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[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

Time for TB to rid  the forum of those wanky santa thingies.

[YZ250]

Agreed. 
They should be limited to start on Christmas Eve and be gone by Boxing Day morning.

[TheBoy]

Some ol' crap about 12th night, blah blah...

[YZ250]

Some ol' crap about 12th night, blah blah...

If the 12th night superstition is anything to go by, I’ll agree with you on this occasion. I’ve had enough shit luck the last couple of years so I’m happy for you not to tempt fate ….. leave them be.   

[TheBoy]

Some ol' crap about 12th night, blah blah...

If the 12th night superstition is anything to go by, I’ll agree with you on this occasion. I’ve had enough shit luck the last couple of years so I’m happy for you not to tempt fate ….. leave them be.   

Yeah, I'll be equally glad to put 2023 behind me.  What a shitty year, although I'm thankful I've not even been near a hospital this year.  Probably just as well, as you've hogged the beds 

[YZ250]

Some ol' crap about 12th night, blah blah...

If the 12th night superstition is anything to go by, I’ll agree with you on this occasion. I’ve had enough shit luck the last couple of years so I’m happy for you not to tempt fate ….. leave them be.   

Yeah, I'll be equally glad to put 2023 behind me.  What a shitty year, although I'm thankful I've not even been near a hospital this year.  Probably just as well, as you've hogged the beds 

 

[Mr Skrunts]

363 Shopping Days till Christmas 2024

[Sir Tigger KC]

363 Shopping Days till Christmas 2024

363 days of Skruntie ording shite from Amazon that he doesn't need and then telling us about the hassle of returning said shite!       

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

363 Shopping Days till Christmas 2024

363 days of Skruntie ording shite from Amazon that he doesn't need and then telling us about the hassle of returning said shite!       

Skruntie has a thirty something Lithuanian woman on the go......he has to keep her sweet.

[Nick W]

Some ol' crap about 12th night, blah blah...

If the 12th night superstition is anything to go by, I’ll agree with you on this occasion. I’ve had enough shit luck the last couple of years so I’m happy for you not to tempt fate ….. leave them be. 

Yeah, I'll be equally glad to put 2023 behind me.  What a shitty year, although I'm thankful I've not even been near a hospital this year.  Probably just as well, as you've hogged the beds 

This time last year we hoped that 2023 would be better. But it started badly, and got worse.


Maybe 2024 will manage it, but the signs aren't good

[redelitev6]

Some ol' crap about 12th night, blah blah...

If the 12th night superstition is anything to go by, I’ll agree with you on this occasion. I’ve had enough shit luck the last couple of years so I’m happy for you not to tempt fate ….. leave them be. 

Yeah, I'll be equally glad to put 2023 behind me.  What a shitty year, although I'm thankful I've not even been near a hospital this year.  Probably just as well, as you've hogged the beds 

This time last year we hoped that 2023 would be better. But it started badly, and got worse.


Maybe 2024 will manage it, but the signs aren't good

We're in a recession in all but name , the last quarter financial statement will confirm it 

[STEMO]

Stop moaning you lot, there are some people who won't make it as far as 2024

[Rangie]

Stop moaning you lot, there are some people who won't make it as far as 2024

.
Got lots planned for 2024 starting with a Carribbean cruise in March so got to make it as its all paid for now. 😁

[STEMO]

Like I said, some people won't be seeing 2024, especially if your family tend to disagree on Christmas Day 

Florida shooting: Mum fatally shot over Christmas present row https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-67825635

[Andy B]

......

Florida shooting: Mum fatally shot over Christmas present row https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-67825635

there are no words .....
meanwhile they'll all ramble on about their gun laws & the square root of f*** all will be done about them.

[Rangie]

Like I said, some people won't be seeing 2024, especially if your family tend to disagree on Christmas Day 

Florida shooting: Mum fatally shot over Christmas present row https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-67825635

.

