]

This will sound a bit daft and doesn’t address my concern that the only safe time to board a cruise ship will be when everyone is vaccinated, but I will mention it anyway. 
 

On three occasions we have had a cruise experience without the ship going anywhere. Twice on a CMV ships (Marco Polo in Avonmouth, Bristol and Magellan in Tilbury) and once on Oriana in Southampton. We boarded during the afternoon, checked in to our cabins, explored the ship, drinks in the bars, full dinner sharing with other guests, a show, overnight in cabin, full breakfast, disembark. Quite a nice way to see a ship and get a bit of a cruise ‘top up’ without going anywhere. This could be done for longer than just an overnight. No different to a sea day but no fuel used and something to see from the ship! Just a thought if cruise ships can’t go anywhere!

[wowzz]

1 minute ago, Selbourne said:

fuel used

I know I'm being pedantic, but the generators have to keep going, so fuel is used,  and the local environment does suffer.

However,  a quick 48 hour spin out to sea and back could be quite relaxing.

[pepperheart]

In the caribbean both carnival and Rci have im not sure if they are private islands or private beaches,so what if a ship sailed very slowly from southampton and went to a private beach either rented or owned by carnival or rci where the ship could dock for 72 hours or so and then very slowly travel back to southampton.People would have the choice of sunbathing  both on the ship and then the beach or im sure the ship could put on more daytime events for people who didnt want the sun.After all they would be saving money on all the port fees,the ship would be going slower so it would use less fuel and and they would not need any tour excursions people 

[Wedgeh]

I would be perfectly happy with this - we did it once when a medical condition meant my wife wouldn't enjoy time ashore so had 14 days on vision of the seas. We've done plenty of transatlantics and enjoy sea days.

[Harry Peterson]

Wouldn't a few days at an appropriate (to suit your personal requirements) onshore holiday centre do the job just as well?  And considerably more cheaply?

[Eddie99]

This is what my (pretty cloudy) crystal ball is saying about future holidays.  “Resorts/establishments” which offer 24 hour all-inclusive features and facilities like the larger cruise ships - just without the travel and the sea 🙁

 

Bit of a giant-sized compromise 

 

However, the Center Parcs offer may be one which flourishes post lockdown

 

[wowzz]

16 minutes ago, Harry Peterson said:

Wouldn't a few days at an appropriate (to suit your personal requirements) onshore holiday centre do the job just as well?  And considerably more cheaply?

Yes, probably.  However,  if you want guaranteed hot, or at least warm weather, you would have to sail or fly,  and we are trying to avoid the hassle of flying  these days. 

[BillieJeanKaraokeKing]

Not for me, I very much want to see places (and itinerary is an important factor) - without that it's just floating pubs and restaurants to me (mainly), which is not enough just on its own. 

[AndyMichelle]

52 minutes ago, Eddie99 said:

This is what my (pretty cloudy) crystal ball is saying about future holidays.  “Resorts/establishments” which offer 24 hour all-inclusive features and facilities like the larger cruise ships - just without the travel and the sea 🙁

 

Bit of a giant-sized compromise 

 

However, the Center Parcs offer may be one which flourishes post lockdown

 

We can certainly cruise cheaper than Center Parcs, so add in the extras, it would cost a fortune. 

Andy 

[AndyMichelle]

1 hour ago, Harry Peterson said:

Wouldn't a few days at an appropriate (to suit your personal requirements) onshore holiday centre do the job just as well?  And considerably more cheaply?

I don't get the 'more cheaply'... 

Center Parcs etc are ridiculous prices. 

Andy 

[wowzz]

Just now, AndyMichelle said:

We can certainly cruise cheaper than Center Parcs, so add in the extras, it would cost a fortune. 

Andy 

Andy, you are right about the price.  And all the  children,  and the awful weather, and the swimming pool packed with people. 

Cheaper and more pleasant to stay at home!

[Eddie99]

I kinda think all holidays (and restaurants, cinema, “attractions”, etc) will be much more expensive ‘after’.

Let’s hope we can grow to appreciate simple pleasures; life at, or close to, home; socialising with friends and family and holidaying thoughtfully, sparingly and expensively!

[wowzz]

Mrs W and I were discussing last night what we might do, once the lockdown finally is lifted in the UK. We thought about taking a week in a boutique style hotel,  somewhere like Northumberland or Norfolk.  Took a look at some places - £150 a night. So a week is going to cost over £1000, plus meals drinks etc. 

So, back to caravan park brochures for us!

[Harry Peterson]

10 minutes ago, AndyMichelle said:

I don't get the 'more cheaply'... 

Center Parcs etc are ridiculous prices. 

Andy 

B——————s?  Not a swear word, Andy. Though some might see it that way.......😄

[Son of Anarchy]

I suppose at the end of the day cruise ships are essentially floating hotels/restaurants/bars.  We like the sea days, and would prefer being on a floating hotel slowly chugging around to one on shore.  To each their own.

