ltjdennis Posted February 20, 2014 #1 Share Posted February 20, 2014 What would be your one most important advice for a new cruiser? Going on Carnival Ecstasy to Key West and Cozumel in April! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ehpride Posted February 20, 2014 #2 Share Posted February 20, 2014 Triple check that you have your documentation and money. You can buy most everything else if you forget it, but not if they don't let you on the ship! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
papcx Posted February 20, 2014 #3 Share Posted February 20, 2014 Plan, but don't over plan. Go with the flow. You may never see your fellow passengers again (or you may make lifelong friends) so do things you wouldn't normally do. Is there only one best piece of advice? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meggie711 Posted February 20, 2014 #4 Share Posted February 20, 2014 It's what you make it! Go with the idea of having a great time, and don't let it be wrecked by weather, a wrong food order, or a crew member who doesn't bend over and personally kiss your behind. Try food you've never tried, or do something you've never done. It will be an unforgettable experience.. You will have a fantastic time! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nybumpkin Posted February 20, 2014 #5 Share Posted February 20, 2014 Don't think you need to do everything, especially on a shorter cruise. Pace yourself. I think it took us three cruises on the same ship (Carnival Victory) before we found everything the ship had to offer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alliezona09 Posted February 20, 2014 #6 Share Posted February 20, 2014 If you don't have a passport make sure you have the correct birth certificate~ certified from the state ( https://www.vitalchek.com/birth-certificates if you need to order one) and 16 and up need a government issued photo ID card~ And remember not to leave your manners at home~ smile, say thank you, excuse me when the situation calls for it~! Most of all have a blast!! :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashland Posted February 20, 2014 #7 Share Posted February 20, 2014 Don't overpack...Lay out what you think you'll need and then pack what you really need ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCruisers Posted February 20, 2014 #8 Share Posted February 20, 2014 What would be your one most important advice for a new cruiser? Going on Carnival Ecstasy to Key West and Cozumel in April! Hi! Noticed this is your first post and also your first cruise. Welcome to Cruise Critic and the Wonderful World of Cruising! :) The most important thing is to take all of the documents you are required to have to board the ship. Also, go on line and print your boarding passes and luggage tags. Please don't hesitate to ask if you have any other questions. Someone here will be happy to reply. We were all "first time" cruisers once. Expect to have a fantastic cruise! :D LuLu ~~~~ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FoghornLeghorn Posted February 20, 2014 #9 Share Posted February 20, 2014 Welcome to Cruise Critic! My advice....if you are flying, always fly in a day early. Spend the money on a hotel at the port area. It's worth NOT missing your cruise because of weather delays, mechanical delays, medical problems or whatever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warm Breezes Posted February 20, 2014 #10 Share Posted February 20, 2014 What would be your one most important advice for a new cruiser? Going on Carnival Ecstasy to Key West and Cozumel in April! Don't expect a 5 star experience on 3 star prices. If you do you may find yourself disappointed with your experience. If you don't you may find yourself pleasantly surprised and have an awesome vacation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EdmPair Posted February 20, 2014 #11 Share Posted February 20, 2014 Eat at least a few meals in the big dining room -- ya did pay for it in your fare. Read the listings they put in your cabin for the next day and pick something new. Couples can get separated and still have fun -- perhaps more. Eat your veggies. I guess it was more than ONE idea. Too bad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparky-elpaso Posted February 20, 2014 #12 Share Posted February 20, 2014 Prepare to be hooked. :) One thing I like to do is check out the ports in Google Earth. You can sometimes see exactly where the ship might dock (because there's one in the picture) and where things like restaurants, tourist areas, shops, etc are located. Can help you decide if you want to take an excursion or if you can just stroll around the area on your own. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul929207 Posted February 20, 2014 #13 Share Posted February 20, 2014 Relax and don't sweat the small stuff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UPGrandma Posted February 20, 2014 #14 Share Posted February 20, 2014 First, as other posters have said, do eat in the main dining room and try something new. If you don't like it, they will bring you something else if you ask. If all the appetizers look good, your meal can be all appetizers. Second: take the stairs as much as possible - it's often faster and you will burn more calories. Have to add a third: check out the deck plans before you go, there are outdoor bars and indoor bars tucked all over. We found a favorite on each of our two cruises. Hope you come back hooked on cruising like all of us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexspepa Posted February 20, 2014 #15 Share Posted February 20, 2014 (edited) What would be your one most important advice for a new cruiser? Going on Carnival Ecstasy to Key West and Cozumel in April! you have the perfect itenerary to enjoy my favorite Port Pastime - "The Watching of the Pier Runners!" Grab your favorite beverage and head up top to watch all the people who in the words of one Captain "tell time with a calendar, not a watch". Cheer if they run - boo if they walk - throw things if they saunter. (ok not the last one). Be sure and bring binoculars for when you pull away - you might get a rare sighting of someone being handed their safe's contents by the cruise agent; OK I don't really hope that happens but it does. Seriously - be the one watching not being watched - be sure and get back to the ship an hour before she sails. Edited February 20, 2014 by alexspepa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marco Posted February 20, 2014 #16 Share Posted February 20, 2014 Don't overpack...Lay out what you think you'll need and then pack what you really need ;) After you lay out what you think you'll need, bring HALF of it, then you'll only be minimally overpacked! LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donaldsc Posted February 20, 2014 #17 Share Posted February 20, 2014 Don't read any reviews of your tour or your ship after you have booked your trip. DON Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexspepa Posted February 20, 2014 #18 Share Posted February 20, 2014 Don't read any reviews of your tour or your ship after you have booked your trip. DON that is a Great one! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SPacificbound Posted February 20, 2014 #19 Share Posted February 20, 2014 Don't go in with pre-conceived expectations. Go in as though you are experiencing something new, because you are. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lawblond7 Posted February 20, 2014 #20 Share Posted February 20, 2014 Let your credit card company & bank if you use an ATM or debit card that you are leaving the country Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janice2348 Posted February 20, 2014 #21 Share Posted February 20, 2014 Welcome to Cruise Critic! Make sure you check your luggage if you are taking more than a carry on. We learned this the hard way, lugging heavy bags through the Windjammer:eek: Also, the Windjammer is not the only onboard place to have lunch on embarkation day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mist_ynight Posted February 21, 2014 #22 Share Posted February 21, 2014 (edited) You can eat all 3 meals in the main dining room if you want. We try to have breakfast and lunch at least once in the main dining room. If you don't like something don't hesitate to order something else. Don't feel like you have to do everything. Take some time to relax too, unless you like to be on the go, then do everything you want. It's your choice :) Sent from my iPhone using Forums Edited February 21, 2014 by Mist_ynight Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SadieN Posted February 21, 2014 #23 Share Posted February 21, 2014 Let your credit card company & bank if you use an ATM or debit card that you are leaving the country Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app ..........and make sure they won't expire during your vacation. Bring a small med kit--including Immodium. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qshari Posted February 21, 2014 #24 Share Posted February 21, 2014 You will love cruising and will probably go many times after this first one. Don't feel like you have to do everything nor buy everything such as every picture you have taken, the huge sale at the shops etc. Relax and have a blast and know you will soon be addicted to cruising like the rest of us. : ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruisin' Chick Posted February 21, 2014 #25 Share Posted February 21, 2014 Many good suggestions. I always advise people to get to their embarkation port at least a day early (unless they live very close -- we're an hour's drive from the Port of LA but even then we always leave in the morning by 10am). As soon as you're thinking about taking a cruise, find out what documentation you need and if a passport, get it ordered (sometimes it might only take a few weeks, but it's worth getting it). Double check you bring it and your driver's license, credit card, etc. Do check out the cruiseline's website. Lots of good info there, including about your ship. I believe Carnival does have a FAQ on their site. Many people here will refer to names of places on the lines they go on (I notice someone mentioned the Windjammer, but that buffet is on Royal Caribbean ships and not on Carnival). Don't overplan. Some people feel they need to figure out what they're going to do every second of the vacation. Sometimes just taking it easy is good. You'll get a daily newsletter every night for the next day that will list activities and entertainment so there's no need to think about these ahead of time. For ports, you can read up on them with guidebooks and by googling each port and look at the ports' and tourism sites. Don't feel you have to go on excursions in each one -- you can even just go to a beach, if that's what you want or tour the port. Just be sure to be back on the ship by the time listed in the ship's newsletter (that's not the "sailaway time" btw). I always take the newsletter and we both check our watches against the ship's time before getting off the ship. Before you head to the pier, put any valuables, passport/other docs, medications, a bottle of sunscreen in your carry on. Give your suitcase to a porter with a tip when you get to the cruise terminal and eventually that day it'll get to your cabin. It used to be that on Carnival, cabins were available when first boarding, but that may have changed, so you'll have your carry ons to watch over until your cabin is available. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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