Cruising experience

Just popping in to say thank you one and all for your contributions to my first cruising adventure - so many of you are experts!

You must be on silver, gold and diamond status on some lines - how marvellous that you’ve enjoyed your sailings so very much and are still as enthusiastic as me anticipating my first 🤗

I’m away for a couple of days but rest assured will dip in to enjoy all your posts so keep them coming, even downsides and pitfalls are welcome, I’m very much a ‘listen’n learn’ kind of girl!

Thanx

It’s so nice to read a thread with so many positive and sensible comments about cruising. I’ve been on many sea cruises over the years, mostly with Princess, Celebrity or Cunard. I’m so very fortunate to have done this. I’ve heard many excellent reports about Saga, especially from my neighbours and also a group of friends who went last year. However Saga wouldn’t be my choice as I prefer the more mixed age group on other cruise lines. I can’t imagine you won’t have a wonderful holiday and wish you well. You may become a cruise addict!

Please come back after your cruise and let us know how you got on Pantglas.

Pants Hidden in plain sight on the SOD deck 5. Stand with your back to the wonderful staircase and facing the bar. On the right hand side as you face the bar is the ice cream. 😍. 6 homemade varieties every day to choose from. Delicious. 😋

Our favourite spot is deck 6 at the back. Sitting on the terrace and watching the wash from the shop flow away into the distance in the early evening sun.

Nope I’m not jealous at all 🤣

And don't forget to look for the self-serve ice cream machine on the pool deck! Soft ice cream any time you want it!

I'd thought we'd had enough of ocean cruising but after reading this thread I might change my mind. Our northern lights one last year on a Viking ship was so good that we thought it couldn't be beaten or even equalled so we'd stop.
A river cruise next for us but we've done all the obvious ones. Maybe this is the best bit: the shopping around and considering various options knowing that they'd all be good.

H.ave a lovely time. Book any trips you want to do well in advance of your sailing date as the popular ones get booked up. Take comfortable trainers/ shoes. Same when you are on board - book the shows/ talks you are interested in when you can. I havent' gone with Saga, but am sure you will enjoy the food etc on board. Tips were covered by a charge but we gave the steward who looked after us some extra. Safe travels xx

The weather should be good next month too.

Regent Seven Seas fan here. Smaller ships avoiding need for tenders to ports. Luxurious, all rooms have balconies, no need for tips as all included, no 'formal' nights so wear what you want dress up or not, smart casual is fine. Expensive but well worth it imo.

We have done many cruises but prefer Viking both river and ocean. They have interesting excursions and lectures relevant to the ship's destinations.

Ooohh I can feel another cruise coming on with all this talk of them😀 The thing is ,you forget everything when you are on board and relax away from phones etc. Everything is done for you, you just dump your cloths in a cabin which is constantly cleaned for you. Just lovely.

Not my thing, but a sister and BiL have been many times with Saga and thoroughly enjoy them. IIRC they often book fairly late, to get a good deal.

Particularly since BiL has long term health problems they especially appreciate the door-to-ship taxi service - they live in the Yorkshire Dales so it’s always a long journey that would be a major pain on public transport - and they really don’t want to drive to any southern U.K. port.

Though IIRC one recent cruise departed from Newcastle or somewhere else much closer - either a taxi was thrown in, or they arranged their own.

As a lone traveller now, I prefer Fred Olsen cruises - smaller boats which give more opportunity to meet the same people (should you wish to), less people and not having to transfer from boat to shore by tender. Not sure if other Lines do the same, but there were male employees available as dance partners for any solo ladies wishing to dance during evenings.
Don't think I'd fancy the huge ships that are available now!

On the subject of cruising - which River Cruise would you choose for a first 'try out'? Never done one before so just wondered.

I am a serial cruiser, many areas, many companies.
Saga are good, but we find they are ludicrously expensive for what they offer and a bit ‘nannying’.
Personally we wouldn’t cruise from the UK until the summer as the North Atlantic is wet/cold/rough.
Hope you enjoy it.
One warning..cruising can be addictive!!

