DarryDFL

What is FTTF?

I’m interested, but have no clue what it is.

THANK YOU for a marvelous review of the cruise.

We booked on Carnival Paradise because of it.

We just posted a slideshow on our Top 10 Tips for your First Cruise at http://DarryD.com/CC for our family & friends. You're welcome to view it. With over 20 cruises, we've learned a few things that might aid you.

Hi everyone -

Just trying to get some advice for our cruise this weekend out of Port Everglades - Ft. Lauderdale.

 

We are driving in that morning and will park at the port. Once we drive into the port, this is where my question and doubts are.....

How would you suggest is the best way to handle this? Should I drop off my party at a certain spot and then go and park the car?

or

Would you suggest parking and then strolling over to the enterance together?

If someone who has experienced this can give me some advice on how to make the process smooth, I would greatly appreciate it. I don't want to start things off wrong on our first day - just getting on the cruise.

We are on the Emerald Princess for Sunday...

Thanks fo your help in advance! :)

We've gone out of Port Everglades several times.

DEFINITELY, first, turn your luggage over to a Porter. Second, drop off one of you to get in line keeping the carry-on luggage. Third, park your vehicle. Fourth, rush from the parking lot to your waiting partner. SMILE. You're going to have a great cruise.

Shirley is right: There is a thread for Port Everglades; but, I don't know the website address.

If you had to list your top 5 points/tips that you wish you had known before you went on your first cruise what would they be? Examples, like binder clip for the shower curtain or that the first drink is NOT free, etc. My friend is going on a cruise for her honeymoon and neither have been on one before and she just doens't have time to read these boards, wedding planning and all, so I thought I might compile a list for her. I tried composing one myself but found that I just kept forgetting things. Thanks for everyone's help!

1. You don’t have to do it all.

2. Nobody cares if you’ve worn that before.

3. An inside cabin equals two cruises for every one with a balcony.

4. Create a packing list, follow it, update it.

5. Ask for & learn from advice from others.

By the by, we've consolidated many of the comments on this thread by category at http://DarryD.com/CC in a fact sheet called "Wish I Had Known."

We always book an inside cabin.

Yes, I know that the thrill of having a balcony and lots of room in a cabin is part of the allure of cruising; but, I suggest you first-time - and even experienced - cruisers consider an inside cabin for several reasons.

First, we were able to take a 7-day cruise on the RCI Legend of the Seas, out of Tampa, in December 2009, for $70-per-day-per-person. Try doing that with a balcony cabin. We're averaging 2 cruises using inside cabins for the cost of one cruise with a balcony.

Second, we spend very limited time in our cabins. Other than to change clothes and sleep, we're out and about all day. Between the pools, libraries, classes, ports and lounges, there is so much to do, so many people to meet, so many photo opportunities, why would we spend more time in the cabin?

Third, one has to be creative in consolidating packing, using "nested" suitcases; packing your clothes already on hangers so that 2-weeks of clothes can be hanged up in 7 minutes flat; and being creative in how you organize your cabin. (OK, being married to a retired, Army administrative Warrant Officer gives me an edge.)

Finally, having a smaller cabin encourages one to get out more. The result is meeting more people who introduce you to places you haven't been to - yet; finding our their "secrets" for cruising; and seeing more of the ships that are within themselves an attraction.

All I'm suggesting is that if you are traveling on a budget and want to see those budget dollars stretched beyond your imagination, try an inside cabin.

At a family gathering last night, all marveled at the treasure trove of lessons learned.

Both those of us who have cruised a lot and those of our extended family who are new to cruising have learned, modified or expanded their packing lists based upon postings here and other CruiseCritic threads. The unqualified sharing has made cruising so much more of an adventure for all of us.

We did consolidate, by category, the listings here and comments about ports at http://DarryD.com/CC because our Mom and the newer cruisers found the number of pages daunting. That does not reduce the need nor the effectiveness of this thread.

And we've continued to share our lessons learned with this and other threads.

Thanks to all those who have contributed and to those who will. Through sharing, we all gain perspective about other choices and, in some cases, change our belief systems about what's right/wrong, normal/not normal, good and bad.

This thread, then, has become an educational guide to cruising.

Use suitcases that nest so you have more space under the bed for laundry etc. Bring a bag for your laundry as well.

What do you mean by "Use suitcases that nest"?

.I've seen a lot of people saying that if you don't like your dining companions you can change them but do you always have dining companions? I thought I read somewhere that some dining (we have the anytime dining) can be just the two of us...it's not that we are anti social but it seems like if we are showing up whenever we want that.

