In the past, ocean Liner travel and Cruising, did appeal to wealthy 'seniror' people, but that is changing. However the age of cruise passengers is getting younger and prices are getting lower.

In America, Cruising has been very popular for a number of years. Cruise Lines line 'Carnival' appeal to the mass market. Due to a very competitive market in the USA, Cruise prices are very reasonable.

Cruising in Europe is not as big as in America, but it is increasing in popularity. I don't think our prices are quite as good in the UK as the USA, but Airtours and Thompson do offer budget cruises. I've seen cruises advertised on the Teletex for as low as £399.

Most of the top cruise lines (especially on their newer ships) run a pretty clean operation.

P&O, Cunard, Fred.Olsen, Airtours, RCI, HAL, Celebrity and NCL will be offering cruises from British ports this year.

The range of cruise destinations has also improved over the past few years. You can cruise to just about anywhere these days - i.e. Antarctica to South America! Dublin has now become a popular port of call for ships to stop of at!

my number of Cruises is about 35
the first Year was 1981
the best is to Norway-Iceland, because of its great Nature
my cleanest company is Celebrity
my occupation is Salesman in the Pharmaceutical Industry
Cruising is an great experience for very reasonable Prices.

My next starts March 13 in Amsterdam with an flight to Benoa/Bali, where i board the ASTOR, an German 4-star-ship and sail 18 Nights to Bombay/India.

quote:

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Originally posted by Katie O'Girl:
Thanks for the replies.
My goodness, Malcolm, I can't do a Reader Review !

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You don't have too do a formal review, but do tell us how it went.

quote:

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Originally posted by Katie O'Girl:

I've been all over Europe, America and parts of Asia but only with my work and that was always by air and was always a RUSHED thing.
Cruising sounds very relaxing.
Thanks!

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I believe you have more 'travel know how' than you realize. Moving around as you've done indicates that you mix and mingle well - enjoy being 'unrushed' on your upcoming cruise - just let things happen - you're bound to enjoy it.

What did you rush around doing?

Happy cruisin'

I remember seeing an advertising poster for a national UK holiday company. It was a large photograph of an old man and old women, sitting on a sofa, watching TV. They were extremely old and both looking rather sad. The slogan above the photo said "Remember the time we nearly went to Budapest?"

That has always stuck in my memory. So don't put off you dreams!

After an experience like yours you certainly deserve something special.

Have a fabulous time on your up and coming cruise on the Pride, make each and every minute count even the looking forward to it as well, and good for you getting an upgrade to a balcony, it is well deserved. Remember and come back to the board and let us all know how you enjoyed yourself and what a good time you had.

Cheers and "Slainte"
M.

[ 02-04-2002: Message edited by: Scottylass ]

quote:

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Originally posted by Katie O'Girl:
Thanks, everyone. Thanks for just being happy for me.
And I'll tell you all about it when I get back!!!

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Katie - having unwittingly asked for your life story, I can only say -
May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
May the rain fall soft upon your fields
And may God forever hold you in the hollow of his hand.

quote:

---

Originally posted by Katie O'Girl:
Thanks, everyone. Thanks for just being happy for me.
And I'll tell you all about it when I get back!!!

---

Katie - having unwittingly asked for your life story, I can only say -
May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
May the rain fall soft upon your fields
And may God forever hold you in the hollow of his hand.

quote:

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Originally posted by Katie O'Girl:
...I only knew a couple of people who had gone on the Queen Elizabeth and I didn't want to pay THAT much. I'd look at brochures and say "Someday."

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Katie--Look below at TravelPage Vacation and Cruise Specials: QE2 to Bermuda for $850 for 6 days. Also, received promo from Cunard for 6 day transatlantic on QE2 for $999 in middle of April, i believe (this includes return airfare).

I bet you get hooked on cruising after your cruise on the Pride. With your background in music, you should consider working in a similar capacity aboard a ship.

Certainly, one of our most interesting cruises was a trans-Atlantic cruise on Vision of the Seas in September of 1998. We encountered terrible weather with huge waves. The ship's navigational crew did a superb job. The ports were fantastic. We rode in a bus on an old lava flow in Iceland.

We also enjoyed our Baltic cruise on Norwegian Crown. It was fascinating when we sailed into St. Petersburg. Our third favorite cruise was on the Independence around Hawaii.

Since we have been on big and little ships, we categorize our favorite ships by size.

Earlier reviews praised Sun Viking and criticized Norwegian Crown. When we were on Sun Viking, it was in a state of disrepair. We really liked Norwegian Crown. It was in excellent shape in 1997.

My husband's favorite ship is Vision of the Seas. I really liked the Grand Princess.

We are both computer analysts.

for your Meals, often Tea, Cafe, Ice-Tea, sometimes Juices and in the Buffet Areas Automates with Juices or Tea and Coffee are for free.

You do not need to drink expensive Alcoholics.

If aboard, in some Countries and Islands, it is better, only to drink hot Things like fresh brewed Tea or Thinks direct filled by the Industry (beer and Coke, but without an Glass, direct from the Bottle, please).

So, you stay is safe.

In some Countries, it is so:

The Eastern Caribbean is Safe!!!

I mean some Islands in Africa or Asia und Countries which are very underdeveloped.

Enjoy your Cruise.

What Ship was it???