Hi

Is anybody staying in Barbados for the 3 day extension to the Voyager cruise in April? Thought I'd add this to the holiday when it was offered as this is my first cruise holiday and I wanted at least part of it to be land based. The pre-cruise stay is at the Hilton starting 22 April. I am flying from Gatwick (staying at the Hampton in the North Terminal the night before) but have been advised that the Just You Reps don't arrive until the start of the cruise so I will have to make my own entertainment. If anyone wants to join up for drinks on this pre stay I would love to hear from them. Through the day I might take advantage of the free use of kayaks or snorkelling gear at the hotel.

Ruth

Hi Ruth, I didn't know there was a pre cruise stay. How did you find out about it?

Lynda

Hi Lynda

The cruise company offered it to me and I think I remember seeing it mentoned on their website. I fly out on the 22 Apr with BA from Gatwick and stay at the Hilton Hotel by Bridgetown for 3 nights. It is not the cheapest at £649 for 3nts b&b but I just fancied a stay on shore before the cruise as I am flying down from Scotland; this will be my first experience of a cruise liner. Should be good fun and relaxing as the Just You crowd I experienced last year were good fun. I also added the all inc. drinks package for the cruise (£300) as I thought £20 per day for any drinks outside meal times might add up. I.e. cocktails and or Prosecco etc. especially during the evenings. Not that I am an alcoholic but if you are with a group of people then bar bills and the odd extra non alcoholic drinks through the day can be expensive. I have also asked about WiFi access on board as I am not sure whether you have to pay to use their hub and whether or not it is worth taking my iPad. Some cruises, apparently, can be expensive with any extras.

Look forward to meeting everybody.

Hi

Is anybody staying in Barbados for the 3 day extension to the Voyager cruise in April? Thought I'd add this to the holiday when it was offered as this is my first cruise holiday and I wanted at least part of it to be land based. The pre-cruise stay is at the Hilton starting 22 April. I am flying from Gatwick (staying at the Hampton in the North Terminal the night before) but have been advised that the Just You Reps don't arrive until the start of the cruise so I will have to make my own entertainment. If anyone wants to join up for drinks on this pre stay I would love to hear from them. Through the day I might take advantage of the free use of kayaks or snorkelling gear at the hotel.

Ruth

Hi Ruth, I didn't know there was a pre cruise stay. How did you find out about it?

Lynda

Hi Lynda

The cruise company offered it to me and I think I remember seeing it mentoned on their website. I fly out on the 22 Apr with BA from Gatwick and stay at the Hilton Hotel by Bridgetown for 3 nights. It is not the cheapest at £649 for 3nts b&b but I just fancied a stay on shore before the cruise as I am flying down from Scotland; this will be my first experience of a cruise liner. Should be good fun and relaxing as the Just You crowd I experienced last year were good fun. I also added the all inc. drinks package for the cruise (£300) as I thought £20 per day for any drinks outside meal times might add up. I.e. cocktails and or Prosecco etc. especially during the evenings. Not that I am an alcoholic but if you are with a group of people then bar bills and the odd extra non alcoholic drinks through the day can be expensive. I have also asked about WiFi access on board as I am not sure whether you have to pay to use their hub and whether or not it is worth taking my iPad. Some cruises, apparently, can be expensive with any extras.

Look forward to meeting everybody.

Hello Ruth

I'm feeling I've been left in the dark about these things. I've never had any information re pre cruise stay, drinks packages of anything like that! Think a phone call is in order! I did phone and book my place, and even at that stage, nothing was mentioned to me. I'm starting to feel quite nervous now about the cruise!

I'll keep my eye on the forum too.

