Ideas for a birthday treat for SWMBO

[TonyW]

SWMBO has her birthday in January (one of the big "0's" will not say which just in case she looks here )

I was looking to surprise her with perhaps a cruise somewhere (alternative a nice new planer/thicknesser - well perhaps not!!) but have no idea where to go or indeed what to look for. Neither of us has had experience of cruises but I guess the ideal would be to fly out somewhere and join the ship in a warm climate. Anyone care to offer advice suggestions or alternatives ?

Cheers
Tony

 

[herdsman]

Hi Tony,

The planer thinknesser will be a big surprise .

Don't know much about cruises, tried to send my mother in law on one once but they wouldn't let her through the gates at Greenham common

 

[Lord Nibbo]

We've done two, both on Canberra newly fitted out after the Falklands war, gone now god bless her

First time it was just me and swmbo we had an outside cabin (outside cabin means you've got a porthole or window) we also had on suite. We joined the ship in Southampton heading for a trip around the Med. Ports of call were Gibralta, Malta, Several greek islands, Greek mainland which included an excursion to Athens, Cannes, Lisbon.

The following year we took both are boys who at the time were in their late teens, it was cheaper than leaving them at home one reason the parties they held in our absence need I say more.
This trip we shared an inside cabin for four (no windows no ensuite) for half the price it cost us for two. My two boys had a ball partying with the dance girls every night.

Many people think cruising is expensive but if you take into account the cost of the actual travelling to all the different ports plus all the entertainment day and night plus all the five star food (most people put on a stone) it is very good value for money.

 

[woody67]

Don't know much about cruises, tried to send my mother in law on one once but they wouldn't let her through the gates at Greenham common

:lol: :lol: :lol: Wonder how many got that one!? Very funny. =D>

 

[Shadowfax]

I've done a few cruises.
You need to decide if you want to fly or not. Bear in mind that the nice relaxed cruising bit will be spoiled by the manic flying/airport bit.
If not you can start from Southampton or Dover, for example, depending on the cruise line you pick.
Decide on one of two things - where do you want to go OR when do you want to go.
I recommend P&O. Their web site will give you all the information you need. They are experts at it.
If you want a chat PM me and I can tell you what it is all about.
Cheers.

SF

 

[Losos]

SWMBO has her birthday in January (one of the big "0's" will not say which just in case she looks here )

I was looking to surprise her with perhaps a cruise somewhere

Why not a 'Woodturning Cruise' around Scandinavia SWMBO will love all those fjords and you'll love all the woody stuff :lol:

link

Better decide soon 'tho, looks like there's only one cabin not yet booked.

 

[White House Workshop]

Haven't done it yet ourselves, but we plan to one day - there's a ship that cruises the Nile stopping off at all the interesting sites. It's only about 50-60 people on board so is much more intimate that a massive liner on the open seas. Guaranteed sunny weather in January, too!

 

[Harbo]

"There's a ship on the Nile" is putting it mildly - there's hundreds of them! :lol:

Fantastic holiday though, with amazing and incredible sites and sights.
Weather will be great too at that time of year (it never rains there).

Take some antibiotics with you as you will probably get a "gippy tummy"

I used to have a poster on my wall which showed a gigantic statue of a Ramses ?? sitting on his "throne" with a "Silk Cut" toilet roll next to him - reminded when I was caught very short at Karnak !!

They also do cruises down the Nile south of the Aswan dam which are much quieter and peaceful.

Rod

 

[dunbarhamlin]

I recommend P&O.

On a side note, believe Liberace and chums were engaged for their cross channel operation, P&O Ferries

 

[Gill]

If you're going to take a cruise, a few dance lessons in advance might not be a bad idea. I've never been on a cruise myself but I know a number of people who have - they go as much for the dancing as for the holiday/tourism.

Gill

 

[Woodmagnet]

I agree with Gill, a few dance lessons would be handy for trying to get to the loo in a force 5 gale with a gippy tummy. :lol:

 

[TonyW]

Thanks to all for your replies:

Herdsman Like the cruise missile joke

LN - Have to be an outside cabin for me - get a little claustriphobia otherwise. Do you still have to "walk the plank" for bad behaviour? :evil:

Shadowfax - Even with manic airport think I would prefer that to the drive to the deep south. Think I will need to decide soon where and when and spill the beans to SWMBO - just in case she does not approve

Losos - Cruise round the fjords sounds fantastic - think that SWMBO might prefer somewhere a little warmer

White House Workshop - Interesting thought

Harbo - I can suffer "gippy tummy" at the best of times SWMBO has a much stronger constitution

dunbarhamlin - Do you think that should be a good reason to steer clear of P&O

Gill Oh dear - I hadnt thought of dancing. I can shuffle around a dance floor a bit and hopefully disguise my inadequacy in the crowd. You have just reminded me of the time my mother booked us into a hotel on our anniversary. There was a dinner dance and someone had spilled the beans - next minute our occasion was announced and we were forced to open the dancing

Thanks again please keep suggestions coming. Are you all sure that she would not like a new workshop

Cheers
Tony