first time cruiser

[see.legs]

i actually have a couple questions. my husband is concerned about sea sickness although we are scheduled to go in september (we are open to changing the date) is there certain times of year that the waters are calmer. also, in an unrelated question. what is the minimum to have in onboard account and what would you recommend for people that don't drink and wont be eating at specialty resturaunts?

[nmg85]

It would depend on where you are sailing to... But anywhere at anytime can be unpredictable. You don't need a minimum amount in your account you pay for what you spend after the cruise is complete.

 

 

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Edited November 30, 2013 by nmg85

[see.legs]

i forgot we are heading to bermuda for 6 days

[panoramaofthepast]

i actually have a couple questions. my husband is concerned about sea sickness although we are scheduled to go in september (we are open to changing the date) is there certain times of year that the waters are calmer. also, in an unrelated question. what is the minimum to have in onboard account and what would you recommend for people that don't drink and wont be eating at specialty resturaunts?

 

Concerning your onboard account - generally, you would put down a credit card when you sign in and all charges on your sea card will go to that card. If you re using cash, I think the minimum amount down is $500, but I am not sure. You will have gratuities (@$11/day per person) and any other charges (soft drinks, spa, casino, shops, etc)you may make. Any ships excursions will also go on your account.

 

I hope this helps.

[britty1]

i actually have a couple questions. my husband is concerned about sea sickness although we are scheduled to go in september (we are open to changing the date) is there certain times of year that the waters are calmer. also, in an unrelated question. what is the minimum to have in onboard account and what would you recommend for people that don't drink and wont be eating at specialty resturaunts?

 

Everyone gets an onboard account - it is used like a credit card on board ship and you pay your bill at the end of the cruise. There is a message board specific to sea sickness remedies. However my husband gets motion sickness riding in the back seat of vehicles but he has never been sea sick on a cruise ship. But taking some remedies with you just in case would be a good idea.

[Familygoboston]

If you are sailing the Caribbean, it's generally calm unless there is a storm. In that case the captain usually makes an effort to "sail around or away" from the storm. The early winter Nov- Jan can be windy (trade winds) and this can cause high seas. The ships are large and well stabilized, hopefully you should be ok.

Some tips:

-Get a cabin, low and mid ship for less movement

-Try to keep your stomach full, especially with proteins- bring some nuts or order a cheese plate ( free from RS) to be in your cabin upon sail away each afternoon.

-try ginger ale or some ginger gum (in the drug stores motion remedies aisle)

-get on deck where you can get fresh air and see Horizon if starting to feel bad.

-avoid the theater if you are feeling tetchy; watching the show in the stern or bow can really "throw your brain off" and make symptoms worse.

-carry a little ginger gum, and a chewable Bonine (Meclazine) with you wherever you go. Try the gum first and if DH is still queasy, try the Meclazine as soon as possible before he starts feeling really bad

-you can get a patch from the Dr before sailing, but are unlikely to need it unless you know he's had issues in the past.

 

As for spending, if you've got your excursions pre booked or plan to just wander around in port, there is really nothing else you HAVE to buy on board- meals, entertainment, are included. ( Remember your tips will be charged if you dont have MTD and already paid for those)We spent $75 a week ago and that was with at least one pair of "drinks" (some were virgin) per day. Had we not bought those, it would have been zero. We spent more on charitable causes, ;)(Philippines relief and Walk for Wishes Make a wish) which we had added to our seapass account- but those were our personal choice!

 

But you do need to budget for excursions, and taxis. We spent over 200 on 2 RCL excursions paid in advance and another 500+ on private excursions and tips for those excursions. That's easily the cost of another person cruising, so that one can sneak up on you!

Edited November 30, 2013 by Familygoboston

[C Cruise Dude]

i actually have a couple questions. my husband is concerned about sea sickness although we are scheduled to go in september (we are open to changing the date) is there certain times of year that the waters are calmer. also, in an unrelated question. what is the minimum to have in onboard account and what would you recommend for people that don't drink and wont be eating at specialty resturaunts?

 

 

Seabands are good for sea sickness. My cruisemate used them. The queasiness was coming on and he would put the bands on and it went away. You can pick them up at CVS, Walmart, etc. I take chewable Bonine with me but have never used them.

 

The onboard account is usually attached to a credit card but you can pay cash. Have a great cruise.

 

 

[see.legs]

i was wondering the minimum but we are planning on prepaying or all excursions and gratuities as well as the drink package. but know i must have money on account incase something comes up.

[oneputt18]

i was wondering the minimum but we are planning on prepaying or all excursions and gratuities as well as the drink package. but know i must have money on account incase something comes up.

 

Just set up a cash account and unless you spend $500 you won't have to pay until the end of the cruise. If you do get to $500 guest services will call you and you will have to pay down your account to continue charging.