Moral of that story is to always ensure your firearms are safely locked away at Christmas family gatherings just in case the socks aren't to your liking..👍

[YZ250]

Stop moaning you lot, there are some people who won't make it as far as 2024

.
Got lots planned for 2024 starting with a Carribbean cruise in March so got to make it as its all paid for now. 😁

We got back from the Canary Islands two weeks before Christmas. It seemed weird being on a beach with temperatures of 29 degrees when it was so cold in the UK. We were caught in a Force 12 hurricane on the last two days of sailing, which was ………. interesting.

[YZ250]

Stop moaning you lot, there are some people who won't make it as far as 2024

A couple of our Christmas gifts from family are theatre tickets for shows in 2025.  I’m thinking that given my age and health issues the bookings could be a tad optimistic. 
Positive head on, I’ll still be here and moaning about the shows.

[countrywoman]

Found out why they call it Bubble and Squeak (parp)

[Rangie]

Stop moaning you lot, there are some people who won't make it as far as 2024

.
Got lots planned for 2024 starting with a Carribbean cruise in March so got to make it as its all paid for now. 😁

We got back from the Canary Islands two weeks before Christmas. It seemed weird being on a beach with temperatures of 29 degrees when it was so cold in the UK. We were caught in a Force 12 hurricane on the last two days of sailing, which was ………. interesting.

.

We booked the Carribbean while we were on the Canaries cruise in February this year, got to have something to look forward to,then taking all the family to Crete in May something we said we must do before we get too old to enjoy it..🌞🌞🌞

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

Some ol' crap about 12th night, blah blah...

If the 12th night superstition is anything to go by, I’ll agree with you on this occasion. I’ve had enough shit luck the last couple of years so I’m happy for you not to tempt fate ….. leave them be. 

Yeah, I'll be equally glad to put 2023 behind me.  What a shitty year, although I'm thankful I've not even been near a hospital this year.  Probably just as well, as you've hogged the beds 

This time last year we hoped that 2023 would be better. But it started badly, and got worse.


Maybe 2024 will manage it, but the signs aren't good

We have Trump/Biden 2.....the battle of the geriatrics.

We will also have a new PM in this country.

Bit of a clusterf*uck really.

[Nick W]

I was thinking a lot closer to home than the US....

[ronnyd]

Stop moaning you lot, there are some people who won't make it as far as 2024

.
Got lots planned for 2024 starting with a Carribbean cruise in March so got to make it as its all paid for now. 😁

We got back from the Canary Islands two weeks before Christmas. It seemed weird being on a beach with temperatures of 29 degrees when it was so cold in the UK. We were caught in a Force 12 hurricane on the last two days of sailing, which was ………. interesting.

.

We booked the Carribbean while we were on the Canaries cruise in February this year, got to have something to look forward to,then taking all the family to Crete in May something we said we must do before we get too old to enjoy it..🌞🌞🌞

I was talking to my grandson and his girlfriend yesterday and they both agreed that it was very odd having a chrismas when it's close on 40 deg C. They also said that some Aussies have another christmas in June, when it's a bit cooler.

[Doctor Gollum]

The Canaries are hard to beat for a blast of sunshine, but I would suggest that a boat in the North Atlantic in the Winter is a bad idea... It's bumpy enough flying across it

Note to self to avoid Barbs and Nassau in March

[Viral_Jim]

Got lots planned for 2024 starting with a Carribbean cruise in March so got to make it as its all paid for now. 😁

Very nice! Mind if I ask where to and who with? We'd always gone RCCL but with most wanting to charge kids full fare, even for our under 1y.o.  we've been with MSC the last couple of times and been fairly impressed. 

[Rangie]

I won't say who with because the slagging off will start by certain members who  assume they know better. We will be visiting, Barbados Curacao Bonaire St.Vincent Grenada St.Lucia St.Kitts Antigua St.Maarten. I always didn't fancy cruising but we were asked to go by some friends who go most years & it was absolutely brilliant we couldn't fault anything, they have used many different companies but now wouldn't use any other than the one recommended to us. Please feel free to message me for any more information if required.
Mick.

