From some of the descriptions of the 'top secret' hotels though you can almost guess what some of them are, ie there aren't many 4* hotels on the South Bank with a view of Big Ben, it's called the Marriott, or St Thomas' but I don't think they mean one to be in there.

Never--I do lots of research because I look for preferred locations, certain parts of a city, etc. I don't like the "grab bag" approach, just to save some money, not knowing where the hotel would be.

A secret cruise would do me fine Malcolm, just as long as I knew the length of the cruise and departure port before booking. I would not want to end up with a 45 night cruise from Hong Kong, if I only wanted a 7 nighter in Europe The ship would not matter as long as I was at sea, quite different ti a hotel, but I expect others would see it completely the opposite way around.

quote:

---

Originally posted by Malcolm @ cruisepage:
How about 'secret cruise'?

---

Excellent idea - if done properly - and it actually has been done to a certain extent - some cruise lines offered cruises with only the embarkation/disembarkation port annouced. If I remember right, passengers aboard the Europa could determine the itierary of a cruise in the Pacific by a ballot.

A 2 or 3 nighter cruise ex UK gives few options, but a 7 nighter in the Med could give a wide variety, and yes if dates were known I would go. Of course it wouldn't take the place of my planned cruises and 'wish list' of ships to sail, and would be an 'extra', so would have to be cheaper than the norm.

I sailed on those trips and they were always great adventures and even during the voyages we seldom could plan on what ports we may call on with much advance notice. The passengers loved it as did most of us in the crew. We were always 100% booked and with a huge waitlist. The pax also were great people, interesting and always ready for an adventure as the duration chance was always made well known to them in advance which culled out those who couldn't handle the gamble.

Oh how I miss those days.

Regards,

quote:

---

Originally posted by PamM:
I have always been 'chicken' as I like to know where I am booking and what I am getting. I read of people using priceline and so on, but I would always be wary of getting something in a bad area or miles from where I really want to be.

---

For example, I've used it for Sydney, where 95%+ of the time only one particular hotel accepts 5* bids, it's in a great location and an absolute bargain at the sort of price for which you can get it by bidding on Priceline.

Or, in Paris, where you can pretty much be assured of a 5* hotel in the 8eme if you choose your zones right - and if you're get one for the sort of price that they go for, who cares exactly which one it is?

quote:

---

Originally posted by Malcolm @ cruisepage:
How about 'secret cruise'?

---

Check out Saga's cruise calendar, Malcolm.

The Saga Rose will be sailing "Captain McLundie's Mystery Cruise this November - already sold out - and in March 2008, the Ruby will be doing "Captain Warden-Owen's Mystery Cruise."

Apart from the fact that it departs from and returns to Southampton, the destinations during the 14 nights at sea are a secret. As the brochure states: "All ports of call will be Captain Warsden-Owen's choice and only the watchkeepers, shore excursion staff and Chief Purser will be privy to this information before the announcement is made public on board.

"There will be at least eight ports of call and all will be outside the UK mainland. Your first day will be at sea.

"At least four of these ports will be completely new to Saga Ruby . . . half-day mystery tours are included at each port.

"All passenger electronic charts will be turned off to ensure that your next destination really is a surprise. Daily programmes will not show the port of call to be visited."