Would we like a cruise???

Some passengers have tattoos?

Yes. Sustainability is important nowadays and improvements are being put into practice all the time. Google a cruise line and its latest eco practices.

Why not TUI? We've been on several, including their river cruises. No complaints.

Oh, please go. You will have the time of your life, and meet so many lovely people. We have been on dozens. One bit of advise don't go on an American line, or TUI

@ItWasnaMeGuv dont worry you’ll never encounter me on a cruise ship. Just out of interest though, do the ships ever make any accommodations for sustainability? Do they tell you what happens to all your sewage or how much energy they consume or whether they keep their engines running in port?

Yes I love sea day. We also normally have one port day when we either stay on ship or just get off for an hour and it’s lovely on ship those days as everywhere is so quiet so you can sit with your coffee and enjoy your book while doing a bit of people watching.

Best days.

Ohhh love a Sea Day
And the Formal Nights are on Sea Days .
Having a lazy day , read a book (or MN)

DH saying "I'm going to do a few laps of the ship , I'll get you some coffee before I go "

My favourite days are sea days. Leisurely breakfast or lunch. Cocktails. A lecture or two. Quiet corner to read a book & just chill. Or a massage. Bliss.

Be prepared for whole days at sea. Typically on a one week cruise, 2 days will be sea days. Marella (Tui) cruises generally have only one sea day per week. We enjoyed Marella cruises and I think they are all inclusive now and no tipping. Inevitably, much but not all of the evening entertainment centres around music. We skipped a lot of the shows. Children are well catered for but be prepared if your 6 year old is anything like ours - they wouldn’t stay in any children’s clubs on any of our holidays

We started cruising when our two were 1 and 2 and they are 31 and 32 now, having done many over the years. P&O had fantastic kids clubs and our two spent many hours enjoying the facilities. It was safe, 24 hour food and lots of different entertainment options. Nowadays the two of us choose smaller adult only ships which tend to visit interesting ports. We've done river cruises too, and they're brilliant, often stopping right in small towns that can be easily walked to.

We did a cruise from Venice to Istanbul, via Slovenia, Croatia and Greek Islands, last summer, departed from Fusina cruise terminal . In previous years have departed from Ravenna, which is about 2.5 hours away from Venice.

We go every year not via a cruise, I meant the large ships.

Yes I meant the large ones, when I think cruise ship I always think of the huge ugly floating high rise hotel kind. As you can tell, I’m not a fan

We sailed straight up the Giudecca - amazing. That was on a smaller ship in 2014.

There's a massive cruise terminal in Venice.

I’m so pleased Venice doesn’t allow them any longer

Actually cruise ships do still depart from Venice, @Muffinme, though it's true they're now hiving off more to alternatives like Triste and Marghera

In particular MSC and Costa still use it - favourites with Italians, surprise, surprise!! - but the key point is that larger ones are no longer allowed to sail through the Giudecca

We went on a P and O cruise with DC 4, not something I ever thought I’d do but after a few holidays spent cooking loads and driving around we fancied the idea of not having to do much. There were elements I didn’t like, like the buffet (although DH loved that), and the free dining was too much waiting, but a couple of the pay extra restaurants aren’t that expensive, so we ate in those for dinner. We had a great time though, we got a balcony cabin, I wouldn’t have enjoyed it otherwise to be honest as we hung out there quite a bit. The feeling of space was great as well as just sitting watching the ocean, was so tranquil. Kid’s club was great, we used it two afternoons when we were at sea and one evening. We loved just arriving at a different place everyday and would spend the whole day out at a beach or park and walking around and nice lunch with wine. Personally I wouldn’t want to do one where you’re at sea more than a couple of days. But we’d definitely do it again!

I love cruises, but not the mega office block ships with several thousand passengers. Smaller ships (6-700 passengers) that can visit smaller more out of the way places. We are no longer interested in formal evenings either, it’s smart casual all the way on the line we go on. Though nothing stopping you dressing up if you feel like it.

Which line?

I love a cruise, both holidays this year are cruise holidays. So much to do on the ship (if you want to) and so much to explore both on and off. We’ve only been to one show (in four cruises) but will go to more on the longer cruise this year. I love the formal nights when you get dressed up. I love the food in the restaurants and the buffet. We’re going to Norway in June for a week, which is a great place to start if you’ve never cruised before.
Haven’t taken children but have been on ships that are child friendly. Seems to be plenty of entertainment for them.

Apologies @Zanatdy I've just read that you sailed from Liverpool. I wouldn't be brave enough for that type of cruise, I have always flown out to the starting point (Venice, Barcelona, Barbados etc) and I would always choose to avoid the North Sea, the Bay of Biscay and crossing the Atlantic.

We love cruising and it’s great for kids.. food is lovely and there’s lots of entertainment to choose from.. go for it

Where did you sail to?

That's good to know. Thanks