I've Got The Taste for Cruising !

[ERICSMUM]

Now I've got the first one under my belt I'm planning another, probably next year. (Eric the cat will be 20 in Oct fingers crossed and our time together is too precious to put him in a cattery while I sail the seas).

My question for you avid cruisers is - How do you decide ? Do you stick with your favourite cruise company and then decide the location or decide the route you want to take and then search all the companies ?

Also which companies do you recommend (or not), and why ?

Thanks as always !

Linda xx

[dee slack]

Originally Posted by ERICSMUM

Now I've got the first one under my belt I'm planning another, probably next year. (Eric the cat will be 20 in Oct fingers crossed and our time together is too precious to put him in a cattery while I sail the seas).

My question for you avid cruisers is - How do you decide ? Do you stick with your favourite cruise company and then decide the location or decide the route you want to take and then search all the companies ?

Also which companies do you recommend (or not), and why ?

Thanks as always !

Linda xx

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we choose itinerary first and foremost then price.
We usually have an idea of where and when we want to go then look for ships in the area and decide on the best itinerary for us.

We have cruised with lots of different lines and would pretty much sail on any of them again (other than Fred Olsen! ) - DCL x5, P&O x3, Cunard x2, Celeb x2, RC x2, Princess x1, FO x1, Royal Clipper x1.

[Scotty]

Ahh another cruise convert.

We tend to choose itinerary first however the last few have been the dates first then itinerary. Price has to come into it as well. DH doesn't like an inside cabin, where as I don't mind as I'm so rarely in it.
We have no overall preference re lines, they all have plus and minus points, Mum and I always say we would like to make our own ship by cherry picking all our favourite bits.
We have been Celebrity, P&O, Princess, Royal Caribbean and Disney and to be honest would go on any of them again.

[stecee]

I'm glad you enjoyed your first cruise, it's very addictive.
We are due to go on our fourth cruise, with our fourth different cruise line
I think itenarary and cost come before which cruise line for us. The three cruise lines we have been with have all been fab, (NCL, RC and Princess) and I would gladly go with any of them again.

[danisleigh]

We go with itinerary and price. We have mainly cruised NCl with one Disney and one RCL. Next year we have booked with NCL on a Caribbean cruise from New York as I have always fancied sailing from there and they offered the nicest itinerary. We are also about to book with RCL for next July around the fjords from Southampton on the independence as we love both the itinerary and the look of the ship... now just waiting for a good deal on the price!

[ERICSMUM]

Thanks everyone. I've started my research !

[Loopylooloo]

I used to choose for itinerary but now I tend to choose my favourite ships first. My favourite cruise line is Celebrity, they seem to have the nicest ships, food etc, and just the right amount of entertainment, we dont need slides, or announcements all day, just a peaceful place to sunbathe, and good food. Oceania is also meant to be fabulous but is a bit pricier! Try to find deals that include a drink package, tips or tours, so you are nearly all inclusive upfront. Please feel free to pm me, I blog about cruising, and work in cruise industry x

[ERICSMUM]

Originally Posted by Loopylooloo

I used to choose for itinerary but now I tend to choose my favourite ships first. My favourite cruise line is Celebrity, they seem to have the nicest ships, food etc, and just the right amount of entertainment, we dont need slides, or announcements all day, just a peaceful place to sunbathe, and good food. Oceania is also meant to be fabulous but is a bit pricier! Try to find deals that include a drink package, tips or tours, so you are nearly all inclusive upfront. Please feel free to pm me, I blog about cruising, and work in cruise industry x

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Thank you that's very kind and I will take you up on it as I found the pricing etc bewildering !

I won't be booking anything at the mo because Eric the cat is 19 and a half and I don't want to take him to a cattery anymore.

Linda xx

[Jan]

After our last cruise we decided that we will not travel any more with Royal Caribbean. Their prices seem very reasonable compared to other cruise lines and now we know why! Last year we sailed out of Southampton to the Canaries. We know the menu is changed to more suit the UK taste. So every night there was two curry dishes - yuck! But we don't like curries but that is our fault not theirs. One night one of the offerings was cottage pie. Now I don't know about Dibbers meals but in our house cottage pie is a staple meal. So I do not expect it on a supposedly luxury cruise menu. Another night I was going to order the steak but the waiter advised me against it because it was tough. Every night we struggled to find something to eat and I had salmon three nights in a row.

The cost cutting by the company has really eaten into the quality of the food - pun intended.

So no more RC for us ever again.

[ERICSMUM]

Thanks Jan for useful feedback. I do expect good food.