Cruise advice

[40andlovelife]

Hi I have never been on a cruise before but would love to. I'm finding it all a bit overwhelming! There's so many companies. Ideally I would like to see Croatia, Montenegro and Italy. Any ideas of the companies that would offer these destinations? Thanks

It depends on your budget.
Top of the range is Celebrity and Princess - both good for adults only
Royal Caribbean - great for kids with fantastic ships.
Look at Princess from Southampton probably a good starting point.
Good travel agents are Rol and Cruise kings.
Also Ambassador go out of Tilbury.
If you are happy to fly the world is your oyster.
I prefer a balcony room so you have your own space.

We did Athens, Mykonos. Zakynthos, Kotor, Split, Dubrovnik, Venice with Celebrity Cruises. Seems to cover all your bases. I had teens with me and plenty to do.

I'd seen someone else on a different thread mention a website called cruise critic, might be worth a look.

Good deals through Bolsover Cruise Club as well if you have some flexibility.

Personally I would choose a US cruise company (so NCL, RCCL, Virgin, Princess) over something like P&O or Tui.

Do you like big hotels with lots of entertainment and facilities? Or tiny, boutique ones? Cruise ships are similar.
How's your budget? Are you taking children?

We have done the cruise you mention on Azamara which is a small ship (c. 700 passengers), boutique style. I would definitely recommend if that's your vibe.

Probably not what you're thinking of, but we did a small boat cruise of Croatia with 38 people (Jules Verne), it was lovely, and very sociable. We appreciated being in a smaller group compared to the hundreds of people coming off cruise shops for excursions.

No I think top of the range are Regent and Seven Seas. When we had teens Celebrity suited as they met loads of their age and were happy. I'm not crazy on Celebrity as can be a bit like club 18-30 but there's a separate part called The Retreat which is quieter. I guess Royal Caribbean good for kids.. though I'd run a mile.

Simple
Avoid P&O Its grubby
Cunard are average with a good dose of Snobbery and believe they are first class.
Celebrity and Holland America are great
Royal Caribbean a close second
Tui / Thompsons, bargain basement but in a good way
Cruise critic forum is a great source of info.
The Eastern Med is a very good choice, often sail from Italy and visit the destinations you want.
Do your own tips if you can, pre book excursions or arrange your own from the UK its very easy to do we saved a £500 on one trio ashore alone.
When you dock make sure you have the dock location written down, the ship usually has a leaflet with the details on and have a few quid in cash and accredit card incase you get stranded.

Surprised Virgin Voyages hasn't been mentioned yet, they're one of the best. Use the CruiseCritic website to get tons of information on all cruises.