Cruise holidays

We traveled through the Panama Canal on the Queen Elizabeth. It was a holiday we’ll never forget for all the right reasons.

Feel free to ask me anything you want to know!

We love cruising and are currently booked on a Oceania cruise January/February 2023 which includes the Panama Canal. We have done a partial transit before but not the full transit so looking forward to it. We are laid back cruisers and don't go on organised tours generally. We do our own thing. We also always stay a few nights before and after - making the most of a long haul flight. We have cruised on various lines depending on the age of our sons but now we cruise alone we prefer Celebrity and Oceania. The food on the latter is much the best. We don't really look for on board entertainment as such. Just like the quiet life.

I shall be interested to hear about your experience of going through the Panama Canal.
Thank you gransnetters. Lots of research to be done I think! Would love to hear more tips and opinions on different cruise lines (if allowed!)

We love our cruises . I think the best thing about them is that they're different holidays for different people. Some are up with the lark off visiting all the different places .Some enjoy the entertainment ,food and drink on the ship .We' re kind of a mixture of both .The only tip I'd give visitors get a Balcony if you can.We're on our first post covid one in March so I don't know how different it will be on board ! Will let you know. But we loved all the previous ones !

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

We like Fred Olsen too, and always had a table fir two. It was friendly, with very good food,
Travelled once with P and O in its largest and newest ship, , polar opposite to Fred. It was ok sparkled more, but lacked the friendliness and took hours boarding after a long flight to Barbados.

Im not very mobile and cruising suits me perfectly. Once on board there are loads of options. I like crafts, drinking and light gambling. You need to be awear that different cruise lines have a very different vibe. I've done 7 or 8 different lines and NCL are my favourite . You need to study deck plans for your cabin and be near a lift as you can use a lot of energy just getting to eat!
We are doing a Miami to LA in 53 days time via the Panama Canal. I've never done it but there are companies that rent wheelchairs and electric carts for use on cruises. They deliver them directly to the ship. Also ships have cabins for disabled people.

maddyone I liked Celebrity mainly because of the see-through lifts which made life much easier for this lift phobic and saved arduous climbs up endless staircases. I also,liked them for the many tables for two on offer.

I like Celebrity cruises.
But not at the moment. We’ll watch and wait till next year before we decide on a cruise.

Agree with the comments. Swan Hellenic was a very small cruise line that included shore excursions in its price. Sadly they no longer operate but there are lots of other lines that offer varied facilities. Have a look at Saga, although we haven’t been with them for several years. We no longer cruise because I don’t think DH would get insurance, but have lots of happy memories. Your husband would usually have a good choice of excursions and these should be booked as soon as possible because they sell out quickly. Iceland and Norway are great destinations. Do enjoy wherever you choose to,go.

I’ve never cruised the Panama Canal but have been to many other destinations on cruises. All the various ships had plenty of onboard activities, especially on the days spent at sea.

My favourite all time cruise was to Alaska but I also liked Iceland and the Norwegian Fjords. I prefer cooler climes so was not too thrilled with the Mediterranean or Caribbean ones.

Since I’ve remarried, DH has learned to share my love of this type of holiday, despite initial reluctance. Our favourite company is Fred Olsen because the ships are smaller and the service excellent. Many of their itineraries sail from UK ports which suits us better than flying.

I hope you can find one that works for you both. We love this type of holiday and I’m sure you will, too. Good luck!

There is always a lot to do on board any cruise, and visits depend on where you are. There will be organised trips from the boat or local ones. We have decided to not go this year as prices have near doubled and an extra £2,000 is asked for a balcony cabin in the middle of the boat. Outrageous,.