Has anyone here been on a cruise and would you recommend it?

booklover

Hi everyone :hello:

As in the title. It will be our 25th wedding anniversary :smileyhea in August and my husband is considering we go on a cruise to celebrate it, :heartsmil :smileyhea maybe to the Med.

However, I'm not too sure as I get sea sick (only been on a boat twice in my life when i was 13, Belfast to Liverpool and then Belfast to Douglas and it was rough both times and i was very seasick. :embarasse _pale_

Anyway, my husband has reassured me that it is safe and stable so I shouldn't be seasick _pale_

I don't know much about cruises so I would really love to hear your experiences and if you recommend a cruise to me..


Thanks so much in advance :A

Fiona

niceday999

You will love it. And at that time of the year the weather will be fab. you wont even know you have left the port in the evening its so smooth..you can be dining in the restaurant and already on your way to the next Country........
The food is to die for. Entertainment on every night...not at all stuffy.
some of the places to see on the med cruises are Monte Carlo, monaco, Rome , Pisa , Florence usually tied in with a few other places.
GO FOR IT.....

booklover

Thanks so much niceday for that advice.

What is a good ship to go on and a good price??

Many thanks

Fiona

niceday999

Its a bit restricting if you have to do a fly cruise from Belfast only. We have been on Thomsons Destiny and The emerald Thomsons and also
p & o oceana. w are hoping to do Royal Caribbean Navigator of the seas later this year. If you want a more relaxed casual maybe The Ocean Village though I have nevr been on that one. Just google cruise and check out reviews on Cruise Critic. Also if you can fly into uk first then on to Palma or wherever. you will get a better choice and price.

Artytarty

I have done 3 Royal carrib. ones with my nother!
Next year will be our 25th so I think hubby and I will do one.
The ships are big,but never feel crowded, its like a floating hotel,honestly you never feel it move!
Glass elevators, food spas food, sun decks, food, dancing, food !
Its lovely.The shore trips can be pretty tiring and sometImes start early.
Mum and I like them becaus there is always plenty to do in hte evenings, Theatre(musical type hsows) shopping etc.
I would say best to fly to your port of departure. We have gone from Venice twice, Barcelona once. Then your oliday starts in the sun. if you depart from say southhampton you have to cross the slighlty rougher Bay of Biscay and the weather can be dodgy.
I am sure you would both enjoy the experience.
Several different types of restaurants too, so you dont have to dress up for dinner if you dont wish to.
arty.

ustupidwoman

Hi - we went last year with Island Cruises - I went on the Island Escape (the older boat) & my sister/hubby went on Island Star (newer one). I went with kids and they had a ball - tho' no mad screaming youngsters anywhere to be seen! This cruise line is really friendly, staff are lovely - I met couples who had been on this cruise line for the past 7 years on the trot! I did a bit of research before I went so I didn't have to pay for any of the trips & we did it ourselves (except for Montecarlo) if you try & do it yourself -you will miss everything! - I went all-inclusive and got a great deal for a 2 week cruise/stay package. I met a couple from Belfast who had booked the week before & got an all inclusive package for £425 each(end of June last year). I like the dressing up etc. but like a friendlier type of cruise where its not very stuffy, plenty to do, great entertainment, great food and free drink.... can't recommend Island Cruises enough!! would be there this year except I got a great deal to florida (courtesy of this site) .. whatever you do... ENJOY!

jamtart6

We've been on 8 Thomson cruises - Destiny, Emerald, Topaz, Spirit, Celebration. All absolutely amazing and great value for money. Can't recommend it highly enough. The greek island cruise was our favourite as the ports of call were stunning.

If you have a tendency to be sea sick I would say
(a) take sea sickness tablets with you and the wrist bands
(b) drink ginger ale/eat ginger biscuits
(c) pay extra to book your cabin in advance - a mid deck and central ship is the most stable (really makes a difference, the front can be a bit dippy!)
(d) sit outside and look at the horizon if possible
(e) book a cruise that docks every night rather than sailing for 7 straight days, occasionally it is too rough to dock in some places but 9/10 times they can dock.
(f) go in July or August only - they tend to be the calmest months (although expect at least 1 roughish day a fortnight)
(g) fly to an airport in the med rather than sailing from the uk/ireland.
(h) do not book a cruise that goes anywhere near the bay of biscay (including canary islands...at least not for the first cruise)

Have fun you wont regret it!