321. I tried a cruise ship for the first time! (P&O Azura, Canary Islands, solo cabin)
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 11 พ.ค. 2024
- After various friends raved about enjoying holidays on cruise ships, and having wanted to go to the Canary Islands for a week over winter anyway, I decided to take the trip as a cruise, choosing a fly-cruise on P&O's ship "Azura". This is my review of the vacation. Travelling alone, I paid the miminum fare I could find for a solo inside cabin with no balcony etc.
Normal canal-oriented service will be resumed shortly!
Chapters
00:00 Intro
01:34 Getting Aboard
03:23 Money
04:40 My Cabin
06:17 Dining
10:14 The Ship
13:30 Entertainment & Activities
15:47 Destinations
18:46 People
20:10 Conclusion
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Q&A: www.CruisingTheCut.co.uk/f-a-q/
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Theme music: "Vespers" by Topher Mohr and Alex Alena, from the TH-cam music library
#narrowboat #canal #cruisingthecut #rivers #offgrid #liveaboard
I love this video so much, I’m so glad you enjoyed it. It’s so interesting for me to see you on a ship that I would consider tiny… but for you it’s huge. 😂👏🏼
In Maderia we moored next to a German cruise ship called Aida Cosma that was utterly gigantic in comparison, it really showed how "tiny" Azura is 🤣
This........this is The crossover I never knew I needed until this very second!
After years of watching you David, I'm still amazed at how wonderful your videos are. You are a true storyteller.
You present things so well, you could probably make a trip to the grocery store worth watching. Nice cruise review, being in the "I will never do a cruise" club you have me second guessing myself.
He's great!
I will vote for a video of him going to the groceries.
Yes Tesco v Aldi first 😊
Bread, cheese, tomatoes - wonder what else will be in Dave's basket!
True. Greetings from Tricity in Poland
David, you do have a gift; you can describe almost anything and make it entertaining. I have never been on a cruise, and my wife doesn't think we would like it, though those river cruises in Europe do look appealing. Glad you had a good time!
Cruise ships are a special sort of nightmare scenario for me, so your willingness to be pleased by the cruise without letting yourself be hornswoggled was an interesting and entertaining vicarious experience. Thank you for sharing it with us.
They really are quite divisive aren't they? Hahahaha
I appreciate the blow-by-blow description of cruising, David. The idea of going on one strikes fear into my heart, and I'm not even worried about seasickness (so I probably should be). Even considering the friendly people, the thought of being trapped aboard a combination hotel/restaurant/dinner theatre/Las Vegas casino gives me the absolute shudders. You've alleviated about 0.5 percent of this. Thanks, and Happy New Year!
he should have bought perfume for Lorna Jane.
Did I just watch someone talking about a trip on a cruiseship and totally enjoying it, without having any interest ever to do such thing myself? Yes! David you are so good at this, just the way you present it all. Thanks 👍
Funny thing is, most Brits have never been on a cruise, and have no desire to go on one. I have never been on one. However those who have gone on one, invariably want to go on another, just like David here. Mmm. maybe I should give it a go perhaps?
@@Simonsvids give it a go, I was exactly of the same mindset prior to 2018 and then 2019,I did enjoy it however on the second cruise we did stay on board on a few days (14 day cruise) as the ship becomes nice and quiet and you don't wear yourself out running around.
My wife and I have been on 14 cruises, including the Mediterranean with ports from Rome and Barcelona! The only event that slowed us down was the virus! We decided to use cruises with smaller ships, which Holland America offered! If you decide again to cruise, you need to get a room with a veranda, and find a friend to join you! Looking out at the sea from your room is worth it! Thanks for sharing your experiences!
"Boat wife" should go! 👍 🦩
I wouldn't be surprised, unless she's unavailable, if Lorna would gladly join you
Best line of the entire episode: "Time to get on Tinder again". Love it!
Man, I’d never have thought I’d watch a cruise review video, let alone getting all the way through 21 minutes of one!
Well done David, it’s great to see you’ve found another way of enjoying time on the water.
