Off on my first cruise next month. Anyone else been on one?

[Herr Tubthumper]

Many years ago I 'won' a tour of a cruise ship at Dover and a free lunch. The tour was interesting and the lunch was decent enough but rather than having the affect I'm sure the Marketing people hoped for, it made me realise I would never actually want to be couped up on a boat for any amount of time at all. I now have zero desire to go on a cruise ..... hell on water as far as I can see.

Yeah, I had dinner with the captain as well. All in all a fascinating day but like you I must admit it doesn't interest me, I prefer wandering around cities.

What was quite obvious was that it's a very good way for a family to have a nice holiday on a budget. The all inclusive prices were incredibly cheap and once you've paid that's it.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

I am a bit worried about having to dodge zimmer frames and mobility scooters though. Surely it's not all pensioners?

Not at all. During my tour I saw the cruisers arriving I was surprised by the demographic. I expected old blazered empire types but it was more middle-aged working/middle class families than anything.

 

[atfc village]

Pride of Bilbao 3 days of drink eat 2 hours sleep on a stag do .Force 9 on the way back which was splendid.

 

[Justice]

Butlins on a boat.

 

[Codner's Wallop]

I've been on a couple of corporate jollies on a massive luxury liner in the Med.

Good points: food, drink and entertainment is fabulous.
It's nigh impossible to get bored with the number of facilities on board.
Your horizon is always changing so although sea days are dull, there's plenty to see at the ports.
There's a cross section of passengers. While it's still predominantly for the wealthy over 60s, I was very surprised by the number of 30 and 40-somethings. And lots more kids than I anticipated.

Bad points: the ships are much, much bigger now. But so are the passenger numbers. For such a large vessel, it can feel cramped and a bit claustrophobic due to the sheer number of people. Sometimes it just feels like a giant floating shopping mall. And there are annoying queues everywhere for the lifts which connect between the multiple decks. Our ship had 12 decks!
There are still a large number of stuffy passengers who love the formality of cruising. Formal nights are a pain.
Many passenger resent the gratuities system which whacks a huge tax on your bill when you leave.
Despite the fancy extras, cabins are still horribly cramped. We had a suite but it still felt like a rabbit hutch. Don't expect any space in your cabin or any desire to spend much time there.

 

[timbha]

Lots of negative comments from people who have probably not cruised much. How else could you see all the major Scandinavian cities, st Petersburg, tallin and Bruges in two weeks whilst being waited on in a top class mobile hotel with lots of bars and free entertainment? Not full of oaps, they are popular for honeymooners and families. No crime or anti social behaviour is tolerated on a proper cruise - you just get chucked off.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

This looks good

 

[Dr. Notthenineo'clocknews]

Lots of negative comments from people who have probably not cruised much. How else could you see all the major Scandinavian cities, st Petersburg, tallin and Bruges in two weeks whilst being waited on in a top class mobile hotel with lots of bars and free entertainment? Not full of oaps, they are popular for honeymooners and families. No crime or anti social behaviour is tolerated on a proper cruise - you just get chucked off.

Indeed, RIP Ocean Village, four of us inc The Modfather (on here) a few years back went to countries you'd never usually visit such as Belize, Honduras, Costa Rica, Colombia and Panama, not to mention two trips to Jamaica and Mexico all for the cost of a Carribean holiday, dress was informal, bar prices reasonable, food excellent and a tipping structure no worse than a decent all inc hotel.

 

[chimneys]

Stock up on lube before you go.

Why, is he going with your Mum?

 

[gregbrighton]

Why, is he going with your Mum?

I thought it was a strange comment, myself. Perhaps I ought to to take some painkillers along with me to give out just in case I 'strike lucky' with a more mature person.

 

[chimneys]

I thought it was a strange comment, myself. Perhaps I ought to to take some painkillers along with me to give out just in case I 'strike lucky' with a more mature person.

Now you are boasting and henceforth shall be renamed "Greg the girth"!!

 

[pasty]

Went on our first cruise in 2012 having been somewhat cajoled into it by friends. Had never really thought about it as a holiday and never really fancied it. However, it turned out to be one of the best holidays I've ever had. Absolutely loved it.

The only thing I would say, which doesn't really apply to the OP's question is, I am not sure I would start a cruise from the UK again. It took 3 days from Southampton to Madeira, then another 5 days to cross the Atlantic to get to the BVI, so 8 full days at sea, which after about 5 or 6 got me longing for dry land.

 

[Ludensian Gull]

Done 3 cruises all with P&O, all age groups on every cruise. We had 3 formal nights on a 14 night holiday but think they vary depending on with company you go with. Enjoyed the days at sea in the pool, casino or lazing on deck. Visited some lovely places which we had never been before, Florence, Rome, Portofino just to mention three. Factor in high class dining and entertainment every evening you couldn't ask for a better way of seeing the world. Enjoy

 

[Dave the OAP]

No never been on a cruise, but then I'm under the age of 80 so why would I?

Have fun.

You couldn't be further from the truth

 

[hart's shirt]

"The average age of cruisers is 55.6 years..."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/cruises/9841628/Cruise-holidays-a-guide-for-first-timers-dispelling-the-myths.html

 

[Ernest]

Not for me, I get sea sick on the pedaloes at Hove Lagoon

 

[Mackenzie]

You couldn't be further from the truth

90?

 

[Beach Hut]

Ask Mr Hairy - a leading authority on the subject.

Indeed he even wrote a fictional book about it

 

[Dave the OAP]

Never done a short cruise but done a ship visit on the Victoria ...personally, I think to enjoy the Cunard experience you have to do queens or princess grills- standard of cabin and dining. Which is rediculous pricing.

For the British experience chose P&O..., pubs, fish and chips, British cuisine and pound sterling on board...for the kids, chose Disney, Ncl, carnival, Royal carribean, Costa, msc :for a bit more try celebrity( was our favourite) holland america( now our favourite) and of course if you want to push the boat out to say, regent, Azamara, silver seas.

Oh yes and one other thing...the food in the main dining rooms are extremely good and the specialty restaurants fantastic. Yes the booze can be expensive, but these day's most lines offer free drinks packages again driven by the Brits! btw! Don't worry about feelin seasick...these ships are not like ferries...they have huge stabilisers. We have been in a force 9 gale off Mykonos when all the decks were shut, but felt very little.

Finally, large ships...we have been on three ships ove 5000 people on board and yes, there are times, especially at lunch times in the buffet, but we have found that you can find places that are not manic, especially the bars outside normally on the stern of the ships. ...also when everyone dissapears off to the theatre, head to the bars and casino, the shows are a much of a muchness and to be honest, once you have seen one " star of Las Vegas" you have seen them all.

If anyone wants some hints and tips on booking cruises, please let us know. We are thinking of going into it at some time by starting our own business.

 

[Dave the OAP]

90?

If that is what you want to believe, then on some lines you won't be dissapointed.