Cruises - Go on, convince me!

As Gill57 said I am the expert that’s never been so I’ll say no more.

I think our favourite cruise was to Alaska and The Inside Passage. There was a rough bit where we couldn't go to one of the scheduled stops.
But, we would both love to go on a Fjord cruise, maybe not feasible now.

During my first marriage, I enjoyed various cruises with my favourites being to Alaska and Iceland. My second DH vowed never to cruise but then joined me on one to Christmas Markets in 2018, followed by another to Norway the following year and realised what he was missing! Last year a cruise to the Dutch bulb fields was cancelled but we hope to go on another next Spring.

Dressing for dinner isn’t required apart from the set formal nights and even then you can opt for the cafeteria. We mostly explore ports of call independently although numerous excursions are offered. If you prefer not to mix, most dining rooms offer tables for two but we’ve usually found interesting company by sharing.

I have never experienced any outbreaks of illness during any of the dozen or more cruises on which I’ve sailed. Our preferred company is Fred Olsen, with MV Balmoral being our ship of choice.

River cruises, smaller boats, fewer people, more frequent stops and always something beautiful or interesting to see on the banks.
I tried an ocean cruise a few years back and though I enjoyed it I’ve decided I prefer river cruises.
Interestingly, even in 2016, there were sanitiser stations along the corridors, in the wash rooms and outside the restaurants.
On the ocean cruise, we could have signed up to dine at the captain’s table but we didn’t.
On the river cruises, the Captain has been available to chat by the restaurant, or as you come aboard after an excursion, or occasionally around in the evenings.
We had to postpone in 2020 and again this year, but I’m ready for next year!???

For me, the word cruise conjures up “peace and calm”.

But a “holiday cruise” conjures up the complete opposite.

Not for me thanks!

However many people tell me how great it is - No! No! No!

There are sooooo many types of cruise. No need to go on a massive ship, no need to dress up, no need to be very sociable just pick the right cruise.
Lots of choice so just surf about on the net and see what you fancy.

Always thought of cruise ships as floating Petri dishes long before covid. Novovirus seemed to happen on every voyage according to cruisaholic friends, obviously not put off by it.
I always imagined cruise types to like to dress for dinner, giggle at the captain’s witticisms and compete with others for the amount of bling worn.
Friends assure me that this is not so but I know I would hate it.
One friend goes ashore at each port but her husband stays on board as he just goes for the ship experience. Might as well go to a holiday park if you don’t take advantage of the various foreign destinations.
Personally I like to self cater in quiet locations or a nice hotel for city breaks.
Nowt so queer as folk.

After a vino or two (probably more) I have agreed to go on a cruise this year with DH and our very good friends.

As it is around the U.K. I envisaged a small ship, how wrong was I, It’s enormous!!!

I will report back…

I like cruises, I like all types of holidays. I find that the people with the most expert opinion on cruises are those that have never been, so I am out!

Not a cruise as such but sailed home from New York across the Atlantic in the QE2. I was only 15 but I totally loved it. Can't say the same for my parents. My father sulked the full 5 days and my mother seemed to spend most of the time on various toilet floors. My sister began having a fling with the pool cleaner and my grandparents, ( who had paid for all this) just sat in their rooms looking bemused, playing quizzes from the Reader's Digest. Today cruises appear to be a lot different. People go for the social amenities and just having a jolly good romp. I'd go on one to Alaska but that would be my limit. I like to swim in the sea and it's not advised off a ship. You could watch those Jane MacDonald cruise shows! She goes on many different types. Some very glam and others not so much. Good luck if you venture off!