Would we like a cruise???

[Givenup2026]

I’m currently in bed with a never ending flu/cold while my husband is skiing in Switzerland… Anyway! We’ve been thinking of going on a cruise but we’re unsure for different reasons (my husband thinks it might make him feel a bit claustrophobic) whereas I don’t like tributes bands nor musicals…. So we think we might end up getting bored or with cabin fever.

We also have a 6yo, so it has to be kid friendly.

So given that’s the case, do you think we’d enjoy it? And any you would recommend?
Ty!

I guess the AIBU is pondering going when we’re both hesitating.

I love cruises, but not the mega office block ships with several thousand passengers. Smaller ships (6-700 passengers) that can visit smaller more out of the way places. We are no longer interested in formal evenings either, it’s smart casual all the way on the line we go on. Though nothing stopping you dressing up if you feel like it.

We went on a P and O cruise with DC 4, not something I ever thought I’d do but after a few holidays spent cooking loads and driving around we fancied the idea of not having to do much. There were elements I didn’t like, like the buffet (although DH loved that), and the free dining was too much waiting, but a couple of the pay extra restaurants aren’t that expensive, so we ate in those for dinner. We had a great time though, we got a balcony cabin, I wouldn’t have enjoyed it otherwise to be honest as we hung out there quite a bit. The feeling of space was great as well as just sitting watching the ocean, was so tranquil. Kid’s club was great, we used it two afternoons when we were at sea and one evening. We loved just arriving at a different place everyday and would spend the whole day out at a beach or park and walking around and nice lunch with wine. Personally I wouldn’t want to do one where you’re at sea more than a couple of days. But we’d definitely do it again!

I’m so pleased Venice doesn’t allow them any longer

Actually cruise ships do still depart from Venice, @Muffinme, though it's true they're now hiving off more to alternatives like Triste and Marghera

In particular MSC and Costa still use it - favourites with Italians, surprise, surprise!! - but the key point is that larger ones are no longer allowed to sail through the Giudecca

We sailed straight up the Giudecca - amazing. That was on a smaller ship in 2014.

There's a massive cruise terminal in Venice.

Yes I meant the large ones, when I think cruise ship I always think of the huge ugly floating high rise hotel kind. As you can tell, I’m not a fan

We go every year not via a cruise, I meant the large ships.

We did a cruise from Venice to Istanbul, via Slovenia, Croatia and Greek Islands, last summer, departed from Fusina cruise terminal . In previous years have departed from Ravenna, which is about 2.5 hours away from Venice.

It would be preferable that you just continue to ban yourself from cruises. We don't want moaning minnies there.

We started cruising when our two were 1 and 2 and they are 31 and 32 now, having done many over the years. P&O had fantastic kids clubs and our two spent many hours enjoying the facilities. It was safe, 24 hour food and lots of different entertainment options. Nowadays the two of us choose smaller adult only ships which tend to visit interesting ports. We've done river cruises too, and they're brilliant, often stopping right in small towns that can be easily walked to.

Be prepared for whole days at sea. Typically on a one week cruise, 2 days will be sea days. Marella (Tui) cruises generally have only one sea day per week. We enjoyed Marella cruises and I think they are all inclusive now and no tipping. Inevitably, much but not all of the evening entertainment centres around music. We skipped a lot of the shows. Children are well catered for but be prepared if your 6 year old is anything like ours - they wouldn’t stay in any children’s clubs on any of our holidays

My favourite days are sea days. Leisurely breakfast or lunch. Cocktails. A lecture or two. Quiet corner to read a book & just chill. Or a massage. Bliss.

Ohhh love a Sea Day
And the Formal Nights are on Sea Days .
Having a lazy day , read a book (or MN)

DH saying "I'm going to do a few laps of the ship , I'll get you some coffee before I go "

Best days.

Yes I love sea day. We also normally have one port day when we either stay on ship or just get off for an hour and it’s lovely on ship those days as everywhere is so quiet so you can sit with your coffee and enjoy your book while doing a bit of people watching.