You do have a bit of a talent for making everything interesting. Before discovering your channel I never thought I’d find myself dedicating my spare time to watching a bloke install new plumbing or give a play-by-play of his vacation, yet somehow I find all this very entertaining. You’re bloody magnificent David
Awww that’s very kind indeed, thank you
Thank you, I enjoyed the review of a cruise by a normal person rather than the usual enthusiastic, cruise maniac focus youtube channel 😊
If your Norway fjords cruise is like the one I went on in 2017 with family, you will be delighted. Fjords were incredibly beautiful, and Oslo had very interesting sights. Hope yours is just as enjoyable.
You could narrate a trip to the grocery store and it would be interesting, David. One of the best story tellers on TH-cam.
Thank you!
Oh, but grocery stores can definitely be interesting!
When is the grocery store video coming. The people want one.
You are such a brave soul David. Travelling alone is intimidating! So glad you had a good time. Love your videos and your sense of humor. Thanks for taking us along on your adventures. Truly enjoyable. Happy New Year!
I’m so happy you had a nice time. Must admit, seeing a picture of your ship for the first time I wondered how you would get it through a lock 😮. If you want to do the Norwegian fjords, let me suggest Hurtigruten, they’re brilliant! Lovely video
It's a shame cruise lines don't offer any balcony cabins to solo cruisers without an additional surcharge, so many of us have to take interior cabins to be able to afford it. The upside is, when the seas get choppy you wont feel the rolling as much when your in an interior room. Great review David
Balcony cabins have grown too pricey for our taste, so we've switched to inside cabins down in bilge rats territory. We only use the cabin to sleep, shower and change clothes anyway, and if we want some balcony action, it's just a short elevator ride (or a few flights of stairs if we're feeling energetic enough) to get to the "big balcony," otherwise known as the pool deck.... :)
I went on my first cruise last year (Ventura) and got a bargain price on an inside cabin, considering the fact that I was travelling on my own and ended up in a four-bedded cabin. As you said, when the sea was exceedingly choppy one night I never felt a thing.
I have been on P&O single balcony cabin. It's cheaper to pay a single supplement on a normal cabin.
I've thought I'd like cruising but the reason I love narrowboats is that land is very close by. 😊 I think I'd be OK with river cruising but I find the idea of ocean cruising totally terrifying. Trapped on a boat in the sea. Nope! I know you were cautiously optimistic about the cruise and I'm glad you did like it. It's nice to see that an introvert can go and have a good time alone. I've always felt I wouldn't do well for that reason. Shouldn't have to pay for two people when there is only one! I get why they do it ($) but it's still not a good thing! Great video!
Thank you, yes it was definitely worth the experiment for me
Great video, David. I have known several people who became converts to the cruiseship holiday. The vast majority of those who I know have all said that "if you go on a cruise once, then you will go on a cruise again".
Thank you for the video.
I have heard that people want to live full time on cruise ships. They say it is cheaper than owning a home and less hassle of keeping up with maintenance. Can you imagine?
Been in a few cruises, and onboard the Azura.
Living on the South Coast in Sussex, we prefer sailing from Southampton.
The best thing about that is that you can take as much luggage as you can fit in your cabin! On our first cruise on P&O Arcadia years ago , we went all out and had 12 items of luggage including suitcases, holdalls, smaller hand luggage (for essentials and passports etc) and a camera bag with various lenses etc for a 2 week cruise.
Booked parking at Southampton and on arrival, porters descended on us and all the luggage was whisked away in about 30 seconds and I handed the car keys to the nice lady to park up the car and went to check in. I kid you not, we were on board having a meal 20 minutes later!
With fly cruises that is a limit on luggage although this tends to be quite generous.
My wife and I love the sea days best of all and the rougher the sea the more fun we have.
We've done the Canaries trip a few times for some winter sun, but did a fly cruise to the Caribbean and sailed on Azura. A nice ship.
We did not think we were cruise people AT ALL until we tried it when we lived 30 mins from one of the major USA cruise ports in Texas, surrounded by friends who raved about them! And yes, our family are converts too. So much so that our son, Alex, who started off as a 17 year old karaoke competition winner on his first cruise, is now living his dream as a vocalist in the production cast on board one of the boutique cruise lines! And you’re right, the quality of the shows is phenomenal, and their costume changes are so quick in a tiny, tiny space! He has been known to do a show from the top of our narrowboat on the Llangollen canal! 😂
He sounds fun!
