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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:

workwoes123 · 02/10/2021 11:15

My parents went on their one and only cruise, to the Baltics with my cruise-mad aunt and uncle. They would never go again! They enjoyed the cultural side, the organised trips that made it easy to sightsee. They hated the 24/7 eating and drinking, they like good food but not gluttony. Plus my aunt and uncle are basically interested in people - they make friends on board, they befriend the staff, they gossip about / with them and like all the company. My parents have never made a friend on holiday, they’ve no interest in knowing about Lydia the waitress’s mums operations 🙄 , they don’t care about finding the best souvenir shops or comparing shopping with random strangers that they happen to be on a boat with. Also, sounds weird but they really didn’t like being waited on all the time - having everything done for them. They are lifelong campers, so pretty self-sufficient - they found having everything done for them to be totally suffocating and intrusive.

Knittingnanny · 02/10/2021 11:22

@workwoes123 and that just shows that everyone is different and enjoys different things doesn’t it? That’s why it’s so tricky to give anyone holiday advice.

escapeyou · 02/10/2021 12:28

@BalloonSlayer

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?

If you’ve done your research and that’s what you come out with then yes, the Fjords and P&O will be right. Personally speaking, I wouldn’t do it as a first cruise.

We prefer to reach a decision based on where we would like to see then look at who sails there on the dates we have. Our next cruise is from Copenhagen with various ports to St Petersburgh. Then in 2023, we are going to Alaska.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Holidays

Popoloco · 02/10/2021 12:58

@BalloonSlayer I would say that even non-cruisers would enjoy a Norwegian fjords cruise yes. It’s best seen by sea (I’ve done both).

However, personally I wouldn’t sail on P&O again. I would choose Princess for the fjords. The crowd and vibe is just not my cup of tea.

EccentricaGalumbits · 02/10/2021 13:36

@workwoes123 did your parents realise that it's not compulsory to eat and drink all day? Have they ever stayed in a big chain hotel and complained that food and drink was available 24/7?

Of course cruising isn't for everyone but that's such a weird set of complaints.

Thecurtainsofdestiny · 02/10/2021 13:40

I don't like them and wouldn't go again. Too many people, felt claustrophobic even though it was big. But I'd rather self cater than go to a hotel - to me a cruise is like a big floating hotel.

The food was very good though.

Kezzie200 · 02/10/2021 13:48

We went to Fjords on Balmoral with Fred Olsen.

The constant food and drink, I don't really get, as you don't have to go. We often missed breakfast if we'd had a large evening meal. We didn't have every course at the evening meal. We didn't drink much (it wasn't included in our fare but charged separately).

Washeduponthebeach · 02/10/2021 13:49

@Kezzie200

We went to Fjords on Balmoral with Fred Olsen.

Did you enjoy it?

awaynboilyurheid · 02/10/2021 14:42

@BalloonSlayer

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?

Think as a first starter cruise I would suggest the Med for a week see if you like it, but thats just my opinion! I like P and O but its cetainly not the best cruise line! Going for the time Celebrity would be my choice. again just an opinion , its a nice line not too overly busy, but depends what you want! if you want full on go Royal caribbean or Norwegian! They are fab too!

Kezzie200 · 02/10/2021 15:12

Yes, it was amazing. Best way to see Norway in my view.

XingMing · 02/10/2021 17:04

I don't think you could pay me enough to go on a cruise, unless it was run by Swan Hellenic (and I don't think they still exist).

XingMing · 02/10/2021 17:12

Actually, I just Googled, and they do still exist.

notawittyname1954 · 02/10/2021 17:48

Went on a short cruise and hated it. The weather in the Bay of Biscay was appalling and all the pools/jacuzzis had to be emptied and we couldn't land at one of our stops. The food was decidedly average. I think we were unlucky. and the entertainment was dreadful. We went at the wrong time of year and had a cabin in the middle towards the front with no windows. It has definitely put me off but I am very willing to accept that we made mistakes in our choices. I do think some locations are probably lovely. I think the fjords would be beautiful.

