To cruise or not to cruise?

Bellanonna as said it all. We went on Celebrity Eclipse fantastic. Table for two every night and no never stuck with same people. 3000 passengers. This was our third cruise. Go for it you wont regret it

Is no one worried about the boat sinking?

Waking up in the night and thinking of all that water under you is my idea of hell. >>shudder<<

Jingle I like a view of the life boat rather than the sea.

He he he!

If you use the Shewee properly nothing will get wet!

I use a mobility scooter for anything more than walking round the house , has anyone experienced a cruise using one of these? Also I have wondered , if I took the scooter how feasible it would be to get off the ship at various ports? It seems to me that organised outings might not work for us as I cant see a coach with my scooter in the boot...or maybe theres a roof rack al la The Clampetts :-)

I have done two cruises, one late DH and one with a friend. Am wondering if I dare go again but alone this time. Friend had endless problems.
I just love being on a big ship, the wonder of how they manoevre in small ports, the thrill arriving in a new place/country almost every early morning. The only downside is the constant bombarding with delicious food!!!!!!

Going on our first cruise in March having taken years to persuade husband to go. He is terrified of being stuck with people he has nothing in common with. So wish me luck it could be my first and last cruise.

We've been on eight cruises. At first we were happy to sit at a table for ten, but I found the small talk very tiring. My husband is outgoing, I am not. So on subsequent cruises we opted for a table for two. It was much more relaxing for me. The waiters were always very chatty anyway. We could talk to people as and when we felt like it. Visiting a different port every day is the best thing about cruising. There is ample time to look around. We were always back on the ship with hours to spare because we were tired walking around. There is usually an option, by the way, for free dining. That is a self service buffet and you sit where you like.

I was never sure that I would enjoy cruising but have been twice now the first to Alaska the second to the Caribbean so very different destinations.we went with Princess cruises both times and I would now recommend cruising to anyone. We found we had plenty of time to explore in each port and on sea days there is constant things to do. We had anytime dining which meant we could eat any time we wanted and in any restaurant. As I suffer from IBS and like to eat little and fairly often this was great. Enjoyed the entertainment first class shows in the theatre, and some good comedians and musicians in the bars. Also enjoyed quizzes and the casino.so go for it , I would be very surprised if you didn't have a great time.

We have been cruising for few years now, and wish we had started sooner. We go on mid sized ships, around 1000 passengers. We have both sailed from Southampton, but there can be the problem of the Bay of Biscay sometimes, although it is not always rough. Fortunately we don't suffer from seasickness. We have also done a couple of fly cruises but then you can't take so much luggage as you are governed by the amount the airline allows, plus the security etc at the airports, there and coming home. Leaving from a UK port, although there is now security, doesn't mean you have to arrive as early as at an airport. A very short cruise of 5 nights or less is normally full of drinkers on stag and hen parties, so I have been told, but not been on one so can't say.

Most of what has been said is what we have found. Formal nights are not as formal as they used to be, although some people still go rather over the top. Tables for two are ok if you don't mind sitting with the person you sit with everyday of the year. However tables for 4 can be tricky if the other couple are not really your type. Six or more is probably better, although 10 can sometimes be a bit much.

I could never have an inside cabin, or just a porthole, so always have at least a picture window, although when we get a good deal, we like a balcony. If you are on a lower deck and to the rear of the ship you can sometimes fine the noise of the engines annoying. We were once told if not sure where to have a cabin, then have one in the middle of the ship, both from front to back and top to bottom.

Someone has asked about mobility scooters. These are allowed on ships, but not normally taken ashore or on trips out. Other types of walking aids, chairs etc are usually taken ashore, but not necessarily on a coach trip. It depends on the country and the type of coach.

A river cruise is a very much calmer experience. We have been on one. A lot less people, the boat moors within walking distance of a town centre usually. However beware of ships with very small cabins. Most are fine with a double, or twin beds. However I believe there are a few where they are more like bunks and folded away to make room during the day.

