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Original poster

Had anyone been in a cruise and hated it?

221 replies

Pumpkinstace · 28/09/2021 22:36

My 40th is coning up and I want to go norway to see the fjords.

A cruise seems to be the best way to do this and sounds amazing... However, I only seem to find reviews that completely cruise arse licking.... people that go 3-4 times a year, have tried all the ships etc.

I still haven't found anyone who has been on a cruise and found it isn't for them.

If you have been on a cruise and hated it please tell me about it.

OP posts:
GrannyWeatherwaxsBroomstick · 01/10/2021 13:36

I discovered that I have terrible sea sickness on a cruise. It started in the Bay of Biscay and I was ill all round the Mediterranean.
Didn’t hate the ship, but really not for me

Popoloco · 01/10/2021 13:40

@GrannyWeatherwaxsBroomstick I think that’s a fairly unusual experience these days. I get seasick badly on regular boats but only experienced it once on a cruise during a storm in Caribbean. Recovered after a few hours.

The bay of Biscay is another reason I prefer to fly to BCN.

The ships today are much bigger than they used to be, so they’re more stable.

Ps never call it a boat! They are too big to be called boats.

Popoloco · 01/10/2021 13:44

(That was a general comment - not directed at Granny. I just find it really annoying when people refer to huge liners as boats!!)

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Holidays
Original poster
Pumpkinstace · 01/10/2021 17:06

When you say Southampton attracts a certain type of people can you elaborate on what route of people?

Southampton is the plan.

OP posts:
Original poster
Pumpkinstace · 01/10/2021 17:07

Sorry, typos , you know what I'm saying.

What 'certain groups' does it attract?

OP posts:
awaynboilyurheid · 01/10/2021 17:54

Yes we will only fly to cruise ship as my husband gets sea sick and would hate the bay of biscay! Once on board the bigger ships you don’t feel it at all, agree Barcelona is great quick flight and onboard!
I also like the mix of nationalities that you get on celebrity RCI or Norwegian and hearing different languages spoken.

I have been on P and O and Tui too but I like a more international mix can’t explain it just feels more like I’m on holiday!

awaynboilyurheid · 01/10/2021 17:56

However would happily book these lines again too!

julieca · 01/10/2021 18:09

Southampton attracts people who are disabled and elderly and find flying too difficult. As well as people frightened of flying.

Knittingnanny · 01/10/2021 18:42

What????? I’m not in those catagoroes and we sail from Southampton as it’s easy to get to and still manage to enjoy the cruise!

Knittingnanny · 01/10/2021 18:43

Categories
Actually maybe you do think I’m elderly.... 65
Not a pensioner yet though if that makes a difference

Cruiser11 · 01/10/2021 18:45

julieca have you done the full survey of everyone who travels from Southampton then?

julieca · 01/10/2021 18:46

Sure, I stand on the Southampton dock every day with my clipboard.
Or alternatively, I look at how cruises from Southampton are marketed and who to.

Cruiser11 · 01/10/2021 18:51

juliecaSo so cruises from Barcelona attract Spanish elderly, disabled and scared of flying residents and all the UK people that don’t fall into these groups?
I’ve cruised from Southampton, Dover, Tenerife, Turkey, Corfu, LA, Copenhagen, Majorca and Barcelona and Brazil. Your theory is bonkers.

isitweds9thseptyet · 01/10/2021 18:52

Seen her today!

Had anyone been in a cruise and hated it?
Had anyone been in a cruise and hated it?
Babdoc · 01/10/2021 19:01

OP, you mention that you are autistic. So am I, and I hated the Royal Caribbean cruise I reluctantly went on to please my DD, her friend and the friend’s mum!
As far as I am concerned, the ship is purely a mode of transport.
I thoroughly enjoyed every day off the ship sightseeing (it was a Baltic cruise from Copenhagen to St Petersburg, Stockholm, Tallinn and Helsinki), but the onboard experience was a nightmare for autistics.
Loud pop music echoing 13 decks up the atrium in the centre of the ship, impossible to avoid.
Hideous vulgar decor - bright clashing colours, swirly patterned carpets. A noisy casino, with bleeping flashing slot machines.
Live music in all the bars. And crowds of rather redneck Americans, all enthusiastically making a din. Food that was mainly of the US junk variety- endless pizzas/burgers/cookies/ice cream, with barely a vegetable in sight.
I believe that P and O have a more civilised reputation, and I hope for your sake that is so. At least the cabins are usually luxurious and quiet, if you are having a meltdown and need to escape!

