Soldato
I enjoy the novelty of the overnight ferry from Harwich to The Hook if Holland, but, wouldn't want to be at sea for more than a day or two.
Lets talk cruises
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Soldato
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- 29 Jul 2013
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Whenever I’m on a trip to a coastal place where cruises stop, you can always tell when the ships are in town. That’s all I’ll say.
Looking to go on my first cruise for our honeymoon in Apr next year. NCL seem to reasonably well recommended and have a good Carribean itinerary that we like the look of. Anyone with first hand experience of NCL? It'll be a 9-night cruise.
Definitely worried about noro - I have a huge phobia of vomiting
Definitely worried about noro - I have a huge phobia of vomiting
Caporegime
I can hook you up with a discount on certain brands (not NCL though), dm me if you wantLooking to go on my first cruise for our honeymoon in Apr next year. NCL seem to reasonably well recommended and have a good Carribean itinerary that we like the look of. Anyone with first hand experience of NCL? It'll be a 9-night cruise.
Definitely worried about noro - I have a huge phobia of vomiting
Re: Noro. Don't sweat it too much. All the cruise lines know it's bad news if they have an outbreak so they do try hard to stay on top of hygiene. Should be hand sanitiser everywhere and you can always take your own remember.Looking to go on my first cruise for our honeymoon in Apr next year. NCL seem to reasonably well recommended and have a good Carribean itinerary that we like the look of. Anyone with first hand experience of NCL? It'll be a 9-night cruise.
Definitely worried about noro - I have a huge phobia of vomiting
Main dining room is a sit down service so you've only really got your own hygiene to worry about there. Buffet restaurants can get a bit chaotic but again if you're really worried I suppose there are usually room service options which might come straight from the kitchen? (This is a complete guess from me). I've always been fine with the buffets but maybe have a scout around first rather than diving straight in. You'll get a sense for what's been freshly put out or about to be turned over and no ones stopping you holding the serving utensils with a napkin if you want to avoid contact points. They also tend to have some 'cooked to order' points mixed in like an omelette station at the breakfast buffet which again is all handled by a chef rather than guests, does tend to require queuing for though.
Been on a few cruises now and always been fine with a modicum of sense when it comes to hygiene. I've focused on food as it's clearly the highest risk area, around the ship you can generally avoid touching too much. On a Caribbean cruise you'll be in port most days I imagine so your time on the ship will mostly be spent dining, drinking or sleeping. Off ship you'll be as you would on any other holiday.
Im heading on another one this in a few weeks. On oasis of the seas
Itinerary as follows
VISITING:
Itinerary as follows
VISITING:
- Miami, Florida
- Nassau, Bahamas
- Perfect Day at CocoCay, Bahamas
- Labadee, Haiti
- Falmouth, Jamaica
- Miami, Florida
Associate
Whenever I am back home (Grenada, West Indies), I grimace whenever the cruise ships are in. Total carnage in town when all the tourists pour out in all directions, I avoid them at all costs (especially the swarms of MAGA hat wearers!!!!)
https://parentinfluence.com/what-cruise-ships-are-really-like-is-ob/ LOL
Associate
THIS. I will never do an all-inclusive as long as I breathe, the idea fills me and wifey with absolute dread and a cruise is the epitomy of this to me at least. If you like cruises, great, "You do you".
Caporegime
This article is a load of old crap. The comparisons are disingenuous, it's like saying hotels are crap because you stayed in a Premier Inn once.Whenever I am back home (Grenada, West Indies), I grimace whenever the cruise ships are in. Total carnage in town when all the tourists pour out in all directions, I avoid them at all costs (especially the swarms of MAGA hat wearers!!!!)
https://parentinfluence.com/what-cruise-ships-are-really-like-is-ob/ LOL
Yes, there are crappy cruise brands, just like there are crappy car brands, or crappy foods, but there are also some awesome cruise brands.
Associate
I didn't say it was 100% true at all, but it sure made me chuckle! 
Soldato
What do people think to Princess cruises I can get 30/40% discount with work?
See some videos on YouTube dosnt seem to bad, was thinking of doing the Norwegian fjord never done a cruise before.
See some videos on YouTube dosnt seem to bad, was thinking of doing the Norwegian fjord never done a cruise before.
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Soldato
We went with ambassador, a new budget cruise. I enjoyed it but I don't think it was a true cruise experience. Any companies you'd recommend to get a quintessential crusing experience?
Caporegime
There is no quintessential these days really, there are lines that cater for pretty much everyone.
Disney and Royal Caribbean are top dogs for families, and while we tend to avoid ships with high amounts of kids, Icon of the Seas is pretty damn impressive.
Smaller lines like Azamara are really good for port-intensive itineraries and seeing more of the destinations, especially as the smaller ships can get into more port (waking up in the middle of Helsinki was dope).
The Edge-class of ships with Celebrity are our favs though, modern, stylish, fewer children, but expensive and do run an average older crowd. I have sailed on Edge, Apex and Beyond.
If you want a more 'traditional' cruise experience (no thanks!), then P&O and Cunard, and more modern takes can be seen with Virgin and newer MSC ships.
Associate
Have done a few in the past 10 years (despite only being 37!) and last summer went with the girlfriend (who hadn't been on one before) and tried Virgin - it was awesome. You're not allowed kids, but it's got the perfect atmosphere and the food was unreal - way better than P&O and Princess that I did a few years ago.
Caporegime
The do indeed look cool, only fail really is abysmal pool decks, and dorm-like rooms.
Soldato
Currently on board Marella Explorer, coming home tomorrow night. Our second cruise after being on Discovery back in 2017. It’s been great but you can definitely tell where TUI have been cutting costs over the last few years. We’ve not eaten in the main table service restaurant once, the menu appears to be basically the same food as you can get in the buffet but without the flexibility.
After two cruises with TUI I think we’re going to try someone else next time just to see what others offer if nothing else.
After two cruises with TUI I think we’re going to try someone else next time just to see what others offer if nothing else.
Soldato
My parents have done 4 river cruises in Europe - Danube, Seine, Rhone and Douro. Due to the geographical reasons - the boats are 90-140 capacity. They have been on a 1,200 capacity cruise around the Fjords. Wouldn’t like going on a larger cruise ship.
I would like to experience a cruise but worried about sleeping as been on overnight ferry crossings and couldn’t sleep a wink due to noises and vibration from engines
I would like to experience a cruise but worried about sleeping as been on overnight ferry crossings and couldn’t sleep a wink due to noises and vibration from engines
Caporegime
The best sleeps I have ever had have all been on cruises
just stay away from low cabins at the aft of the ship.Low engine rumble gets right into you brain.The best sleeps I have ever had have all been on cruises
That is why they are cheaper.
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Soldato
My parents are going on a cruise and it seemed goof vakue for thr ticket alone, but having to pay compulsory daily gratuities of £18 + 18% at the bar is ridiculous!