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susan m
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19-07-2019, 02:28 PM
1

Cruise and which cabin is best

Im thinking of going on a cruise on my own , leaving from southampton and either in the spring or end of summer 2020 for 10 or 14 nights to the Mediterranean. I know i will pay more as a single person but i dont have lots of money so will opt for an inside cabin .

My question is , which deck and where on the boat for comfort , ie , engine noise , or noise from clubs etc .

Which cruise line is best , i also want to return to Southampton.

Never ever done it alone , a bit anxious but i know ill be fine .

Thankyou for your replies
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19-07-2019, 03:01 PM
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Re: Cruise and which cabin is best

It all depends on how much you like being trapped in a box with a lot of other people. The food is good and plentiful - indeed perfect for gluttons. Even the posher paid restaurants on board were reasonably priced too. In the bars the alcohol was pub prices - no more duty free booze! Having said that I didn't spend anything like as much as I expected, in fact about half and the bastards charged $5 to refund it - all the money was on your ID card.

Cruising was my idea of hell before I went but to be fair it was better than I thought it would be but still not enough to make me want to go again.

I went with a party of about 20 and the parents in my party said that they would go again (and have) because the kids were looked after, personally I spent most of my time in the adults only areas drinking and talking. Older people seemed to me to spend far too much time sitting in the lounges reading (why not stay at home if that's all you do?)

Get the best cabin you can afford - mine had a massive balcony as well as a spa, dressing room and lounge. It certainly helped make the trip bearable because I could take my lunch there and eat it on the balcony as well as invite friends in for drinks and a social gathering away from the madding crowd. My cabin was at the stern on the corner with an L shaped balcony but most facing rearwards. I can't complain about the cabin accommodation.

Entertainment is OK but there are not as many activities as Butlins (which the whole affair reminded me of). Trips at port of call were great - anything to get off the bloody ship, some I pre booked others I waited until I got ashore. The best trip however was a 'behind the scenes' trip of the ship, because of security you had to book before you boarded but it was the highlight for me - and you get a picture taken with the Captain - it was the most expensive trip on the cruise at about $100 but worth it.

Anyway that is my experience, as I say, I wouldn't go on another cruise except on a special occasion (which this was) Personally I would rather fly somewhere and hire a car or a guide, you would see a lot more and it would probably work out cheaper and far more interesting.

This was my two week cruise in less than a minute:

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19-07-2019, 03:41 PM
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Re: Cruise and which cabin is best

Hi susan...if I were going on a cruise on my own I'd definitely go for one of the smaller ships.
The Queen Victoria would be my choice...

https://cruiseweb.com/cruise-lines/c...queen-victoria

It's delightful; I once went on a tour around it, so interesting, got a look into every kind of cabin from the cheapest, the interior one with no view, to the plushest suite!

I personally would never choose an interior cabin, far too claustrophobic for me, especially for two whole weeks, but would choose the cheaper of the ones with a view. A view, but not necessarily a balcony, would be a must for me.

The Victoria is very popular with the crews apparently, they love it and it had a refit in 2017.
You can go on a virtual tour here...

https://youtu.be/
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19-07-2019, 04:01 PM
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Re: Cruise and which cabin is best

Susan, how wonderful that you are going a cruise independently! Good for you!

I was not a fan of cruising and avoided it until I was in my forties, but I have come to enjoy the quite a bit. I don't think there is a better way to see the world as a solo woman traveler!

As a matter of fact, I am about to embark on a ten day Mediterranean cruise on the Azamara Club line in a few weeks. Since OGF and Realist have some expertise on P&O, I will let them advise you on that. I have also cruised on Royal Caribbean and Celebrity. RC was generally had a younger demographic, lots of families, and a smattering of older singles and couples. Celebrity is a step up with an older demographic - families her tend to have teen or adult children. Azamara has fewer families yet and and an older, more sedate clientele. (No belly flop contests or casinos on Azamara). That said, my cruises on the larger ships have been just fine. Cruising is not inexpensive, and for the most part, most passengers are well-behaved and considerate. Plus, the people watching is so much fun! When I vacation, I tend to enjoy a quieter experience, and that can certainly be managed on any ship. There are many, many excellent video tours of various ships on YouTube.

