Cruises. (No, not Tom’s family. The boats!)

[MPH]

 So I know this overlaps slightly with the ‘has anyone booked a holiday’ thread, but I’m particularly interested in going on a cruise. I’ve always talked about it but never taken the plunge. 
 

what do you think are the advantages or disadvantages of one?

 

how do they compare price wise with ‘ normal’ holidays?

 

where is best to go?

 

Has anyone been on a cruise out of the United States to the Caribbean? Or to Alaska?

 

 

Please share your thoughts! ( unless you are going to  go generic and just talk about Covid or germs, then you can keep quiet!)

[FoyleFox]

My favourite holiday is a cruise holiday. Love the fact that you can wake up and explore a new city and country everyday. Or just relax by the pool, with everything on hand. 

 

Where is best to go depends on what you'd like to see and do, we have sailed from the US to the Caribbean and also to the Caribbean from Europe. We've done a variety in the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Asia, Baltics, Norwegian Fjords, Canada and New England and Persian Gulf. All brilliant but different. 

 

Prices are difficult, like a land holiday you can spend varying amounts, depending on the class of cabin, inside, balcony or suite and the experience booked. Also the cruise line you're sailing with, there are some very premium lines and others are more standard. How new the ship is will also impact on Prices. You also need to consider what's included, drinks, daily gratuity etc. Higher levels of cabin and experience, get you additional perks, but you're paying for them, obviously. 

 

The time of year you sail also has an impact on prices and quality of cruise. 

 

Also, are you looking for a family entertainment ship or a quiet adult focused ship? Do you want a mega ship or a more intimate ship - some carry 6k+ passengers, some 2.5k. The larger ships have more amenities, are they things you need for the family or are of interest to you. 

 

Some lines are also focused on certain nationalities, P&O is very British, Carnival very American and Aida very German. Not that I've sailed with any of those. 

 

I could go on but I won't. It's safe to say I'm a fan😀

 

Oh, and we were sailing in Asia during Covid, Feb 13th to March 12th, so can comment on that too 😷

 

 

[Parafox]

Ah yes. 

 

Nothing better than spending 2 weeks with 400 or so self obsessed 50 yr olds all thinking they're exploring the world because they're on a ship.

 

Done a cruise once, never again.

 

Most of the people we met were insufferable, pretentious snobs. 

[ozleicester]

Did one.. 12 nights... 4/5 years ago...

The overall thought was it was OK, we got a low- mid range cabin that was comfortable although the air cond didnt work properly so was always cold, they had three tries to fix to no avail.

The food system is basically a giant smorgasboard with limited options and thousands of people all wanting the good stuff... you can pay to go to the "good restaurants" if food is your thing.

Note, they have a great skill in finding a way to charge you for "extras" eg dining, drinks, wifi, special nights etcetc.... so check what you are entitled to with your ticket.

The free shows were all entertaining enough without being amazing.

The off ship tours can cost a fortune and often you can arrange your own if you want to.

WIFI was incredibly over priced and unreliable

Really important note... the "getting off the ship" is a fvcking shambles, especially if you are going by "tender", you will prob be queuing for up to an hour to get off.

Overall i found it to be an ok trip with reasonable value for money (if you get a deal)... though from the moment you queue to get on...until you queue to collect your bags at the end... you realise what "cattle class" is referring to.

*beware of kids shitting in the spa... our pool and spa was out of action for 2 days thanks to this problem  

[Heathrow fox]

It’s about the most environmentally unfriendly holiday you could go on.If that sort of thing floats yr boat.

[Tommy G]

Did the Middle East with Royal Caribbean- it was 8/10 I’d say. I think to make it worthwhile you need a room with a balcony, bring holed up near the engine with no windows would be crap. 
 

Cons: There are some very strange people on board, drinks are a rip off. 
 

Everything’s worth doing once, if you are curious give it a go.

[davieG]

They always look like they spend most of their time overeating.

 

Having simply food tastes that's enough to put me off.

 

The only one I'd consider is a Nordic one through the Fjords as it looks like the best way to view them and then on to the Northern Lights.

[Izzy]

@Milo

 

Your specialist subject 

[Tommy G]

27 minutes ago, davieG said:

They always look like they spend most of their time overeating.

