Give me all your cruise tips!

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I'm going on a winter cruise but advice doesn't need to be winter specific.

Also, the black tie nights, are they actually black tie or just formal?

Formal. Most men wear a blazer or suit jacket of some kind, and don't always bother with a tie. As long as it isn't casual wear you'll be okay basically.

Which company are you going with?

Totally depends on which cruise line you are going with. The difference between top end and bottom end is massive.

We're only with P&O so nothing top end.

Take cleaning wipes that are good against norovirus (Clinell is my recommendations), just in case there’s an issue on board

Take an extension lead as plugs are usually minimal in the cabin

Towel clips if you plan to lie out on loungers

Alcohol is really expensive so bring your own

I don't drink so fairly sorted on that front. Although looking at the T&C's you can only take one bottle of wine or champagne on board per person anyway.

If you don’t want to do formal nights, you don’t have to. All it means is that you’ll have tea in the buffet instead of the main restaurants. We can’t be bothered with formal nights when we sail.

We've never been but tempted but too old as insurance is high plus scared of ship sinking

Watching the vlogs - depdns on what crusie you go on, many are informal and even formal meets, some allow, smart causal

I'd like to do them, we're just wondering if we need to sort a tux or whether my partner's normal suit is ok.

We have done 4 cruises with p and o, a normal suit and tie is fine. On my last one, I had trousers and a jacket (separates and obviously not from a suit, but went together) and it was fine.

normal suit is fine plus a tie probably

Women will be anything from smartish top and trousers through to full on ball gown - just go with what feels good for you

Thanks everyone!

Any other cruise tips always appreciated, or just useful info. We're travelling with a baby as well if there's anything infant specific.

Take clothes with elasticated waistbands.

Absolutely! I bought a pair of trousers with elasticated waistband specifically for the last couple of nights!

I've not cruised with P&O so these are general tips:

Check out the deck plans and check your cabin isn't above or below busy/noisy venues
Midship lower decks have less movement

Useful bits to pack:
A short extension lead (depending on number of outlets in cabin)
Magnetic hooks for walls
Hanging pocket organiser (for bits and pieces)
Travel tabs and basic medicines including dental repair kit
Washing line for shower
Water bottle and small backpack

Useful resources to browse:
Cruise Critic
Whats In Port

Emma Cruises
Tom and Don
Life Well Cruised
Cruise specific videos on YouTube

For a first cruise, it's easiest to book cruise excursions depending on the ports. Check these out and book before hand as popular ones well out.
The thing to bear in mind is that the ship will not wait for you if you are late back.

I find it helpful to spend an hour or so walking around the ship just after embarking. They seem vast at first, so it is useful to get your bearings, and there are often bits tucked away.

If you’ve only got a shower in the cabin an inflatable paddling pool - small one for bath time with the baby.

I hadn't considered this at all! I'm not sure if we've only got a shower, I would assume that's the case though. I think P&O actually provide baby baths if you request one so I'll fire an email off to them.

Sea sickness medication. Start it the day before you leave. Much harder to play catch-up once you start feeling unwell.

Travel insurance that includes cruise cover.

I usually wear a cocktail dress and dh suit with tie. Think it’s definitely less formal now than when we went on our first cruise.

I usually go on all inclusive cruises so that doesn't bother me. You can bring a bottle on each port if you are on a non-inclusive one

I always take an extension lead

Formal nights most people do make the effort

Put your phone in airline mode as if its outside your roaming area at sea the maritime charges are insane

I'll grab sea sickness tablets. Travel insurance sorted, I'm militant about getting insurance as soon as I book.

If you're on P&O you can usually take 1 litre of spirits on board per adult. We took 2 bottles of gin with us for an 11 night cruise (we were allowed to take unlimited mixers on board). We got ice delivered to our cabin each day and had G&Ts on our balcony each evening which was lovely and we had a good amount left to bring home.
It's worth bringing lanyards with a clear plastic card holder so you can carry your cruise cards easily as these are needed quite often on the ship.
Be careful with extension leads as the cruise companies have strict rules about electrical items. Do take plug adapters.
We didn't buy the ship WiFi as it's very expensive and it did us good to be off the internet for a while!
There's loads to do on the ships, hope you have a great time!

Looking at the P&O conditions you can take a bottle each at embarkment but anything purchased extra to that at the ports is kept for you until you debark at the end of the cruise.

Noted on the phone roaming!

Join Facebook group for your specific cruise.

We take magnetic hooks handy for bags, hats etc