Well you never know till you try it!budget conscious, 1st Cruise experiment. Luxury, but cheap(ish).

[BevS97]

Just be aware cruise critic and cruise Facebook groups can be very critical. I was starting to regret booking our cruise based on th Facebook group and we had a great time in the end. Yes there were some niggles but blown out of all proportion online.

I do like to watch vlogs to see the ship layout and also for ideas for port days. But I have to pick and choose who I watch as some of the videos are more entertaining than others.

[TINKERBELL44]

Originally Posted by BevS97

Just be aware cruise critic and cruise Facebook groups can be very critical. I was starting to regret booking our cruise based on th Facebook group and we had a great time in the end. Yes there were some niggles but blown out of all proportion online.

I do like to watch vlogs to see the ship layout and also for ideas for port days. But I have to pick and choose who I watch as some of the videos are more entertaining than others.

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I agree, there was a lot of negativity online before our recent Med cruise but we thoroughly enjoyed it and have booked the same ship for the Caribbean in January 2026 x

[cornishfrogboy]

Originally Posted by disneypars

I was wondering whether you will be traveling hand luggage only?

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On this occasion, probably not in my case and definitely not in Mandie’s.

Whilst I could certainly do it, I may have a luxury of Suit, Collared Shirt, Shoes etc.

[Love*my*hols]

I know your cruise is longer but we did a 7 day cruise from Barcelona with hand luggage. Wasnt going to pay Ryanair's ridiculous prices !

[anji]

Just found this via your comment on another post! That's an action packed cruise

We've visited Miami a couple of times and used the bus easily enough. We did a boat tour of the harbour/star homes and that was very interesting. The News Cafe on South Beach is lovely and is just along from the Versace mansion (now Villa Casa).

We've only ever done one cruise for 3 nights from Tampa to Cozumel and back. It was a rock music cruise with friends as he's a promoter and knew the bands. I booked our excursion on Cozumel privately as was much cheaper than off the boat, so just got off and away. Didn't need any fancy clothes at all on that cruise! Can't bear 'dress codes'.

When we did the 3 post-pandemic test 'cruises' in Southampton dock overnights on P&O, Cunard and Princess ships to test their safety and procedures, we agreed that the Princess 'cruise' was the best one - not that we even left the dock wall! - so you've picked wisely. The medallion was nifty as it knows you're approaching your cabin and opens the door for you!

Looking forward to your views on the islands. We'd like to do Caribbean, although probably not a cruise.

[cornishfrogboy]

Originally Posted by anji

Just found this via your comment on another post! That's an action packed cruise

We've visited Miami a couple of times and used the bus easily enough. We did a boat tour of the harbour/star homes and that was very interesting. The News Cafe on South Beach is lovely and is just along from the Versace mansion (now Villa Casa).

We've only ever done one cruise for 3 nights from Tampa to Cozumel and back. It was a rock music cruise with friends as he's a promoter and knew the bands. I booked our excursion on Cozumel privately as was much cheaper than off the boat, so just got off and away. Didn't need any fancy clothes at all on that cruise! Can't bear 'dress codes'.

When we did the 3 post-pandemic test 'cruises' in Southampton dock overnights on P&O, Cunard and Princess ships to test their safety and procedures, we agreed that the Princess 'cruise' was the best one - not that we even left the dock wall! - so you've picked wisely. The medallion was nifty as it knows your approaching your cabin and opens the door for you!

Looking forward to your views on the islands. We'd like to do Caribbean, although probably not a cruise.

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Hi Anji!

We will treat this cruise in an identical fashion to any of our other vacations in that I will be writing a live, honest account of the experience and my thoughts on it.

I am rather excited that I now have 2 separate vacations forthcoming that bear no resemblance whatsoever to anything that I have done before.

[Colette-S]

Not read the full thread but thought I’d add couple of things. I’ve visited all the ports you are stopping at over various cruises. I never book shore excursions via the cruise line - they are overpriced and overrated. I don’t like big groups - always waiting around for people angry too many loudmouths 😂😂 I mainly use Viator and Get your guide, both of which have great offerings. You can usually do a private tour (or small group) for less than the cruise ship price. I am very conscious of the consequences of arriving late back so I am extremely cautious when booking excursions and allow a large time buffer (usually at least 1/2 hours). Needless to say I check the reviews etc carefully. I won’t list which excursions I’ve done as I’d be here all day but I’m happy to offer suggestions if requested. We usually do a mixture of walking food tours, island/panoramic tours, golf buggy tours etc.

Like previously mentioned, you cannot take an iron, steamer etc on any ships and not all cruise lines have a laundry room. They will all offer a laundry/pressing service though.
Happy planning CFB!

[cornishfrogboy]

Originally Posted by Colette-S

Not read the full thread but thought I’d add couple of things. I’ve visited all the ports you are stopping at over various cruises. I never book shore excursions via the raise line - they are overpriced and overrated. I don’t like big groups - always waiting around for people angry too many loudmouths 😂😂 I mainly use Viator and Get your guide, both of which have great offerings. You can usually do a private tour (or small group) for less than the cruise ship price. I am very conscious of the consequences of arriving late back so I am extremely cautious when booking excursions and allow a large time buffer (usually at least 1/2 hours). Needless to say I check the reviews etc carefully. I won’t list which excursions I’ve done as I’d be here all day but I’m happy to offer suggestions if requested. We usually do a mixture of walking food tours, island/panoramic tours, golf buggy tours etc.

Like previously mentioned, you cannot take an iron, steamer etc on any ships and not all cruise lines have a laundry room. They will all offer a laundry/pressing service though.
Happy planning CFB!

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That is extremely kind of you, Colette. I will take you up on that if you don’t mind.. but nearer the time 😃.

[Colette-S]

Originally Posted by cornishfrogboy

That is extremely kind of you, Colette. I will take you up on that if you don’t mind.. but nearer the time 😃.

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Happy to return the favours you have extended to me on many occasions!

[jorm35]

Maybe not your thing but Jane McDonald did one of her cruise series visiting the Caribbean islands so maybe have a search for those.
Personally I can’t stand her but it did show some lovely places to visit in each location