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

glennamy Wed 21-Aug-19 15:41:39

Never been on a cruise but loved canal boating as a youngster. I want to go on one but I saw a program in regards to how much pollution they chuck out towards people residing behind the funnels - maybe this could be addressed!

I think I will do one soon though as I think they can be great for getting a glimpse of many places which then informs me of somewhere I could actually holiday for a period of time!

I would like the option to go all inclusive drinks too, not that I drink much, but to just avoid the worry of a bill at the end of the cruise which would spoil it for me!

Cailin7 Wed 21-Aug-19 15:51:46

I have never been on a cruise, but I would like to go sometime. I wondered what the best cruise would be good for a first cruise experience.

JoJoY Wed 21-Aug-19 16:04:08

I've done a river cruise on the Yangtze which was amazing. My worry about a big cruise ship is the thousands of other people. Queuing for food, queuing to get off the boat, queuing everywhere really!

gd Wed 21-Aug-19 16:30:27

Not for me - I think I'd get sea-sick and bored

mollymoo818 Wed 21-Aug-19 16:33:39

I have never done a cruise but I am dying to do one. I want to do a proper cruise and a river cruise. I just love the idea of going to sleep at night and arriving at a new place every day when I wake up.

Ikea1234 Wed 21-Aug-19 16:53:25

Whilst I like the thought of waking up in a new destination every day, I'm not sure cruising is for us. Does it work out to be expensive when you land at a port and then have to organise onward travel to the sights and highlights, let alone back to the ship? There's very few places where the tourist highlights are at the port you land in! Also, what about dress codes, dining and entertainment? It's always sounded quite restricted to me: you have to dress a certain way to eat in certain restaurants or take part in certain activities, or an I wrong? Are there enough facilities and space for the hundreds (or thousands!) of people on board?! Am sure there won't be enough deck space for Sun lounger for everyone! Sorry if I sound negative, but I think I need a taster day on board to get a feel for cabin life!

bjennymoore Wed 21-Aug-19 17:03:58

me and hubby were hooked on cruising years ago after hearing a promotion on the radio

MiniMoon Wed 21-Aug-19 17:07:49

I've been on one cruise, to the Norwegian Fjords. My husband and I chose a cruise leaving from a British port. Neither of us is keen on flying so it's a bonus if we can embark in somewhere like Bristol, Southampton or Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
We loved our cruise. We chose to do one of the formal evenings, but the choice of places to eat was marvellous.
The excursions were well organised and interesting, plus there was plenty of choice in what to do. You could be as active as you wanted to be.
We had enough to occupy us on sea days, quizzes, a library with a good range of books, a craft area and lectures. We were spoilt for choice really.
I'd love to go on another cruise, but I'm afraid the house repairs will prevent us thinking about it for a couple of years.

libra10 Wed 21-Aug-19 17:14:57

Members of my family have enjoyed several cruises, but we have never tried any (yet).

A couple of things have stopped us booking - the idea of dressing in formal clothes in the evenings, I find off-putting. We much prefer being relaxed and dressing more casually. Also, we have wondered how we would cope if the seas became rough. The possibility of days of sea-sickness makes me a little wary. Wondering about what items are included in the cost of the cruise.

BBbevan Wed 21-Aug-19 17:18:10

We have been on several cruises. We were advised to book a cabin middle deck and middle of the boat. This minimises motion. Also a balcony cabin is a must.
We enjoy the formal evenings but they are not obligatory and there are plenty of places on board to eat. We wished, on our first cruise, that we had known that we could breakfast in the dining room. The buffet , with hoards of people wandering around was not pleasant.
Loads to do, from quiet time in the library, to films, quizzes and lectures. Love it all and have booked Mediterranean cruise for next autumn.

M00se Wed 21-Aug-19 17:37:32

I would love to go on a Cruise holiday. It's always seemed a very Agatha Christie thing to do!

juicylucywb Wed 21-Aug-19 17:52:05

I've never been on a cruise but I'd love to go! It sounds so exciting visiting lots of different places in one go!

upallnight Wed 21-Aug-19 18:13:43

I'm not overly keen on the idea of cruises. I like the sound of their facilities and where they visit but too many horror stories of illness put me off!

