Glith

50% which I consider pretty good since I've yet to cruise at all. I've been reading up on the RCI since we take our first cruise in 16 days!:)

My VB isn't the actual school backpack one. A kindergartner would carry it as a backpack. It can hold a lot but I'm more worried about souviners. I don't want to be stuck carrying them and don't want to make my boyfriend carry them. Plus it hurts my shoulders once it gets too heavy.

A small collapsible tote or backpack would work. I have two small backpack that collapse to pocket size plus a roomy tote that collapes like an old fashioned rain bonnet into a tiny pouch.

Extra room Guaranteed!

Found the backpacks at Overstock.com and the tote at discount department store.

we've never cruised before... we're thinking of early february, either western or eastern caribbean. we're mid-forties and we're overwhelmed with all of the options.

thinking of norwegian... not sure yet. maybe rc...?

any suggestions or comments from anyone will much be appreciated, as we have so many questions.

i know we should just book something and go, but i want to get some tips first... i don't want to make the wrong choices...

anything for first timers?

thanks in advance...

We are first timers too but we've been thinking about this for several years since we are taking our first cruise to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary. We tend to shop a while for anything. We talked to several friends who are veteran cruisers, set our budget and then decided where we wanted to go.

Once we had basically picked our cruise, we went to a travel specialist. She was so very enthusiastic about our pick. She answered many of our questions, book our cruise and got us our travel insurance (a must in my opinion).

Having just gone through the choosing, I can advise you to think about what is most important to you on the cruise - food? Cost? A continual party? A chance to dress to the nines? Excellent programs for kids? Quiet time by the pool?

Then pick the cruise line, the ship and the destinations.

And of course joining Cruise Critic. I found this place long before I joined. There is tons of information on the website.

We ended up choosing RCI. We can hardly wait to take our very first cruise! :)

I was wondering where the crew members might have a forum or blog. I would love to hear what they have to say about us cruisers.

 

Jim

I worked for the concession running the hotels at Yellowstone National Park one summer in college. We called the tourists "tourons" and did a lot of eye rolling. You probably do not want to know. :D