What question did you wish you would have asked before the first cruise?

[meander]

For instance, what do you know now that you wish you were aware of prior to taking your first cruise.

 

We are newbies, taking our first cruise in early 2011 to the Caribbean. I'm not so sure what to ask, but I know there are some tips/tricks and secrets that I'll wish I were aware of prior to boarding the ship. :)

 

Depending on the ship line and the airport, the company sends a bus to pick up passengers so you don't have to find a cab to get to the ship. Payment for the transfer has to be prearranged.

[meander]

Depending on the ship line and the airport, the company sends a bus to pick up passengers so you don't have to find a cab to get to the ship. Payment for the transfer has to be prearranged.

[halbfl2]

I wish I'd known to pack a power strip so I could dry my hair while DH was showering - it would have saved so much time. Also to plug in flat iron and use while DS is in the bathroom.

 

Also, know that if you are adventurous in trying new foods and you simply don't like something, just request something else! They really want you to be happy and well-fed, so it's not a problem at all.

 

All the ships I've been on have the correct outlet by the desk in the bed area. Also, I don't think they allow "flat irons" in the rooms (due to fire hazard). If I go on a cruise longer than 7 days, I try to book on the ones that have laundry rooms (Princess is one).

[hlhp3]

Having just gotten off the Carnival Splendor "salvage mission" I wish I would have brought several items with me. A flashlight, granola bars, peanut butter and jelly for my children, lysol wipes, books to read, playing cards, games and toys and crafts for my kids, and unlike all the previous posters I really wish I had brought warmer clothes. But I suppose since what happened was a once-in-a-million you all are safe. Have fun.

[5326jan]

All the ships I've been on have the correct outlet by the desk in the bed area. Also, I don't think they allow "flat irons" in the rooms (due to fire hazard). If I go on a cruise longer than 7 days, I try to book on the ones that have laundry rooms (Princess is one).

 

Flat irons (hair straighteners) are fine, but clothes irons are not. OMG, if they ever prohibit flat irons, I'm never coming out of my cabin! My hair would be to big to fit through the door!:eek:

[GlendaleCruiser]

All the ships I've been on have the correct outlet by the desk in the bed area. Also, I don't think they allow "flat irons" in the rooms (due to fire hazard). If I go on a cruise longer than 7 days, I try to book on the ones that have laundry rooms (Princess is one).

 

Carnival Dream and Conquest have laundry rooms with irons. No cruise line allows them to be brought on due to fire hazard. Flat Irons, if you are talking about a curling iron straightener is allowed, however.

[GlendaleCruiser]

Having just gotten off the Carnival Splendor "salvage mission" I wish I would have brought several items with me. A flashlight, granola bars, peanut butter and jelly for my children, lysol wipes, books to read, playing cards, games and toys and crafts for my kids, and unlike all the previous posters I really wish I had brought warmer clothes. But I suppose since what happened was a once-in-a-million you all are safe. Have fun.

 

I always take a maglight flashlight and a touchlight (battery) books, cards, lysol wipes and my own laundry detergent (Purex sheets).

 

After what happened on the Splendor, I am thinking that all would have been just that much more useful than ever. I could sit on the deck all day and read. The maglight and touchlight would be ever so helpful in an inside cabin.

[nitemare1234]

Is room service free??

We looked at the room service menus and didn't realise we only had to tip the waiter.... missed out on some nice late-night balcony snacks!

 

Another food one....

On our first cruise, we didn't realise you could get lunch in the buffet.... and ate before we boarded the ship!!

It was only on our second cruise, when we were directed to the buffet as soon as we boarded that we realised!!:o

 

After the first cruise, we also discovered CC and rum runners!!!:)

Mamasue,

We're taking our first cruise soon, & I do know what rumrunners are, but what is CC?

[kayjaykay]

but what is CC?

 

The website you're reading: Cruise Critic.

[sayyes77]

You are going to have a wonderful time. It is will be the best vacation you have had but maybe I am biased because I simply love cruising.

[bobmal99]

I just create a word document with all the decks and what they have on them and where, FWD, AFT, MIDSHIP, PORT, STARBOARD, and carry it with me at all times, is a great help.

 

I AM GOING ON THE DAWN NEXT MONTH AND THIS IS WHAT I DID.

 

 

Do not need all decks because a few only have cabins..

 

Deck-6 Forward-Stardust Theater & Dawn Club Cascino

MidShip-Impressions Rest. Gatsby Champagne Bar, Havana Club,

Wine Cellar Le Bistro, Aft Aqua Restaurant, Venetian Restaurant.