Thanks again

Lynda

Hi

Is anybody staying in Barbados for the 3 day extension to the Voyager cruise in April? Thought I'd add this to the holiday when it was offered as this is my first cruise holiday and I wanted at least part of it to be land based. The pre-cruise stay is at the Hilton starting 22 April. I am flying from Gatwick (staying at the Hampton in the North Terminal the night before) but have been advised that the Just You Reps don't arrive until the start of the cruise so I will have to make my own entertainment. If anyone wants to join up for drinks on this pre stay I would love to hear from them. Through the day I might take advantage of the free use of kayaks or snorkelling gear at the hotel.

Ruth

Hi Ruth, I didn't know there was a pre cruise stay. How did you find out about it?

Lynda

Hi Lynda

The cruise company offered it to me and I think I remember seeing it mentoned on their website. I fly out on the 22 Apr with BA from Gatwick and stay at the Hilton Hotel by Bridgetown for 3 nights. It is not the cheapest at £649 for 3nts b&b but I just fancied a stay on shore before the cruise as I am flying down from Scotland; this will be my first experience of a cruise liner. Should be good fun and relaxing as the Just You crowd I experienced last year were good fun. I also added the all inc. drinks package for the cruise (£300) as I thought £20 per day for any drinks outside meal times might add up. I.e. cocktails and or Prosecco etc. especially during the evenings. Not that I am an alcoholic but if you are with a group of people then bar bills and the odd extra non alcoholic drinks through the day can be expensive. I have also asked about WiFi access on board as I am not sure whether you have to pay to use their hub and whether or not it is worth taking my iPad. Some cruises, apparently, can be expensive with any extras.

Look forward to meeting everybody.

Hello Ruth

I'm feeling I've been left in the dark about these things. I've never had any information re pre cruise stay, drinks packages of anything like that! Think a phone call is in order! I did phone and book my place, and even at that stage, nothing was mentioned to me. I'm starting to feel quite nervous now about the cruise!

I'll keep my eye on the forum too.

Thanks again

Lynda

Hi

I am sure it is not too late to add the drinks package if you want it. But bear in mind that onboard drinks are duty free so might not be that expensive anyway. No wifi in rooms but you can access it via the passenger computer consoles; but wifi might not be available when at sea. No watersports or Aqua aerobics but plenty of other activities available.That is about all I have ascertained so far; I have never been on a cruise before. I am looking forward to chilling out.

Kind regards

Ruth

Thanks for all the info Ruth. I'll give the drinks package a bit more though over the next couple of days. As you say, it can add up G&t before dinner cocktails, prossecco etc. Then you don't have to worry about the bill. I'm really looking forward to this cruise, which is my first one too. I'm sure you'll have a great time on your pre cruise stay in Barbados and be relaxed to meet us all after our long haul flight from the UK.

Best wishes

Lynda

Hi

Thanks for all the info Ruth.  I'll give the drinks package a bit more though over the next couple of days.  As you say, it can add up G&t before dinner cocktails, prossecco etc. Then you don't have to worry about the bill.  I'm  really looking forward to this cruise, which is my first one too.  I'm sure you'll have a great time on your pre cruise stay in Barbados and be relaxed to meet us all after our long haul flight from the UK.  

Best wishes

Lynda

Hello Rith

Would you believe the drinks package has now been removed and I can book it.  He ho, water for me then ?  No where does it say in all the information that there is a cut off date for this. Very disappointed .

Lynda

Hi

Thanks for all the info Ruth.  I'll give the drinks package a bit more though over the next couple of days.  As you say, it can add up G&t before dinner cocktails, prossecco etc. Then you don't have to worry about the bill.  I'm  really looking forward to this cruise, which is my first one too.  I'm sure you'll have a great time on your pre cruise stay in Barbados and be relaxed to meet us all after our long haul flight from the UK.  

Best wishes

Lynda

Hello Rith

Would you believe the drinks package has now been removed and I can book it.  He ho, water for me then ?  No where does it say in all the information that there is a cut off date for this. Very disappointed .

