"I wish I knew before..."

[CptSticky]

I have been reading all the threads about hints for first timers. I am more excited everyday. I am bringing a highlighter and probably getting a lanyard. I also made my count down clock. Is it really 242 more days??? :eek: I better quit reading and get in shape for the the ship steps I am going to take. :D

 

 

Don't forget Post-it-notes.

 

 

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[MedicKenK]

We found the highlighter useful. We took 2 different colors so we could each highlight our personal choices. However, we usually chose the same activities.

 

If you take a yellow and a blue hi-liter, combined they will make green. I did this in school. I would hi-lite in yellow when I read and blue in class. If the text was green, it must be important.

[nurseshortie]

So it has taken me nearly teo weeks off and on to read the majority of these posts and very useful they have been, I am forever telling my husband all the interesting stuff . We cruise on Indy 30th sept next year first massive cruise and myself husband and 6 year old are so excited. So thank you all

 

Lesley

[djw40]

I'll also echo the thanks from Lesley above.

Going on Azura in Caribbean in November - our first cruise.

This thread has been very helpful.

[Lost4words]

Hi everyone!

 

I have been planning a cruise a trip to Australia and I have been looking at a cruise from Aukland to Syndey for a couple of years now- last year, the single supplement was completely removed after final payment date on any deposited hold. I have a hold right now, but it is so very expensive because of this single supplement. Last year, as I said, there cruises on Holland went down to zero supplement just to fill up the ship.

 

I am getting to the time where I have to pay up in full and before I do, I am wondering whether I should just let the hold go and take a chance ... I am pretty sure I will be sick if I see the same cabin on the same sailing for much less..

 

Can anyone advise me?

 

Thanks

Helen

[WupperAV]

Just put a down payment on it and wait. When you get to the bitter end and have to pay it may have gone down and you can ask for that price. ************* goes in the ***

 

http://www.*************.com/cruise_lines/pay_princess.cfm

Edited July 14, 2016 by WupperAV

[WupperAV]

OK type in Full word for vac to go.

[KBD1516]

Be careful of that website. They do not list taxes and require that you call them. Much easier to check actual prices and open cabins on other sites. Just my opinion.

[irial77]

[emoji851] [emoji28]

Edited July 15, 2016 by irial77
Oops! A misfire message! Nothing to see here

[magnetlady4u]

Luggage:

Take a picture of each piece...easier to help find if lost.

Use a LARGE bag inside suitcase. Have seen suitcases getting loaded in pouring rain at airports and cruise ports. Items will stay dry!

Write your name, phone number, flight info and cruise ship info and dates on an 8 x10 paper and place in suitcase. Sometimes tags come off the handles. Yes....this has happened to us!

A battery operated candle for bathroom nightlight. (No reg outlet in bathroom)

I bring a fleece blanket for wrapping up on balcony or up on deck in a lounger looking at stars.

[kruzkween]

If a large garbage bag isn't big enough, line your suitcase completely with plastic cleaners bags, overlapping the tops & sides. Keeps everything inside completely dry! I've been doing this for years. I love your idea to take pictures too. And I always put name, address, cell #, flight info, ship name, etc. inside my bag too. You don't need it till you need it...then you REALLY need it!!

 

Love this thread; great info even for experienced cruisers.

 

kruzkween

[nikkiw60]

One of these would be useful? This was from IKEA in the UK but I feel sure you could get USA version. We bought it yesterday !

A compact way of charging up 3 phones or tablet devices and takes up a lot less space than a power strip !

 

 

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[Goosebear Mum]

One of these would be useful? This was from IKEA in the UK but I feel sure you could get USA version. We bought it yesterday !

...

A compact way of charging up 3 phones or tablet devices and takes up a lot less space than a power strip !

 

 

We bought one of those at IKEA in Southampton before our cruise. We went for an IKEA dinner, and spotted that! It's brilliant and meant we didn't use the power strip we'd packed. It's useful at home too ;)

[Tinatheloop]

We were on a Clipper sailing ship...so our experience was a little different. Everyone covered the important points....here is a couple minor hints. Remember, this was Star Flyer...a sailing ship with only 170 passengers capacity.

 

* Can't stress the don't over pack. It takes two days for clothes to dry in the cabin. However, I did the chore everyday of washing a couple things...and it worked out fine. We brought carry on for a three week Carribean Cruise, and it worked out fine.

 

* After you pay off the cruise, put money in your account for ship credit. Takes the stress off how much money is going on that credit card for drinks and excursions. If you have leftover ( don't forget to budget in gratuity), treat yourself to some souvenirs.

 

* Yes, research the ports and excursions in advance. Look at reviews. You will get more out of the trip having a better understanding of your destinations. Also, book excursions with the trip. If something happens, the ship won't leave without you.

 

* Bring conditioner and extra lotion.

 

* Ladies...long dresses are more comfortable for the sailing cruise. It gets windy...and a dress gently blowing in the wind looks appealing.

 

* Since there is a variety of nationalities, bring a full piece bathing suit and bikini. Some passengers are very conservative.

 

* Yes..arrive a day early. Rest up. Depart a couple days after the cruise is over. Enjoy the port..and gives you time to decompress.

[Sabbycat]

One of these would be useful? This was from IKEA in the UK but I feel sure you could get USA version. We bought it yesterday !

A compact way of charging up 3 phones or tablet devices and takes up a lot less space than a power strip !

