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MikeP's latest comments
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12th Jul 2019MikeP commented on:
Looking for a cruise companion to share accommodation costsThe best cruise line for single travellers is Norwegian. A number of their ships have appropriately priced single studion cabins. Not only that, but the studios are in an area that cannot be accessed by other passengers. The singles area also contains a lounge and bar so if you want a drink, alcoholic or otherwise, and don't want to be the only single person in a bar full of couples, then this is perfect as everyone else there will also be travellinig alone or, as they say, all in the same boat!ViewDate:
25th Jan 2019MikeP commented on:
Advice about going on cruisesBeen on around 40 ships. Yes, some cater for older people - for example Fred Olsen where the average age of passengers is around 70. For a younger atmosphere then try Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Lines. I reckon one of the best is Saga. They may seem a litle more expensive at first but you need to take into account the fare includes drinks, gratuities (around £8 a day one some ships plus 18% service charge on drinks), transport to and from your home and insurance (or a discount if you already have a policy). It may be for the over-fifties but Saga attracts an active, lively and young-at-heart market. If you are travelling alone they also have quite a number of single cabins so you won't end up paying for a cabin for two.ViewDate:
25th Jan 2019MikeP commented on:
Singles holidaysFor sociable UK holidays perhaps one of the walking ones such as Ramblers or HF Holidays. For overseas trips, the the same plus companies like Solos and Just YouViewDate:
25th Jan 2019MikeP commented on:
Singles holidaysFor sociable UK holidays perhaps one of the walking ones such as Ramblers or HF Holidays. For overseas trips, the the same plus companies like Solos and Just YouViewDate:
11th Dec 2016MikeP commented on:
Greek Island hoppingHi Pat, this may not be quite the response you expected but one way of seeing the real Greece is on a yacht. I know that may sound expensive but it isn't and if you haven't sailed one before then no problem, they are set up for this, although it really is very easy and of course there are no tides. Sailing in a flotilla with a lead boat you have the advantage of your own yacht during the day and the company of others from another 10-12 yachts each evening, so it's lots of fun. I have sailed on several occasions, initially as a complete beginner, with Sailing Holidays who won five awards this year at the British Travel Awards. You can see what they do for beginners here http://www.sailingholidays.com/holidays/learn-to-sailViewDate:
11th Dec 2016MikeP commented on:
Ocean cruise or River cruise of EuropeHave done lots of both, and although it's a generalisation, on ocean cruising it's the ship that's the destination but on river cruising it's the destination that's the destination. River cruising looks initially to be more expensive but the price usually includes all excursions and drinks with lunch and dinner, so once you have paid the fare there is little else to pay for. On ocean cruises you will often be docked some way away from the city but on river cruises you will often be moored in the city centre. It' s east to hop off and explore, even after dinner, and there's never a queue to disembark. Also with far fewer passengers, river cruising is more sociable. Of course there are far fewer facilities on a river boat but as you are in the centre of things and excursions are included then it doesn't really matter.ViewDate:
11th Dec 2016MikeP commented on:
No single supplement?Agreed - Norwegian Cruise Lines. Five of their ships, Escape, Getaway, Breakaway, Epic and Pride of America (this is based in Honolulu) have around 100 single studios in an exclusive singles area with its own bar, lounge and so on. Cabins are small, around 100 sq ft, but OK for one person.ViewDate:
11th Dec 2016MikeP commented on:
One-way cruise Singapore to UKYou may find one of the round-the-world cruises does this leg as they sell sectors independently. Best to ask a travel agent who know about cruising to look it up for you. They will also be able to book the flights, transfers and any hotel accommodation you need.ViewDate:
11th Dec 2016MikeP commented on:
First Trans-Atlantic crossing - on the Queen Mary 2. Help!Cunard will add $11.50 per day to your onboard account for hotel services and will add 15% service charge to all drinks and salon services. You can ask them not to charge the hotel services charge and instead tip staff personally. Of course there will be no excursions on the crossing but if you are sailing out and flying back then there may be a New York tour available to fill in the gap between disembarkation and the return flight. Cunard is very 'dressy' and there will probably be two formal nights, the second and fifth night aboard. The dress is black tie. On other nights men wear jackets and ladies wear cocktail dress. Don't forget that even if you in the USA for only a few hours you will still need an ESTA. There will be loads to do on the crossing and if you like annimals then you can visit the kennels. Some dogs are very regular passengers!ViewDate:
11th Dec 2016MikeP commented on:
Pre-existing Health Conditions Travel InsuranceSuggest going to www.moneysupermarket.com as they will list premiums in price order. However, you need to move quickly as you should have taken out insurance when you booked the holiday because you will not be covered should you need to cancel between booking and taking out the insurance. Don't forget you will also need electronic visas for both the USA and Canada. The USA one is called an ESTA and the Canadian one is called an ETA. Both are mandatory for UK visitors but you can get them online so you can apply nearer the timeViewDate:
11th Dec 2016MikeP commented on:
Unusual holidaysHi Anna, Try www.vintage-tours.co.uk and saddleworthvintagebustours.co.uk Good luckViewDate:
9th Dec 2016MikeP commented on:
