I would love to go on my first cruise and need advice.....

[The Countess]

Hello everyone,

 

I am thinking of going on a cruise (this will be my first time) and would love some advice. Being in my retired years but very young minded, fit, healthy and enjoy life to the full, I am looking to meet like minded people both male and female so no fuddy duddy cruise please.

 

Which cruise line and destination do you think would suit my needs on my very first cruise?

 

I thank you in anticipation and look forward to hearing from you soon.

 

Very best wishes

The Countess xxx :)

[paul929207]

A few things you need to think about to get you started.

 

First - Budget

Second - destination. Beach, Scenery, History, etc.

[cruiserfromalabama]

I have cruised three different cruise lines and am no expert by any means, but in my opinion-Princess, Holland America, or RCCL are less party ships and more adult friendly. I found Princess to be almost entirely adults if you choose a trip when schools are in session. I have yet to find a cruise line that I did not like-cruises are my favorite way to travel and get a small taste of various countries.

[marco]

Where do you want to cruise to? I see you are in the UK and there are a few lines that your fellow countymen might be a lot more familiar with than those of us on this side of the pond. IE: Fred.Olsen, Thompson, Louis.

[The Countess]

Thank you to everyone who replied to my question regarding which cruise to take for my first cruise.

 

As I will be travelling alone, I think I was hoping to hear from someone who was once in the same position as I am now and who had already gone on their first solo cruise; was it too their expectation, did they meet the people they hoped they would meet, was the destination the right choice, was the length of their cruise the right choice etc.

 

It is always more difficult when travelling alone to get the right holiday especially when it is a cruise; but I would love to try it.

 

Very best wishes

The Countess:)

[mizLORInj]

Hi Countess. Whichever you select, remember to check out the Roll Call section of this site for others who are on the same cruise. There are usually some fun people at these meet-ups.

Where are you looking to cruise? Europe or US? other? I prefer to cruise where it's warmer weather. I have had good cruises on all the lines I've sailed. I have found that if a cruise is longer than 7 days, the median age goes up.

So maybe consider Princess, Celebrity, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian first? (I know, already a lot!) The only thing is Norwegian does not have fixed dining; on the other lines you would be assigned a dining time and you can ask to be assigned to a large table where you could meet people. We have met some very interesting people this way and had some great experiences.

Let us know as you refine and we can offer more suggestions. :)

Edited March 5, 2014 by mizlorinj

[The Countess]

Hi Lori,

 

Thank you so much for your good advice; my word but you are definitely an authority on cruises considering the number you have been on; lucky you. I will indeed keep you informed regarding my choice which I believe will be Europe for the first time.

 

Thank you again, I'll be in touch.

 

very best wishes

Countess:)

[mizLORInj]

Ah, ok, that helps. So I have not yet cruised in the Mediterranean or anywhere in Europe, BUT when I do plan that one, I already know that I dont want an itinerary that is port-intensive--meaning I do not want to be at a different port every single day. I want a day or two at sea to enjoy the ship and not be rushed to get out and see the port.

I probably would also want a one-way cruise, get on in, say, Barcelona or Southampton, and end in a different place like Venice.

:)

[Guest maddycat]

Hello everyone,

 

I am thinking of going on a cruise (this will be my first time) and would love some advice. Being in my retired years but very young minded, fit, healthy and enjoy life to the full, I am looking to meet like minded people both male and female so no fuddy duddy cruise please.

 

Which cruise line and destination do you think would suit my needs on my very first cruise?

 

I thank you in anticipation and look forward to hearing from you soon.

 

Very best wishes

The Countess xxx :)

 

You might like to post your question on one of the cruise critic boards for UK cruisers or solo cruisers.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=683

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=373

[jocap]

Hello, Countess....for your first cruise, do you wish to sail from Southampton, Dover or similar, or do you want to fly to the Med and pick up a ship from there?

Most of the major lines sail from Southampton; you can go right down to Gibraltar and into the Med, or do a short cruise to Northern Spain and France; the Canaries and Madeira; Baltic Sea; Norway; round the British Isles etc....:)

About the lines....there are various US owned and UK managed ships- perhaps the later might be a reasonable choice for your first one, then you won't have too much worry about currency, tipping etc.

Most lines will charge you extra for travelling alone, up to double the fare. Fred Olsen and P&O's Azura have single cabins. NCL Epic, and P&O Ventura, both in the Med for the summer, also have single ones.

My best advice right now is for you to speak to a cruise travel agent....not a High Street one, where they'll probably deal with package holidays on land more than ships.