Thanks for stating this LyndaW as we are in a similar situation. Lots of friends and family love cruising and I'm fairly tempted but DH not sure at all, for reasons I don't think stand up to scrutiny.
As we live in Liverpool I'd love to sail to and from here. DH hates getting dressed up so as a rule any holiday that requires long trousers is out, would this be a problem?
We have a small family business that our youngest DS has to cope with alone if we're away so tend to go for short holidays - 8 or 9 days max. I am tempted by fjords but tend to go looking for the sun on holiday so not sure.
Confusing isn't it?

We are going on our first cruise in April. Cape Town to Southampton on the Queen Victoria. We usually fly, but saw a good deal and thought we would give it a whirl.
I am a bit concerned about being with a lot of over-eating, old people for 18 days!!! Any experiences?
I am sure it will be brilliant for people watching and the cost of the drinks makes me think perhaps I will opt for an alcohol free couple of weeks!

Cagsy, we have a friend who hates dressing up. He is now a cruise convert. Most have a buffet restaurant which is casual, serve yourself and eat anytime. If you are happy with this rather than formal dining you can dress as you please. The dress code is usually in the brochure.

Nobody has mentioned the food poisoning which seems to crop up regularly on cruises!

PPP cruises do seem to attract older people but if you are on a family friendly trip then they are very popular wedding venues and so there are all ages on board.
As for alcohol, why not take your own with you to drink in your cabin? We bought local booze at stops!

Think we will stick to a nice hotel!

Am with Jingl on the 'all that water under you' thing.?

Not to mention the throwing up!

I'm afraid I didn't enjoy our only cruise and would never go on one again. Having said that, I am the only person I know who doesn't like cruising. We went on a large P&O ship to the Med as I was worried about being seasick on a smaller ship. I needn't have worried as it was as calm as a mill pond both ways. We had a lovely stateroom with balcony, but it was terribly boring seeing nothing but sea for days. I didn't like all the sunbeds crowded next to each other round the pools and mass entertainment wasn't for us. The days spent on shore were all a bit rushed and regimented and we were put with different people each night at dinner as we weren't able to choose a table for the entire trip. So many people just bored on about their previous trips. I did enjoy the dressing up at night and the occasional dance. I just didn't like being confined on a ship and yet in some ways it was too big.

We did 36 hours on a cruise ship whilst travelling independently round Norway. Hated it! The worst part was the stops when everyone was herded off the ship to the museum or whatever was at the stop which was then jam packed. No no no not for me. I like my independence on holiday and to make our own decisions and to be honest I like my husbands company and don't feel I want to be particularly sociable to other people. Makes me seem a grump which I am not...it is just that cruising is an absolute definite no no for me!

We did a Mediterranean cruise a couple of years ago with friends. We liked seeing different places and being able to chill out on the ship in the evenings.
I think it's a good way to check out different locations, with a view to a return visit, but I think I prefer to get to know a place at my own pace.

The only way to travel amazing, especially from Southampton, feels like going on a real voyage!!

We like cruising although travelling down to southampton from glasgow is a bit of a pain. We have been on 5 cruises each time with saga. The average age is 75. We felt quite young as we are still in our 60s. Saga ships are smaller and very friendly. The crew are very friendly and nothing is too much trouble for them.
This year we are giving fred olsen line a go. They do some cruise s which leave from greenock. They are smaller ships as well so hope we enjoy it.

I went on a cruise with Celebrity a couple of years back, and it was lovely. We had a really bad gale one night, with massive seas and a howling gale, but there was no rockin' and rollin'! The ship's stabilisers kept everything comfortable, and although it rattled a bit, it was no worse than being on a rackety train, so my awful fears of being seasick were unfounded.
The ship was like a floating palace, spotlessly clean and so big that it actually had a golf course on the top deck. I loved just being on board, there was so much to do - there were lots of shore excursions, but I found them too exhausting and only went on two. Venice was lovely, 'cos not much travelling between ship and town - I would do that any day.
It was my first and only cruise, but I loved it and would happily go again if I had the opportunity.