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Holidays

Posted by geoff the bonnie <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=geoff+the+bonnie' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on May 27, 2025, 2:00 pm

Trying to book for January and most cabins are sold already. Each time i enquire, the price goes up about 500 pounds due to them being able to see what i am interested in. In the last hour, one cabin went up 1000 pounds.
So, back to the drawing board and maybe book one for 2027 and something different for this year in the Greek Islands maybe.
I thought a recession was coming but it seems all the pensioners have a lot of spare cash at the moment. The 5 week holiday for 12k seems to be popular for the over 70s. One quote was 20k. Last year was 12k and this year January was 6.4K. The cost for exactly the same holiday has more than doubled due to demand. I can book 2027 at a fairly low cost.

Re: Holidays

Posted by Lannis <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=Lannis' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on May 27, 2025, 2:15 pm, in reply to "Holidays"

What made you think that a recession was coming?

Consumers here certainly aren't behaving as if hard times of some sort are on the way .....

Lannis

I don't take health advice from people who think the world is overpopulated.

Re: Holidays

Posted by geoff the bonnie <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=geoff+the+bonnie' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on May 27, 2025, 2:48 pm, in reply to "Re: Holidays"

There seems a lot of dissatisfaction with pay rises and people saying that prices are rising too much for essentials. I had a 1.7 percent increase on pension then, suddenly, they say inflation is near 4 percent. Many on these ships maybe spending what they were left by parents having a great time before the long rest. Surprising to see so many often in their 80s still running around quite well.
Where i see a recession is all the banks and Post offices shutting. Half of the shops in town are now charity shops and all over the place, there are food collectors to hand food to the poor. Shops are now asking to add a donation to your card payments for charities.
Meanwhile, i go top the Iceland shop on Tuesday for 10 percent pensioner discount

Re: Holidays

Posted by Lannis <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=Lannis' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on May 27, 2025, 3:48 pm, in reply to "Re: Holidays"

Part of the reason why local shops and Post Offices are shutting is because they can't afford to stay open because no one uses them any more.

No one here is more than 20 minutes away from a Walmart any more, and no one uses a Post Office for anything any more (ours were only ever just for mail, not general services like yours are).

People will throw the locally owned shops under the bus to save a nickel at a Walmart, and they don't mind burning gas to drive there 3 times a day.

The big growth in building is in self-storage units. 40 years ago, there was no such thing; people wouldn't have known what to do with them.

Today, they're everywhere. People have bought so many mountainous piles of shite that they have no place to put it all.

In my day, only the wealthy chucked away that kind of money on garbage. Today, people cry poverty while sitting on multiple cars, houses full of electronics, phones, and computers, home delivery service, fast food, and other crap that our parents wouldn't even have recognized, much less cried and moaned that they were "essential" ,..

Lannis

I don't take health advice from people who think the world is overpopulated.

Re: Holidays

Posted by Tonupdave <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=Tonupdave' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on May 27, 2025, 4:02 pm, in reply to "Re: Holidays"

It happens everywhere all different times
My trip to Australia was so cheap it was a laugh every time I went to the banks to draw out money they were almost crying Australia was in recession hired a car for peanuts traveled many miles west to east then south to north petrol was cheap overnight stops we used long distance lorry drivers stops and bought food on the way cheapes couple of months I've ever had only snag was on the coach home broke down from Heathrow and hat to wait two hours behind the barrier on the M4 ..
Maz went again four years later exactly the same
My daughter is going to Poland or what's left of it cheaper by coach..

Tonupdave..T.U.D.

Re: Holidays

Posted by Brickboy <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=Brickboy' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on May 27, 2025, 5:16 pm, in reply to "Re: Holidays"

I totally agree, Lannis.

The big difference here is that the wealth is concentrated in a small proportion of the population much more than it has been for a long time. Thus we have the free-spenders alongside three million food bank parcels being given out. Twenty years ago no-one had ever heard of a food bank.

Having said that, expectations are an awful lot higher than they were. I know of numerous people claiming to be at their wits end whose bank accounts list takeaways, taxis and iPhone bills that I wouldn't countenance. Their diameter is often a clue about their lifestyle choices. So there are some who fall because they try to live a lifestyle they can't afford but many others have no choice. I pity those of my ex-colleagues in their early thirties who don't have parental money. Highly trained professionals who will never afford a house as their rents prevent them saving a deposit. I recall never having any money, in fact I never felt safe until my early 50s, but at least I could see things could get better in my future.

Re: Holidays

Your assessment may be correct, especially for the UK.

