Cruisin' with cruise virgins... Words of advice???

[CdnMessKit]

My DW and I will be cruising out of Galveston for the Western Carib cruise on the 24th of April. Joining us will be at least one other couple, possible 3 other couples, who have never cruised before.

 

While I know that we are relatively newbies to the cruise scene, in comparison to some of you, I consider us being somewhat experienced. But... we have never cruised with other couples.

 

Would any of you have any wise words of advice for us... Thanks.

[bigeagle12]

You know what they say about family and fish after 3 days :eek:

 

When we travel with friends we usually plan dinners as a group. Other than that during the day we are pretty much on our own. We may occassionally do a show together, go to the pool or have a night cap in a lounge.

 

But we have found from past experience it is not good to try and plan 7 days of togetherness.

[cb at sea]

Do NOT try and get them as excited as you are....they will find out on their own how much fun cruising can be!

Don't tell them every detail of how the cruise will be and what goes on....let them find out.

Finding out is 1/2 the fun...don't spoil it for them!

If they ask, you may tell, but don't volunteer or make detailed "cruise booklets" or whatever for them! It takes all the fun out of it for them....(yes..I know it's fun for you, but don't do it!)

[cottagemama]

We are in the same boat ( no pun intended lol). We will be cruising with another couple who has never cruised before. They don't appear to want to do shore excursions where we are used to booking excursions independently so I have booked our excursions and they will have to decide what they want to do once we dock. I hope we will still be friends after the cruise:(

[milton333]

Less of an issue when cruising with friends, possibly more pertinent to cruising with family, but I would just say to be clear on everyone's expectations re: togetherness. I would communicate upfront that your plan is to only meet up for dinner. Or maybe you want to see if everyone is interested in an excursion together.

 

IME, playing it by ear once you get aboard sounds like the right way to handle things, but people can get upset that they never see you, and if you don't have some sort of plan or routine in place early, it's easy to just never see the other couple.

 

There can also be tension re: everyone's fitness levels and interests in activities. We previously cruised with DH's elderly parents. I was pregnant at the time, but healthy and active, and loved beach time at the ports followed by a moderate amount of walking for sightseeing/shopping. Inlaws didn't bring swimsuits and didn't really want to walk anywhere. We didn't know that until we were all onboard, and then our lovely plans for active pursuits made us feel guilty, while contemplating their proposals to stay on the ship at Half Moon Cay (:eek:), etc., made us feel like we wouldn't be getting what we'd planned for out of our "babymoon" vacation.

 

We also are just "meh" about meals in the MDR, and did not want or expect to dine there for every meal (and had no intent of doing formal night), so we ended up kind of suffering through most meals as an accomodation to the ILs who loved the MDR. Don't assume that everyone in your party will of course dine in the MDR, and, likewise, don't assume that everyone will be fine grabbing something from the WJ.

 

It might make sense to have a daily time (or several times a day) to meet up and have a coffee. It is very easy to "lose" people on the ship and not connnect with them for days, which could be upsetting to some in the group.

 

Clear discussions about interests and expectations in advance are key to preventing any misunderstandings, IMO. Best to know now who wants a lot of togetherness, and who prefers to be more independent, and what joint interests might be available for times that you plan to be together.

 

 

ETA: I should add that we did not originally plan to vacation with our in-laws. We were so excited with our travel plans and were discussing them, which gave M-I-L the idea to book the very same cruise and to surprise us with the news. We had not yet shared that we were pregnant and that this was kind of our "last hoorah" cruise before parenthood. So it was potentially more awkward than it would be if you knew from the outset that you'd be cruising with others.

[pltag]

I would just say to be clear on everyone's expectations re: togetherness.

This is very good advise. When I have cruised with groups of friends, I have taken on the role of "pre-cruise director" -- which is a role I very much enjoy. But, I make it VERY clear that my duties end once we board the ship. Everyone must be responsible for their OWN FUN!! Sure, I will tell you what shore excursions sound fun ..... or what my plans are when in port, but you must decide on your own whether this sounds fun to you.

