Cruising - a few questions & some answers

There’s certainly been a lot of feedback on my last post, along with quite a few questions, that I shall do my best to answer. The first relates to the hand pull dispense, used in the onboard pub. I haven’t managed to find anyone who’s likely to know the answer, but there are several lines of inquiry for me to pursue.  Having said, James H’s suggestion makes a lot of sense, and a bag-in-a-box sounds like the ideal solution to storing, and keeping cask ale in situations where demand is likely to be low, and turnover intermittent.

Volvo Cruiser, there are plenty of online websites offering advice about cruising, and I have listed a few of them below. With regards to the food, the portions and whether or not it is included, I would say yes, it is, on the majority of cruise lines, although there are options for “fine dining” where you will have to pay extra. We are only familiar with Cunard vessels, and can confirm that dining in the buffet, the Britannia Restaurant (waiter service) and the pub, is all inclusive. In the buffet, you can go back as many times as you wish and pile your plate as high as you want.

Drinks are not included though, but drink packages are available, at a price – something like $110 per day, but unless you are a really heavy drinker, they aren’t really worth it. Having said that, we’ve met two sisters from Wales up on deck, who are part of a group that my wife has made friends with. Both ladies are making full use of their package, with limitless G&T’s appearing in front of then, from dawn until dusk. Another lady we’ve met, whose a former air stewardess, likes to start her morning’s off with a glass of Prosecco or three, and then continues in the same vein until bedtime! I'm not wishing to moralise, but this is dangerous territory if you ask me.

Confectionery, such as Mars Bars, and other similar snacks are not available on ship, and you are best bringing your own, especially as prices in the onboard ship are high. I remember, on a previous cruise. Mrs PBT’s paying $12 or more for a bag of M&M’s, so bring your own, or better still, buy whilst ashore, as that way you will be putting something back into the local economy. Btw, US dollars are the onboard currency on Cunard, and possibly other cruise lines as well. They obviously know where the money is.

Aloha Harry, the fish and chip portions in the Golden Lion pub, might appear small, but they are sensibly sized, unlike those from our local chippy back home. There, the temptation is to finish what’s in the wrapper, and if I am being truthful, the friendly Turkish chippy we normally use in Tonbridge, does tend to pile on the chips – even for a “small” portion.

What I will say to anyone thinking of taking a cruise is, bite the bullet, and take the plunge, if you pardon the pun. Perhaps do what Eileen and I did, which is book a short, mini cruise (ours was just for two nights). There are plenty of websites, alternatively a visit to a good old fashioned travel agent might be helpful, as they can go through the options available and help you find a deal which suits both your leisure time as well as your pocket.

Finally, this post comes to you via tethering – an idea that I copied from Retired Martin. Basically, it involves hooking up the laptop, to your mobile phone, and yes, after a bit of help from my good lady wife - who knows about such things, the laptop is finally connected to the internet. So thank you to both  Martin and Eileen.

Cruise Advice & Handy Tips

Emma Cruises. 

Cruise with Gary