2 day cruise from Southampton

[room24]

One thing that I'm curious about is the very short 2 day cruises from Southampton to Belgium etc .
Considering they depart early evening, does it really take that long to sail along the coast to get to Zeebrugge before docking early morning.
So do they go really slow during the night or make a huge circle to kill time ?

[judgegeoff]

One thing that I'm curious about is the very short 2 day cruises from Southampton to Belgium etc .
Considering they depart early evening, does it really take that long to sail along the coast to get to Zeebrugge before docking early morning.
So do they go really slow during the night or make a huge circle to kill time ?

I spent today fishing in the English Channel with my good friend, a retired P & O Ferry Captain. I asked him the above question and he replied that the ship would normally sail across at a low speed, although weather conditions can alter this. They would most probably shut down one engine and just run the single one.

I myself have not done a short cruise across the Channel for many years, but I have heard that you could expect stag and hen parties aboard which could make it rather different and livelier than longer cruises.

[khkate]

Another thing to consider is that ships cannot always take the most direct route - they have to stick to defined shipping lanes. but generally, the answer is that they do cruise slowly - after all, do you really want to get there at silly o'clock in the morning. a lot also depends on tides and also berthing availability at the other port.

Some cruise lines prefer to have people "trapped" on board their ships so they spend more money, rather being let loose in a port where the money goes into the coffers of those that live and work at the por and its surrounding areas.

[room24]

Thanks for the replies

I have heard that you could expect stag and hen parties aboard which could make it rather different and livelier than longer cruises.

re the stag & hen parties, I think P & O have made a rule banning fancy dress costumes etc

[judgegeoff]

I stand corrected room24, you are quite correct, here is the relevant extract from http://www.pocruises.com/code-of-conduct :-

Fancy dress: We don’t want to dampen anyone’s fun but as of 1 January 2018 we no longer allow fancy dress, novelty items or inappropriate personalised clothing to be worn on board. Any clothing that features inappropriate or offensive language, including novelty clothing with printed images or slogans and accessories, will not be allowed on board. We reserve the right to deny embarkation to guests who are inappropriately dressed. This is a change from the policy wording printed in the back of our January 2018 – October 2019 brochure and pre-cruise brochures. This policy does not apply to children 16 and under.

However, given the cruise line's record of policing their other rules (misuse of sunbeds for instance), it remains to be seen how effective it will be.

[sparkiethecruiser]

I stand corrected room24, you are quite correct, here is the relevant extract from http://www.pocruises.com/code-of-conduct :-

Fancy dress: We don’t want to dampen anyone’s fun but as of 1 January 2018 we no longer allow fancy dress, novelty items or inappropriate personalised clothing to be worn on board. Any clothing that features inappropriate or offensive language, including novelty clothing with printed images or slogans and accessories, will not be allowed on board. We reserve the right to deny embarkation to guests who are inappropriately dressed. This is a change from the policy wording printed in the back of our January 2018 – October 2019 brochure and pre-cruise brochures. This policy does not apply to children 16 and under.

However, given the cruise line's record of policing their other rules (misuse of sunbeds for instance), it remains to be seen how effective it will be.

The thing is Geoff these rules are made by someone behind a desk and often the rule changes are not told to the apropriate staff on board ship. However i would imagine a common sense approach would be used by both staff and passengers. I would love to know though how if the stuff is packed in a case they know about it before you board to stop you bringing it will they open every single case before loading on to the ship that might cause serious delays and could be how it takes so long to cross the channel.

Incidently few years ago mungo, mrs olsen, me and few friends went on a cruise to cobh on the way back we was standing out on deck when one of suddenly said are we even moving. we looked like we had stopped if not we were going at less than a mile an hour Im assuming it was so we didn't arrive early into SOuthampton as it would have cost them more in berthing fees at the port as well if they had

[room24]

Some cruise lines prefer to have people "trapped" on board their ships so they spend more money, rather being let loose in a port where the money goes into the coffers of those that live and work at the por and its surrounding areas.