This was a very nicely done summary -- well done and thank you! I follow a few cruise-oriented channels, but your offering was just the ticket for someone who has never done a cruise and probably wouldn't enjoy the enormous crowds involved.
You hit it on the head. The cruise is fine, it is too many people on board, that's the problem.
Great video! I’d recommend Hurtigruten for the Norwegian fjords. More a posh ferry than a cruise ship so possibly more up your street, if I may be so rude as to presume. Loads of great excursions are available too.
I've heard a lot of people recommend them, cheers
Nobody tells a better story than you!! Thank you
Fantastic video David, you are right on that solo cruising can be costly, especially on river cruises which are much smaller and higher end. But there are some great discount deals to be found, especially if you can book close to the sailing date and be flexible on dates and itinerary. In terms of bang for buck it can be astonishingly good!
Welcome to your new addiction! :) I've got over 50 cruises under my belt - most of them solo - from simple weeks in the Caribbean to escape our Canadian winter to more exotic cruises (I sailed the Panama Canal last November, Alaska last year...). I find them very enjoyable and considering all that is included, they are very good value for the money, even with the high solo supplements.
You never disappoint, David! I felt as though I was aboard ship with you. Really looking forward to more. 😎🥰❤️❤️❤️
The closest I’ve been to cruise videos until now was watching “Love Boat”.
Thanks for the video!
Love the Honolulu fire dept hat, forget which video you revealed they were huge fans. Keep it up you legend!
This was so much fun! Have done 3 cruises, never soli, but even at the higher cost, it might be worth a whirl. Your input is very helpful with that in mind.
Wonderful reporting! Looks like you had a good time despite the “outdoor showers”. I suspect one of those river cruises might be next. No ocean swell worries and a landscape that moves as you do… something that will be familiar! It looked like you had fun and that is what a holiday is all about! ❤
Excellent! I’m looking forward to more cruising cruises videos! 👍🏻☺️
I've had so many friends and co-workers rave about how much fun cruises are, and I think, even though I'd be going it alone, I should look into it. Almost without fail, within a few days of hearing the glowing recommendations, I see a story about a cruise gone wrong: ship engines dying at sea, a virus sweeping the ship or some other health/sanitation issue, and I rule it out. I have taken day cruises around New York City, and up the Hudson River past West Point, (both less than Gilligan's 3 hour tour), but that's it. Glad you enjoyed your cruise, and thanks for sharing it with us.
Well done David! No one does it better.
We've done a couple of cruises. The first was on a smaller ship and up the Balkans to Russia. Loved every minute except the 2 days in Russia. The next cruise was on a bigger ship around the med. I booked this to miss the school holidays and, after boarding, realised that Scotland has holidays a couple of weeks earlier. Cue hundreds of ginger small people hurtling around our ship. There were also not enough sun loungers for the people on the ship... made it difficult for my Missus to get around on her mobility scooter (and it's a very small one). Glad you enjoyed it!
As dedicated cruisers, it's always interesting to hear the perspective of a first-timer. Sounds like we'll be seeing more of you on the High Seas! My family and I are also taking the opportunity to cruise the Norwegian fjords this year. Once that window closes, keep in mind that New Zealand has some amazing things to offer as well, and not just for the fjords. The most relaxing vacation of our lives was a 10-day cruise which started in Sydney and ended in Auckland - every stop offered something incredible.
I've only been on one cruise, I went down the cost of Norway on Hurtigruten a few months ago. The ship was far smaller than the one you were on. It does mail delivery, so it stopped in many small towns but often only very briefly. Being a small ship it was able to go deeper into smaller fjords than the larger ships so the scenery was amazing but there was minimal on board entertainment. I'm still not sure how I feel about cruises, I quite enjoyed it but I felt like I wanted to spend more time in places rather than spending time in more places.
What a grand vlog David, you never fail to deliver no matter what the subject. Thank you.
Talk about pushing the boat out, David😁😁😁
Nice review. Easy to watch. Having been on 2 cruises myself, I find your review very accurate.
