Give me your best advice for "Newbies"

[Lejardin]

I have a friend who is going on her first cruise (BF and two kids). I have given my best cruise advise on various subjects. What is your best advice for someone who knows basically nothing about cruising. I want to share some collective CC wisdom with her. :)

[Priusprof]

I have a friend who is going on her first cruise (BF and two kids). I have given my best cruise advise on various subjects. What is your best advice for someone who knows basically nothing about cruising. I want to share some collective CC wisdom with her. :)

 

Check the deck plan for what is above and below your cabin. Make sure that the passports don't expire within 6 months of the sail date. Most countries won't let you in if the passport expiration is too close. Don't overpack!

[wendychloecruiser]

The three best things about a cruise? Beach, bathing suit and bartender. Not necessarily in order of priority.

Edited June 18, 2014 by wendychloecruiser

[welshrich]

Tell her to relax and not feel she has to do everything on the cruise compass (unless she has bags of energy and wants to), the cruise will pass by quick enough so enjoy it.

 

In the WJ to take all you want, but eat all you take.

[cb at sea]

A cruise is simply a vacation...there is no "right or wrong" way to do it! She should research her ports...a guidebook is most helpful! You should do that whether it's a cruise or land trip!

There really is nothing that is so specific to cruising that she won't figure it out...and hell, that's half the fun! Don't give a "newbie" too much info....it ruins the discovery process!

[m*u*g*]

My 2cents:

 

Take an extra bag or pack light---to allow for anything you might buy.

Go to the MDR. Food and service is usually the best there.

Explore the ship early in the cruise.

Pre-book shows if possible, and

Know your route to the shows and don't be late (seating)

Bring a highlighter (for the cruise compass-don't do it all)

Bring a watch or two (one should be an automatic or solar type)

Ziploc bags-numerous reasons

Don't spend all your money in the first port (tell my family that one)

And save some for the shuttle back to the airport

Use the room safe (cell phone/cash).

Walk the stairs (if you can)-burns up some of those calories

Post-its--to leave notes (door magnets work also)

Check the expiration date on: passport, credit/debit cards

Arrive at the port 10:30am-11am (Florida)

Bring a refillable water bottle (free lemonade you know)

Share the soda package (except at MDR or restaurants)

If you like being photographed, buy the photo package ahead of time.

[big al]

Ditto on what others have suggested...a few more tips:

 

Remember, you are on a CRUISE VACATION- no work, no cooking, no cleaning, no laundry..your only responsibilities will be where to drink, what shows to see, what excursions to take, what food to order, etc..pretty good choices to have to make!!

 

Once on board, go eat a bite ( if hungry ) , go to your cabin and check it out & drop off carry ons, ( it's ready usually by 1:30 PM), then start exploring the ship..the MOST important areas to know are:

 

Dining room

Pool deck ( including the Adult Solarium)

Main Theater Lounge

Casino ( if you gamble)

Guest Services & excursion desk

Depending on the ship, the following bars/ lounges: Viking Crown Lounge ( top deck), Schooner Bar, British Pub, Vintages Wine Bar , Dazzles Night Club ( On Oasis & Allure), Boleros ( latin dancing)...if on the Oasis or Allure, add Central Park ( at night fantastic!!) , Flowriders, Zip-line, DON'T miss the Aquapark diving show & ice-skating shows ( ice-skating shows also on Freedom & Voyager class, too..)...

GO TO THE SHOWS & entertainment venues, they are fun & part of the cruise expereince!

Try a specialty restaurant like Chops ( $35 PP) or Giavanni's Table ( $20 pp) for a SPECIAL night away from 1000-2000 people eating at the same time & better food, quiet, and romantic!!

Decide what to do in the ports of call & research HERE on the ports of call section..

Be prepared for the locals ( especially in Nassau, Jamaica & Cozumel) to come up to you & ask you to buy this or that, or if you need a tour, or transportation to wherever, etc..some people are put off or even shocked how aggressive some locals can be..remember- for many, this is their livelihood..this is how they eat & pay their bills..just say "no thanks" and keep walking...If you mention what ship you are going on I can give more pointers along with your ports of call you are going to.....

