Try the "marco polo" nice mid size cruiser with regular sailings from many British ports.

About ten years ago, I went on a cruise- and I loved it, BUT, it wasn't on one of the massive floating Las Vegas hotel things that claim to be ships. I went on the Norwegian Coastal Voyage, the ship, the Polarlys, carried about two hundred passengers and acted as a ferry between Bergen and Kirknes, right up near the Russian border calling at about twenty ports in each direction. The cruise lasting eleven days. We called at ports big and small, some we would just pull in, a ramp in the side of the ship would go down, a couple of people would walk off, a forklift would drive on, extract a few parcels, then maybe a car would drive on, then off we'd go. Others we would stay a few hours so that we could visit the town. This ship was regarded as a general ferry carrying goods, vehicles and people up and down the Norwegian coast. I had breakfast with somebody one morning who told me had had come on board during the night and was going home on leave. He was captain of a ferry belonging to a rival company which did not call at his home. As far as entertainment, yes there was a singing duo in the bar at night after dinner, but that was it. The food was good but quite normal, none of the gourmet offerings of the big ships. The dining room was shared with the crew. One was often sitting at the next table to the captain and other officers. This was a cruise for the person who wanted to see the magnificent scenery at quite close quarters, we sailed just safely offshore the whole time except when crossing the entrances to the bigger fjords. This was a cruise I would recommend to anyone who wanted a wonderful experience, without the nonsense of the popular conception of a cruise.

Not sure about being alone, 3 out of 5,285 members seems alone to me, but have you ever been on a modern day cruise ship or cabin cruiser ? I would say "don't knock it unless you've tried it". However I have and would tend to agree that the older ships have some sort of character about them but to be fair the 20s and 30s travellers were a different breed to that of today's cruisers
PS that's now 4 out of 5,285
Keep smiling

Totally agree with you, modern liners have no soul,
just built for profit, (how many will she hold) nice to see that one company are making the old style cross sea ferry's,
sorry, can't remember the name of the company, the result of to many years trying to remember things!


Peter😊

Thank you all - glad Im not alone .

Older has character. Modern seems to be speed over style. Give me a 1960s Fairey or pre-war motor cruiser any day. Or something like the prewar cruise ships. Maybe I'm just feeling old myself.
Cheers Colin.

I agree with you. If I were to ever go on a cruise, a floating City would not appeal at all. I would always choose a smaller vessel as I an not one for large crowds.

Hi Red,
I agree!
modern is not always best.

Martin.