I have a bit of a different view. Young people today have SUCH a different set of expectations, such a different work ethic, and believe that they MUST have and pay for things that I never needed and don't need today, that I'm calling it THEIR fault that they're in financial straits.

I watch people every day at the grocery store divide their big load of groceries into two batches - one for welfare-eligible items paid for with their EBT card, and one for beer, cigarettes, and lottery tickets, for which they pay cash.

I worked our local church food bank up until two years ago, and the typical car that I loaded was nicer than the one I was driving, with several fat people inside with I-Phones, smoking away. I got sick of it.

I know how it's done, working your way through shyte jobs, living in shyte houses, married up with a good woman, no drugs, no booze, no cigarettes, keep your nose clean, get trained, get educated.

Some people still know how to do that, and quietly succeed. Most cannot or will not, and moan and holler about society and it can't be done today, and how hard it all is, and how rich people took all the money.

Whinging Bee Ess, all of it.

Lannis

I don't take health advice from people who think the world is overpopulated.

Re: Holidays

Young people here have very large incomes compared to how we lived back then. No one could afford tattoos unless in the Navy or getting them in prison.
There certainly is a lot of waste among youngers now. My neighbour has a van to deliver his Gousto dinners turn up every day. Opposite, there are 5 in one family and each one goes down to a takeaway seperately, every day and carries the food home in a bag with a bottle of coke. Many here just do not cook food now.
I often see double glazed windows being replaced at 10 years when mine are 29 years old with no faults yet. Why do people rip out 10 year old windows and doors and replace them with similar ones ?.I am not very good at wasting material items so they get recycled once they have broken or become obsolete. Very annoying my own bank is closing as i have to pay incoming cheques in every Month and they told me to use some forms and take to a post office.
Not looking forward to missing my January holiday so looking at alternatives now. Its a pity i can no longer use aeroplanes for long flights.
Crete, Rhodes are good places so may go out there in the Summer to make sure i go somewhere nice.

Re: Holidays

Posted by calidavid <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=calidavid' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on May 28, 2025, 8:03 am, in reply to "Re: Holidays"

The old subject. But how do you deal with proof of health insurance for the cruises, Geoff?
Re the expectations of life today, when I was out of work with a young family we bought absolutely nothing that was not essential. No newspaper, chocolate, alcohol etc etc. little sense of discipline nowadays.

Re: Holidays

David, many people buy insurance and lie hoping they do not feel ill. On the long 35 day cruises, at least 15 to 20 people are taken off and left in a port to get home alone. If you have not covered for pre existing conditions, this is going to be expensive when the hospital bill is added to flights etc. I use Staysure and tell them about all the symptoms i have.
It is fairly obvious some passengers take a chance when you see they are very ill and with cancers etc. No one would insure me when they were investigating bowel cancer and Parkinsons disease but i have been found to have neither but that took 3 years investigation. I could find obscure insurers but they wanted many 1000s of pounds to cover.
At the embarkation, they ask for you insurance contract but you also have to show it when booking.
Some of the evacuations from ships involve very large helicopters when 100 mile offshore and the patient has to pay

Re: Holidays

Thanks Geoff. I will keep Staysure in mind. Currently my wife and I are covered by my company insurance.

Re: Holidays

Posted by Leon Novello <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=Leon+Novello' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on May 28, 2025, 6:57 am, in reply to "Re: Holidays"

<Surprising to see so many often in their 80s still running around quite well.>
That`s because they are taking their medication; this probably wasn`t available only a few years ago.

Now, if you want to commit suicide, just stop taking your medication.

Leon Novello

Re: Holidays

I certainly take a lot Leon, 6 tablets 7am, 3 tabs at 5pm and another 6 at 11 pm.
However, after another session of new tablets, my Diabetes is now under the danger point and my diabetic eye screening was good result.
The diabetes went to a 58 count and it was because i had food on the ship in January that had sugar in.
I dont have sugar added to food at home. Now at 48 and the target is to keep under 50. Taking those tablets also took a stone off my weight in 3 Months. That is an effect of a tablet that prevents your innards taking up the sugar in all foods.

Re: Holidays

Won't go into my details but when your housebound and need to be ferried everywhere and yes have a new car but second hand was paid for with cash as both live on a state assested pension which ain't mutch but still mansage to save money which is hidden so family know whare this is so we don't get taxed by the government Maz didn't work in banking all her working life to not know how to manage..
Yes my children do live the modern ways they both have houses bought and no mortgage with there own money .. I just wish I had better health but I was born with TB and have deformities in one hand and both feet and of course damage to left frontal lobe of the brain caused by Sepsis so bad balance.
So that's me

Tonupdave..T.U.D.

