Cruises

G

GamerTech

Anyone been on a cruise or regular to cruises? I am trying to convince my SO to go on a cruise but he ain't having none of it! The thought of just stuffing my face and sitting on a boat sounds lovely!

For the cruisers... what ships have you been on? What do you recommend and what don't you recommend? Is the drinks package actually worth it? Annnnnnnnnnd where do I find the best deals?
 
I've been on two cruises, both P&O and both to Norway. Went on Arcadia first time and Iona second time. Personally I think it's one of the easiest holidays I've ever had. No worries about finding places to eat as it's all on the ship (unless you want to sample local delicacies)! Not had any issues so far (other than the websites, cruise companies cannot build websites that work well), and it's relaxing. Best bit is that the hotel moves with you, so you don't need to repack and unpack when moving between places, that all happens while you snooze in your bed.

I'd recommend it. Drinks package is something I've never done as I don't touch alcohol, but to me it seems to be of no value unless you are going to be drinking dawn til dusk.
I would always recommend a balcony cabin. Sitting and just staring at the vast expanse of blue is great.
With regards to internet, the broadband deals on cruise ships are pricey! Just enjoy the digital detox, unless you have free roaming charges to your destination (which I found out I did), then just use it to satisfy curiosities on shore.
Best deals? No idea, it's expensive, but you sometimes get discounts for being a regular. But from experience booking earlier is better value than last minute.
 
We regularly cruise - The best thing is you can visit a lot of locations and use the ship as a base - don't have to keep packing and unpacking cases as you would if you toured on a train, coach or car!

TUI is is our company of choice -,great value - done most round the med. Did Norwegian cruise through the Panama canal - absolutely brilliant - stopped in all the main countries down the pacific coast - watch the cliff divers in Acapulco, saw whales jumping out of the sea, saw active volcanos and much much more.

Entertainment was very good - shows every night - we use the drinks package but noticed a recent which report about them not being cost effective - I disagree as we make sure we drink loads.

Food superb
 
Went on a Norway cruise when I was like 7 and will be doing ANOTHER one to Norway next April, so I can't fully help but can offer some bits of advice due to family going on more cruises recently and having some upcoming.

Virgin and P&O are the two options we would consider, P&O has gala nights (black tie, very formal) compared to the scarlet nights (just wear red, largely informal) on Virgin. I can't provide much more info on virgin, but most cruise companies should have info about their boats on their websites. I have been on P&O's Arcadia back when it was for families, but I think it's now an adult-only ship. The one I'll be going on next year is Iona, still P&O, and is a family friendly boat. Looks very nice from what I've seen, both from the company side and from previous passengers.

You should consider where you want to go, as that can determine whether you need to fly to another country before you board the boat, or whether you can leave from a UK port (usually Southampton). The destination also factors in to how long they cruise would be for, for example Norway cruises are 7 nights, but my parents are going to Belgium in October which will be 3 nights. I think ones that go to Spain/Portugal are also 7 nights, but you can easily find this info out.

Overall, ask what it is your partner doesn't want in a cruise, as there a LOTS of different ways to do it! If it's price, you can get inside cabins for significantly cheaper than balcony/sea view. If it's the formality, well not all companies do have formal nights and most days on the boats/at the destinations are pretty relaxed. If you really can't convince him, you can get single cabins for yourself!
 
I've done two cruises - as a solo traveller.

Really enjoyed them - did that in 2023 and 2024. Used Marella (TUI). I went on lots of tours when we were in harbour.

These were all inclusive - worth it for me, but not so good if you're more fussy. I didn't really go to a show, but those that did enjoyed them. However, I believe the prices have gone up quite a bit. If I look again for next year - I'd probably try for an adult only.
 
My wife works as a Guest Speaker on the ships during the school holidays, so we've been on a fair few over the last couple of years (22 ports this year so far!) - all with P&O to this point (Iona, Arvia, Ventura, Azura are the ships we've ticked off), but we're doing a Princess (Crown) one at Christmas, and have done a Royal Caribbean (Mariner) in the past.

