To cruise or not to cruise?

We are going on our first cruise this summer and because I don't fancy a long flight we are going on the Baltic. On the advice of our friends we are going with Azamara on a smaller ship, although 700 people sounds enough to me! Hoping we will love it as my husband has always wanted to try one and it is to celebrate his 70th.

What a brilliant idea! Thanks!

Would a Shewee help, Galen?

Then the Captain comes on and says 'if you're still in bed stay there for the next hour" He hasn't got a full bladder

The rough bit is the fun bit! It rocks me to sleep.
The only trouble is if I need the toilet in the night with boat going up and down. Can be tricky with my poor balance.

I like small boat cruising. And I have to have a route which has more places I haven't visited than have. Have you thought of a river cruise?

I have only been on one cruise and loved it.
There were no tables for two left so we chose one for 8 so that we would not be stuck with just one boring couple. We were lucky and everyone was delightful. If you are not happy with your dining companions you are free to eat elsewhere as you only have a set table in the main restaurant and there are plenty of other choices on a big ship.
As for sea sickness I was ill in the Bay of Biscay on the return journey. The ship's medic gave me a jab which knocked me out and helped a lot. I would probably fly cruise next time to miss out the rough bit!

I went on a cruise with a friend when I was in my mid 20's and was sea sick I think 13 out of the 14 days. Never ever again. We went to the Greek Islands as far as Beirut. The war had not yet started.

I like the idea of a cruise, but fear sea-sickness. therefore anything on a river would be fine, or fjords, but a Med cruise sounds lovely( but not throwing up!)

Once we got there it was lovely, sunny and warm.
Force 10 in the Bay of Biscay combined with heavy seas and a 30m swell was --- interesting?

I think an 8 day cruise is best to start off with and you couldn't do better than the fjords. The scenery is spectacular and the stops are interesting

Although Galen that subject would meet with approval in the Canaries I imagine ?

Yes it is different now Galen, but we did have that experience once.
Baroque pearls ? Goodness. Sounds ... Interesting !
Granjura, there is always time to explore if you opt to do your own thing rather than join the coach tours where you do keep hopping on and off. That can be depressing. We have often been able to explore behind and beyond although admittedly, not always. As you say, chacun .....

Oh! And being British,????????,of course the weather?

Confession I've bought another string of pearls, baroque this time.
I find that people don't tend to talk about previous cruises. At our table a couple of weeks ago the conversation varied from dress styles 4women 2men) the performance of the comedian, football ( the men ), likes and dislikes in wine,some politics , ISL and divers other topics!

Really not for me, or us, I have to say. I love to visit towns and have a look behind and beyond- and I'd get so frustrated at having to get back to ship at a certain time, and being off-loaded at the same place with 100s of others. Each to their own...

Firstly, make sure you get a table for two. You can always talk to people at other times but I think food is for enjoying and not for making small talk or listening to boastful conversations about previous cruising exploits from comparative strangers.
Decide what criteria you need. Large or intimate ship? Do you like a lot of entertainment? Destinations are up to you. Decide whether you want Canaries, Mediterranean, Greek Islands or further afield. Do you dislike flying? Then sail from Southampton ( or other ports). There is also the Baltic of course and Scandinavia, if you are not too fussed about warm weather and lots of time on deck.
We were, as you say, stuck with people on our first cruise but things have changed since then. Lots of lines have open dining so you sit where you wish.
One line we went with included shore excursions in the cost. It was small and described itself as a country house at sea. There were erudite lecturers,
Entertainment was minimal but good - a trio or quartet most days, plus lots of interesting talks, but the clientele were seriously on the older side. Peter O'Toole was a guest on one of our trips. Since then we have
opted for larger liners as they are more fun with varied entertainment and better facilities. Celebrity is one such, and most cabins have balconies, a feature well worth having. i gather they have relaxed the formal nights although these were never obligatory. Having said that it does seem that people enjoy dressing up.
I hope Galen comes on as she is an accomplished cruiser and don't believe what she says about mandatory and many strings of pearls. Not essential !
Do let us know what you decide.