Newbie to cruising - Voyager of the Seas 11/28

[ummgood]

So my wife and I have decided to venture out from the kids and take a cruise. I think we have most likely decided that we are going to go on the Voyager of the Seas leaving port Galveston on the 28th. (We don't want to fly and live in Austin since that will add more cost to our trip.) We are 34 & 28 and don't drink or really gamble so we were hoping for a ship that had more than bars and casino for activities. (In reality I would love to go on DCL but it is way too expensive compared to the other two plus we would have to buy plane tickets.)

 

Anyway I am getting ready to book my room and we would like at least an ocean view room. Since this is our first cruise I don't have a clue where to begin. Looking at ocean view rooms two categories are right now limited to Deck 2. I really think I want a higher room so if I go up to the mid category and up all the remaining rooms are in the front of the ship. Any cons to decks etc at the front of the ship? Noise above or below the room etc...

 

I know my wife can get car sick when I drive crazy so I am worried about her maybe getting sea sick on the front. Any suggestions?

 

Initially looking I see that room 7506 is available and has two windows facing forward. I thought that would be cool.

 

Thanks for the input! I'll definitely be posting more questions after we get booked. I have no clue what I am doing haha.

[cb at sea]

If your wife is prone to motion sickness, she needs to take something to prevent it....it's harder to control once it has hold of you!

The lower the deck, the less motion you'll feel while sleeping.....you will be out and about most of the day, so the cabin location only matters at night, really!

The ends of the ship can move more than the center...think of a see-saw. If it's calm, there won't be a problem anywhere....Voyager class is pretty stabile.....if it's rough, you'll feel it everywhere.

Just pick the largest, best located room you can find, and then don't worry about it anymore!

[Lisou]

Bonjour,

 

I was on the Voyager on a Western Med cruise in Oct 2009 and loved the ship! I am also not a drinker and a gambler and found plenty to do on the ship.

 

As for room selection, I prefer inside stateroom, because as the previous poster mentionned, I am only in my room to sleep and shower so I have trouble justifying the extra cost for the room.

 

How old are your kids? I`m a single mom and I brought my 6 yo dd on the cruise and when we were not exploring on port, she was at the kids program so it was a great holiday for both of us...I had time to relax on my own and she had time to play and be entertained with other kids...best of both worlds for both of us!

 

Enjoy your cruise!

[ummgood]

Thanks everyone for the comments. I'll make sure my wife visit's the doctor in preparation for the visit maybe he can prescribe something. I'll also look to see what the suggestions are on the boards.

 

I was thinking of getting an inside stateroom but my wife thinks she would like to get some natural light and we can afford it.

 

We have 2 kids one 6 and one that just turned 1. I think the 6 year old would have a blast but the 1 year old is too young and would have to be with us the entire time. My parents have agreed to stay a bit longer after Thanksgiving to watch the kids for us while we cruise. My wife and I haven't been able to do something alone like a vacation since before our first was born so this should be a nice treat.

 

Anyway I was reading reviews on the 'weird' room and it had a lot of positive reviews and I bit the bullet and booked it. It will be nice to have 2 windows. I booked through Costco and they told me I can change it for $25 later if need be. So for now we are booked in room 7506 on the Voyager for 11/28.

[firefly333]

On Voyager, only OVs are on lower decks, which is why I didnt like them, but might be perfect if you are prone to seasickness. Try and get as mid ship and low as possible.

 

OVs have a HUGE window, about 5 feet tall, diagonal, much much larger than windows on Carnival ships.

 

I like chewable Bonine which you can buy at Kroger's get the 24 hour kind. If you are really really prone, patches work, but they can make you sleepy. You need a prescription from the doctor to get them. We have used them a few times, still on our first box. Each patch lasts 3 days.

[ummgood]

Thanks! I don't know how prone she will be since it is her first time. She doesn't have problems on our ski boat but that is a different animal. She does get car sick sometimes and I don't want her to be miserable so it is probably better to prevent it like mentioned earlier. I'll look for that stuff closer to the trip. I am hoping she'll be ok up higher. I like the idea of having two windows and being able to see the bow. I am nerdy and will like to watch things.

[Sailgal05]

......So for now we are booked in room 7506 on the Voyager for 11/28.

 

Looks like that cabin is far forward, port-side. Having sailed and cruised the Gulf, I can tell you from someone that has felt the "motion-of -the-ocean", the Gulf can get quite rough. We're prone to more northerly fronts that time of the year. Twice when returning to Galveston, our ship rocked and rolled hitting those north waves and wind. Of course, the Gulf could also be smooth; one never knows.I depend on the patches and luckily, have no side-effects. If that is what your wife's doctor prescribes, perhaps she should try one before your trip. If it is rough, try not to look out the window, (that see-saw effect) and lots of fresh sea air will help. Our family loved VOS and hope you and your wife will too! Welcome to cruising!

[alcpa1]

Welcome to Cruise Critic ummgood,

We hope you become familiar with the many facets of this site.

Your post MAY be pulled and if you read this before it goes poof may I suggest you also read the rules for Cruise Critic.

We are not permitted to mention the name of a travel agent on this site. We can discuss airlines, insurance, tour operators etc. but not travel agents.

It is advisable not to mention your cabin number. There is no rule on here for that but common sense will tell you that all kinds of people monitor these boards. For your own security, try to avoid this in the future.

Scopalamine patches are available only from a physician. These patches work well for some but can cause distress for others. Side effects can include temporary vision problems. This is the most common complaint that I am aware of. Bonine or dramamine are readily available in the US and usually work very well. They work best if started, in your case, before you leave home in your car, and continued as long as needed.

You did not say this was to be your first cruise, but I suspect that is the case.

The general rule of thumb for first time cruisers is a mid ship cabin and a low deck at that. The fore (front) of the ship will be the most prone to movement. Think of a see saw. The seas can be smooth as silk or rocky. No one here can tell you what to expect next November. We have sailed that week, in the Caribbean, probably twenty times, and have had a little bit of everything. The portholes are large enough on even the deck 2 ov's to let in light. I hope you rethink your cabin's location.

One of the best features on Cruise Critic is the ROLL CALL. Find RCI, then your ship, then the date you are sailing and join others in pre-planning your trip. There will be others to share your excitement and make it a great experience for your wife and yourself.

Feel free to ask as many questions as you wish.