Extremely well done, David. Truly worth watching. But then you always are worth watching, whether cruising on a ship or cruising the cut. You made the experience on the cruise so enjoyable. Thank you.
Hi David
From one introverted cruiser to another, i loved your video today. I did five cruises with my husband during his remission and he urged me to keep cruising after his death so i was sort-of travelling with a community and someone (ie the ship) would notice if I didn't return or got sick. Ever the obedient wife, I have just completed my 11th solo cruis, this time from Hong Kong to Singapore. I wish for my budgets sake i could ve content with an interior cabin but i like fresh air and my own space when ive had enough of people so i just suck it up and pay the extra. I can thoroughly recommend the Norwegian Fjords (scenery on steroids!!) and either end of the Med is soooo nice. I cruised on the Danube (with its awe-inspiring locks!!), the Rhone, the Neckar, the Main and the Moselle with Croisieurope 7yrs ago in a twin room at a very low solo supplement. The downside was the three course lunches and dinners were very rich and fancy and as a non-French-speaker I was often a "problem" at destination lectures and on tours. You are very lucky you dont have an eye-watering airfare from NZ to add to the cost of your cruises!! I can thoroughly recommend TH-camr Gary Bembridge on "Tips for Travellers". He covers all things "cruise." Happy Travels.
You are quite the adventurer!!
Another great time watching your creation, listening to your experiences with a big smile on my face. Thank you David. You definitely have to do that again.
Excellent recap/review. Thanks for sharing your experiences and insights!
A diverse twist but, as always, so hugely good David. I agree with everyone here, you just make anything sound amazingly interesting ❤
Great review, David. I found this very informative, although such large ships are not my thing. If you are going to Norway, look at doing the Coastal Voyage (Bergen - Kirkenes) with Hurtigruten. The ships are small, and call in at most of the coastal ports for brief stops, to take cars on board and load freight. It's absolutely fascinating. You get brief stops at the ports, but make sure you are back on board in time, because the ship, which has a strict schedule, will go without you! You get to visit beautiful places that the big cruise ships cannot reach.
Hurtigruten is wonderful but look at the newest Norway coastal ferry which follows the same route. Havila. I will be on Havila this summer as a solo, and the price for a larger, newer cabin is considerably less than Hurtigruten was charging! I love your Canal postings so am glad you are still going with your new boat. I would love to Cruise the Cut one day!!
I always enjoy your videos & appreciate the effort you put into them, They are very well balanced, calm & focused.
Brilliant vlog David, it was very well done. Thank you for doing it. Really hope you decide to vlog on your other planned cruises.
Brilliant video, David.
So glad you survived your cruising experience. Wouldn't want you falling overboard, as it's not like punting on the canals - we might have lost you (perish the thought).
Having been on several cruises, a person would have to be (a) very drunk and (b) terminally stupid while drunk to actually fall off a ship....
And yet.....they still do....@@CrankyBeach
David knocking the best cruising video out of the park. Dear lord, I think you could truly do a video of paint drying in an interesting manner. Oh forgot, you already did that, and it was indeed interesting.
Loved it, and I am very happy that you loved going on a cruise.
About time I did another paint drying video
@@CruisingTheCut I am very much looking forward to seeing the paint dry in a nice shade of yellow.
So well done. I really appreciate your sense of humor. Keep up the good work.
Great video, David, you strike just the right "favourite uncle telling an anecdote" approach. Even for those who have been on cruises many times (and as long ago as 1968, when things were rather different), your experience brought a fresh point of view.
Not the type of vacation I'd choose, but I'm glad you've had fun! And I can't help but observe that it was cheaper than what I'd have to fork out for a week's vacation at our own seaside (in Bulgaria) which is a bit ridiculous.
I cruise a lot, and this was one of the best cruise reviews I have ever seen. Welcome to the cruise family!
Thanks so much!
Thank you for taking a cruise so I don’t have to! I appreciate this blog!
David,
Thank you for sharing this video. I am glad you enjoyed your holiday. The wife and I have given taking a cruise some thought in the past, and you answered many of our questions. Thanks again, Jim
Been on many cruises all on ships of less than a thousand passengers and watched many videos on TH-cam, must say you did a great job with a clear and concise summary of the voyage. I would highly recommend Viking particularly for the fjords, beautiful ships and they are based in Bergan. Thanks much for the video.