 

Thinking about it, we've done a couple of cruises to nowhere as well.  Overnight stay on Marco Polo, which to me was very interesting to see again as I had previously been on her when she was the Alexander Pushkin - happy childhood memories!; and a two nighter to Zeebrugge, which never got in; as well a couple of cruises where tenders couldn't operate on the day (Guernsey and Stornoway).

 

I've noticed that Arcadia has a halfway round UK cruise in August.  Although she's due to go into Dublin and Cobh, other ports such as Belfast and Liverpool could replace them if travelling them was not allowed.  That's off course in the unlikely event that we'll be able to travel anywhere at that time!  I'd certainly go.

[Wedgeh]

2 hours ago, Harry Peterson said:

Wouldn't a few days at an appropriate (to suit your personal requirements) onshore holiday centre do the job just as well?  And considerably more cheaply?

 

Whenever we've considered this we've found that it's going to cost (a lot) more. But we're happy with an inside cabin, which is size-wise smaller than pretty much every hotel room I've been in excepting Point A and that does affect the economics of it somewhat.

[Clipper Chick]

2 hours ago, Harry Peterson said:

Wouldn't a few days at an appropriate (to suit your personal requirements) onshore holiday centre do the job just as well?  And considerably more cheaply?

If it would I would not have been cruising in the first place.

[annieuk]

If I ignore the whole worry about the virus then yes I could enjoy a cruise with no stops.  I had a similar sort of experience on Oceana back in 2010.  At the end of the previous October I broke my ankle and was in plaster until the beginning of January 2010.  We had a cruise booked for the end of January - a fly cruise to Acapulco then through the Panama Canal into the Caribbean and return from Barbados.  My Consultant advised me to go, no reason why not he said.  So we went.  I was lucky in that we were sitting right at the front of the plane so I was able to put my leg up which helped.  I'd booked Assistance all the way which was great, all worked fine.  It was only when we got onto the ship that I began to realise that it would have been very sensible to take a wheelchair.  I had been walking around very well at home but I had forgotten how long it was from one end of the ship to the other let along getting off and walking particularly in the heat which makes legs and ankles swell.  

 

We tried to borrow a wheelchair from the Medical Centre but they would only let us have one on a couple of evenings in order to go to the Captain's Welcome evening and to a drinks do.  I had a walking stick which helped but it became obvious that I was going to be much more comfortable staying on board so I cancelled the pre-booked trips.  My husband often chose different trips from me so he wasn't really affected in that way.  We had one of the aft mini suites on Oceana so I had a lovely place to sit and view what was happening.  I can honestly say I didn't get bored not going off the ship.  Someone asked me that when I got home.  I said that it was January/February, at home it was snowing and I was sat on my balcony at the back of the ship, relaxing in the sunshine, not having to think what was I going to cook for supper, no shopping, no cleaning, wonderful!  So yes I think I could enjoy a cruise with no stops, although it would be good to sail along coastlines so there was occasionally something to look at.

[Denarius]

To me cruising is mainly about visiting interesting places without the need to constantly pack and unpack. Whilst being at sea does come into it, it is a major consideration for me only where it is a defining feature of the holiday, for example being under sail on a tall ship. Spending time on a floating hotel without port visits is not for me. Would rather spend time in a hotel in a good shore location from which I could visit local places if interest.

[zap99]

3 hours ago, Harry Peterson said:

Wouldn't a few days at an appropriate (to suit your personal requirements) onshore holiday centre do the job just as well?  And considerably more cheaply?

Perhaps Warner's at Bembridge. On a nice warm evening you can sit on the terrace with a cool drink and watch the cruise ships leaving the Solent.

[Harry Peterson]

3 minutes ago, zap99 said:

Perhaps Warner's at Bembridge. On a nice warm evening you can sit on the terrace with a cool drink and watch the cruise ships leaving the Solent.

I think some of the Warner’s places would be worth considering ahead of a cruise with no port visits.  No ports = no cruise for me, and if you’re just going to be floating around with nowhere to see, I’d far sooner do that on dry land.

[zap99]

1 minute ago, Harry Peterson said:

I think some of the Warner’s places would be worth considering ahead of a cruise with no port visits.  No ports = no cruise for me, and if you’re just going to be floating around with nowhere to see, I’d far sooner do that on dry land.

I haven't floated around on dry land since 1968.

[terrierjohn]

56 minutes ago, Clipper Chick said:

If it would I would not have been cruising in the first place.

Agreed, I think we have all done the costings ourselves and every time cruising comes out as the best value when you factor in everything it offers.

Edited April 30, 2020 by terrierjohn

[Harry Peterson]

Just now, terrierjohn said:

Agreed, I think we have all done the coatings ourselves and every time cruising comes out as the best value when you factor in everything it offers.

But not, at least from my viewpoint, if it just involves floating around on potentially rough seas but not actually going anywhere.  We’re all different, but for me cruising is all about visiting places, not just eating, drinking and watching mediocre entertainment.