Things people do that make it obvious they are cruise virgins

[LaWeezy]

I gotta tell ya, I thought the post re: turning the wrong way off the elevator took the cake! Hey I do that on a daily basis at home! I mean, does that make me a newbie? Hummm, new at the local mall, new at the local hospital, new at the office...........humm yup must be a newbie. But seriously, I never carry a purse, now I may carry one of those waist casino bags ---- ya ok newbie stuff. But it carries my sunblock lipgloss (newbie stuff), my s & S card (I mean I was told don't leave your stateroom - not hotel room, without it), my tip money (for those outragous $$ drinks I can't do without), hey I'm on holidays, if I wanted cheap drinks I would have looked for an ABC bar with no windows. And yes in AWWW of the ship, I mean we own a 16' fishing boat, come on of course I'm in awe! Lanyard - hey never thought of that - I carry it in my waist bag thingy. Yup I'm a newbie and proud of it!! Can't wait for the next one 14 days and counting! :p

Edited November 27, 2010 by LaWeezy

[CRZCRAZY]

We almost always get a cabin on the port side, not too long ago we got one on the starboard side. I don't remember why. But for one week I was always going in the wrong direction! I would head aft to go to the showroom, forward to the dining room, and I was always on the wrong side of the ship. I always looked like I was lost. Now, no matter what ship it is, I get a cabit on the port side.

[jannandjohn]

Going to breakfast in your PJ's or bathrobe.

really !!...has anyone ever done this!!:eek::eek:

[jannandjohn]

You might be a newbie if....

 

you grab a snack from the in-room minibar.

not always...I always use the mini bar..in hotels too.

[RetiredFL]

really !!...has anyone ever done this!!:eek::eek:

 

Yes, at least on Oceania they have one morning when everyone from the captain down is encouraged to wear their white bathrobe to breakfast. Quite a sight in the main dining room with a sea of white robes.

Some wear them over their pjs, some over street clothes.

[alexcuad]

On day of departure:

Getting on the cruise ship on time in order to get the free lunch at the buffet.

 

We always try to see the town where we are departing from first and then get on the cruise ship in the last hour, that way we avoid the terrible lines and get a more time visiting the town. For example, two years ago, the whole family walked around Barcelona, while my grandpa and my uncle got a taxi with all of the bags to take them to the ship. We ended up getting a good extra morning in Barcelona and we actually did not even have to do the safety demonstration. I was actually surprised about that, but I suppose they had done it while we were still on land.

[ShakyBeef]

On day of departure:

Getting on the cruise ship on time in order to get the free lunch at the buffet.

 

We always try to see the town where we are departing from first and then get on the cruise ship in the last hour, that way we avoid the terrible lines and get a more time visiting the town. For example, two years ago, the whole family walked around Barcelona, while my grandpa and my uncle got a taxi with all of the bags to take them to the ship. We ended up getting a good extra morning in Barcelona and we actually did not even have to do the safety demonstration. I was actually surprised about that, but I suppose they had done it while we were still on land.

 

 

I guess this makes me a cruise virgin, then.:o I always want to get on the ship as soon as I can - not for the buffet, but just becuase I want to be on the ship!:D Also, since we have been cruising out of our home port lately (Baltimore), I've been there, done that, grew up 20 minutes from it.

Get me on the ship!!! :D:cool:

[ASM]

I actually bought a piece at the art auction once. Got it for a good price and had it framed at home. A nice memento, but you need to know what you're doing. I'm a collector of sorts. I also bring too many clothes, shoes, etc. because that's me. If I can afford it, don't mind the inconvenience, and enjoy it, why should anyone else care? BTW, some of us do notice if you wear the same things over and over, but I, for one, don't care. I'll probably buy the sailaway drink, enjoy the view, and even eat too much... But no lanyard. It just wouldn't go with the outfit :). Have fun everyone!

[suzantn]

You can usually tell newb cruisers from the amount of luggage they bring. My wife and bring one suitcase each and wheel it onboard with us and take it to our cabin. Most of what people bring they only wear 1/2 of what they brought. There are laundromats onboard and we don't bring 'dress up' clothes anymore...PIA so we just stay in a mini suite and order off the regular dinner menu like everyone else does in the MDR...bring it to my cabin and we eat on the balcony. Shorts, sandals and shirts is all you need for clothes unless your a clotheshorse. Ater 20 plus cruises I'm not out to impress anybody with my wardrobe.

