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Original poster

First ever cruise

29 replies

PersephoneParlormaid · 10/09/2025 08:26

Just booked my first ever cruise with a friend, she has been on one before.
What do I need? Do I need posh frocks for the evening, I’m not a posh frock person?
Ive seen TikToks about metal hooks and beach towel clips, but what do I really need?

OP posts:
cinnamonbunlover · 10/09/2025 21:07

@soontobeamama agree
Packing cubes! 💯%

Sgtmajormummy · 10/09/2025 23:41

Talking about on-board expenses.
DH and I don’t drink alcohol so any drinks package was going to be a rip-off. €5 for two PAYG espressos was better than drinking the buffet coffee…
Wi-Fi is expensive too so we just used roaming on our phones within 7 miles of the coast and read books or joined in the activities.
We spent €150 total on our cruise cards in 9 days and that included €20 tourist tax for the pleasure of going ashore in Greece.

Harassedevictee · 11/09/2025 08:06

soontobeamama · 10/09/2025 10:53

I’ve been on P&O, there is usually one formal night per week on a cruise - you don’t have to attend though - the dress code only applies if you are going to one of the main dining rooms or speciality restaurants on these nights - you can choose to go more casual and attend the buffet or take away area instead. You don’t need to wear a dress though - a skirt and blouse, or tailored trousers and a top would still be acceptable. Some people like to get dressed up every evening, but it’s a personal choice.

We took packing cubes, which was very handy, as our cabin did not have drawers, only cupboards with shelves, but there was plenty hanging space in the wardrobe as well. Suitcases fit under the bed, where we put our dirty washing - there are washing machines and dryers on every floor which are free to use - this was great as it meant I didn’t have to do all my washing when I got home - take your own detergent (I used the laundry leaves by Dr Beckman).

Book entertainment before you go - I think the bookings opened up a couple of weeks before - we booked the Limelight Club and other entertainment before we went - they sell out pretty quickly. We never managed to go to the small live music venue at all (can’t remember the name - the 778 club or something) as it was always sold out - it’s very popular, it seemed to have only midnight availability which was too late for us if we had an excursion the next day.

if you attend the Limelight Club, head down to the entrance at least 1/2 hour before, as people start queuing early - tables are allocated nearer the stage for the first ones in the queue.

We enjoyed sitting in the bar beside the library, as it was much quieter and relaxing to have a drink than other places, which could get very noisy and busy.

We didn’t get the drinks package, as we didn’t feel it was worth our while. You are able to take a bottle of wine or champagne each on board - you can also order a bottle of spirits from room service, which isn’t expensive - you can ask for that to be delivered with an ice bucket - you’re allowed to take soft drinks on board with you, which you can keep in the fridge, so it was nice to be able to have a gin and tonic in the room while getting ready, or a cool drink after a hot day offshore.

if you have Facebook, there will be a cruise group set up for the cruise you are going on - search for the cruise ID and you will find it. It can be useful, but also contains a lot of things we weren’t interested in, like people wanting to hide ducks for people to find etc.

If I think of any other tips, I’ll let you know. Happy cruising!

This was pretty much what I was going to say.

  • No need for a lanyard for your cruise card.
  • Limelight club is worth £ and get there early.
  • Don’t bother with the drinks package
  • Evenings just smart casual except for 1 formal night even then trousers & top is fine. It’s basically not beachwear/sportswear etc.
  • You don’t have to go ashore in each port - pool is always quiet in the morning on port days
  • The main dining rooms do breakfast & lunch too.
Zanatdy · 12/09/2025 06:05

My first cruise was in 2019 and we sailed with TUI - around the med. There was one formal night, and I wore a dress, but nothing amazing. Just booked a cruise with my mum in 6wks time, on Fred Olsen to Morocco, Spain and Portugal. My mum won’t fly anymore due to some health issues (she barely leaves the house) so we are sailing from Liverpool. It does mean quite a few sea days, 5 full sea days I think out of 11. It wouldn’t be my first choice of cruise but my mum isn’t getting any younger and is really keen to go. She wanted a balcony so has paid the extra, so we get a sofa area too which will be nice. My mum has sailed on this ship before so I shall ask her about dress code etc. Hopefully I can just wear trousers / nice top most evenings as I don’t fancy getting dressed up every evenings but a couple of times will be nice.

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