Cruises

[Ishouldbeoutside]

I have never been on a cruise before. Thinking about booking one to Norway or the Med. adults only , looking for good food and accommodation which doesn’t feel like a rabbit hutch if possible. Not keen on those which don’t include gratuities and too Americanised.
Really don’t know where to start!!
I have read good things about P and O on here .

Having done 14 cruises two on P&O I would not use P&O again, the ship was grotty, poor service in comparison to others.
Celebrity, Holland America or Royal Caribbean depending on budget.
They really are a good holiday and depending on what you want can be busy or quiet. Plan your ports as usually trips can be vastly cheaper when booked your self and not via the cruise line. Cruise critic forum is a good source of info.
Norway was great but it was UK type weather, I feel Eastern Med is best for the first time as many of the ports you can just walk off the ship in to the town, Italian ports as an example are mostly industrial so you have to be bussed in to town.
Gratuities you can choose once on the ship to pay your own and they pay who you want what you want.

I've never been with P&O because I know people who have ! Not recommended. I went once with Marella/Tui, really awful.
I mostly agree with PP, but for gratuities I prefer an inclusive price to start with - so much easier .
Some ships have a recommended £x pp pd, which can be a significant amount.
I don't normally tip individuals - a grease-monkey in the engine room performs a service just as (or even more) valuable as a waiter or steward.

Agree with @Funf although Norway is good as so expensive to stay there on a normal holiday.
Good point about just being able to get off and look around. I don’t mind a tender but they are cancelled in bad weather so you stay onboard. Some shuttle buses are free into town some not. Worth finding 2 or 3 you like and searching on Cruise Critic.

I thought the food was very good on P&O although the ship was dull in itself. Cabins were good although the bathrooms on Aurora still had shower curtains and were a bit small. If you’ve nothing to compare it to though it will be fine.
I’ve not stayed in one that felt like a rabbit hutch although the balconies on MSC maybe could feel like that as a bit small depending on location.

Pricing is weird. Definitely research before hand. Watch the all YouTubers - Emma Cruises is good.Good to know where you will kettles in the room and where you won’t that sort of thing.

l I would always go tips included and via a travel agent or broker. Same holiday - much cheaper. WiFi not worth the extra cost ( do it in port). Drinks package of some kind usually is worth it if only because it’s easier to have a “ free bar” rather than worrying about an overpriced glass of wine or coke on the bill every lunchtime . Unless you really don’t drink. Tap water on board is free everywhere and that includes cabins in all the ships I’ve been on.

I've done two great cruises to Norway with Holland America. They are not adults only but have an older demographic, so there won't be many kids except during school holidays. You can prepay your gratuities as part of the fare then forget about them

I lovedloved our Tui cruise. This thread will be useful for you

TUI Cruise www.mumsnet.com/Talk/holidays/4732141-tui-cruise