 

Having simply food tastes that's enough to put me off.

 

The only one I'd consider is a Nordic one through the Fjords as it looks like the best way to view them and then on to the Northern Lights.

I’d agree with the overeating part 

[Bordersfox]

3 hours ago, Heathrow fox said:

It’s about the most environmentally unfriendly holiday you could go on.If that sort of thing floats yr boat.

Bit rich coming from an airport 

[Bordersfox]

3 hours ago, Heathrow fox said:

 

 

Edited 11 February 2023 by Bordersfox
Right that's it! Mods!!

[Crinklyfox]

I've done one cruise.  It's OK if you want to have a quick 'sampler' of each country or port you visit but time is often restricted.  There are tours arranged on board that cost extra so be prepared to budget for that unless you are happy doing your own thing for each visit.

 

Depending upon where you go be prepared for the ship to be pitching and rolling if the weather is bad, not great if you are a very light sleeper.  The rule of thumb is 'the more you pay, the more you sway'.  The more expensive cabins tend to be higher in the vessel and on the outside with balconies.  The least movement can be found lower down in an internal (no windows) cabin located towards the centre of the ship.

 

There's loads of food on offer and it's very easy to overeat, as has already been mentioned.

 

Larger vessels have a variety of entertainment, worthwhile checking before you go.  Some cruises have 'sea days' where there isn't a port to visit so you'd need something else to occupy you.  

[FoyleFox]

Research and planning. Or, yes, you could experience a shed load of the above issues. Most of which are alien to our trips but, have met people onboard who had no idea exactly what they had booked and are then disappointed and grumpy.

[jonthefox]

I've  cruised around Groby pool. Does that count?

Edited 11 February 2023 by jonthefox
Thick

[suffolk fox]

Been on one once didnt particularly enjoy it.  Carnival Cruise line out of Tampa in the USA about four years ago.  Went to Gomuzel, Mexico, Belize, Cayman Islands and one other place, which I cant remember.  Full of Yanks and Candians mostly.  Canadians were as loud and brash as the yanks.  Make sure you buy the drinks package before you sail, this gave us free Soft drinks unlimited and a choice of a small beer, local.  No spirits though.  

 

Once you are out in the depths of the ocean you realise there is a hell of a lot of water out there.  Dining ok.  Unlimited food 24/7 choice  of at least three buffet restaurants, they say you can put a stone on and the way some people bunt I can see that.

Entertainment, gym, indoor pool outdoor pool all ok.  Outdoor pool area gets very busy and loads of kids helping themselves to  the free Ice cream on offer, hence lime in vanilla, chocolate in the strawberry etc, etc.  

 

Entertainment was obviously yank orientated their comedians are not funny.  Outside excursions, very expensive especially the Cayman Islands.  Bar prices on board ship very expensive, hence get the drink package.

 

One other thing we landed in Belize, having been there as a squaddie some years ago I knew what to expect.  When we got back on the ship later yanks complaining it was a third world country awful, etc, etc begging, could have been robbed, awful.  I found this hilarious.

 

When getting back into tampa, announced over the tannoy all aliens, ie Brits, Canadians go to the theatre to embark.  Yanks straight off, Us lot treated like 3rd class citizens explained immigration laws, customs, passport control, 3 hours later allowed off ship.  Never again. 

[Wymsey]

Have been on several; around Dubai, river cruise in Egypt, Greek Isles and the Mediterranean.

 

If you like to see different places for a certain period and enjoy the activities on board, then think it's for you.

 

But if you don't enjoy sharing a buffet counter with foreigners you never met before or rather tour a particular place in your own time, then it's probably not.

[Milo]

16 hours ago, MPH said:

Has anyone been on a cruise out of the United States to the Caribbean? Or to Alaska?

I think you’ll get a mixed bag of response here, tbh. 
 

And it kind of depends what you want out of a holiday. 
 

US cruising is a different beast to UK. The cruises out of Tampa especially are a bit of a bun fight, are generally shorter and can be a bit Spring Break for adults. Not something I’d particularly rush to do. 
 

Alaskan cruising is beautiful, if a bit samey. Not dissimilar to Baltic cruising here…all very nice, but not a huge variety going on day after day. 3 or 4 days is enough, I’d say. 
 

