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Original poster

Tell me about cruising

28 replies

Violaviolin · 12/03/2023 10:19

I'm considering a cruise next year for the first time but I know nothing about cruising and have never been on one.
I'd be travelling solo. Are cruises suitable for singletons?
I have no idea where to start or even if I want ocean cruising or river cruising.

Advice welcome. These are the things I'm looking for:

  • About a £2k budget from North UK. About a week. *I'm 41 so don't want anything too young or too old in other guests. I think I'd prefer child free but this wouldn't be a deal breaker.
  • Not too formal/ not formal dress unless it's for an occasional night. Some informal dining is a must as I hate pretentious food.
  • I think I'd prefer a large boat with things to do e.g. pool, cinema, entertainment, choices of a few different restaurants.
  • Not overly bothered by locations but would like a couple of day trips off boat if possible.
  • Friendly staff.
  • Not bothered if room is small - it's the experience of the overall boat I'm more interested in. I would love a balcony/ sea view though.

Any suggestions welcome.

How does food work? Bookings/paying etc.
How do day trips off shop work?
Anything else a newbie would be clueless about?

Thank you.

OP posts:
Original poster
Violaviolin · 12/03/2023 14:01

Nobody? 🥺

OP posts:
EarlofShrewsbury · 12/03/2023 14:09

I've booked my first ever cruise this year, I'm off to Norway in June. I'm going for my 40th.

I wanted the same sort of thing as you. I picked Norway because of the amazing scenery, I didn't want to get stuck looking at sea and docks if I didn't like cruising.

I researched the ships, I picked one of the newer P&O ships (Iona). They seem to cater to the 40s demographic quite well, completely freedom dining so not sharing tables unless I ask to and no set dining times. They also have a more relaxed dress code on the newer ships. I avoided Royal Carribean as they are very much geared towards families, my ship is family friendly but I've heard its only got a high number of children during school holidays.

P&O also have single balcony cabins and zero single supplement on some sailings.

I'm quite excited.

EarlofShrewsbury · 12/03/2023 14:12

I didn't really look at other cruise lines apart from the two I mentioned.

I picked where I wanted to go first and those were the only 2 that were doing the itinerary I wanted that were in my price range.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Holidays
FeltCarrot · 12/03/2023 14:15

Fred Olsen do Norwegian cruises from Newcastle. We spent too long thinking about a Northern Lights cruise that all the reasonably priced cabins had been sold so we are leaving it until next year.

GentlemanJay · 12/03/2023 14:23

I've always wanted to go on a cruise. I've waited 55 years. I went on two in four months. Both with P&O. Terrific value. Both Europe. You can get an inside cabin for less than 650£ each in flights if you go at certain times. You will pay more as a single. They have meeting times for singles to get together and explore ports. I'm hooked.

GentlemanJay · 12/03/2023 14:27

I went with my 19 year old daughter. She loved it as both times made friends. Was out till 6am on many nights.

She wanted a table for two at meal times. I insisted on a mixed table. We met lovely people who we did the odd quiz with and said hello to round the pool that passed time. Two formal night in 7 nights. If you don't want to get dressed up just eat in the Buffett those nights. Anything else message me.

QueenMabs · 12/03/2023 14:28

I'm 42 and no children and have been on Royal Caribbean, p&0, NCL, princess , MSC in yacht club and marella. I've done 8 cruises so far and 9 and 10 booked for this year m.

I'd not go in marella again but would do all the others. I'd also try celebrity Depends on itinerary, price and drinks packages and so on. All biggish ships with pe the to do. Mostly adults groups with a few family groups.

There are pros and cons of all cruises and ships.

I'd go for a ship built in the last few years, say since 2015.

Som benefits:
P & 0 go from Southampton
Princess and NCL have good value packages
Princess and celebrity are premium luxury
Rci and NCL are resort cruises
PO have a distinctive British slant.
MSC is very European and busy but we did yacht club twice which is divine and if you get a good deal with it
PO do single rooms on their bigger newer ships Britannia, Iona and arvia
Princess is a bit stuffier and older clientele but I loved the food and service and ship.