 

Deck-7 Forward Dazzles Lounge & Night Club, Dazzles #2,

Photo Gallery Mid- Sake Bar, Sushi Bar, Orient Restaurant,

Teppanyaki Rest, Aft Java Café, Grand Atrium, Shore Excursion Desk,

Port of Call Shop, The Pearly King’s Pub, Blue Lagoon Rest. Galleria Shops

 

Deck-8 Mid Ship Salsa Restaurant- Deck-9-Mid Ship-Internet Café

 

Deck-11 Aft-Treatment Rooms, Juice Bar, Fitness Center,

El-Dorado Beauty Saloon, Men’s & Women’s Sauna & Steam Rooms

 

Deck-12 Forward- Spinnaker Lounge, Port Life Styles Room,

Chapel, Kuala Lampur, Hong Kong, Singapore, Bangkok,

Shuffles Card Room, Cinema, Auditorium, Library, Activity

Center, Reading & Writing Room, Mid Ship-Oasis Pool,

Topside Bar, Sprinkles Ice Cream Bar,

La Trattoria, Kids Café, Aft Garden Café, T-Rex Pool,

 

Deck-13 Forward Bimini Bar & Grille, Mid Ship-Steak House,

Star Bar, Golf Driving Net, Sports Deck, Video Zone, Teen Club,

 

Deck-14 Sports Court

 

 

They used tohave, not sure they have them now, a little fold up card with the layout of the ship available at the Guest Services desk. I pick some up as soon as I board and carry it with me until I get my bearings.

[nitemare1234]

Boy am I stupid!!! All I could think of was Canadian Club

[Sqwii]

There are so many good ideas here. I'm glad you asked before I went on my cruise!

[WendyJo]

1) The #1 tip is pack less clothing. We've cut our cruise clothes in half (or less). Women in our crowd use a LBD for formal nights now instead of the long gowns. Four inch heels are difficult to walk in on the deck and around the ship.

2) You spend more than you think you are going to. Those frozen drinks look so good out by the pool. That wine tastes so good at dinner. You look so good in that photo.

3) Save your looser clothing for the last days and nights. Shockingly, you may find you have gained a few pounds. One of our most hilarious memories is my Aunt asking for help getting her dress zipped on the last formal night. It took 3 of us to get her zipped and stuffed into her dress. When she said, "what is wrong? this fit perfectly when I tried it on the night before we left," my daughter replied, "ice cream, desserts, frozen drinks, buffets for breakfast and lunch?"

4) You can relax. You don't have to do everything to enjoy your cruise to the utmost.

5) Saying "please" and "thank you" means more than you know to your fellow cruisers and the crew.

What is LBD (instead of formals)?

[HoopsandYoYo]

For instance, what do you know now that you wish you were aware of prior to taking your first cruise.

 

We are newbies, taking our first cruise in early 2011 to the Caribbean. I'm not so sure what to ask, but I know there are some tips/tricks and secrets that I'll wish I were aware of prior to boarding the ship. :)

I borrowed my daughter's camera, just in case mine had problems, got lost etc. Good thing I did because I took so many photos that it must have over-heated or something and didn't work properly.

Also take along Gravol for sea-sickness, along with any other meds as there are no Drug Stores on board.

A thermos for water.

Comfortable shoes!

Laundry soap for small items.

Do your research (which you seem to be doing:), it makes a difference! I've learned alot from reading Cruise Critic, and Travel Advisor and simply going online to learn about the ports of call.

[Wriggler]

What is LBD (instead of formals)?

 

Little Black Dress...;)

[HoopsandYoYo]

I just create a word document with all the decks and what they have on them and where, FWD, AFT, MIDSHIP, PORT, STARBOARD, and carry it with me at all times, is a great help.

 

I AM GOING ON THE DAWN NEXT MONTH AND THIS IS WHAT I DID.

 

 

Do not need all decks because a few only have cabins..

 

Deck-6 Forward-Stardust Theater & Dawn Club Cascino

MidShip-Impressions Rest. Gatsby Champagne Bar, Havana Club,

Wine Cellar Le Bistro, Aft Aqua Restaurant, Venetian Restaurant.