Popoloco · 01/10/2021 20:23

For me the issue with Southampton is a lack of diversity. It’s all Brits and I just prefer an international crowd. Personally I hate being surrounded by brits on holiday. Maybe the Spanish grandma next to me by the pool is having a good old moan or bitch, but I can’t understand what’s she’s saying so it doesn’t bother me Grin

Horses for courses init

Rememberallball · 01/10/2021 20:51

@Blankspace4

I think it was that route / boat which ran in to difficulty a few years back in choppy water….passengers had to be rescued and furniture was flying around everywhere. That would be enough to put me off!
Iona has only been sailing this summer, new fog ship of the P&O fleet. It was another cruise line involved in the bad weather incident you’re remembering
Rememberallball · 01/10/2021 20:51

*new FLAG ship, not fog ship - I blame brain fog due to illness

Popoloco · 02/10/2021 09:53

Decor on Iona is lovely, I was on Britannia and it was like being in a 5 star hotel. But it was v quiet to the point of lacking atmosphere. Whereas Celebrity has live music all over their ships, atmosphere was great.

What bothered me most on P&O was how miserable the staff seemed. I’ve never experienced this before and I wasn’t impressed by the food or service i think because the staff weren’t happy maybe.

I did wonder whether the tightness of the Brits pissed the crew off... the queues to take off tips on this cruise was immense! Never seen anything like it. IF YOU CRUISE, PAY THE BLOODY TIPS!

I felt there was a greater hierarchy among staff on P&O than other lines. White crew members were eating and mixing with passengers, non-white crew weren’t. Felt a bit empire esq especially as most crew were Indian.

Crew have been much more engaging with us (especially as we have children) on other liens. Have had a laugh with them and really got to know them and hear about their families etc. This was not the case on P&O

Edinvillian · 02/10/2021 09:56

My parents were on the Iona last week and they said it was fab, it was their second cruise. One thing they did mention was that you had to prebook certain restaurants on it before you got there which they hadn't been told about.

escapeyou · 02/10/2021 10:16

We love cruising. After our first one I said never again but I soon realised that was due to lack of research. We now as a family said Royal Caribbean and love it. We don’t like the mega ships but go for the smaller and medium ships and work round what ports of call the ship will make. Our last cruise started in Rome and we did places like Portofino and Corsica. Beautiful. We docked in the morning and spent time off the ship came back on and then pool and cocktails then dinner and an outdoor movie.

We don’t do the organised tours and prefer to head off ourselves. Visit local places, stop and have a coffee or something to eat.

I think you really need to research and work out what you want to see and then see what ships suit you and your family.

The only place we wouldn’t do on a cruise again is the Caribbean. We just felt it was all the same but that said there are non cruise places in the Caribbean that we would like to visit.

escapeyou · 02/10/2021 10:30

Reallyimeanreally2022

Re being back on time, you just factor that in. We have walked, taken taxis and organised private tours to meet us off ship before. It’s all about planning but I find cruise critic particularly helpful for that. As is trip advisor for local information.

The only organised tour we’ve ever done was Rome and even with that it was just the ships organised bus to Rome which dropped us off and picked us up. We had the whole day to ourselves.

Portofino, we just wanted to be in the town so that was a tender from ship to the harbour. You do what you can in the times you’ve got.

Our last cruise had one day at sea and then full days in port.

Reallyimeanreally2022 · 02/10/2021 10:35

@escapeyou

Reallyimeanreally2022

Re being back on time, you just factor that in. We have walked, taken taxis and organised private tours to meet us off ship before. It’s all about planning but I find cruise critic particularly helpful for that. As is trip advisor for local information.

The only organised tour we’ve ever done was Rome and even with that it was just the ships organised bus to Rome which dropped us off and picked us up. We had the whole day to ourselves.

Portofino, we just wanted to be in the town so that was a tender from ship to the harbour. You do what you can in the times you’ve got.

Our last cruise had one day at sea and then full days in port.

Ah thanks

But you see the “all about planning” is the deal breaker for me.

I like to know that if the children and I find a fantastic museum / restaurant / walk… we can just do it and no rushing or planning. We finish when we want to. The idea of seeing something really want to do, but can’t because not enough time etc - would be so disappointing!

Thanks for the info but over and out for me

escapeyou · 02/10/2021 10:46

Reallyimeanreally2022. No problem. Time is precious on holiday. You’ve got to do what’s right for your family.

BalloonSlayer · 02/10/2021 10:50

Reading this thread has been really interesting but I am not sure what I have gleaned is correct.

Is it: if you haven't been before, a Norwegian fjord cruise is a good starter one, and P&O is the best operator?

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