Besides the budget factor, I recommend considering:

1. Ship size. Since you are traveling alone, you might enjoy a smaller, more intimate ship. Not only do they offer a less hectic experience, these ships get to port in more interesting locations, the staff is more likely to get to know you since you are traveling alone. The ship I am sailing on has only 700 passengers. Mid-sized ships are just fine, but once they get above 2,500 or so, you have to consider that if going ashore on a tender might require some waiting - and the common areas like the pools and casual dining areas are definitely going to be more hectic.

2. Cabin side. Look at the itinerary and consider which way the ship will be cruising and will be in port. On some cruises, the side you are on can make quite a difference.

3. Balcony. This is one factor on which I wouldn't cut corners, especially since you are traveling alone. A balcony makes for a ten-fold better experience - views, along with a a private dining, relaxing, tea-sipping location. I wouldn't cruise without a balcony.

4. Towards the bow or stern: If you are not likely to be seasick (do you know?) and you loathe cigarette smoke, I would try to go forward as much as possible. There will be more rocking in high seas, but you avoid the smoke. Many cruise ships have strict no smoking rules on balconies, but I've never been on a cruise in which someone was smoking. If you think you might get woozy when the waves are substantial, go for the middle of the ship. Avoid cabins with adjoining doors to cut down on the noise.

5. Deck: You are right, there are considerations about where your cabin lies in relation to other parts of the ship. Look at the deck plans. You don't want to be across from elevators, below a dining area, or near a disco. When you narrow it down, you can often to a web search for the ship and cabin number. You will be surprised at how many precise reviews there are out there! Avoid the deck with lifeboats that can obstruct one's view.

I am excited for you! Let us know about your research.
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19-07-2019, 04:03 PM
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Re: Cruise and which cabin is best

Lovely ship, Ruthio! Great recommendation.
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19-07-2019, 04:49 PM
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Re: Cruise and which cabin is best

Well, my dear wife has suggested a cruise once or twice.
I have to say the idea does not appeal to me in the slightest. An anathema might best describe my views.
I know it is immensely popular with many - the cruise liners wouldn't exist otherwise.

Just not my thing. We do travel on holiday. Turkey, Morocco, France, Netherlands, Belgium...........but for us, it is the being there, not the getting there.
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19-07-2019, 05:04 PM
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Re: Cruise and which cabin is best

Originally Posted by Besoeker ->
Well, my dear wife has suggested a cruise once or twice.
I have to say the idea does not appeal to me in the slightest. An anathema might best describe my views.
I know it is immensely popular with many - the cruise liners wouldn't exist otherwise.

Just not my thing. We do travel on holiday. Turkey, Morocco, France, Netherlands, Belgium...........but for us, it is the being there, not the getting there.
I was/am the same way, but I find that one doesn't have to exclude the other. While most of my travel doesn't involve cruising, this time I am doing the Alps, lake region, Milan, Rome, Florence by car/train with a cruise sandwiched in between.

You have to admit that a cruise for someone like Susan who is traveling alone is a brilliant way to still get out there and see the world!
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19-07-2019, 05:09 PM
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Re: Cruise and which cabin is best

Having done several cruises (6/7) maybe this will help

If you take a cabin on the highest deck you might keep getting noise from the open deck above with footfalls etc

If you take the lowest deck engine noise could be a problem.

You wont get a balcony if you want an inside cabin

If you take one nearest the lifts you will keep having people walking past chatting, same near to toilet areas

So If I were you I would choose a middle deck half way down the ship.You might find you will be moved anyway.

near the theatre is also a no no best far away as possible.


Wouldn't go with Royal Caribbean line again we found the standard had dropped considerably with deck seating straps broken , poor maintained paintwork on the railings to name a couple of things

P+O and Princess cruise lines were far far better.

Also some ship deal in American Dollars P+O go with UK £


typical stuffit buffet found on all the ships we have been on



Speciality dining can add to the bill. but not fine dining. The main theatres fill up very quickly, so need to get there about 1/2 hour earlier




Done the med cruise thing twice now, really enjoyed it for a first experience after the River Nile cruise.

What topped that by miles was the Norwegian Fjords Cruise

That really blew me away with the scenery, Even Sue said she would not mind doing that again and that was sailing from Southampton


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19-07-2019, 06:08 PM
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Re: Cruise and which cabin is best

Denmark saying goodbye to our ship


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19-07-2019, 06:28 PM
10

Re: Cruise and which cabin is best

Leaving Japan

 
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