Absolute beginner.

[Underwatr]

Hi Jo. Thanks for that. I am so tempted to go out and book it now, but I'm conscious of JB's advice to leave it until six weeks before.

Waiting until the last minute works better when you're not set on a particular ship and itinerary. If you have a particular ship and date in mind you run the risk that that particular sailing will sell well enough that the line doesn't have to resort to significant fare reductions to sell out the cruise.

[Vejay]

Thanks guys.

[John Bull]

A quick update:

 

To give you an idea of latish savings, I see that a couple of UK cruise specialist T/As are currently offering fly-cruise to the Caribbean for 2 weeks on P&O's Britannia at £1299 pp for a balcony cabin on 20th or 21st November.

By way of comparison, late November 2016 a balcony cabin will currently cost around £1800.

 

Late November / early December is usually the cheapest time (lots of folk too involved in preparing for Christmas), but other dates usually only a little more if you're prepared to wait.

 

 

JB :)

[Vejay]

Thanks Jb. Found a cruise specialist to go and talk to in Sheffield. Bit of a distance but I'd feel more comfortable doing that rather than over the phone or Internet.

[Vejay]

Thank you to everyone who chipped in with some wonderful advice and suggestions. As it's an important first time for us, with a specific date in mind, we decided not to leave it until the last minute and went to see a cruise specialist. During our visit we were shown all the options and as I'd half expected short listed the Carribean in either Brittania or Azura. Dates became problematic with Brittania so we settled on Azura. A must was a balcony cabin but our first and second choices were already booked so I bit the bullet and got the credit card out to make sure we got what we wanted. Sailing from Barbados on the 6th February and really looking forward to it.

 

Thanks again to everybody especially JB for the mine of information supplied which helped us with our choice. If anyone has tips or advice for this specific cruise on Azura, they will be greatfully received.

[John Bull]

A later booking would've been cheaper, but as per your post getting the cruise you want on the date you want, plus the peace of mind, can be worth the cost.

 

Just a few pointers:

 

Have you taken out insurance yet?

If not, do so soonest - it'll cost you no more if you do so now, & your deposit/commitment will be covered against having to cancel. Cheapest is via one of the major players such as insure-and-go.

If you already have an annual policy, check that it's valid for cruises & for that part of the world.

 

US dollars are the only currency you'll need in ports.

Buy before you travel, at the best price you can find amongst the usual suspects - M&S, Tesco, Post Office, etc. Don't accept higher than $20 bills, & try to get plenty of fives & ones - they improve your bargaining power and avoid the potential to be given change in local currency (happens in non-touristy shops).

Some who've bought on-line have complained that it comes in $50 bills.

Exchange rates from ship's purser (all ships) are extremely poor.

ATMs ashore might dispense only local currency.

 

P&O have a very liberal attitude to taking aboard any of your own alcohol (not just wine) & soft drinks to consume on your balcony. You should have time to visit the duty-frees in the cruise terminal in Barbados, though the choice of wines anywhere in the Caribbean isn't great. Take a corkscrew for wine - in your checked luggage (twice I've fouled up & lost corkscrews in hand-luggage at airport security :o). A bottle of Pimms, some lemonade, bits of fresh fruit salad and ice from the buffet plus some mint if you can scrounge it, & anytime is Pimms-o'clock on your balcony. :)

 

Movies under the stars on the top pool-deck tends to be music videos during the day & up-to-date films at night, unless there's a major live sports event. Great experience, but sound quality's not the best - don't bother with a film that relies too heavily on dialogue.

That deck can be quite busy & noisy during the day. But there's a quiet (theoretically adults-only) pool area at the stern, behind the buffet & with tiered open decks over. Bar, pool, buffet, peace & quiet - what more could anyone want. :)

 

There'll be two, mebbe three, formal nights. P&O take the dress code seriously. DJ or dark suit & tie or national/military dress. If not appropriately dressed you'll not be admitted to the dining room or some bars. If formal isn't your thing, evening meals in the buffet are OK.

 

Try Oistins fish night (google it) on your overnight in Barbados.

 

Have a good one

 

JB :)

[Vejay]

Hi JB. Thanks again. I had planned to get our balcony alcohol at the airport. If I can get it in Barbados so much the better. Saves having to lug it around. How much time do you typically have in the duty free port area?