For Anytime Dining, you can request a "table for 2", and it's not a problem. However, I strongly suggest that you'll have more fun getting a table for 4 or 6 because you'll meet others. It is from others that you learn what is NOT posted in the Daily Schedule; where to go/not go at the next port; places on the ship that you didn't know existed, but you'd love to see; etc.

Hello all!!

My husband and I love our wine, we are going to bring our "One Bottle per adult" on board with us. But what I was wondering is if we purchase wine at one of our ports ( we are sailing on a 10 day Sea Princess cruise to Alaska), can we bring that on the ship for our cabin? Or does that not count?

I can't testify to the Alaska cruise; but, in the Caribbean, I've been told that any wine you purchase on shore is taken from you as you board and held "for your convenience" until you return to the original port of embarkation. However, ‘CruzinForever’, wrote on November 8, 2009 (on another thread): "You can bring 2 bottles of wine onboard at every stop." So, I may be wrong.

We were on RCI's Freedom of the Sea in October 2009. We put our luggage outside the room the last night, and it was waiting for us when we reached Customs. Perhaps you meant another line, and not Royal Caribbean International.

Oops! I have got to learn to READ and to COMPREHEND English. Forgive me. The Captain is right: You have to put out your luggage or you must carry it off the ship. NOT recommended for the physically-challenged.

It's been a long time since I've sailed Carnival, but on RCI if you don't put out your luggage, you have to carry it off the ship yourself. Yes, they do take cash in the casino.

We were on RCI's Freedom of the Sea in October 2009. We put our luggage outside the room the last night, and it was waiting for us when we reached Customs. Perhaps you meant another line, and not Royal Caribbean International.

Ok a few things:

Question: Do we really have to have our luggage out in the hallway the night before the end of the cruise? I mean, this freaks me out.. I do not want my bellongings out in the hall overnight. Thanks

YES, you must. It is from there that your luggage will be moved for transfer to shore and to be searched by customs.

The luggage does not remain there overnight. It's moved, beginning a few minutes after midnight, to the hold for transfer.

We have never lost any luggage or anything from our luggage on any voyage that we have been on.

Be sure you keep out clothes for the morning. More than one husband has had his wife frantically searching for something for him to wear off the ship.

We lay out of disembarkation clothes separate and apart from all our other stuff when we begin the packing process. I recommend you do the same.

Boyfriend and I are going on our first cruise (Carnival) next month, very excited! What currencies to Caribbean ports accept (Nassau, Half Moon Cay, Grand Turk)?

Every port we've been to on a cruise ship in the Caribbean accepts U.S. currency. The photos you take will last far longer than any souvenirs you buy.

Boyfriend and I are going on our first cruise (Carnival) next month, very excited! This thread has been pretty helpful (never would have thought to bring a power strip!), although we're going to go against some of the advice here. :)

Anyway, a couple of questions:

What's the dress code for the "formal" night? I keep reading conflicting advice, and boyfriend does not currently own a suit/tux (or a jacket, I don't think)--would a shirt and tie be OK if we decide to do the formal thing?

There are no dumb questions. We, all, enter new arenas where we lack knowledge. What I recommend is seeking to be competent.

I define competence as (1) knowing what to do, or (2) who to look, or (3) who to call (4) when.

Formal night usually requires a tux; or a suit & tie or ascot; or a jacket and tie. I wear a tux and a silk t-shirt — the color of which is decided by my wife.

Some ships will permit you with a shirt and tie, but your table mates may frown upon it.

Take your boyfriend to a second-hand store, and buy him a jacket. You’re going to meet a “million” people, but you’re not going to be dating them. Your date will be on your arm. However, you want him to be as comfortable as possible in this somewhat challenging environment.

You want him to blend in so that all eyes will be upon his date.

just got back from my first cruise.

1. Take less clothes. even though i changed 2-3 times a day i still brought to much.

2. Take dressy flats. i changed into flats every night after dinner. (Feet were swollen every night)

9. if you have an early dinner seating get there on time. it stresses the waiter out if you are late because he has another seating after you.

11. talk to everyone and use their names. the staff likes to know you remember them.

1. A checklist made in advance - or right after a cruise - is the best cure for carrying too many clothes. My DW, PegEgg, has a checklist for our packing. The way she packs, we can unpack four bags in under 7 minutes. (Yes, I've clocked it.)

2. Swollen feet is probably the number one complaint I've heard from the ladies. I know that PegEgg changes socks several times a day, and she brings flats for after dinner.

9. As for arriving late to dinner, not only does it stress the waiter and the assistant waiter, but it alienates your fellow diners. It means that every course is served late. If your fellow diners have commitments after dining, they will either be late for it or will have to leave early. If my brother, Rich, has to leave early and miss dessert, you will be mentioned — in anger — the remainder of the evening.