[TheBoy]

I always didn't fancy cruising but we were asked to go by some friends who go most years

I'm in the same boat.(pardon the pun), never fancied the idea of a cruise, but our holiday buddies are keen we join them on one at some point. They assure me that I will love it.

My mentality is that it's like a large hotel, and you get dumped in various ports for day trips?  I really don't like hotels much, particularly all-inclusive hotels, and all ports are universally grim and usually in the cities.

Help try to convince me I should go with them , or do you think it simply isn't for everyone.  Generally when we go away, we like to get a car (or just drive our own if its viable, like France etc), and go our exploring and seeing the sites.  I'm not really one of those that gets a train to a destination and stay there the whole week, I find that boredom central.


(I've done a river cruise up the Nile, and a shitty Fred Olsen one over to Norway and Denmark - enjoyed the Nile one, despite a lot of illness, hated the Fred Olsen one)

[Rangie]

The only way to find out is to go , just try a 7 day one would be my advice you  will soon discover if you like it or not,as for trips entirely up to the individual, personally I don't like travelling around on mini buses/coaches there's plenty of experience on board the ship to offer advice & there's plenty of things on offer if you  just want to stay on board . Our first one this year was only £1200 for both of us including flights, terrific value for money.

[TheBoy]

The only way to find out is to go , just try a 7 day one would be my advice you  will soon discover if you like it or not,as for trips entirely up to the individual, personally I don't like travelling around on mini buses/coaches there's plenty of experience on board the ship to offer advice & there's plenty of things on offer if you  just want to stay on board . Our first one this year was only £1200 for both of us including flights, terrific value for money.

I'm the same with coaches and mini buses - OK if it's just for 20 minutes or so, but tiresome if it's 2hrs each way.  And as I said, ports a grim places*, so generally nothing to look around within walking distance.

I think you're right, I am going to have to just bite the bullet and try, though I am anxious that I'll be bored shitless within a day - a weekend in a hotel without going out visiting drives me insane.

Aside from casinos, arcades, pool, cinemas and "entertainment" what else can I expect to find onboard?


*possibly not some of the historic ports/cities, where the port is in the middle of an historic city.

[YZ250]

The only way to find out is to go , just try a 7 day one would be my advice you  will soon discover if you like it or not,as for trips entirely up to the individual, personally I don't like travelling around on mini buses/coaches there's plenty of experience on board the ship to offer advice & there's plenty of things on offer if you  just want to stay on board . Our first one this year was only £1200 for both of us including flights, terrific value for money.

I'm the same with coaches and mini buses - OK if it's just for 20 minutes or so, but tiresome if it's 2hrs each way.  And as I said, ports a grim places*, so generally nothing to look around within walking distance.
…………

Most cruise lines organise Shuttle Buses to the towns so you just walk off the ship, get on a bus and fifteen/twenty minutes later you get off at the drop off points. Some Ports you can walk to the town but for sightseeing such as ruins/volcanos etc you’re probably better off on an organised excursion from the ship. If you are on a ship organised excursion you know that the ship will not leave port without you if the tour coach is late returning, as it’s their tour so their responsibility.  Also, some people like to stay on board at Ports as there will be less people onboard around the pools etc.
What to do onboard is down to the individual preference, I mean, what do people normally do?. We started on RCCL (Royal Caribbean Cruise Line) and they have theatres, ice skating shows, pools, flo-rider surfing, rock climbing, jacuzzi’s, games rooms, gymnasiums, casinos and various clubs to entertain. P & O have most of that, apart from the ice skating, but is less glitzy.  We started cruising years ago and I honestly thought my Mrs would hate it (it was her choice not mine), as she doesn’t even like sitting on a beach for more than half an hour, but she loves it.
We always, always, always book a balcony room and if we couldn’t get one we wouldn’t book. As you say, it’s not for everyone, but I certainly wouldn’t class it as a floating hotel.
The Embarkation and Disembarkation (sail only) is so much easier when compared to flying as once you are on board your holiday has started.