If you are pre paying everything then you will only need to charge things like souvenirs or any onboard store purchases.

 

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[micmacmissy]

September is hurricane season. Also, I think heading east to Bermuda makes for a bumpier ride than the more protected caribbean.

[seeriteR]

i was wondering the minimum but we are planning on prepaying or all excursions and gratuities as well as the drink package. but know i must have money on account incase something comes up.

 

Each cruise line is different but most require you to open an on board account. The preferred method is to use a credit card. They will not charge your card for what you owe until the end of the cruise. They may (or will) put a hold on the account for $60 per day per person. This isn't unreasonable. The same thing happens when you check into a hotel.

 

You can also deposit cash up front, likely $300 per person. You will have to settle the account before you leave. Be advised, there could be a long line! Check you cruise lines On Board Account policy.

 

During your cruise, you can check your account at the front desk and correct anything you find wrong. I have never had a problem but some people have. You will especially want to review your account prior to disembarking the ship because once you leave, they will bill you whatever is on your account.

 

Hope you have a great cruise!

Edited December 1, 2013 by kzf3m8

[DragonOfTheSeas]

i was wondering the minimum but we are planning on prepaying or all excursions and gratuities as well as the drink package. but know i must have money on account incase something comes up.

 

A drinks package is a good buy for some passengers. It would not be for DH and myself.

 

JMHO--Average drinks/wine are around $7-$10 each. The drinks package is $55 per day. I would need to drink at least 6 drinks per day--every day, even on port days to make that work for me. Before you buy the package decide if it works for you.

[cb at sea]

ANYTIME can be rough...or calm.....hurricane "season" simply means that hurricanes are possible. That doesn't mean the seas will be rough!

[John Henry on CC]

Concerning your onboard account - generally, you would put down a credit card when you sign in and all charges on your sea card will go to that card. If you re using cash, I think the minimum amount down is $500, but I am not sure. You will have gratuities (@$11/day per person) and any other charges (soft drinks, spa, casino, shops, etc)you may make. Any ships excursions will also go on your account.

 

I hope this helps.

Gratuities are $12 a day per person. (regular cabins up to JS)

 

$14.25 in GS and up.

[Keith1010]

You just never know when you sail what the seas will be like.

 

Keith

[RadioBroadcaster]

September is hurricane season so make sure you bring some dramamine or ask your doctor for a prescription patch to wear. Its also important to make sure you room is located midship on floors 7 or 8. This is a more stable area and you will not feel the motion of the ship as bad.

If you don't drink, won't be eating at speciality resturaunts (totally not worth it), won't be buying the over priced items at the shops or getting over priced spa services then I would suggest $100 on your account.

You don't have to dress up for formal night. A nice pair of slacks and a top for a female or dress and for the male docker pants and a collard shirt will be perfect.

Bring a sweater to wear for the shows.

Make sure you bring sunscreen and aloe. Its very expensive to buy on board.

[fam2cruise]

We set up our account linked to a credit card but then pay down our account using cash to avoid charges to our card in the end. On our recent Carnival cruise there was a kiosk where you could check your S&S account and pay cash on it there without waiting at Guest Services.

 

 

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[canuckcruiselover]

We set up our account linked to a credit card but then pay down our account using cash to avoid charges to our card in the end. On our recent Carnival cruise there was a kiosk where you could check your S&S account and pay cash on it there without waiting at Guest Services.

 

 

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Depending on your credit card billing cycle, and whether your card has benefits such as airmiles, IMO it's best not to pay off your account in cash while still on the ship. Holds will be placed on your account every time you add an expense but the final bill is not processed until the last day.

[hellsop]

Depending on your credit card billing cycle, and whether your card has benefits such as airmiles, IMO it's best not to pay off your account in cash while still on the ship. Holds will be placed on your account every time you add an expense but the final bill is not processed until the last day.

 

Many credit card (probably most) don't actually use those holds to limit spending. Debit cards, on the other hand, mostly do.

[panoramaofthepast]

Thanks, John Henry. Different lines, different costs.

[Robinola]

That time of year is great. You never know with weather these days.

Avoid dramamine at all costs unless you want a really good sleep.

Bonine is best. No drowsiness. Start taking two days before you leave and take periodically throughout to avoid any upsets. I've cruised quite a bit with no problems, and yet on my last was indeed queazy at some times due to rough seas. You just never know. Be prepared!

[DaNana]

You would be well served to read the reviews for your ship from this year to get an idea of how the seas were. You might want to go back 2 years and read them. I haven't been in September. We had the worse seas on Liberty about 6 years ago this time of year. Big ship but we had to hang onto the walls to keep from going back and forth. High winds other times have not effected the ship like that one time. Enjoy your cruise!:)