 

For Sea Days --- I'll be the guy in the sun lounger for 5-7 hours next to the pile of empties ..... if this sounds good to you, I can always use company. If not, here's your Cruise Compass ...... there's 311 activities scheduled for today!

 

We always met as a group before dinner, and for dinner. Other than that, everyone was on their own.

[Trevoli]

I so agree with working out everybodys' expectations ahead of time.

 

"Winging it" might make for some really unhappy people, which makes for everybody to be miserable.

 

Nothing wrong with sitting down and talking things out ahead of time. You don't need to necessarly nail down every single minute of every single day, but setting the stage ahead of time in terms of when/where you like to eat, your idea of the perfect sea or port day, indicating that you don't have to spend a lot of time together, but hooking up once or twice a day is nice, etc.

 

My sister doesn't like to shop, but I and my friends do. Several of us went to Maui together, and my friend was dismayed at all the shopping that went on. Luckily, she didn't mind being left behind at the condo once in a while, but it could have gone the other way. I would have felt terrible if she'd felt like she was gypped out of time/money by going on this trip.

[cruiseguy1016]

We almost always cruise with friends and/or family. We all agree to do things that each of us wants to do. Don't try to do what everyone else is doing. If some of you WANT to do the same thing (shore excursion, for example) do it. But don't don't do something you don't want to just because they are. Our group picks "our spot" on the pool deck the first day. Any time we want to hang out by the pool, we go to that same general area. That we we all know where to look for someone on the pool deck. We always have dinner together. We ask each other "what did you do today?" After dinner, we all do our own thing again although it is usually the same for all of us. We all usually all go to the show and then to the Schooner Bar because that's what we all WANT to do. Sometimes someone will want to go to the casino or something else. Great! Go! It's your cruise, do what you want to do.

[sailawayjack]

My DW and I will be cruising out of Galveston for the Western Carib cruise on the 24th of April. Joining us will be at least one other couple, possible 3 other couples, who have never cruised before.

 

While I know that we are relatively newbies to the cruise scene, in comparison to some of you, I consider us being somewhat experienced. But... we have never cruised with other couples.

 

Would any of you have any wise words of advice for us... Thanks.

 

:cool:I've done this many times. Just remember that all of you do not have to do everything together. Multiple couples is better than two. If you don't feel like doing something, someone else will always be available. Happy Hours in cabin (predinner and sailaway) are fun. Order wine and/or champagne from gifts n gear, and snacks from room service during cruise and host a happy hour.:cool:JACK IS SAILING AGAIN

[ehfl]

The best advice is to not over-hype. The higher you set their expectations, the more underwhelmed they will be. Don't tell them too much about it. Let them experience it for themselves.

[Merion_Mom]

My DW and I will be cruising out of Galveston for the Western Carib cruise on the 24th of April. Joining us will be at least one other couple, possible 3 other couples, who have never cruised before.

 

While I know that we are relatively newbies to the cruise scene, in comparison to some of you, I consider us being somewhat experienced. But... we have never cruised with other couples.

 

Would any of you have any wise words of advice for us... Thanks.

 

Adopt our slogan:

 

"All of the fun, none of the drama."

[jennmaybe]

We are in the same boat ( no pun intended lol). We will be cruising with another couple who has never cruised before. They don't appear to want to do shore excursions where we are used to booking excursions independently so I have booked our excursions and they will have to decide what they want to do once we dock. I hope we will still be friends after the cruise:(

We actually lost some friends a couple of years ago after their 1st cruise with us. Two other couples went with us and they were all virgin cruisers. DH and I made it very clear before we went that we did not need to stay together the whole week! Did they listen? No. In fact, DH and I couldn't do anything without them being right there. Their excuse was that they didn't know what to expect or what else to do. I said to read the fun times and pick something or just go get a darn drink! Needless to say, DH and I still had a great time, because we believe a vacation is what you make of it, however, we learned our lesson by taking virgin cruiser friends with us again on their 1st cruise.

