First time on a cruise - any tips?

[Housemum]

DH has always wanted to go on a cruise and we have booked a March Mediterranean cruise for his big birthday next year, going with P & O. Any hints and tips from experienced cruisers? Just me and him, kids are home with the grandparents. I’m not a huge fan of boats, any advice re travel sickness prevention? And how posh does the black tie outfit need to be (there are 2 black tie evenings). I’m presuming Mediterranean March weather will mean we won’t be using the pool. Thanks for any advice

Hygiene is number 1.
Cruise critic is an excellent source of info

I like the idea of a cruise I’m just a bit nervous, but the comments on here have reassured me. Also I think the older I get the more I can cope - we take the overnight ferry to France and the motion rocks me to sleep rather than making me feel ill, so hoping that I’ve “outgrown” motion sickness! If I said I really couldn’t go DH would have picked something different, but I know he has wanted to go on a cruise for years so we are going to try it now as there’s an excuse to!

Is the dress code just for meals? I was thinking I’d probably wear my cropped jeans and a top in the day, switching to linen trousers for non-black-tie nights

Cropped jeans are fine walking around the ship, decks etc. Also fine for the buffet dining during the day. Your non 'posh' evening outfits are good too.

Take comfy shoes, you can clock up a few miles a day between stateroom, deck, buffet, dining room and of course on shore.

YY to comfy shoes! Those ships are bloody massive

Have you already picked your cabin? If not, be very careful to check the layout. We paid a premium price on our last cruise only to find we were above a late-night music venue. We got compensation, but it ruined our holiday.

Thanks - we asked a neighbour who has done cruises and he told us which deck to pick to be away from the main entertainment areas.

@Housemum We've just come back from a cruise on Oceana, so if you have any questions please ask. Which deck is your cabin on?

We’re on deck 11, at the pointy end.

Take a Multi gang socket on a lead as some only have one plug in the cabin

Research your ports. Some are cute little towns where it's fun to wander around the local markets. Other are big ports where it is a good idea to go on one of the organised excursions. A telltale word to look out for is "gateway to". Anywhere that is the "gateway to" somewhere else usually means it's worth getting away from. There's nearly always a wee toruist train, which can give you a good lay of the land.

If it's a "tender to shore" job, expect there to be a queue.

Some good advice, its also worth looking for alternatives to the ships tours. Many local taxi and tour firms will collect you from the port and take you on a tour for a fraction of the price. We where quoted $6000 for a party of 6, full day in an air con Minibus with a professional guide in Israel. Managed to find the same operator on line charged us $600, for the same tour.
Do your home work, look at Uber Taxi costs to the places you want to go to as you will have a good idea of price up front.
We docked in Norway in a remote valley, the local bus service put buses on and will make sure every one gets on even putting more on, the cruise won't tell you this.
Look for the cafes that are full of locals, often the best and cheapest. What ports are you going to?

I am dreadfully seasick but have been on 8 cruises, the first morning I usually take drugs but I get my sea legs quickly. If you can do the channel on a ferry then you'll be fine.

Go to the formal restaurant for breakfast it's brilliant. Sit down, order what you fancy and it all arrives freshly cooked and you don't have to go back and forth to the buffet.

The carpets in the corridors have a pattern which lets you know which way is forward.

Don't put your room card in a handbag with a magnetic catch (such as an evening clutch) it will wipe the door entry bit.

We’re on deck 11, at the pointy end.

You may get a little noise there as the Lido deck is just above you. A friend of mine was in one of those cabins though and said it was very rare that they were disturbed by noise. When they did hear anything it was just chairs being moved above them.

You're in a great location for popping up to the buffet on Deck 14 to grab a coffee. On Oceana the buffet is at the bow of the ship.

We didn't bother with the drinks package and we're glad we didn't. We spent less than half what the package would have cost us and we still had as much as we wanted to drink.

Oceana is a lovely ship. We had a fantastic trip and would book Oceana again.

Actually getting quite excited now! Bought a new dress in the sales but it weighs 1kg so might not take that!! (Thinking of allowance for flight home)

DH and I have booked a cruise , no flying ( I cannot fly )

Looking at all the threads on here about cruises , packing cubes and excursions .
And nice dresses !

Search GARY BEMBRIDGE on you tube he has loads of vlogs, reviews and tips etc