cruise OMG

'Snobs' are only snobs in the eye of the 'umble beholder. If you go through life with the attitude that some people are better than you or that you think are better than you you will certainly find them. We're all equal now. Stop being silly and relish a new opportunity. Travel broadens the mind!

Lindylou we are going on a cruise to Norway later this year. We went last year and enjoyed it so much that we are going again . Hope you enjoy it too

Travel might do Jane10 cruises don't necessarily. Most boring pretentious lot of people I have ever met, very set in their ways.

We've just been on one cruise, a trip up the Nile, just before Egypt erupted in the Arab Spring. Posh is not a word I'd associate with the cruise! I have a couple of friends who cruise quite often and neither of them does posh, either. They'll look smart if the occasion calls for it but not designer clothes or precious jewels. To be honest, I think it's rather judgemental to label people when you haven't even met them.

We really enjoyed the Nile cruise as did our 14yo daughter, it was utterly fascinating. We had one day totally 'at sea' but it was welcome as it had been tiring visiting ancient sites in high temperatures and anyway, watching life taking place on the riverbanks as we passed was thoroughly engrossing.

We did indeed have to pass through other boats to reach the dock side but that in itself was interesting as each boat seemed to be different. In some ways, it's just like passing through the carriage of a train, no big deal.

Gosh , having enjoyed 5 various types of chisels I hadn't realised I was pretentious, posh, boring and extremely wealthy.

Chisels???!!!

Cruises !!!! Posh as I am , I just can't get decent staff.

Don't think you're cut out for cruising Trisher.

No Thank Goodness. I'll stick to tramping around cities in Europe and island hopping in Greece!

Try river cruising no need to dress up on them .
A friend on a cruise got chatting to a cruising bore ( she met so many of them ) who was boasting about all the cruises she had done and was sniffy about my friend who was on her first one . However my friend put her in her place saying " See these shoes, they have been round the world twice " She had borrowed them from a friend .

I think it's very sad when people are so set in their ways that they won't even try something once! But as Ethel has already decided that she will hate it, I'm sure she's right.....

When I was a child I had a friend at school who used to cruise with her parents and sister every year. She would sometimes bring me a menu back and I would dream of having the chance do something like that, but it was way beyond my parents' limited means. Now, when we could well afford to cruise and DS and DiL are trying to persuade us to try it (they love it) neither of us has any desire to. DH doesn't like to be thrown together in social situations with too many people these days as his hearing is poor, and I have no desire to go on any boat I can't fish over the side of ! If we did anything like that, though, I would like it to be a river cruise, I think.

I've only cruised with Cunard, but there again I'm the 'type' of person who wants to mix and socialise with people who make the effort to look well groomed.

I don't think this style of holiday is for you ethelbags

We don't like dressing up. Are not posh. Like to chat a bit but not keen to spend every evening talking to others. Neither of us really wanted to go on a cruise but we did want to see the Norwegian fjords so we decided to go once. We went with Saga and loved every minute of it. Have been twice more since and have another cruise booked.

Cruising is not for everyone it depends what you are looking for in a holiday. Many people love to relax and sun themselves on some exotic beach. Others like adventure holidays and exploring. We enjoy relaxing, reading, eating good food, drinking nice wine, looking at beautiful scenery (even if it's raining most days which it did on our first cruise), listening to some interesting talks and chatting with people in a relaxed atmosphere.

If you do like cruising, I imagine a lot would depend on which cruise line you travel with as to formal nights, tips dining etc. We happen to have been lucky in trying Saga first and it just suits us exactly.

ethelbags, whatever you decide to do for a holiday, I hope you enjoy yourself.

I have a friend who has only ever cruised with Cunard, but she has been disappointed with them recently, and is beginning to look at the more expensive cruise lines. Each to their own I guess

BBbevan Thanks we are looking forward to it. Hope you have another great trip.

etheltbags Go for it, the comments sound as if there are as many "non-dressers" as "dressers" so you should be able to find other people to be comfortable with.

I also object to cruising for the damage it does and the lack of real contribution to local businesses in other countries. And the queues! Off the ship, on the ship, for the coaches, for the attractions, for everything in fact. In Madeira you could see that the cruise ships were in by the queue for the cable car.
I want to 'mix and socialise' with interesting and amusing people don't give a fig what they look like or how they dress.

I don't think my friend said she was going to help old people, she is smart but I think I would like to go alone. I've never fancied a holiday, rarely been able to afford it but a relative has promised me some cash to pay for it. We thought sharing would be cheaper but I like the idea of a holiday. I might go alone, still having deep thoughts. Another reason I don't like to dress up is because I might be pounced on by a desperate man.

How about something more adventurous? Island hopping? Biking in Europe? Back-packing? No dressing up at all.

One thing I do fancy is a Turkish Gulet cruise- just worry that maybe I am a bit old. Has anyone ever done one?

I went on a Silver Sea Cruise once with a relative who paid for me. Even if I tried I could not find anything to complain about with standards, staff, food or facilities. However, I felt totally trapped, bored and Frustrated.. I felt I had no insight into the places we visited and felt like I was part of a flock of sheep being herded around. I am used to travelling on my own with backpack and my own self reliance. Not for everyone I know, but if you ARE a free spirit, cruising is perhaps not for you. At least I have been able to experience the craze without being out of pocket!!!

ethelbags I know it's not supposed to be and perhaps it's my odd sense of humour but your last sentence made me grin I think it was the way it was worded.

EthelT Whitewave It would not be my choice either for the same reasons. I am not good on boats either.
When I was in Las Palma a couple of years ago I was watching people coming off the huge cruise ship to see the town. It took ages for them to file off the boat.

I think I would prefer a coach tour, you can at least see scenery out of your window.
I joined the Navy to see the world! But what did I see? I saw the sea.

ethelbags your last sentence made me smile if there was a single man on a cruise ship he'd more likely be pounced on by a desperate woman ? There are a lot more solo females than males.
Cruisings what you make it. You don't have to dress up, though we enjoy doing so ( never seen a ballgown perhaps we go on the wrong ships) On a lot of ships they have freedom dining when you can eat when you choose to.
You don't have to be "herded" around at different ports you can do your own thing!
You can have gratuities removed, we've never done so as the staff work incredibly hard to ensure you have a great holiday and take great pride in doing so.
izabella you're welcome to your backpacking! I'd rather be waited on and spoilt for a couple of weeks. Lovely food, time in the Spa, wander ashore in the daytime or relax with a book, take a swim then theatre in the evening. Looking forward to my hols this year ?

Depends - we went on a great 10 day med cruise with Thomson. Not expensive, didn't have to dress up for dinner particularly - I just wore simple shift dresses - people were lovely, staff friendly. We got to know the people on our table and did a couple of excursions with them. We went to the customer service desk when we arrived on board to say we didn't want to be included in the "formal" tipping scheme - we decided to tip the girls who were specifically looking after our cabin. And we tipped a couple of the bar staff and waiters who had been especially good. They don't expect a lot - doubt they get much at all from the central tipping pot. It was a lovely experience waking up in a different place every morning. Hope you enjoy if you decide to go ...