 

I hope all goes well with you guys and like some other have said: be very up front and clear about the "togetherness" thing before you go. I hope they love it and you all can cruise many more times together in the future!

[F5Loar]

We just took 2 newbies on a short 5 day cruise. Biggest problem is the possbility of being seasick and that in itself making it bad for those that are really sick. They will stay in their rooms and usually get sicker. Fresh air helps out on deck side helps.

I would say put them on the patch for safe guard against it.

Take plenty of the seasick pills and pass them out before you board.

And remember this: There are only 2 type of people in the world, cruisers and non-cruisers. The only way to find out which one you are is to take that first one and you will know which one your are after about 2 days at sea.

Sticking together is good too. I made out schedules to follow as many don't understand that if you are late to dinner you might miss it altogether and have to eat elsewhere.

Late for a show? It starts without you. Late back to the ship at a port of call, it leaves without you (this happens more then you think).

[boo214]

make sure they have passports :eek:

[cello56]

You have received some great advice here from other posters. One thing I would add is to not keep commenting on how they did things different on such and such a cruise. Nothing worse then hearing constant comparisons of a cruise you were not on! Have fun and remember you are not joined at the hip!!

[F5Loar]

i believe that cruise out of Galveston, TX is considered a "closed loop" cruise and no need for a passport. Just need a ceritfied BC and DL and you are good go.

First timers may not want to invest in that $100+/- in a 10 year passport until they found out if they are one timers or not.

[frito58]

My wifes cousin and husband started cruising with us 3 years ago that would have been our 7th, they loved the fact I arranged all the pre-cruise stuff and knew what to do. As for ports , I told them upfront we have been there done that , we are heading to a beach , you are welcome to come along or i can point you in the direction you want to go. As for dinners we get along great so we love to dine together , and we just kind of whatever it when the evening comes along we may go together ,we may spilt . I guess we decide what we want to do tell them and they decide what they want to do. We are going on cruise nunmber 3 in Oct. So i guess we still like each other and to our good luck he won a raffle of $ 3500 of cruise money and is paying for it :D:D

[CdnMessKit]

Thanks for all the tips. It is always better to learn from others experience than to repeat bad experiences.

 

BTW all of us are Canadian Army... working on or with Navy ships therefore we all know we don't get seasick... and we always bring passports. I'd rather have my passport and not need it, than not have it and be beging at the Canadian Embassy for help!

 

Thanks again everyone...

 

Happy Cruisin'

[Jimnbigd]

Looks like you are on the last round-trip from Galveston for the Voyager OTS, right? 'Cause if you are on the Conquest, you're in the wrong board.

 

I've taken both family and groups on cruises. The hardest thing is getting everyone together for some scheduled event -- even dinner. I certainly recommend you have the tradiotional fixed-time dining. Trying to seat a group at my-time dining is difficult. I like the 8pm dining time, but I'm a late eater -- 5:30pm is too early for me. If you have the 8pm dining, many evenings the theater show will start before dinner. Getting a group to go to the show together is a challenge -- You will always be waiting for the slowest person. I was on a cruise where we were supposed to meet another couple at one of the bars to go to the show together. We waited. After 20 minutes, we went to the show, walking in just as the show started. Later the couple told us, "We decided we did not want to see the show." OK. But TELL US NEXT TIME PLEASE. That was 7 years ago. Since then with other family and groups, it is a "no wait" policy. If we all agree to meet at certain time and place, and someone does not show on time, we go ahead anyway -- to the show, or lunch, or whatever it is we were planning to do. We have found that is the only way to make it work fairly for everyone.

 

The hardest might be meeting for breakfast and lunch as a group. You have to have a meeting place other than the dining room since all of your group needs to be present to sit at the same table -- plus the dining room is so big that it is not easy to find the table someone is at. As I said above, have an agreed meeting spot and time, and any no-show is one his/her own. This is true even for the lido buffet. The buffet is a large area with sections on the left, right, and back. It is not easy to find someone there. It is better to meet elsewhere, or just go on your own.