We try and do a couple of cruises a year - when the kids were smaller it was absolutely perfect. Could pack them off to the kids club and not see them for days on end. Bliss. 
 

The ships are big, with 4 or 5 thousand people on board. So if that’s not your thing then cruising may not be for you. 
 

Most ships have adult only areas where you can escape the daytime chaos of the family pools. 
Typically for us, it’s out and about on port days to explore, and laze by the pool on sea days with a beer and a book. 
 

Evenings are spent having dinner, then a show. Or me sneaking off to a quiet corner with a glass of wine to resume my book reading. 

My go to holiday, tbh. No dicking about at airports, no luggage limits, easy drive to Southampton, chuck my car keys to a bloke who unloads and parks the car and then wander up the gangway to start my holiday! 
 

Probably one of things you won’t know if you like til you actually try it.

Like Morris dancing, smack and anal beads*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*And what a night that was, btw 

[MPH]

Yes Barnes!!!

[MPH]

Ignore 

[FoyleFox]

7 hours ago, suffolk fox said:

Been on one once didnt particularly enjoy it.  Carnival Cruise line out of Tampa in the USA about four years ago.  Went to Gomuzel, Mexico, Belize, Cayman Islands and one other place, which I cant remember.  Full of Yanks and Candians mostly.  Canadians were as loud and brash as the yanks.  Make sure you buy the drinks package before you sail, this gave us free Soft drinks unlimited and a choice of a small beer, local.  No spirits though.  

 

Once you are out in the depths of the ocean you realise there is a hell of a lot of water out there.  Dining ok.  Unlimited food 24/7 choice  of at least three buffet restaurants, they say you can put a stone on and the way some people bunt I can see that.

Entertainment, gym, indoor pool outdoor pool all ok.  Outdoor pool area gets very busy and loads of kids helping themselves to  the free Ice cream on offer, hence lime in vanilla, chocolate in the strawberry etc, etc.  

 

Entertainment was obviously yank orientated their comedians are not funny.  Outside excursions, very expensive especially the Cayman Islands.  Bar prices on board ship very expensive, hence get the drink package.

 

One other thing we landed in Belize, having been there as a squaddie some years ago I knew what to expect.  When we got back on the ship later yanks complaining it was a third world country awful, etc, etc begging, could have been robbed, awful.  I found this hilarious.

 

When getting back into tampa, announced over the tannoy all aliens, ie Brits, Canadians go to the theatre to embark.  Yanks straight off, Us lot treated like 3rd class citizens explained immigration laws, customs, passport control, 3 hours later allowed off ship.  Never again. 

Those were your 2 big mistakes. I'd rather stay home and stick pins in my eyes!

[kenny]

4 hours ago, Milo said:

I think you’ll get a mixed bag of response here, tbh. 
 

And it kind of depends what you want out of a holiday. 
 

US cruising is a different beast to UK. The cruises out of Tampa especially are a bit of a bun fight, are generally shorter and can be a bit Spring Break for adults. Not something I’d particularly rush to do. 
 

Alaskan cruising is beautiful, if a bit samey. Not dissimilar to Baltic cruising here…all very nice, but not a huge variety going on day after day. 3 or 4 days is enough, I’d say. 
 

We try and do a couple of cruises a year - when the kids were smaller it was absolutely perfect. Could pack them off to the kids club and not see them for days on end. Bliss. 
 

The ships are big, with 4 or 5 thousand people on board. So if that’s not your thing then cruising may not be for you. 
 

Most ships have adult only areas where you can escape the daytime chaos of the family pools. 
Typically for us, it’s out and about on port days to explore, and laze by the pool on sea days with a beer and a book. 
 

Evenings are spent having dinner, then a show. Or me sneaking off to a quiet corner with a glass of wine to resume my book reading. 

My go to holiday, tbh. No dicking about at airports, no luggage limits, easy drive to Southampton, chuck my car keys to a bloke who unloads and parks the car and then wander up the gangway to start my holiday! 
 

Probably one of things you won’t know if you like til you actually try it.