11. "Take to everyone and use their names." What a great suggestion. We write down the waiter's, assistant waiter's, cabin steward's, and dining mates' names. Then, we make it a point to use them. To aid others in learning our names, we wear 3"x5" name tags. "People like people like them." Using each other's names aids in the communications process.

I had never considered a power strip for example and am thinking about it.

I like to pack trim and slim as it where but still pack things like a small first aide kit that actually stays in my small purse I use every single day. It has Band-aids, Antiseptic wipes, Adhesive bandages, a couple of Midol. It goes every where I go and ive used it a lot.

I also plan to prepay all tips so that I don't have to think about or worry about it.

Adri :)

1. I can't imagine traveling without a power strip. There are only 2 receptacles by the mirror in the smaller cabins. With the power strip, PegEgg has 1 for hair dryer, 1 for curler; I have the 1 for our laptop; 1 for the fan (white noise for sleeping); and 1 for the extension cord for the bedside clock. If you've been counting, that leaves 1 for whatever else she needs. IF you can imagine needing 3 things plugged in at the same time, the power strip is the only option.

2. I love the idea of a 1st Aid kit you carry with you. PegEgg does that, and routinely dispenses Band-aids to cruisers who have blisters, but didn't think about bringing Band-aids.

3. We, always, prepay the tips. One less thing to worry about.

Our family is preparing to take another cruise, so to make it easier for them - particularly our Mom - to sort through these great suggestions, I've consolidated them in categories. I've posted them at our website - under 'Wish I Had Known' - where you can access them as well. There is nothing for sale at our site; it's designed to share ideas for our family and friends. Thanks to all of your for sharing these wonderful ideas.

Radio, Some of the photos aren't working for me! :( The Freedon link on your website didn't work, either.

To fix your problem in Internet Explorer 6, 7 or 8:

1. Open Internet Explorer.

2. From the MenuBar, select Tools > Options.

3. Click on the "Security" tab.

4. Move the slider (in the middle of the window) down to "Medium-High".

5. Click on "OK" button.

I'm sorry DarryD :o On another thread I am on there is a Darryl and I got confused. Dennis

Of course, I forgive you. I suspect I'll cease to make mistakes after I've been dead for 3 days.

Mapsource says it is 134 miles and about 2hr 15min drive.

Ah, yes, but unlike MapSource, I have to go the speed limit and contend with traffic, road construction and time for the potty break at the Interstate Rest Area just west of Olando. (Fortunately, my DW and I are bladder-compatible.)

We've never been able to do it in 2 hours & 15 minutes, but maybe someone can. Of course, I'd hate to bet on making the cruise in 2.25 hours from Tampa International Airport only to wave goodbye to those who made it on time.

Hi Darryl, We too will be driving from Tampa to the port. And thanks for your website. Dennis

You are welcome.

NOTE TO ALL: My name is really 'Darry D', like Willie Jo and Rhonda May - and the 'D' stands for Darlin'. While I've been called a lot worse than Darryl, I want to point out my real name before someone else begins to believe I have changed it. I am not offended, Dennis, but I do want to correct you now rather than create a relationship where I'm using some name I have not earned.

Thanks Darryl! Neat little prog.

A little side bar question - see u live in Tampa. How long does it take to drive from TPA to Port Canaveral on a Sunday AM? I plan to fly into TPA to visit family be4 heading off for embarkation.

On a Sunday morning, assuming that there is no adverse events on I-4, it takes 3 hours; but that's driving time. You'll, of course, have to factor in additional time for renting a car & turning it in. My DW & I travel to Port Canaveral the day before to avoid having the stress of dealing with all that can go wrong on a beautiful, sun-filled Promised Land (I think you called it Florida) morning.

Is anyone else having problems viewing Radio's pics? My computer is running really slow the last couple of days and the pics don't always show up. As a matter of fact they have partially loaded then they disappear. Help! I really was enjoying this Live Report.:(

Your computer is most likely too full of temporary files and 'left-overs' from programs that ran, closed and failed to remove their supporting drivers, etc.

If you'll go to my website (where there is nothing for sale) and click on Programs and then on CCleaner, you'll be able to download a great, free program that I've used on over 50 computers without ever having a problem. On my webpage, you'll find not only where to download CCleaner, but a free lesson on how best to use it.

My website is http://DarryD.com .

On my website, as well, are free lessons on using CruiseCritic. They were designed to lower the learning curve for my extended family members and friends, but if you've got friends who are new to CruiseCritic, they might find those free lessons helpful.