Cruising

Gillt57 suggests not Saga or Fred Olsen and suggests "one of the big ones" well I love Fred. Olsen. Everyone wants something different from cruising and you need to find what suits you. I have tried the big ships and felt I was treated like a 'cash cow' everything you buy has gratuities added, all to busy and often arranged to suit the American market. With Fred. there are no gratuities, nearly everyone is of similar age and interest and the only gratuities are for the cabin and restaurant staff. I feel at home on the smaller ships as there is more chance of getting friendly and knowing people in my experience. I have done more that a year of cruising nights so do know.
The smaller ships get into smaller ports and are just as stable, as long as not a flat bottomed one,
Big ships you can keep them.

I have never cruised, and dont really intend to, BUT its interesting to read others comments, as I have here.

I thought Soton was one of these exotic places , perhaps, Baltic?

Google did the trick, I've never heard the word before.

Yes Brenda we all like different things, and what suits one would not suit another which is why there is such a variety of ships and itineraries. We didnt feel as if we were treated as a 'cash cow' and there were very few Americans so cant comment on that. You have been on more cruises than I ever will, so bow to your obviously superior knowledge.

So agree with you Brenda.

OH and I have travelled with Fred several times and enjoyed every cruise.
As you say the ships are smaller - so not daunting (I don't get lost !) yet still comfortable for travel.

Staff are friendly and efficient and entertainment / music / themed talks for all tastes.

Plenty of wee quiet areas to settle with a book and we love the twice daily general knowledge quizzes.

Of course another consideration is that we have both given up on the flying option. --long journey to airports --often have to book overnight accommodation both ways--2 hour check-in etc.

However perhaps I should mention that our preferred port of departure is only 25 minutes drive from our house.

I can't believe how long it took for me to be persuaded to try cruising!

I' m sure there are other cruise lines just as enjoyable. It's really just a matter of choosing which suits you best.

I have only been on one cruise, Nonnie, and I wore seabands, a towelling band with a bead worn around the wrist (bought them from Boots). I know a lot of people would say it is all in the mind (supposed to work on an acupunture point in the wrist) but I did not feel seasick at all whilst I was wearing them.

I took them off to go in the on-board swimming pool. Later in the afternoon I said to my friend that I felt really queasy and sea-sick (it was fairly calm in the Caribbean) and realised that I had not put my seabands back on.

The only time I felt strange was when we docked in Puerto Rico and I was rolling, as if the ground was moving beneath me! Didn't last long though.

Enjoy your cruise.

I am not saying I have superior knowledge just saying what I like. Others would loath the small ships and are much better suited to the larger ones. With lots of entertainment, shops, restaurants, spars and multiple swimming pools and activity etc You have to try differing types and find the best fit.
OH and I have tried several companies and large ships, but return to Fred.

The small ships are why we have enjoyed River cruises Brenda. That and the relative lack of formality! We've just booked another one!

We fancy trying a river cruise as well, they look great but they are quite expensive, maybe one day!

River cruises are good value (don't know about ocean cruises) because, at least with the company we use) the only extra is drink. All excursions and meals are included.

Someone mentioned the Holiday Channel on Sky but, it was no cheaper for the people we use than by doing it on line.

If you get really seasick the ship's doctor can help. I had an injection which knocked me out for a couple of hours and then I was fine. It cost about £50 but was worth every penny!!

rose I used those years ago before the channel tunnel opened and I am sure they helped. If we do go on a cruise I will definitely try them again. I was thinking of going full pelt on a long distance one but after reading all this think I might just try a short one first.

I like this thread because everyone has given their own opinions and not tried to say they are right and others are wrong. Lovely.

A bit off thread but I often wonder why people insist they like one type of holiday, e.g. only cruising, only sightseeing or only lying on a beach. I just love holiday, any kind!

It used to be Ramblers' holidays for me - anywhere off the beaten track and preferably neither too hot nor too wet. Nowadays, since I've crumbled a bit, I am happy to go to Provence with my family. Scotland in early summer or September is still my perfect destination.

We have cruised with Hurtigruten on their round trip of Norway. Both times we went on an Astronomy voyage on Trollfjord ship with Dr John Mason as on board expert, to see the Northern Lights. They did not disappoint. This is basically a ferry because it calls at all the ports from Bergen to Kirkenes and back. Having said that, the suites are comfortable, the mini suites are of good size, the Grand, even better, especially if you have a balcony. The owners suite is the best with a large balcony. Ordinary cabins are available but we did not have one of these. Food is excellent. There is very little in the way of entertainment. Shore trips are arranged. Lots of lovely scenery. This company is well worth a look if you want to see Norway. Highly recommended, but it is NOT a cruise ship as such.

We are booked onto a Saga cruise to see the Northern solar eclipse next year, and later on a P & O cruise with my elderly parents, essentially acting as their careers on the Arcadia around the central Med region. Any advice on dress code or any other aspect for that matter.

I have been on a P&O Med cruise and the dress code is set out on the itinerary they send you. They have smart nights and formal nights but this only applies in certain parts of the ship. On formal nights men need a jacket and tie (not necessarily bow) and it gives ladies an excuse to bring out the family jewellery . DH wore his suit to dinner and then changed to go to the shows as he was uncomfortable!! If you use the buffet restaurant on these nights then you need not dress up.
I would recommend a cardigan and waterproof even in the Med as it is sometimes blustery on deck and it does rain!!
The crew are extremely friendly and helpful so you should have no problem with your parents' needs.

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Have only just found this forum, and would like to say that Norway is a beautiful place to cruise too for your first cruise, and it's normally only 7 or 8 days.

Bothiegran have you cruised with Saga before?

Reviving this thread to ask for comments on Saga cruises please.
I have to admit I don't fancy a huge ship that looks like a block of flats and takes thousands of passengers. You might make friends and never see the person again.

Mrsmopp....have been on 3 Saga cruises and enjoyed them all. Small 'country house' style ships and amazing service. The cabins on the Sapphire are a little more generous than usual.
The open dining arrangement works well and made for entertaining dinner conversations....a few old timers still prefer to book a permanent seat but they are very much in the minority.
We soon got to know a good few people who we felt we had something in common with and would arrange to meet up for the meal in the evening.
If you are feeling a bit anti-social some nights you can just ask for a smaller table...even just eat on your own if you prefer.
From what we gleaned from other passengers who had tried other lines the Saga mix is no older/less able than any other adult only cruise and the smaller ships gave you plenty of opportunity to sit quietly and read a book if you wished or join in something a bit more gregarious.

The idea of cruising doesn't really appeal to me, but this on the other hand, is a different kettle of fish entirely.

P&O cruise last year a couple were left behind in Gibraltar, late getting back.

Why is it Saga always sounds so "OLD ".

Because it stands for Send All Grannies Away

Actually I like the sound of some of their holidays<runs and hides>

Perception can be a bit handicapping. I was barely 55 when I went on my first Saga cruise...the age and ability ranges of the other passengers was no different to those encountered on both Fred Olsen and the other smaller P & O cruise ships. To be quite honest the sheer 'get up and go' of many that we met on our Saga cruises was amazing. If you make a judgment about someone because they are over a certain age/use a walking stick/etc. you can miss out on getting to know some incredibly 'young' and vibrant folks.