 

I could never get everything I need in 1 suitcase and I have been on 7 cruises. I take 2 suitcases for a weekend trip, that is just me. I enjoy the dressing up cause I don't do that at home and I like the main dining room. It is something different and is only something I do on a cruise so I look forward to it. This doesn't make me a newbie. Also the lanyard thing doesn't make me a newbie either. I hate to have to carry a purse or anything with me so I just wear a lanyard so I don't loose my sail and sign. I think 7 cruises makes me more than a newbie. It is all in personal preference :-) Happy cruising

[BassettMom]

As a newbie, departing in a couple of days on my first cruise, I've been reading all about it on CC and trying to figure everything out. So let me get this straight:

 

I should only bring one suitcase for 14 days.

(But where would I put all the things everyone recommends that I bring? I need an extra suitcase for all the non-clothing items recommended such as duct tape, over-the-door shoe rack, nightlight, extra batteries, ginger snap cookies, wine, clothes pins, rope to dry clothes on, more wine, safety pins, sewing kit, folder or envelope, binoculars, highlighter, medicine cabinet with medicine for every possibility, power strip, extension cord, small fan for the room, snap hooks, bungee cord, and a whole bunch of other things listed in various places on CC.)

 

Bring half the clothes and twice the money, but don't try to pay for anything on the ship (dont say boat) using money.

(Guess you only bring half the clothes since all the other items recommended--see above--take up too much room in the suitcase. And why do I need twice the money if I can't pay for anything with money?)

 

I shouldn't use a lanyard for my stateroom key, but also shouldn't carry a purse, and shouldn't put my stateroom key in my bra :D either.

(So where do should I put my stateroom key? Guess I'll probably be tagged as a newbie since I'll probably carry my purse around--it will have my stateroom card, my camera--so I can take a ton of pictures and even one of the elevator of course, my beverage card, and my kindle.)

 

Shouldn't eat too much.

(Ummm, sorry, that probably isn't going to happen. Especially after everyone has described all the food--I've been drooling for weeks now.)

 

Shouldn't ooohhh and aawwww and say things like this ship is so big.

(Guess that's what the duct tape is for.);)

 

I didn't realize cruising was so difficult! Oh what the heck--I guess it'll be obvious that I'm a newbie, but hey, you're only a newbie once.:D

Edited December 16, 2010 by BassettMom

[mr green]

As a newbie, departing in a couple of days on my first cruise, I've been reading all about it on CC and trying to figure everything out. So let me get this straight:

 

I should only bring one suitcase for 14 days.

(But where would I put all the things everyone recommends that I bring? I need an extra suitcase for all the non-clothing items recommended such as duct tape, over-the-door shoe rack, nightlight, extra batteries, ginger snap cookies, wine, clothes pins, rope to dry clothes on, more wine, safety pins, sewing kit, folder or envelope, binoculars, highlighter, medicine cabinet with medicine for every possibility, power strip, extension cord, small fan for the room, snap hooks, bungee cord, and a whole bunch of other things listed in various places on CC.)

 

Bring half the clothes and twice the money, but don't try to pay for anything on the ship (dont say boat) using money.

(Guess you only bring half the clothes since all the other items recommended--see above--take up too much room in the suitcase. And why do I need twice the money if I can't pay for anything with money?)

 

I shouldn't use a lanyard for my stateroom key, but also shouldn't carry a purse, and shouldn't put my stateroom key in my bra :D either.

(So where do should I put my stateroom key? Guess I'll probably be tagged as a newbie since I'll probably carry my purse around--it will have my stateroom card, my camera--so I can take a ton of pictures and even one of the elevator of course, my beverage card, and my kindle.)

 

Shouldn't eat too much.

(Ummm, sorry, that probably isn't going to happen. Especially after everyone has described all the food--I've been drooling for weeks now.)

 

Shouldn't ooohhh and aawwww and say things like this ship is so big.

(Guess that's what the duct tape is for.);)

 

I didn't realize cruising was so difficult! Oh what the heck--I guess it'll be obvious that I'm a newbie, but hey, you're only a newbie once.:D

 

Now go through your list, and make another one of things that you could do without!!!:)

 

john

[BruceMuzz]

What identifies a cruise virgin?

 

Walking up to the Captain, asking him who is driving the ship, and expecting him to laugh at a really stupid joke that he has heard more than 10,000 times.

 

Stumbling around when the ship is rolling and saying to everyone, "I haven't been drinking".

 

Demanding to speak to the Captain when your toilet paper is too rough, your bed is too hard/too soft, or you cannot get the dining table you want.

 

Using your cabin vacuum toilet as a waste disposal and then complaining when it gets stopped up.

 

Leaving your balcony door open and complaining that your cabin is too warm, and the cigarette smoke from your neighbor's cabin is being sucked into your cabin.

 

Complaining that the ship is moving or creaking when you are cruising in heavy seas.

