Reflections after my first cruise

I did tons of research in the months leading up to my cruise. I followed through with some advice and wished I’d followed through with some other stuff. Here are my thoughts:

1. People were right about taking less stuff. I used about 40% of the stuff I took. If you’re a first-time cruiser, I recommend laying out what you want to pack and then taking most of it out.

2. People don’t dress up nearly as much as I thought. One formal outfit is probably plenty for most folks unless they enjoy wearing formal wear (on RCI anyway).

3. I’m glad we went to upcharge restaurants. The service and food are excellent, and eating in the MDR can be a bit repetitive. Although I didn’t like everything I tried in Wonderland, it was a great experience.

4. People bumped into me, I bumped into people. We had to wait for elevators. People cut in front of us lines, sometimes ones we had been waiting in for a long time. People behind us were loud during a show. I decided these annoyances are part of the experience and decided not to devote any energy to being worried about it.

5. I’m glad I skipped some meals so I could have snacks…pizza, ice cream, hot dogs, sandwiches, sugary drinks, middle of the night room service…

6. I’m glad I decided to make time to not do activities. I stayed on the ship a couple of times and enjoyed hanging out in the Solarium and napping on my balcony.

7. I wasn’t sure about my purchase of a drink package, but I’m glad I had it. I also got a beach bed on Labadee and it was definitely worth it. I’m even glad I bought one of their over-priced photo prints. A lot of cruisers think spending extra money on stuff like this is silly, but I’m glad I did and recommend that others just do what they enjoy. I’m totally going to an art auction next time.

8. Numerous people told me that you can’t even tell you’re on a ship when you go on a cruise. I’m still trying to figure out WHY THESE PEOPLE LIED TO ME. At times, I was walking like I was in a v8 commercial. I found it unpleasant for about 20 mins the first evening aboard, used a patch for a day, and that was the end of my experience with seasickness.

9. I intended to buy one nice souvenir for myself, but that didn’t work out. People buy stuff when they’re on vacation for whatever reason, so I’ll make sure to budget more money next time.

10. There were a lot of great things about my cruise, but my favorite thing and best investment was getting a room with a balcony. I shivered out there as I watched us pull away from New York, and I staggered out every sunrise no matter how late I’d stayed up the night before. I didn’t miss a single sunset, and I couldn’t take my eyes away from the beauty of the scenery as we approached ports. I loved the sound of the ship moving through the water, watching the pilot boats pull up to the side, and watching workmen tie and untie the lines. In port, I spent an afternoon watching people on the ships next to us before taking a nap. And when we were heading home, my mundane human worries shriveled to nothing as I gazed out over the seemingly endless water. (Balconies are also good for drying your swim shoes and suits. Take towel clips.)

I can’t wait for my next cruise.

Thanks for taking the time to come back and tell us how you enjoyed your first cruise. I'm glad you had fun :)

I believe that number 4 on your list is really important - going with the mind-set that you will not sweat the small stuff certainly helps make life less stressful..

I am also glad that you spent time - and money- on things that you enjoy. What else is a holiday for?!

Your review was refreshing! Some people easily get negative at times. My familly is embarking the Anthem next month. Can't wait!

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Thank You so much for this review. We are going on our first cruise in April. You eased some of my concerns. Thank you [emoji2]

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You reaffirmed my reactions about my first cruise..it's a beautiful way to travel...in 2015 I bit the bullet and did a world cruise...it was the most amazing experience over 104 days...I liked the positive energy from your review..enjoy your new found joy in life...best wishes from Danny

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I've been travelling on ships for a little while now - and that review is probably the best, succinct and most descriptive post of what it's like to be on a cruise ship. Thank you.

About all I'd add is that it's not a good idea to dry things on the balcony - despite all the rules, people will smoke on balconies and they do throw their cigarette ends "overboard", and the ship's movement through the air will often draw the cigarette ends back towards the ship and onto a lower balcony. At best all that will happen is you'll get a hole in whatever you were drying.... at worst, well, google "Star Princess Fire".

In any case, hanging things up in the bathroom will usually result in things drying much more quickly due to the lower (~50%) humidity inside the ship, whereas the humidity on the balcony will usually be 80% or more.

VP

Great post.

Number 4, says it all.

Go with an open mind and don't sweat the small stuff.

Welcome to the cruise addiction. :D

Nothing like reliving your first cruise through the views of a first time cruiser! Thanks for taking me back to that time I realized how much I love cruising [emoji173]

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Brilliant summary of what a cruise is all about.

Well done!

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Nice review, and I'm glad you enjoyed your first cruise. #1 - I chuckle when I read the lists that are posted on CC of things you HAVE to pack. The more I cruise the less I pack.

Roz

...in 2015 I bit the bullet

:D I read that as I bit the buffet. :D

The more I cruise the less I pack.

Agree 100% and I still over pack! :rolleyes:

4. People bumped into me, I bumped into people. We had to wait for elevators. People cut in front of us lines, sometimes ones we had been waiting in for a long time. People behind us were loud during a show. I decided these annoyances are part of the experience and decided not to devote any energy to being worried about it.

Last cruise this guy bumped me and nearly knocked me down and I dropped my small carry on. He was truly sorry and apologetic. That night he is at the card table with me in the casino. He is winning and buying the drinks. Bumping can be a good thing

Last people behind us in a show talking too much were better entertainment than the show. Could not believe this group of four or so talking about the other with them that were not there. Hilarious.

