cruise OMG

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!!!

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

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

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.

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.

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 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

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'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

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 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.....

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 .

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

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

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

Chisels???!!!

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

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.

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

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

'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!

A long black skirt could easily have read smart black trousers.

Your friend must be the type of person who likes to get involved in the lives of others.There would be no necessity to do these things.

Interesting question Sunseeker she told me there were a lot of elderly on her cruise which she interpreted that it was cheaper than residential care homes ( just telling you what she told me she's a constant cruiser at least twice a year) and that she ended up helping quite a lot which she didn't mind at all The man in the next cabin used to knock on the wall so she could give him a hand in the mornings he couldn't get socks on etc She made friends with a 92 year old lady who couldn't do zips and things up She didn't have a problem but that wouldn't have been my idea of a holiday

teetime we have been with Holland America several times and found type standard very good. I'm surprised there are no formal night's though. If you have any question please feel free to pm me.

River cruises are great. We had no problem with mooring. Smaller boats so more friendly and relaxed.
Best cruises I have done was last year in Croatia. Amazing coastline. Not 'posh' just 30 cabins full of friendly people.
Go and enjoy!!