Things I learnt on my first cruise

We have been with Cunard and P & O. Prefer to go from Southampton as I hate flying. Have enjoyed them all. If you get seasick try those wrist bands that work on acupuncture principles - they work for DH who got seasick if he sreps in a puddle. They do work.
Interested to read about Viking on here and tempted to try them next. Have visited some wonderful places on a cruise and it's so easy as everything is dome for you. All the variety and you only unpack once. On a coach tour you are packing and unpacking all the time and that's when I start losing things. Oh, a life on the Ocean Wave, tra la !

We had never cruised until about 4 years ago.
We travel independently normally but have slotted in one way cruises to our independent travel trips as well as sailing round trip across the Atlantic and to the Caribbean.
Not all ships have the same rules so it's best the check before you book.
Cruising is not for everyone but some people stay with the same cruise lines however we have used the lines for us which work out best for the area of the world we want to travel. To keep going to the same areas doesn't interest us.
The one thing I would say for us is that the ships only dock for a few hours for us it would be great to be in cities over night or for a couple of days.
The thing with cruising is you have to do something you are interested in while at sea then it makes for a great trip.

very helpful, thanks. We live abroad, so might be easier/cheaper to book with French companyn- will have to do some studying here

When we have booked our own excursions, because of price, we have never had a problem returning on time (they do know if you are not aboard and wait up to a certain time). We do take our phones, they have the numbers.

I figure it out, reserve for a car, fit to the sailing times, and go. Once VRC had an add on tour (not included in that day free offerings) ridiculous price. They must pay what their vendor charges, it was 8 times as much as going on our own in a car. Hired car was a far more pleasant scheme.

Had we missed the boat entirely we could have had the chap in the hired car take us on downriver. Always a way to find the boat.

We never have to dress up, the tipping scheme makes sense, there is a walking circle on the upper deck, snacks out at the coffee bar all day.

Jura2, Yes, Viking River Cruises are our preference. The internet is free, the beer and wine are free, there are lots of free tours and excursions. The food is nice, seated as you prefer, plenty of options to every taste. BRILLIANT.

Thanks Norah - VRC = Viking Cruises?

jura2, I think the VRC in Portugal begins in Lisbon, bus to Porto, boat east from Porto, overland to Spain. Back overland to boat, west to Porto, depart by air.

We added days at the beginning and end in Spain.

I love cruises and VRC. Brilliant.

Cruising is not for everyone but some people only cruise.
Different cruise companies offer different services and costs.
If you are thinking of cruising read the small print and ring up the company with your questions before you book so you'll not be disappointed.
One thing I really don't like is not having a kettle in the room. I like to have a cuppa when I read in bed so this is an irritant to me.
If you are on a long trip check there is a laundry room because having to pay for having your clothes washed by the ship is very expensive.
WIFI is a rip off I can't imagine anyone paying for it.
It would be nice to stay for longer in port, some of the stops can be very short and not much time to do anything on your own.
Excursions are expensive and we usually book things privately before we leave England but we did do the Petra trip on one cruise as to do it on our own risked missing the ship leaving.

Or do the Douro river cruises go one way only from Porto and leave you on the Spanish border?

Thank you Norah never ever been on a Cruise- any tips?
We thought we would stay on in Porto and fly back from Lisbon.

jura2, The Viking River Cruise on the Douro in Portugal is lovely. We added a side trip in Spain on each end. Brilliant.

Well that is more or less exactly what I expected
It would not be be my taste in the first place.
For starters its on a boat. One of those things that go up and down on water. #nosealegsatall.

ethel I tend to wear either narrow, straight or wider, pleated trousers with a top - sometimes with and sometimes without sparkles. It depends which cruise line how ‘dressy’ people are. It’s more important to be yourself and comfortable than to worry too much about the ‘right’ clothes, I am sure you will see a real mix of styles.

If you do your own thing and go on day trips there is the danger that you may not get back to the ship in time before it sails.
They wouldn't wait for you unless you had booked one of their own excursions.

Thank you Teetime for this. Confirming that we are just not ready for cruising. We have great friends who cruise at least twice a year, and are trying so hard to get us to join them - but really it is not for us. My main concern would be to get off the ship at a tourist spot with 100s of others- and have to return for a certain time- just as we were embarking on sightseeing beyond the obvious attractions. That would frustrate us no end.

We would like to do the River Cruise on the Douro in Portugal though- as anyone done that one? Any advice would be very welcome. Thanks.

Oh dear!! Never realised I looked common in my " glittery tops" ??

etheltbags1, We never 'dress for dinner' on a cruise. It is not required on VRC. I would not go if we had to dress up.

Just a pair of smart trousers and a top will do well. Anyway You can always eat at the buffet if you don’t want to dress up.

P.s. I must add that I won't go scruffy, just prefer very casual wear.

I'm going on a cruise next spring, it sounds just what I'd like but how do you cope with the dressing up bit. I can't think why people like to dress up just to eat. The food will taste the same, I feel uncomfortable in any heels, I don't mind a dress or skirt but hate shirts that fit and despise glittery tops (so common), what on earth can i wear. I would rather wear jeans and a baggy shirt, any advice got this first time cruiser.

Well, I must admit that I have been converted!

When DH was alive we did two cruises and I was not in a hurry to do any more, although he absolutely loved it.

Since he died I have been on two cruises thanks to Galen who, very kindly, invited me to join her and I can now say I'm hooked!
We did a Med cruise in Sept on Cunard and are off again at Christmas to the Canaries. Can't wait!

overthehill, we've only experience of p&o at Southampton. Most people take a hand luggage item on board with them with medication, valuables etc as you would on a plane. Some also take a soft suit carrier. Some take nothing . I usually take on a small wheelie case, Mr C takes a laptop bag. If you aren't going with p&o suggest you look at a forum for your cruise line or post that information here as I've no idea if all lines operate in the same way. Where are you off to? Wherever it is I'm envious.

hilda. We also love the Fjords, have been on two cruises there from the UK, wonderful scenery. Have a wonderful time.

We have been to Norway twice. hildajenniJ absolutely love it. Hope you have a really great time and enjoy the cruise.

We are going on our first cruise next year. We are going with CMV to the Norwegian fjords. I do hope we've chosen well! I'm looking forward to it immensely. It's only for seven nights, just to see if we like cruising.