 

Complaining that there is vibration in a cabin or dining room that is located directly above the engine room.

 

Complaining when your partially obstructed stateroom is partially obstructed.

 

Rushing to the dining room to stand in line for 20 minutes instead of having a drink first and waiting for the newbies to finish wasting their cruise standing in line.

 

Walking through the Casino and complaining about the smoke, instead of using the beautiful outside Promenade Deck with the wonderful fresh sea air.

 

Complaining that the ship is too big. It is the same size as when you booked the cruise.

 

Complaining that your cabin doesn't look as big as it did in the brochure picture.

 

Asking an officer to turn on the wave making machine in the swimming pool.

[ShakyBeef]

As a newbie, departing in a couple of days on my first cruise, I've been reading all about it on CC and trying to figure everything out. So let me get this straight:

 

I should only bring one suitcase for 14 days.

(But where would I put all the things everyone recommends that I bring? I need an extra suitcase for all the non-clothing items recommended such as duct tape, over-the-door shoe rack, nightlight, extra batteries, ginger snap cookies, wine, clothes pins, rope to dry clothes on, more wine, safety pins, sewing kit, folder or envelope, binoculars, highlighter, medicine cabinet with medicine for every possibility, power strip, extension cord, small fan for the room, snap hooks, bungee cord, and a whole bunch of other things listed in various places on CC.)

 

Bring half the clothes and twice the money, but don't try to pay for anything on the ship (dont say boat) using money.

(Guess you only bring half the clothes since all the other items recommended--see above--take up too much room in the suitcase. And why do I need twice the money if I can't pay for anything with money?)

 

I shouldn't use a lanyard for my stateroom key, but also shouldn't carry a purse, and shouldn't put my stateroom key in my bra :D either.

(So where do should I put my stateroom key? Guess I'll probably be tagged as a newbie since I'll probably carry my purse around--it will have my stateroom card, my camera--so I can take a ton of pictures and even one of the elevator of course, my beverage card, and my kindle.)

 

Shouldn't eat too much.

(Ummm, sorry, that probably isn't going to happen. Especially after everyone has described all the food--I've been drooling for weeks now.)

 

Shouldn't ooohhh and aawwww and say things like this ship is so big.

(Guess that's what the duct tape is for.);)

 

I didn't realize cruising was so difficult! Oh what the heck--I guess it'll be obvious that I'm a newbie, but hey, you're only a newbie once.:D

 

LOL! This post is great!:D Sounds like you've got it all figured out.;) Have a great first cruise!:)

[Lady Chew]

What identifies a cruise virgin?

 

Walking up to the Captain, asking him who is driving the ship, and expecting him to laugh at a really stupid joke that he has heard more than 10,000 times.

 

Stumbling around when the ship is rolling and saying to everyone, "I haven't been drinking".

 

Demanding to speak to the Captain when your toilet paper is too rough, your bed is too hard/too soft, or you cannot get the dining table you want.

 

Using your cabin vacuum toilet as a waste disposal and then complaining when it gets stopped up.

 

Leaving your balcony door open and complaining that your cabin is too warm, and the cigarette smoke from your neighbor's cabin is being sucked into your cabin.

 

Complaining that the ship is moving or creaking when you are cruising in heavy seas.

 

Complaining that there is vibration in a cabin or dining room that is located directly above the engine room.

 

Complaining when your partially obstructed stateroom is partially obstructed.

 

Rushing to the dining room to stand in line for 20 minutes instead of having a drink first and waiting for the newbies to finish wasting their cruise standing in line.

 

Walking through the Casino and complaining about the smoke, instead of using the beautiful outside Promenade Deck with the wonderful fresh sea air.

 

Complaining that the ship is too big. It is the same size as when you booked the cruise.

 

Complaining that your cabin doesn't look as big as it did in the brochure picture.

 

Asking an officer to turn on the wave making machine in the swimming pool.

 

From what I've seen, there are a LOT of repeat cruisers who do most of those things!!

[Peachie1]

I will be on my 'umteenth' cruise next month and I do a lot of 'newbie' things. I'm there to have a good time, I don't care how other people do it, just as long as we all enjoy ourselves. Far from a newbie, but I get that newbie feeling each time I step on board. Guess I'm just easily amused, huh? LOL

 

Peaches, the constant cruiser

[suzantn]

As a newbie, departing in a couple of days on my first cruise, I've been reading all about it on CC and trying to figure everything out. So let me get this straight:

 

I should only bring one suitcase for 14 days.

