How to actually choose a first line.

[JohnnyScottish]

My partner and I are looking to do "a cruise" soon (specific I know). We generally like the idea of seeing so many nice new places and eating nice food and drinking nice drinks aplenty. I'd generally say we do like a relatively peaceful experience (lots of activities but also space to have some quite time). Our budget would stretch to the likes of Celebrity, HAL, etc however for our first cruise we'd like to not spend quite as much. We'd also like to go Nov/Feb time (we've got a lot of other stuff booked) this year in Canaries / Med which rules out a lot of the typical premium lines. We've looked at Norwegian Sun and Marella Explorer who both offer competitive prices on an all inclusive experience.
The real question is - do these ships feel busy when full. Are there bars etc on busy sea evening which would feel like a quiet intimate cocktail bar on land. Having never been on a cruise its hard to tell how busy ships really feel given that all the Youtube tours are clearly taken at the crack of dawn when everyone is still asleep.

 

Im really sorry for the long winded post, but i thought it was best to set the scene. Please feel free to tut or tell me off. You're help is appreciated!

[Essiesmom]

It would help for us to know what type of travel you have enjoyed previously, and your destinations.  Also, are you open to flying to the cruise departure port, or do you prefer to sail from the UK.  If you are considering Marella, you might also look at Fred Olsen.  Also, how do you feel about cruises with children?  Ships can be fuller during school holidays.  You might also add Cunard into the mix.  And type of cabin.  At the time of year you are considering, it might be a bit chilly to get much use out of the balcony many people consider a necessity.  For a taster cruise, just to get an idea of what cruising is about, an inside or OV cabin might suffice.  
 

I see you are also not considering P&O, perhaps wisely as they cater more to families.  You might drop in on the UK Cruisers board here, a bit further down the main boards page, to see what members think of the UK based cruise lines.  I’m sorry I can’t be of more help, but I am strictly US based, where everyone goes to the Caribbean to escape winter.  EM

[lisiamc]

Each cruise line has a vibe of its own, with things that you will probably like, and things that you might not. In your shoes, I’d have a chat with a reputable, specialist cruise agent, who can help you figure out a cruise line that will suit you. You don’t necessarily have to book through them, but their advice could be very helpful. 

[carlmm]

How busy do ships really feel? 

One indicator is to look at the space per passenger ratio.

Eg. two ships with 100.000 tons each are different packed depending on having 2000 or 3500 passengers onboard.

About bars there is really no general answer. Read the boards and trip reports about the lines/ships that are possible to get an idea about the vibe onboard.

 

Carefully said the two lines you are currently looking at might be more on the packed side.

 

 

[Joebucks]

These types of posts can be tricky. New cruisers don't know what they don't know. Lots of people will interject their own personal preferences. 

 

From your description of what you are looking for, it sounds like you want the experience of Celebrity or HAL, without the price. (Don't worry, so do the majority of cruisers on here too). An "intimate cocktail experience" could be tricky. I say research the ships / brands within your price range, and pick the one that has the best itinerary, dining, activities, and amenities for you. 

[Billish]

I would also suggest you look at Azura ((P&O) which is based in the Canaries during the winter months, and the fares include charter air flights.

If you avoid Christmas and half terms, there will not be that many children on board. 

The only problem you may face is that as you are booking late, your choice of airports and cabins may be limited.

And if you are looking for a Celebrity/HA experience, I would avoid Marella.

[Aquahound]

4 hours ago, Joebucks said:

These types of posts can be tricky. New cruisers don't know what they don't know. Lots of people will interject their own personal preferences. 

 

Great point.  Op, there are rabid loyalists lingering, so be very careful to weed out those who post their own preferences rather than helping you with what you are asking for.  

 

You mentioned Norwegian Sun.  I sailed her sister ship, and that ship did feel crowded to me.  For the little bit you mentioned in your post, I do not recommend that ship.  

 

Holland America and Celebrity are both great lines for finding intimate evening lounges/bars.  Celebrity tends to provide live entertainment, such as a solo artist, in some of the smaller venues, but Holland does not.  

 

Since you mentioned activities but still peaceful, I believe Celebrity is the ideal line.  Another line you should consider is Princess.  Royal Caribbean's older ships (Radiance Class and Vision Class) are beautiful, and I also think they would fit your agenda.  