 

Big Al

[hollon]

Trip insurance and get the kind you can "cancel for any reason", you don't think you'll need it UNTIL you do!

 

Sea Sick Meds/and other meds you might take

 

Have fun and not worry about the rest of your family (if you're taking them)

[jules815]

Check the deck plan for what is above and below your cabin. Make sure that the passports don't expire within 6 months of the sail date. Most countries won't let you in if the passport expiration is too close. Don't overpack!

 

I didn't know about the passport thing. My husband and I will be cruising 10/3/15 and our passports expire 2/16. Should we be okay? Only doing eastern Caribbean.

[aurelius180]

Tell her not to read CC before her first cruise and not to go with any expectations. I think our first cruise was so great because we had no idea what to expect and were blown away by the experience and fell in love with cruising.

[SPacificbound]

Tell her not to read CC before her first cruise and not to go with any expectations. I think our first cruise was so great because we had no idea what to expect and were blown away by the experience and fell in love with cruising.

 

To me this is the most important advice. :)

[skipsaur]

Don't be paranoid about getting sea-sick. EVERYONE will be super worried about it before their first cruise and most people come off the ship never having felt wobbly. The ships are mostly just too big to feel anything. If you're worried, either get the prescription seasickness patch from your dr (Scopolamine) - it's a little round dot patch that goes behind your ear that you change every 3 days. Or just go the easier route and get Bonine/Meclizine over the counter to have "just-in-case". Chances are you won't neither either unless you go through really rough seas or you're constantly hanging out in the back of the ship.

 

If they're drinkers, DO check your bill often. Not sure how much they'll indulge with their kids there, but we always get a kick out of people who get their bills on that last day and just go pale from seeing the grand total. You can easily spend more than you anticipated, even for light drinkers, because it's just EVERYWHERE.

 

For the women: pack light on shoes! I have trouble with this one myself and always have at least one pair that I wonder how I convinced myself I needed. BUT on that same note, I do pack for multiple outfits in a day. On port days, I'll usually have a port outfit that's good for whatever excursions/plans we have, a dinner outfit/dress, and another bumming-around outfit to wear after getting back on the ship and cleaning up, or to change into after dinner (hate wearing formal clothes around). Sea days are simpler, just swimsuit and coverup/sundress.

 

Ports: we pick cruises based on the ports, not the ship. I know some people are completely different and love staying on the ship and being pampered, but we travel to see new places, experience different cultures, etc. If that's their thing, tell them don't be afraid to explore for themselves. Most of the best times we've had were taking local taxis/buses, exploring places that excursions don't go to, trying new foods, and getting away from the main strip. Get up early (it's a LOT different to get up with a view of the sunrise on the ocean, flying fish, an island pulling into view, and the idea of a whole new fun day ahead of you, than getting up to go to work in the morning, trust me. You might just turn into a morning person for a week), get off the ship early, don't be afraid to explore and get the most out of your day and your time there. But in the end, it's their vacation and they should do whatever makes them happiest!

[Paulette3028]

Be OPEN to new experiences and do what YOU want to do.....Enjoy, Relax, have FUN!!!

 

Expect to have a GREAT time and you will.

[LA_CA_GAL]

Get familiar with the ship, its decks, venues, and find what would be of interest.

 

In the MDR, if you see three appetizers you like, order all of them. Same thing with entrees, do not hesitate to order two.

 

Take small bills for tipping and excursions. You do not want to buy a $5 souvenir in a foreign port and only have a $20.

 

Bathing suits and T-shirts are the dress for the day. Take lots of them.

 

Drinks you purchase will have a 15% tip added, so no need to add a tip to any drink orders, unless you feel the service merits more tip.

 

When you board the ship, you will be handed a fancy drink. It is NOT free, it is not cheap, so be aware.

[George C]

I agree on bringing a lot of singles and fives unless you want your change in local currancy, also need that to tip for room service, porters etc. If you are on a ship that has a ice show do not miss it

[PerferWarmWeather]

I didn't know about the passport thing. My husband and I will be cruising 10/3/15 and our passports expire 2/16. Should we be okay? Only doing eastern Caribbean.