So room24 decided it would be a great idea to have a weekend away with P&O Ventura on their 2 night cruise to Zeebrugge
Price was ok, so booked a couple of weeks before the cruise and was quite happy to take whatever random cabin they gave me.
Took time to do a bit of research and worked out how to get to Bruges & back by public transport in the most cost effective way.

Arrived at Southampton...little later than planned but still earlier than the time on my e-ticket. was given a card with a letter
Was called to check in less than 10 minutes after arrival and soon found myself on board and quickly took my hand luggage to my allocated cabin
Everything was going well.... had a little look around some of the ship, shared a table with 6 others for dinner...everyone was very friendly.
Saw the show in the theatre and stopped in one of the bars for a while before retiring for the night....ready for Bruges in the morning.

Yes there were stag &hen parties on board....and they seemed to be having fun without being annoying or making a huge amount of noise etc
Despite P&Os dress policy some of the girls wore coloured wigs or t-shirts with Brides Crew on the front etc....I thought it was all in good taste
and only a real moaner would have something to complain about

Awoke in the morning ready for breakfast & to get off the ship....we were still at sea but should be docking very soon shouldn't we?
Then it happened....Captain announced ,the seas too rough, the winds too strong we will not be stopping at Zebrugge
So yes "khkate" I was one of those people "trapped" on board to spend more money because the captain felt it unsafe to dock.
So we ended up just cruising very very slowly along the coast all day sunday
Ok they had extra entertainment on board but it was disappointing not to spend a day in Belgium...+++ the extra drinks I was buying on board
I was told that the casino was also doing well

[Mungo]

Sorry you didn’t get into Zeebrugge....... always disappoint to miss a port of call even more so when it’s the only one!

I sail same time next year on Aurora. Just a 2 nighter to Zeebrugge. Fingers crossed we make it.

Did a 2 night cruise to St Peter Port in June. Several Hen and Stag parties on board. None a problem. Saw coloured wigs, glow stick necklaces, sashes etc. Personally I don’t see those items as a problem. I think it was the huge blow up nude dolls that upset people previously.

[sparkiethecruiser]

Some cruise lines prefer to have people "trapped" on board their ships so they spend more money, rather being let loose in a port where the money goes into the coffers of those that live and work at the por and its surrounding areas.

So room24 decided it would be a great idea to have a weekend away with P&O Ventura on their 2 night cruise to Zeebrugge
Price was ok, so booked a couple of weeks before the cruise and was quite happy to take whatever random cabin they gave me.
Took time to do a bit of research and worked out how to get to Bruges & back by public transport in the most cost effective way.

Arrived at Southampton...little later than planned but still earlier than the time on my e-ticket. was given a card with a letter
Was called to check in less than 10 minutes after arrival and soon found myself on board and quickly took my hand luggage to my allocated cabin
Everything was going well.... had a little look around some of the ship, shared a table with 6 others for dinner...everyone was very friendly.
Saw the show in the theatre and stopped in one of the bars for a while before retiring for the night....ready for Bruges in the morning.

Yes there were stag &hen parties on board....and they seemed to be having fun without being annoying or making a huge amount of noise etc
Despite P&Os dress policy some of the girls wore coloured wigs or t-shirts with Brides Crew on the front etc....I thought it was all in good taste
and only a real moaner would have something to complain about

Awoke in the morning ready for breakfast & to get off the ship....we were still at sea but should be docking very soon shouldn't we?
Then it happened....Captain announced ,the seas too rough, the winds too strong we will not be stopping at Zebrugge
So yes "khkate" I was one of those people "trapped" on board to spend more money because the captain felt it unsafe to dock.
So we ended up just cruising very very slowly along the coast all day sunday
Ok they had extra entertainment on board but it was disappointing not to spend a day in Belgium...+++ the extra drinks I was buying on board
I was told that the casino was also doing well

I think its more offensive slogans on t-shirts they talking about and blow up dolls Im sure you all seen them .
shame about brugge as thats one of my fave places that ive visited. Did you have a good time despite not making it to Belguim??