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Author

Topic: MV Bolero

mikiebaccarat
First Class Passenger
Member # 1026

posted 01-19-2000 03:34 PM

In the winter time MV Bolero operates in the Caribbean under charter to the Canadian Company REGENT HOLIDAYS. The cruises are markeded as fly cruises out to major Canadian Airports to Santo Domingo DR where one boards the Bolero. Does anyone have any experience with one of these cruises?

Posts: 53 | From: Kingston,ON,Canada | Registered: Jan 2000 | IP: Logged

sympatico
First Class Passenger
Member # 797

posted 01-19-2000 06:38 PM

I don't know anything about the cruises but a few years ago my daughter flew from Toronto with Regent Holidays to Cancun and she said never again. She went down Air Transat, which was Ok, but coming home they put them on Aero Mexico and she thought they would all be killed. Also they kept changing the time of departure. This is one of the chances you take going with a company that uses charter airlines. She said NEVER AGAIN. I do know that the Bolero is a very old ship, but maybe the price is right.

[This message has been edited by sympatico (edited 01-19-2000).]

Posts: 3305 | From: Toronto, Ont. Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

Minty
Just Boarded
Member # 996

posted 01-20-2000 05:31 AM

I have been on the Bolero sailing round the Med last summer. It was superb. We really enjoyed it - the food was really good, entertainments were great and the shore excursions were ALL worth doing. It was that holiday that prompted us to book the cruise on the Carousel at Christmas which turned out to be so awful - but I've said enough about that already. I would definitely give the thumbs up to the Bolero for excellent value and a wonderful holiday.

Posts: 9 | From: UK | Registered: Jan 2000 | IP: Logged

sholmes
Just Boarded
Member # 778

posted 01-20-2000 06:15 AM

Minty, sorry to hear about the disastrous Carousel. Why do you not give some of the more experienced Cruise Lines a try, there are some very good deals on Teletext, for the Norway and Norweigian (Sp?) Sky, also for RCI in the Med on the Legend of the Seas, then you would really be able to compare Airtours/First Choice against the big players.

Posts: 8 | From: UK | Registered: Sep 99 | IP: Logged

Minty
Just Boarded
Member # 996

posted 01-20-2000 06:27 AM

I would love to try some of the bigger players like the ones you suggested. I love my holidays normally, and despite sounding like a right old whinger here have always had good times on cruises/foreign holidays. The Carousel experience has made me reluctant to cruise again for some time (yes, it really WAS that bad) - but next time I do I'll be writing in to this forum to ask for recommendations. Which ship was your favourite?

Posts: 9 | From: UK | Registered: Jan 2000 | IP: Logged

sholmes
Just Boarded
Member # 778

posted 01-20-2000 10:25 AM

Minty
Have been with Royal Caribbean, Princess and Celebrity and have had a great time on all of these lines. I would rate Celebrity best on food with Princess a close second. We got a good deal on the Vision of the Seas in the Mediterranean when she was only 5 weeks old, 795 pds.stg. for an inside cabin including air in June 98 and we had a fab time. Vision only did one season in the Med and was replaced by the Legend of the Seas, which is older (1995) I think very similar but not a sister.
I have seen deals this week in Teletext on the Norway for 599 pds.stg. for the Caribbean with air included, that can compete with Airtours anyday. It must have been real bad on your Carousel cruise if it has put you off cruising for a while.

Posts: 8 | From: UK | Registered: Sep 99 | IP: Logged

topgun2
First Class Passenger
Member # 975

posted 01-20-2000 12:30 PM

Re Bolero, we sailed on her Mar8-15 98.
She was then in spotless condition.
The ship was one of the earlier type built specially for Caribbean type one week vacations. She is an easy ship to get around,{as compared to the superliners}. This was to our liking. We tend to meet friends more frequently and there is a more layback and relaxed atmosphere aboard.
Staff were mixed nationality, not as slick a service as RCI etc, but again comfortable.
Food was fair but acceptable to our standards. We dont cruise to eat our way around the itinerary.
Travel arrangements were exceptionally good. Both the flight and land transfers were very well done by the tour operator. Only drawback was having to get up at 3.00am to be at the airport.
Gratuities were included at that time shipboard.
Price of the cruise at that time was $1197.00 Can all included, $825.00 USD
As you may guess, my travelling companion takes copious notes. I could even give you the waiters names etc.
Hope this is helpful in response to the topic

Posts: 26 | From: burlington,ont,can | Registered: Jan 2000 | IP: Logged

sympatico
First Class Passenger
Member # 797

posted 01-20-2000 02:00 PM

Topgun2 - I am curious. Why did you have to get up at 3am to get to the airport. It isn't that far from your home city. Did you leave on a charter flight that left at 6am flight?

[This message has been edited by sympatico (edited 01-20-2000).]

Posts: 3305 | From: Toronto, Ont. Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

topgun2
First Class Passenger
Member # 975

posted 01-20-2000 03:36 PM

Sympatico, we live around 30 miles from Toronto. I am always convinced that the car will quit on the way.Stay overnite at aiport hotel. Car parking is free for the week.
Morning schdudule.
wake up 3.00am
airport transfer 4.00am
arrive airport 4.30/5.00am
takeoff 6.30/7.00am
I also carry one alarm clock and leave a wakeup call at the desk.

Posts: 26 | From: burlington,ont,can | Registered: Jan 2000 | IP: Logged

sympatico
First Class Passenger
Member # 797

posted 01-20-2000 06:44 PM

We live 20mins. from the same airport as you do. We always had 2 alarm clocks set and I didn't sleep half the night. That is why after a few years of doing this, we paid the extra money for a hotel in Ft. Lauderdale, Pier 66, and went down the day before. I told my husband I was getting too old and too tired to get up at 5am. Going down the day before was the best thing we did.

Posts: 3305 | From: Toronto, Ont. Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

DianaD
First Class Passenger
Member # 1010

posted 01-20-2000 07:05 PM

We always go down the day before. We live about 70kms to the East of the Airport and these early flights arekillers and as you said you dont sleep the night before in case you oversleep. We are off on the Voyager next week and will go down on the Saturday and spend the night in Miami. The other thing if your bags dont get there with you they have an extra day. Very important on a cruise.

Posts: 308 | From: Whitby, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Jan 2000 | IP: Logged

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