cruise OMG

Wife and I went on a cruise when I retired. The cruise-line was "Island Lines" (which belongs to Thomson) and the ship was the Island Star. This is the very informal end of the cruise business. Dress for dinner? I don't think I ever changed out of shorts-and-tshirt the entire time we were onboard.

But the problem for us was that it was just too "busy". Ten days of hopping from one Mediterranean port to the next with only one full day at sea was exhausting. The day we arrived at Marseille (a city I desperately wanted to visit) I was so tired that we just stayed onboard while most of the other passengers went sight-seeing.

Off on our second Thomson cruise shortly. We didn't find previous fellow cruisers snobbish but 'professional' cruisers can get a bit boring. We ate our evening meals in the formal dining room but smartish casual seems to be normal, nothing fancy. We didn't have to eat with the same people each evening. I have been put off P&O because there seems to be more dressing up evenings and more days spent at sea (boring) and a I think you are allocated to the same table for the cruise.
Just an easy way to travel and see lots of places and maybe decide to go back to one of them for a longer stay. Go for it.

I have been on many cruises and it depends on which line you chose. The American ships are very casual and there is no need to dress up unless you want to. Some cruises do not have formal nights at all. A few summer dresses, trousers and various tops will do just fine. As regards to tips, you can tell them at reception not to add it on your bill, as you will tip individually who you want to. We are going on a Norweigen Line cruise next week and I understand that there is one dressing up night when we meet the captain. There is anytime dining, so you can eat when it suits you. As for snobs, I've never met any. You will have a great time, no need to get bored, there's always lots to do onboard ship.

Many years ago my DH and I sailed back from USA to UK, on board we got chatting to a lovely couple who were making their first visit to UK - it was only at the end of the cruise that we found out they were very wealthy. People are either pleasant or not, money has nothing to do with it. As I said before I have since been on a cruise alone and met lots of different people, many on their first cruise. You can be as active or as lazy as you like.

We've never cruised though I know lots of people who do and love it.I think it's ok if you see it as a relaxing holiday rather than' 'travelling' and being exposed to different cultures,talking to the 'natives'which is what we like to do.All our European holidays are self- organised and we tend to spend several days in a city /country to 'get under the skin' of it .(sorry if that sounds pretentious Its not meant to )We have however done several long haul coach tours but you do get a reasonable amount of time in each place and you do see places other than those on the coast-that's the aspect that that would frustrate me,having only a few hours at each destination, and I know DH would stress about being back at the boat in good time.It's harder to miss a coach !But not having to constantly unpack would be nice .On any holiday ,except the really casual,most people would make a bit of an effort in the evenings surely ?.If we eat out when self catering,from Cornwall to Cumbria ,we would change after a days walking or sight seeing . .Certainly people do when I've been touring .Its nice to have a shower,put something pretty on and relax in a pleasant dining room.And we would do that even if it's just us
I know one couple who love the dressing up aspect of cruises-Dinner jacket and cocktail dress(I dont think anyone wears a ball gown anymore even on QM2)I think it makes them feel aristocratic and rich (they are very well off but not rich) and I'm sure they name- drop other cruises they've been on to fellow passengers .It's part of the pleasure for them though,and harmless enough ,though she says (rather sniffily) its getting more and more casual

Gaggi3 i do so agree with you that there is a great deal of inverted snobbery around especially of the kind recently encountered in a lift as she eyed me up and down ' I can't stand all this dressing up -pretending to be what you aren't -take me as you find me!' In a VERY loud voice!

usually there is one captains night a week and if you don't want to you don't do it, as someone said earlier perhaps take one formal skirt and a couple of tops. We did one cruise to Alaska where some guests(Australians) thought that formal dress was matching socks.
We now only cruise with Thomsons as we find the experience very good, the shows at night are west end quality.

Just remembered what was the funniest bit on my cruise, while waiting to meet the captain (queuing again) people were having their photo taken in front of a backdrop with a pictorial sunset on it. Later on they could buy these, I did wonder if they told friends at home that this was a real sunset on the cruise. Needless to say we didn't bother with it.

