Cruises First time. Any advice?

POPPYOSCAR

OH really wants to go on a cruise and so now all ties have gone and with what we have been through over the last couple of years I have decided to grant him his wish!!

Any advice on booking . Best/worst place to have a cabin etc.

We were thinking of staying at the Holiday Inn using their park and cruise. Anyone done this?

Any advice would be gratefully welcomed. It will be a big outlay for us and want to make the most of it.

Thank you!

zagfles

I'm a cruise newbie too and we've just booked our first cruise. Sign up to https://boards.cruisecritic.com they seem a friendly helpful lot.

Think about the type of cruise you want - formal where you have to dress up for dinner every night or more relaxed where you can leave your dicky bow and suits/cocktail dresses at home.

Watch out for cruises that look AI but where you have to pay for drinks (which can be expensive, and they even search your bags to make sure you're not bringing any aboard!) and sometimes they want you to pay up front for tips (seriously!).

Prices seem to get cheaper the later you book. I booked 2 months in advance, should really have waited as it's gone down a bit. And this is in the school summer holidays.

Check excursion prices, these can be horrific, but look into how feasible it is to do your own thing in port.

NoodleDoodleMan

Where do you want to go and where do you want to set sail from ?

We've done 3 cruises with Princess who are one of the top rated lines, 10 with Thomsons (now TUI) which we liked, and 1 with Fred Olsen which we also enjoyed.

For a first time cruise a 7 night jaunt to the Norwegian fjords from the UK might be a good starter.

Don't be put off by the dress thing - there is a formal night (more on longer durations) on a 7 night cruise where gents are expected to wear a dinner suit and ladies the equivalent, and generally men are OK with a lounge suit or jacket and tie. Otherwise it's smart casual each night exactly the same as in good 3 and 4 star tourist hotels around the Med and Canaries etc.

If you prefer to bodyswerve the formal dinner all cruises ships have a buffet dining room which serve good meals.

As above, drinks can be expensive, however many lines have packages at reasonable add on prices.

Neil49

More information on where you would like to sail from and too would be appreciated and whether a fly cruise would be considered. Sailing from the UK adds on sailing days if you are heading south to the sun but not if you want to head north. If you want the sun then a fly cruise can give you extra sunny days rather than sailing through the Bay of Biscay.

For cabin location midships and lower down results in less movement in choppy seas but always study the deck plan. Avoid being underneath an open deck as this can be noisy, as can cabins underneath or over a nightclub. Ideally have cabins above and below you or a carpeted restaurant, shops etc.

Most lines add on a daily charge for tips etc which can add up. US ships are generally expensive for drinks and add on tips. Royal Caribbean are renowned for high charges such as these so beware of cheap starting prices for their cruises.

P&O are a good option for first timers and drink prices and tips aren't too excessive. We have been on Thomson quite a lot recently (now called Marella). They generally operate fly cruises but prices include tips and many are all inclusive and include basic drinks. Their newer larger ships are very nice but I suggest that you avoid the smaller older ships first time around.

Hope this helps but please ask if you require any further advice.

Kynthia

Cruise Critic is a fantastic site for everything cruise related.

If stick with a UK company until you are more familiar with the tipping system on ships. Avoid Thompson's smaller and older ships as they are no-where near as good.

While last minute can get you a good price, if the departure port isn't in the UK you often find that all the flights out are gone. So double check before booking or book earlier if you haveva specific cruise in mind.

You only get a formal night every 3 or 4 nights, if they even do them, so don't let that put you off if you prefer things more informal. Excursions can expensive but on cruise critic you find info on how to arrange your own at virtually every stop on yiur cruise. So research once you know your itinerary.

gettingtheresometime

I'd recommend going on a short 3-4 nighter first - you don't want to be on 14 day cruise and hate it from the word go.

PompeyPete

Marella [used to be Thomson] for us.

Done CELEBRATION x 3, DREAM x 1. Doing EXPLORER in October Transatlantic to Eastern Caribbean. Adults Only.

AI each time, very relaxed, don't bother with organised excursions. Great value in all departments.

PompeyPete

Marella also do a lot of one week cruise then one week stay, and visa versa.

Only do Transatlantic if you are happy with 6 or 7 successive days at sea.

We're happy with the cheaper Inside cabins.

Archergirl

Look for the itinerary you want, we get midship, inside low down cabins. Do check for extras like tips and tax and tips on drinks, see which ports you go to and investigate DIY things to do, Fjords are nice, also Greek and Med ones,,,,,,,,,

Deedee9

I would always say do a taster cruise (3-4 nights) - If you live near Southampton or any other port to sail from you could also maybe try a day onboard? Some cruise lines offer this on the change over day in Southampton so you can get a good look around a ship and see if you like them. My daughter felt seasick on a Celebrity ship in harbour - but was fine when it sailed!
I suffer from inner ear problems and I have always been fine with the cruises - in fact its a preferred method of travel now!
Hidden extras - usually the tips per day for your service staff and then every time you buy a drink onboard they usually add 15% - but some lines are doing 18% now.
Most cruise lines are dollars onboard - (not P&O) so be prepared to take them or use a CC. Service charges range from $13.50 per person per day and more. Some do offers to include them in the price.
HTH

tacpot12

Be careful if you organise your own excursions, the ship won't wait for you if they are late getting back. (The ship will wait for its own organised excursions).