(But where would I put all the things everyone recommends that I bring? I need an extra suitcase for all the non-clothing items recommended such as duct tape, over-the-door shoe rack, nightlight, extra batteries, ginger snap cookies, wine, clothes pins, rope to dry clothes on, more wine, safety pins, sewing kit, folder or envelope, binoculars, highlighter, medicine cabinet with medicine for every possibility, power strip, extension cord, small fan for the room, snap hooks, bungee cord, and a whole bunch of other things listed in various places on CC.)

 

Bring half the clothes and twice the money, but don't try to pay for anything on the ship (dont say boat) using money.

(Guess you only bring half the clothes since all the other items recommended--see above--take up too much room in the suitcase. And why do I need twice the money if I can't pay for anything with money?)

 

I shouldn't use a lanyard for my stateroom key, but also shouldn't carry a purse, and shouldn't put my stateroom key in my bra :D either.

(So where do should I put my stateroom key? Guess I'll probably be tagged as a newbie since I'll probably carry my purse around--it will have my stateroom card, my camera--so I can take a ton of pictures and even one of the elevator of course, my beverage card, and my kindle.)

 

Shouldn't eat too much.

(Ummm, sorry, that probably isn't going to happen. Especially after everyone has described all the food--I've been drooling for weeks now.)

 

Shouldn't ooohhh and aawwww and say things like this ship is so big.

(Guess that's what the duct tape is for.);)

 

I didn't realize cruising was so difficult! Oh what the heck--I guess it'll be obvious that I'm a newbie, but hey, you're only a newbie once.:D

 

I loved your post and your sense of humor. LOL I am going on my 8th cruise next year so I don't consider myself a newbie but I still pack 2 suitcases (one for my clothes and the other for my toiletries etc) I do wear a lanyard for my sign and sail card. I would probably lose it otherwise. I do walk around the ship and take pictures but I love to take pictures. I never take a purse anywhere except a very small one to dinner because I don't want to wear the lanyard when I am dressed up and I need a place for my sign and sale and for my camera. I almost always have my camera with me either in my beach bag or a small camera bag.

 

I am also in awe every time I step on a cruise ship. I am on vacation and I am there to have a good time and it just takes my breath away.

 

Have fun and happy sailing.

 

Suzanne

[BassettMom]

Now go through your list, and make another one of things that you could do without!!!:)

 

john

 

 

Good idea! I'm starting that list with the kitchen sink--heard I don't need that. ;)

 

Of course you do realize this list will be the shortest list I have going.:D

[BassettMom]

Seriously everyone. Thanks for all the information--I've learned a lot from reading CC, and enjoyed "talking" with you all.

 

Only 2 days and a wake-up and I'll experience it all first-hand (guess that means I'll be losing my virginity :D).

 

Thanks again for the info, and the fun.

[ferfoodle]

First cruise - got my lanyard stuck in the life vest when taking the vest off after the muster drill. Came darn close to strangling myself and had a rope burn on my neck for a couple of days. Fortunately two things have impoved since then. 1. Carnival no longer requires the jacket brought to safety drill. 2. Breakaway lanyards. Again - like many have said, if you don't have pockets where ya gonna put the S&S card? DH likes lanyard too and he just loops it through a belt loop on his shorts and either lets dangle or tucks in pocket.

[blakey]

First cruise - got my lanyard stuck in the life vest when taking the vest off after the muster drill. Came darn close to strangling myself and had a rope burn on my neck for a couple of days. Fortunately two things have impoved since then. 1. Carnival no longer requires the jacket brought to safety drill. 2. Breakaway lanyards. Again - like many have said, if you don't have pockets where ya gonna put the S&S card? DH likes lanyard too and he just loops it through a belt loop on his shorts and either lets dangle or tucks in pocket.

 

Thank you, ferfoodle. I'm still lol...seriously...laughing out loud! Cackling almost.:D Ah, the memories of those life vests.

[melody-s]

I just remembered this silly incident when my kids and I were on our first cruise. One day about mid-cruise my son, who was 14 at the time, was in the buffet by himself. Without thinking too much he clapped his hands twice to see what would happen. Two workers stopped to see how they could help him. He asked one of them to get him an iced tea and the other for a dessert. Bless their hearts, they actually got the items for him and thankfully my son had the good sense to tip them.

 

When he shared the story later that day we had a discussion about what what to do (and not to do) in the buffet. It still makes me laugh to think about it.

Edited December 20, 2010 by melody-s

[Koshlong]

Believing what they say in the Port Shopping talks.

[mr green]

Believing what they say in the Port Shopping talks.

 

Very true!!!:D

 

john

[greenbaboon]

...

Edited December 26, 2010 by greenbaboon

[BHappy2Day]

My favorite newbie sight is nautical clothing. Blue and white horizontal stripes and/or gold buttons.