Booking a Cruise for a Milestone Celebration. A Dream Cruise for my Mum’s 60th: Life is full of special moments that deserve to be celebrated in a grand and memorable way, milestone birthdays, engagements, weddings and even memorial celebrations. When my mum approached me with the idea booking her and my dad their first-ever cruise to mark her 60th birthday, I couldn't have been more thrilled to help make her dream come true. This blog aims to share our journey of choosing the right cruise line, picking the desired itinerary, and witnessing the magic unfold as we embarked on this incredible adventure together… because they invited us along with them! If you're considering booking a cruise to celebrate a milestone in a loved one's life, read on for some valuable insights and inspiration!
The Decision to Set Sail.
My mum has always nurtured the dream of going on a cruise but had never taken the plunge. My parents have plenty of friends that have been on cruises – but my dad has always had a misconception that he probably wouldn’t like it because he’s ‘not fond of water’ and doesn’t like boat trips. My husband James and I have completed over 11 cruises, and after each trip my dad would always ask plenty of questions, subsequently comparing our tales to those of his friend Frank who practically lives between the many NCL ships, so we knew that we could probably help my mum dispel those (fears) misconceptions and finally get them on a cruise ship. Being their go-to travel advisor, they turned to me for guidance and recommendations. The pressure was on to find a cruise that would match their expectations and provide an exceptional voyage.
Explaining the value (to my Dad).
Going on a cruise isn’t always cheap* One fear of my Dad’s was the cost– he would always say ‘a cruise seems expensive’. Bearing in mind my dad has taken us on all sorts of package holidays over the years ranging from Self-Catering to All-Inclusive and everything in between. That’s why understanding the value of what’s included in your cruise fare was important for him. Just because there are fancy restaurants on a Cruise ship it doesn’t mean that these all cost extra! With some cruise lines absolutely everything is included, and for that you pay a premium. On other cruise lines, most things are included, and there are uplifts or additional costs for special additions. One reason we love Princess is that you can chose the type of fair you want at the time of booking, so you can opt for the familiarity of an All-Inclusive feel if you wish, or go for cruise only (which in fairness is still like a Full-Board resort stay! Whichever ‘package you chose though, they all include the West-End Style Theatre Shows and Live Entertainment, numerous venues to consider for your evening entertainment, adults only areas for relaxing plus so much more. Plus, if you’re used to a buffet style dining experience of an All-Inclusive resort, you can experience something similar on most cruise lines – except it’s better quality! But when you compare a Family Holiday for 4 to a European Beach Resort versus a cruise, a cruise is much better value!
(*btw there are many ways to snag a bargain cruise– but bargains often require flexibility and an eye for deal-spotting… plus a really good travel agent).
Research and Recommendations.
To ensure a truly remarkable experience for my parents, I didn’t need to do hours of research trawling the internet, because for one, I know my parents likes and dislikes very well. My siblings and I were very fortunate to be taken on many holidays as we were growing up and because of this I know that my mum loves relaxation, maybe a bit of pampering, exploring new places, and loves to sunbathe. My dad, hates being stuck on a sun-lounger, loves trying new foods and sampling diverse culinary treats, and he absolutely loves exploration – hiking, cycling, motoring you name it. My mum loves to dress up, but isn’t one to go over the top, and my dad loves a pair of cargo shorts, a polo shirt and a cap… admittedly he will put on a suit for a wedding, so selling the idea to him that it’s just one night of his cruise he needs to ‘dress up’ for formal night wasn’t too much of a struggle. So after careful consideration, I recommended a reputable cruise line known for its exceptional service, diverse itineraries, and luxurious onboard experiences, one that I have sailed with many times, with a diverse client base and the average passenger very similar to my parents demographic. It was crucial to choose a line that catered to their interests, preferences, and offered a range of activities and entertainment suitable for both relaxation and adventure… Princess Cruises.
Finding the Perfect Itinerary.
There are many considerations when you are trying to select the right itinerary. Sometimes your cruise is for the solely because of itinerary itself, think Alaska for example. So as we delved into the process of selecting the ideal itinerary, we wanted to create a well-rounded journey that everyone would be happy with:
Somewhere warm with 99% guaranteed sunshine > Mediterranean fly cruise.
Decent flights to minimise travel time from Manchester > Rome, Athens & Barcelona.
Familiar ports of call > Crete is one of my mums favourite places.
New places to explore > my dad has always wanted to visit Pompeii.
Nostalgia > my parents took me to the Ephesus ruins as a child.
Dates > when to travel to avoid school holidays.
In the end we opted for the below itinerary that included picturesque Greek islands, stunning Italian & Turkish coastal cities, and opportunities for cultural immersion. It was essential to strike a balance between onshore excursions and onboard experiences, allowing my parents to soak in the breath taking beauty of each destination while cherishing moments of tranquillity.
Day 1 – Fly Manchester to Rome – Pre-cruise overnight stay in Rome
Day 2 – Rome to Civitavecchia transfer – board the ship and explore. Spa treatment booked!
Day 3 – Naples for Pompeii – Excursion booked through Princess Cruises until noon.
Day 4 – Sea Day – relaxation in the Enclave and The Sanctuary (adults only relaxation areas)
Day 5 – Heraklion, Crete – exploring on our own – possibly a Segway tour or bike ride.
Day 6 – Kusadasi, Turkey – Early morning guided tour of Ephesus ruins. Crown Grill for Celebratory Dinner in the evening.
Day 7 – Istanbul, Turkey – vising Hagia Sophia & exploring on our own.
Day 8 – Mykonos, Greece – late arrival – lunch on the beach, staying on land until sunset.
Day 9 – Athens, Greece – disembarkation & tour of the city. Overnight stay in Athens.
Day 10 – Afternoon flight back from Athens to Manchester.
Embarking on an Unforgettable Journey.
As the embarkation day approaches, excitement is starting to fill the air. At the time of writing its 4 days until we leave home for Rome. We haven’t booked anything specific for our time pre-cruise, but I know my Mum wants to visit the Vatican & see some of the beautiful attractions the city of Rome has to offer. We will probably grab Hop-On-Hop-Off tickets and make the most of the freedom they offer as we explore. We snagged an amazing hotel close by to Roma Termini and plan to catch the train to the port on Saturday morning ahead of our boarding time.
Making Memories, One Port at a Time.
Whilst we are away – not only are we going to make the most of this amazing trip, but I am going to make sure we enjoy this quality time together as a family. Getting to experience something like this with my parents fills me equally with excitement and gratitude. I will be sure to take lots of pictures and keep you posted on our travels through our social media channels, so if you don’t follow us yet head over to Instagram and search Instagram.com/HD_Holidays_Ltd or facebook.com/hdholidays
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