South West Cruise advice please

[mintypixie]

Hi, I hope this is the right place to ask, I am looking for some advice/suggestions for cruises out of Southampton.

 

I have cruised twice once with MSC and once with RCCL and have fallen in love with cruising, So much so that I am hoping to have a cruise wedding in 2015. The problem is trying to convince my mother-in-law to be this is a good idea. She has reservations about it as my brother-in-law to be has young family and will the toddler fall over the side. What will the vegetarian family member eat. Everyone is going to get sea sick. We will all get novo virus including the captain who will then crash into an ice burg in the middle of the Mediterranean where a giant kraken will devour us all. As you can probably guess she has never cruise and does not like leaving her comfort zone.

 

As it is a big bday for her coming up me and my fiancé thought taking her on a taster cruise might be a good idea as it will give her a chance to see what cruising is like and calm her fears before the wedding, whilst not being too big and daunting.

 

We live in Dorset and I don’t want to fly out anywhere as that would add too many headaches and complications so I am looking for cruises out of Southampton or other ports in the South West. Also as works in a school so it would have to be outside of term time. Ideally I would have liked to have gone with RCCL as that’s is who we are doing the wedding with, but the only cruises they have that fit these requirements are at the end of October and that’s a bit late in the year and cold. Plus the sea is more likely to be rough.

 

I was wondering if somebody could recommend other cruise lines that sail out of these ports and do tasters. I am not asking for specific cruises just ideas of who to look at with similar styles of ships to RCCL.

 

Many Thanks in advance.

[jocap]

There won't be much sailing from S'ton during the winter, as it's all world or extended cruising to the warm weather....There will be a few Christmas market cruises, but the North Sea and winter....perhaps not!;)

Once the spring comes, and ships return from the warmth, they will almost all be doing 2, 3, 4 nighters.

I suggest either P&O or Fred Olsen for her first cruise....very British, hardly anyone from outside the UK and Ireland; the food and entertainment will all be in her comfort zone. Try getting a P&O and a Fred brochure from the High street TA, which you can browse at home before you actually speak to a cruise specialist TA (NOT the High St. ones)

[Di Princess]

http://www.fredolsencruises.com/Our-Ships/Our-Cruise-Ships

 

Our Cruise Ships: Step on board our friendly, welcoming Fred. Olsen Cruise ships and start your holiday with a smile. Our cruise ships are smaller and more personal, so you’ll feel relaxed and at home straight away. Each of our beautiful cruise ships has their own distinct personalities, but what they do have in common is the comfort and great service that we are so proud of. From great bars and restaurants through to entertainment and relaxation, no matter where your cruise is destined you can rest assured that you are in for an unforgettable journey.

Explore Balmoral, Braemar, Boudicca and Black Watch and you’ll find out why we like to think our cruise ships are a little bit special.

 

Balmoral is our largest and newest cruise ship, named after the Scottish home of the Royal Family. Still smaller than most cruise ships today, there are 710 cabins and suites and generous public space for the 1,300 guests on board. The main restaurant is Ballindalloch (named after the Speyside village and castle), while the two other formal restaurants are Avon and Spey – named after two of Scotland’s most beautiful salmon rivers. There’s a comfy pub with occasional live music or comedy, cabaret and shows in the Neptune Lounge, or drift away with a cool drink and spectacular seascapes in the Observatory Lounge.

 

Black Watch cruise ship is a hark back to those days, when quality and service were taken for granted. Sleek and intimate, with cabins and suites for 804 people, Black Watch was voted 'Best for Entertainment' in the 2012 Cruise Critic 'Cruisers' Choice UK Awards’*. Only UK cruisers voted, and they were especially impressed with our service: “they consistently went the extra mile”. So, be captivated by the entertaining cabaret at the Neptune Lounge,and fire-up your taste buds for a treat at the Glentanar Restaurant. Or, share a relaxing drink over panoramic views across the ocean in our Observatory Lounge.

 

The Braemar: With 150 years’ of sailing heritage behind us, our service on this beautiful cruise ship is sure to delight you. Braemar will capture your senses - with large windows, polished wood, shining brass fittings and decadent fabrics. A five-deck high atrium area and cascading decks at the stern give Braemar space and intimacy in perfect balance. A well-stocked and all-inclusive cruise ship, Braemar has a number of restaurant and bar facilities for passengers. Have a tasty lunch at the Palms Café and a delicious dinner at our grand Thistle and Grampian restaurants. Refresh at the Marquee poolside bar, or have a cosy drink in our Morning Light Pub. Spin to the music at the Neptune Lounge, and take afternoon tea at the Coral Club. Leave the world behind in our serene Atlantis Spa, and surround yourself with horizon, as you walk the promenade. *Small ships category

 

BTW, THAT PINK COLOUR YOU USE IS VERY DIFFICULT TO READ !