Works out at £58 per person per day, which given its over Xmas is a very good deal. For £100 per person extra I think you can get all inclusive drinks for the cruise part.
Flights from Gatwick 18th December, Norwegian Spirit Cruise Ship, all meals and entertainment on cruise included
18TH DEC 2016
BARCELONA STAY
19TH DEC 2016
BARCELONA STAY
20TH DEC 2016 DEPART 18:00
BARCELONA
LIFE IN THE CATALAN CAPITAL IS AS FAST AND FUN AS ANYWHERE IN EUROPE. TAKE A STROLL DOWN LAS RAMBLAS, WHERE THE STREET THEATRE IS JUST AS CRAZY AS THE FANTASTICAL ART NOUVEAU ARCHITECTURE OF THE CITY’S MOST FAMOUS SON, GAUDI. THE GOTHIC QUARTER WITH ITS NARROW STREETS AND VAST CATHEDRAL IS BIG ON ATMOSPHERE AND THE NEIGHBOURHOOD TAPAS BARS ARE JUST THE PLACE TO REFILL.
21ST DEC 2016 ARRIVE 08:00 - DEPART 18:00
MARSEILLE (AIX-EN-PROVENCE)
GATEWAY TO PROVENCE AND ONE OF FRANCE'S MOST IMPORTANT PORTS, MARSEILLE IS A CULTURAL MIX WITH AS MANY COLORS, FLAVORS AND INGREDIENTS AS A BOWL OF BOUILLABAISSE, ITS FAMOUS SEAFOOD SOUP.
22ND DEC 2016 ARRIVE 08:00 - DEPART 20:00
LIVORNO, (FLORENCE/PISA), ITALY
23RD DEC 2016 ARRIVE 08:00 - DEPART 20:00
CIVITAVECCHIA (ROME)
CIVITAVECCHIA HAS BEEN THE PORT FOR ROME SINCE THE 13TH-CENTURY AND THE ETERNAL CITY IS STILL THE BIG DRAW. IT WASN’T BUILT IN A DAY, BUT YOU’LL SEE A LOT IN YOURS, FROM THE MASSIVE COLOSSEUM, ST. PETER’S BASILICA AND VATICAN CITY TO THE SUN-FILLED PIAZZAS, FABULOUS FOUNTAINS, ULTRA-CHIC DESIGNER STORES AND OH-SO-TEMPTING PAVEMENT CAFÉS, WHERE YOU CAN DO AS THE ROMANS DO.
24TH DEC 2016 ARRIVE 08:00 - DEPART 18:00
NAPLES
YOU MUST TRY THE REAL THING BEFORE YOU EXPLORE THE HISTORIC CENTRE WITH ITS GRAND PALACE, CATHEDRAL AND OPERA HOUSE. FEELING ROMANTIC? TAKE THE HYDROFOIL TO THE ISLE OF CAPRI OR THE AMALFI COAST DRIVE TO SORRENTO AND DON’T FORGET YOUR CAMERA. HISTORY BUFFS MAKE FOR POMPEII, TO SEE HOW THE ROMANS LIVED BACK IN THE 1ST CENTURY AD.
25TH DEC 2016 ARRIVE 08:00 - DEPART 18:00
AT SEA
26TH DEC 2016
PALMA
THINK OF MAJORCA AND THE CHANCES ARE SUNSHINE HOLIDAYS COME TO MIND, SO IF IT’S BEACHSIDE RELAXATION YOU WANT, JUST TAKE YOUR PICK. BUT THERE ARE OTHER SIDES TO THIS BEAUTIFUL ISLAND, FROM THE ELEGANT CAPITAL, PALMA, WITH ITS MEDIEVAL CATHEDRAL, SHOPS AND TAPAS BARS TO THE VALLEYS, VINEYARDS AND PRETTY LITTLE VILLAGES OF THE INTERIOR.
27TH DEC 2016 ARRIVE 05:00
BARCELONA
27TH DEC 2016
BARCELONA STAY
28TH DEC 2016
FLY TO THE UK
11 comments
poisondwarf
18 Jun 16#11
As you know, the weather at that time of the year really is pot luck.
It can be very cold in Spain, althought generally warmer that here in the UK, and it can also be very wet indeed.
Altarf
18 Jun 16#10
There is a problem comparing the headline prices of cruises from US websites and the UK websites.
The UK website includes all the charges (with the exception of the 'discretionary' service charge). The US websites don't include taxes, fees and port expenses (or the 'discretionary' service charge).
The $699 price you saw is for the non-assigned cabin and doesn't come with the free drinks package (i.e it is the £579 cabin).
The assigned cabin that does come with the drinks package and costs $899. However the $899 doesn't include the taxes and fees which are added on right at the end and bump the price up to $1,070.22.
