First time Cruiser leaving This Sunday!! Helpful Tips??

[Tmg23]

Hi Everyone!

 

My family and I will be cruising on the breeze this Sunday! This will be our first cruise ever. I am 24, my brother is 22 and my mom is 57. We are booked in a balcony on the 8th deck. We also have FTTF! I would love for someone to give any helpful tips about the breeze and/or cruising in general! :) Thank you in advance.

 

 

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[Mutumbojimbo]

The Breeze is amazing, and I'm sure you'll have a great time. Make sure to read your Funtimes so you know what's going on every day.

 

I really enjoyed the breakfast burritos from Blue Iguana, and lunch is complimentary at Cucina del Capitano.

 

There will be a complimentary liquor tasting on the first night at the fun shops, if you're in to that sort of thing.

 

Most importantly, relax and have a great time!!

[Yazoo cruiser]

Go with a positive attitude and enjoy. There might be a few hiccups, just like with a land vacation, it might rain a day or two, don't get down and let it ruin your vacation. There is always plenty to do on the ship, don't try to do everything. You can't. Read your fun times daily and find what you will really enjoy and go for . One VERY IMPORTANT rule. If you go on an excursion be sure you are back at the scheduled time. Some think the ship won't leave without you. THEY WILL, I have seen people left in port waving at the ship as it sails away. HAVE Fun and let us know how you enjoyed when you get back. Pretty sure you will be hooked on cruising, most people are.

[bury me at sea]

Double check to make sure you have all required documents and any medications in your carry-on. Put luggage tags on your bags before you get to the port.

 

Relax and enjoy.

[momonthego17]

Room service is free! Make sure u have a couple bucks to tip the person delivering it. Also, u can write up a room service order the night before indicating what u want for breakfast and what time u want it delivered. Hang it outside of your door. Enjoy!

 

 

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[Fla Senior]

1. Go to lunch at Capitano de Cucino early in cruise before everyone finds out that it's free.

 

2. Have a Guy's Double Ringer.

 

3. Get in line early on sea days for Fat Boy's BBQ.

 

4. The yellow chairs/umbrellas outside Ocean Plaza by Fat Boy's is usually a quiet place to chill. (when BBQ is not open)

 

5. Enjoy Red Frog Pub, especially the $3.33 wings. Also look for DeWayne (bar server in Red Frog). If he's there, tell him Free Beer said hello.

 

6. Go with an open mind, don't sweat the small things and have a great cruise. You will always remember the first one.

[lazyart]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/ftc/?src=nav

[stefs111]

Get to the port by 10:30 or 11am, even if you have to wait an hour or an hour and a half, there are so many people to talk to about cruising and everyone is so excited.

 

Hope you are staying at least one nite at a hotel before the cruise and not coming in the day of

 

Wear your bathing suits with cover up or under your clothes in case your room is not ready yet, you will want to go to lunch and then lounge by the pool.

 

Bring a highlighter so you can highlight things you are interested in doing in the Fun Times, which comes the nite before to your room.

 

Order a pot of coffee or tea and juices and croissants, make sure to also order cream and sugar and butter if you want it, if you don't, they don't automatically put it on your tray. Relax and enjoy it on your balcony, and then go get some breakfast at the buffet or Dining room.

 

You can make your cruise as exciting and full of activities as you want, or make it as relaxing as you want. Its all up to what you decide to do.

 

If your balcony only has two chairs, ask room attendant for another one, make sure to give him a few dollars for doing this for you.

 

Just enjoy the fact that you are at sea. It is an amazing experience. Enjoy!!!

[crusinpsychRN]

You can go to the casino and have your sail and sign card punched and put on a lanyard--then you won't lose it! or have to keep finding it.

 

Don't try to do everything. Relax and enjoy!

 

The Fun Times has a tear off strip with the daily activities so you don't have to carry the whole thing.

 

They don't bring ice to the cabin unless you ask now.

 

Even numbered cabins are port, odd are starboard.

 

You won't need all those shoes you packed!:eek:

[Cruisin 4 Ever]

You only need about half of what you packed.

Go to guest services and ask for a deck of cards. It's a great souvenir and it's free

Spend time on your balcony. Morning tea and coffee while sitting on the balcony is paradise

[thomarvin]

1. Go to Target or similar and get a little adapter (picture below) there is usually only 1 outlet in the cabin and you wont be able to charge all your devices. I paid $5 at Target

 

2. While you are there grab and old fashioned clock (battery is best, see above). One that doesnt set the time automatically. There are no clocks in the cabins and Iphones CAN change timezones on their own and you want to remain on ships time if you go ashore. So bring a watch too so you dont miss the ship. That wouldn't be good:eek: Remember to shut Data off on your phones so you don't get a big surprise bill when you get home. Better yet, put them in the safe and leave them there. You are on vacation.

 

3. Put half of your clothes back. Mix and match. No one will notice you have the same thing on more than once. You will probably be in a swimsuit most of the time and things can be worn more than once.

 

4. Bring some plastic hangers and clothes pins. there is a string in the shower to hang wet swimsuits but its very small. hang things on the hangers and put that on the string. You can dry things on the chairs on your balcony but I pin them to the chairs too. this however is frowned upon.

 

5. Look into the cheers program if you like to have adult beverages. If you have more than just a couple of drinks a day, it might work well. Do some math and see if it is beneficial for you. But all 3 of you would have to get it.

 

6. Bring a pop up hamper to throw in the corner to keep the room tidy. store your suitcases under the beds.

 

7. If you like coffee. the cups are really small. We bring either paper coffee cups ($3 for 12) and then can throw them out or bring a travel mug. We also bring a tray from your local coffee shop, or fast food place to carry multiple drinks back to the cabin and then throw out last day.

