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[purplenanny]

We have 2 big celebrations this year and are talking about going on a cruise to see the fjords. Norway perhaps.

If I actually manage to get hubby going on one it will truly be a miracle. We have been nowhere for 3 years (some of you will know why ) and this really would be a dream come true.

However, I really do need recommendations and be sure everything is ok. We are very private and hubby is anxious in new surroundings with new people (why go then, I hear you say)
Well, it is something he has always wanted to do and he feels he can manage it ( that statement in itself is quite remarkable). We have been to hell and back and it would be so lovely to have a special time together

Hope someone can help

PN x x

So ladies, please can you help me out. Are there any experienced cruisers on here that can point me in the right direction?

[honeybun]

I can't help I'm afraid but im so pleased for you both.

I think it sounds wonderful and such a beautiful place to visit.


Hope your dreams come true.


Honeyb
X

[Joyce]

My friend has been on many cruises, from Med to Atlantic to Alaska. She's not good on boats at all, but goes as her husband loves the social side of it all, dressing up for dinner etc. She told me that you don't have to do the fancy side of it though as plenty other places to eat on board without being dressed to the nines.

Go with one of the well known cruise companies, though not sure of ones which go to fjords. We always fancied one down the Danube, but it was quite expensive.  Some bonnie sights in that region also. We did one day ones when in Germany and they were stunning.

[rosebud57]

We went on a Norway cruise a few years ago, and went with Voyages of Discovery.  They are smaller ships and not as brash as the bigger companies.  Also no children under 12 so no toddlers running around.  They don't have such elaborate facilities as some (huge pools, and climbing walls) but have a more personal feel.  The also have very good guest experts on board who give talks before the shore trips.

Have also been with Fred Olsen, who are also very good, but they allow children.  I would check out their web sites and read some review to see what suits.

Hope that helps.

[toffeecushion]

We have been on 3 cruises - Bahamas, Mediterranean and Alaska.  We also have a Baltic cruise from Dover booked for this year, but we have only used Disney Cruise Line.  Probably sounds strange especially as we go on our own as a couple, but we have found that the atmosphere is as relaxed as you want it.  They do have formal nights, but no one is forced to dress up unlike some other cruise lines.  Also although they have very good table service restaurants they also have a very wide selection of less formal eating options which suit us as I am not very good sharing a table with strangers.  They have adult only sections on the ships and bars and clubs.  And as you would expect the entertainment is of a very high standard.  We can't fault them.  This year, I believe they are actually sailing to Norway as well.

[CLKD]

My sister loves long weekend cruises to see Austria, Germany etc., saves having to drive across mainland Europe and they get wined and dined …….. a neighbour loves cruises, she and her husband go every 18 months for about 3 weeks.  Another friend goes regularly …….. they went to see the Northern Lights last year.  How about a short hop first?  DH thinks he would be bored 

[kinglake]

Hiya we went to the Norwegian fjords last year  and had a great time we went with p&o. One bit of good advice for you is book the trips yourself  as there is a BIG price difference. 

[Judith57]

I have been to the Norwegian Fjords with P&O as well and it was really lovely. The scenery is amazing and P&O aren't as brash as some of the other Companies - more traditional. I would thoroughly recommend it, also you can cruise fom Southampton so don't have to fly anywhere and the cruise to the Norwegian Fjords is usually only a week so it would be a chance to ease yourself gently into cruising and see if it was for you. 

Just noticed CLKD that you thought your husband may get bored, there is always so much going on that it would be nigh on impossible to get bored. I always feel that the cruise ship is like a floating hotel and you pitch up somewhere different every morning. The days can be spent either on or off the ship, you then leave in the evening for the next destination. Some people never leave the ship but I like exploring the different ports.

[purplenanny]

Oh brilliant,  you are all very helpful.  I got so confused and disheartened looking online. It is great to have first hand knowledge
I have loads of questions, especially to those who have done the fjords..do you mind me asking?
This is a biggy for us and I must get it right
Thanks ladies PN x x

[honeybun]

There are lots of cruise ships leave from North of us and sometimes cruise between us and the small island opposite. They are so big they almost block out the sun. They look like a floating block of flats.
If I were to choose a cruise it would be a really small one. The thought of being stuck in a high rise block with thousands of others strikes horror with me.
The adverts you see for the small fiord cruises look idyllic and not a tower block in sight.

That's just me though and not everyone is the same. I have known lots who go on the big ships and have a ball.


Honeyb
X

[purplenanny]

I think I agree HB, not to keen on the very big ships, but wonder if they are safer?  Yes the smaller cruises do look idyllic. I am very nervous about it all, but a little excited also

[Judith57]

No problem, ask away 

Another lovely thing to do is to cruise into Venice, that is really amazing but you usually have to fly into Barcelona or another Mediterranean port to do that. I had never been to Venice before and to cruise up the Grand Canal under a clear blue sky, with a string quartet playing the theme from The Godfather moved me to tears and it takes quite a lot to do that. Venice was all laid out before us like a Disneyand version as we sailed in on a 'skyscraper'.

My favourite cruise though was a two week cruise from Southampton up to the Baltic. We had an overnight stay at St Petersburg and that was two full-on days of sightseeing, wonderful palaces and the Hermitage. We also went to Stockholm, Copenagen, Helsinki, Tallinn and a few other places. One of the highlights of the cruise is the archipelago that you go through after leaving Stockholm, hundreds of islands, some with only one or two houses on. You cruise really slowly through the islands, usually in a procession of three or four cruise ships, really quite stately.

My mother was a real cruise veteran and cruised all round the world, she is very unwell in a nursing home at the moment but the memories of all her cruises give her a lot of pleasure  x x

[Judith57]

I really think P&O would be a good starting point, their ships are not too big - they don't have climbing walls, ice rinks, water parks etc. and seem to cater for the more traditional type of cruise passenger. However, you can be as formal or informal as you like and nobody is forced into doing anything they don't want to do. There really is so much going on all the time and it is such fun 

[CLKD]

There is a Cruise Event soon, have a look at the NEC web-site - pity I didn't know 'cos we have a whole Telegraph supplement at the weekend, actually I may be able to fish it from the recycling bin …….. if I find it without falling in and the lid crashing down, I will let you know!

There is even a cruise line which will fly you home after 48 hours if a client doesn't like it!

[Judith57]

There is a website called iglucruise which usually has really good offers, I don't know where you live purplenanny but P&O often do two night taster cruises from Southampton to Zeebrugge - you can then visit Bruges and also see if cruising was for you. They also do little trips to the Channel Islands I think x