 

Deck-7 Forward Dazzles Lounge & Night Club, Dazzles #2,

Photo Gallery Mid- Sake Bar, Sushi Bar, Orient Restaurant,

Teppanyaki Rest, Aft Java Café, Grand Atrium, Shore Excursion Desk,

Port of Call Shop, The Pearly King’s Pub, Blue Lagoon Rest. Galleria Shops

 

Deck-8 Mid Ship Salsa Restaurant- Deck-9-Mid Ship-Internet Café

 

Deck-11 Aft-Treatment Rooms, Juice Bar, Fitness Center,

El-Dorado Beauty Saloon, Men’s & Women’s Sauna & Steam Rooms

 

Deck-12 Forward- Spinnaker Lounge, Port Life Styles Room,

Chapel, Kuala Lampur, Hong Kong, Singapore, Bangkok,

Shuffles Card Room, Cinema, Auditorium, Library, Activity

Center, Reading & Writing Room, Mid Ship-Oasis Pool,

Topside Bar, Sprinkles Ice Cream Bar,

La Trattoria, Kids Café, Aft Garden Café, T-Rex Pool,

 

Deck-13 Forward Bimini Bar & Grille, Mid Ship-Steak House,

Star Bar, Golf Driving Net, Sports Deck, Video Zone, Teen Club,

 

Deck-14 Sports Court

You can also clip the ship's blueprints from the magazines found in Travel Agencies :)

[cruz4evr]

I wish I'd known to pack a power strip so I could dry my hair while DH was showering - it would have saved so much time. Also to plug in flat iron and use while DS is in the bathroom.

 

Also, know that if you are adventurous in trying new foods and you simply don't like something, just request something else! They really want you to be happy and well-fed, so it's not a problem at all.

 

On the ships I have been on, there is a hairdryer in the little desk area of the cabin. Flat irons are strictly forbidden but I have packed a little steam iron

and never had a problem. One can also request an iron and board which will be brought to your cabin and then returned. At least that was the policy aboard NCL.

[5326jan]

On the ships I have been on, there is a hairdryer in the little desk area of the cabin. Flat irons are strictly forbidden but I have packed a little steam iron

and never had a problem. One can also request an iron and board which will be brought to your cabin and then returned. At least that was the policy aboard NCL.

 

Flat irons are not forbidden, clothes irons are. Flat irons are just a curling iron without the curl.:)

[erwinner]

I would have to cancel our cruise if my girlfriend wasn't allowed to bring her hair straightening iron with her! Or I'd be getting off solo first thing at the first port and smuggling a new one aboard. This is a non-negotiable. :)

Anyway, the number one thing for me is to be super nice to all the crew not only for the increase in service, but also since those people have some rough jobs!

Number two would be to research privately arranged expeditions at the ports. The reviews on the port of calls boards here are priceless.

[cruiser-007]

Make sure everyone has at least some ones in pocket when getting off at a destination. We arrived at Haiti, my wife had all the cash (because she's more responsible), I proceded to the beach where this very kind Hatian beach attendant grabbed some beach chairs for us and put them right where I prefered. But I was by myself at the time and had no cash on hand. He just stood there smiling expecting a tip and I felt as stupid as ever- it still bothers me.:eek:

[cruz4evr]

Flat irons are not forbidden, clothes irons are. Flat irons are just a curling iron without the curl.:)

 

 

Oops, I meant to say clothes irons. ;)

[Sadlady12]

I wish I would have known how windy it was going to be. I just had not really thought about it until onboard and fighting my hair.

 

I wish I would have brought more comfortable shoes rather than worry about which ones would look more fashionable.

 

I wish I had known about all the pictures available to purchase and how much they were.

 

I wish I had known ahead of time that in port, prices aren't necessarily how much the item costs. Vendors like to negotiate unlike in the US where it costs what is on the pricetag.

 

I also realized soon after boarding that although the ships have elevators, the stairs are faster many times than waiting for the elevators which always seemed to have many folks in wheelchairs or canes who needed to use them.

[Lawless1973]

Wow...

My family will be taking our first cruise on the Carnival Dream April 30, 2011.

 

I have found this thread very helpful and most certainly will show my wife all of the "take half of the clothes" posts.

 

I do have a few questions myself..

 

1. What is DH, DS.. etc

2. Rum Runners... risk:reward ratio

3. Your Time dining vs tradtional

 

Dream/Carnival casino specific questions

 

1. Casino poker tables.. same as Excalibur, Las Vegas?

2. Poker tournaments? Avg buy-in?

3. Are the casinos like Vegas, drink free while playing?

 

Carnival Specific

 

1. My daughter will be 10, almost 11 at sailing. However she would much more prefer the activities for the next age group. Would it be allowed for her to participate in those activities?

[LindaKE]

DH - dear husband

DW - dear wife

DS - dear sister or son etc.

Traditional Dining - assigned dining time with assigned table. You'll be joining the same group each night.

Your Time, As You Wish, Personal Choice, Freestyle - like a restaurant. You show up when you want and can choose to sit with other passengers or not. Some cruise lines offer both choices while others go with one style only.