Advice for cruises please!

[Cruisinonby]

Has anyone been on a cruise? Are there adults only cruises? I’d like there to be some activities but I don’t want to have to do activities. Any recommendations or advice would be appreciated because I’ve always wanted to go on one but just in a passing fancy sort of way so I’ve never really looked into it properly and I’d love some insight before I start researching properly!

I’ve been on both P&O cruises Arcadia and Aurora and I’d recommend both. Aurora is quite small but a lovely ship, Arcadia is larger so probably more chances for a variety of activities, you don’t have to do any of course. I’m more of just a swim and read kind of person. The food seems to be nicer than the larger PO ships, not as much variety just because there is t as much speciality restaurants but the quality seems better. Also as they’re both older, they have a better passenger to space ratio.

Azamara are a great adults only cruise line. Their ships are small and informal, around 600-800 passengers, no formal dressing up just smart casual all the way.

I’ve not been but Virgin Voyages are adult only and we’re considering them for a future holiday.

There is a useful website called cruise critic which gives great tips 🙂

I second cruise critic, great site. My friends recommend Royal Caribbean, they travel during term time so naturally fewer kids on board.

Meant to add that Azamara are all inclusive including drinks. You can buy a drinks package that gives you a wider choice of premium brands but we never bother.

We just went on our first cruise with Virgin Voyages and I cannot recommend it enough! Absolutely amazing, child free, the food and drink is wonderful and there are lots of options for entertainment and activities to be as involved or as little as you like. We will be going back next year!

I’ve just got back from Virgin Voyages, week round the med. They beat the others by a country mile and are brilliant for solo travellers, there are loads on board. (I’m a travel agent and specialise in cruise.) There are solo meet-ups onboard as well if you want. Each cruise departure has a Facebook group you can join beforehand and get to know people before you board.

Food is out of this world. Different speciality restaurants but no main dining room or buffet. You’ll never have to share a table. Loads of stuff to do but likewise loads of areas onboard just to chill and no one will bother you. Don’t go on an MSC or Royal Caribbean thinking there won’t be kids onboard as it’s not the holidays, there absolutely will be. I can’t recommend VV enough and will be doing the Greek cruise next year.

Thank you everyone! This is really helpful, I will definitely look at the cruise critic website as well. I think because there are so many options it’s just a bit daunting (for me anyway 😂) like what company, where, for how long, what type of room etc and then I end up just daydreaming and not booking it and going on a ‘regular’ holiday instead!