Page 2 | Cruise advice please!

MonkeyTennis34 · 2024-12-15T17:47:00+00:00

Me and DH are thinking of possibly going on a cruise to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary next December 2025. We've done a short Disney cruise with DCs in the Caribbean which we loved. Thinking more of Canaries or Norwegian fjords. Which cruise line might we like. We're mid 50s, like fine dining, luxury, definitely not a rowdy atmosphere, not a huge ship. Tia

elizabethcharlotte · 27/04/2025 10:30

We loved our P&O cruise to the Fjords. The food and service were amazing in the restaurants. We never really used the buffet or the speciality restaurants. I'd love to go again!

Pastit12 · 27/04/2025 10:41

Holland & America cruise line the do Scandinavian cruises sail from Dover also
we went to Alaska with them best cruise I have ever been on.

linelgreen · 29/04/2025 18:21

just realised I had already replied!!!

Appletinii · 04/05/2025 09:14

Fridayfeeling77 · 09/03/2025 15:35

So another inquisitive cruise virgin. Attracted to the idea of a cruise as can see more than one place on a holiday but not sure about all the other people (is it too in your face and is it more like a floating all inclusive buffet style food) or can you eat at various restaurants on board and is there an extra charge to do this or is it standard? Also when you get dropped off in a port do you usually have to factor in a lot of extra money for excursions or can you DIY or walk into somewhere (thinking of maybe trying a fly cruise to the mediterranean or Adriatic early September or October for 7 to 10 nights.

I called into a travel agents in town and she was asking me questions then quoted me an extortionate price something like 4K each for a cabin with just a window. Our requirements are very much like yours OP except the time of year and just the two adults.

If you are not comfortable with people in your face all the time then you would need to either go with a small ship or do something like yacht club and be prepared to stay away from entertainment etc. They are absolutely crowded.

As for going to several places, you don’t really see anywhere in a few hours so I wouldn’t go if that’s the main reason.

The only reason to cruise is if you like the experience and you like all you can eat / drink and ‘entertainment’

I’m on one now and know I will never go again. It’s absolutely not for me

Appletinii · 04/05/2025 09:16

Re DIY into port, yes you can. There will be buses and taxis at the port that you can take in. Just keep in mind that the time is very limited and you need to be up super early to get a ‘full’ day.

NCTDN · 04/05/2025 10:03

Appletinii · 04/05/2025 09:14

If you are not comfortable with people in your face all the time then you would need to either go with a small ship or do something like yacht club and be prepared to stay away from entertainment etc. They are absolutely crowded.

As for going to several places, you don’t really see anywhere in a few hours so I wouldn’t go if that’s the main reason.

The only reason to cruise is if you like the experience and you like all you can eat / drink and ‘entertainment’

I’m on one now and know I will never go again. It’s absolutely not for me

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I disagree with this about not seeing much. We loved our cruise for that reason. It was amazing to explore the different countries in a week and we know where we’d like to go back to for longer (and where we’re not bothered about revisiting).

Chewbecca · 04/05/2025 10:13

Appletinii · 04/05/2025 09:14

If you are not comfortable with people in your face all the time then you would need to either go with a small ship or do something like yacht club and be prepared to stay away from entertainment etc. They are absolutely crowded.

As for going to several places, you don’t really see anywhere in a few hours so I wouldn’t go if that’s the main reason.

The only reason to cruise is if you like the experience and you like all you can eat / drink and ‘entertainment’

I’m on one now and know I will never go again. It’s absolutely not for me

Show quote history

Can I ask what ship you are on?
(Sorry you are not enjoying it)

Appletinii · 04/05/2025 10:51

Chewbecca · 04/05/2025 10:13

Can I ask what ship you are on?
(Sorry you are not enjoying it)

Show quote history

MSC. Upgraded to yacht club which is nice to be fair. But the crowds and the limited time at port don’t do it for me.

Unless you are up at the crack of down, you arrive in a town/port by 11 and then you leave by 4.30. I also found it’s frustrating to disembark and think ‘oh this is nice’ and then not be able to stay longer.

It just doesn’t suit me but I’m with my mother and she adores it. Shes loving the drinks, entertainment, crowds etc

Chewbecca · 04/05/2025 12:58

Ah, interesting. I wouldn't sail MSC outside YC (YC is nice but the rest of ship has way, way too many people and queues for me) but it's still fairly low down on my faves list. I do recommend as a good choice for people who enjoy the entertainment but I prefer a small ship and am more than happy with the flip side of that being minimal entertainment and facilities.

Woodenpergola · 04/05/2025 13:23

Appletinii · 04/05/2025 10:51

MSC. Upgraded to yacht club which is nice to be fair. But the crowds and the limited time at port don’t do it for me.

Unless you are up at the crack of down, you arrive in a town/port by 11 and then you leave by 4.30. I also found it’s frustrating to disembark and think ‘oh this is nice’ and then not be able to stay longer.

It just doesn’t suit me but I’m with my mother and she adores it. Shes loving the drinks, entertainment, crowds etc

Show quote history

I love cruising but that sounds awful! All the cruises I’ve done have been smaller ships, no crowds, no buffets, limited “entertainment” which is very easy to avoid and docked by 8am at the latest, sail away no earlier than 5pm. Sometimes overnights in the more interesting ports. I’m sorry you got a dud.

LuckysDadsHat · 04/05/2025 13:34

MSC are not a good cruise line to be honest. They are very marmite. I would give a different line a go and see if it was just MSC.

WowIlikereallyhateyou · 04/05/2025 14:05

OP, You need to give a budget. Every type of cruise has been mentioned from £799 a week to £7999 a week on this thread. Then you can get a realistic idea of options.

Appletinii · 04/05/2025 20:48

I’m not sure it was a dud though. We had a yacht club suite, butler etc. I just hated the cruise experience. I don’t think it’s for me.

Chewbecca · 04/05/2025 21:01

I see cruises like hotels. I don't like big, noisy ones but I do like little boutique ones.