[Billish]

4 minutes ago, Aquahound said:

Holland America and Celebrity are both great lines for finding intimate evening lounges/bars.  Celebrity tends to provide live entertainment, such as a solo artist, in some of the smaller venues, but Holland does not.  

 

Since you mentioned activities but still peaceful, I believe Celebrity is the ideal line.  Another line you should consider is Princess.  Royal Caribbean's older ships (Radiance Class and Vision Class) are beautiful, and I also think they would fit your agenda.  

The issue is that the OP is wanting winter cruises in the Med or Canaries,  and the lines you mention,  afaik, do not operate in those areas in the winter months.

[Aquahound]

13 minutes ago, Billish said:

The issue is that the OP is wanting winter cruises in the Med or Canaries,  and the lines you mention,  afaik, do not operate in those areas in the winter months.

 

Several are still there in November.  

[Billish]

6 minutes ago, Aquahound said:

 

Several are still there in November.  

Can't see any HA or Celebrity cruises doing  Med trips in November 2022. Perhaps I'm not looking in the right place ?

[Aquahound]

7 minutes ago, Billish said:

Can't see any HA or Celebrity cruises doing  Med trips in November 2022. Perhaps I'm not looking in the right place ?

 

Ugh.  I think you're right.  I must've had 2023 in my search engine.  

 

Changing it to 2022, I came across an 11-night itinerary on Regal Princess.  That would be a nice cruise for the op.

[Billish]

1 minute ago, Aquahound said:

 

Ugh.  I think you're right.  I must've had 2023 in my search engine.  

 

Changing it to 2022, I came across an 11-night itinerary on Regal Princess.  That would be a nice cruise for the op.

Isn't that a TA ?

But I agree  - a good ship to start with. 

[Aquahound]

1 minute ago, Billish said:

Isn't that a TA ?

But I agree  - a good ship to start with. 

 

November 6.  It embarks in Barcelona and debarks in Rome.  It's the following cruise on the 17th that goes TA.  

[donaldsc]

I am going to suggest a slightly different approach of picking cruises that works for us.  Don't fixate on destination or type of ship but go by your own gut feelings.  Wander around the internet checking on cruises that look like they might be interesting and just book one.  Don't spend hours trying to over analyze your choice.  Regardless of whether you pick the "best" cruise you will have fun on whatever one you pick and you can then pick your next one based on your experience with your first one.

 

Take us for example.  We have done maybe 20 cruises over the years to lots of interesting places on lots of interesting and different types of ships.  Our 1st cruise was on a 150 year old Maine windjammer.  This is a sailboat that sails off Maine US and is powered solely by wind as it has no engine.  The ship held 22 passengers and our cabin (if you want to call it that) was so small that when one of us wanted to get dressed the other of us had to sit on the bead as the 2 of us did not have enough room to stand in the cabin.  We picked it on a whim because it looked like fun and because I like sailing.  We didn't have any real idea of exactly what we were getting into.  It was great.  

 

The 2nd cruise was completely different.  We did Alaska but not on a cruise ship but on a small ship that held just 50 passengers.  I wanted to do one on a 12 passenger trawler but my wife wanted something a bit bigger so we compromised on the "larger" 50 passenger ship.  Again a great cruise and it got me hooked on AK.  

 

3d cruise.  Completely different.  I am retired but my wife is still working.  I am wandering around the internet and I find a really great deal on a cruise to Antarctica on the Hurtigrutin ship the Nordkapp.  A really really really great deal!!  I call my wife and tell her that I am booking a cruise to Antarctica today and are you coming.  She says that she doesn't have enough vacation.  I tell her that you can take a few days leave w/o pay.  I also tell her that I am going - the question whether she is staying home or coming w me. Six months or so later we step off a zodiac onto the Antarctica continent.  Again a cruise picked on a whim w/o any real searching or planning.

 

Do you see a pattern here.  Pick something that looks good as soon as you see it and just do it.  Almost all of our best cruises have been impulse cruises.

 

Post Covid we have 3 completely different cruises booked.  We just completed a 13 day AK cruise on a 290 passenger expedition ship.  This fall we are doing 2 weeks on a full rigged sailboat in the Greek Islands followed by a week on a Viking canal boat in Southern France.  Early next year we are doing a Viking Ocean cruise in the Caribbean.

