Gransnet forums

Sponsored discussions

   Please note: This topic is for discussions paid for by Gransnet clients. If you'd like to have your own paid for discussion thread, please feel free to mail us at [email protected]. If you are a journalist, start-up or student and you want to request feedback from gransnetters, please post in Media Requests.

Let’s talk about cruise travel with NCL - £300 voucher to be won

(450 Posts)
YanaGransnet (GNHQ) Tue 20-Aug-19 10:05:48

Cruise holidays can be an ideal option for those who love a care-free holiday, visiting new cities or having different scenery every day without the hassle of unpacking more than once. Whether you’ve been on a cruise or not, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) would like to hear your thoughts. If you’re an experienced cruise-goer they’d love to hear your top tips, and what you wish you'd known before your first cruise. And, if you’ve never been on a cruise, they would also like to find out what you would find helpful before going on a holiday at sea.

Here’s what NCL has to say: “New to cruising? Not sure what to expect? Look no further – this handy guide tells you everything you need to know about holidays at sea. From accommodation choices to entertainment, what to pack and what to do on board, we’ve demystified cruising and you’ll discover why it really is the perfect holiday choice for everyone.”

So what are your tips and tricks when selecting a cruise holiday and how do you make sure it is an enjoyable experience? What are your expectations of a cruise holiday and what are the must-haves on board you can’t go without? How do you prepare and what do you pack for a cruise? How can cruise companies make it your perfect holiday at sea?

If you haven’t travelled on a cruise, what would tempt you to do so? What have you heard about cruises that you would like to understand more about? Now is the time to indulge in your curiosity of cruise holidays.

Please share your views on cruise holidays and you will be entered into a prize draw where one GNer will win a £300 voucher for a store of your choice (from a list).

Thanks and good luck!
GNHQ
Terms and conditions apply

mgtrob22 Mon 26-Aug-19 20:41:28

It's fab cruising being able to visit lots of different Countries without having to pack and unpack clothing is great. Meeting lots of interesting people and making friendships for life. Enjoying and trying lots of different types of food. Being able to reach your bed safely after spending an evening enjoying shows etc without having to travel in the dark back to your hotel. I would recommend to everyone.

ktcov Mon 26-Aug-19 19:51:45

I didn't think I would like cruising, but I went on my first a couple of years ago and loved it! We have a couple more lined up now. We chose the cruises based on locations, family friendliness, casual dress, and food included.

My tip would be to always select your cabin. The middle of the ship is best to avoid sea sickness - and you want to be away from noisy things like the engine and pubs too!

Kittyme1 Mon 26-Aug-19 19:50:32

I have always loved the idea of going on a cruise, so much so that hubby has suggested we book one next year to celebrate our anniversary. I eventually wore him down. I am so excited and can't wait!! After reading about everyone's lovely cruising holidays with NCL, I will definitely be checking out their website.

williamsgwynfa Mon 26-Aug-19 18:47:56

I am interested in going on a cruise, but my husband gets sea sickness from choppy seas when we have been on a ferry

bookmark58 Mon 26-Aug-19 18:17:46

I really can't stand the idea of being stuck in one place for so long.

hellymart Mon 26-Aug-19 17:09:37

I've been on one cruise and must admit, there were things about it that I definitely didn't enjoy. There were an awful lot of people. Everywhere. You couldn't really escape them and it was difficult to find a place around the pool. The ship was actually at its best when it docked and people went on trips. If you stayed behind, you could really enjoy the amenities. Although we booked an expensive cabin with a balcony, I'm not sure I'd do that again. You spend so little time there (just to sleep, really) that it seemed a waste of money. There's also a lot of food! I'm sure I put on weight during the 10 days of the cruise. I felt stodgy and unhealthy by the end of it. I like to be more active than a cruise encourages you to be. In short, I'd only go on another one if I got it for a real bargain price and/or I was a lot older!

susieqt Mon 26-Aug-19 16:51:58

I was lucky enough to win a NCL cruise a few years ago - it wasn't the sort of holiday I ever thought I'd go on and my other half and I were a bit dubious (but delighted to have won a holiday!)

We absolutely LOVED our NCL cruise! It's an amazing way to relax. Imagine being in a 5 star hotel with West End standard entertainment every night, and a whole new city to explore every day without having to unpack your bags again.

We were on NCL Epic for 7 days in Mediterranean at the end of September; the crew were from 83 different countries and were absolutely incredible people - they were our very best part of the whole holiday. Our cabin had no window or balcony but on a cruise like that it didn't put us off - we had a whole heap of places to sit and watch the world go by and could even watch it on the TV whilst in bed! Our cabin design was wonderful - a huge wardrobe and a full size shower and separate toilet. Bed was really comfy. Can't think of anything I needed that wasn't there.

We would cruise again with NCL in a heartbeat if our circumstances permit.