Re: Holidays

Posted by Lannis <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=Lannis' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on May 28, 2025, 3:17 pm, in reply to "Re: Holidays"

TUD -

Your boys and my boys were trained well.

Now I'm working to inculcate those same values into my grandkids (to the degree that I can - their parents have most of the load to carry).

They'll never be "victims of the system".

Lannis

I don't take health advice from people who think the world is overpopulated.

Re: Holidays

Posted by Nigel B <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=Nigel+B' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on May 28, 2025, 12:18 pm, in reply to "Holidays"

Each time i enquire, the price goes up about 500 pounds due to them being able to see what i am interested in

If you are enquiring via a website, clear your cache and cookies before returning. Previous interest is retained on your computer & when you return they can see that you have come back & jack up the price. Clear down the retained information and you should get the original price (assuming that the price hasn't been jacked up as cabins sell out).

Had this years ago when looking for flight prices - clearing history, cache & cookies between visits required to stop the "automatic" increasing of prices.

Offering better deals for booking well ahead seems to be a cruise line standard practice - got one booked to the Norwegian fiords next July (2026) on a "BOGOF" deal some 8 months ago. Can't even say that they have had my money for 20 months, as it was a nominal deposit with the balance due next year, though they have got me "hooked". Same with an upcoming Eastern Canada trip booked at the same time that included drinks package, on ship internet, "crew appreciation" + $200 each for excursions at no extra cost.

I had got the impression that things are not that busy for the cruise lines ATM - plenty of deals on short notice trips being advertised. Obviously not so for the winter tours by the sound of it.

Nigel B.

Cruise advice...

That sounds very interesting. I've never been on a cruise but my wife really fancies the fjords or trundling down the Rhine past German castles.

As a total newbie I'd appreciate any advice on where to get info, what companies to use and what unexpected pitfalls there may be.

Do fire away - I reckon I'm the only one on here not to have been!!

Re: Cruise advice...

Posted by ChazzyB <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=ChazzyB' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on May 28, 2025, 1:12 pm, in reply to "Cruise advice..."

Nope, I haven't been cruisin' either.

To advertise here, please call...

Re: Cruise advice...

Posted by JERRY <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=JERRY' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on May 28, 2025, 4:09 pm, in reply to "Re: Cruise advice..."

Or me.

The oldest rocker in town!

Re: Cruise advice...

Posted by Hants Ian <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=Hants+Ian' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on May 28, 2025, 5:25 pm, in reply to "Re: Cruise advice..."

Or me.

The light at the end of the tunnel maybe an oncoming train

Re: Cruise advice...

Or me. Ever.

Fay and I were at Wilmington, North Carolina some years back, where the 45,000 ton battleship USS NORTH CAROLINA is moored for tours and display.

The harbor had silted up a bit, and the ship was actually "sitting on the bottom" (they have since dredged it out). There was a slight breeze that day.

As we were walking across the teak deck, Fay grabbed onto a railing and said "I'm feeling queasy; this ship is moving!"

I said "The Great Pyramid in Giza is moving more than this ship is. There's no way". She said "I don't care, I want to sit down on the pier."

Turns out that the little cats-paw ripples moving across the water with the sun shining on them gave her the feeling that something was moving.

But I knew then that I would never in this life be asked to go on a cruise! And we lived happily ever after.

Lannis

I don't take health advice from people who think the world is overpopulated.

Re: Cruise advice...

Posted by 6TDen <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=6TDen' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on May 28, 2025, 6:36 pm, in reply to "Re: Cruise advice..."

Or me.
Den

Re: Cruise advice...

So Simon, you're not alone. Seems only GtB is a cruiser...

To advertise here, please call...

Re: Cruise advice...

Posted by Jimbo <iframe src='https://members5.boardhost.com/classicbikemart/info/user=Jimbo' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on May 29, 2025, 4:33 pm, in reply to "Re: Cruise advice..."

Well I have, and it's 'king great. A five star hotel with a different view from your bedroom window every morning. What's not to like?

Re: Cruise advice...

Having only done one cruise I am probably not the best to offer advice, Simon.

We don't look at a cruise as being the obective, but choose to consider one when it seems like the best (or in some cases, only) way to see or experience something. That was why we did the Alaska cruise from Vancouver a couple of years ago - only way to see the Alaskan glaciers. We chose Holland America for this for being a smaller ship (around 1400 pax) & having a reputation of attracting a "more mature" audience but not super formal ( I don't do "dressing up" )- no party ship ! And it went a lot better than I could have expected. The crew were great, the food was great, decent weather for the most part meant that we go to see a lot - Glacier Bay in particular was a spectacular day. Enjoyable way to end the day in the observation bar at the front of the ship cruising down the Inside Passage watching whales jumping. Doing the St.Laurence Seaway this time, starting from Montreal & ending in Boston with various stops along the way, also with Holland America and actually on the same ship that has relocated from Alaska this season. Initially looked to doing the US Great Lakes, but they were eye-wateringly expensive (£10k each minimum for 14 nights + getting there and back).

