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Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

Recommend me a cruise

11 replies

Mummypete · 24/06/2023 16:48

DH and I would like to try a cruise next summer but haven’t a clue where to start looking! He’s not the biggest fan of boats so we’re thinking a week around Europe as a starting point.
We’re early 30s, don’t want something over run with kids but also don’t want to be the youngest passengers! We’d like to get off and explore different places but also want to relax by a pool so are looking for a ship with lots to do and a bit of a premium feel to it. Sunshine is also a must. Any ideas?

OP posts:
Ribeebie · 24/06/2023 16:55

Viking is one of the higher end. It's adult only too. I've not been on (we have kids) but family have and highly recommend over p&o, royal Carribbean. Celebrity is also meant to be a good one too for a more upmarket feel.

Dodie66 · 24/06/2023 17:00

My daughter has just been on a cruise on Queen Mary 2 to the Norwegian Fiords, had a fantastic time, lots to do on board and excursions to different places in Norway. More of a luxury boat one of the top ones. Loads of food all included. Has a swimming pool, jacuzzi, gym etc she said there were all different ages. More an adult cruise

cherryassam · 24/06/2023 17:01

Virgin Voyages look amazing and do great 7 day itineraries in Europe.

We’re similar aged to you and are hoping to do one in the next couple of years but I have a fear of flying I’m getting over! I think almost all are fly-cruises.

P&O are fine, but tend to be a mix of much older people and families with kids we’ve found.

Jellifer · 24/06/2023 17:02

What’s your budget? I’d be looking at either Celebrity or Azamara

OhhhhhhhhBiscuits · 24/06/2023 17:06

I would recommend Celebrity or Virgin for your criteria.

I have sailed RCL, Cunard, P&O and Princess and friends have done the above 2 as well as others.

Our favourite was RCL and we have sailed that line without kids and with kids. We loved it both times. But it can be busy with children as they have so many activities for kids.

gogomoto · 24/06/2023 17:24

I've been with Cunard and Marella recently. The former is more formal eg dress code for evening dinner but was brilliant. There were many younger guests including 20's and 30's, we found them in the nightclub (and late breakfast in the buffet!) this was transatlantic though which I believe has a slightly different feel.

Marella is not as upmarket but has the huge advantage of being all inclusive. Explorer 2 is adults only, and there were plenty of young adults on board both traveling with parents and with partners, two honeymooners on board who we toasted. Good atmosphere, think 4 star med hotel feel

OhhhhhhhhBiscuits · 24/06/2023 18:16

gogomoto · 24/06/2023 17:24

I've been with Cunard and Marella recently. The former is more formal eg dress code for evening dinner but was brilliant. There were many younger guests including 20's and 30's, we found them in the nightclub (and late breakfast in the buffet!) this was transatlantic though which I believe has a slightly different feel.

Marella is not as upmarket but has the huge advantage of being all inclusive. Explorer 2 is adults only, and there were plenty of young adults on board both traveling with parents and with partners, two honeymooners on board who we toasted. Good atmosphere, think 4 star med hotel feel

Did you love the transatlantic? I want to do this crossing. I would prefer to fly to New York and sail back to Southampton. I have done Cunard around the Med before but still hanker for the transatlantic crossing. 7 days at sea. Bliss!

nocoolnamesleft · 24/06/2023 18:20

I've done the crossing on QM2. Loved it. Lots of unusual activities, like acting classes, choir, and astronomy.

Robin60 · 24/06/2023 20:36

Have you thought about doing a river cruise? The vessels only carry about 180 passengers as opposed to the big cruise liners than can be in the thousands. We’re going our first river cruise this year as personally I don’t like the idea of a large cruise liner. Take a look… it all depends on personal taste and expectations. Whatever you choose… enjoy xx

budgiegirl · 24/06/2023 23:06

We've found that the bigger the boat, and the shorter the cruise, the younger the passengers. Also, it depends if you cruise during school holidays, obviously there are far fewer kids on term time cruises.

Do a little research on Cruise Critic to find the cruise line/ship for you. None will have big pools, but some will have more deck space for loungers than others, some will have indoor or covered pools etc.

We personally like NCL, to us it seems to give the most bang for your buck - large ships which we prefer, if you upgrade for around £150, then a great range of drinks are included, no formal nights and no need to have dinner with people you don't know, no set dinner times. We find it more relaxed, but of course, some people prefer to do the more formal/dressy dinners at set tables.

tacomaco · 25/06/2023 08:38

I don’t start with cruise line. I always start with ports of call. Places I’d like to see and then I look at what cruise lines go there. Then I look at those cruise lines and research them and the ship and then work out if I want a port intensive cruise or days at sea.

Usually then I’ve worked out who we are sailing with.

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