Rachand Wed 21-Aug-19 19:11:24

I have been on a few cruises, and about to go on No.10. Mostly with my husband, but we have also been with an other couple. Also just myself and adult daughter. I prefer the larger ships, having been on one smaller one - it was boring I thought as they didn’t have the same amount of activities going on, plus cabin was much smaller. We have had inside, sea view and balcony cabins - obviously balcony is nicest but you are only there to sleep and the cost is important. I don’t think there anything better than waking up each morning to somewhere new! I do find it’s a much more active holiday than a land base ones, even on sail days as we are walking here and there on the ship, though a lot of people sit around reading all day - why? I can do that at home! We are finding cruise companies are trying to cut back on things like activities on sea days etc - I think they are shooting themselves in the foot - one such company is Celebrity - We were quite disappointed by them on our last cruise with them in May as they thought just laying on quizzes on sea days was acceptable, it’s not and our next one in the July with Princess was much more fun, so we will be giving Celebrity a wide berth for awhile until we hear better of them! There seems to be a lot of new ships being built which is great as the more there are the more spaces available they will need to keep their prices competitive. Also it doesn’t always pay to book early which we have found to our cost, so on the look out for last minute deals.

alabaster Wed 21-Aug-19 19:11:36

A cruise on a vessel that has dual purpose like the Hurtigruten adds so much more of interest as you see "true Norwegian life"!

poshpink Wed 21-Aug-19 19:31:51

We did an Alaskan cruise with NCL 4 years ago - loved it - no dressing up with long frocks and bow ties for dinner - had to be smart though. Food amazing, sights amazing, loved waking up in a different place each day. Excusrions brilliant - no regrets at all. Going to cruise the Mekong in 2020 as a retirment pressie to us!

LOU1ASH1 Wed 21-Aug-19 19:44:51

I love the idea of crusies but am worried about very rough seas.

teenywhale Wed 21-Aug-19 20:06:02

I've never been on a cruise. Heard too many horror stories!

LeeR1985 Wed 21-Aug-19 20:32:19

I've never been but i'd love to go on an all inclusive cruise around the Caribbean. The only thing that stops me is the price but once i'm debt free, it is something I could look towards saving for smile

kamoc Wed 21-Aug-19 20:33:24

I haven't been on a cruise yet but I would love to try one

Purpledaffodil Wed 21-Aug-19 20:41:35

Mixed feelings about cruises. Was in Venice once when a cruise ship docked and there was a positive avalanche of people being guided to see the Venetian sights. Also have read alarming news reports of sickness outbreaks.
However, the thought of travelling from place to place without packing and unpacking appeals mightily.

shahedc Wed 21-Aug-19 20:53:22

I would love to go on a Pacific islands cruise

quizqueen Wed 21-Aug-19 20:57:12

I would NEVER consider going on an ocean cruise- all those rolling waves, second rate entertainment, getting stuck with the same people who have seen and done everything with no hope of escape, and being herded out to the duty free shops, hardly seeing anything of the country travelled to.

I did go on a river cruise on the Nile once and loved it. I had a lovely room with patio doors and a balcony, there was suitable cultural entertainment, lovely food and plenty of time for sight seeing. Make sure you book a room away from the engine room though as a lot of sailing is done at night and it can get rather noisy.

pennwood Wed 21-Aug-19 21:07:35

If you are not spending much time in the cabin then an inside one would be the cheapest option, but for days at sea it is nice to have a balcony cabin as there never seems sufficient seating for all. There is always something to do and they are generally free, with the evening shows equivalent to the West End. My tip is to source information online prior to departure as we found free walking tours in most major cities starting at the tourist office at set times. The excursions are always expensive when booked on board & often can be booked in port a lot cheaper, or free like the walking tours. We always book last minute for our cruise holiday as generally they reduce the price, sometimes -50% to fill the boat.

s861421 Wed 21-Aug-19 21:26:53

I would love to go on one but my husband hates the water, Loads to do or nothing to do depending on what you want.