Should I go on a cruise?

I usually go with Cunard. Their grills suites are marvellous. You can’t beat the service or the food.
It’s lovely being waited on hand and foot.
I’m disabled and the staff are very helpful

Go for a smaller ship not the huge ones which are like floating cities, far too many people ! You see a lot of places, have lots of choices for shore trips, food is amazing ( take elastic waist trousers) ! You can dress up or stay casual, it’s your choice. It’s just an amazing experience. I did a Med one 1st, then the Caribbean and am now planning a South Sea Island ? one ... cannot wait.

I didnt mean that the dishes are all individually prepared Gabriella, that would be ridiculous! What I was trying to correct was the impression you gave that the food was mouldering under heat lamps for hours like some ghastly all inclusive hotel . Agree that there have been reports of stomach upsets and such on ships, but tbh, from what I have seen, this is more down to some passengers dodging the hand sanitisers after they have been to the loo!

we have been on river cruises every year recently. We do choose the cheapest cabins at the cheapest time of year, and feel they are then excellent value, as the discounts build up. The food is fabulous normally, and the drinks free of charge at meals, plus the trips included. the main advantage for me is you don't move from hotel to hotel - it travels with you.

I agree with moobox. And I would add river cruises are a great way to begin cruising as the boats are small, passenger count low, food is nice and most everything is included. We do tip separately by a nice envelope scheme.

We are about to go on our 9th cruise in October. I won't fly so have been able to visit places I never thought I would. We have been transatlantic on Cunard and Royal Caribbean, up the fjords, around parts of the med on a variety of ships of medium size. (don't think I'd like the large ships with zip wires, ice rinks etc) Some are very formal others very relaxed. We have loved them all because they were so different. On sea days there is so much to do on board, you're never bored and although port times are varied you usually have enough time to have a good look around and if you like it you can always go back. I agree with others about having a balcony cabin so lovely to go back and relax if the weather is good. Also mid ships is best to minimise sea sickness.

Some love them , some hate them. As others have said , a short cruise might be a good idea to start with. We enjoy them and have been on big and small ships. There is plenty to do and have never found it a problem to find a quiet spot. Join in with what you enjoy and don’t bother with the rest. Dress up to the nines if you enjoy it or stay casual and use the buffet on formal nights. I don’t think anyone can tell you if you will like it so give it a go.

Thank you for encouragement and information on cruises, if there is no barrier to those who are disabled then if all goes well we may be able to try something small next year - and I hadn't thought of a river cruise. It is important to have something to look forward to isn't it especially when we have spent over a year so far with our lives on hold. We are being pressed to go visit friends and family in the USA when DH is better and so are already thinking that we will try transatlantic crossings by ship in preference to flights. Once we get there we know we will be well looked after. I was just thinking that my last transatlantic crossing by ship was over 50 years ago and that makes me feel ancient! I'm not!

I find cruising very convenient for getting a taster of other countries. My husband and I do our own thing on board and never do the dress up thing, it's not compulsory as most people seem to think. It's rare that I see the same person twice on the cruises I have been on. So I quite enjoy it. I tend to use Italian or Norwegian cruise companies and accomodation/service is excellent. The worst is P&O out of Southampton......never again!

We were advised to try a river cruise first but instead we sailed to New York. It was without doubt, one of the best decisions we’ve ever made. It was a wonderful experience. My husband was very doubtful about it and was utterly convinced that he would be ill the whole time, but we were both fine and didn’t want to disembark on arrival!

I enjoyed reading the chats about going on a cruise especially as I have been thinking about trying one. I live in a fairly remote area and the idea of visiting towns and cities without having to keep packing and unpacking sounds appealing. I am sociable but quite often travel alone so having ready-made company would be interesting. Thanks for all the info.

I an agree with the point. I would hate being contained on a ship with hundreds of others getting on the shore and other tour guide is going what I would not wants to be.

We have always used P&O out of Southampton,and have never had a bad experience. Very organised and friendly.

