First Time Cruise

Abby87

I am looking for some advice on how to start my journey on holiday cruising. I am thinking of having a taster first, maybe three/four nights, to see if I like it/am not sick. However, these seem quite pricey. What is the average price for a cruise and how far in advance should you book it? Do people suggest a cruise leaving locally or flying first. I am just thankful for anyone's views/recommendations.


Thanks in advance.

MasterPoo

Why don't you do a 3/4 night cruise? I've actually seen 2 nighters as well! There are loads "no fly" cruises which depart from UK ports, e.g. Southampton.

What makes you think you'd be sea sick? Maybe an overnight ferry ride to determine this instead of forking out £££££ for a cruise?????

Pricing - I've seen some advertised as low as £199 for 3 nights, look at signing up to a cruise website like cruise co UK /cruise critic

I once did a Thomson cruise to the Caribbean incl flights for 3 was around £1000/1200 pp, this was 5 years ago (I loved the itinerary hated Thomson cruise ship and plane)

loobs40

Lots of variables come into play on pricing. Can you only cruise during school holidays, are you in a position to book very late, say a week before a cruise departs, are you looking for sun, culture, both, are you a solo traveller, would you be happy in an internal cabin ie no window which are the cheapest and the from price that is usually quoted?

Our first cruise was a last minute cruise in the Med from Majorca, flying from Gatwick in June. We were hooked after that and cruise once a year now in the winter in the Caribbean. I have never been seasick on a cruise ship, though I have been on cross channel ferries. The cruise ships are so stable, most of the time you forget you are at sea. Generally you sail at night when you are asleep, waking up at a new port most days.

Try visiting cruisecritic.com forums. Loads of information for first time cruisers and a lot of good advice.

Katiehound

Depends where you are based in UK- some cruise lines have fairly local departure ports- Liverpool, Newcastle etc.
If you can leave at virtually last minute you may be able to bag a bargain- however rarely for solos.
Sign up to several cruise specialists- I'm thinking Ocean World Travel & Readers Offers- book with an agent to get a smidgen of discount or value added items (on board spend, free parking etc)

Decide on size of ship! Do you want to be one of 2,000 or 500?
Do you want to fly? Greater luggage allowance and no hand luggage hassle from a UK port. However 2 more days at sea.

I'm a fair weather sailor so always take my accupressure bands as well as a packet of Stugeron. Smaller ships are not as stable as the huge ones, plus of course it depends on the location. Cruising from a UK port you are likely to encounter some swells or rough seas at some point.

I would say choose a destination you fancy and then look for a cruise for about 7 days, that will give you a fair taster.

Incidentally Fred.Olsen Cruise Line has a satisfaction guarantee for first time customers- if you don't like the cruise you will be flown back to UK from the first port and get your money refunded- read the small print!!

Hope you get to try cruising. I think it is something rather like marmite- love it..or hate it!!

PeacefulWaters

Abby87 wrote: »

I am looking for some advice on how to start my journey on holiday cruising. I am thinking of having a taster first, maybe three/four nights, to see if I like it/am not sick. However, these seem quite pricey. What is the average price for a cruise and how far in advance should you book it? Do people suggest a cruise leaving locally or flying first. I am just thankful for anyone's views/recommendations.


Thanks in advance.

£100 per person per night for an inside cabin is typical. You should be able to lower this if you're flexible on dates and able to travel at a few days notice. Norwegian Fjords might be a good starter cruise for a week. Remember that price is full board and food quality is usually very good.

Flying can get you to the sun quicker. We've only ever sailed P&O from Southampton. Thus gives you time to adjust to the ship before you want to sunbathe if you're heading to the Med.

P&O additional costs are mainly drinks (not expensive by UK pub prices) and excursions.

PompeyPete

MasterPoo wrote: »

I once did a Thomson cruise to the Caribbean incl flights for 3 was around £1000/1200 pp, this was 5 years ago (I loved the itinerary hated Thomson cruise ship and plane)

Why didn't you like the ship or plane?

Thomson use their excellent Dreamliner Boeing787 aircraft now, to and from Bridgetown. As it happens we flew back from Phuket to LGW yesterday on Dreamliner. Super flight, and it's great not having to mess about in the Middle East.

We did the Thomson Celebration repositioning cruise across 'The Pond' (Caribbean Quest) from Malaga to the Eastern Caribbean last November.

6 consecutive days at sea between Tenerife and Antigua all rolled into one long day, and flew past. We were lucky with the weather, but weather is unpredictable on any cruise.

Thomson ships are grand old ladies, immaculately maintained, excellent crew, good food available 24/7, plenty of choice in the bars, superb entertainment especially their Broadway Shows. Always something going on, but if you want a bit of peace and quiet it's easy to find it. Sunbed 'hogging' can be a pain, and there are some passengers best avoiding, but that happens on all cruises.
Far better than the massive impersonal 'shopping trolley' ships. And Thomson must be doing it right, as their cruises always seem well populated.

I spent 23 years in the Royal Navy, and always thought of cruises as a bit of a busman's holiday. But we bit the bullet 4 years ago, and have been on Thomson Celebration 3 times and once on Thomson Dream. Fabulous, and excellent vfm.

MasterPoo

Pompey here is my list:

Ship was very dated.
Cabin toilet had paint peeling or the plastic had changed colour.
The food was awful!
The 2 small pools were not big enough, especially if you had sea days!
Lack of entertainment for my boys

I've heard good things re: evening entertainment, some have even said "West End Standards" I wouldn't know, not my idea of a fun night every single night!

Thomson flew us out on one of their charters, I don't think it was a Dreamliner, maybe this was before they got them. Worst 10hour flight of my life, very uncomfortable.

THEN.....drum roll please

on return flight, the flight was delayed due to there not being enough food for all the PAX!?!?!?! When we finally landed over 6 hours later, and a few weeks received a £40 Thomson's voucher, which I binned........Obviously I have since made a successful claim against them, I've been scarred for life from using Thomson's.

OP a lot of people LOVE Thomson's Cruises, it's just not for me I suggest you make your own mind up! Good Luck

MasterPoo

PompeyPete wrote: »

Far better than the massive impersonal 'shopping trolley' ships.

I'm actually going on one of these next Easter, will report back!

PompeyPete

At least you've justified your comments in #2.
Why did you book it in the first place?
What did your boys think that they'd done to deserve such a horrible experience?
Sounds like a bit of PPPPP.:o

Which shopping trolley are you booked on?

duchy

I wouldn't bother with a short cruise but plunge right in.
Cost the daily rate and you'll see most taster cruises offer poor value for money .
Seasickness is not an issue in the Med as ships are far better stabilized than your average ferry. I usually feel a bit queasy on a ferry but have never felt that way on a cruise bar the one time we crossed the Atlantic is force 8 gales - and even the crew were suffering that time !

I personally wouldn't touch a Thomson cruise but would go for one of the mid range "proper" cruise companies like NCL, RCL or even Carnival.

For me it's the difference between a cruise and a floating AI package holiday.

getmore4less

Inside we target 50pppd. Plenty around if flexible.

Problem with short cruises is they attract a different crowd so are not that typical.