Going on a cruise, what is it really like?

I’ve been on quite a few cruises. I’ve no experience of Saga as we prefer holidays which are not “adults only.” Friends went on Saga last year and couldn’t praise it highly enough. P and O cruises are very good. Always a pleasant unhurried atmosphere with nice food and good entertainment. It has a very British ambiance whereas lines like Princess and Celebrity are more international. When we went on our first cruise we weren’t sure so booked a short one to Belgium and Holland. We absolutely loved it! It’s something you need to try once.
The first day on a ship can be rather chaotic on any cruise line. People are all arriving at similar times and milling around. By the following morning the ship seems like a different place and the trip really begins. On sea days the pool areas can get busy and sun beds are close together although there are always quieter areas. It’s a good idea to have a balcony cabin for a quiet read or rest outdoors.

You need to do your homework and pick the cruise that is right for you.
My first mini cruise was a rehearsal for me because I realised I didn't want a party ship or one that catered for young families. You can pick and choose whether you want to be exercising, watching onboard entertainment and getting involved with what's going on.

Been on a few -mainly Royal Carribbean - I love the fun and excitement on a large cruise liner . So many activities, shows, etc to choose from. Mostly chose the Buffets, because they were casual and convenient. We hated having to dress up for Dinner, except on the Captain’s Night. If I wanted peace and quiet I would go to a monastery . And the fact that you can see so many places in one go, be it just for a day, was a Bonus. I highly recommend.

We usually go with Princess but Viking is very good. More upmarket than Princess but we still like Princess because it is fun and the food is very good plus very few kids on board. We have been on many cruises, river and sea.Budapest to Amsterdam is a good river cruise and Viking Mediterranean is a good sea cruise. Usually we go into the Pacific because it is close for us.

We went on a 9 day cruise to the Norwegian Fjords with Royal Caribbean in 2022.

Didn’t use the buffet once, stayed with the smaller restaurants, entertainment was good, we saw We Will Rock You which was as good as when I saw it in the West End, we also went to a Variety Show which was entertaining.

It is possible to avoid the crowds, we enjoyed the quizzes and I enjoyed sitting on our balcony looking out to sea and the scenery wherever we were.

The service was top notch, food delicious and our suite was roomy with everything we needed.

We have cruised Holland America and Celebrity mainly. These are my two favourite cruise lines. However we’ve cruised with some other companies, but only one cruise on the other companies.

We’ve gone from one cruise on MSC to the Norwegian fiords to one cruise with SilverSea to the Galápagos Islands. From one extreme to the other! MSC massive but beautiful ship, chosen because I was looking for a quick but cheap getaway, to SilverSea which was a gorgeous ship, super luxury and only 100 passengers. Then in between, other cruise lines, but every cruise was enjoyed. We met lovely people and ate lovely food, although MSC food was the least enjoyable, and we’ve visited fabulous places including the Norwegian fiords, the Far East, Japan, New Zealand and Alaska, along with other places.

However we don’t only cruise, we enjoy self drive holidays too, and relaxing breaks in little rentals in Greece.

Viking River-just as Norah described.

My first ocean cruise was with MSC.
There was only one night dress code for “Meet the captain” and that wasn’t obligatory.
We didn’t feel herded, either for meals (buffet or dining room) and apart from the we must sit at the front group who exist everywhere, no one rushed for the theatre entertainment.
Best bit? The spa.
Worst bit, getting off the boat to visit places. It wasn’t difficult, but I don’t like heights.

We did P&O it was fine.

Thank you all. More opinions very welcome please and which companies to use or avoid. Any thoughts on Saga cruises or P&O for example.

Cunard, not as posh as you would imagine. Two formal nights on our cruise, but they aren't compulsory, you can eat dinner in the buffet. You don't have to take part in any of the activities or excursions if you prefer not to. We were on Queen Mary 2.
We went on a 7 night Norwegian fjords cruise with a company that no longer exists. Very relaxed, we loved every minute.
Do give cruising a try, it spoilt us for any other type of holiday.

woodenspoon

We have been thinking about going on a cruise. We have never been before.

Last night, we watched Susan Calman followed by the Good Ship Murder. Are these realistic portrayals of what it is like on a cruise ship? Being herded together, sunbeds all lined up and packed like sardines, entertainment nights etc. Or are we getting a wrong impression? As it is, we don’t think it’s for us if it’s like those we saw last night.

Who has been on one, which company, and what would you recommend?

We watched that as we did a Norwegian cruise last year.

It was dreadful TV!

A cruise is what you make it.

We didn’t do any guided tours, we planned our own itinerary.

The other tip is to avoid the buffet!

You are definitely getting the wrong impression. With cruising you get what you pay for. Cheap cruise lines are packed and all sorts of extras added on board. Pay more for smaller ships, no crowding, meals at times you prefer, interesting entertainment/lectures etc etc

Viking River. Lovely.

No herding, no sunbeds, no dress code, not sardines.