First time cruiser. Any advice?

Pepper59

Passport renewals are taking 10 weeks from what Ive been told.

Not everyone. My grandson got his back within a week.

We have cruised in the Norwegian fjords and it was wonderful. We had an outside cabin with a large window. Our other cruise so far was on the Nile! A bit different, especially as it was in July so extremely hot. We have booked a river cruise on the Danube for March 2023. Because of OH’s health problems we have gone overboard (!) and booked two adjoining cabins, each with a balcony.

Oooo fabulous, a cruise. I would suggest an outside cabin, balcony if £££ allows. I have never been in an inside cabin but have seen them while on the ship. With an outside cabin you are able to see your new arrival point, it is all sooooo exciting ( well, it was to me ).
A balcony though is fantastic.

Choose your cabin middle of ship. We made the mistake once of opting for a low deck, way too noisy ( engines )

The staff can not do enough for you so any issues, no matter how small, just ask.

I think it is a fabulous experience ☆☆☆☆☆☆

Are you happy to dress for dinner every night?
A new cruise wardrobe could cost as much as the cruise.
We did a formal cruise and hated having to go to dinner in black tie get up, we did enough of that through work.
We far preferred a casual dining cruise.

We have done The Fjords a couple of times now. Last month with Fred Olsen. Smaller ships and can get to places that the larger ships like P&O etc can’t get. There are fewer balconies but it depends on what you want. Bear in mind that if the weather is rough you are better off in a lower cabin.
Parking can sometimes be organised by the cruise line sometimes you have to arrange your own. I would check out the way coach pick up works. If they have to go to a lot of different stops it could be a long day.

If cash allows go for a balcony, lovely to get outside first thing in the morning! We chose an inside cabin on our first cruise and I felt very claustrophobic! Never again!

Dressing for dinner can seem to be a nightmare, but formal nights are not all that often and usually when you have been at Sea for a day. Even then you can eat elsewhere if you don't fancy dressing up ! Other than that my advice for women is to take a long black skirt or trousers and a selection if comfy tops , job done !

I’m going on a cruise to the fjords in 3 weeks. Very excited! Not my first cruise but the first to that area. There is absolutely no connection between P and O cruises and the ferry company. I’ve not travelled with P and O for a long time but I believe that they have saver fares which are less expensive. Look carefully at exactly what is included in these in case there is something that won’t suit you. Have a great time!

My one tip is to be prepared for sea sickness . We both were compleyely floored by it and it was not fun .

You didn't say which PO ship you were looking at. Deck 8 might be OK if it isn't above a bar. There is only one formal night on a week's cruise and if you don't want to dress for dinner you can always go to the buffet. Get there early as a few hundred others won't be going to the main dining room on formal night. PO is quite casual every night no need to worry about a new wardrobe. Do recommend bringing your own seasick tablets as they are expensive if you buy them onboard. We loved our Fjords cruise wonderful scenery and fresh air.

Forgot to mention coach travel. We've used Eavesway and Intercruise, EW coaches are nicer.

The 3 cruises Ive been on have been “smart casual” for dinner.

Do check if “black tie is expected” it may be on an expensive cruise

On the most expensive cruises it's not expected!

We have done 3 cruises. First was with Hurtigruten in February 2017. We flew from Bristol to Trömso Northern Norway and then after a few stops right over the top to Kirkenes near the Russian border. Food at breakfast was superb but dinner was a set meal and usually overcooked and bland. The views were simply stunning though with all the pristine snow. Second and third we’re with P&O. A Christmas one to the Caribbean flying to Barbados and other was Med cruise. Our Saga cruise in 2020 was cancelled but we are doing a 22 night cruise in August mostly round eastern Mediterranean.

I found the food on P&O to be terrific with a huge number of choices and plenty of variety (and I’m fussy about quality). We found cruises to be very sociable compared to other holidays we’ve been on. Dressing up was only about once every 5-6 days, when at sea without a stop. My DH said he’d hate dressing up but decided he loved the idea. There isn’t a limit to what you can take on board unless you are flying. Door to door service from front door to the ship itself was bliss. I’m not sure I particularly want to fly anymore.

We said we’d never do cruising but we really like them.

We’ve done tui and royal Caribbean latter very fancy. Go for a smaller company and I think you’ll get what you want. Agree go for outside cabin and balcony it’s lovely.

My tip is to track down the cruise critic website and there you will glean alll the information you you could wish for.

I second that. Cruise critic forum is great. You can find the cruise you're going on, join the roll call for it and so make contacts before you've even boarded. Lots of pre cruise info to share. Sign up for the onboard 'meet and mingle' party that they put on for cruise critic forum members too.