I left Southampton in mid November and shall arrive back in about 18 days!! Had a wonderful time. - it is there waiting.

I always take my own pillow and silk pillowslips. Leave the pillows on board and bring home the slips. Frees a bit of room for items bought whilst away. Also pack my own hairdryer, shampoo and skin care because the stuff on board may not suit me.

Pack a small medicine bag. Paracetamol, throat sweets etc as these are vastly overpriced on the ships. Take a water bottle to fill and a lifted barker for coffee/tea. Take a kindle or books with you.

Have a wonderful time.

Hubby and I have been on a few cruises and loved it,we use to get the drinks package,as it worked out cheaper,and also we use to book excursions online,before our holiday,instead of booking them on board,we use to eat in the buffet restaurant and the food was lovely,we went with Thompson cruises now tui,as their cruisies,as they were more relaxed and if you didn't want to dress up in evening dress a nd have dinner with the captain you didn't have too

We have been cruising since 2003, apart from the years that Covid hit the UK. Cruising is our favourite type of holiday, you can do as much or as little as you want. Saga is totally all-inclusive and we find we prefer this to other cruise lines. The initial price seems high however that is all that you need to pay. All the drinks are now premium drinks, no extra charge for the speciality restaurants and the pick-up and homeward journeys are now a pleasure - no driving, also included are a limited number of free excursions, wi-fi is free and if the town is more than 500 metres, a bus is laid on. As others have said, the staff are brilliant, they remember your name and where you like to sit in the restaurant. If you frequent the same bar, the staff know what you like to drink and are so friendly and willing. Nothing seems to be too much trouble. I have dietary issues and they are brilliant in this too. I request my meals the night before, they are delivered to where ever I choose to eat ie buffet, dining room, even your cabin if that is what you want. I cannot praise them enough.

I have been on many cruises. As others have said, you can choose from many options, what you want to do. Port stops are a taster of a place and we had a several weeks holiday in both India and Costa Rica as a result. We wouldn’t cruise now though due to the risk of Covid. So many people tell themselves it’s no longer a problem. They are wrong.

Viking and Silverseas are just the best. Pricey but worth every penny. Sadly my husband died and don’t know if could venture on my own . And there’s another question. Has anybody gone on a cruise on their own? If so how was it?

We have done the Hurtigruten (Norway) from Bergen to Kirkenes and then back again. The sip stops in other ports going north than going back south. It was an incredible experience I wouldn't have missed in my life!
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Me too! 😎

The Hurtigruten winter cruise was one I did enjoy, but we did it when Hurtigruten hadn't fully completed the transfer from ferry company to cruise company, so we were in a small ship with little entertainment and excellent self-service catering.

I prefer my holidays, including cruises to be a little rough and ready.

Just back from a Caribbean cruise and really enjoyed the time on the ship and ashore. Only advice I would give would not to book up too many excursions ashore as we ended up cancelling some as more relaxing to just get off the ship and have a little wander around ourselves. I am sure you will love it and end up booking again as we are intending to for next year.

Weve been on a few cruises. Weve enjoyed them all. It is wonderful waking up somewhere different nearly every day. We dont do formal. We enjoyed the evening show. Staff work really hard. Cabins have all been spotless and loads of storage. So easy to do as much or as little as you want. Really enjoyed Iceland and Fjords also the Baltic. Not so keen on Med or canaries. Enjoyed various talks given.

We started cruising years ago with Thomson- now Marella cruises. DH wasn't too keen beforehand but we both absolutely loved the cruise. It was two weeks around the Med starting in Majorca. We've cruised on a couple of different lines but always return to Marella. Not too big, amazing staff and great itineraries. This year we fly to Corfu for a week around the Greek Islands and then a week along the Adriatic. DH's choice. As others have said. it's addictive and so relaxing. Think about what you want from a cruise- Cruise Critic is a good place to start and will help you decide what type and size of ship would suit you. Sure you'll enjoy it.