The Fiords trip is( IIRC) Ambassador Line from Dundee to get most time in the Fiords - other UK departures spend more time at sea getting to and from Norway, so get to fewer places than departing from Dundee.

No epxerience of European river cruises, other than looking at the prices & thinking "how much" !
As these don't do anything I have not been able to do by bike, car & MH over the years they don't have much appeal for me. Be aware that they can be adversly affected by higher (can't get under bridges) or lower (grounding risk) than expected river levels & that there are industrial areas along most rivers at some point - the "Romantic" Middle Rhine is really quite built-up and busy. That said, it is an area that we seem to gravitate towards at some point on a German tour, so it can't be all bad !

We booked through the local Hayes Travel branch who sorted a full itinery of getting there & back, hotels before and after the cruise + the cruise itself. IIRC they use an outfit called First Class Holidays to arrange this. Maybe not the cheapest way do do things, but the bespoke Western Canada /Alaska trip they organised last time went very well for the most part. The couple of niggles we had were communicated to them on our return (mainly car hire issues + one hotel having changed hands) resulted in a reasonable and proprtionate refund by the parties concerned. Prior to booking Mrs B had done a lot of research into the options and routes beforehand & we pretty well told the agent exactly what we wanted when we went in. May have paid a bit more for air fares as I won't use British Airways if there is any possible alternative (the tour planner's airline of choice) & IIRC KLM was more expensive.

I have been told by other, more seasoned, cruisers that booking direct may not be the cheapest way to buy a crusie, as the agents get all sorts of incentives to offer that don't come up if you book direct.

HTH

Nigel B.

Re: Holidays

Last year was cheaper Nigel but now, booking 6 Months ahead, i find this ship has sold the cabins i want. They do a select price which adds 1000 pounds to the cost so you can pick a cabin and have some credit but now asking select price and cannot book a cabin so might get a badly placed one. I told them that would be saver fare then . but they still wanted select price money. Not able to book in that manner as it is 35 days and the cabin needs to be right. This cruise is about 10k but suddenly rose to 12k now.
What i will do is leave this for a bit. Today i received a large list of sailings which omitted the one i want. For many sellers, the cruise on Ventura seems to be hidden as they promote a newer ship,Iona which we were on January this year. Ventura is lower quality but is going to Bonaire and Azores which are good locations.
I notice Cunard are getting low priced and lower than Marella Budget ships now. Marella was good until they gave free drinks which encouraged drunks with a lot of noise. I dont drink so free drinks is not much use.
I like about 70 days on the ships each year if i can but only 35 so far this year.
Norwegian, Iceland and Belfast was good last year on Arcadia for 16 days at just over 3k for 2 of us.It was Iceland Summer so daylight 24 hours.
Nigel, always bare in mind you can ask on any ship for gratuities to be removed on those that add it on. Many just say tips included now but some still add it on and it can be over 500 on the ships bill. Go to the reception and ask for it to be removed and they do it without any fuss or argument. I tip my cabin steward always though.
This year it looks like search every day until a block of cabins gets offered like i have done for many years. I can get 14 days in the Carib for under 3k but a rubbish cabin but my boy has those due to lower income in his family. I suppose i have been on about 50 cruises since year 2000. Maybe a few more. Best is Royal Caribbean for quality. Norwegian charge about 4 times the cost for tours compared with other cruise lines so no longer book them. Of course, i can get a great deal off the locals and travel around in smaller vehicles in comfort.
Biggest problem as ageing is insurance cost and this year 1140 pounds for multi trip including USA and Carib.

