Taster cruises

[Tonynroz]

Have a 2 week cruise booked for later in the year , which would be our 1st ever cruise so thinking of a 2 night taster cruise in May on the same ship. Are they worth booking?

[sparky-elpaso]

I think a lot depends on what it's going to cost to get to the ship and back hom again. For us, anything shorter than a week or 10 days wouldn't be worth it because we have to travel a ways to get to any cruise port.

 

I see you're in the UK. If you live in Southampton and would be leaving from there it might be worth it.

[Langley Cruisers]

Personally, we do not like them. They are not indicative of what a longer cruise is like and everything is such a rush rush rush. It was not at all enjoyble for us even though we got a heckuva deal for less than a hotel room might have cost. We will never do a one or two night sampler again, but that's just us. :o

[John Bull]

A two-nighter will of course show you what the ship has to offer.

 

But whereas you're calling it a "taster cruise", some will treat it it as a "booze cruise". ;)

Probably a good few stag & hen groups, for instance.

 

A very different atmosphere and passenger-mix to a proper 14 night cruise, and it may give you a false impression of a "cruise", especially if you're not the party-type

 

Bear this in mind if you decide to take that taster cruise.

 

JB :)

[Clarea]

Have a 2 week cruise booked for later in the year , which would be our 1st ever cruise so thinking of a 2 night taster cruise in May on the same ship. Are they worth booking?

I would want a minimum of 3 days. A two night cruise you're unpacking the first night and packing the second night.

[OCruisers]

Unfortunately, the "taster cruises" don't give the experience of what a normal cruise (at least 7 days) is really like.

[cb at sea]

It's not a "taste" at all...I don't even thing 3 nighters qualify as a "cruise experience"! Unless you live within easy driving distance of your port...it's not worth the effort! Just take the cruise you've booked. It's only a vacation, after all! ANY vacation is good! No worries!

Edited February 22, 2016 by cb at sea

[Quilting_Cruiser]

I agree with those saying it's not going to give you an idea of what your longer cruise will be like. The shorter cruises are very different. I can't see myself ever going on any thing shorter than 5-7 days and I prefer at least 9 or 10. :D

[Keith1010]

It depends on what ship.

 

Keith

[Krazy Kruizers]

JMO -- but I wouldn't want to go to all that hassle to do a 2 night "taster" cruise.

 

Maybe you live near the embarkation port and can get there easily.

 

The shortest cruise we will do is 14 days.

[aquilegia]

I've just come back from a 4 night P&O cruise, which the captain referred to as a 'taster' cruise. We're regular cruisers who just wanted a break but I would say that for any newcomers it did give a fair idea of what cruising is like, as it contained a sea day and a formal night. This cruise was Monday to Friday. When the ship got back to Southampton, it was off back to Zeebrugge on a 2 night weekend cruise. Now, no matter what P&O like to call it, a 2 night weekend cruise is effectively a booze cruise. Unless you want to spend your time partying, it is best avoided. It will not give you a realistic idea of what your 2 week cruise will be like and is more likely to put you off cruising.

[GUT2407]

They do tend t be booze cruises.

 

I'd wait and have your "real one". Then f you want a taster do it on another ship as a real taste.

[Langley Cruisers]

I've just come back from a 4 night P&O cruise, which the captain referred to as a 'taster' cruise.... as it contained a sea day and a formal night....

 

Yeah, see I totally disagree (with the captain). There are always 4 and 5 night cruises. I consider them to be, well, cruises! LOL! A sampler/taster is really only one or two nights. You had a sea day and a formal night - samplers do not have that.

 

We had a Princess sampler cruise a few years back and it was horrendous - never again. Check in and boarding took HOURS - precious hours that we wanted to be on the ship before sail away. The staff and crew seemed a bit disinterested, and I know for a fact that the food in the buffet was only a mere sampling of what they would normally put out because we have done longer cruises. It was just so disappointing. Oh well. :(

[Host Walt]

We tend to like 10-14 day cruises and are booked for a 19 day cruise later this year, but have taken a few 7 day cruises.

 

That said, we also have taken a few "short break" cruises of 3 or 4 days out of LA on cruise lines we haven't sailed before just for fun and really enjoy them.

 

For first timers, the best part of a short cruise is that it provides an opportunity to learn a lot of the details of cruising (meal service, shows, etc.) and to get a good understanding of what and how to pack. It also acquaints a first timer with embarkation and disembarkation processes, tipping standards, and other unique aspects of cruising.

[GUT2407]

We tend to like 10-14 day cruises and are booked for a 19 day cruise later this year, but have taken a few 7 day cruises.

 

That said, we also have taken a few "short break" cruises of 3 or 4 days out of LA on cruise lines we haven't sailed before just for fun and really enjoy them.

 

For first timers, the best part of a short cruise is that it provides an opportunity to learn a lot of the details of cruising (meal service, shows, etc.) and to get a good understanding of what and how to pack. It also acquaints a first timer with embarkation and disembarkation processes, tipping standards, and other unique aspects of cruising.

 

The big plus in my opinion is it last the "Old Hands" try a new ship, they generally know which bits are just because it's a sampler and which reflect the true cruise experience.

[Tonynroz]

Thanks for all the advice. The taster cruise is Southampton to Le Harve on celebrity Eclipse so only a quick hop across the channel like a ferry crossing but in a nicer boat. Didn't think of it as a booze cruise, I have been on a few cross channel booze cruises and know what they are like. On balance, we will wait to experience our first cruise. Thanks again for your help.