 

I would renew your passport.

[loubetti]

Tell her not to read CC before her first cruise and not to go with any expectations. I think our first cruise was so great because we had no idea what to expect and were blown away by the experience and fell in love with cruising.

 

I'm another one who agrees with you! I was on probably 30+ cruises before this site ever existed!

[Desert Cruizers]

With all the great advice, no need to repeat, except take each day as it comes, don't worry about little things that happen, just put a smile on your face each day and enjoy meeting new friends. Oh I will add, have your lady friends, wear the low and wider base heels for stability, no spike heels as there is some funny motion where you might feel your walking crooked.:) Have a great cruise.

[lady_cruiser]

This was on the ceiling in our cabin on the Serenade. It controls the volume of the announcements coming directly into your cabin.

 

[TravelerThom]

I didn't know about the passport thing. My husband and I will be cruising 10/3/15 and our passports expire 2/16. Should we be okay? Only doing eastern Caribbean.

For a closed loop Eastern Caribbean cruise you will absolutely be fine not renewing yet. You don't have to have a passport for such a cruise, and even if there is an emergency (unlikely) your still valid passport is valid to get you on a plane back to the US.

 

Thom

[Cheryl H]

Always get to your departure city one day early...saves you from missing a ship due to flight delays, also gives a lost bag a chance to catch up with you before getting on the ship. Plus it's fun to explore the departure city.

 

Plan to get to the terminal before lunch so you can enjoy your first lunch on the ship!

 

Don't stop to take photos of the ship when you arrive at the terminal. I did this and a bus load of people moved on in ahead of us. Duh! I could have taken pictures of the ship every day! Ha!

[luvtravel88]

I didn't know about the passport thing. My husband and I will be cruising 10/3/15 and our passports expire 2/16. Should we be okay? Only doing eastern Caribbean.

 

 

We are cruising the first of September and my husband's passport expires in January. He has already ordered a new passport.

It's not worth taking the chance of getting to the pier and not being allowed to board!

[cruiseguy1016]

My 2cents:

 

Take an extra bag or pack light---to allow for anything you might buy.

Go to the MDR. Food and service is usually the best there.

Explore the ship early in the cruise.

Pre-book shows if possible, and

Know your route to the shows and don't be late (seating)

Bring a highlighter (for the cruise compass-don't do it all)

Bring a watch or two (one should be an automatic or solar type)

Ziploc bags-numerous reasons

Don't spend all your money in the first port (tell my family that one)

And save some for the shuttle back to the airport

Use the room safe (cell phone/cash).

Walk the stairs (if you can)-burns up some of those calories

Post-its--to leave notes (door magnets work also)

Check the expiration date on: passport, credit/debit cards

Arrive at the port 10:30am-11am (Florida)

Bring a refillable water bottle (free lemonade you know)

Share the soda package (except at MDR or restaurants)

If you like being photographed, buy the photo package ahead of time.

 

So it's okay to steal as long as you don't do it in the MDR or restaurants?:mad: Do you teach your kids these methods?

[temple1]

Tell her not to read CC before her first cruise and not to go with any expectations. I think our first cruise was so great because we had no idea what to expect and were blown away by the experience and fell in love with cruising.

 

Best advice! Please share with your friend. Reading the first page I saw several things that are not allowed, doesn't work or just a bad idea.

 

Do not share the soft drink package - because that is stealing.

If you do have a severe problem with sea sickness check with your doctor and get the patch. It goes on Before the cruise, not just in case. For most people over the counter is fine. If you have a problem with motion sickness start it the night before. If you don't know - take a pack of the chewables - they work really fast.

 

My one bit of advice - learn something in advance about the ports you will be visiting and decide on ship sponsored or local excursions.

 

Enjoy the ship and the new experience.

[LA_CA_GAL]

One more.

 

When you meet your cabin steward, introduce yourself. Find out their name, where they are from, ask about their family.

 

They very much appreciate being treated nicely.