 

8.Bring some over the counter meds in case you get sick. They charge a fortune for an asprin.

 

9. Have a great time and remember to sign up for CAA (Cruise Addicts Anonymous) when you return :D

Edited August 23, 2014 by thomarvin

[bsw620]

Bring a watch, when you get off the ship you need to stay on ship time. The time in ports may be different and your cell phone will change time automatically so you also cannot go by that time. I never wear a watch so this is one I always have to remember!

 

 

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[cruisenanny]

You can order as many apps, entrees and desserts as you would like in the main dining room at dinner time. So many new cruisers thing they must choose just one of each and some waiters will not tell you otherwise.

My daughter was on MANY cruises with us as a child and into her teens, last year she took a cruise with her new husband (who loves to eat) and when I was chatting with her about their experience she said her hubby often left dinner kind of hungry so he wasn't a huge fan of MDR dinner. I said "Honey he could order as much and as many things as his heart desired!!" She had completely forgotten!

[PROCRUISE]

Consider signing up at the excursion desk or guest relations, as soon as you board, for the Behind The Scenes Tour. It is rather pricey but if you've never been on a ship before it would be very interesting, and most people who have taken this tour enjoyed it. Enjoy your cruise, The Breeze is CCL's best ship. :)

Edited August 23, 2014 by PROCRUISE

[momonthego17]

Yes, super important point about turning off your data on your cell. We put our phones on "airplane mode" and then put them in the safe. Don't check your texts or voicemail because you will get a big bill for international usage.

 

Did anyone mention going to tea on sea days? Nice break from the sun. Check your fun times.

 

Remember that you are allowed a 750 ml bottle of wine or champagne per legal adult in your party. Pack the bottle/s in your carry on, not your checked luggage.

 

I like keeping a journal while we are cruising. I jot down brief info about what we did, saw, ate, and later you can read it and relive the cruise all over again. And you can turn it into a review, post on CC and entertain us :)

 

 

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[Carnival Cutie]

Since this is your first cruise I would bring something for motion sickness. I swear by Sea Bands. You put them on your wrists. As someone mentioned earlier the prices for OTC medications are ridiculous. A few years ago I looked for cold medicine in the gift shop and they wanted almost $20 for it! Needless to say I suffered until I got to my next port and bought it there, still expensive but much cheaper than on board.

 

More importantly, ENJOY YOUR CRUISE!! Have a good time for me, I'll be sailing on the Breeze next month and can't wait!:)

[grandmacani]

Make sure to go to the lanai and sit on the old fashion type glider swing. Have a drink there and enjoy the views.

[Delta Dear]

If is fun and delicious to order banana split for dessert in the main dining room. It is on the kids menu but adults can order it, too.

 

Take plenty of single one dollar bills for tips.

 

 

 

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[JimAOk1945]

Relax and enjoy yourself. Take lots of pictures so you will have a pictorial view of the cruise from your own personal viewpoint to look back on in the years to come. Your first cruise is something very special.

 

If you get a chance, sometime after you return from your cruise, come back here to Cruise Critic and tell us about your cruise.

 

Happy cruising! It's a fantastic way to travel!

[ReneeFLL]

We really like to carry our sea pass card and some cash in one of these while in port. We bought the ones with a lanyard and keep it tucked inside our shirts. They also come in different colors. You can find them at sporting goods stores, dive shops and I think places like Walmart. While at home we keep our boat key in it while diving. Would be handy for people going to the beach since they are waterproof.

http://www.boomerangtool.com/shop/wally-case/

 

These also are a great item since there is never enough storage. The walls are magnetic so they work. We also bought a 65 pound one that would hold a beaded formal gown. The 20 pound hook would slide down even though the dress was not 20 pounds. The closets on Celebrity Eclipse are not tall enough so the bottom of the gown gets wrinkled.

 

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Super-Magnets-Handi-Hook-20-lb-Magnetic-Pull-Hook-07218HD/202639937

[cruse2loose]

You might want to take a insultated mug for your coffee as it will hold more and keep it hot. Also a lidded tumbler for your cool drinks as their cups are small.

Make sure you have extra memory card & batteries for your camera. Your pictures are the best soveniers. Don't be afraid to ask someone to take all 3 of you in a picture together, then offer to take their picture!

Enjoy some of the music. the shows, the comedy shows. Order some out of the ordinary in the dining room. you can order more or as many as you like.

Chocolate melting cake is the number #1 dessert for Carnival, try it, you will know why!

Maybe take a small plastic rain poncho in your bag on port days. Rain storms can come up quickly.

2 bathing suits, one can be drying when you wear the other one. Use plenty of sunscreen, A sunburn is a sure way to ruin a vacation.

If you don't know something or have a question, ask someone. Cruisers are the nicest people.

Disconnect, kick back and relax. Have a great cruise :)

[SnowWhiteNYC]

Wear or carry on a swimsuit for embarkation day. Eat lunch as soon as you get on board. Then put on your swimsuit. Go to the hot tub and/or pool and relax. Resist the urge to explore the ship, take advantage of the time when everyone else is doing that and enjoy just being on vacation. Then when your room is ready, go back and get changed and explore the ship and enjoy the sail away. Depending on your itinerary, we like to stay on board during one port and enjoy the ship without all the people. Sometimes we just pick a port to only spend a little bit of time so that we can enjoy the ship. Above all else, remember that you are on vacation and it is all good! Enjoy.