Kezzie200 · 02/10/2021 19:06

I know many people say do the med first but the med cruising wouldn't be so different from Norway.

The Med is cheap to eat out and you can try so many local cuisines, Norway is ridiculously expensive so it's good to have cruise food.

Norways ports are quite small and easy to visit on foot, and not have to buy the expensive excursions.

The decks are used more for watching the scenery than sunbathing and they draw a different crowd.

But try and get a ship small enough with decking to enjoy the scenery from. Some of the big blocks of flats don't have that.

I have a set of photos online from.our Norway cruise if the OP would like to see them. Please PM me and I can let you know the link.

AnneElliott · 02/10/2021 19:10

We've done p&o (not Norway though) and we love it. You can find quiet spots on deck and in the not so popular bars. How long is it? Maybe start with 5 days or so and see how yuu get on.

Cruiser11 · 02/10/2021 19:36

I don’t think there’s any ideal first cruise it just depends what your interests are. My first cruise was from LA and I cruised alone the Pacific side of Mexico it was fab. My second was a classic Med cruise and it was amazing, we went on a Disney ship and did day trips to Pompeii, Rome, coliseum, Vatican museum, Sistine Chapel, Leaning Tower of Pisa, Barcelona and south of France. It was an incredible holiday but we did spend a lot of money on excursions. My whole family loved it.
Norway was great too but in a different way, the weather wasn’t as good and we had more days at sea that the Med cruise. I wouldn’t fancy doing it on a very small ship as I like lots to do onboard.

LoveFall · 03/10/2021 18:09

The whole thing about constant food and drink baffles me. No one forces you to eat or drink. There is tons of choice. I tend to actually lose weight as I am so active. As for vegetables and fruit, there is a buffet with endless varieties. The alcoholic drinks are not included so there isn't a great temptation.

If you eat dinner in a dining room, just ask and they will bring you a dish of steamed vegetables. There is always fresh fruit for desert.

There are always some people who overdo it. I think the objection is that some people are turned off by seeing overweight people eating. Seriously.

Just don't worry about what they are doing.

We like the choice. A quiet tuna sandwich and soup in the bistro type cafe is our favourite lunch. I miss it since the pandemic. And I often sit in the same cafe at a window table drawing and colouring for ages.p, with the sea out the window.

jpbee · 07/10/2021 15:26

@Porridgealert
Sorry for the late reply, I didn't get notified for some reason. Ah ok, I wasn't sure how far the bigger ships could go! I noticed they go to the Antarctic but I only did the Norway one. I also really like the name, it does sound very fitting! We loved the vibe on the ship, I went with my Mum and we usually are quite dressy on holiday and enjoyed this element on the traditional cruises we have been on, but we did quite like the laid-back approach on Hurtigruten! We also had some interesting conversations with people on-board who were quite often keen phorographers, northern lights chasers etc.

jpbee · 07/10/2021 15:31

@CoronaPeroni We weren't keen on the lack of balcony either, it was a weird feeling not having one because we opted for a balcony on the big cruises we have been on. But in the end we didn't mind too much, the temps were quite often under -10 Celsius and we spent a lot of time on the open-air top deck looking out and also the observation lounge at the front of the ship. On the boat we got there was a hot tub on the top deck in the open-air which was fun.

Puzzledandpissedoff · 07/10/2021 15:44

Surely they are cramped, noisy and full of people ...

Not on the kind of size ship you're planning, especially as most are sailing with limited occupancy right now. Granted the buffet and sun decks can get busy, but even with these there are quieter areas to look out for

Best to pick a big ship if you're worried about motion too. I've come back just today from 7 nights on Regal Princess around the Bay of Biscay ... 13ft waves at one point and you honestly wouldn't have known

You certainly won't go short of food - there's a reason they say you board as a passenger and leave as freight - and the only real danger is getting as addicted as the rest of us

Enjoy

Original poster

Pumpkinstace · 13/11/2021 12:33

UPDATE - I've booked to go on P&O's Iona to the Fjords in June 2023.

Only 82 weeks to go!

OP posts:

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