NCL was great for me the service was exquisite, lots of adults and a fun vibe a beautiful ship and spa which we had a access to ans fabulous itinerary.

All Food is included in but you can pay for specialty dining. Food varies on cruises. I liked princess food the best. NCL buffet was amazing. Marella was truly dismal. Drinks are extras unless you buy a package or it's all inclusive like yacht club and marella m.

Beware British based you tube reviews because they are not impartial. They are paid or paid in kind to give reviews.

Cruise nation do good packages cruise kings offer a better service. If you get a few ideas I can explain a few.

TomAllenWife · 12/03/2023 15:29

The virgin cruises are adults only and fabulous

I would do it again in a heartbeat

Original poster
Violaviolin · 12/03/2023 16:37

EarlofShrewsbury · 12/03/2023 14:09

I've booked my first ever cruise this year, I'm off to Norway in June. I'm going for my 40th.

I wanted the same sort of thing as you. I picked Norway because of the amazing scenery, I didn't want to get stuck looking at sea and docks if I didn't like cruising.

I researched the ships, I picked one of the newer P&O ships (Iona). They seem to cater to the 40s demographic quite well, completely freedom dining so not sharing tables unless I ask to and no set dining times. They also have a more relaxed dress code on the newer ships. I avoided Royal Carribean as they are very much geared towards families, my ship is family friendly but I've heard its only got a high number of children during school holidays.

P&O also have single balcony cabins and zero single supplement on some sailings.

I'm quite excited.

Sounds amazing! Thank you.

OP posts:
Original poster
Violaviolin · 12/03/2023 16:37

TomAllenWife · 12/03/2023 15:29

The virgin cruises are adults only and fabulous

I would do it again in a heartbeat

Thanks.

OP posts:
Original poster
Violaviolin · 12/03/2023 16:40

QueenMabs · 12/03/2023 14:28

I'm 42 and no children and have been on Royal Caribbean, p&0, NCL, princess , MSC in yacht club and marella. I've done 8 cruises so far and 9 and 10 booked for this year m.

I'd not go in marella again but would do all the others. I'd also try celebrity Depends on itinerary, price and drinks packages and so on. All biggish ships with pe the to do. Mostly adults groups with a few family groups.

There are pros and cons of all cruises and ships.

I'd go for a ship built in the last few years, say since 2015.

Som benefits:
P & 0 go from Southampton
Princess and NCL have good value packages
Princess and celebrity are premium luxury
Rci and NCL are resort cruises
PO have a distinctive British slant.
MSC is very European and busy but we did yacht club twice which is divine and if you get a good deal with it
PO do single rooms on their bigger newer ships Britannia, Iona and arvia
Princess is a bit stuffier and older clientele but I loved the food and service and ship.

NCL was great for me the service was exquisite, lots of adults and a fun vibe a beautiful ship and spa which we had a access to ans fabulous itinerary.

All Food is included in but you can pay for specialty dining. Food varies on cruises. I liked princess food the best. NCL buffet was amazing. Marella was truly dismal. Drinks are extras unless you buy a package or it's all inclusive like yacht club and marella m.

Beware British based you tube reviews because they are not impartial. They are paid or paid in kind to give reviews.

Cruise nation do good packages cruise kings offer a better service. If you get a few ideas I can explain a few.

So helpful. Thank you.

OP posts:
Arapawa · 12/03/2023 16:40

Oh jeepers, I thought this was about "cruising" rather than cruising.

Original poster
Violaviolin · 12/03/2023 16:41

GentlemanJay · 12/03/2023 14:27

I went with my 19 year old daughter. She loved it as both times made friends. Was out till 6am on many nights.

