YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED:Q My husband and I – we are in our mid 50s – would like to take a seven- to 10-day cruise in September. We like the idea of the Mediterranean or US coastline but are flexible. This will be our first cruise, so we would be grateful for advice. MC, Donegal
There are two types of cruises. In one, the ship calls at a variety of ports during the trip, giving you the opportunity to see a lot of places, particularly if you are on a smaller, more easily docked ship. On the other type of cruise you are at sea for most of the trip. Many cruises offer lectures and demonstrations, as well, and allow you to learn new skills.
Price also dictates the type of cruise you might choose. Bigger ships tend to be quite good value. Smaller ships are often more luxurious and therefore more expensive. Expect to pay €100-€500 per day each, depending on the type of cruise you choose. (Look out for the numerous offers and discounts.)
A Mediterranean cruise is ideal for seeing lots of places; you can join a ship in, for example, Barcelona, Majorca, Nice, Rome, London or Southampton. Transatlantic routes are popular from Britain. You can leave from a US port and cruise north or south, depending on your choice. The Caribbean is very popular from Miami and Fort Lauderdale, in Florida.
I can direct you to three agents with experience in the cruise business that you will find knowledgeable and helpful: John Galligan Travel (www.jgt.ie, 01-2076555), Cruise Holidays (www.cruise holidays.ie, 01-8173558) and E-Travel (www.e-travel.ie, 01-4081999). Try browsing www.cruisecritic.com to get an overview of cruise lines and voyages, including reviews.
As you are in Donegal, I should mention that there is a cruise from Killybegs on Fred Olsen Cruise Line’s Black Watch, exploring Iceland with a mixture of voyage and coastal visits. It leaves Southampton on August 13th for 16 nights, calling first at Cobh, in
Co Cork, and then at Killybegs. The 10- or 12-night voyage from Ireland, which will drop you back in Dublin, costs from €1,317. The agents I mentioned can tell you more.
Q My 16-year-old daughter intends to travel to the US this summer, to spend time with our extended family. Do the US immigration authorities have any special requirements for young people travelling without adults?
JB, Dublin
No, although, like everybody else, she must have a machine-readable passport – that is to say, the newer version with all the details printed on one page. Handwritten or emergency passports will not be accepted. She must also obtain an electronic travel authorisation from https://esta. cbp.dhs.gov. This will generate a number for officials at the airport. She can apply before she books her flight.
Q My husband and I are travelling to Iceland for four days next week. Can you recommend any hotels? (The one I wanted, 101 Hotel, is booked out.) We need to stay close to Reykjavik airport on our final night, as we have an early flight home. We also intend hiring a car to visit Gulfoss waterfall and geyser. Do you know if Hótel Geysir is any good? And should we leave booking the car until we get there or do it online?
TF, Dublin
Iceland should be fun. I stayed at the very nice Radisson SAS 1919 Hotel, in the centre of Reykjavik. You should be able to get a room through www.radisson.com for €201 a night. I would suggest you stay in Reykjavik and travel out to visit Gulfoss and the geyser. The airport is not far from the city, and there is no need to move hotels. Traffic in Iceland is light. Do not miss visiting the Blue Lagoon – a great experience. Car hire is expensive in Iceland; you would be better to book in advance. Check out www.holidayautos.ie for competitive rates. For a taste of Icelandic cuisine I can recommend Restaurant Laekjarbrekka (Bankastraeti 2, Reykjavik, 00-354-5514430, www.laekjarbrekka.is).
Q I want to bring my 83-year-old mum on holiday next month, when my sister is home from Australia. I am settling on England, as anywhere else in Europe might be too hot for her. She wants to see things and mentioned Bath, Windsor and Oxford. What I would ideally like is a four- or five-day coach tour, staying in different places and covering spots of interest. I’ve looked at tailor-made escorted tours, but they are too expensive.
HW, Dublin
A coach tour is an ideal way to see a lot of places in a short time. Pab Tours (www. pabtours.com, 01-8733411), in Dublin, has a trip in July that may suit your plans. It takes seven days, including getting to and from England, and departs from and returns to Dublin. The tour is of Devon and Cornwall, and it visits some places your mother might like to see, such as Buckfast Abbey, Wells Cathedral, Exeter and Plymouth. It costs €669 per person sharing.
If you travel to England, Door2tour.com’s trips take in some of Mum’s wishes. The company also picks up from Heathrow airport. A five-day trip of the Cotswolds and Bath costs from £325 (about €375) per person sharing.
E-mail questions, with your name and address, to jscales@irishtimes.com