Our First Cruise

[DadTheBigKid]

Firstly Hello everyone.

It is our 25th Wedding Anniversary next May and we have been wondering what to do. We have three older kids so it is just us and we now have some spare cash so......

My Wife first muted the idea of a cruise which initially I was not sure about. However now I am like a kid before Xmas and its still a year away!

We are flying from UK to have 4 nights in New York then sailing back on the QM2.

we have booked a sheltered balcony on the 5th deck midships.

I am looking forward to conversing and would ask.

Where Is best place to gather information on the QM2 and what other cruises in the year ahead a mid 50 year old man and his wife of 7 years younger may enjoy?

I did a silly quiz with Cruise.co.uk and it suggested Fred Olsen.

Oh and we booked with Anthony on cruise.co.uk

Sorry I am soooooo excited...:)

[CruiserBruce]

Welcome to Cruise Critic!

 

We are about to sail on our 18th cruise in 80 days, and we still get as excited as you are.

 

The best place for all things Cunard is the portion of Cruise Critic devoted to Cunard, located here:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=54

 

Please be aware we are not allowed to name or discuss Travel Agents. Your comments may get edited, or removed.

 

If you are asking about seeing schedules or prices, the first place I look is the website for the cruise line involved. After that, you can look around the internet for on line travel agents or use a local agent. We can't tell you this place, or that website is the "best" place.

[DadTheBigKid]

Thanks Bruce

Sorry wasn't aware about naming etc.

I have a feeling we will not go on only one cruise !

[Essiesmom]

what other cruises in the year ahead a mid 50 year old man and his wife of 7 years younger may enjoy?

 

The choices are wide open. The first thing you need to decide is what you want out of your cruise. And then where you want to go to accomplish it. And how long it will take. You might check out http://www.cruisetimetables.com. If you have a particular port or country you would like to sail from, choose that place from the first list of ports, and then choose the month you want to travvel, and it will tell you who sails from there, and their itineraries. If you have a particular place you want to visit, choose that place from the second list of ports, again the time, and it will tell you who calls there and their itineraries.

I'm afraid that website may make you feel like a kid emptying his Christmas stocking...EM

[DadTheBigKid]

Perfect, thank you very much. I am getting around the site and picking up lots of great information.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

Once you have taken your first cruise, you will be hooked.

You might consider a Med cruise or the Baltic -- lots of interesting ports.

[DadTheBigKid]

Thanks Krazy, I am sure you are right.

 

Still getting used to just the two of us having holidays. IN the UK we take our dog as well :)

[indigosails]

Just a thought: Since you are sailing west to east, be sure to get a cabin on the starboard (right) side of the ship...it's warmer on the south (sunny) side.

[jocap]

Um....you may have noticed that most people in that quiz got the result Fred O or Oceania....there's a big difference between the two...:rolleyes:

You're probably looking at cruising from the south coast, Southampton mainly....perhaps you should try some of the larger ships to prepare you for the QM2. We keep an eye open for last minute cruises, because we can go at any time, anywhere, any ship....and can be ready in less than a week.

People on here will all have their favourites, but we prefer a large ship with an indoor pool when leaving S'ton, and at the moment our choice is Ventura, QM2, Celebrity Eclipse, or Anthem OTS, which is brand new and still a little pricey.

That's just us- your needs may be different. :)

[DadTheBigKid]

Just a thought: Since you are sailing west to east, be sure to get a cabin on the starboard (right) side of the ship...it's warmer on the south (sunny) side.

 

Indigo, we have cabin 5143 as it was recommended for coming back (W-E) , on the ship looking forward this is the left!

we initially got a connecting room on same side but changed it.

[DadTheBigKid]

Um....you may have noticed that most people in that quiz got the result Fred O or Oceania....there's a big difference between the two...:rolleyes:

You're probably looking at cruising from the south coast, Southampton mainly....perhaps you should try some of the larger ships to prepare you for the QM2. We keep an eye open for last minute cruises, because we can go at any time, anywhere, any ship....and can be ready in less than a week.

People on here will all have their favourites, but we prefer a large ship with an indoor pool when leaving S'ton, and at the moment our choice is Ventura, QM2, Celebrity Eclipse, or Anthem OTS, which is brand new and still a little pricey.

That's just us- your needs may be different. :)

 

Jocap

thank you for your thoughts. we will not be sailing before the QM2 and as its our 25th Anniversary my Wife really fancied this way of getting back from New York. It is quite a big ship for out first cruise but after spending quite a few hours looking at videos and sites like this I am happy.

We are not really "tuxedo" people but we are looking forward to seeing how this goes.

Going forward the only thing I do not fancy on a cruise , and this is going to sound stupid, is too much getting off and on. This appeals as we fly to New York for 4 days and get a floating Hotel home..sounds daft perhaps and we will know more after it but I believe we will look at similar in the future.

Nice to chat by the way.

[jocap]

My friend has just had her first ever cruise, also on the QM2, followed by 2 weeks with relatives in the US. She wants to come and see me, and talk cruising, because she's driving everyone mad with it...One of the best holidays ever!

Did you see Bank Holiday Monday, with the 3 Queens in Liverpool? Quite moving.

[Scarlet debonaire]

I think you've made a great choice, I'm doing the crossing the other way in dec for my first ever cruise. I'm with you that the thing I somehow fancy most is getting on and staying on for a whole week out on the open sea!

 

Scarlet

[wobblybob74]

Hello there, DadTheBigKid!

 

Welcome to Cruise Critic and congratulations on your forthcoming anniversary.

 

Have a look at http://www.beyondships.com - it has photo tours of lots of cruise ships, including Cunard's.

 

I'd love to do a transatlantic from New York to Southampton. Have you been to NY before? We went this time last year and fell totally in love with the place.

