General Chat

Has anyone been on a cruise? Not the big, Queen Mary type vessels but the smaller ones, e.g. round the Norwegian fjords, Black Sea etc. The company Noble Caledonia seems to do a wide choice. I'm not really sure whether we're 'cruisey' people, I DON'T want the black tie, fancy dress, dinner at captain's table type of thing, but am pretty sure that there's a wide choice out there - would be good to know of peoples' experiences (good and bad!) Sheila x

We went on the Arcadia -which is now the Ocean Village in 2000 It went to the Caribbeean from Barbados- was fab. There were only 2 or 3 formal nights and I think now on cruises there are even less. Rosalyn

Hi Sheila I went on a cruise for the first time this year, a week around the Canaries and Morroco. Loved every minute of it and would go on one again. There's lots of entertainment, reading rooms, cinema and only one formal evening and you did not have to attend which we did not. Food is wonderful, very varied and 24 hours. Staff are very friendly and helpful. Hope that helps you, Regards Nanna

i went on a cruise wuth my fil as he had no one to go with ....we flew to antigua then got on the ship ...went round the virgin isles ...it was heaven every couple of nights it was dressy up nights .......think it was the cunard countess the only thing was we kept getting lost would love to go again ann xx

Never been, but if anyone comes my way let me know!!! We have met a few friends that come on Cruises, they seemed to like being met at the dock!!! Jacquie xxxxx

I've been on a couple of cruises - love them. The thing about most cruises is they have a couple of 'dressy up nights' a week. However, on most ships you have a choice of dining options - if you don't want to attend the formal dressy up evenings in the dining room, you can go to one of the other restaurants or pizzeria or whatever the ship you choose has for a meal. Also you must have heard the advertisements for ocean village cruises - the cruises for people who don't do cruises. These are apparently far more laid back with no formal evenings. Personally, I love getting dressed up and really enjoy the formal evenings. I think everyone should go on at least once in their lives - I'm planning to go on more. Jan

We're going on the Arcadia next year - no need for formality if you don't want it - quite a few different eating places from the posh to a burger.

Sheila We have been on Thomson Spirit twice and it's really good,this year our friend's came too and now they are hooked,not a great big ship---takes about1,500 passenger's,the crew and staff are all great and really spoil you. There is only one really dressy night and you don't have to do that there is an alternative restauraunt. I can strongly recommend it,we cruised around the Med and can't wait for the next one---recommend thomson cruises

Sheila, The Company you mention seems ideal for you. I have been travelling by sea from the 50's( husbands work) After he retired we did some trips on smaller ships which offered just the basics in entertainment and just to look tidy in the evening' Norwegian trips are very good value as you get into more Ports. Large ships are not our style, mainly because (for us) too many people, takes days to find out where everything is . The main thing is to work out where you want to go, how long you spend in each port, and make sure that you don't have to share a cabin with strangers who may keep different hours to you!!(believe me we've seen it happen!!) Jay

One was recently attacked by pirates. Take a parrot to bargain with ;-)

Thanks for the info, everyone (I'll not forget the parrot, but what about bird flu!) - going to send for some brochures and then try to persuade hubby it's a good idea!

p and o in portsmouth do mini cruises to spain its 3 days onboard the boat and u please urself what u do they have entertainment onboard the boat