To cruise or not to cruise

[Summerslam]

Would you? Assuming you had the money and could afford it, does the idea of floating around the Mediterranean or Caribbean, for a week or two, appeal?

I've heard so many differing opinions. Personally, I think I'd like it. Just me and DH, on an adults only cruise.

What do you you think? Relaxing holiday visiting different places with no effort? Or akin to a sojourn on a prison ship, trapped with passengers you can't escape from?

I love it. Adults only for us too. You’ll get a lot of people on here who have never been on a cruise telling you how awful cruises are though.

Search for a thread done easier this year
Called aibu unreasonable to be jealous of friend whose gone on cruise.
Loads of replies

Personally I absolutely loved it! Went round the Caribbean for 2 weeks and got off at every port and did my own thing. Gives you the chance to explore so many different places without having to pay for extra transport/accommodation costs.

My partner and I adore cruises and set sail on one in just over 2 weeks. It will be our 27th!

Cruises vary massively, however - some are geared to noisy activity, others (and frankly you pay more for these) are itinerary-rich, with great onboard enrichment talks, etc, fantastic food and accommodation. Obviously, the more you pay, the more you get but cruises generally are amazing value for money.

Celebrity, Azamara, Oceania are the lines we've experienced with good quality all-round products. If you want a bit more exclusivity, pay more for Regent Seven Seas, Silversea, Seabourn. An excellent high-end product is offered by Viking, with whom we did a 12 night Alaska cruise in 2019. We took a pair of friends who'd never cruised before (but have done a lot of high-end holidays such as Galapagos) with us and they were knocked out by it.

We wouldn't go with some lines because the style of cruise they offer is not for us. feel free to ask me (or DM if you like) any questions.

Next March we're doing an expedition voyage to Antarctica with Hurtigruten!

Yes! And "Ooh, I wouldn't want to be trapped with all those people". Most of the time on board ship we go around saying "Where IS everyone else?"

We like Azamara. They do country intensive cruises as well as multi country ones and they are great.

Never again! Room was fine! But below the rooms felt like being in an air conditioned jail! And it was mobbed! No chance of escape either! But each to their own…

I don't think I'd like it personally, but I am one of those infuriating people who have never been on one either!

I think it depends on your personality and what you like to do on a trip. I like to be independent and not HAVE to mingle with others in a closed environment, like AI or sunbed holidays, organised trips and the like.

I am sure many people adore them though. I think some like me would be a bit claustrophobic about being in the same place (ship) every day and seeing more or less the same people every day also. But each to their own.

I am sure many people adore them though. I think some like me would be a bit claustrophobic about being in the same place (ship) every day and seeing more or less the same people every day also.

How is that really different from being in a hotel though?

We love cruising. Sadly have none lined up though as you have be to be fully vaccinated from this I've been looking at

Never been on one but I don't think it's for me.

Oh do it, do it, do it! Best holiday ever!

No thanks, went on one, never again do I want to share my holiday with 1000+ people, and I got norovirus!

Meal times were an eye opener, people piling plates up high, each meal.

My top tip is to book a balcony cabin, on a massive ship, away from any entertainment venues (back or front of the ship with cabins above and below). That way you have loads of activities if you want them but the peaceful sanctuary of your balcony to sit and look out to sea with a cocktail or cuppa. Bliss!

The huge ships I find fascinating in themselves , the size, the logistics, all the technicalities like weaving your way through narrow inlets like the Norwegian fjords and docking in a tight spot. I even find the carpets and furnishings fascinating!

Also, go from Southampton or another UK port as you can take as much luggage as you like.

Even without a balcony the big ships always have quiet corners especially on deck.

I absolutely love cruising, it is an unbeatable combination. When I'm on one I can't stop grinning from ear to ear and even crying with happiness sometimes!

A specialist cruise agent can talk you through the different cruise lines and options.

Well, I usually stay in AirBnb or the like, but have stayed in hotels also!

The difference is that in an hotel you are not obliged to follow an itinerary and can leave and wander whenever you feel like it. For that reason I think I'd feel trapped on a ship somehow!

And seasickness? That would worry me too I'm afraid.

@Chohlin654 some lines e.g Princess are now dropping the requirement to be vaccinated.

In my 50s and have done some small boat cruises for a few days, max a week, but never a proper cruise ship. Twenty years ago, the idea had no appeal whatsoever. I am finally starting to think I would be interested to try and we might next year, but we will start with a short 3 or 4 day trip to see what it is like onboard.

My top tip is to book a balcony cabin, on a massive ship, away from any entertainment venues (back or front of the ship with cabins above and below). That way you have loads of activities if you want them but the peaceful sanctuary of your balcony to sit and look out to sea with a cocktail or cuppa. Bliss!

I would also recommend a balcony cabin but on a smaller ship, rather than a huge “resort” ship. I agree about ships being fascinating though and arriving somewhere by sea is much more interesting than dropping into a faceless airport.

We’re considering doing one of the short Virgin cruises from Barcelona to see if we like it before committing to a longer trip. I love the sea so imagine I’ll love it but DP isn’t so keen!

Meant add smaller ships can get into smaller ports.

I love cruises. It’s like having a hotel that visits a different place every day or two, no packing and repacking all the time and lots of variety. Even on the big ships there are lots of quiet spots if that’s what you’re looking for, no one is forcing anyone to be sociable.

Love it! Unpack once, travel overnight and see a new place every day!

My tip would be to research cruise companies thoroughly, to make sure you're going on the right one for you. I personally would hate anything where drinks were all inclusive and people piled their plates high in the buffet!

I'd absolutely hate to be stuck on a ship. Even one of those cruises where you get off for a day trip.
They are incredible polluters too, and most of the support staff (cleaners, cooks etc) get paid virtually nothing. No thank you.

@tonicwaters whilst the ports are decided for you there are no other obligations on big cruise ships. There's usually a buffet open early until late with 24 hour food available somewhere.

Ironically the big ships are quite anonymous given that there might be 3000 + passengers. You can chat to someone on day 1 then never see them again for 2 weeks. Or as happened to me once I met a colleague on the last day.

OP I work in the cruise industry and honestly think there is a great cruise for everyone. I've worked for a mainstream line and now work for a very niche small ship operator and they are vastly different - people who like one wouldn't like the other!

The line is currently work for has long stays overnight in ports, no queues, few people and visits amazing destinations. Other lines have 6k passengers and are a floating city - it varies massively!

Find a great independent cruise specialist agent who knows the market and they'll be able to guide you.