 

All the best,

 

Rob.

[Sea Green]

If you don't like the idea of constantly getting on/off the ship, I'm not sure the Med or Baltic would be for you. I loved every minute of my Baltic cruise but it was port intensive and I'm glad I didn't pick it for my *first* cruise while I was still finding my feet.

 

Maybe a Norwegian Fjords cruise would suit you? They normally last 7 or 8 days with three or four calls at port and the rest sea days or scenic cruising through the fjords (stunning scenery). Another advantage is the ship normally docks right in town or very close by, so you would not have to book excursions and be tied to time, but suit yourself and stay ashore only as long as you want.

 

Check which lines sail from you closest port(s) and if any have itineraries that grab you. P&O are probably closest to Cunard in feel, but if you get the cruise bug you may have to try the lot :D

[Underwatr]

Indigo, we have cabin 5143 as it was recommended for coming back (W-E) , on the ship looking forward this is the left!

we initially got a connecting room on same side but changed it.

I think you'll find that odd-numbered balconies are on the right/starboard side, which is what you want for an eastbound crossing (for the sunlight).

[john watson]

I should say you need to be thinking do you want a round trip from Southampton or a Fly Cruise with short flights to the Mediterranean? The latter might be easier from a local airport. Doing an initial cruise as above could be done on Cunard Queen Elizabeth or Queen Victoria. It is a good traditional line of top quality and you will become a loyalty club member. I would get a paper brochure as they are easier to compare different options.

 

Alternatively you could pick a different cruise line with an attractive itinerary but you will need a pretty decent line.

 

Regards John

 

NB 5143 is Starboard. Standing on the ship looking towards the front (Bow) this cabin will be on your right hand side. This is better for Eastbound voyages (e.g. New York to Southampton) as the balcony will face the South during this voyage.

Edited May 31, 2015 by john watson

[cruiserking]

Hello DadTheBigKid,

 

Welcome to Cruise Critic and to the wonderful world of cruising. Congrats on your Anniversary.

 

One of my all-time favorite QM2 travelogues is from the Maiden Voyage from Southampton to Fort Lauderdale, Florida in 2004. You can follow along here:

 

http://thewaywewent.com/qm2mv3.html

 

Enjoy QM2 she is in a class of her own.

 

Jonathan

[DadTheBigKid]

Hello there, DadTheBigKid!

 

Welcome to Cruise Critic and congratulations on your forthcoming anniversary.

 

Have a look at http://www.beyondships.com - it has photo tours of lots of cruise ships, including Cunard's.

 

I'd love to do a transatlantic from New York to Southampton. Have you been to NY before? We went this time last year and fell totally in love with the place.

 

All the best,

 

Rob.

 

Hi

No we have never been to NY or cruised so two big firsts. I think we will love it and now our kids are older we are looking forward to nice accommodation and the rest will be as it will be. We are quite easy going and take what comes without getting to fussy over minor details not being perfect. Nice to chat

[DadTheBigKid]

I think you've made a great choice, I'm doing the crossing the other way in dec for my first ever cruise. I'm with you that the thing I somehow fancy most is getting on and staying on for a whole week out on the open sea!

 

Scarlet

 

Hi Scarlet

Yes it does seem a very nice way to get home from the states and to enjoy our years with the kids now being older

[DadTheBigKid]

If you don't like the idea of constantly getting on/off the ship, I'm not sure the Med or Baltic would be for you. I loved every minute of my Baltic cruise but it was port intensive and I'm glad I didn't pick it for my *first* cruise while I was still finding my feet.

 

Maybe a Norwegian Fjords cruise would suit you? They normally last 7 or 8 days with three or four calls at port and the rest sea days or scenic cruising through the fjords (stunning scenery). Another advantage is the ship normally docks right in town or very close by, so you would not have to book excursions and be tied to time, but suit yourself and stay ashore only as long as you want.

 

Check which lines sail from you closest port(s) and if any have itineraries that grab you. P&O are probably closest to Cunard in feel, but if you get the cruise bug you may have to try the lot :D

 

 

HI SG

thank you for the information, I will look at PO and yes I think this could be the start of a very good relationship, sea , ship and us

[DadTheBigKid]

I think you'll find that odd-numbered balconies are on the right/starboard side, which is what you want for an eastbound crossing (for the sunlight).

 

Yes , sorry I was getting my sea terms cafuddled

[DadTheBigKid]

I should say you need to be thinking do you want a round trip from Southampton or a Fly Cruise with short flights to the Mediterranean? The latter might be easier from a local airport. Doing an initial cruise as above could be done on Cunard Queen Elizabeth or Queen Victoria. It is a good traditional line of top quality and you will become a loyalty club member. I would get a paper brochure as they are easier to compare different options.

 

Alternatively you could pick a different cruise line with an attractive itinerary but you will need a pretty decent line.

 

Regards John

 

NB 5143 is Starboard. Standing on the ship looking towards the front (Bow) this cabin will be on your right hand side. This is better for Eastbound voyages (e.g. New York to Southampton) as the balcony will face the South during this voyage.

 

 

Thanks JOhn, yes I was confused on cabin side. We will look at other cruises and at the minute are making the most of some free cash and older kids

[DadTheBigKid]

Hello DadTheBigKid,

 

Welcome to Cruise Critic and to the wonderful world of cruising. Congrats on your Anniversary.

 

One of my all-time favorite QM2 travelogues is from the Maiden Voyage from Southampton to Fort Lauderdale, Florida in 2004. You can follow along here:

 

http://thewaywewent.com/qm2mv3.html

 

Enjoy QM2 she is in a class of her own.

 

Jonathan

 

Hi Jonathan

Many thanks , i will have a look.

its great getting as much information as we can.,