Go on a cruise. In a big ship. I've gone and booked one. The past few years have been a bit s**t to say the least. I'm weary of worry and who knows what lies ahead. I'm aware things can change at any minute and prepared for that but for now I'm looking forward to a new adventure, getting out my comfort zone and trying something different. I'll either love it or hate it but willing to give it a try.
Exciting!
We’ve been on several with 5 or 6 different cruise lines & are planning to go on another next year if we can steel ourselves to get to Dover. There are two lines that we wouldn’t sail with ever again, but it’s a personal thing - like what kind of campsites we all prefer. It’s especially good as a recce: cruise round the Med & find that one day in Rome was enough or that you want to return there for a week’s holiday.
How much we enjoyed them depended on the cruise competition style or USP & especially how interesting the food was. Some ships have spectacular theatre shows, or entertaining cocktail bars, others are more homely; some have an excellent library, others don’t; some lay on relaxed events where you meet people (deck quoits, maybe), or run free art classes on the days at sea. But you’re right - give everything a try, and then just laze by the pool if that’s the most enjoyable thing.
If you really don’t enjoy your cruise, (but I’m sure you will), don’t discount doing another one with a very different line: a smaller ship if you disliked a big one, an adult only one if the family cruise wasn’t so restful etc.
Oh, and you will put on several pounds so don’t pack any clothes that are a bit snug.
My diet starts now Fiona lol. Must admit I am apprehensive but also excited. I've heard so many stories, good, not so good and awful but will go with an open mind and go with the flow for good or bad. Eek!
Quite a few years ago we went on a cruise round the Greek islands. It was just a small ship, a few hundred people at the most, and we absolutely loved it. Must admit though, the idea of a huge ship with thousands of people onboard doesn't appeal to us at all.
We’ve done 15 cruises with different lines. Our favourite ship at the moment is the P&O Iona ( P&O our favourite line) the worst was the MSC Virtuosa .
Drink prices can vary with American ships taking the wee wee.
You pays your money ( well at least the wife does ) and you take your chances but we have always found P&O ( not to be mistaken for the ferry company nothing to do with P&O cruises )to be excellent for the money. Off on the Brittania in a couple of weeks slotted conveniently between two camping trips…Bring it on !
We have done a couple of P&O cruises and enjoyed both. One of the cruises was on, at the time, one of their biggest ships but it didn't feel over crowded in any way. WE are now thinking about when and where we go on our next cruise. Hope you enjoy.
Quote: Originally posted by Colin21 on 21/7/2022
Quite a few years ago we went on a cruise round the Greek islands. It was just a small ship, a few hundred people at the most, and we absolutely loved it. Must admit though, the idea of a huge ship with thousands of people onboard doesn't appeal to us at all.
The only cruise I have done (twice) was a Nile Cruise, and we loved it. Small river ships, and the daily guided shore trips to see the historical sites made it easy to make friends with fellow passengers. Plus the Egyptians are such lovely people, and cruising along the river meant there was always interesting stuff on the shore to look at. Highly recommend if you find you like small ships, or for the OP if they don’t like the big ship experience.
Quote: Originally posted by David Klyne on 21/7/2022
We have done a couple of P&O cruises and enjoyed both. One of the cruises was on, at the time, one of their biggest ships but it didn't feel over crowded in any way. WE are now thinking about when and where we go on our next cruise. Hope you enjoy.
David
Exactly, people have this image of thousands of people sprawling about but as you know it’s not like that at all ( except the MSC Virtuosa dreadful ship )
The Iona is nearly 200 thousand tonnes a huge ship but we never ever struggled to get tables in restaurants or seats in bars and cafés and loved every minute and it never once felt overcrowded.
Quote: Originally posted by David Klyne on 21/7/2022
We have done a couple of P&O cruises and enjoyed both. One of the cruises was on, at the time, one of their biggest ships but it didn't feel over crowded in any way. WE are now thinking about when and where we go on our next cruise. Hope you enjoy.
David
Exactly, people have this image of thousands of people sprawling about but as you know it’s not like that at all ( except the MSC Virtuosa dreadful ship )
The Iona is nearly 200 thousand tonnes a huge ship but we never ever struggled to get tables in restaurants or seats in bars and cafés and loved every minute and it never once felt overcrowded.
Ps Still prefer me tent and bike though 😉
That is probably true, and I must admit we have never been on a really big cruise liner. The main thing we liked about the smaller ship was that you soon got to know most of the passengers even if only by sight. It just seemed so intimate and friendly, and I would imagine the large ships to be just the opposite. Maybe it's got something to do with my having a huge dislike for crowds. I would never for instance go on a beach where I had to fight for 4 square feet of sand to sit on, as many others seem to. I'd rather stay at home.