[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

I have always hated the idea personally.
Did a mini cruise in 1999. Cyprus overnight to Israel (jerusalem, wailing wall, Bethlehem etc.), Israel overnight to Egypt (did the Pyramids, Sphinx, Cairo museum with Tuts treasures), then overnight back to Cyprus.
It cost £100 for a familt of four  !
It was unforgettable, but having said that, one more night on a boat I would probably have jumped overboard.

[Doctor Gollum]

Bro and SIL tend to go with Cunard having switched from P&O. This switch was reinforced by the discounts offered on subsequent cruises if booked whilst on board... Much like an early bird exclusive member discount. They've five booked over the next 18 months

I have never been on a cruise but would probably avoid anything likely to be over run with children, and the only one on my to-do list is Southampton to New York, and that's more about the symbolism of the journey than the cruise itself.

As for taster cruises, Southampton to Hamburg or Cherbourg/Guernsey is a pretty cost effective way of getting a feel for the concept. P&O and Cunard both regularly run 2-4 night mini cruises as fillers between the longer routes.

[Doctor Gollum]

I won't say who with because the slagging off will start by certain members who  assume they know better. We will be visiting, Barbados Curacao Bonaire St.Vincent Grenada St.Lucia St.Kitts Antigua St.Maarten. I always didn't fancy cruising but we were asked to go by some friends who go most years & it was absolutely brilliant we couldn't fault anything, they have used many different companies but now wouldn't use any other than the one recommended to us. Please feel free to message me for any more information if required.
Mick.

I presume you mean me. In which case I could offer some guidance for your flight, but I doubt you'll be interested, so I won't

[TheBoy]

The Embarkation and Disembarkation (sail only) is so much easier when compared to flying as once you are on board your holiday has started.

I guess if I jumped on a boat at Southampton or similar, it would be a couple of days before its got to the Med?  Probably makes a week's break less feasible?  I don't think I want to go for more than a week first time, in case I really don't get on with it...

[YZ250]

The Embarkation and Disembarkation (sail only) is so much easier when compared to flying as once you are on board your holiday has started.

I guess if I jumped on a boat at Southampton or similar, it would be a couple of days before its got to the Med?  Probably makes a week's break less feasible?  I don't think I want to go for more than a week first time, in case I really don't get on with it...

The point is that your holiday starts as soon as you are on the ship. Within thirty minutes of boarding you could be supping beer sat by the pool, sunbathing on the loungers or scoffing your face with the buffet food. The whole cruise is your holiday, not just the ports. 

[Sir Tigger KC]

I have never been on a cruise but would probably avoid anything likely to be over run with children, and the only one on my to-do list is Southampton to New York, and that's more about the symbolism of the journey than the cruise itself.

Yep that's on my bucket list too! 

When I was younger I wanted to sail across the Atlantic, crewing on a yacht, but I'm too decrepit for that kind of thing now, so I'll have to pack a tux and do it in style! 

[Viral_Jim]

TB: I've done about 5 or 6 so far, either on Royal Carribbean or MSC. I was similar to you, in that I thought it would be a terrible idea but my partner and family have always done it so persuaded me to try it. A few observations:

The boats never feel as busy as the numbers on board would make you think they might be. The only exception to this is Round the swimming pool(s). For engineering reasons these have to be small and inevitably get crowded.

Don't sail out of the UK for anything less than 7 days. If you do you're likely to get a lot of stag and hen parties, with all the bullsh!t that entails.

Having a balcony cabin is a big bonus as it means you can always just sit and watch the world go by with no one around.

I would always book through an agent - I've personally used vacations2go (denominated in USD but have thousands of cruises listed in a very no nonsense website) and cruise.co.uk. it's usually worth using these as you can typically get a good chunk of discount.

