Cruising

[Happy Lady]

I used to enjoy cruising, and retired three years ago to enjoy travelling. I'd worked all my life and felt that I deserved this. I was therefore wondering how many members here also have been on a cruise, and due to covid lurking everywhere, when would you feel comfortable joining a ship again for your holiday.

At the moment I'm aware that MSC Grandiosa is sailing again, but they have introduced their own strict restrictions. Face masks to be worn when passengers leave their cabins, and they can only go ashore if they join an excursion organised by the ship. One family broke away to do their own thing, but were refused entry back on board when they returned. Under these conditions I'd rather not sail, but would you?

 

[Fenella]

I love cruising and did consider looking at 2021 but will leave it for now, until things are a bit more settled.

What you describe doesn’t sound very fun but whether or not things will ever go back to some semblance of what we had I don’t know, but by the pool in a mask, not being able to do my own thing in ports and I’m not sure what’s happening with dining etc.

perhaps we’ll be back to it in 2022, we’ll see!

 

[Charsior]

Another Cruise obsessed person! Have managed to see some amazing parts of the world. We were meant to go in March for a 17 Night cruise so now we have a lot of credit with RC. We looked at some cruises for next year, but the thought of wearing a mask on the boat and only pre planed trips just done seem enjoyable. We like to go rouge! Maybe 2022!

 

[chocolate choux]

I’ve been on a couple years ago and was wanting to go on one again but then Covid happened. It won’t be the same until if/when things get back to normal, and I wouldn’t want to risk being stuck in quarantine in a ship

One of the silly reasons I wanted to go on one was for the buffet - the ones I went on before had amazing huge buffets spanning so many different types of food. It’s hard to imagine buffets being being the same / feeling comfortable eating from one

 

[Fenella]

One of the silly reasons I wanted to go on one was for the buffet - the ones I went on before had amazing huge buffets spanning so many different types of food. It’s hard to imagine buffets being being the same / feeling comfortable eating from one

Yes that was one of my concerns too! I love the buffet and how I can have a Greek salad with exactly the amount of tomatoes and olives I want rather than it being dished up for me etc and if I want something with it that doesn’t match I can just chuck it on the plate! and my kids have tried so many new foods on a cruise that they’d never have had if we’d have had to order a whole dish of it!

I don’t really want a dish it up for you situation where you’re like ‘a bit more please’ but equally can we ever go back to just all leaning over the food

 

[Tublet83]

I was meant to go on the new Iona ship this summer deposit got moved to May next year (P&O fantastic), but they have paused cruises until the new year now and I’m unwilling to pay my balance if they aren’t back up and running .

Gutted I love them too! Would not be happy having to pay and go on organised trips. It’s really expensive and I much prefer to do my own thing.

 

[Happy Lady]

We have one booked with Celebrity in January, but we're thinking of moving into 2022 as their website mentions masks need to be worn. I love going away in January to leave the dismal cold UK weather behind.

I'm sure if anyone tested positive on the ship they'd be removed very quickly, but I doubt other passengers would have to remain in their cabins for the rest of their holiday, as this procedure was criticised so much earlier this year.

 

[Lollypad]

We were meant to cruise for our honeymoon this year, but with wedding moved so was the honeymoon. Have a smaller cruise booked for next June but I’ll be surprised if that goes ahead. P&O were great though.

 

[caitlinbullen]

I am heartily ashamed of what is says about me that I did NOT expect to see talk of holidays or ships when I clicked on this thread. I'll show myself out

 

[GiggleBee]

I adore cruising. Ive done 3 transatlantics on Royal Caribbean.
We had a chartered jane mcdonald cruise booked for this month (mum wanted someone to go with!) anyway it got moved to next year and then cancelled and the companys gone under so weve potentially lost alot of money.

 

[Happy Lady]

I adore cruising. Ive done 3 transatlantics on Royal Caribbean.
We had a chartered jane mcdonald cruise booked for this month (mum wanted someone to go with!) anyway it got moved to next year and then cancelled and the companys gone under so weve potentially lost alot of money.

Oh that's dreadful. Are you able to claim on your insurance?

Insurance premiums are bound to rocket if we ever get out of this mess and can return to enjoying holidays again.