Re: Holidays

Try cruise118 as a first stop. They will match any other agent. I buy my P and O cruises from them and pay a lot less than direct from P and O.
Simon, watch prices for a particular cruise and strike when there is a sudden price cut.
Inside cabins are the same size as balconies and a lot less money but, of course, dark. I have balconies as i need fresh air more than air con.
You have to have cruise cover insurance to go boating. Tips, you just have them removed from the bill even before you get the bill. Tell them a day after boarding not to charge.
No towels needed at all, beach towels are handed out free. Unlimited food and if using the buffet, and like 2 menus, eat one then go and get another one.
If you use Arcadia which is adults only, it is a superb older style ship and great crew. That one did the 16 day Iceland, Ireland ,Norway cruise last year.
Any Royal Caribbean ship is really good but a lot of children as its a family ship. MSC has problems with food and boarding at times but is low cost for new ships. Norwegian cruise lines are excellent ships and food but tours can be very expensive compared with other cruise lines so no longer use them.
Carib take only U.S dollars although some islands may be Dutch so Euros needed.
I travel with Euros, sterling and U.S dollars. I never use cards as you could be conned.
Go out with only the money you need so pick pockets dont get you.
In all the cruises, i have never felt unsafe or been robbed etc even in Columbia and Venezuela or Panama as long as you have awareness of whats around you.
Ship internet is very expensive and often very slow. Internet is free at every port around the World so not really a problem.
I have had such a good time on these ships, i have not had a land holiday abroad at all.
Think, free food, great shows and comfortable cabins and mostly no noise in the cabins of the modern Gas powered ships. If waves are 3 metres high, the ship barely feels that.
If you were to pick P and O Arvia or Iona, you would like those 2 but if the small Arcadia is going where you like, it has the best crew of any ship i have been on. Dated ship but was designed for World tours so cabins are bigger. I recommend the deluxe balcony cabin with bath but you might not fit in it ! Of course, it also has a shower.
If flying out to a ship, i book a hotel with parking prior to the cruise and it normally cost less than just parking. The hotel takes you to the plane in the Morning.

Re: Holidays

Thanks so much, Geoff and Nigel. I've copied all that and printed it so we can have a look. I think it'll be 2026 or 2027 so enough time to research ahead

As so often on here it's great to hear knowledgeable reviews

Re: Holidays

By ship, we got to..
Pyramids, Petra in Jordan, Miami,columbia, Panama and a journey along the canal, Venezuela, Dominican republic, jamaica, St Lucia, Dominica, Tortola,Barbados, Bonaire, Curaceo, Grand Caymen, Trinidad, Tobago, Antigua, Barbuda, St Martin, Martinique , San Blas islands, St.Kitts, Virgin Gorda , Cozumel, Roatan, StVincent, and most of the other Islands out there. Then add all the Mediterranian Islands, all the Greek islands and Mainland, Rome, Venice, Naples,Pisa, Milan, Sicily, Rhodes, Crete, Ibiza ,Gibraltar, Malta, all of the Croatian Cities ,Dubrovnic, trieste, Split,Kotor, Montenegro, Russia, Denmark, Norway, Iceland, Ireland, and many more Countries as there are a lot more i forget.
Every island and Country in the Caribbean, every Country in the Mediterranean, every one up through the Baltics, all of the Norway region.
Best area of all is the Caribbean. best experience was the Pyramids and Petra in Jordan. Best city was St Petersburgh in Russia. The Croatian tours are very good so will be going back for another of many visits there.
The Corinth canal by boat and by car over the top of it is spectacular.
Not been to the India and Thailand cruises as the one i did book was ruined by the agent telling us not to get a visa for India so could not get on the plane to go. That agent paid out to 80 passengers for the lost cruise although they contested the claim in Court, i beat them in the judgement so they paid added costs. Each passenger brought a seperate action. It was Lunn Poly.
Cruise 118 gives a very personal service and usually speak with the same staff each time. The will beat and price from competitors so i look up Iglu cruise prices and they match it. Freephone or book online. Small deposit then balance about 2 Months before the holiday.
Balcony does seem expensive but at least you see the sun and moon each day and fresh air.
I have taken Grandchildren on 2 cruises and they get their own cabin which is for their fun.
I have managed to pay for my own sons to go as they are not able to pay over 4k for a 2 week holiday and once they did one, they have managed to fund themselves for more.
The tip is to watch prices daily and as they go down, try and catch before the price rises. Quite often the ships are underbooked and dump a load of cabins off at very low price like our Iceland tour last year on Arcadia at just over 3k for 2 and in a top quality deluxe cabin.
I dont do suits and sit down dinners so use buffet where you decide when and what to eat. Never been to a formal night where penguin suits are worn.
Look at this again Simon when you think of what you want but Caribbean beats all.

Re: Holidays

Booked 35 days in the Caribbean again today for January 2026. This time, it was double the cost of January 2025 and about the same prices as 2024. Near 13k. Quite a lot of money but how many years can i do this ? Now i have to find another for in the next few Months.
I picked the Ventura as it goes into the Azores and that is always a nice visit. It was getting very booked up and managed to buy the last of the premium balcony cabins with more room inside. The newer Iona is not full yet but has less ports to visit and not Azores. Iona can be bought as low as 6k for insides and 8k for standard balcony. Much nicer ship and great shows on that one. 220,000 tons.

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