Enjoy searching! ;)

[blitznbobs]

I'm also in the uk and of the uk lines p and o and Thompson have the youngest demographic but be aware that young also equals children. P and O has formal nights whereas Thompson doesn't bother -- also p and o have some adult only ships but these again have an older demographic ... Hth

 

Blitz

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

[OCruisers]

Many from the UK are always on Princess cruises so you might want to consider Princess. :)

LuLu

~~~

[skandls]

Hi Countess - what are your expectations on your cruise? Levels of service, food, cabin ambience vary on the many cruise lines. The budget for your cruise will make a big difference on which cruise you choose. Look at cost per day as a starting place. Then you might post questions on the boards for the cruise lines that interest you.

 

We do our cruises to ports that we want to see on different cruise lines than on a cruise that is a quick getaway for fun. Planning is half the fun of the cruise.

[John Bull]

Just a few pointers, Countess.

 

Sailings out of the UK usually mean more sea-days, esp if heading to the Med or Canaries. Plus no luggage constraints or airport grief/flight delays etc because there's no flying - a much more civilised way to travel. But not a great idea in the winter months.

You're unlikely to find a one-way to/from the UK unless you consider a leg of a world cruise. Or a "re-positioning cruise" such as a one-way to the Caribbean (autumn) or from the Caribbean (Spring), with a flight in the opposite direction. These re-positioning cruises are when a ship moves its operational base for a season. Plenty of sea-days, and very keen prices.

Much more choice of one-way cruises in the Med. For instance fly out to Venice, 10-14 day cruise of Greek islands etc ending in Rome, then fly home from Rome. The big advantage of these cruises is the opportunity to spend a few days pre-cruise / post-cruise in two different cities.

 

As to cruise lines.

Much easier to stick with a UK-orientated cruise line like P&O, Thomson, or Fred Olsen. Geared to Brits, most passengers are Brits, currency is sterling (although no cash is used on-board cruise ships - you sign for everything - it's much easier to figure costs/value-for-money and there's no currency conversion costs), drinks prices are much more reasonable (about the same as pubs) with no service charge, and it's a little more of a home-from-home.

P&O - their big ships, Ventura & Azura, have all the facilities & choices. I prefer their mid-size ships like Aurora. Their three adults-only ships tend to attract only older folk and a very high proportion - dare I post this? ;) - of fuddy-duddies who go to bed after dinner.

Fred Olsen - I've not sailed with Fred, but have driven many many coach transfers for Fred's cruises. Passengers are predominantly recently-retireds but pretty active - and a stoic bunch.

Thomson. Has a more mixed clientele, I suspect a lower-income average but certainly not down-market. Celebration & Spirit are very friendly little ships, and the line & crew go the extra mile for singletons. Not sure why BlitznBobs says they don't have formal nights - certainly some of their ships do, and folk make the effort. Daily tips, charged as extra on (all?) other cruise lines, are included in the Thomson cruise fare though most folk put their hands in their pockets at the end of the cruise for a favoured cabin attendant or waiter.

Cruise & Maritime ships are old & tired & are an acquired taste - don't book without reading stacks o reviews.

MS Voyager (Voyages of Discovery) doesn't have regular out & back itineraries, instead she meanders the oceans like a tramp, visiting some of the more unusual ports & often overniting in port. You book one or two or three or more 2-week segments - some folk stay aboard for months at a time, & she has a high level of repeat customers. Almost all are retired, the average age is higher than Fred's but they're very active - I've never seen a wheelchair or walking frame, but a lot of walking sticks. Fabulous crew, very laid-back atmosphere (deck barbies etc) except for formal dinners. But she's an old ship, very limited facilities, again don't book without careful research.

 

American ships. Princess is probably the most "British", RCI has more glitz, Celebrity is more up-market. Carnival & NCL are more for the party-type - they might brand you as a fuddy-duddy :p

Although I'd suggest you lean more toward the UK lines, certainly don't rule out US ships.

 

Italian/Spanish ships. Cruise lines like Costa, MSC & Pullmantur. As a singleton on a first cruise I'd strongly suggest you avoid them. They're an acquired taste, and most passengers on most itineraries don't speak English.

 

Singletons.

A cruise isn't like staying in a hotel. People mix much more freely, they're much friendlier places.

Cruise lines lay on singletons' get-togethers, breakfasts etc.

Dinner is important if you want to mix - choose second-sitting on "traditional" dining, rather than anytime/freedom dining. This means the same table/table companions/ same time each dinner-time. Cruise lines tend to put singletons together on large (8 to 10) tables, and it's a great way of meeting new friends, comparing the days' events etc. Usually the singletons' tables are amongst the last to leave the dining room, or go off mob-handed to a show or a bar - and often ashore together.

The big problem, as Jo mentioned, is single cabins. They're in high demand & if not available you'll be charged double - or more - for sole occupancy of a double cabin. So book early, or look for late-booked bargains cos a month or so before a sailing the cruise lines accept that single occupancy of a double cabin is better than sailing with empty cabins.

 

Finally, again as Jo's advice, talk to cruise-specialist travel agents on the phone. Not the general High Street agencies, they tend to be pretty clueless. A good cruise specialist can give great advice about ships, itineraries, cabin choices, etc.

 

Have fun choosin', have fun cruisin'

 

JB :)

[aquilegia]

Where do you want to cruise to? I see you are in the UK and there are a few lines that your fellow countymen might be a lot more familiar with than those of us on this side of the pond. IE: Fred.Olsen, Thompson, Louis.

 

Fred Olsen and Thomson, yes, but I don't think many people in the UK will have even heard of Louis.

[AmandaWright]

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