If you are ever lucky enough to be able to try a cruise I would say Go For It! Even my other half who says he gets seasick had no problem at all on this journey. He says it is very expensive on fuel for ships to go fast so they take a leisurely hop round the Mediterranean coastline overnight - very gentle. On a busy schedule like this one an inside cabin was perfect - we didn't feel like we would have benefited from a balcony - didn't have time to sit on it - so much to do each day whether on the ship or on land.

Having breakfast while watching the sun come up over Vesuvius is something I never thought I'd do smile

trueblonde Mon 26-Aug-19 16:20:03

I don't think i have enough nice dresses for every night, as i am a very casual dresser

bookmark31 Mon 26-Aug-19 15:41:25

Never been on cruise as I'm worried about wheelchair access available throughout the ship.

wildswan16 Mon 26-Aug-19 14:47:15

Even when you look at the cruises specifically with "solo traveller discounts" the price is still almost double e.g. £759 each for two guests, £1320 for one guest.

Pittcity Mon 26-Aug-19 14:06:46

No need to buy a new wardrobe. Dress however you feel comfortable. You only need to smarten up for certain restaurants in the evening on a big ship. This means shirt and trousers, sometimes jacket and tie, for men and a dress or trousers and top for women. Nothing new or flashy needed, just not shorts, jeans, tee shirt.

bookmark77 Mon 26-Aug-19 13:54:06

I've never been on a cruise before. Now with all these stories of rowdy passengers, I find I'll never choose that option.

kizzyw Mon 26-Aug-19 13:10:45

Have yet to try cruising.Not entirely sure on the idea yet as i worry about dress code and having to buy an entire new wardrobe.

Lyndsey Mon 26-Aug-19 12:43:32

I have never been on a cruise, I get really bad sea sickness as does my daughter but it does'nt stop us from going on boats, we go on boat trips when we go on holiday and we take sea sickness tablets. I will go on a cruise one day as I love that you stop in different parts of the world to explore

DimensionAEB Mon 26-Aug-19 11:33:26

I've never been on a cruise myself. I know modern cruise ships have a huge amount of things to do / entertainment etc - but I think I'd just get bored being at sea most of the time.

BBbevan Mon 26-Aug-19 10:06:41

inthepink I think we have all met those sort of been there done that, people on a cruise. One formal evening on a cruise we went on a man came in full military uniform plus medals. He had a voice like a foghorn and regaled his table , and all surrounding ones with tales of the Falklands, Afghanistan etc.
Someone complained to the maitre de and I expect they had a quiet word with him. He was very subdued for the rest of the cruise.
If it is just DH and me we ask for a table for 2. Never had to share when didn't want to. So far

purplepansyem Mon 26-Aug-19 09:40:53

I've always wanted to go on a cruise but they are very expensive and I worry that I might experience sea sickness and the holiday would be ruined. There are other factors that worry me like bad weather and food poisoning!

scrapgran Mon 26-Aug-19 09:20:59

Can't stand big cruise ships so am contemplating a river cruise but am still worried about the cost of expected tips ad also the dress code

Inthepink06 Mon 26-Aug-19 08:17:58

We went on P&O ship to see the Northern Lights, luckily we saw them almost 2 years ago. I am not a fan of cruising it involves too much "sailing". I was cabin bound for 36 hours whilst we navigated the North Sea in a gale that meant we diverted away from our first stop. Would not necessarily want to book a cruise again, our table companions were seasoned cruisers and knew it all, made us feel a little too much like "newbies".

bdeegan597 Mon 26-Aug-19 01:52:48

I like cruises because of the amount of beautiful scenery you get to see

Pixie242 Sun 25-Aug-19 21:45:15

I went on a cruise years ago. It was exciting to travel to so many gorgeous places in the Caribbean. I was shocked at the amount of food that was wasted but hopefully 20 years on that issue is less of an issue now. I think everyone should go on a cruise at least once in their lives if they have the opportunity to do so. It is a truly unique holiday.

karenusher Sun 25-Aug-19 21:40:36

I haven't cruised but it is on my bucket list, I have heard so many wonderful things about cruising, I love the fact that you can visit so many different countries/cities in one trip, something you couldn't do for the price if you were travelling a via a different transport option.

callgirl1 Sun 25-Aug-19 21:35:36

Plus I`d need to be on a smaller ship that can dock in port, rather than struggle on and off a tender, which I`d find very difficult.

callgirl1 Sun 25-Aug-19 21:29:47

We only ever went on one cruise, to the Norwegian fjords on the Marco Polo, a nice, cosy, small ship, only about 800 passengers. I didn`t want to go, but loved it, hubby was desperate to go, and hated it! We only tried one formal night, it wasn`t for us, after that we ate every time at the self service restaurant, much more able to relax. The only thing I didn`t like, and I know it`s essential, was the lifejacket drill, we found it a little confusing, I`d love to go again, on a small ship, but sadly hubby died 6 months after the cruise, and I can`t stand the thought of going alone, especially with mobility problems.

greig23 Sun 25-Aug-19 20:55:34

love to go on a cruise but worried about the rough seas, is it easy to avoid being seasick?