As with what everyone else has said, we really enjoy it all and I'd highly recommend it to anyone. Especially if you're wanting to visit lots of different places in one go. Norway worked out much cheaper to do a cruise to see lots of different places (Olden was a gem), rather than hiring a car or using public transport, etc. And we just got back from a whole bunch of Greek Islands/Corsica/Sicily a couple of weeks ago...

The bigger P&O ships (Iona and Arvia) have definitely been our favourites so far - with Arvia being the top of the pile due to 6th Street Diner. Iona and Arvia also have the "food truck" sort-of fast food option for dining - which is great when you don't want to get your elbows out for the buffet rammy, but also don't want a full formal sit-down dinner. They're nice and airy, lots of room, lots of activities... only downside we find is the theatre shows in the evening aren't really to our taste and a bit cheesy for us... But there's plenty else on to keep you entertained.

As for the drinks package, it really depends how much you drink, and whether you'd feel obliged to drink more than you want/usually would to justify the price... On P&O the prices on board are approximately what you'd pay at the pub (Pints about £5-6, cocktails about £10...) There's a bunch of calculators online for the various cruise lines, so you can work out whether or not paying as you go would be better.
 
I have never been on a cruise and fear that they are a bit 'pack your best suit for the Captains Table' ish, although I have been reassured otherwise lol!
 
KayR said:
I've done two cruises - as a solo traveller.

Really enjoyed them - did that in 2023 and 2024. Used Marella (TUI). I went on lots of tours when we were in harbour.

These were all inclusive - worth it for me, but not so good if you're more fussy. I didn't really go to a show, but those that did enjoyed them. However, I believe the prices have gone up quite a bit. If I look again for next year - I'd probably try for an adult only.
Click to expand...
I'm a big fan of TUI but not heard much about their cruises. Need to check it out
 
I was never interested in cruises and thought the ship would just be one giant petri-dish! However, in 2022 my in laws insisted on taking myself and my husband and my brother & sister in-law with them on a Caribbean cruise and I loved it! The food was brilliant, as was the cleanliness of the ship. Some people dressed up for dinner, but as long as you didn't rock up in your swim suit and flip-flops, you were ok. The organised trips at each of our stops were also great and we had a fabulous time. We didn't bother with the drinks package as we're not big drinkers. Having done it once, I'd definitely do it again. We sailed with Royal Caribbean.
 
I have done many cruises and it is my prefered holiday.
Over the years I have been on NCL, Fred Olsen, MSC, P&O, Royal Caribbean, Princess, Celebrity and Holland America.
Each cruise line is a little different as are the ships with the neweer ships tending to be larger with more onboard amenities. Choice of location also plays a part and deciding on where you want to go and at what time of year can influence your experience. The onboard expeirence has become much less 'classy' and more family orientated over the years, which I prefer (who wants to dress for dinner, not me!).

What is it about cruising he doesnt like the idea of?
 
I really like cruising and have done 4
  • Norwegian Fjords - had Bob Carolgees on it and of course spit the dog - I'm sure the older members will remember.
  • Orkneys, Iceland (all around the island about 4 locations) and Faroe islands - Awesome
  • New York to Southampton - Queen Mary II - loved not seeing land for a week, but a little posh.
  • Baltics - Holland, Germany, Estonia, Russia, Finland, Sweden, Denmark - entertained by Cirque de Soleil acts amongst others Awesome
Love the buffets, endless drink and waking up in different destinations.
 
I have my reservations with cruises; especially as I'm the backpacker type. Generally speaking I have moral concerns rather than comfort/choice/whatever. A lot of cruises have poor labour practice, like hiring from disadvantaged countries on the cheap, registering their boats in tax haven countries for taxes evasion reasons, and the lack of economic prospects from the places they stop at.

I went backpacking around south Spain, and Cadiz was full of people hopping off the boat, providing no economic spending/income to the people working/living there (or spain itself) whilst over tourism is a major concern there, and then just leaving.

I understand the allure of cruises, but that's my stance on it.
 
Alman said:
I have my reservations with cruises; especially as I'm the backpacker type. Generally speaking I have moral concerns rather than comfort/choice/whatever. A lot of cruises have poor labour practice, like hiring from disadvantaged countries on the cheap, registering their boats in tax haven countries for taxes evasion reasons, and the lack of economic prospects from the places they stop at.
Click to expand...