Like Morris dancing, smack and anal beads*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*And what a night that was, btw 

The most relaxing holidays we have is a cruise from Southampton. Done 3 so far with our 18 month old and your review, Jody Morris dancing aside is accurate.

 

Once our boy is older we will do more adventurous holidays but in the meantime they serve their purpose well. Also, they are fairly cheap I think.

[Big Dave]

Really want to do a cruise of the Norwegian Fjords. Scenery looks stunning. Also pretty much constant scenery both sides of the ship.

Never really fancied a sea cruise. Scenery is great if you can see the coastline etc, but views of the sea only are so dull (ie there is nothing to see).

[FoyleFox]

4 hours ago, Big Dave said:

Really want to do a cruise of the Norwegian Fjords. Scenery looks stunning. Also pretty much constant scenery both sides of the ship.

Never really fancied a sea cruise. Scenery is great if you can see the coastline etc, but views of the sea only are so dull (ie there is nothing to see).

The scenery is stunning, I'd highly recommend. We went all the way up to the North Cape, the midnight sun is an odd but great experience.

On sea cruises, you're mainly sailing at night, so no scenery isn't an issue. It's only on sea days when there is nothing to see. On those days you can be busy with activities or for me reading, so you don't really notice. Unless it's a transatlantic, where you've 5 straight sea days, and are aware of how remote in the ocean you are, you barely notice. Personally, I like sea days and the tranquillity of staring at the ocean.

[rachhere]

I have done a couple of cruises - one in Norway and one to Alaska ( @MPH you may have seen my bombardment of photos on Facebook!). 

 

I enjoy them, but can understand why they aren't for everyone. They are also a bit of a minefield to get your head around as there's so many different cruise lines and itineraries, ranging from super posh ones where you are expected to dress up for every meal to much more family friendly (the ultimate family friendly being Disney ones, but unless you were to do the transatlantic repositioning options they can work out pretty pricey).

 

The most reasonable prices I believe tend to be the Med or Caribbean/Bahamas out of Florida. As mentioned above, there are so many different cruise lines and each have their own identify - some are far more family friendly and will have lots of kids clubs activities, whilst tend to attract the older crowd. Assuming you are thinking about the kids as well, I would look at cruise lines like Royal Caribbean, Norwegian and Disney. A big consideration will be whether the kids are likely to want to go to the kids clubs - if they wouldn't want to then it could end up quite boring for them.

 

The port experience really depends on the itinerary, but one to look into carefully as some ports can be really dull unless you pay out for an expensive excursion. The number of hours you get in each port will also really vary from cruise to cruise as well, so something to be wary of - look at the port times and the number of hours you will have in each place. 

 

Advantages wise I enjoy waking up in a new place each day and meeting new people from all over the world. There's always something or other to do, but equally its easy to just sit back and relax and enjoy looking out at sea. It's all very subjective though - one suggestion is to look at cruise vlogs on youtube to see if it looks like something that would appeal. EECC travels are worth checking out. 

 

 

 

[Fox1norfolk]

On 11/02/2023 at 09:03, Crinklyfox said:

I've done one cruise.  It's OK if you want to have a quick 'sampler' of each country or port you visit but time is often restricted.  There are tours arranged on board that cost extra so be prepared to budget for that unless you are happy doing your own thing for each visit.

 

Depending upon where you go be prepared for the ship to be pitching and rolling if the weather is bad, not great if you are a very light sleeper.  The rule of thumb is 'the more you pay, the more you sway'.  The more expensive cabins tend to be higher in the vessel and on the outside with balconies.  The least movement can be found lower down in an internal (no windows) cabin located towards the centre of the ship.

 

There's loads of food on offer and it's very easy to overeat, as has already been mentioned.

 

Larger vessels have a variety of entertainment, worthwhile checking before you go.  Some cruises have 'sea days' where there isn't a port to visit so you'd need something else to occupy you.  

The large cruise ships very rarely pitch and roll with computerised stabilisers in-fact  last year we experienced a 4-5 metre swell and you were only aware you were on a ship is if you looked out of the window, very stable. In 2017 we went in January/February from Southampton to Sydney Australia across the Atlantic, Pacific 47 days and never experienced any rolling or pitching. We’ve done about 20 cruises and never experienced really bad weather