First cruise booked for one week, should we change to two?

[Cupofhappyness]

I’ve booked one week on a cruise and I’m starting to regret not going for two weeks. We rarely get away but we are first time going on a cruise so thought one week would be best! May have the option for changing to the 2 week one (which has better ports) but just wondering if anyone has any experience of if 2 weeks would be too much for our first time? We’ve also not been away for more than 5 days at a time in the last 10 years- so a week in itself is bigger than usual!

Where’s the cruise?

Caribbean, Mediterranean, Nordic Fjords, Isles of Scotland?

Stick with a week in case you hate it!

7 day one is Spain and 2 week one is the Med! Quite a few sea days on the med one - which I feel I’d either love or hate!

Med cruise is fab - take the 2 week one

Are they both sailing from the UK? I'd go two week if so otherwise you spend half of it getting there and back. On the other hand if not sailing from the UK I'd fly out a few days early spend it in the departure city and surrounds and go for the week long one.

Cruises are very Marmite, if you've not been on one before then maybe just go for a week to see if you like it?

How about a week cruise and a week in a hotel? We did a med cruise and a week in Mallorca for our first one and it worked well.
I'm not sure I would actually want two solid weeks cruising as it can be quite full on.

I think that might be the best option! Then book another if we like it!

Another vote for week cruise week hotel, done this a few times

I think it takes a while to settle into something new - and if you've got 2 weeks available then do 2 weeks. You'll be more relaxed and not trying to cram everything in.

I caveat that by saying I've never been on a cruise.... but just thinking holidays generally.

If you make the most of the cruise stops you'll be off the ship early morning every day for a long day of sightseeing. A week in a hotel afterwards to relax was great.

If you like all inclusive then go for the 2 weeks.

If you book the two weeks, it’s nice to have a few sea days. No rushing to have breakfast and get off the ship, then be clock-watching all day. Decks can get crowded and busy though, so scope out your favoured spot and bag a sunbed.

If you don't normally do a 2 week holiday then I think a week is perfect for your first cruise. We are long-weekend people rather than several weeks and although I absolutely loved our first cruise by day 5 I really began craving my own bed, and I was absolutely exhausted. You tend to end up doing early mornings to go on the day trips but then late nights to make the most of the dining and entertainment.

@Cupofhappyness , if you happen not to like this cruise don’t immediately assume you don’t like cruising because it can be a very different experience depending on which line you cruise with. Who are you cruising with?

This is exactly us- we’ve only ever done shorter sight seeing/traveling holidays. I’ve not really done an all inclusive (or not since being a child) - I might love that relaxed pace but it’s not something I’m used to (and I always enjoy coming home but nothing ever matches my own bed!).

I agree with those saying a weeks cruise and follow to with a city break if you’re setting sail from abroad.

You could even extend your stay if you’re setting sail from the U.K. you can book a hotel in the nearest city from the ship and extend it if by day 5 you feel you want longer.

I think going for a week is a good idea - and I say that as someone who loves a cruise, and will happily spend up to three weeks on one!

But you may not like cruising, so a week would be a good idea to start with - especially as you haven't really done all-inclusive, and tend to do shorter holidays generally.

If you are bitten by the bug, then you can do a longer one next time!

If you are sailing from abroad, it's not a bad idea add a night or two in your city of departure before the cruise anyway, incase of flight problems. It's risky to fly in on the day of the cruise.

1 week isn't really enough to get into it properly. The shortest cruise I ever do is 10 days. More commonly 2 weeks.

Everyone is different, I think 5 days away is the perfect length for a holiday.

I'm relaxed as soon as I get through security at the airport, if its a morning flight I'm properly 'on holiday' on arrival (lunch, beach, sea swim etc) and by day 5, I'm happy to come home.

A week's cruising Spain will be great, are you visiting all the coastal cities, Cadiz, Malaga, Alicante, Valencia, Barcelona etc?

We came back yesterday from our first ever cruise- one week in Mediterranean stopping in Sicily Croatia Corfu and Italy.

i enjoyed it more than my husband and think one week is perfect to get a feel for it. What we loved-
the port stops were great and we just strolled around each one instead of booking excursions, staff excellent, balcony cabin gave peace from busy ship, good food, good entertainment

what we struggled with a bit - 3100 guests- we never do all inclusive busy resorts, having to search for sunbeds.

would I go again- yes definitely but am not saying I would rush back. It certainly is a great way to see different places.. but still just love a small Greek peaceful resort!!

I like cruises but I think I’d find 2 weeks too much. I’d find any kind of all inclusive type holiday too much for 2 weeks, the only time I holiday for 2 weeks is something busy like Orlando or road trips where we’re very busy.

I’d definitely try a week to start with, just in case cruises aren’t your thing.

You couldn’t pay me to go on a cruise again. Like a floating Benidorm.

What cruise line were you with?