Help me plan our first cruise

[Justlurking8]

Hello,

I need some help please. I would like to take my 80 year old on a cruise. Just the 2 of us. It’s always been on her bucket list, she loves being on a boat/water.

We’ve never been on one. They’re so expensive, I want to get it right. This might be the only cruise we do.

There are so many options!!! So far I’ve narrowed it down to Tui (as gratuities are included & I want to know upfront how much it’ll cost). Thinking about a week or so in Sept/Oct, when it’s not too hot.

1. Iconic islands (Greece)
2. Norwegian fjords
3. River cruise eg Danube

My mum loves nature/animals. Neither of us are interested in sunbathing/pools. Entertainment isn’t really important. I think we need a room with a balcony to enjoy the views. She’s in good health, but can’t walk for ages, and hilly areas are challenging.

Would one of these options be better than the others? Are there other factors we need to consider? Ideally around 3K but would pay more for the best experience.

Am grateful for any tips/advice you’d like to share. Thanks!

@Justlurking8 Based on your description your Mum will be fine walking on the ship.

@Justlurking8 Mum could wear black trousers and a satin top, or maybe a lace top? You truly don’t need sequins, gold lame or cocktail dresses. Just not casual. Some will go over the top, but many don’t.

Ariva is by far the best ship and my favourite. It is their newest ship.

The good thing about Arivia is that you can dress up and your mother doesn't have to and you can both have the formal/celebration night meals. BUT you have to make sure that you book the Olive Grove on Celebration night because you can have the formal night meal without dressing up.

If you like eating early like me, you can book the Olive Grove for 5.30pm or 6pm 3 weeks before you go (it use to be 2 weeks before, but last time we went they opened the booking 3 weeks before). If you don't want to eat early then you have to join a virtual queue on the day.

On the other ships, you can only eat the formal meal if you dress up and you can't book restaurants before you board.

Let me know if you have any other questions as I have been on Arvia many times.

We have just got back from our very first cruise. We went on P & O Ventura. It was very good. We had 4 formal nights on the ship (which is unusual as it's normally only 2) we thought 4 was far too many. DP didn't enjoy dressing up and wearing a suit but he did. I went all out, I loved it! Some people were just nicely dressed, others went totally glam.

It was lovely to see children dressed up too.

I second this, my mum who is a similar age to yours, went on the same trip and absolutely loved it. She's not a cruise ship person, and really enjoyed this as a smaller "working" boat (they deliver the post I believe.

It suited us - small ship, small number of passengers. No evening entertainment, no dressing for dinner.
They deliver everything from mail, food to washing machines!

Are gratuities included too?
I like the sound of Hurtigruten but really want to be picked up from home.

I am pretty certain Saga include graturities.

I’ve recently taken an over 80 year old relative on Arvia and they loved it and managed fine with the size of ship. Have a lovely holiday.

We always book Seaborne, they seem better than the rest imo.

I was coming to say exactly this! No extras to pay, WiFi drinks taxi from and to home all included.

We tried P&O and it looks cheaper than Saga, but there is the constant ‘nickel and diming’ for everything. Water to take on trips ashore WiFi, balconies.

No hen parties with Saga, no drunks! Great food and very good veggie and vegan options.

A cruise to the fjords would be perfect. Not too distant from the UK, spectacular scenery visible from the ship. we have cruised all sections of the Norwegian coast. It is my favourite.

You’ve convinced me!

Just to convince you a bit more, there is an included excursion at every port. other companies always charge.

Just need to get my knee replacement out of the way!

P&O do two formals per week on all their ships except for the big two of Iona and Arvia where it’s only one per week.

At least there are options if you don’t want to dress up and not just the buffet.

We’ve just come back from the fjords on P&O Iona and it was amazing. We were first time cruisers and I was so nervous about it beforehand but it was so fantastic we booked again for next year whilst on the ship. Have a fabulous time!

@ButterPiesAreGreat Yes very true, but they are at an additional cost.

We don't think P & O is for us, Marella would probably suit us better as they have a less formal dress code.

We went on this cruise to specifically see the total eclipse ( it was advertised as a total eclipse cruise) and WOW did we witness something amazing.

We are on Iona cruising Norway now. It’s a big ship and I wanted to get off when I got on but it’s really warmed on me and I love it now!

Norway is so easy on a cruise from Southampton and it’s been the best holiday despite mixed weather.

We will definitely do this again and I’d recommend it to anyone.