@ItWasnaMeGuv dont worry you’ll never encounter me on a cruise ship. Just out of interest though, do the ships ever make any accommodations for sustainability? Do they tell you what happens to all your sewage or how much energy they consume or whether they keep their engines running in port?

Oh, please go. You will have the time of your life, and meet so many lovely people. We have been on dozens. One bit of advise don't go on an American line, or TUI

Why not TUI? We've been on several, including their river cruises. No complaints.

Yes. Sustainability is important nowadays and improvements are being put into practice all the time. Google a cruise line and its latest eco practices.

Some passengers have tattoos?

Not TUI as they think all their passengers are teenagers, or deaf. Everything was fall blast, even the music out on deck. It was horrendous. Just wouldn't want anyone else's holiday ruined like ours was

Thank you I had a look. Here is the Friends of the Earth report from 2024 - it doesn’t make great reading tbh. However, at least many of the lines scored an A for transparency.

One bit of advise don't go on an American line, or TUI

Nothing wrong with American lines - they are very popular, and I think they provide a great product. Some of them, such as Silversea, are very high end. It's where they sail from that makes the difference, in my opinion. We did a cruise out of New York, that was, of course, full of New Yorkers. Nothing wrong with that, except that they were very loud, and a bit abrupt.

Sailed out of Barcelona on the same ship, and it had a great mix of Spanish, Italians, Germans, British (including a large Scottish contingent), Japanese, Americans and Canadians. It made for a very interesting holiday. And I'd definitely prefer that to a ship full of Brits!

Why, what’s wrong with Celebrity, Viking, Disney, Holland America and so on?

Apparently a tour of the waste management is quite a popular activity. Ships can no longer just dump at sea. Biofuels are increasingly being used.

Just come back off my first one , was the same as you worried that I would feel claustrophobic and never tried one for that reason.
can honestly say I loved it, wished it was longer and am already trying to book another
I used celebrity
They served you at the buffet so no issue with contamination. They were also really hot on using hand gels etc.
Try a taster one you can do 3/4/5/6 days that’s what we did
The entertainment on board is fantastic we had a world famous magician and various shows you would happily pay money to see. Definitely not butlins level

I think they are all hideous. Yes I’ve never been on one but living in Sydney I get to see most of the cruise companies ships, experience their clientele and hear about the experience (and almost live it most of the time as they pull away with the evening ‘entertainment’ happening that I can see and hear directly from my flat and office). As such you couldn’t pay me to go on one.

Nevertheless horses for courses. I understand there’s people who enjoy Mrs Browns’ Boys. The thing that really sealed it for me though is the Gestapo like rules they expect you to live by and unending ways of making money. None of your own drink allowed on board. No drinks package? That’s a million for this crap cocktail. 20% tips taken off you as soon as you step on board. Food packages that cost a bomb beyond the brown food cafeteria style shared tables. No kids in certain places (good but the rules seem arbitrary) no unaccompanied under 18s anywhere. Endless fucking announcements like Hi-Di-Hi. Loads of rules that mean you can’t enjoy your first and last day to the full. Hardly any time in ports. Most activities you’d want to do being paid for extras.

That and the weird cliques. Families with matching t shirts ‘The Turners on Tour’. Really bloody awful rooms. MLM style ‘talks’ selling products. Vast ugly monstrosities blighting some of Australia and New Zealand’s most beautiful and unspoilt places.

Clientele seem to be either shrieking hen dos, massive gobshite extended families or geriatrics. Couples with small kids often look completely harrowed at the experience. Like they’ve been desperate to get off the ship but now have 4 hours to ‘experience’ a city but can’t go far due to said small kids and the terror of missing departure.

Yes I’m talking the big glitzy Royal Caribbean, Disney and Celebrity types that look like my worst nightmare. Realise ones like Viking and Norwegian look pretty nice and low key.

Agree with PP that I was hoping they would all go under during Covid. Sadly they continue.