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?

This is so useful as we're doing our first cruise shortly!

Thank you to everyone who answered my question.

We're booking Regent for winter- never been with them but hate formal nights really can't be bothered to dress up on holiday just to sit opposite dh!

As you are on Ventura... you can put the cot in the walk in wardrobe and it fits perfectly! Cabins are quite compact, so it gives you an extra bit of space.

The night nursery is amazing. There are always at least 2 members of staff watching your child, the security is high, they do temperature checks every 15 mins or so and you get a pager so if your child wakes up they can contact you ASAP. My kids went there most nights and slept brilliantly from7.30pm which meant we could have adult dinner and a show most nights, and the kids got a good nights sleep. Win win.

Ventura is a lovely ship. I'm excited for you!

Join the Facebook group P&O cruising for families.

Thank you! Do you have to pre-book the night nursery?

Yes - it doesn't operate the first night but you can book from 6pm for the next night. After that it's 8.30am for the following night. It's all through the web app. Depends on the ship and time of year how quickly you need to book - on Iona you needed to book pretty much bang on opening, for Azura there were very few kids on board so no issue.

Things to take: extension lead, lanyard for the cards, spare foldable coat hangers, and I always take one of these because there’s always a lack of space https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hanging-Storage-Wardrobe-Organiser-BrilliantJo/dp/B074XX52Q5/ref=sr_1_6?crid=3CWRXVJ94NFDH&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.v6SzZ8QStYRFbjs_zTqKZKO8G1cxt75MthbDjdIaPo4e0LR2pnUxv4U0pb8K4hQ4LImX4ps807qa-GktEJGclqa4bj1WuTP2dydgmb87yTXw6EO4v8OECvdKoPMbX2ASLDkyGqSSybzl_VV8yiRG6InxG7OnIFssNVRP0JFnqBqxxGhAEQsyAcOeExLNJv9zff5JBK-55BouPL-2dfOrLBfxA8gEUWrzzQ01pe6_f3b8nA3GE9YzlwfCuZnqS1-7cKVjDH6_o6JQI5UWfbV0U91VG93dUKuBM1fOuS1_r-w.mGfyrkLnx6LGL6WJLk9mhlAAZeEcP2sc5bubuSpT2PA&dib_tag=se&keywords=wardrobe+storage+organiser+hanging&qid=1717018077&sprefix=wardrobe+storage+organiser%2Caps%2C500&sr=8-6

Ventura was my last cruise - it's quite old but I loved it!!

A word of warning on the usb plug to take - make sure it's one where the usb slots are on the front of the plug as you face it and not underneath. The sockets are fairly low to the surface so there's not much room.

As a pp said do take magnetic hooks. These are so useful for hanging stuff up and keeping it out of the way (jackets, bags, dressing gown, paperwork- take some bulldog clips so you can hang them from the hooks).

Also when you pack use the packing cubes that compress so you can get more in your case. As there are launderettes you don't need to take as many clothes with you anyway.

On your last night you need to put your case outside the cabin by about 10pm so I'd recommend taking a cabin case too that you can put your next day clothes and toiletries in and pack everything else in your main suitcase.

Take a supermarket loyalty card or similar to put in the electricity slot instead of your cruise card, this way you are far less likely to lose your cruise card!