Also, and this is a BIG issue, the drinks package on the UK website is really free (if you pay the extra £100 for the assigned cabin).
However for people booking through the American website they have to pay a "service charge" on the 'free' drinks (you know how the Americans love to tip), and this adds $156.42 onto the cost.
So the $899 is now $1,226.64, about £854 (and that doesn't include flights). So that makes the UK price of £679 with flights very cheap.
You are correct that Cruise Nation don't include bags and transfers, but having used them a few times for cruises, for the flight prices I have found what they charge for the flights is pretty much what I would have paid booking directly.
As for bags, you could get away with hand luggage only. This is an NCL cruise, so people dressed smartly will be wearing their least ripped jeans and a T shirt, it isn't Cunard.
iamprobably
18 Jun 16#8
Cold - literally... You'llbe freezing!
mjnfry to iamprobably
18 Jun 16#9
Weather in the med is certainly a lot warmer than UK at that time of year. Take a hoodie but over past few years I've been in Barcelona in early January theirs certainly been no need for a jacket!
Tips are $13.50pppd but can take them off if you don't want to pay, I believe a lot of Brits usually do take them off tbh. :smiley::wink: :P
getmore4less
18 Jun 16#6
That is good for a Xmas date check the usa price with diy flights
Cruise nation flights often don't include bags and transfers.
bowdiddly to getmore4less
18 Jun 16#7
Good thinking, I checked vacationstogo.com, cruise is $699, so about £490, doesnt include filghts and the accomodation in Barcelona that comes with this one
annedawso
18 Jun 16#5
Think it looks a brilliant deal.
bowdiddly
18 Jun 16#4
I had a quick look on Thomsons, the cheapest deal they have with the above dates is £742 pp for an apartment in Cyprus, which is nice, but
Its almost £200 more expensive than this but
Doesnt include breakfast , lunch or dinner - the cruise does
Doesnt include entertainment - the cruise does
Cruises are not for everyone, but if you are looking for a holiday over xmas it is a very good deal
bojangles
18 Jun 16#2
freezing cold
this is for an inside cabin & nothing is included.
Your at the mercy of the cruise prices for any drinks - you are not allowed to take alcohol onboard, etc.
Mentions nothing about hidden costs like gratuities being added on, internet, excursions, etc.
Altarf to bojangles
18 Jun 16#3
You only use your cabin for three things, and none of them need a window.
£579 is the price for an inside with no drinks, £679 is the price for an inside with the drinks package, so the OP is correct. At £100 for all you can drink for a week (beer, wine, spirits, cocktails) why would you want to take any alcohol onboard?
No cruise company advertises the cost of the service charge/tips/gratuity. On NCL it is €13.50 per day per person (aprox £9.50), so aprox £66.50 for the week each.
As the OP says, not a bad price for a Christmas cruise.
backinstock
17 Jun 161#1
Seems a decent price.
Would Santa leave your presents at your home, or does he and his helpers do cruise ships?
Clincher for me.
![Fresh Breakfast Meat Box (Using code) @ Campbells Meat [Haggis / Lorne Sausage / Bacon / Black Pudding & More]](/images/topics/208684_1.jpg)
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Opening post
Flights from Gatwick 18th December, Norwegian Spirit Cruise Ship, all meals and entertainment on cruise included
18TH DEC 2016
BARCELONA STAY
19TH DEC 2016
BARCELONA STAY
20TH DEC 2016 DEPART 18:00
BARCELONA
LIFE IN THE CATALAN CAPITAL IS AS FAST AND FUN AS ANYWHERE IN EUROPE. TAKE A STROLL DOWN LAS RAMBLAS, WHERE THE STREET THEATRE IS JUST AS CRAZY AS THE FANTASTICAL ART NOUVEAU ARCHITECTURE OF THE CITY’S MOST FAMOUS SON, GAUDI. THE GOTHIC QUARTER WITH ITS NARROW STREETS AND VAST CATHEDRAL IS BIG ON ATMOSPHERE AND THE NEIGHBOURHOOD TAPAS BARS ARE JUST THE PLACE TO REFILL.
21ST DEC 2016 ARRIVE 08:00 - DEPART 18:00
MARSEILLE (AIX-EN-PROVENCE)
GATEWAY TO PROVENCE AND ONE OF FRANCE'S MOST IMPORTANT PORTS, MARSEILLE IS A CULTURAL MIX WITH AS MANY COLORS, FLAVORS AND INGREDIENTS AS A BOWL OF BOUILLABAISSE, ITS FAMOUS SEAFOOD SOUP.