Finally, all cruise lines have a different ethos and target market they cater to. So think hard about what type of holiday you want as picking the wrong line will likely lead to you having a poor experience. We've booked the Carribbean for Easter 2025 with MSC, 2 adults and 2 children for 10 days and it's £3,500 'all inclusive' which for the Easter holidays is cheaper than center parks. That said, we picked MSC because it's family focused, tons for the kids to do and lots of shows. But it will be busy and it will be full of kids. Although Rangie hasn't said, unless he's going with grand children I'd be surprised if he's booked the same cruise line as (in his position) I wouldn't want to be surrounded by children on my relaxing beach holiday.

Lastly, on your sailing from the UK point, I found out this week that my partner has booked a 7night cruise from Southampton in may for my 40th. That route is Southampton -> at sea -> Bordeaux -> Bilbao -> la coruna -> at sea -> le harve -> Southampton. We will probably stay on board at le harve, but the other stops will doubtless have something interesting to offer.

[Doctor Gollum]

Le Havre is a coach ride from Paris.

Cruises are a good way to get a taste of a variety of places in one hit without changing hotels. However you potentially end up with a skewed view of those places due to the limited time available and the number of other ships in port. Nassau being a particular case in point... Almost constantly three ships in at any one time as it's the first/last stop between Ft Lauderdale and the Caribbean proper.

The Caribbean islands are all different so it's any easy way to experience them and it would be a good way to tick off south east Asia without doing the whole back packing thing. If you can afford the time and additional cost, then I would say it's probably worth spending a couple of days either side having a bit of an explore around, especially if it's somewhere you have to travel to get to... If nothing else it's a chance.to.acclimatise yourself after the flight.

[Andy B]

I did quite a few Grey Funnel Liner cruises in the 80s 

[Rangie]

TB: I've done about 5 or 6 so far, either on Royal Carribbean or MSC. I was similar to you, in that I thought it would be a terrible idea but my partner and family have always done it so persuaded me to try it. A few observations:

The boats never feel as busy as the numbers on board would make you think they might be. The only exception to this is Round the swimming pool(s). For engineering reasons these have to be small and inevitably get crowded.

Don't sail out of the UK for anything less than 7 days. If you do you're likely to get a lot of stag and hen parties, with all the bullsh!t that entails.

Having a balcony cabin is a big bonus as it means you can always just sit and watch the world go by with no one around.

I would always book through an agent - I've personally used vacations2go (denominated in USD but have thousands of cruises listed in a very no nonsense website) and cruise.co.uk. it's usually worth using these as you can typically get a good chunk of discount.

Finally, all cruise lines have a different ethos and target market they cater to. So think hard about what type of holiday you want as picking the wrong line will likely lead to you having a poor experience. We've booked the Carribbean for Easter 2025 with MSC, 2 adults and 2 children for 10 days and it's £3,500 'all inclusive' which for the Easter holidays is cheaper than center parks. That said, we picked MSC because it's family focused, tons for the kids to do and lots of shows. But it will be busy and it will be full of kids. Although Rangie hasn't said, unless he's going with grand children I'd be surprised if he's booked the same cruise line as (in his position) I wouldn't want to be surrounded by children on my relaxing beach holiday.

Lastly, on your sailing from the UK point, I found out this week that my partner has booked a 7night cruise from Southampton in may for my 40th. That route is Southampton -> at sea -> Bordeaux -> Bilbao -> la coruna -> at sea -> le harve -> Southampton. We will probably stay on board at le harve, but the other stops will doubtless have something interesting to offer.

.

We're both hooked on them , we plan to do 1 maybe 2 a year over the next few years , providing we are both able & healthy of course.

[Viral_Jim]

I would love to have the time to do a couple a year, living the retirement dream!

Have you ever been up to Alaska? We went in May last year and it's honestly the best holiday I've ever done.

[Rangie]

I would love to have the time to do a couple a year, living the retirement dream!

