Cruises - never been on one before and I am interested! Advice / experiences welcome!

[Afterfire]

There would be 4 of us. Me, dh, dd aged 19 and Ds aged 11.

I think initially we’d like to try a short one from Southampton. Been looking at Royal Caribbean ones, msc, and P and O… it’s quite overwhelming all the different options and “brands” - is one better than another?

How does it work if you do a longer one and fly to a different country - are transfers included?

Not a clue what I’m doing…!

Shorts/t shirts for days by pool or on ship. Sundress for days in port. Smart casual for evenings except celebration and black tie nights - I have two of those and currently only one outfit but I'm not stressing about getting another. I'm more bothered that I can't find any cotton knee length shorts anywhere!!
Your cruise line itinerary should give you an idea of dress code - I'm going with P & O.

Just back home last night from my solo cruise and I can confirm it was fabulous!! Met lots of lovely people, couples and other solos and didn't feel lonely once. P & O arrange a daily solo meet up if you want to go - I never did but got friendly with ladies who had, and they introduced me to others.

I'm already looking at booking a spring cruise.....😊

@chimichangaz try Mos Mosh shorts - have a good few pairs they come just above my knee's so comfortable, wash really well. Have had them for years

Thanks @Wexone - I did manage to get a pair in the m and s sale and another pair from Amazon but I'll look out for those ones for sure.

Shorts were just perfect for day trips and shore visits!

@Wexone how can you get those shorts?

@NCTDN I am in Ireland and the local boutiques stock this brand. its quite popular here in Ireland epically their jeans and blazers. they are a Danish brand and you can buy direct www.mosmosh.com

I just get this message

ah I say that's because of brexit they don't ship direct to UK. I see next Ireland stocks it maybe next uk does ? atterly is another and a place called cameo boutique comes up when I google uk stockists.

We have a small boutique near me (in SE England) stocking Mos Mosh. They don’t stock shorts though only jeans and jackets.
Maybe put a message on Style and Beaty and see if you can more stores and stickists?

I am on one in the Med right now with P&O and it's really good!!

Lots to do, never a shortage of sunbeds and the food is really good.

My advice: get the drinks package if you like a few bevvies of an evening, and take a hand towel to dry your hair with as the ones they provide don't stay on your head!!

Just 5 minutes ago I've booked out first cruise!

We've booked the Northern Europe one from Southampton, for 7 nights next Feb half term. There'll be me and DH in 11 cabin (seaview) and the boys 17 and 15 in an inside in the cabin opposite.

I'm really torn about the drinks package thing, it seems just about everyone on Cruise Critic says not to, but we do like a drink, and DS17 likes a couple too I know he's not legally allowed etc etc

I looked at the T&Cs for it, and couldn't see a 15 drink limit. Does that include soft drinks too? I could see how I could easily get through 15 drinks in a day if that includes soft drinks too. Do they enforce it?

We got £520 on board credit which I can put towards the drinks package and I think I'll do it. The kids get a free kids package with the ultimate so for an extra £125 on top of the credit I'd know we were covered.

I can't quite get my head around the wifi cost and I maybe should say to the kids that they won't have it for a week but actually I think it's probably worth it for the sake of a lovely harmonious holiday!

Wi-Fi isn’t worth it. It’s usually rubbish speed ( if it’s MSC it’s really not worth it) . Download films and games etc and you can use the Wi-Fi when you go into port. You only have to go into the cruise terminal and they’ll be free Wi-Fi.
There’s enough to do without being on devices ( well hopefully it’s what you pay for).

Definitely get a drinks package. Soft drinks don’t count towards the 15 drinks. I drink like a fish and didn’t make 15 drinks but maybe they share them out over the cabin.

And have a brilliant time!

@Curlybrunette - Brilliant news! - are you going with P&O? as all drinks packages are different and not all have an amount restriction. The P&O one is for 15 alcoholic drinks. so quite a target in a day. alot though include free childrens drinks packages which is where the drinks packages become a win win.

We've done a few different cruise lines and P&O was the first time we paid as we went. I like to try different cocktails and the P&O ones on their 'ultimate' package were only the cheapest ones. Same with all drinks so if you like a branded spirit check first it is included. and not all bars sold the same drinks, we didnt want to have to study the drinks menu by trying to work out what was what. We did save a few hundred pounds by doing that. So for us worked out well.

But if you get the childrens package - they will not serve anyone underage a drink as you have to hand your room(cruise) card over with every transaction.

Join a facebook group for a) the cruise line and b) there is probably one for the sailing. But I'm sure you will have a great time.

Thanks @Furball yes it's a P&O one, I actually liked the MSC itinery better (it goes the day before and includes a stop in France) but I read a review of MSC saying bar queues are massive and lots of the activities on board aren't free, including many of the evening shows and it put me off.

Not sure if any of you would agree with that?

Anyway we're booked now, am so excited!

@ Curlybrunette - I've been with MSC and had a really really great itinerary. BUT unless it was a bargain bucket price I'd struggle to go with them again as the service was appalling.

Whereas P&O (I've only been with once) but their staff were really attentive, and the ship was spotless which is exactly how it should be.

I'm back from my cruise a week and I'm seriously missing it!! Just been looking at NCL next March although tempted to go for P & O again as it was so good!

I think P&O is a great first cruise. The dining is very representative of cruising, cabins are well thought out and have kettles as standard ( don’t underestimate a tea or coffee in the room first thing). However I thought the ships were a bit dull and disliked the British feel ( floating Benidorm).
I went for MSC this year as a similar price and have better ships. I think they do have a better offer but I really missed the food on P&O and the prom deck and the walk-in wardrobe. Plus the comedy and shows on P&O were more enjoyable even though MSC were more polished.
So take note of what you like and dislike on a cruise and look forward to the next.

Great thank you :-)

Have a look at Costa cruises. They do really nice med cruises and 5 days out of 7 you go to a different place. You don't have to dress up in formal clothing and can get lots of food choices in self serve cafeterias, or opt to dine more formally, dress up and be waiter served. I have been on 2 Costa cruises and 1 P&O and preferred the Costa ones. Good prices at the moment with discounts.

Is it worth getting specific cruise insurance? I can add cruises onto my annual policy or pay £140 for additional cruise cover that includes things like missed departure at any port.

in my opinion you do need specific Cruise insurance, also look for policies that have decent covid cover too.

This page is really informative about all the different issues etc

emmacruises.com/tag/travel-insurance/

Thanks. We've got very comprehensive Covid cover but not cruise atm

@NCTDN I think I had to prove I had specific cruise cover at checkin with P & O