Scouse and I have travelled a fair bit but have never been on a cruise. I know that the only way we'll know if this type of holiday is for us is to just do it, but I was wondering if anyone who's been on one (or more!) cruises would mind sharing their experiences?

I'm probably going to sound like a grumpy old woman here (probably because I am one), but we're not really into the 'make new friends' lark - we have enough friends already and prefer our own company when on holiday. So having to sit with a big group of people every night doesn't appeal much - do many ships have 'tables for two'?

Any recommendations on particular cruise lines and travel agents? Would prefer to avoid a million rug rats running around, I like kids but only when they're asleep Party ships R not us - probably something a bit more sedate with guest lecturers etc, although a bit of evening entertainment wouldn't go astray either. I wouldn't get Scouse in formal wear, is this a requirement on some ships?

If we do decide to have a go, it'll probably be from the UK. I like the look of the Queens - Queen Mary seems more expensive than the other two, not sure why? Have also thought about a river cruise in Europe - any thoughts on those?

Finally, for those who've booked Princess or Queens Grill accommodation, were you happy with paying a bit more for this, i.e. did you think it was worth it?

Thanks for any thoughts, reviews etc

Try this site.........

www.cruisecritic.com

I think crammed in one ship with 3000 other people means you would have to like mixing??

Unless you sit in the cabin a lot it would be impossible to escape them.

My worst nightmare would be a aussie cruise, they apparently drink more than anyone else on ships and being locked up with 3000 pissed up loud bogans would have me jumping over the side

Maybe the QE ships are more refined.

Exactly my thoughts on it.

I've never been on a ship where you can't escape the Hi di Hi club. There's always somewhere you can find tranquility. Most main dining rooms have tables for two, though sometimes they are that close together you may as well be sitting with someone. Formal nights, if there are any, are a pain in the ar$e, though you don't have to dress up and eat in the dining room, there are other dining options. Most ships have speciality restaurants where, for a small charge, you can escape the crowds and have a top class meal. Avoid the cheap and cheerful cruises if you don't like crowds and rowdiness.

As with most things, the more you pay..............

We just did our first cruise out of Sydney a few weeks ago. Holland America - older demographic, very few kids and a mix of mostly Australians and US/Canadians. No bogans, no drunks; everyone very civilised.

While we enjoyed it on the whole, there were quite a few days where there was literally nothing to do except sleep, read and eat. You don't have to eat with other people, you can get tables for two in the dining room but they are few and highly sought after. Alternatively, you can eat in the casual restaurant wherever you can find a seat.

They did have Trivia quizzes, cooking demos, computer courses, dance lessons and the like going on but even if you went to all of them, every day, it still wasn't enough to occupy us. We spent a lot of time reading on our balcony or walking the decks.

We're in no hurry to do another cruise. We prefer a faster pace. Maybe when we're 80...

Hmm, well assuming you want to avoid the Sagalouts as well, how about cruising picturesque areas where the kids are unlikely to be much in evidence. And if you want to avoid the "party ships R us" lot, how about not the hot, caribbean type cruises?

That kind of means 'cold' water cruises - like Norway, New Zealand, Antarctica, etc.

Personally I've always thought at eventually I'd go on one of the Antarctica cruises (just because its the only way to get there), but they aren't cheap. Maybe cruising the inlets and sights of New Zealand (easy to get to)?

Or even learn to sail and then go on a greek island sailing holiday - that would keep the kids at bay, and its probably quite cheap now !

I agree with the comments of the others, and havent been on a cruise as I know it wouldnt be what I like. I suggest you ask yourself just what it is that you want to get out of a cruise. It certainly isnt the best way to see places as you have such little time in each place. I know people who do like cruises but only for the fact of not having to go out and find places to eat, and they dont go ashore either, they just stay on board and read or do nothing.
I used to live in Bermuda where a large number of cruises go to each year. Watching the hoards rushing off the ship to rush around the island in a taxi or buying T shirts or the usual overpriced duty free stuff, was enough to put me off for ever.
I also have met people who have been on the European river cruises, which they say are very relaxing, but if you have bad luck with the weather, you will find yourself cramped up all day inside the boat with nothing to do. One thing you apparently need to beware of are the cruises that have long tables in the dining area, as you will be forced to share whether you like it or not.

If you're not into making friends, why go on a cruise with thousands of other people?

Personally i couldn't think of anything worse - imagine being stuck on a boat with 2000 American pensioners for 2 weeks

You only get to visit places for half a day: Venice for 10 hrs - that would be super fun

Thanks for the reply We're not really anti-mixing, just don't like the thought of being stuck at the same table, with the same people, night after night. Being an Aussie myself, I'd better avoid cruises out of Australia, otherwise I might have to jump overboard to escape myself.

Thanks Bud, some useful tips there The website looks great, I'll enjoy having a look around that.

Thanks Nicky. I'd be ok with laying around all day, but Scouse likes to be busy all the time (a lovely but exhausting holiday companion )

Thanks for the reply Garry, I'm liking the sound of a NZ cruise. I hope you get to take that Antarctica cruise.

Thanks for the reply, have taken on board ('scuse the pun) your suggestion re thinking about what we like to get out of holidays

Happy to make friends in the ordinary way Amazulu, it's forced bonhomie we don't like hence my dinner table comments.

Reading yours and other people's comments is really useful, gets me thinking about things I hadn't really considered before.