Have you ever been up to Alaska? We went in May last year and it's honestly the best holiday I've ever done.

.

Funny you mention that , my eldest Grandson was talking about going there next year, had never crossed my mind at all.

[Doctor Gollum]

Long Beach to Anchorage is practically a bus service.

A more interesting journey if you've the time is the regular ferry from Bellingham to Juneau and Anchorage. Not dissimilar to the ferry that serves the Norwegian coast

[Doctor Gollum]

Long Beach to Anchorage is practically a bus service.

A more interesting journey if you've the time is the regular ferry from Bellingham to Juneau and Anchorage. Not dissimilar to the ferry that serves the Norwegian coast

You could hire a car from California (the more time the further south) and do the entire coast before taking the car on the ferry and exploring each port properly.

[Viral_Jim]

Funny you mention that , my eldest Grandson was talking about going there next year, had never crossed my mind at all.

If you can afford it then I could say go for it. Just make sure you get a balcony cabin so you can see the scenery. I can heartily recommend the wildlife tours too. This was from our whale watching excursion...

https://imgur.com/gallery/84O6k1Z

[Rangie]

Funny you mention that , my eldest Grandson was talking about going there next year, had never crossed my mind at all.

If you can afford it then I could say go for it. Just make sure you get a balcony cabin so you can see the scenery. I can heartily recommend the wildlife tours too. This was from our whale watching excursion...

https://imgur.com/gallery/84O6k1Z

.

Got to agree that having a balcony is great & certainly will always have one, re Alaska that is certainly going on our ones to do, SWMBO wanted " something out of the ordinary" and that certainly looks perfect, only one regret is that we wished started cruising earlier. Thanks for the heads up..👍

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

The Embarkation and Disembarkation (sail only) is so much easier when compared to flying as once you are on board your holiday has started.

I guess if I jumped on a boat at Southampton or similar, it would be a couple of days before its got to the Med?  Probably makes a week's break less feasible?  I don't think I want to go for more than a week first time, in case I really don't get on with it...

The point is that your holiday starts as soon as you are on the ship. Within thirty minutes of boarding you could be supping beer sat by the pool, sunbathing on the loungers or scoffing your face with the buffet food. The whole cruise is your holiday, not just the ports. 

I hear that hardened American cruise fans board the ship with 4 or 5 different sizes of clothes. This way they can eat to the point of bursting, like the man in the restaurant from the Monty Python sketch.

https://youtu.be/aczPDGC3f8U?feature=shared

[Doctor Gollum]

Just one waffer thin mint is a joke that rarely needs explanation 

[YZ250]

Bro and SIL tend to go with Cunard having switched from P&O. This switch was reinforced by the discounts offered on subsequent cruises if booked whilst on board... Much like an early bird exclusive member discount. They've five booked over the next 18 months …….

You have to do some digging on this one as P&O in particular lead you to believe you are getting a better deal when booking onboard, when it’s not actually anything great. The main advantage to booking your next cruise whilst already onboard is the low deposit per person, which in the case of P&O is £50 per person. We sat down at the bookings desk, after having already looked up the same cruise online, and it worked out around £100 cheaper. You can actually get it thousands cheaper for a family if booked carefully.
For those unaware, prices vary massively for the same room, on the same cruise at the same month. Book really early and you pay top whack, but then, as tickets sales dive a bit, they lower the price as an incentive as the departure time gets within a few months. Ticket sales take off again due to the lower price, but then rise again due to the tickets selling ok again. It can be a big difference between early and mid to later booking.
Obviously the risk of late booking is you take the risk of not being able to book a specific cabin, something which would bother me but not everyone. Also be aware of being offered an upgrade prior to arrival, it probably means they want to resell your cabin and ‘upgrade’ you to a less desirable part of the ship. We always decline this, unless they’re offering a suite in exchange.

I have never been on a cruise but would probably avoid anything likely to be over run with children ……..

They do adult only cruises but we tend to pick a cruise during school term time to at least minimise children.