It's difficult for me to be objective as we've done 17 and 18 is coming soon so love it! Unpack once and see lots of places. We now cruise on ships up to about 700 guests and as these don't have many family facilities it tends to be largely the grey pound. I would say to go with an open mind and only choose a 7 day preferably in the Mediterranean as you don't have a long flight. A week will be port intensive so you will be somewhere different every day. I'd say the disadvantage of a mini cruise is that some people choose them as a booze cruise which might be off putting to you.

I've just found this thread and just been on a cruise. Yes yes yes do go. I went to norway, sitting on deck sunbathing in the snowy mountains was great. I was well looked after and I went alone shopping and sightseeing with no probs. Being at sea is so soothing and you don't have to join in if you don't want to. If I can afford it I will go again maybe to Iceland as I don't like too much heat

If you are on your own and have travelled a bit, I think a cruise is ideal. Total relaxation on days at sea, although I always join the dancing and deck games that are organised as you meet people. I like to read and never have a problem finding a nice spot to relax in. Also enjoy the evening entertainment and the food. The last cruise I did was with Cunard and I have booked another one. I just got a bit fed up with the waiting around airports and the transfers, however a lot of people I know woukd rather stay at home than go on a cruise, it depends on the individual.

I've been on a cruise only once. That wasn't long trip, it last only one month. However, I thought how I will be bored because I believe how that is too much time to spend on the cruise, but I was wrong. I had, well, maybe, the best time of my life, and I will do it again, for sure.

If you're not sure about being on the cruise, try a shorter trips.

If its a factor for you, going on a cruise is many times worse for the environment than flying, and it doesn't economically support the locations you visit

What a strange last statement.

Of course cruises economically support the locations they visit. Think of the money the cruisers spend when in port on excursions, food, drinks, shopping and so on. Ports welcome cruise ships for that very reason.

We went on a Viking Ocean cruise last month. We've done their river cruises and also Cunard ocean cruises. Viking Ocean was easily the best. They are smaller ships and not to the usual design of cruise ships. No inside cabins. All verandahs. Excursions and gratuities included as were flights and a drinks package. No dressing up, casinos or photographers. No set times for meals and many locations for them. Nobody under 18 allowed as passengers. No extras to pay for on board. Very relaxing ambience in comfortable surroundings.
You can tell how impressed we were. They looked after us so well.

So after reading all of the replies what did you decide to do?
We have been on a couple, med, Baltic, Croatia etc and off on Saturday to the Fjords on Azura fro Southampton.
Never had a problem with P and O from Southampton either.
We don’t always bother to dress up and go to the restaurant, usually give the formal nights a miss and go to the lovely buffet.
Hope you decide to give it a go.

My former son in law was in the sea border patrol in Gibraltar. They had to remove a dead passenger from a cruise ship who had died en route. It was very hot weather and the body had obviously been kept in the fridge as there were various pieces of lettuce attached.

Tartlett, just saying, not from my own experience, but I saw a programme about a cruise around UK, and when the liners called in at a Scottish ? island, all the passengers hastened back to the ship for their lunches, so the islanders did not get much business. It was only the foreign crew, who appeared to spend money, by buying clothes from a charity sale. I am not saying this would happen everywhere, but it did seem a pity, when the islanders made an effort and were welcoming to the passengers.

I'm just back from my cruise to the Norwegian Fjords. I can highly recommend it. I loved every minute. DH and I went with a smallish British company, Cruise and Maritime Voyages on their ship Columbus. It was an adults only cruise, so no children on board. Most people on board were seasoned cruisers, but there were others who were on their first cruise. The Fjords were beautiful. The sea was calm for most of the time. I wasn't seasick at all, although one or two people were. Great holiday!

Notanan you are right. Most cruisers book their excursions with the ship and head back to the ship for all their meals. Some countries ' currency is unobtainable outside of the country itself so cruise passengers do not bother to change money under those circumstances. They are very unlikely to buy meals when ashore when there is so much food available in board.