We go to Turkey every year. We went to Kalkan a few years ago. We are presently in Içmeler.
1 Like
Summer If you do decide to go to Norway and do the fjords book on a smaller ship, they can go ontgo tghe fjord further. We went on the ship the Viking Mars which did Norway Fareo isles and Iceland but very pricey, but not what your after.
Just for Norway we went beforeon 4 june 2018 with P&O from Southampton on the ship Aurora. Cost then was£1449 pp
there is so much more to norway than justr the fjords such as the Flam railway and the glaciers
1 Like
I booked last year’s Christmas Cruise (P&O) in November and got a very good price for it. When I was originally looking they said there were no balcony cabins left but asked me to leave an email address.
Eventually they got back to me and said there were some restricted view cabin left at a reduced price so I booked, next thing I knew they had up graded me to a unrestricted view cabin.
Perhaps the secret is to wait until the last minute? Personally cruises are way down on my favourite holiday list, travelling with a thousand or so other people in a tin can is not my idea of heaven but I was desperate because my kids and friends all had travel plans and air fares to Asia were outrageous, in the end it wasn’t too bad.
I think it was Viking Mars that was parked behind us when we returned to Sydney, it must have been lost.
Bruce the Viking ship we were on only holds around 930 passangers and i have to say having been on several different cruise liners this Viking ship stands head and shoulders above the other…
Only one thing that seriously lets the company down is their policy of those that pay the most get first choice of trips out and specialist dining. They have forgotton they those paying less may want the more expensive day trips out .
1 Like
My favourite cruise line is azamara they only have three ships…smaller and luxurious some trips and alcohol included in the price
Thanks for all the advice here…I will definitely look into Norway for next year.
Yes Scott I love Turkey too…we usually stay at the Kalkan Regency…enjoy your holiday in Icmeler
1 Like
I have never been on a cruise .
People catch things on them and die so they don’t appeal .
Muddy
In 2019, the global cruise industry welcomed nearly 30 million passengers,
You can catch things in supmarkets as well. I have to be a little rude sorry and say that is a stupid attitude to take.
Not only is the hygene discipline on cruise ships strict but they also have their own very well equipeped medical facilities. I know when I fell over the treatment i received could not have been better in any hospital.
OK you may not want to go on a cruise fair enough but don’t knock it for the reason you give, because your missing so much
I would rather spend my holiday being looked after better than any hotel, see different countries with a tour guide in each port, have free time to wander around places while docked, Have a much wider choice of food/drinks ( free drinks with meal ) at meal times than any hotel/resturant can supply as well as different dning places. free entertainment with superb stage shows
onboard theatre free to watch, most nights something different
usually more than just one show or entertainment somewhere on board
try getting that in a hotel??
smaller theatre
you actually get to chat with the entertainers, that guy for example he told me he learnt to play for his church originally.
all this and lots more such as quiz nights- cooking demo - talks or just the library for a quiet area
or join in activities
I am sure it’s lovely RS
But I have lived in many countries and seen endless cruise ships come in disgorging passengers ( to be ripped off by the locals ) but hey they have to live too.
However people go missing off cruise ships and are never seen again .
As I am neither a huge eater or drinker masses of food don’t do it for me.
Different strokes and all that
Still it’s what you like and I hope that you enjoy your holiday .
I’ve on a couple of cruises, they are a cheap holiday, they are like an overcrowded Butlin’s holiday camp with less entertainment but much better food, better accommodation, pub priced booze and no escape.
1 Like
Deleted
Just rung the travel company and confirmed our booking to portugal river cruise for 2024. paid the deposit so that is all done, also included a VIP courier service with a car from home to airport out and airport to home on the way back
Yes indeed. A cruise doesn’t appeal to me at all. Mind you, my seafaring experiences have been mostly Canadian Icebreakers.
Realspeed, I wish you with your excursion!
I just don’t understand why people go back to the same hotel or resort year after year. More a case of been there seen it and getting bored with the same routine. If it rains still have to go away from the hotel and be miserable getting wet walking the same streets as done year on year before.
what kind of holiday is that?? if you want entertainment you have to pay for it if there are any local shows in the town.
this time going with saga travel, car provided to airport and back home so no worry about airport parking and also transport to and from airport to ship and back
UK to Oporto, Portugal
](Douro Explorer | Portugal River Cruise | Saga River Cruises)
Fly to Oporto on the north bank of the Douro and embark your ship the Spirit of the Douro at Vila Nova de Gaia on the south bank.
You’ll remain moored here overnight.
[
Day 2
Oporto, Portugal to Régua, Portugal to Pinhão, Portugal
](Douro Explorer | Portugal River Cruise | Saga River Cruises)
Spend the morning cruising, arriving in Régua this afternoon for an included visit to Mateus Palace and its gardens. Your guide will give you an introduction to the palace which features on the Mateus rosé wine label. Admire the interior and explore the exceptional formal gardens.