We did a cruise around the Med a couple of years ago over Christmas and new year,
I have to say it was brilliant, ours wasn't a huge ship i think it was around 1100 passengers so in terms of boats was a smaller one.
The whole experience from start to Finish was fantastic, we ate virtually silver service for all meals, ours was classed as informal so you booked your table to sit with your family rather than being sat with people you don't know (not that that's a problem) we booked the drinks package so all our drinks were free including water delivered to the room each morning it also included Tips.
Wifi is a fortune on boats if you book it, because of our location i was often connected to vodaphone esp using my allowance as the boat was hugging Spain, Portugal and Marrocco, Every time i got a message saying i was connected to vodaphone we used the data of my plan i let my 16 year old daughter use it,
However when i got home my company got a bill for £2500 as they said i was connected to maritime wifi which is a fortune, My company went mad and said i would have to pay a percentage of the bill, lucky for me i kept all the messages stating that i was within my vodaphone allowance, Vodaphone did an investigation and refunded the money back, its a good job i work for who i do as some companys would of just sacked me for that.
We were supposed to do another cruise starting from Singapore in 2020 with friends, covid cancelled that and our friends have since split up after being married for 26 years
Some positive posts here, makes me feel less apprehensive. We are going on the P&O Iona. Mostly read positive feedback, the main negative one being the problem getting into ports in bad weather. Since I'm looking for the cruise experience rather than just the locations I'm ok with that, we'll see somewhere we've not been, that's guaranteed. Most folk seem to love the ship.
I did consider a smaller ship but those cruises were aimed mainly at the over 50's. Yes we are both 60+ but I don't feel ready to go into that bracket yet lol. If I'm going to do it might as well go large lol. The Iona is a family ship but we'll be going in June, outwith school holidays so I'm reckoning on a mixed age range without it being full of kids - don't think many kids would be going to the Fjiords anyway. My husband is beside himself at the thought of all that food day and night
feeblecat,here is a couple of useful websites for you, cruisemummy.co.uk and www.cruisecritic.co.uk Sorry can't do links.I am a novice cruiser as well,I found them very informative. Happy sailing.
We have done several but prefer the smaller ships.Best for us ones Holland America, the smaller Princess ones and Saga. We have been on Brittania and one of the smaller ones.
We don't want to go on Iona or any of the Roya Caribbean monsters.
We have been on Radiance and Brilliance of the Seas, not too big and nice ships.
We have done 2 river cruises which were great.
------------- DS-There's more to life than football!!!
Quote: Originally posted by feeblecat on 22/7/2022
Some positive posts here, makes me feel less apprehensive. We are going on the P&O Iona. Mostly read positive feedback, the main negative one being the problem getting into ports in bad weather. Since I'm looking for the cruise experience rather than just the locations I'm ok with that, we'll see somewhere we've not been, that's guaranteed. Most folk seem to love the ship.
I did consider a smaller ship but those cruises were aimed mainly at the over 50's. Yes we are both 60+ but I don't feel ready to go into that bracket yet lol. If I'm going to do it might as well go large lol. The Iona is a family ship but we'll be going in June, outwith school holidays so I'm reckoning on a mixed age range without it being full of kids - don't think many kids would be going to the Fjiords anyway. My husband is beside himself at the thought of all that food day and night
The Fjords will be a lovely introduction to cruising. Most of the stops are within walking distance of the Port. Only once did we have to go in by Tender which was not an unpleasant experience! Some German ship already had its towel on the dock Norway is quite laid back if a bit more expensive than the UK. You will love it.
Take the advice of Bessie500 and turn roaming off on your phone.
The Fjords are amazing, if you are going to Flam ,get up early get on top deck and watch the sail in ,it is breath taking.
I would have to Disagree with David slightly as we found Norway ( been there four times ) mega expensive . Two frappuccinos and a bottle of water in Starbucks Stavanger £26 ! ( only did it so my grandson could use wi-fi to FaceTime his mum ) A beer ( never bought one ,I get back on ship ) is around £10.
The average cost for groceries in Norway is 41% higher than the UK and restaurant prices are app 30% higher, that to me is more than slightly more expensive!
saxo1
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: After saying I would never ever ever.....
via mobile 21/7/2022 at 5:38pm
Norway is quite laid back if a bit more expensive than the UK. You will love it.