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

 

I love that, but am not brave enough to go to the IKEA in our city. a) it is a zoo at all hours and I cannot reason why! And b) it is a trek. It is a maze that you are almost obligated to go through as there are very few short cuts to deviate from the prescribed route!

[Tinatheloop]

You don't need it. We charged our tablet..no problem. However..we did need a converter in St Martin. Luckily, the hotel had one to borrow.

[nikkiw60]

I wish I knew before that- when you return home from your first cruise you can't wait to book the next one......

 

 

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[griffy116]

I've started using Shutterfly to upload my pictures. I prefer it to Facebook for sharing. You can determine who can see your pics and you retain ownership of them and don't have to worry that something you've deleted is going to suddenly come back to haunt you. LOL

 

It's free AND there is an app you can download so you can either do it from a desk top or your smart phone.

 

I map out locations for free wifi when I'm in port. I take a few minutes to hit the free wifi locations before or after an excursion, upload what I can, then carry on. Works nifty and my parents love it because I'm more willing to post pics of our younger kids online where as I'd never do that on Facebook.

 

We use Shutterfly to make a great hardcover book of each of our cruises. It's wonderful and so much easier than passing around the photos when we talk about our cruise. LOVE IT! Our comments tell where we were and what we were doing when the photo was taken.

[griffy116]

Because we normally fly to the port, we would never be able to take even half the things mentioned. If we did, we would have no room for clothes. Instead of carrying a blanket to wrap up in on the balcony, ask the steward if a robe is available. If it's not, ask for a blanket. They actually have them. We asked for one on a cruise when the weather turned very cold. If you have to carry a fan, there is one that is smaller than a woman's fist. My daughter has a cute little red one she uses on her desk, she got on Amazon. I actually saw a man walking from the luggage carousel with a big box fan. You can get duct tape from guest services (or ask the cabin steward) if an emergency arises. If there are only two people sharing a cabin, there's really no need for the over-the-door pocket organizer. The cabins are really designed to make use of every nook and cranny with storage. We ask the steward for extra hangers if we need them. We've found that they usually ask if we need extra hangers and ice when they come by to introduce themselves. We use the tips on mixing and matching clothes, making copies of our passport and our credit cards and e-mailing it to ourselves. I also put the paper on top of the clothes with information on how to reach us if it gets lost. For years, I've used a tip from here about using zip-lock bags in all sizes. I put jewelry in the tiny ones for pills. I use the bigger ones for compressing clothes and I always carry extra ones for (1)damp swimsuits (2) dirty clothes (3) keeping something fresh in the mini-fridge. I even carried a large one to the Promenade cafe one morning when I went early for my coffee. I got a plate with pastries for my daughter, slid the plate into the big baggie and took it to the cabin for her. No risk of it sliding off the plate or germs. I've cut down drastically on shoes. I have a pair that does double duty on casual night and a shoe clip that attaches to them for formal night. I carry a few accessories to mix up an outfit. I carry a couple of t-shirt dresses that can be slipped on over my swimsuit to go to the dining room and that could be worn on a tour with sandals. Almost everything I carry does double duty. I also use the Wash 'n Fold on the Royal ships. I also use the "mystery gel"in the shower dispenser to wash out a few things and hang on the back of the chair on the balcony with a few clothespins I carry. I carry a magnetic hook for the wall and I hang my lanyard on it. I know to grab it as I leave the cabin. I stick little small things like the clothes pins and magnet in the corner of the luggage. I carry a couple of pairs of the silk athletic shorts and t-shirts to sleep in. In a pinch, they serve as an additional outfit, and I don't have to turn on any lights to get ready to run down for coffee. They're also lightweight and take up almost no space in the luggage..and they dry REALLY quickly. I carry a travel size Downey Wrinkle Release...no steamer. I have a couple of outfits out of that material that doesn' wrinkle.I wear a sweater on the plane and throw a pashmina over it which can double as my own CLEAN blanket if I need it on the plane. Also doubles as a wrap for dinner or when it's windy or cool on the balcony or out on the deck.

[maldenmusic]

1. Wait until the last night before buying anything in the Fun Shops; they often mark things down.

2. Take a large insulated cup with a lid

3. You can take food out of the Lido buffet

4. Pack fewer clothes

5. You can get a free lanyard for your S&S card in the casino

[Smokeyham]

If you are someone who collects models of the ships you have been on, then go to the ship's store as soon as you can to buy one. There have been times when they run out and it would be sad not to have one.

[sheeniwoo]

I agree with everyone on the do not over pack. I over packed my first cruise and didn't even wear half the things I packed. I'm packing light this time around with a ton of undies.

 

It's ok to stay on the boat when in port, explore the ship and relax!!

 

 

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[Carrots85]

This site has been great! So many of our questions as 1st time cruisers have been answered. This may be a silly question, is there enough room to store suitcases under the bed? We've been told not to overpack and we're trying to figure how many suitcases to bring.

 

We're scheduled for our 1st cruise in October 2016 - I can hardly wait!!

[AdoraBelle]

This site has been great! So many of our questions as 1st time cruisers have been answered. This may be a silly question, is there enough room to store suitcases under the bed? We've been told not to overpack and we're trying to figure how many suitcases to bring.

 

We're scheduled for our 1st cruise in October 2016 - I can hardly wait!!

 

I think it's dependent on the ship, but I've been on three cruiselines so far and there's always been room under the bed for suitcases.

[Carrots85]

Thanks for the quick reply!