22ND DEC 2016 ARRIVE 08:00 - DEPART 20:00
LIVORNO, (FLORENCE/PISA), ITALY
23RD DEC 2016 ARRIVE 08:00 - DEPART 20:00
CIVITAVECCHIA (ROME)
CIVITAVECCHIA HAS BEEN THE PORT FOR ROME SINCE THE 13TH-CENTURY AND THE ETERNAL CITY IS STILL THE BIG DRAW. IT WASN’T BUILT IN A DAY, BUT YOU’LL SEE A LOT IN YOURS, FROM THE MASSIVE COLOSSEUM, ST. PETER’S BASILICA AND VATICAN CITY TO THE SUN-FILLED PIAZZAS, FABULOUS FOUNTAINS, ULTRA-CHIC DESIGNER STORES AND OH-SO-TEMPTING PAVEMENT CAFÉS, WHERE YOU CAN DO AS THE ROMANS DO.
24TH DEC 2016 ARRIVE 08:00 - DEPART 18:00
NAPLES
YOU MUST TRY THE REAL THING BEFORE YOU EXPLORE THE HISTORIC CENTRE WITH ITS GRAND PALACE, CATHEDRAL AND OPERA HOUSE. FEELING ROMANTIC? TAKE THE HYDROFOIL TO THE ISLE OF CAPRI OR THE AMALFI COAST DRIVE TO SORRENTO AND DON’T FORGET YOUR CAMERA. HISTORY BUFFS MAKE FOR POMPEII, TO SEE HOW THE ROMANS LIVED BACK IN THE 1ST CENTURY AD.
25TH DEC 2016 ARRIVE 08:00 - DEPART 18:00
AT SEA
26TH DEC 2016
PALMA
THINK OF MAJORCA AND THE CHANCES ARE SUNSHINE HOLIDAYS COME TO MIND, SO IF IT’S BEACHSIDE RELAXATION YOU WANT, JUST TAKE YOUR PICK. BUT THERE ARE OTHER SIDES TO THIS BEAUTIFUL ISLAND, FROM THE ELEGANT CAPITAL, PALMA, WITH ITS MEDIEVAL CATHEDRAL, SHOPS AND TAPAS BARS TO THE VALLEYS, VINEYARDS AND PRETTY LITTLE VILLAGES OF THE INTERIOR.
27TH DEC 2016 ARRIVE 05:00
BARCELONA
27TH DEC 2016
BARCELONA STAY
28TH DEC 2016
FLY TO THE UK
11 comments
It can be very cold in Spain, althought generally warmer that here in the UK, and it can also be very wet indeed.
The UK website includes all the charges (with the exception of the 'discretionary' service charge). The US websites don't include taxes, fees and port expenses (or the 'discretionary' service charge).
The $699 price you saw is for the non-assigned cabin and doesn't come with the free drinks package (i.e it is the £579 cabin).
The assigned cabin that does come with the drinks package and costs $899. However the $899 doesn't include the taxes and fees which are added on right at the end and bump the price up to $1,070.22.
Also, and this is a BIG issue, the drinks package on the UK website is really free (if you pay the extra £100 for the assigned cabin).
However for people booking through the American website they have to pay a "service charge" on the 'free' drinks (you know how the Americans love to tip), and this adds $156.42 onto the cost.
So the $899 is now $1,226.64, about £854 (and that doesn't include flights). So that makes the UK price of £679 with flights very cheap.
You are correct that Cruise Nation don't include bags and transfers, but having used them a few times for cruises, for the flight prices I have found what they charge for the flights is pretty much what I would have paid booking directly.
As for bags, you could get away with hand luggage only. This is an NCL cruise, so people dressed smartly will be wearing their least ripped jeans and a T shirt, it isn't Cunard.
Tips are $13.50pppd but can take them off if you don't want to pay, I believe a lot of Brits usually do take them off tbh. :smiley::wink: :P
Cruise nation flights often don't include bags and transfers.
Its almost £200 more expensive than this but
Doesnt include breakfast , lunch or dinner - the cruise does
Doesnt include entertainment - the cruise does
Cruises are not for everyone, but if you are looking for a holiday over xmas it is a very good deal
this is for an inside cabin & nothing is included.
Your at the mercy of the cruise prices for any drinks - you are not allowed to take alcohol onboard, etc.
Mentions nothing about hidden costs like gratuities being added on, internet, excursions, etc.
£579 is the price for an inside with no drinks, £679 is the price for an inside with the drinks package, so the OP is correct. At £100 for all you can drink for a week (beer, wine, spirits, cocktails) why would you want to take any alcohol onboard?
No cruise company advertises the cost of the service charge/tips/gratuity. On NCL it is €13.50 per day per person (aprox £9.50), so aprox £66.50 for the week each.
As the OP says, not a bad price for a Christmas cruise.
Would Santa leave your presents at your home, or does he and his helpers do cruise ships?
Clincher for me.