Lynda

Hi Lynda

Re. drinks package I would chase that up. It could be that they have a cut off date because of restock & supply issues at the port? Seems strange though as it is very inconvenient for some to have the package and others not. As for Wifi there is a possibility of access in some rooms/ areas of the ship to facilitate for your own devices; there is a tariff for the amount of time you spend online. I found this info on one of the many cruise critique forums online. www.cruiseastaute.com has some info.

Best wishes

Ruth

I have booked a cruise with Voyages of Discovery which was advertised by Just You. However since booking there has been no mention of Just You. Has anyone else booked this cruise?

I received my cruise pack last week, but again there is no mention of Just You, whether a Just You Rep will meet us at the airport in Barbados, or which hotel we will be staying in on the first night - is anyone else any the wiser please?

Hi there,

My name's Margaret and I'm booked on this too, flying from London on 25th April. I've done several J.Y holidays before and I'm sure it will all be fine. I think we're staying on the ship the first night in Barbados ready for island tour on the 26th. VOD inform me that there will be a JY rep. on board. Not sure whether there will be anyone with us on the flight.

Looking forward to meeting you my email address is ******* if you want to keep in touch that way.

*please note: this post has been moderated to remove personal information

Looking firward ti this trip. Have checked with regular travellers to the Caribbean who say American dollars are acceptable anywhere if that helps.

Hi Margaret, useful information about the American dollars as I was wondering what currency to get for the trip.  I have booked some of the excursions so will need currency for tips, coffees, etc.  Really looking forward to this cruise - only 5 weeks away now.  Anyone else booked excursions?      Sue

Whilst I'm not a single traveller I have cruised 4 times on Voyager with my wife in the last two years.

I'm not impressed at the struggle you appear to be having in getting simple information regarding your forthcoming cruise on Voyager.

Here's some relevant information based on my experiences:-

1) $USD are readily accepted everywhere in the Caribbean, prices are normally shown in the local currency and the $USD. Make it clear that you require change in $USD otherwise you will end up with currency that's not readily spendable on other islands.

2) Internet access is sold onboard at the Information Desk. It's reasonably priced compared to other cruise companies,( approx £12 - 21 packages are sold), be warned however, it's slow, erratic when at sea and doesn't always work in all parts of the ship!

Many iPad users find Scotts Lounge best for Internet service. All ports will have a readily available Cafe with free Wi Fi very close to the ship, just look out for Crew members, they'll be very evident with their iPads and phones around the Cafe!!

3) Drinks and prices. Voyager drinks prices are very reasonable, much in line with UK pub prices.

Examples:- Glass of house wine, £3.75, similar price for cocktail, specials , drinks of the day offered at approx. £ 2.75 , Lager, ( Stella Artois ) £3.60 pint, £1.80 half.

Wine by the bottle, ( house ) approx. £17, other wines of course vary upwards but plenty of choices at approx. £20 - upwards.

Drinks packages at £20 P.P per day is relatively new, ( last year ), I don't recall these being on offer onboard in December, I think you might have to pre - book these. Whether this is good value I suppose is down to how much you drink, Ha Ha! Also you need to factor in how much time you intend to spend onboard whilst in port. 

Tea and Coffee is provided free, 24 hours from a tea station next to the pool area or from the Verandah Resturant, ice water is also readily available at the pool bar from containers.

4) Single travellers:-

On all of our cruises there were a high number of single travellers, mainly Female I would say, Male also but in lesser numbers.

Many single travellers book direct with Voyages of Discovery who offer extremely good deals with low, or sometimes no single traveller supplements.

As a couple we always met and socialised with single travellers on our cruises.

VOD do arrange special events for singles, cocktail parties etc. no one needs to be alone unless they choose to be!

Having said this, I only remember a Just You rep on one of our cruises but the single travellers seemed to have no problems meeting others and organising themselves, we met and befriended single travellers and very much enjoyed their company.

Anyway, hopefully this information will be of use to you and remove any concerns you might have regarding your forthcoming cruise on Voyager.

I hope you all have a wonderful cruise and if you have any specific questions I am more than happy to assist you with answers.