 

Again the pattern here is that there is no pattern.  Just my opinion but I really feel sorry for the many people on CC who always cruise on the same cruise line and often on the same ship and to the same places.  It may work for them but it wouldn't work for us.

 

This got much longer than I planned but it is our way of picking cruises.

 

DON

Edited July 21, 2022 by donaldsc

[Billish]

42 minutes ago, donaldsc said:

I am going to suggest a slightly different approach of picking cruises that works for us.  Don't fixate on destination or type of ship but go by your own gut feelings.  Wander around the internet checking on cruises that look like they might be interesting and just book one.  Don't spend hours trying to over analyze your choice.  Regardless of whether you pick the "best" cruise you will have fun on whatever one you pick and you can then pick your next one based on your experience with your first one.

 

Take us for example.  We have done maybe 20 cruises over the years to lots of interesting places on lots of interesting and different types of ships.  Our 1st cruise was on a 150 year old Maine windjammer.  This is a sailboat that sails off Maine US and is powered solely by wind as it has no engine.  The ship held 22 passengers and our cabin (if you want to call it that) was so small that when one of us wanted to get dressed the other of us had to sit on the bead as the 2 of us did not have enough room to stand in the cabin.  We picked it on a whim because it looked like fun and because I like sailing.  We didn't have any real idea of exactly what we were getting into.  It was great.  

 

The 2nd cruise was completely different.  We did Alaska but not on a cruise ship but on a small ship that held just 50 passengers.  I wanted to do one on a 12 passenger trawler but my wife wanted something a bit bigger so we compromised on the "larger" 50 passenger ship.  Again a great cruise and it got me hooked on AK.  

 

3d cruise.  Completely different.  I am retired but my wife is still working.  I am wandering around the internet and I find a really great deal on a cruise to Antarctica on the Hurtigrutin ship the Nordkapp.  A really really really great deal!!  I call my wife and tell her that I am booking a cruise to Antarctica today and are you coming.  She says that she doesn't have enough vacation.  I tell her that you can take a few days leave w/o pay.  I also tell her that I am going - the question whether she is staying home or coming w me. Six months or so later we step off a zodiac onto the Antarctica continent.  Again a cruise picked on a whim w/o any real searching or planning.

 

Do you see a pattern here.  Pick something that looks good as soon as you see it and just do it.  Almost all of our best cruises have been impulse cruises.

 

Post Covid we have 3 completely different cruises booked.  We just completed a 13 day AK cruise on a 290 passenger expedition ship.  This fall we are doing 2 weeks on a full rigged sailboat in the Greek Islands followed by a week on a Viking canal boat in Southern France.  Early next year we are doing a Viking Ocean cruise in the Caribbean.

 

Again the pattern here is that there is no pattern.  Just my opinion but I really feel sorry for the many people on CC who always cruise on the same cruise line and often on the same ship and to the same places.  It may work for them but it wouldn't work for us.

 

This got much longer than I planned but it is our way of picking cruises.

 

DON

Whilst I understand your approach, I'm not sure that would work for a Med or Canary cruise in the winter.

[Billish]

1 hour ago, Aquahound said:

 

November 6.  It embarks in Barcelona and debarks in Rome.  It's the following cruise on the 17th that goes TA.  

Good choice. 

[wcook]

You aren’t going to find a ship that feels like an intamate nightclub. But you will find venues on the ship that do. I don’t know if any ship that doesn’t have a quiet “classy” lounge. 

 

Unpipular opinion around here, but the specific company doesn’t matter much for your first trip. Go in a cruise. Find what you like and don’t like. 
 

My one advice would be to stay under your budget. Even the most all inclusive cruise can surprise you with things to spend money on. It sucks when you see something that sounds great, but you are already stretching the limit of your budget. 

[Billish]

4 hours ago, Aquahound said:

 

November 6.  It embarks in Barcelona and debarks in Rome.  It's the following cruise on the 17th that goes TA.  

Just to add to my previous comment.

For a first time cruiser, this is a good introduction.

