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 felt sick most times we did the North Sea from Southampton round to Stockholm or Norway. Passes after a day and now I just take tablets and plan a quiet day in cabin with ginger biscuits.

Thank you @lightisnotwhite that's very helpful!

If someone offered to pay for me to go on a cruise for free, or I won one in a competition or something, I'd certainly go and be grateful. But I can't imagine ever actively choosing a cruise over another holiday. Absolutely nothing against cruises and I can see why they would be perfect for some people, but just wouldn't be my ideal way of taking a holiday.

For me, the good elements would be being surrounded by the sea and stopping off at lots of locations. And I guess the convenience of just having all the facilities in one place and the all-inclusive type element would make everything feel pretty relaxing and hassle-free? I've never been all-inclusive so I'm not sure but that's what I'd assume.

But then I would really hate only having a limited time at each stop-off and having to back on the boat for a certain time. I probably wouldn't be at all into the entertainment either - I know it's all ultra professional and they put on proper full cast musicals and everything, but I'm usually really keen on that type of thing - and I'm also not really keen on sunbathing or lying by a pool for long periods, or doing organised group activities, so I think I would be bored. I like being able to explore places, being able to choose from loads and loads of different restaurants and cafes, wandering off the beaten track, not having to keep to a timetable etc. Basically I'd just want a lot more freedom than a cruise provides.

I also don't like the idea of being on the ship with the same people all the time and not being able to avoid them if they wanted to make conversation.

@XelaM

The ships are far more stable than ferries so I don't get seasick. We had 6m seas and it barely moved when I crossed the Atlantic (Queen Mary 2 is a liner rather than cruise ship so is shaped differently hence stability) whereas I felt terrible in similar seas going to Shetland on the ferry!

Felt Carrot at 56 you'd probably be among the younger set on "Fred", but that doesn't mean you wouldn't enjoy it; you might want to check out lots of reviews before you book though

If someone offered to pay for me to go on a cruise for free, or I won one in a competition or something, I'd certainly go and be grateful

Somebody did for me; I "won" one on Holland America's Ryndam through a cruise forum, on condition of doing a daily blog and photos.
Trouble is they probably wished they hadn't; it was a ghastly ship, 20 plus years old and showing every second of it, complete with constantly reheated food, curly sandwiches and god knows what else - a horrible experience I certainly wouldn't repeat even if they paid me

Fred Olsen seems to be the only one to sail to Norway from Newcastle in March, maybe it’ll be too cold for the oldies! 🤞🏻

It wouldnt be too cold for me

Fred are also one of only about 3/4 cruise lines that allow smoking on your balcony (and vaping in the actual cabin)

If you aren't a smoker you might want to avoid that, if you are you might prefer it.

That’s Fred out for me then. Most other lines don’t allow it for fire safety reasons. As well as it being antisocial if your neighbours are using their balconies.

You can leave the hotel when you want. Plus I never stay in them anyway.Other holidays exist than all inclusives.
I want more than a day at a time to explore places and I don't enjoy being at sea. But according to the cruisers that's not allowed 🙄

I love cruises. Try a short one first to see if you like it and research different cruise lines. Personally I like Holland America and Norwegian. I don’t find them crowded at all. No more than a resort or large hotel anyway.

I also don't like the idea of being on the ship with the same people all the time and not being able to avoid them if they wanted to make conversation.

But as has been said before, you're not stuck with anyone and can avoid whoever you like. You have your own table for dinner and move freely at all other times. I never speak to anyone on cruises (just the odd hello) and would never even see the people in the adjacent cabins, as we're all doing our own thing at different times. There's no forced socialisation.

Anyway, I'm off tomorrow on my cruise to Norway and it'll be fabulous... but probably raining, alas!

Who are you sailing with @TheFreaksShallInheritTheEarth would love to hear about your trip!

Many an evening DH and I have had the promenade deck to ourselves as we watch the sunset and listen to the sea.

Have a lovely time @TheFreaksShallInheritTheEarth .

@Blossomtoes I hear you about the evangelical cruisers! One of my family members won’t stop bloody talking about all her wonderful trips and why I MUST go on a cruise. I’m tempted to go on one with her just to push her over the side of the ship

@FeltCarrot and @KimberleyClark

Thank you! It's MSC we're going with, on the Virtuoso from Southampton, sailing tomorrow. Stopping at Stavanger and then 3 other, smaller fjordy places whose names elude me for now, but they look beautiful in the pics!

We've only been on MSC and P&O cruises so far, and much preferred MSC... the buffet is amazing!

I've no doubt there are evangelical cruisers but there are also evangelical campers and skiers. I've never told anyone they must go on a cruise. I just get fed up with people who've never been on one talking shite about them.

And yes @KimberleyClark its always possible to find a big empty deck in the evening... even on a ship of 3000+ passengers. An evening walk around all the deck areas after dinner is one of my favourite activities 😊

So you said when you tore me off a strip for saying the same thing. Can we all call it quits now?

@TheFreaksShallInheritTheEarth

Have an amazing time. I was on Virtuosia a few weeks ago and it was much better than the reviews. I’d love to go back on. I had to buy Grapefruit and cranberry juice when I got back so I could recreate drinking Seabreeze zeros all day long.

our first cruises were P & O but we wouldn’t go with them again - bit too family oriented for as as a childless/free couple. We go with Azamara these days. Smaller ships (700-800 passengers), smaller, more varied and interesting ports of call, drinks and tips included. You can buy a premium drinks package but we never bother.

Love a cruise alcohol always feels much stronger! You’ll be on the floor after 3 Pina coladas lol safe travels xx

@lightisnotwhite did you make use of the robot barman? 😀 🤖🍹

Did it for a work thing - very relaxing, and we
were only fully ‘at sea’ 2 days out of 10. The rest was in various ports. Lots to do on board, running tracks, gyms, pools, casino, ice rink, etc great kids clubs if you have kids.
BUT it would have been SO expensive if we’d paid for ourselves, and I would not spend that much money on a cruise, I would rather go travelling or similar and see places for more than a few hours at a time.
also - cruises are full of older people, with the occasionally honey Mooners
thrown in. I kept being taken for crew because I was under 30… both on the ship and in port ( despite not wearing a uniform!) which tells you all you need to know about the usual age of cruisers. Not the liveliest of atmospheres…

You say this

Lots to do on board, running tracks, gyms, pools, casino, ice rink, etc great kids clubs if you have kids.

But then you say this

also - cruises are full of older people, with the occasionally honey Mooners
thrown in. I kept being taken for crew because I was under 30… both on the ship and in port ( despite not wearing a uniform!) which tells you all you need to know about the usual age of cruisers. Not the liveliest of atmospheres…

Both can't be true? Unless to you old is over 30?