Another "Cruise" question .. this time Cruise Ship

Sir Thomas of Cannondale

I posted the other day looking for info, experience with anyone who has used
a freighter as
a way to cross the Atlantic. Figured I'd take my bicycle and tour once in
Europe.

Got a couple of replies.

Then I got to thinking ??? What about travel on a passenger ship; a
Cruise Ship.

I did some web surfing. A few folks recommended taking a Repositioning
Cruise. This is where the
cruise company moves its liner from the winter market [Florida/Caribbean] to
Europe/Med for the summer
market.

So I looked and Vola. I was surprised at how many ships get moved .. I'm
not hip to the cruise ship scene.

One ship leaves early April 08, arrives in Spain about 18 days later. The
cost is about $1,000 dollars.

That is a two person/ double in room price. Haven't figured out how to beat
the PerPersonDoubleOccupancy yet.

The ship company said it would be ok to take the bicycle if I kept it in my
room.

Have any of you ever taken a bicycle on a cruise ship? Or passenger liner,
if there is such a thing.

With the global warming thing and all ... it much less damage to the earth
for people to travel on ships.

About time for the passenger ship to make a rebirth. The only one right now
is the Queen Mary ll. I think. Very British.

Any thoughts? Advice?

mevermeulen@gmail.com

> Any thoughts? Advice?

Not exactly a cruise ship, but I've taken car ferrys multiple times.
The one I found most amusing was the overnight ferry from Portland,
Maine to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. I believe it doesn't operate anymore
but it was being marketed as a "mini-cruise" to some in Maine. The
idea being that you would make a three day weekend with a stopover in
Yarmouth and could also gamble in international waters. For me it was
just a car ferry with sleeping berths and a way to get myself and
bicycle to Nova Scotia for some bicycle touring. I was dressed
appropriately for bicycle touring. As I boarded, in keeping with the
"cruise" theme, there were people selling little drinks with umbrellas
in them. I heard one woman discretely ask how people dressed for
dinner and meals. Thinking of my bicycling attire, all I could think
was "hope I don't end up at her table and ruin the mini-cruise
fantasy"...

What you are asking about is really a bit different and I don't have
direct experience there. Like yourself I looked up some of the
freighter links on the internet once and came to the conclusion that
one might need some flexibility in your schedule and the price wasn't
a huge amount cheaper than just flying though the experience could be
interesting.

--mev, Mike Vermeulen

c

If you are able to read french, the reference

Le guide des voyages en cargo et small Ships (Broché)
de Hugo Verlomme
ISBN-10: 284990032X
ISBN-13: 978-2849900321

http://www.amazon.fr/guide-voyages-...95460265&sr=1-1

can be of your interest



Sir Thomas of Cannondale wrote:
> I posted the other day looking for info, experience with anyone who has used
> a freighter as
> a way to cross the Atlantic. Figured I'd take my bicycle and tour once in
> Europe.
>
> Got a couple of replies.
>
> Then I got to thinking ??? What about travel on a passenger ship; a
> Cruise Ship.
>
> I did some web surfing. A few folks recommended taking a Repositioning
> Cruise. This is where the
> cruise company moves its liner from the winter market [Florida/Caribbean] to
> Europe/Med for the summer
> market.
>
> So I looked and Vola. I was surprised at how many ships get moved .. I'm
> not hip to the cruise ship scene.
>
> One ship leaves early April 08, arrives in Spain about 18 days later. The
> cost is about $1,000 dollars.
>
> That is a two person/ double in room price. Haven't figured out how to beat
> the PerPersonDoubleOccupancy yet.
>
> The ship company said it would be ok to take the bicycle if I kept it in my
> room.
>
> Have any of you ever taken a bicycle on a cruise ship? Or passenger liner,
> if there is such a thing.
>
> With the global warming thing and all ... it much less damage to the earth
> for people to travel on ships.
>
> About time for the passenger ship to make a rebirth. The only one right now
> is the Queen Mary ll. I think. Very British.
>
> Any thoughts? Advice?
>
>
>