The itinerary is interesting,  the ship has a good selection of bars and restaurants, and there are good flight connections from the UK.

I would be tempted myself,  if I didn't have another holiday booked in November.

The only possible downside is that the Med weather in November can be a bit iffy, but that would apply regardless of the cruise line. 

Hopefully the OP will let us know his thoughts.

[ldubs]

Among RCI, Princes, & Celebrity  I find the atmosphere on their smaller ships might be more desirable, and perhaps more of what you are looking for.  They don't have the zip lines or bumper cars, but are "active" and have cozier venues too.   Perhaps others can confirm.   I should say by smaller, I mean 2500 - 3500 vs the 5000 or 6000 passenger ships.  For example, my favorites include the Princess Grand class, RCI Radiance class, or Celebrity Millennium class ships.  

[JohnnyScottish]

5 hours ago, donaldsc said:

I am going to suggest a slightly different approach of picking cruises that works for us.  Don't fixate on destination or type of ship but go by your own gut feelings.  Wander around the internet checking on cruises that look like they might be interesting and just book one.  Don't spend hours trying to over analyze your choice.  Regardless of whether you pick the "best" cruise you will have fun on whatever one you pick and you can then pick your next one based on your experience with your first one.

 

Take us for example.  We have done maybe 20 cruises over the years to lots of interesting places on lots of interesting and different types of ships.  Our 1st cruise was on a 150 year old Maine windjammer.  This is a sailboat that sails off Maine US and is powered solely by wind as it has no engine.  The ship held 22 passengers and our cabin (if you want to call it that) was so small that when one of us wanted to get dressed the other of us had to sit on the bead as the 2 of us did not have enough room to stand in the cabin.  We picked it on a whim because it looked like fun and because I like sailing.  We didn't have any real idea of exactly what we were getting into.  It was great.  

 

The 2nd cruise was completely different.  We did Alaska but not on a cruise ship but on a small ship that held just 50 passengers.  I wanted to do one on a 12 passenger trawler but my wife wanted something a bit bigger so we compromised on the "larger" 50 passenger ship.  Again a great cruise and it got me hooked on AK.  

 

3d cruise.  Completely different.  I am retired but my wife is still working.  I am wandering around the internet and I find a really great deal on a cruise to Antarctica on the Hurtigrutin ship the Nordkapp.  A really really really great deal!!  I call my wife and tell her that I am booking a cruise to Antarctica today and are you coming.  She says that she doesn't have enough vacation.  I tell her that you can take a few days leave w/o pay.  I also tell her that I am going - the question whether she is staying home or coming w me. Six months or so later we step off a zodiac onto the Antarctica continent.  Again a cruise picked on a whim w/o any real searching or planning.

 

Do you see a pattern here.  Pick something that looks good as soon as you see it and just do it.  Almost all of our best cruises have been impulse cruises.

 

Post Covid we have 3 completely different cruises booked.  We just completed a 13 day AK cruise on a 290 passenger expedition ship.  This fall we are doing 2 weeks on a full rigged sailboat in the Greek Islands followed by a week on a Viking canal boat in Southern France.  Early next year we are doing a Viking Ocean cruise in the Caribbean.

 

Again the pattern here is that there is no pattern.  Just my opinion but I really feel sorry for the many people on CC who always cruise on the same cruise line and often on the same ship and to the same places.  It may work for them but it wouldn't work for us.

 

This got much longer than I planned but it is our way of picking cruises.

 

DON

I think personally this approach would be very like me. I’m of the opinion that I can find fun and enjoy almost anything. My partner is a big “analyser” and so I want to try and be respectful of that. Maybe I should just make it a surprise! Haha

[JohnnyScottish]

16 minutes ago, ldubs said:

Among RCI, Princes, & Celebrity  I find the atmosphere on their smaller ships might be more desirable, and perhaps more of what you are looking for.  They don't have the zip lines or bumper cars, but are "active" and have cozier venues too.   Perhaps others can confirm.   I should say by smaller, I mean 2500 - 3500 vs the 5000 or 6000 passenger ships.  For example, my favorites include the Princess Grand class, RCI Radiance class, or Celebrity Millennium class ships.  

That’s why NCL Sun and Marella Explorer appealed. They may not be as up market but they are both under 2,000 passengers.
 