She wanted a table for two at meal times. I insisted on a mixed table. We met lovely people who we did the odd quiz with and said hello to round the pool that passed time. Two formal night in 7 nights. If you don't want to get dressed up just eat in the Buffett those nights. Anything else message me.

Sounds fab! Thank you.

OP posts:
Original poster
Violaviolin · 12/03/2023 16:41

Thank you all. Really helpful and lots to think about.

OP posts:
Original poster
Violaviolin · 12/03/2023 16:42

Arapawa · 12/03/2023 16:40

Oh jeepers, I thought this was about "cruising" rather than cruising.

Eh? What is "cruising"?

OP posts:
TomAllenWife · 12/03/2023 16:43

Arapawa · 12/03/2023 16:40

Oh jeepers, I thought this was about "cruising" rather than cruising.

Course you did 🙄

ImAGoodPerson · 12/03/2023 16:43

I would highly recommend P&O, they definitely cater for 40-somethings but I would say go for one of their family ships as I find the adult only ones tend to have a much older cohort of passengers. We love Ventura and Brittania. The dress code is a lot more relaxed now and the food in the main dining restaurants is not pretentious at all. Drinks really reasonably priced. Normal pub prices.

We also have been on RCI, Anthem of the Seas. Definitely good for people in their 40s. Less formal than P&O. There were things we liked more and things that weren't as good as P&O but overall we really liked it. Drinks very expensive but the drinks packages are worthwhile if there is a sale on for them.

QueenMabs · 12/03/2023 18:13

@ImAGoodPerson I've been on anthem when it was east coast USA and loved the undercover solarium thing at the back with the jacuzzis and the giant swing!

It's great if you want to do cooler weather cruising.

Howmanycats · 12/03/2023 18:44

I am not a fan of forced fun, large numbers of people…actually people in general! We went on our first cruise a few years ago round the med and it was fantastic. We avoided the sail away parties, crowded bits and ‘fun’ and instead went to the specialty restaurants and a lovely jazz type bar near the bridge. Sometimes we just wouldn’t see more than a handful of people. I’d recommend it in a heartbeat!

RicciardoPerez · 12/03/2023 18:44

EarlofShrewsbury · 12/03/2023 14:09

I've booked my first ever cruise this year, I'm off to Norway in June. I'm going for my 40th.

I wanted the same sort of thing as you. I picked Norway because of the amazing scenery, I didn't want to get stuck looking at sea and docks if I didn't like cruising.

I researched the ships, I picked one of the newer P&O ships (Iona). They seem to cater to the 40s demographic quite well, completely freedom dining so not sharing tables unless I ask to and no set dining times. They also have a more relaxed dress code on the newer ships. I avoided Royal Carribean as they are very much geared towards families, my ship is family friendly but I've heard its only got a high number of children during school holidays.

P&O also have single balcony cabins and zero single supplement on some sailings.

I'm quite excited.

Fellow June cruiser on Iona!!

Loraloralaughs · 12/03/2023 18:59

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

ImAGoodPerson · 12/03/2023 19:49

QueenMabs · 12/03/2023 18:13

@ImAGoodPerson I've been on anthem when it was east coast USA and loved the undercover solarium thing at the back with the jacuzzis and the giant swing!

It's great if you want to do cooler weather cruising.

There are some really nice touches on Anthem. The proper indoor pool for families then like you say the solarium which is for over 16s I believe.

Wilma55 · 12/03/2023 19:54

Have a look on cruisecritic.co.uk

ginislife · 12/03/2023 23:38

Iona is lovely. I went to Norway on her last September. There's a great FB group for solo cruisers that arranges meet ups and publishes offers etc. Solo cruise forum by passion for cruises

Saschka · 12/03/2023 23:42

TomAllenWife · 12/03/2023 16:43

Course you did 🙄

Show quote history

I opened the thread to see which way OP would fall. The sex threads seem to be pinned in recent activity, so they appear a lot on the front page.