So is any one else into cruising?

Me and my OH have just been on our first cruise from Tilbury to the Norwegian Fjords. Smaller ship (boat?) so only the big restaurant and a self-service option which was very good. There were two formal evenings in the restaurant which we enjoyed and we were with six people who were good company - you could come unstuck here as there was no chance of changing table seating plan as the boat was full. However if you don't like to be with other people you could eat each day in the self-service restaurant. The trips on shore were very good with three or four choices each day. Small but adequate cabin. No flying was a great bonus as far as I 'm concerned. Would we go again? I'd like to try one of the big ships and go south to the sun - Mediterranean perhaps.

Have just returned from a Saga cruise - The Baltic. Although I am at the younger end of the spectrum I really enjoyed it. It was a smallish boat - Saga Sapphire - and we had so many lovely chatty meals with people who have so much to tell. On a 14 day cruise there were 3 'formal' nights and the official dress code allowed for that allowed everything from full dinner jacket and very posh frock to a lounge suit and a half decent dress - very easy for us ladies to just put on a few sparkly beads to galm up an M&S frock. Dining is entirly open though afew die hards did reserve a table for the whole cruise. There were plenty of places to hide away and just read a book if you felt a bit anti-social as well ( and I dont mean your cabin). I could go on waxing lyrical but suffice to say we are booked on another in March!

I am assuming none of you mean driving around looking for a pick up?

No! Petrol or diesel is too expensive.
An ad in the local telephone box works better.

You know that from experience do you jeni?

[mysterious]

Really enjoyed my first out of school holiday cruise, loved waking up every day somewhere new and having food provided for me after years and years of family self catering! Went with p and o from Southampton and didn't ever feel the need to go over the top with dressing up. Definitely will be choosing another cruise again sometime in the next couple of years

i did two nights to amsterdam does that count and loved it x

Can't wait for my next one in December!
Really fed up and need it to keep my sanity, soh and temper!

We are going to New York on the QM2 in December and then going to Washington by train to stay with DS and DDiL and DGCs for Christmas!
V excited but it's our first cruise - any advice jeni or anyone?
I don't mind dressing up

Look at the itinerary. It tells you how many formal ( long dresses) and how many semiformal (cocktail type)
Gents normally have to wear ties unless smart casual and jackets on semi and formal nights.
Not my favourite cunard ship but still great! Have lovely time,
(Don't forget you can opt out of the 'hotel charge' that is otherwise automatically applied. Just go to the pursers desk and say!

What's the hotel charge for jeni?

It's just some thing they add to your bill. Supposed to to be a tip for all the staff.
In fact all the staff still expect a tip. Ie waiters maitre de cabin steward etc. you will also find that there is about a 15% charge added to any drinks etc on board. This is not optional.
I personally object to to the service charge and when I have settled in my cabin, go to to the pursers desk and say
I have mobility problems
I don't wish to pay the hotel charges.
There is never any problem. On a 7 day cruise it can be at least 11$ per person per day!

Thanks jeni that's worth knowing!

i would be sick i know i would, is there a lying in bed holiday i would love that as i love my bed.

You can lie in bed all day on a cruise if you want. The modern ships have very good stabilisers and are so big it is rare (I find) to experience any motion.
Of course if you do things like try to cross the Atlantic in winter in an old small boat! QM is very stable I would add. The reason I don't like her so much is that she is too big for me. I find her not as friendly as her sisters. But that's just me!