First Cruise

Another old thread

Northernsoulnanna we've booked the Transatlantic crossing again for next year, on Explorer 2 this time and leaving Europe from Tangier.

Thank you for the reminder to submit the feedback back form. I made a note of our cabin stewards' names, we had a lovely team of three.

We love marella V3ra.....
Been on discovery twice (2024 and this year, a week in 2024 and 2 weeks this year)
Marella isnt all bells and whistles but cant fault anything.
The staff are wonderfull especially the Cabin Stewards so freindly,smiley and chatty.
And they work so hard. 10 hour days,no time off and away from families up to a year.
We always put in a good word for them on the feedback on the ships app.
All members of staff have to have at least 6 mentions each by name in feedback
Then they get taken out for the day or a day off.
Booked marella voyager next year.

SophiaA, Have you found a cruise?

We've just come back from the Transatlantic crossing on Marella Explorer.
This is where the ships that have spent the summer in the Mediterranean go across to the Caribbean for the winter.

We had eight days at sea between Gibraltar and Antigua, so we met and talked to a lot of people!
There were many first time cruisers onboard and every one we spoke to said they were blown away with how friendly and chatty everyone was 🙂
Marella have a good reputation for the welcoming atmosphere their staff encourage 😊

Caleo

A very dear friend of mine went alone on a cruise, she was a warm hearted sociable person who was sadly hurt by being rudely rebuffed by another passenger who did not wish to know her.

I mean, some people who go on a cruise are unsociable----just a warning.

We cruise often, we tend to be alone by choice, tables for two. I'm sure many people who like meeting others feel we're not sociable.

Viking include "Christmas markets" a lovely bit of the festive season.

Vienna is lovely currently.

I wonder whether SofiaA enjoyed her cruise in the end?

Don ‘t have breakfast in the buffet. It’s a bun fight. You can have breakfast in a restaurant with waiters. We weren’t told this on our first cruise.

A very dear friend of mine went alone on a cruise, she was a warm hearted sociable person who was sadly hurt by being rudely rebuffed by another passenger who did not wish to know her.

I mean, some people who go on a cruise are unsociable----just a warning.

Well as she went on the cruise 2/3 months ago I don’t think
she ll be looking for any more advice Huntos

Best advice (10 cruises so far) relax don't stress, if you need anything just ask, study deck plans on line, and beware cruises are addictive.
Which company are you sailing with?

First thing every morning there will be people striding circuits round the deck and staring at their fitbit.

You can do a virtual tour of most ships on YouTube

Which ship/cruise line and where are you going?

Check out your ship on the cruise critic website and posting forum. You might find others on your cruise by checking the roll call section.

Have a brilliant time you’ll love it!

Its not for other people to tell you things .. it's for you to find out !.Enjoy and dont worry !

There's usually a gym onboard with trained staff. Also, there will be some info about how long it takes to walk round the deck.

From the advice I have seen may I add:
Look up your ship on the internet and study(print) plan of the ship you will find the bits and pieces (laundry etc) and where they are in relation to your cabin.
Look up experiences of others on your chosen shipping line.
Have a look at facebook sites for your Ship or cruise line.
Relax, Enjoy every moment.
When in doubt ASK remember the is no such thing as a stupid question (whatever it is it has probably been asked before.
Perhaps we may meet in the future - on a cruise

Lathyrus Yes exactly, it took us 3 cruises to find the laundry and that we could use it.

I'd like to take time to exercise.
Any advice on hoe to do that?
I could do with some knee exercises and leg stregthening, say (not a medical problem), would there be someone to advise on that?

I not discovered the laundry room towards the end. Nobody told me it was there 😬 Take a couple of those little pouchy things if you think you might use it. Their detergent is pricey!

Take notice if the pictures on the wall. It’ll help you work out where you are and what direction the pointy end is😬

Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy! Cruising is the best and most relaxing holiday you will ever go on.

Loved cruising - such a ,lovely, relaxing way to spend a holiday - a good excuse to dress up for the evening (you don’t have to)…..I’ve only been on three but there are some on here who have been on many more, and will give you all the tips you need.
Enjoy !!

What I’ve found most useful:

Do Enjoy.
Do check, when they’ve added charges to your account, if you can object. I saved over 50€ by doing that.
Do look up your cruise provider on FB.
I learnt lots of useful things e.g. about plugs, tipping guides, or best off-ship tours or what to do yourself.

Don’t publicise when you’re away on social media.
Don’t read the negative comments about people who cruise.