Talk to me about cruises

[everyonebutme]

We're a couple in our late 50s/60 and considering a cruise but there are so many when you start looking! So, what's the best cruise you've been on? Who did you book with and where did you go? We definitely don't want something huge or the really top end of the budget (well we would be can't afford it) so considering something a little smaller (even a river cruise). What else should we consider when booking as even the packages can be a little confusing? Thank you.

Jumping on this to ask if anyone has been on a cruise with a small child (age 1-2), and if they think there are any in particular that would be good?

I like the idea of it, but not sure how suitable it would be.

I’ve been on 20 and usually start planning with where I want to go. I think I’m outgrowing the mass market cruise companies and am looking to book smaller ships unless I’m see an amazing itinerary or price.
Good starter cruises are a Med cruise (I usually fly to Rome or Barcelona) or a Norway cruise from the UK. One if these would be a good way to see if you like cruising. Having said that I think I must have been crazy and booked a Pacific side of Mexico one for my first cruise.
Although they are considered a lower end cruise company I actually really like Marella as they have good itineraries and not many days at sea.
I have cruises with the following cruise lines and this is my ranking with the top being my favourite.
Scenic (a different league to all the others)
Disney
Celebrity/Royal Caribbean
NCL (lovely spas and good fun)
Marella
P & O (I really didn’t like the buffet)
Carnival.

One thing to be aware of if you've got the Norwegian fjords on a bucket list - if you want to go to the famous unesco world heritage site ones, do it soon or there may be a wait and then high cost.
Basically the Norwegian government is only going to allow zero emissions cruise ships into them from 2026. Which is a thoroughly good idea except afaik no such ships actually exist yet.

thenorwayguide.com/there-could-be-a-stop-to-popular-fjord-cruises-in-2026/

You won't be able to utilise the kids clubs at that age (need to be 3 and potty trained on most lines, but not all), and the kids love the clubs and you get some time alone in the evenings.

Some lines do offer a night nursery for a reasonable charge that you would be able to use. You take them and they just sleep there and you are given a pager for if they wake and get upset.

I love cruises with kids. My kids both love them and would stay in the kids clubs all day if I let them.

I've been on a few cruises. For me the stops are what determine the cruise we book. Last time we went with Princess which was a great experience, large ships but not too big. I love the fact that you can do as much or as little as you want each day on a cruise.

Best cruise was with Princess around the Med. We sailed out of and back to Southampton. Food and entertainment was great and no flying. I also like to look at the excursions that are offered when making my choice.

I booked that cruise a year in advance via Iglu https://www.iglucruise.com/ as we wanted a balcony cabin and I wanted time to buy all the clothes and bits I'd need and save for spending money.

Look at packages offered. Do you need WiFi, what drinks packages are on offer if you drink alcohol, if you smoke you need to look at provisions for smoking etc.

Not RTFT in case it has been linked but the Cruise Critic boards are a wealth of information on cruises and destinations: https://boards.cruisecritic.co.uk/

Have you all considered the environmental impact? No I guess not. Still, let’s all watch the world burn while you all drink champagne from a fossil burning monstrosity. FFS

I go on a cruise once every 3 years so I feel OK about it. Some people fly all over the world multiple times a year do you feel the same about them?

FFS sake yourself
I cannot fly for medical reasons .
I am far more environmentally inclined than many others and if I want to spend my hard earned cash on a cruise when I work damned hard in a stressful job then I have every right to do so .

I cba giving you a donought so have an eyeroll

I've considered it. But I have a minimal environmental impact at other times. E.g. I don't wash clothes after every wear, washing machine goes on once a week in winter, twice only in the whole of summer, I don't tumble dry stuff, I have 3 minute showers, I walk or cycle locally, buy loose fruit and veg from the market with no packaging, in summer I'm off grid on my boat using solar, I don't fly, I don't drink bottled water etc etc

How's your eco footprint @Mysteriousgirl2?

Jealous? Or do you get your kicks being unpleasant?
I’m considering a cruise because I live very frugally and want to see more of the world. I don’t need your approval thankfully.

Ds was 3 when we did his first cruise, my nephews cruised from 6 months and they were fantastic for us. A lot easier than the hassle of airports!

ds is autistic and never liked the idea of kids clubs but he has never been bored on board and by all accounts the kids clubs are amazing!

Not jealous at all. I would much rather spend my time locally exploring culture/ mountains/ the outdoors in a tent.
I’m that sort of person. Just trying to explore my own beautiful area before prats like you ruin it beyond recognition for the next generation.

@Mysteriousgirl2 you can do both though. I grew up roughing it. I like a cruise because frankly it’s a bit of luxury. I still like a camp fire and sleeping out in the dark with just DH.

And better us prat’s are all contained on a ship rather than individually colonising quaint fishing harbours with hotels and tacky restaurants?

We were on Silversea last year where the food was decent but the average age was 80/90! We've also done Celebrity.

I don't feel you get enough time in each place to even get a feel. I do think cruises work well with different generations of a family though.

I have cruises with the following cruise lines and this is my ranking with the top being my favourite.
Scenic (a different league to all the others)
Disney
Celebrity/Royal Caribbean
NCL (lovely spas and good fun)
Marella
P & O (I really didn’t like the buffet)
Carnival

Interesting that your ranking coincides roughly with the prices of each cruise line. I guess you really do get what you pay for !

So @Mysteriousgirl2 what's your eco footprint like as you appear to have sidestepped that question? Sounds a bit Harry and Meghan to me . . .

'Not jealous at all. I would much rather spend my time locally exploring culture/ mountains/ the outdoors in a tent.
I’m that sort of person. Just trying to explore my own beautiful area before prats like you ruin it beyond recognition for the next generation.'

@Mysteriousgirl2

Sounds like you are the kind of person who joins a thread to insult other posters. And how do you get to the culture/outdoors/mountains... drive or fly?

I would much rather spend my time locally exploring culture/ mountains/ the outdoors in a tent

🤣

This site is a total rabbit hole https://www.cruisemapper.com/accidents

How ironic that you’ve managed to misquote prats incorrectly. I think my point has proved itself.

The fact that you find my choice laughable tells me everything I need to know about you.

It’s really sad that you find sustainable choices funny.

We've been on 15 all with Marella ..we're Happy with them we like the food and entertainment snd no shock bar bill at the end .Lots of ports only usually one day at sea with marella .We like to just walknoff the ship and Potter round . Unless it's Rome where you Do need a coach trip .We've seen some fantastic places .Cruises are Great for anyone with medical issues there is a medical centre on board.

Surely the obvious answer to this would be Disney.

https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/cruises-destinations/overview/2024-uk-sailings/