If / when we do book, I’ll put everyone out of their suspense and report back! 

[ldubs]

1 minute ago, JohnnyScottish said:

That’s why NCL Sun and Marella Explorer appealed. They may not be as up market but they are both under 2,000 passengers.
 

If / when we do book, I’ll put everyone out of their suspense and report back! 

 

I have no experience with other cruise lines so can't comment.  But I do enjoy the atmosphere on these smaller ships.  Of course, in their day, I guess these "smaller" ships where the humongous ones! 

Enjoy!  

[Billish]

18 minutes ago, JohnnyScottish said:

That’s why NCL Sun and Marella Explorer appealed. They may not be as up market but they are both under 2,000 passengers.
 

If / when we do book, I’ll put everyone out of their suspense and report back! 

All I would say, is that when we first started crusing we felt that  smaller might be better. And then we discovered that smaller means less choice, and actually, less intimate bars restaurants etc.

But, if you go on a larger ship, you get  more bars and restaurants,  and actually get a more intimate service as a result. 

So yes, 2000 passengers sounds great, but if there are only 4 bars, they will be crowded. 

Conversely,  we were on Regal Princess (3000+pax) but so many bars that it was never crowded. 

Consequently in Vines, the wine bar, after two nights, the waiters knew our names and also what our favourite wine was. Plus,  lots of space, and not crowded. 

Obviously your choice, but 7 or 14 days on a small ship is not always as good as it seems.

Having said that, the likes of the 5000+ ships are a no go for me. 

Book Regal Princess in November  - you will not be disappointed. 

Edited July 21, 2022 by Billish

[edinburgher]

We have sailed a number of lines including HAL, Princess etc but in recent years have sailed Marella for a number of reasons.

 

Huge advantages in booking ex UK with them as flights are included, and if lucky could be from an airport close to your home. 

 

On arrival, transfers to the ship are also included so no need to look for and pay for your own airport to port transfer, the same when it is time to leave..

 

We generally prefer "smaller" ships, but nowadays these are more like mid size ships of the past and since Marella acquired second hand ships from lines such as HAL we find these are just right for us  (we don't go over 2000 pax size) and in our opinion at least, are a step up from the older, smaller ships they used to have, with more options for dining, bars, entertainment etc. and better appointed cabins and public areas. We have sailed one of the Discoveries and both of the Explorers and had no issues with onboard crowds apart from the Squid and Anchor which we avoid in the evenings when it is too crowded and noisy for our liking.  We have always been able to find a quieter spot to enjoy a drink in one of the other bars.

 

We also like that there is another option in the evening for dining.  The italian restaurant(evening only) is no-fee and serves really tasty food as an alternative to the MDR or the buffet. We usually dine there 3 or 4 times in a two week itinerary, not because the food in the MDR is poor, but just to mix things up a little.

 

And tips and drinks are included so the only "extras" are whatever spending you have ashore. (unless of course you order premium drinks or speciality coffees or venture into the spa or buy bingo tickets or photographs or things like that)

 

One of the biggest advantages comes on disembarkation day.  On most lines you and your luggage are off the ship by no later than around 0900 hours, useless if you have a late flight.  On Marella, although you do need to vacate your cabin by 0800 (so it can be made ready for arriving pax) you have the run of the ship until you have to leave for your coach transfer to the airport  even if that isn't until early evening. You can still eat, and the AI is still in operation, you can swim or use any of the other facilities until your coach time.

 

And there are self serve laundries so using one of these a couple of times in a two week itinerary is really helpful and no need to pay for laundry service.

 

And having the fly/cruise package means that should anything go wrong with the journey, it is Marella who have to sort it all out, not you, and looking at the news these days, with so much chaos and so many cancellations, you would be getting peace of mind.

 

We usually opt for either inside or outside as we spend little time in the cabin, especially so if it is a port intenive itinerary, our preference.  Had balconies a couple of times but used so rarely we never bothered again.

 

And for a first cruise, do not feel that you must book a shore excursion in every oport.  Lots of useful information on the CC destination specific boards for DIY options.  You can save lots of money by researching your destinations before you go.

Edited July 22, 2022 by edinburgher

[Capt_BJ]

Viking Ocean

 

nuff said . . .