So is any one else into cruising?

I tried to the same but it was foggy at 8 so Wales had vanished!

We like to chuck everything in the car and go. A cottage in West Wales again this year with a view across St Bride's Bay from the terrace, three good pubs and lots of coast path to walk. Can't wait!

I could always take my earplugs !!

maniac I am on the QE in sept, flying and then cruising to the holy land. I am in princess grill class. If you are interested let me know! If you pm me I will give you my phone no and we could meet to see if we are compatabile in person as well as on line? You would only have to pay your
Airfare as I have to pay for the cabin only. There may be a nominal fee for altering the booking.let me know

We're also retired teachers and have done 4 cruises round the Med with Thomson and had a brilliant time. They're older ships, smaller but very well looked after, not glitzy. The staff were all fantastic and the entertainment was excellent. We don't like places with a holiday camp atmosphere and the ships we went on suited us down to the ground. On most ships you can eat from a buffet or have waiter service. The portions in the restaurants aren't enormous and we didn't feel that they were too rich. Everyday you wake up to a new port, most of which you can just walk off the ship and wander around. We've been to Barcelona, Naples, Rome, Florence, Corsica, Sardinia etc etc. Thomson's are great for first time cruisers. They do have one 'dress up' night but even that's not compulsory. It's all very relaxed but not downbeat at all. Also did a cruise that went around the Greek islands and up the side of Italy, taking in Dubrovnik and Venice.
My husband was very sceptical before our first cruise, but we've just come back from a fantastic NCL cruise around the Hawaiian Islands so they must be doing something right. Go for it! I haven't met anyone yet who has been on a cruise and not enjoyed it. Most people who are against cruising have never dipped their toes in the water.

Not against it, just don't care for it, but that's just my opinion. Off to South Africa soon (I may have mentioned it!l! Think I may have been boring for England) and when we have done the water project work there, we've hired a car and are off to Rorke's Drift, Iswandala and the surrounding game park. That's what I prefer. As long as we are all doing what we want, and what we enjoy, it really doesn't matter who's doing what. And we'll have so many different experiences to share afterwards! jeni looking forward to hearing all about your time on the QE!
This isn't a competition, just one of our ongoing debates.

I'm on the QM2 for 5days before that

Ooh, more stories; I shall look forward to them. Enjoy every minute.

Are you a guest lecturer, jeni? Or is your trip pure pleasure?

I must be suffering from late-onset dyslexia: I read this title as "So is anyone else into cursing?" AndI thought "I bet phoenix uttered an expletive or two

Pleasure

I can't think of anything worse , it would be like living in a nightmare. Perhaps it's not surprising as DH and I have spent our entire life( holiday- wise ) cruising the beautiful canals of our own fair land. If you don't think you could manage a narrowboat yourselves , try a hotel boat. Fabulous!

Rosiebee I like the idea that ships suited you down to the ground.

I love narrow boat holidays, especially on the Broads - such beautiful places you pass through and the wild life and camaraderie are second to none.

I also enjoy cruising, having been anti for most of my life until I was persuaded to go on one with family. Great fun to be having your evening meal afer a happy day wandering round places like Villefranche, and to watch the shore gradually fade away as you go back out to sea, then it's an evening of varied entertainment, a good night's sleep and you wake up in the morning with a new, beautiful view and more adventures. It's just different - the stereotypes about cruising would apply to some, I suppose, but it wasn't what I encountered. I stayed in jeans and tee shirt for most of the holiday, read a few books, recharged my batteries and ate some wonderful meals in restaurants of my choice. There's stodge and rich food if you want it - my preference is beautifully cooked fish, salads, fruits and lots of cocktails!

I used to stay on jeans or shorts when sailing. There was one occasion though when I decided to go topless! Ds said 'mummy, someone might see you! '
We were 12miles off shore,with the only boat in sight, a tanker, only just visible on the horizon!

So what would be the recommendation if one were to take on a first cruise? I have never done it, but judging by everyones responses on this thread it sounds like something worth trying - what are the best places to go to?

Love cruising MaurenM! When we first retired we went on gap fortnights exploring Scandinavia by rail, but now we can't manage the luggage.So, exploring by boat is great, every day waking up somewhere new and no packing, unpacking. We don't do the formal dinner bit. Going on deck to watch the stars much better!

SusietheGreat My first cruise was round the Med, (6 years ago) and I loved it. I am not much-travelled and it gave me a wonderful opportunty to see some of Italy, Menorca, Corsica and Tunisia. On board it was quite casual, but we did "glam up" a bit for dinner which was our choice. Lots of choice of dining and varied entertainment. I would do it again. x

I have considered a 'live-aboard' holiday with divers but they are mostly young men who don't mind sharing 'the heads' - if I find one with a private bathroom I will consider it. There is some snorkeling on the Caribbean cruises, but it is usually for about half an hour at each stop. I am a serious snorkeler - I tend to spend most of my day in the sea, just coming out for lunch, and in Egypt I was in the sea by 6 a.m. each morning to catch the fish feeding.
What I really need is my own boat and crew who would know where all the best coral is to be found. I do go out on boat trips, but I like to be alone, not surrounded by other people, being kicked in the face by their fins.

Hi Susiethe Great, a 7 day Med cruise would be a brilliant starter cruise if you're not too sure. Or take the plunge -sorry - and go for the 14 nights. Check out itineries to make sure you're stopping off at some great destinations. Read reviews on www.cruisecritic.com. You'll get an idea of which ship is right for you. We like friendly and casual so Thomson's were the right choice for us. You can also choose from some really glitzy ships, but we like the staff and atmosphere on Thomson's. Hope you go cruising and have a fantastic time. After our first cruise, we were hooked.

Well I started this thread when I was looking forward to a cruise in September. I'm really excited now as we have booked another cruise for a week in June. We got a really good deal for a week in the Norwegian Fjords and booked it yesterday. We have four friends who have never cruised before coming with us this time.

My sister has cruised in the fjords and says it was amazing. Glaciers, ice-rink like waters, stunning views and such interesting stopping places.

Which ship are upon in in sept?

We did a trip on the fjords carol and the scenery was second to none we had an amazing time,and to lighten the tone I go on the Mersey ferry every week going over to town to do my shopping

It sounds great Carol - I can't wait. I think the camera will be busy.
Jeni - we are on the Celebrity Eclipse in September.
Glammanana - I had a lovely trip on the Mersey ferry in October. I thought Liverpool was a super city to visit.