I think this is changing a little bit. Our waiter on the cruise this summer was from the Philippines and was a successful dog trainer out there, but said the cruise lines pay a really good wage compared to back home so he was doing a 6 month stint to save money for his wedding. It's only he same as people fromt he UK going to work out in Dubai because the pay is better.
 
KayR said:
I've done two cruises - as a solo traveller.
Click to expand...
This is what I'm thinking of doing next year. A friend recommended SAGA ( I'm over 60) but Wow...they know how to charge!
Maybe that's just the going rate, I don't know, haven't looked into it too much yet.
But I balk at spending £3500 plus for a week just for me. My friend has a LOT of savings that she uses just for holidays, so she doesn't really think about cost.
 
Puds said:
This is what I'm thinking of doing next year. A friend recommended SAGA ( I'm over 60) but Wow...they know how to charge!
Maybe that's just the going rate, I don't know, haven't looked into it too much yet.
But I balk at spending £3500 plus for a week just for me. My friend has a LOT of savings that she uses just for holidays, so she doesn't really think about cost.
Click to expand...
Princess have a deal on at the moment offering a £25pp deposit, so if you change your mind and cancel it you only lose £25. We've booked for next year.
 
Last edited:
Just sailed our 10th cruise. This time with Cunard to the Med. All previous times were mostly P&O, with one being with Princess.

TBH, I never wanted to do cruises. Thought it would be like Cocoon at sea. Full of zimmers and the smell of p1$$. I was 36yrs old. I was also SO wrong!

30 mins after being onboard, I loved it!

Got two 7 day cruises next year with P&O....Easter to France/Portugal/Spain on Aurora, and the summer one on Iona to the Fjords.
 
Techitude said:
Princess have a deal on at the moment offering a £25pp deposit, so if you change your mind and cancel it you only lose £25. We've booked for next year.
Click to expand...
I just worry it will be all 'coupley'. ( As singleton)
I don't want to be 'trapped' on board with bunch of smug marrieds ( Bridget Jones reference btw)
I went to a hotel that was like that last year & it was thoroughly miserable, no one would even answer my 'good morning' !
Women physically dragging their husbands away if I so much as smiled. I didn't want to sit with or latch on to anyone, just be civil!
Even a couple of staff were awful. Luckily another few staff actually noticed themselves & were really sweet to me.
Ye Gods. It was supposed to be adults only hotel, it wasn't, apparently sometimes it's only UK advertises that & other countries have them advertised for families! Crackers.

Who knew that holidays could be such a minefield?! When I retire I hope it will be;
Easier to get a cheap deal. Easier to find places with no kids. Cheaper to go on Solos.
 
ThunderChem said:
I've been on two cruises, both P&O and both to Norway. Went on Arcadia first time and Iona second time. Personally I think it's one of the easiest holidays I've ever had. No worries about finding places to eat as it's all on the ship (unless you want to sample local delicacies)! Not had any issues so far (other than the websites, cruise companies cannot build websites that work well), and it's relaxing. Best bit is that the hotel moves with you, so you don't need to repack and unpack when moving between places, that all happens while you snooze in your bed.

I'd recommend it. Drinks package is something I've never done as I don't touch alcohol, but to me it seems to be of no value unless you are going to be drinking dawn til dusk.
I would always recommend a balcony cabin. Sitting and just staring at the vast expanse of blue is great.
With regards to internet, the broadband deals on cruise ships are pricey! Just enjoy the digital detox, unless you have free roaming charges to your destination (which I found out I did), then just use it to satisfy curiosities on shore.
Best deals? No idea, it's expensive, but you sometimes get discounts for being a regular. But from experience booking earlier is better value than last minute.
Click to expand...
I did my first cruise on Iona to the fjords last year. Absolutely loved it. It didn't feel too crowded and since it was to Norway it was probably slightly more mature/less party atmosphere than say the Mediterranean, though there were children (including our teenagers). Loved reading on my balcony every morning enjoying the views. Lovely locations at stop off points - unfortunately we missed one because of weather. The only thing I would say is it feels less like a holiday in Norway than actually staying in Norway, since you spend most of the time on the boat. But it makes everything easy for you.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top