Please READ THIS before you post...

[Robinson Cruisoe, Mrs]

Finding a cabin mate can be a great way to make a new friend, save money and share experiences.... but we just need to give you a little advice first, to be on the safe side....

1. When it comes to giving details to someone on the forum, make sure you use PRIVATE messaging and, at first, be "general". When asked where you live, don't give out your address and postcode! Only give specific details when you feel comfortable with the person and they are RETURNING specific details about THEMSELVES too.

2. Be honest about what kind of cruiser you are. The wrong pairing could be a disaster. For example, a sun worshipper who wants to sit out on deck all day, may not get on with someone who wants to get out and about to visiting historic ruins and local culture.

3. When you've learned a bit more about them, and you feel it's the right time, speak to them on the phone to get to know them a bit better.

4. Then, if you'd like to see them in person, make sure you meet in a public place, or take a friend or family member with you. This way you don't have to worry about an uneasy or sticky situation.

5. Finally, just be sensible and use your common sense. Only YOU can decide whether you are making the right decisions before you act. Follow your instincts and find out about your prospective cabin mate BEFORE you book a cruise together.

Members! Please feel free to add any more tips and advice on this subject! Thanks! :D

[Bradbury, Coventry]

Just curious about the statement under point number 2.

Suppose someone just literally wants to share the cabin, you dont have to pal up and do the same things together.

I remember back in the early 80's my brother in law to be (aged about 19) ended up sharing a sharing a cabin next to ours with 3 very elderly but spritely gentlemen. It was just a bed to put his head down at night, no need for the socialising bit.

[liauq, w mids]

p.s;you may also wish to apply this to marriage/civil partnership

[Smith7]

We got together with a couple from this site on our recent OV cruise. They just put a post on the Forum asking if anyone was going on the same cruise as them. As a result, we swapped cabin numbers but gave no details of our address etc.

I get your drift about be compatible cruisers but if we only agreed to meet up for a drink. As it turned out, we got on famously and met up most days in Connexions bar. We usually swapped notes about what we had done that day and what we fancied doing the following day- on 2 occasions, we shared a taxi as we wanted to do the same thing.

That said, had we not been 'compitable' we would have said 'see you around' and left it at that. Maybe your warning was aimed at single travellers.

[Smith7]

We got together with a couple from this site on our recent OV cruise. They just put a post on the Forum asking if anyone was going on the same cruise as them. As a result, we swapped cabin numbers but gave no details of our address etc.

I get your drift about be compatible cruisers but if we only agreed to meet up for a drink. As it turned out, we got on famously and met up most days in Connexions bar. We usually swapped notes about what we had done that day and what we fancied doing the following day- on 2 occasions, we shared a taxi as what wanted the same thing.

That said, had we had not been 'compitable' we would have said 'see you around' and left it at that. Maybe your warning was aimed at single travellers.

Sorry, I spotted lots of errors as I pressed submit. Hope you got my drift.

[Bradbury, Coventry]

Sorry, I spotted lots of errors as I pressed submit. Hope you got my drift.

If you click on edit - you can amend your posting quite easily.

[Smith7]

If you click on edit - you can amend your posting quite easily.

Thanks, will try and remember that next time.

[Christiaan, Ocean Shores]

Just curious about the statement under point number 2.

Suppose someone just literally wants to share the cabin, you dont have to pal up and do the same things together.

I remember back in the early 80's my brother in law to be (aged about 19) ended up sharing a sharing a cabin next to ours with 3 very elderly but spritely gentlemen. It was just a bed to put his head down at night, no need for the socialising bit.

Regarding point number 2 those were my thoughts exactly. They don't have to share anything if they have different interests.

Could be a nuisance if one takes hours in the bathroom or watches movies all night, but apart from that it doesn't matter. Or snores .....

[Christiaan, Ocean Shores]

p.s;you may also wish to apply this to marriage/civil partnership

I agree with that too !:D:D:D:D

[Smith7]

Finding a cabin mate can be a great way to make a new friend, save money and share experiences.... but we just need to give you a little advice first, to be on the safe side....

1. When it comes to giving details to someone on the forum, make sure you use PRIVATE messaging and, at first, be "general". When asked where you live, don't give out your address and postcode! Only give specific details when you feel comfortable with the person and they are RETURNING specific details about THEMSELVES too.

2. Be honest about what kind of cruiser you are. The wrong pairing could be a disaster. For example, a sun worshipper who wants to sit out on deck all day, may not get on with someone who wants to get out and about to visiting historic ruins and local culture.

3. When you've learned a bit more about them, and you feel it's the right time, speak to them on the phone to get to know them a bit better.

4. Then, if you'd like to see them in person, make sure you meet in a public place, or take a friend or family member with you. This way you don't have to worry about an uneasy or sticky situation.

5. Finally, just be sensible and use your common sense. Only YOU can decide whether you are making the right decisions before you act. Follow your instincts and find out about your prospective cabin mate BEFORE you book a cruise together.

Members! Please feel free to add any more tips and advice on this subject! Thanks! :D

Sorry. Just re-read your post. Emphasis on cabin mate. Not really that thick-just had a rough day.:o:o:o

[Grant, West Sussex]

Excellent piece, glad to see some sensible guidance official guidance on here. Have never done a cabin share but have considered it for the times when I cruise solo.

[Neil Down, Southampton]

Just do it

Thanks, will try and remember that next.:o:o

Do it now, it's a real bonus. I've just corrected something that I wrote six weeks ago and was annoyed with myself for not noticing it earlier. I hate making mistakes but it doesn't stop me making them (very often) ...Neil

[Neil Down, Southampton]

Me too

I, like Grant, think that this is good advice and would even urge a little more caution and if the time comes a lot of candour.
I also think that this sort of advice could encourage people to make a move in this direction, heaven knows we get enough inquiries on here about single cabins etc. ....Neil

[spartan, kent]

Good advice

I would just add cruises.co.uk take no resonsablity blaa,blaa,blaa
get the legal team to word it. ;)

[Grant, West Sussex]

p.s;you may also wish to apply this to marriage/civil partnership

Oh that made me chuckle :D