Rejoin your ship, and continue your cruise to Pinhão, where you’ll arrive later this evening. Look forward to a traditional Portuguese folk music show after dinner.
[
Day 4
Pinhão, Portugal to Vega de Térron, Spain
](Douro Explorer | Portugal River Cruise | Saga River Cruises)
Depart Pinhão early this morning and take in the scenery as you sail towards Vega de Térron.
This afternoon, join an included excursion to the civil parish of Castelo Rodrigo in the municipality of Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo, a small medieval village with a scenic hilltop location. See the 18th-century baroque church and stroll around the village in your own time.
Back on board ship look forward to a traditional Portuguese dinner.
[
Day 4
Vega de Térron, Spain to Barca d’Alva, Portugal
](Douro Explorer | Portugal River Cruise | Saga River Cruises)
Today join an included excursion across the border to the city of Salamanca in Spain, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famed for its beautiful old university buildings of golden-coloured stone. The journey here usually takes about two hours, during which your guide will give a commentary about the passing scenery.
After some free time, lunch will be served at a local restaurant, followed by a flamenco show to give you a taste of traditional Spanish culture. Then, join a walking tour with a local guide to the Plaza Mayor, one of the finest town squares in Spain.
Return to the Spirit of the Douro which will now be in Barca d’Alva and moor overnight.
[
Day 5
Barca d’Alva, Portugal to Cais de Espinho, Portugal to Pinhão, Portugal
Depart Barca d’Alva and enjoy the panoramic views as you spend the morning sailing towards Cais de Espinho, arriving after lunch.
This afternoon, visit either Quinta do Seixo or Quinta Luiz, for an included tour followed by an opportunity to taste their port wines.
Continue sailing to Pinhão late this afternoon and this evening you’ll visit a local quinta for dinner, with wine and entertainment included. The ship remains moored in Pinhão overnight.
[
Day 6
Pinhão, Portugal to Régua, Portugal to Bitetos, Portugal
](Douro Explorer | Portugal River Cruise | Saga River Cruises)
Cruise to Régua and travel by coach to Lamego, one of the most attractive cities in Portugal. You’ll see the elaborate Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios, set atop nine steep terraces overlooking the town.
There’ll be free time to explore this baroque church and walk down into the city using the ornate staircase – but be warned, there are almost 700 steps!
Alternatively, take the coach down to the city where you can visit the Gothic cathedral, which in parts dates back to the 12th century! Rejoin your ship in Régua and cruise to Bitetos for an overnight mooring.
[
Day 7
Bitetos, Portugal to Oporto, Portugal
](Douro Explorer | Portugal River Cruise | Saga River Cruises)
Sail back to Oporto this morning. Discover the history of Portugal’s second-largest city on an included tour.
This famous centre of port wine production is located on the Douro estuary. The coach tour includes a visit to Sé Cathedral, which dates from the 12th century and a visit to a port wine cellar where you’ll learn about the production of this famous drink and enjoy a tasting.
Remain moored in Vila Nova de Gaia overnight.
[
Day 8
Oporto, Portugal to UK
](Douro Explorer | Portugal River Cruise | Saga River Cruises)
It’s a beautiful place. As it happens my son, my daughter, and two friends just came back fron there. Some very elegant historic buildings.
That looks a like great cruise realspeed. I’ve never been on a cruise and had never considered going on one until my son and daughter in law started going on them - they have been on the fjord one you mentioned earlier and absolutely loved it. They go on two cruises each year and I have now been persuaded to go on one with them!
Pipsqueak
once you haved been on one your hooked. My history on cruising. I absolutely hated the thought of going on a cruise, scared the sh*t out of me to start with. Then I got to thinking about what I may be missing, my thought train was “well if I go on a river cruise at least I am close to land if the need be to get off”
So we booked to go on the river Nile in Egypt after doing a lot of research in what to expect. All I can say if it was fabulous . one of the onboard entertainers.
OK the river Nile trip included going out to cairo and stgopping at a 4/5 star hotel in Gisa right below the pyramids . The river boats only hold about 120 guests so not overcrowded
Onboard was one of the best experiences I ever had. on the way up there were a group of youngsters
as for food we got on like a house on firfe ith the head chef, he even made Sue a special cake.
so wew went up tgo the Aswan Dam. on the way back there came on board the most miserble extremely rude religous group. they pused thnere way into the dining area and messed about with the food laid out on the tables and wants to move all the chairs about.
Our dear head chef was boiling with rage. Next meal time he didn’t even let them into the dining room but waved Sue and i and another UK couple in. so we had the dining room to ourselves
Well I was well and truely hooked so next what about a cruise around the med then a carribean cruise x2- baltic cruise - norwegean cruise x2- holiday in China-holiday in Japan - Brazil twice
USA a couple of times- tunisia- spain- sicily -greece to name but a few holidays.
1 Like
pipe player in Sicily, h maid his own pipes (inside a typical courtyard)
guess where this is
women demo of pearl diving in Japan