What an excellent vlog David. I am so similar to you it is uncanny. Solo traveller, basic food lover, no spicy food, etc. I am looking at retirement soon, and always had the urge to try cruising but most of the videos I have found have been from young people who, obviously, like different things. After watching your vlog I am inspired to try cruising and hope it does not disappoint. Thinking of the Norweigan Fjiords in Summer, as you say, before we can't do them any more. Keep up the good work.
Graeme
Thank you for the cruise.
I feel like I've been on holiday now!
EXCELLENT. Could not have asked for more. Honest, straightforward in every way. Thank you and I hope you do manage to arrange the finance and do the trips you mentioned and take "us along with you". BIT DIFFERENT THAN BEING ON "THE CUT"!!!
Was looking forward to this one!
Hello from Detroit Michigan brother thank you for taking us on your adventures happy new year brother
Great video, glad that you enjoy your first cruise!
Loved it, David! You have a talented way of telling a tale. I have cruised in the carribean. I really enjoyed the trip.
Happy new year from Edinburgh david! one of my favourite channels, i live near Union canal, love seeing boats still use it!
This video is on another level though, with all the green screen scenes. Very cool.
Thank you, I bought a new green screen for the occasion!!
@Johnismybestfriend very cool
@@CruisingTheCut Wow, very cool! Keep it up :)
What a brilliant video! Thank you for all the details about your experience!
OMG you are my hero! I love your videos. Your videos got me through the pandemic. Thanks for that. When I was stressed I watched surfing videos and your videos and imagined living like you do. We still might. My wife is British and we have talked about it.
Anyway I just saw your new video about your first big ship cruise. I also just went on my first cruise also, over Christmas. Virgin. I’m laughing from the beginning because I had the same fears as you. I spent $100 on seasick remedies that I never used! 😂 I also thought the ship was going to flip over on my side. Very nervous!
Anyway I just wanted to say thanks and your videos are fabulous. Keep inspiring people to live a better life. Peace brother.
All we single ladies breath a sigh of relief that you went on a solo cruise. :) LOLOL
The closest I've been to a cruise are overnighters on the Spirit of Tasmania. I'd maybe go on a proper cruise one day, just to say I've done it.
if I ever go on a cruise, I want your style experience. Peaceful and not traumatic. Thank you for sharing
Another great episode, glad you enjoyed yourself. Thanks for sharing!
I've always thought going on a cruise must be a bit like being locked in the Trafford Centre for a fortnight, so we've never bothered. Also, the endless eating and drinking would not be good for my waistline!
I'd have been OK in Madera as I do speak cat!
You understand the boat cruises between cities (ie a new one each morning or two) it doesn't cruise around in circles in the middle of the ocean
@@theotherstevesteve Obviously. However, I understand that many chose never to leave the ship. Perhaps minibuses only going halfway to town from the ship is one reason.
I've been waiting for this video! I hope you had a lovely vacation 💗
David, you have the best dry humor, and I always enjoy your videos.
David you remind me of the storytellers from back in the 1700's, you have this amazing gift that would bring the local people into a town square to listen to past adventures and the news of the day. I would have been one of them. Great Video
Thank you indeed 😀😀
Lol…your comment about the movie Poseidon Adventure from 1972 cracked me up! I too was traumatized as a youth seeing that film. Never could bring myself to spend the money for sleepless nights. Good breakdown of the experience and informative video, as always. I hope you had a pleasant holiday!
Yup, will never go on a cruise ship. That movie could become true, so easy.
Not for me, but as ever each to their own.
My hols are about getting outside, but walks and freedom. Cruises always look a bit locked in for me.
Interesting video and your style added humour and skill.
Is there a video on the boats next pump out?
Thanks.