 

Another thing to plan now is shore excursions. RCCL's web page has the ship excursions, and there are also non-ship ones (such as Nachi Cocom in Cozumel). So meet well in advance or at least do emails to see if some or all of you will go as a group.

 

How are you getting to Galveston? Driving? Are you driving together? Flying? Are you flying together? And if flying, you need the ground transportation to Galveston. (Supershuttle seems to be the cheapest for a group of 8 or more.) If driving, you need to park somewhere. Many Galveston hotels and motels will let you keep your car there, and either shuttle you to the ship or you can take a taxi. (Probably 2 or 3 taxis with your group and luggage.) Or park at EZ Cruise or another lot. Oh, if driving, I assume you will take at least 2 cars -- Cell phones are must to keep up with each other. (Cell phones won't be useful on the ship except in Galveston. Quite costy to use at the ports.)

 

As to what to tell them in advance, well, let the vacuum toilets be a surprise. :D

[cruiseguy1016]

Looks like you are on the last round-trip from Galveston for the Voyager OTS, right? 'Cause if you are on the Conquest, you're in the wrong board.

 

I've taken both family and groups on cruises. The hardest thing is getting everyone together for some scheduled event -- even dinner. I certainly recommend you have the tradiotional fixed-time dining. Trying to seat a group at my-time dining is difficult. I like the 8pm dining time, but I'm a late eater -- 5:30pm is too early for me. If you have the 8pm dining, many evenings the theater show will start before dinner. Getting a group to go to the show together is a challenge -- You will always be waiting for the slowest person. I was on a cruise where we were supposed to meet another couple at one of the bars to go to the show together. We waited. After 20 minutes, we went to the show, walking in just as the show started. Later the couple told us, "We decided we did not want to see the show." OK. But TELL US NEXT TIME PLEASE. That was 7 years ago. Since then with other family and groups, it is a "no wait" policy. If we all agree to meet at certain time and place, and someone does not show on time, we go ahead anyway -- to the show, or lunch, or whatever it is we were planning to do. We have found that is the only way to make it work fairly for everyone. The hardest might be meeting for breakfast and lunch as a group. You have to have a meeting place other than the dining room since all of your group needs to be present to sit at the same table -- plus the dining room is so big that it is not easy to find the table someone is at. As I said above, have an agreed meeting spot and time, and any no-show is one his/her own. This is true even for the lido buffet. The buffet is a large area with sections on the left, right, and back. It is not easy to find someone there. It is better to meet elsewhere, or just go on our own.

 

Another thing to plan now is shore excursions. RCCL's web page has the ship excursions, and there are also non-ship ones (such as Nachi Cocom in Cozumel). So meet well in advance or at least do emails to see if some or all of you will go as a group.

 

How are you getting to Galveston? Driving? Are you driving together? Flying? Are you flying together? And if flying, you need the ground transportation to Galveston. (Supershuttle seems to be the cheapest for a group of 8 or more.) If driving, you need to park somewhere. Many Galveston hotels and motels will let you keep your car there, and either shuttle you to the ship or you can take a taxi. (Probably 2 or 3 taxis with your group and luggage.) Or park at EZ Cruise or another lot. Oh, if driving, I assume you will take at least 2 cars -- Cell phones are must to keep up with each other. (Cell phones won't be useful on the ship except in Galveston. Quite costy to use at the ports.)

 

As to what to tell them in advance, well, let the vacuum toilets be a surprise. :D

 

This is why we don't try to make too many plans together. We say, "we're going to the show. If you want to join us, that's fine. We'll meet you inside". The only meal we always eat together is dinner. Everybody wakes up at different times so we don't try to plan breakfast or lunch. Dinner is a set time so it's easy for everyone to be there at that time.

Again, everyone's tastes are different. Encourage them to find things that THEY want to do and then go do it. It's your vacation and it's their vacation. Let everyone enjoy themselves doing the things that they want to do.