How a Last Minute Cruise Deal Worked For Us
The word is that cruising is coming back on the travel scene and since it has always been our family fave, let’s talk about how we caught a last minute mint deal on it. As much as we love it, thinking about being on the sea for 19 days and that too with more sea days than land was quite daunting when we checked this one out
It was not only about the length of cruise, this one was not the familiar Holland America, Norwegian or The Royal Caribbean but one called `Cunard”. Have to be honest in saying that I had never heard of it till hubzz told me about it. Google further educated me that this is one of the most famous ocean liners in the world especially for world cruises. My hubby alerted me about the crowd on the ship, in a very gentle way saying that it’s going to be a mature group. Mostly because of the time and money constraint that the younger ones can’t really afford, this cruise line ended up with an average age of 75 during the spring season dropping to 55 during summer. Ummmm, although I have always been very fond of elderly, this is not my idea of a romantic holiday to be with the wise for this long in seclusion. Nevertheless, it seemed like a unique experience of its own kind.
So we entered the cruise port and lemme tell you, the pace of this holiday calmed my energy right at the counter where there were no long lines, no kids jumping around, no teens giggling about rather kind eyes and smiles greeted me of the few that we saw on our way up to our room. I, then, guessed that maybe, after all I have matured enough to be part of this experience. To tell you the truth, My hubby was more worried about the other passengers than me thinking that I might ruin the peace and quiet they have paid a fortune for.
Although we booked last minute, I was quite happy to see our balcony suite to be as comfy as ever with the only difference that the balcony railing is metal instead of the usual glass one on the higher floors.
Next came the exploration about my straightener and yayyy they had 110 and 220 volts. I am all set, peeps.
The only natural next check is the food scene. It is the same old same old….the formal dining rooms and the unlimited buffet. All good.
Let’s live happily ever after.
The cure for anything is saltwater. Sweat, tears or the sea.
Isak Dinesen
The differences that I found on this cruise as compared to the others:
Food
They did have a few extra restaurants on board which required extra charge which with our Gujju and Sheikh mix mindset we chose not to pay for unless there is an added value to that. So that was out of the question. For guest dining the only choices are the buffet in Lido or the formal dining room “Brittania ” open for breakfast, lunch and dinner for a proper sit down all course meal. There was a burger bar outside which we only tried once and were pretty put off seeing him taking out the frozen patties and onion rings in an effort to quench our fresh food hunger. All in all, the food was average except for the Indian days which we only saw once in the 19 day cruise, where the food quality and menu selection was above and beyond. Oh not to forget the “Queens Tea” everyday after lunch which definitely was something I used to look forward to. Other than that my everyday highlights were the fresh vegetarian omelette with lots of chilli, sushi, desserts, Ovaltine and skimmed milk. Of course room service is always an option with no extra charge like some of the other cruises we have been to but the menu is not very appetizing.
Atmosphere
Tranquil is the word that I would really like to use for this cruise. With peaceful hallways, empty cigar rooms, quiet lounges, if you are looking for a timeout from the world. Needless to say, I was checked by my husband on various occasions for ruining the calm in the air by my chirping.
Services
Room service was very punctual and neat and with no charge. Housekeeping is very efficient although I missed the towel art animals in the room which other cruises offer each evening after turn down service. I never realized that I liked it so much till I didn’t have it. Also they had a laundry room with an ironing board where the guests could take turns for their respective loads. The front desk, spa, and gym are all very efficient in the info needed from them. The worst and best service was the internet… worst because of the low signals and logging in and out difficulty and best because when we went to them with our complaint, they put 60 minutes back on our account without any hassle. Also the Tv service was very uninteresting with poor choices of channels.
To move, to breathe, to fly, to float. To roam the roads of lands remote, to travel is to love.
Hans Christian Anderson
Ports of Call
The ports of call were all very interesting with great excursions offered on each although we never take trips with the ship. We usually get down on each port and find a driver/guide who shows us around the whole day and then brings us back in time for a mutually agreed price after thorough bargaining in USD. We have always had good experiences as such.
The SEA, once it casts its SPELL, holds one in its net of WONDER forever.
Jacques Yves Cousteau
Things to do on board
Although they didn’t have any skating or bowling or surfing and rock climbing like other ships, which really bored me in the beginning but it didn’t take me long to regroup as i found plenty to do although different kind of activities than my usual. So my faves everyday included Zumba in the morning, Dance class in the afternoon then a movie in the theatre(no popcorn, ugh) and finally the day used to end with a very nice after dinner show. I feel like a retiree. I also tried a couple of bridge lessons but nnnn, not my cup of tea.
No Cruise Control.
Dress Codes
On board, some people dressed up for each meal time plus the exercise and dance classes. It’s basically upto us to take it as far as we want. I usually dress up for Zumba and dance in the morning, then for my day on the deck and finally for dinner. That was pretty much the norm on the ship of course there were exceptions of overdoing and nothing at all just like everywhere else. All in all this ship was more formal than all others that I have been on. I really liked and enjoyed “dress up” but my husband was not at all a big fan of it.
Tips for Happy cruising:
- Dual voltage Straightener and iron
- Snacks (although there is plenty of food on cruises but these always come handy for the inbetween cravings)
- HDMI cable (or Screen mirroring to watch pre downloaded stuff on your phones, tabs or laptops)
What to pack for a 2 week Cruise:
- 4 galawears,
- 3 cocktail dresses,
- 4 evening skirts,
- 1 swimsuit with a wrap,
- 3 informal shirts,
- 2 formal shirts,
- 6 formal tops,
- 6 informal tops,
- 6 long dresses,
- 2 pairs of shorts,
- 1 pair of tights,
- 1 pair of jeans, 1 khakis, 1 formal pants
- Lingerie
- 2 pairs of sneakers, 2 pairs of formal shoes, 1 sandals, 1 slippers
- Hair Straightener and hair brush, Hair clip and hair ties,
- Toothbrush with charger,
- Razor with refills,
- Sanitary pads,
- Facewash, toner, moisturizer, makeup.
- Jewellery for the day and evening.
- Hats, 3 pairs of sunglasses, 1 pair of eyeglasses, contact lenses (2 Pairs)
- Handbags 2 informal 1 formal.
For the record, I wore everything. There was a time when I used to wear only 30% of what I took but after avid travelling I have learnt my lessons well.
Hope you enjoyed my brief review of the experience. Feel free to ask any questions that come to your mind, in the comments below.
What do you think?