Thought of going on a cruise horrifies me.. a few years ago my wife and I and another group of friends took the Alaska State ferry up to Skagway from the state of Washington. We had two cars - were probably 140 people on the ferry and it was a delightful experience taking three days ..when we got to Skagway, there were six Gigantic cruise ships holding about 4-5,000 people each.They disgorged the passengers into the little town of Skagway Alaska, which has a population of about 2000. That meant they were about 25,000 tourists from five or six cruise ships in contrast to the State ferry which had 145 passengers.. it was horrifying to see so many cruise ship passengers overwhelming the little town
Thank you for this informative video. Many of my friends have been on numerous cruises and my husband and I were never interested. However, now I am widowed and considering going with friends so seeing the solo cabin was helpful.
If only David did do a cruise ship channel, it would be awesome!
Maybe I should; give up the canals and switch to big ships!
@SpottedD1ck About your name.... is it the same thing as the dessert?
You've seen narrowboats, now get ready for WIDE BOAT.
Well said pal,ive done 9 cruises and the Caribbean is our favourite place but how you explained your experience is exactly how cruising is first time.now you've got the bug they get better and better with every venture.. welcome aboard david🚢
Loved this. I had my first cruise this time last year to the Bahamas. It was a blast.
As a fellow member of the Saw "The Poseidon Adventure" Once and Have Never Wanted to Cruise Since Society, I appreciate your bravely trying a cruise out and recapping it for all of us.
Great to see you enjoyed your first cruise. I did a Baltic cruise on Azura 3 years ago and loved the ship. I wouldn't worry about going to Norway before 2025 if you can't afford it yet, if I understand correctly they are still looking at allowing the ships with alternative fuel. So P&O for instance have Iona and Arvia that run on LNG so they will be ok. Iona is the ship they use for the Fjords and I imagine that won't change. 👍
Ah, I didn’t know that about Iona, that’s good to know
And Norway are a big oil producer LOL!
The ocean is like a really big canal
Really, really big
Excellent report as always David, thank you
Excellent and comprehensive review, for anyone who has never had a cruise, but would like to try a cruise .
The intent of a cruise ship is to meet people. I'm not sure, since cov., that I would consider it to be a safe thing. This is where we diverge in taste. Can't think of anything worse than spending captivity for a week or two breathing in recycled air, cough,cough, and putting your health at risk by eating mass produced meals and praying that there will be no rough seas with monster, rogue waves smashjng the Bridge and the glass windows of the Dining Rooms. May Day, mayday. No. Never for me.
Not covid to worry about on a cruise more like Norovirus
What a great chuckle! This was entertaining to say the least. Not a cruiser per se, but have gone on several very long ferry rides and I must say I thoroughly enjoyed it!
Bryan from Vancouver
Well done! Thanks for sharing the experience. Hope you enjoy your next cruise also. Having done a few cruises I know I shall do more too.
😂 A laugh out loud ending for a lovely review! I also was surprised to find cruises so enjoyable. Havent been for quite awhile but will be excited to watch any future vlogs on such trips.
I really enjoyed that as you being a first time cruiser (off the canals) I have never been on a cruise and have very similar thought between plain food and fine dining. Also quite shy amongst a huge amount of people. Determined to give it a try one day but downunder. I watch a lot of TH-cam cruisers and enjoy their vlogs, but you showed it from a different perspective again and that was good. Thanks for sharing David. 🙏😊
That was a great review thanks David, your humour and articulation always brings me to laughter. Looking forward to your next cruise vlog and everything else you have planned for 2024.
Thank you kindly!
Outstanding and well thought out! Totally enjoyed the tripa!
Nice quality presentation, no silly whinges and nice appreciation of the venue and facilities
Thank you very much!
we did the norwegian fjords this year with P&O, and honestly we can say this is one of those occasions were you really really want a balcony. there is so much to see and we loved getting up in the morning and sitting on the balcony with all that stunning scenery!! Also we would say that in the smaller ports try and arrange one of the excursions to do, as they smaller places you go to, there isn't much to do. they are nice to wander round but aside from some overpriced gift shops we soon just went back to the ship!
I love cruising. Have been on about 20 cruises! So glad u enjoyed! Look fwd to watching ur next videos!
Great video, thanks for sharing, I have yet to go on a cruise ship but it is on my to do list, I'm glad you had a good time.
This channel is getting so very interesting...Variety galore.!👍
Very informative! Video was excellently produced. Thank you. 👍
Thanks David, you always deliver.