How can an SC (single cabin) on P&O still involve a single supplement?Hotels and cruise lines base their revenue forecast on a per room or per cabin basis so the cost of accommodation is actually the cost of the room or cabin. Traditionally in the UK, prices are quoted as per person based on two sharing, that means that two people are sharing the cost of the room or cabin. If there is only one person then clearly they are going to have to pay the whole cost of the room or cabin themselves. If hotels and cruise lines were to allow single occupancy at the same price as someone sharing then they would lose half their revenue and go bust. However, there are holiday companies that specialise in singles holidays, such as Solos and Just You, and six of Norwegian's Cruise Line' ships have exclusive singles areas with single studio accommodation as well as lounges and bars exclusively for single travellers.ViewDate:
9th Dec 2016MikeP commented on:
How can an SC (single cabin) on P&O still involve a single supplement?Have you tried the companies that specialise in singles holidays? Suggest looking at Solos, Just You and so onViewDate:
9th Dec 2016MikeP commented on:
How can an SC (single cabin) on P&O still involve a single supplement?Try Norwegian Cruise lines. Around six of their ships have an exclusive singles area with around 100 studio cabins plus lounge, bar and so on. So when you go for a drink you can be sure that everyone else is also in the same boat - so to speak!ViewDate:
16th Sep 2016MikeP commented on:
Looking for a cruise companion to share accommodation costsCheck out Norwegian Cruise Lines. Their latest ships have over 100 single cabins in an exclusive area in the ship which also has a lounge and bar, so you can be sure everyone you meet is also travelling alone. They have addressed both the cost and social issues of single cruisers.ViewDate:
16th Sep 2016MikeP commented on:
Looking for a cruise companion to share accommodation costsYou may want to consider Norwegian Cruise lines. Their latest ships have over 100 single cabins in an exclusive area in the ship. The area also includes a lounge and a bar so you can be sure that everyone you meet there is also single. They have cleverly addressed both the financial and social issues of single passengersViewDate:
26th Aug 2015MikeP commented on:
Advice for a first time cruiserSome misunderstanding here re Royal Caribbean (and other cruise lines') drinks packages. This is not a scam and it is very wrong to suggest that it is. The point is that if, for example, two people are sharing a cabin then either both of them have to have a drinks package or neither of them. You can't have one person with a drinks package and not the other as the person with the drinks package would be 'buying' all the drinks for the partner not on the package. This is perfectly reasonable.ViewDate:
14th Aug 2015MikeP commented on:
Single travellersI agree that cruising does tend to suit single travellers but one cruise line, Norwegian, has gone out of its way to address the issues of single travellers, not just the cost issue but also the social issues. Its newest ships, Epic, Getaway and Breakaway, each has an exclusive area of the ship reserved for single passengers. The area includes over 100 single studios, thus avoiding the "single supplement" problem, as well as a bar and lounge area. The area cannot be accessed by other passengers. This means that single travellers heading for a morning coffee or evening drink are assured that all the other guests in that area are, if you will pardon the pun, all in the same boat! This creates a very social atmosphere and makes it easy for single passengers to arrange ad hoc groups to dine (they have numerous restaurants and no fixed dining), see a show, go ashore together to explore a new destination, and so on. Not surprisingly the studios are usually the first cabins to sell out so one needs to plan a little in advance.ViewDate:
14th Aug 2015MikeP commented on:
Advice for a first time cruiserHi, my wife and I are both travel writers and we have been on and reviewed over 30 ships. It is difficult to advise without knowing which cruise line and ship you are sailing on. However, here are some general points and happy to be more specific if you want to say which ship you will be on. Orchid 10 has mentioned Allure which is a monster of a ship! DRESS You need to check if there are any formal nights on the cruise, usually there are and you would need to reckon on two on a seven night cruise. This means ideally dinner suits for men and cocktail/evening dresses for ladies. On ships other than Cunard, however, this applies only to the main dining room so if you don't want to dress up you can eat in the buffet. If you are on Cunard then men need to wear a jacket every evening after 6.00pm (though a tie is not mandatory) and ladies wear cocktail dresses or evening separates on non-formal nights. Formal nights tend to be very dressy with ladies in full-length gowns.The dress code on Cunard is enforced and inappropriately dressed passengers are restricted to the buffet and one bar. Royal Caribbean/s newest ships, Quantum and Anthem of the Seas do not have formal nights. GRATUITIES The cruise line will add an automatic amount per passenger per day to your onboard account for gratuities. This usually ranges from around £4 to £8. You may be able to alter this or pay tips directly. Ask at the purser's desk. Most ships will also add an automatic service charge to drinks, although some such as P&O don't. Others such as Royal Caribbean and Norwegian will add 18%. It it non-negotiable. However, some cruise lines offer drinks packages which may be cost-effective for you. EXCURSIONS Some are very good but they can be expensive. You would need to be selective if you are trying to stay within a budget. SPA TREATMENTS Usually very expensive and remember they will also add a service charge "for your convenience". Check before booking! TRAVEL INSURANCE You should already have this but do ensure that it covers cruising as this is usually an add-on. This may sound a bit structured but by and large cruises are hugely relaxing trips once you have got into the swing of things. The service is usually way above anything you will find in hotels and there is often food available 24x7. So, do pace yourself otherwise, as the old saying goes, you will join as a passenger and leave as cargo! Hope that helps.ViewDate:
14th May 2014MikeP commented on:
Where would you go on a beach holiday?One of the best beach hotels is Galley Bay in Antigua. No hotel building, just groups of rooms under the palm trees on a 3/4 mile long bay. Even Giorgio Armani has a house there!