Cruise lines - some basic advice, please

[Hil]

I'm looking for some basic info on the different cruise lines out there, please.

We've done two cruises so far, one with P&O and one with Thomson, and now have a better idea of what suits us, but lack knowledge of what else is available.

We're definitely looking for:

• No obligation to dress up - this was true on both P&O and Thomson, but I still felt a bit awkward and 'underdressed' moving about the ship on the optional formal evenings.
• Informal / freedom dining where we can have a table for two

We'd also like to know which cruise lines offer:

• All inclusive / drinks package options
• Tips included (I hate the thought of tipping the bar tender every time, as I understand is the norm on some of the American lines)

... and any other useful info!

Many thanks

[dst87]

Most cruise lines now have a more relaxed approach to dress codes.

I'd look to some of the other mass market cruise lines like Royal Caribbean, NCL, or MSC. We recently sailed with MSC and really enjoyed it. Have previously sailed with Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, Cunard, Fred Olsen so have some experience.

All cruise lines have a daily service charge for housekeeping added to your bill, though this can often be prepaid and should be seen as part of the overall cost of the cruise. If you've got a drinks package then gratuities are included in this so there's no need to tip any further.

Most of those ships have the ability to dine whenever you want. This was pioneered by NCL and they do it well. Royal Caribbean and Celebrity both also offer this.

Happy to answer any specific questions or give any more information on the above.

[mick]

I can give you our opinions on a very limited cruising experience.

Two out of Florida to the Caribbean on Carnival. Another Caribbean on Princess. Same Princess boat out of Southampton to the Canaries. Two Royal Caribbean to the Med - one from Rome and one from Southampton. We always have a balcony cabin as we love waking up and opening the curtains to a new port nearly every day.

I can't say that any of the three lines jumps out as being appreciably better than the others. Maybe Carnival was a tad more informal but not enough to be specific.

I retired in 2015 after 50 years of wearing a suit and tie for work so that's the last thing I ever want to pack on holiday. No way would I pack a DJ either although lots of people love to. Every cruise has allowed us to book a table for two in the dining rooms but in around 60 nights of dining we maybe ate in the dining room less than 10 times. We prefer the buffet options on all ships.

We've never done drinks packages nor drunk at the bar I'm afraid. We don't bother with alcohol on holiday much so we're happy with the free sodas that you can usually get all day.

Mick

[disney_l81]

We have only ever cruised with Royal Caribbean, but they offer all the things you mention above- We like to dress up, however there are plenty of people that don't and there is no certainly no obligation to dress up on the formal nights. We do the my time dining so we pick what time we want to dine and it's normally just the two of us as our daughter prefers to eat with her friends. Again, Royal offer the all inclusive drinks packages- there are different packages to choose from- so daughter has one that includes soft drinks, there is one that does specialty coffees (Starbucks on RCL), and then various different alcohol packages. You can also now choose to pay tips up front rather than waiting till the end of the cruise.

Enjoy whatever you decide

[Omega1]

I can offer info on Princess:
Most evenings in the main dining room are smart casual which for me is short sleeved shirt and trousers. Formal nights (2 in a 7 day cruise) is stricter, but there is always the option to eat in the buffet where dress is very casual.
Anytime dining is available - on our last cruise we reserved a table for two for 7pm every evening. They were flexible which meant we could arrive between 6.45 and 7.15. Worked out great for us.
They offer various drinks packages beforehand or on board. We don’t drink enough to make it worthwhile but we do buy a wine package to have with our evening meal.
All drinks bought at bars have a 15% gratuity automatically added. A daily gratuity is automatically added to your account to recognise the work of cabin stewards, waiters and hundreds of staff never seen.

[Scotty]

We love Celebrity, a few years ago they dropped their formal nights to have what they call "evening chic". People do dress up still but a lot just wear what I would class as smart casual. They do have tables for 2 but they are fairly tightly packed that you feel as if you can easily converse with the tables next to you. We were lucky and always got a great table. They either include the drinks package or it is available to purchase. If you don't have a package the tip is added on to your bill so you don't tip with actual cash. The buffet isn't great in the evening, unlike P&O but we have always eaten in the restaurant.

[Hil]

Thanks for the info, everyone!

[Bats]

My sister sailed with Celebrity and had an AI drinks package. She said it was great to just show her card and not have to do anything else.

[Loopylooloo]

We love Celebrity cruises, no need to do formals, they don't have them, and they quite often offer deals including drink package and tips. Lovely ships, mid sized, not giants, and very modern, but low key - no pool slides, or ice skating etc.

[bonnies mum]

We did RCI last year - t-shirts and flip-flops in the dinning room some nights. So disappointed.