Our last cruise on Voyager was in December, 2015 in the Caribbean and Central America, so my information is

up to date and relevant to your cruise,

:huh:

If anyone is interested in receiving Margaret's email address, please let me know and I will be happy to email this over to you.

Kindest regards,

Monty

Thank you for posting such useful information Orontes.  It has put my mind at rest about taking US$.

Hi smithtique,

I'm glad to be of help, I just sensed the frustration that some of you were having in getting replies to very straightforward questions!

Having cruised on Voyager 4 times over the past 2 years and having cruised approx. 40 - 50 times with other companies I felt I could be of assistance.

I don't feel that some of the replies that you have received are truly accurate.

The great majority of passengers on Voyager, wherever it sails, tend to be over 55 years old. Most are retired and I have met extremely active 90 year olds!

Getting on in years, yes, but extremely active definitely!!!!

The great majority will be returning passengers, either to Voyager or past Discovery clients.

Itinerary is the biggest plus on VOD cruises, their guest speakers are extremely good also.

Voyager is a comfortable way to visit out of the way destinations which other Cruiselines rarely, if ever, visit.

You will be hard pressed to find many 40 year olds, unless of course you include the entertainment Staff or Crew, Ha!Ha!

Voyager is a small, ( Classic ) ship, little in the way of bells and whistles, much like a comfortable country hotel.

On my 4 cruises I never found fault with anything onboard Voyager, the Staff are exceptionally friendly, helpful and all services were excellent.

On my last cruise however we endured horrific return flights with a Portuguese charter company.

I have complained to VOD and am far from satisfied with their Customer Services response.

I have no intention of dropping my complaint and am currently pursuing this matter elsewhere.

I KNOW that other customers have complained regarding VOD using low grade charters, so " no complaints " re: charters is a completely inaccurate claim!

Summing up, ( my opinion ). If you get flights with a scheduled airline or indeed a reputable charter operator, we have on one occasion had Monarch, ( perfectly fine charter ) I'm sure you will enjoy your cruise on Voyager.

I however wouldn't book again unless I knew upfront the Airlines that were being used for my cruise.

I wouldn't wish to experience again what we endured in December, 2015, on our return flight from Barbados!

I understand that you have been in contact with our customer service team at Voyages of Discovery and we have been able to address some of the points you have raised. Unfortunately, this is a very rare occurrence and the reschedule was beyond the control of the airline. I would like to express our sincere apologies once again.

If you do have any further queries, please feel free to contact our customer service team.

Kindest regards,

Monty

This is a heads up for anybody who is booked on the Thomson flight returning from Gran Canaria. The baggage allowance on the outbound flight is 23kgs with BA but seems to be only 20kgs on the return flight with Thomson MN9003. trying to clarify this with VOD.

Hi, I’m on this cruise too, flying from Gatwick on a Virgin flight.  I’m also staying at the Holiday Inn the night before.  When I originally enquired with VoD I was told there may be more than one JY rep with the cruise, there were 70-ish people booked then.  Now that this number has doubled it’s a lot of holidaymakers for one or even 2 reps to manage.  I have been on one JY holiday before in 2014, wasn’t impressed and thought I would never use them again.  This cruise tempted me, seems good value for money, with ports of call that I want to visit.  So, I decided to give JY another go.  I’m used to travelling on my own but I do think that a good rep/tour manager can enhance the experience.

Looking forward to meeting you all in Barbados.

Sue

Hi Sue,

Am also booked into the Holiday Inn prior to the Virgin flight to Barbados. See you there perhaps. Will try and get to the hotel mid to late afternoon.  Looking forward to it all now.

Margaret

I am also on this cruise and will be flying from Gatwick on the 25th with BA. Just hoping that the Thomas Cook return flight will have the 23kg weight allowance as confirmed by JY in another thread or else I will have to unpack at the airport and wear some of it! Looking forward to meeting you all on board.

BB