It's what you make if it, if you want to eat in the cafe then do so if you want to eat in the dining room then do so, smart dress in the dining room and set evenings for really dressing up which I loved. You can have room Service and slob on your pjs. The tips are taken from your bill when you order something you don't hand cash over they frown upon that. Cash isn't used on board you either hand your cash over at the beginning of your cruise we just topped it up when necessary or your credit card is debited at the end. It was a fantastic holiday and can't wait I go again

You seem keen enough to do lots of research and very keen to visit the destination. You seem to be keen on a trip having not got away for a while. People seem to have lots of varied experiences. I think you should try it once. See for yourself. If you don't like it never do it again. People say you only regret things you don't do! I hate dressing up but my top tip is to purchase something sparkley as it instantly looks dressy. This is what I put on for work dos. Lots of sparkley tops in sales now. Just wear with some black trousers or any comfy skirt trouser combo. And seek out the bits you enjoy
GO FOR IT. YOU ARE ONLY YOUNG ONCE!

It's interesting that the concept of snobs and money seem to go together. Of course well-off people can be snobbish, but so can anyone, there's a lot of inverted snobbery around. I might have as much in common with rich people as with homeless people, as I'm neither.
On any holiday you don't have to mix with people you don't like.

Oh etheltbags1 you will b missing out on so much fun! All that fab entertainment, lovely food (available most of the day) live music in every bar, a chance to dress up and make yourself pretty (i have some gorgeous charity shop finds),meet people, time to relax and read, sit out on deck in the sun and sea air........cruising is wonderful!

Sounds like hell to me being stuck with people all the time and stir crazy too...........you see a lot more of the water then you do of the destinations......I may go off in search of whales at some time wearing my old lady comfy trousers and big jacket......but getting dressed to eat my own dinner that I have paid for........Really??????

My friend went on what she called a 'casual cruise' where it was less formal and she loved it........so they must be out there as an option.

I have been on two cruises - the first one my daughter and myself flew to Jamaica to join the cruise ship - it was predominantly full of people from Canada who were horrified at how much we had paid for the one week cruise, they had paid almost half less for the same thing The other passengers were very friendly, the food was fantastic and included in the cost of the holiday. The only thing that I thought was odd was that there was one night when people were encouraged to impersonate their favourite singer and some had gone to the trouble of packing the whole kit to do so, including wigs! I did notice that it was expected that passengers would spend lots of their holiday money in the casino (we limited ourselves to £5 each per night), this is presumably where the cruise company made their profits. There was only one night when dinner was a formal event, but most women just wore a pretty dress or skirt/top. The second cruise was for my gt niece's Hen Party, this was a mini cruise of 3 nights, again there was one evening when Dinner was a formal event but we all took long summer dresses and wore those.

We've been on several cruises. The only "snobby" or posh cruise would be a Cunard one - think QM2 or similar. That is formal dress etc. But most other lines are relaxed in their dress rules and eating. We even went on a Regent Seven Seas cruise, (touted as a 6* line!) where meals were served "formally" but cruisers dressed casually - ie you could get away with a reasonable dress or trousers and top - just not "pool" attire.
Look at the website for the company - they give goof info as they want people to cruise. Join Cruise Critic forum and post your questions there - they are a great bunch of fellow cruisers and if one person allays your fears - you'll have a ball.

We can't wait to go on another cruise - enjoy it and HAVE FUN!

Just curious, McGilchris, have you ever been to Butlins or are you relying on Hi de hi for your information?

Like others I have been on several cruises. There are usually several different restaurants, one formal where meals are at set times and people are asked to dress smartly but not formal. This restaurant is waiter served. Then there are at least 2 other restaurants which are buffet style with no time/dress restrictions. Men are asked to wear a top but that's reasonable. There is always a formal night which is preceded by the captains cocktail party but we never bother to attend ! I've meet some people who are obviously much better off than me but never snobby. Hope you enjoy it

I have been on several cruises with very different companies. My tip would be to choose a small ship which are normally more informal and dress as YOU like. It is your holiday. My worst nightmare is Butlins on sea which describes some of the large ships to a tee.

etheltbags I don't know how active you are, but if you go on an expedition-type cruise, none of the formality worries would apply.

Ethelbags1 If you don't want to be pounced on by a desperate man, I'd stick with the holes in leggings with a mini skirt and the scuffed Doc Martins ( your words)

We cruise with Royal Caribbean, not at all snobbish, you can dress up on formal nights but it is not compulsory. You can eat when you want, where you want, dining room , buffet, pizzeria, cafe. All these included in price. We pay our tips at time of booking, no need for further tips. We do as much as we want to from lazing on a sunbed to playing crazy golf, theatre shows to chatting in the bar.

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 ...

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 ?

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 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.