Waiting in line and on elevators and people cutting teaches me inner discipline and peace and affords me more time to just ignore it all and relax. We also stand at elevators and amongst ourselves point out the "amusingly" pushy people. Like the 5 foot nothing 83 year old grandma cutting off 6'4 monster size guy with 4 kids and a stroller.

;)

I did tons of research in the months leading up to my cruise. I followed through with some advice and wished I’d followed through with some other stuff. Here are my thoughts:

 

1. People were right about taking less stuff. I used about 40% of the stuff I took. If you’re a first-time cruiser, I recommend laying out what you want to pack and then taking most of it out.

 

2. People don’t dress up nearly as much as I thought. One formal outfit is probably plenty for most folks unless they enjoy wearing formal wear (on RCI anyway).

 

3. I’m glad we went to upcharge restaurants. The service and food are excellent, and eating in the MDR can be a bit repetitive. Although I didn’t like everything I tried in Wonderland, it was a great experience.

 

4. People bumped into me, I bumped into people. We had to wait for elevators. People cut in front of us lines, sometimes ones we had been waiting in for a long time. People behind us were loud during a show. I decided these annoyances are part of the experience and decided not to devote any energy to being worried about it.

 

5. I’m glad I skipped some meals so I could have snacks…pizza, ice cream, hot dogs, sandwiches, sugary drinks, middle of the night room service…

 

6. I’m glad I decided to make time to not do activities. I stayed on the ship a couple of times and enjoyed hanging out in the Solarium and napping on my balcony.

 

7. I wasn’t sure about my purchase of a drink package, but I’m glad I had it. I also got a beach bed on Labadee and it was definitely worth it. I’m even glad I bought one of their over-priced photo prints. A lot of cruisers think spending extra money on stuff like this is silly, but I’m glad I did and recommend that others just do what they enjoy. I’m totally going to an art auction next time.

 

8. Numerous people told me that you can’t even tell you’re on a ship when you go on a cruise. I’m still trying to figure out WHY THESE PEOPLE LIED TO ME. At times, I was walking like I was in a v8 commercial. I found it unpleasant for about 20 mins the first evening aboard, used a patch for a day, and that was the end of my experience with seasickness.

 

9. I intended to buy one nice souvenir for myself, but that didn’t work out. People buy stuff when they’re on vacation for whatever reason, so I’ll make sure to budget more money next time.

 

10. There were a lot of great things about my cruise, but my favorite thing and best investment was getting a room with a balcony. I shivered out there as I watched us pull away from New York, and I staggered out every sunrise no matter how late I’d stayed up the night before. I didn’t miss a single sunset, and I couldn’t take my eyes away from the beauty of the scenery as we approached ports. I loved the sound of the ship moving through the water, watching the pilot boats pull up to the side, and watching workmen tie and untie the lines. In port, I spent an afternoon watching people on the ships next to us before taking a nap. And when we were heading home, my mundane human worries shriveled to nothing as I gazed out over the seemingly endless water. (Balconies are also good for drying your swim shoes and suits. Take towel clips.)

 

I can’t wait for my next cruise.

Yup !!! Nooooooo doubt about it ! The 'cruise bug' bite has added yet ANOTHER hapless victim to it's addiction list. :) Not too worry though, if you've enjoyed your first, odds are your addiction will only grow stronger. In one cruise you learned a simple truth that many many older cruisers STILL have not learned. That is, it is NOT about YOU. The WHOLE universe does not revolve around you. It's still amazing how selfish people still can be when they're SUPPOSED to be on a relaxing vacation. So glad you had a FANTASTIC cruise ! Believe me, you WILL only look forwards to another and.. Well, you get the idea. And who knows, maybeeee in the distant future, an Alaskan cruise will beckon ?

My experience with the pushy people was when we would sait for our turn for an elevator and my wife was in a scooter. some people tried to push me out of the way to get on but I weigh 210 and am 6 ft and don't push. Some people are very rude to wheel chair occupants Yup! People bump into you but with 3000 on a ship they are bound to. We eat real late and leave the venues last to avoid the pushing. Works quite well. I remember our first Cruise and our Last, the other 50 are a blur. If someone gets up from a lounge chair and is gone very long I tell people they left. LOL

Love the positivity. Our last cruise there were so many people complaining about minor things. We always go with the "it's vacation, it's what you make of it!". Nothing is ever perfect but it sure makes a difference how you handle it!

Can't wait till we hop on the Anthem with our kids in less than 3 weeks! :)

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One couple introduced themselves with "Were the Whineys!" Not much fun. Most people either make the best of it or are at the desk for 1/2 the cruise. I cannot imagine working there because I'd get fired for Laughing at them. On Crown most didn't mind the fact it was Windy, 40-100 MPH across the deck and having to stay inside.

I've been on 10 or so cruises but on a limited number of cruise lines so in that regard my experience is limited. What activities did you find yourself waiting in line for?

I've been in a line to enter the planetarium on QM2 and there's a tendency for people to queue in advance of the dining room opening. Other than that, not much.

Thank you for your review. It makes me more excited about my first cruise.

Enjoyed your wonderful reflections. Brought back lots of good memories... Once cruising is in your blood, no turning back. We like not sweating the small and smiling inside -- keeping a sense of humor. Helpful reminder to pack lots of patience. We like "Semper Gumby" flexibility when traveling....

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I'm so glad I clicked on this thread! We have about 5 weeks before we leave, and you've just raised the excitement level again!