 

[GiggleBee]

Oh that's dreadful. Are you able to claim on your insurance?

Insurance premiums are bound to rocket if we ever get out of this mess and can return to enjoying holidays again.

Insurance doesnt cover pandemics apparently

 

[StephenTJackson]

I am heartily ashamed of what is says about me that I did NOT expect to see talk of holidays or ships when I clicked on this thread. I'll show myself out

I thought the same.

 

[bringingdownthebs]

Avid cruiser here!! 17 and counting! We had a Baltic one booked for summer next year but think we might cancel it or try to move it to 2022 as I really don’t fancy wearing a mask onboard all the time! Plus what other people have said about the buffet... just won’t be the same!!

 

[Happy Lady]

Avid cruiser here!! 17 and counting! We had a Baltic one booked for summer next year but think we might cancel it or try to move it to 2022 as I really don’t fancy wearing a mask onboard all the time! Plus what other people have said about the buffet... just won’t be the same!!

You will love the Baltics, it's a tad expensive but well worth it. Every country is so very different. We managed to do our last cruise in January just before all this kicked off, and went from San Diego (fabulous place to spend a few days before boarding) through the Panama Canal and round the Caribbean. I can recommend it.

 

[ClockworkDolly]

I used to enjoy cruising, and retired three years ago to enjoy travelling. I'd worked all my life and felt that I deserved this. I was therefore wondering how many members here also have been on a cruise, and due to covid lurking everywhere, when would you feel comfortable joining a ship again for your holiday.

At the moment I'm aware that MSC Grandiosa is sailing again, but they have introduced their own strict restrictions. Face masks to be worn when passengers leave their cabins, and they can only go ashore if they join an excursion organised by the ship. One family broke away to do their own thing, but were refused entry back on board when they returned. Under these conditions I'd rather not sail, but would you?

I did my first and only (so far) cruise 9 years ago. A very kind friend treated me to this wonderful holiday and I can honestly say it was one of the the best holidays I have had. We had a suite of rooms, we each had our own room within a larger room and a huge double deck at the rear of the ship. Talk about be spoilt, it was luxury.

So that was my first taste of cruising and I’ve always said that I would definitely do it all again. Then along came Covid and put the kibosh on any thoughts of cruising.

I have wondered if any cruise lines were still operating. I have seen the many cruise ships just anchored in the sea, with nowhere to go.

I would rather sail knowing that everything was back to normal again, that I wouldn’t have to self-isolate for 14 days, etc.

I am sure the prices have been slashed to reflect the current climate.

I am heartily ashamed of what is says about me that I did NOT expect to see talk of holidays or ships when I clicked on this thread. I'll show myself out

I toyed with the idea of clicking onto it.

 

[DigiDuino]

I had been planning on taking my mum on a cruise in 2021 for ages but that's scuppered! Maybe 2022, it would be her first but she's always fancied it.

Anyone have recommendations for a first cruise?

 

[Happy Lady]

I had been planning on taking my mum on a cruise in 2021 for ages but that's scuppered! Maybe 2022, it would be her first but she's always fancied it.

Anyone have recommendations for a first cruise?

If you and your mum are young at heart you may enjoy Royal Caribbean.
If you're more mature then Celebrity or Holland America

But first have a think about where you'd like to visit and what you'd like to do. For instance if you enjoy learning the history and culture of a country, then Europe will offer plenty of itineraries for you to consider. If you'd like winter sunshine, beautiful beaches and sea sports like snorkelling, then the Caribbean is gorgeous.

 

[ClockworkDolly]

Royal Caribbean was the company I went with. I have nobody else to compare them with, but they were fantastic. I remember even back then they had hand sanitiser dotted around the ship. You had to apply it before you went into the restaurants.

 

[bringingdownthebs]

You will love the Baltics, it's a tad expensive but well worth it. Every country is so very different. We managed to do our last cruise in January just before all this kicked off, and went from San Diego (fabulous place to spend a few days before boarding) through the Panama Canal and round the Caribbean. I can recommend it.

Yeah I did Baltic in 2010 with my family and been desperate to take my husband and little boy there! I think we will push the dates back though as I want us to really enjoy it and I’m not sure we will with the new rules in place.