[John Bull]

Your UK airport yes, Barbados airport you'll not have the opportunity.

 

But I think you'll find the d/f at the port cheaper.

 

Your question suggests you fly out on the Saturday.

Flight arrivals will be staggered, some will be in plenty of time. Unless your flight is late you should at least have time to nip across to the port d/f shops - before registering for the ship if they let you, or you might have to do it after registering.

 

JB :)

[Vejay]

Ok, eight weeks to go and counting. We are so looking forward to this two week Carribean cruise on the Azura. It is a holiday I've always wanted, but 'Herself' has never been sure. However, it's my retirement and birthday present to myself so I'm in charge for once.:) I know some people are not P&O fans, so please move on. It's booked and I can't change it even if I wanted to so no derogatory comments please. I'd like to continue looking forward to it.

 

However, I would really appreciate some advice on shore excursions on the Islands from anyone that's familiar with the P&O itinerary. We're not keen on organized tours, but have booked one on St. Kitts. That's the scenic railway. It has mixed reviews, but we both love railways, and I love rum punch so we're doing it. I also fancy one of the snorkeling trips, but they are available on all of the islands so has anyone any views? I'd like good and bad opinions on this as it's not booked.

 

 

Other than that we intend to to leave the ports and explore on our own either by taxi or bus. Again, any recommendations would be most welcome.

 

Thank you all.

[Langley Cruisers]

Hi there,

 

I noticed that you have posted only in this forum, First Time Cruisers. For more specific answers to questions you may have about the ship and itinerary, here is the P&O board:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=38

 

Here is the Roll Call section for your cruise; just find your date, and you can post and read threads from others who are sailing with you:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=579

 

Here is the Ports of Call board section for the Caribbean. You can click on each island board, and read what others have done for each port.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=587

 

.

[Vejay]

Thanks Karen. Some really useful links. Should have searched them out myself. Sorry.:o

[Kittyonions]

We took our first cruise last year on AZura in the Caribbean , and cannot recommend it highly enough. See that you are from UK, and believe me P and O make everything so easy with the flights to Barbados, and you are on board the ship within an hour of the flight landing at the airport . Sure that there are lots of other cruises to the Caribbean if you are happy to transit US but this means you have to apply for an ESTA form to enter, just to leave again on a ship. Try Azura, you will have a fantastic time!!

[Vejay]

Thanks Kitty. Less than eight weeks to our sailing date and we are really looking forward to it all. Already booked the Epicurean, Sindhu and a couple of spa treatments to be sure of having them on the days that we want.

 

Thanks again for taking the time to reply.

[jocap]

Great restaurants...also try the Beach House, which is part of the buffet dressed up for the night.

Exciting times for you both...enjoy every minute, which I'm sure you will! There's a very special moment when you open the cabin door, and see the tea tray laid out with biscuits, and the little dish of foil wrapped sweets...plus often a flower in a vase....which says "Welcome" to me.

Also, check you've removed the chocolate from the pillow before you sleep.. :rolleyes:

[Vejay]

Hi Jo. Thanks for the recommendation.

[Vejay]

This is a big thank you to everyone who chipped in with so much good advice and recommendations for our first cruise.

Just returned from the Azura Caribbean cruise with P and O.

 

Loved it, now hooked.

Edited February 26, 2016 by Vejay

[Clarea]

This is a big thank you to everyone who chipped in with so much good advice and recommendations for our first cruise.

Just returned from the Azura Caribbean cruise with P and O.

 

Loved it, now hooked.

Glad you enjoyed the cruise.:) Welcome to the addiction.

Edited February 26, 2016 by clarea

[Keith1010]

You can learn a lot about P&O by visiting the P&O cruise line board.

 

Likewise you can learn about other cruise lines by visiting their cruise line boards.

 

Keith

[jocap]

This is a big thank you to everyone who chipped in with so much good advice and recommendations for our first cruise.

Just returned from the Azura Caribbean cruise with P and O.

 

Loved it, now hooked.

Thanks for coming back and telling us... I hope your wife enjoyed the cruise, too.

We've been on Azura's sister ship, Ventura, all the way from Southampton to the Caribbean and back whilst you've been there...we didn't see your ship but were with Britannia in Barbados for one of the days.

Now it's all about planning the next one...:cool:

Edited February 29, 2016 by jocap
old age