First time cruiser. Any advice?

Far better to go by car and have the parking as your ‘extra’. Lots of hassle with going by coach. E.g you arrive along with 30-40 others…. We always ignore the time for embarkation and go early to have lunch on board, always been ok ?
Yes, you can book before renewing passport.

Another stupid question is
My passport needs renewing.
Can I go ahead and book the cruise before renewinf my passport?

Ate people booking a whole year in advance? It seems all the choice spits are gone

Thanks for all the tips.

I got so far with the booking and it said the only available deck is deck 8 (aft) on Britanica. Any other decks they say there's extra charge.
Also, Rw there any catches if I tick coach to Southhampron as my 'extra'?

P&O is fine. Never had a problem with them. I would add to the advice to have a balcony cabin. I once had an inside one to economise and it affected my equilibrium very much indeed. I would rather cruise every two or three years with a balcony than every year and have to be inside.

We have always gone with P&O and been very satisfied. One thing we learned on our second cruise, you do not have to have breakfast in the self service restaurant. A bun fight. There is always a designated restaurant , with waiter service, which is much, much, nicer.

P & O excursions are very reasonable. Expect to pay between £40 - £60 each for half a day, £70+ for a full day. Of course, some are very expensive if you want a helicopter ride for example!
We always use the ship organised ones. They guarantee that the ship will wait for you if the tour is delayed getting back to port.
Once in St Lucia, the ship wouldn’t anchor so we couldn’t go ashore. So we got a full refund for our tour. Others who had booked something independently lost out.

I have to agree that you must have an outside cabin ( if possible).

Norwegian Fjords is a great choice for a first cruise. I too would suggest a balcony if your budget can stretch to it as the early morning peaceful sail along fjords is beautiful. Celebrity are a good line that we really like, cunard can be a bit over formal for.our taste but this is a personal decision

We've not sailed to the fjords but Mum and Dad enjoyed several trips there with P&O.
From what they said drinks ashore in Norway were quite expensive.

Have a look on the website at the prices of the excursions when you're working out your budget.
If an inside cabin makes it more doable then you can always watch the scenery go by from the deck or a bar!

Our favourite cruise destination is the Caribbean, we're treating ourselves to a week over Christmas/New Year in honour of a biggish birthday each this year ?

snowberryZ

Where would you park your car in Southhampton for a week?
Are there designated long stay carparks. like airports have?

Yes, very efficient. Called CPS. You drive up to the cruise terminal, get your luggage out, give them the car keys and off you go. The big cases are then left with staff waiting to collect and you don’t see them again til they’re outside your stateroom. Keep hold of you hand luggage though, just in case!

Where would you park your car in Southhampton for a week?
Are there designated long stay carparks. like airports have?

Thanks Soroptimum.

* ill not I’ll ?

P and O cruises are an entirely separate company (owned by Carnival) to p and o ferries.
I have been on 15 cruises, love them. Mainly Cunard (quite formal), P and O (less formal) and Princess - informal, but you can dress up if you want.
If you can stretch to it, I’d recommend an outside cabin or balcony, especially for the fiords.

Choose you deck carefully, always go for one that has cabins above and below. You don’t want to be above the disco!!
Mid ships is more stable than forward or aft, a consideration if you may be sea sick.
We have NEVER been I’ll on board in any way. Just follow all the rules re hand washing etc. and you’ll be fine.
We currently have 4 cruises lined up, having had at least 6 cancelled. We love them as the places come to you! And we like sailing out of Southampton as my DH came from there and my DS now lives there.
Loads more tips I could give you, any specifics let me know.

Any tips. Not Ant