1st cruise, ports and transfers

[Noo74]

Hi All

 

First time cruising and am looking at an Eastern Caribbean cruise in March on RC Independance of the Seas. Can anyone help me with advice on cabins (quieter location) preferable, do you have to get the transfers via Royal Caribbean or has anyone sorted their own out with success/less cost etc. We would sail from Fort Lauderdale. It's just my partner and I going as a belated 40th birthday present. Any advice would be very much appreciated as I have to say my head is already spinning with info!

 

Thanks

[Cruising Golfer]

It's your cruise, do it your way!!! Just call RCCL and book with them as you most likely don't have a TA.

Check the web site first and find a cabin that is not above or below noisy areas, like dance clubs, food courts and the such.

First cruises are a new and different way to vacation, just go with the flow and learn from it for your next cruise.

We stay away from preplanned shore trips, as it is better for us to treck out on our own. We seem to see more that way.

Go with an open mind and enjoy the cruise, I am sure it won't be your last!!!

Come back with any other questions you have... That's what we are here for!:D

Edited January 1, 2015 by Cruising Golfer

[Sixtytwo]

Welcome to cruising and Cruise Critic! This first step is a life changing journey! Prepare to be hooked on cruising.

 

In case you have not found them yet, go to the ports of call and the roll call boards for your cruise. You will find a lot of information about the ship and the ports you will visit. You may determine that some things you'd like to do can be done easily without going through RCCL and others might be best to book through the ship.

 

Relax. Read. Enjoy your cruise! It is a truly awesome experience!

[Noo74]

Thank you...think this site is great, can't believe the info you can tap in to

[borasue]

Thank you...think this site is great, can't believe the info you can tap in to

 

It truly is one of the best, helpful social forums I've ever seen! We took our first cruise last May and were immediately hooked. I did a ton of research here before the trip and felt totally prepared. Best bits of advice… join your roll call, visit the ports boards, and use the search feature! For your first cruise you may want to consider sticking with the ship's excursions, or doing a mix of independent and ship's… just to find your comfort level. We did both. And that thing everyone says about "take fewer clothes"…. absolutely true! :p

 

Relax and enjoy your cruise. Happy New Year.

[LHT28]

You do not need the cruise line transfer to/from the airport to ship

 

take a taxi

Recommend you fly in a day or more early book your own hotel not through the cruise line

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=495

 

As other have said look in the Ports of Call forum for things you may like to do

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=5

Then decide if you can DIY or use the tours from the cruise line

 

Be sure to join the roll call for your sailing this is where you will meet other on the same cruise & maybe share private tours

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=457

 

most of all enjoy

Edited January 1, 2015 by LHT28

[Krazy Kruizers]

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

 

The Ft Lauderdale airport is very close to the port -- take a taxi. There are tons of them in Ft Lauderdale.

 

Definitely join your Roll Call and see what others are doing on your cruise.

 

Once you have taken that first cruise -- you will be hooked.

[Noo74]

Thank you all so much - much appreciated :) I will be sure to check all these out....I have a feeling I could get hooked on cruising!

[attilamom1217]

Welcome to cruise critic and the world of cruising.

 

The best way to have a quiet cabin is to choose one with cabins above AND below. this way, the theater, pool, etc will not be right on top or below your cabin.

 

As others have stated, the airport at Ft. Lauderdale is 10 minutes from the cruise terminal. Fare will be approximately $15/$20 dollars.

 

You can either all call Royal Caribbean to book or you can book through a Travel Agent. Some travel agents offer amenities such as onboard credit, bottle of wine, dinner at a specialty restaurant....

 

It's up to you. the actual price of the cruise will be the same whether you go through the cruise line or a travel agent. Note that if you use a travel agent, the cruise line will not answer your questions. you will have to call your travel agent. If you have any issues however, sometimes it is a good to have a TA to serve as your advocate dealing with the cruise line. I personally prefer a TA, but there are many on CC who book directly through the cruise line. It is your preference.

 

Enjoy your cruise. Be warned however, that cruising is addictive!!! :eek: :D

[Noo74]

Thank you Debbi

 

Really helpful and I'll certainly take on board what you've said about a TA.

 

Happy New Year!

[wassup4565]

On the RCI site, you can find your ship and look at deck plans for every deck. This is how you can find out whether something noisy is located above or below your possible cabin.

 

It looked daunting to me too before my first cruise. But remember this: the cruise line wants to give you a wonderful experience (and they will). If you do nothing else but throw a few clothes and a bathing suit in your suitcase, you will have a great time. All the rest of the advice on CC is icing on the cake (and sprinkles). Useful, interesting, helpful. But still icing.

[PokerStarNH]

Hi,

Pick a cabin in the middle with a hotel floor above and below.

We've flown in the same day of the cruise if we can get a direct flight and the cruise departs late. Otherwise, we go in the day before.

It depends on the port wether or not to stick to cruise line excursions. We've done both. One thing to know is the ship will wait if one of its tours is late. But it will not wait if you are late on your own. It's great fun to watch the people running down the pier!

Many times the cruise line cursing are slightly more expensive than book your own but they can be more convenient.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Cruisin' Chick]

Since it's your first cruise, you might want to ask your friends, family members, co-workers who have been on a cruise if they can recommend "a cruise specialist," a TA who is knowledgeable about cruises. You have already picked out your ship and sailing date, but it's helpful to have someone you can get on the phone or email with any questions you have. Go with a brick and mortar place if possible too. If you go through Royal Caribbean, they may be telling you to buy everything (transfers, air, hotel) through them, and that's not needed most of the time.

 

Definitely go at least a day ahead of your cruise to FLL. Stay the night and you'll be relaxed the morning of your cruise. Many hotels near the port might actually shuttle you there for free (check their website or call to confirm this). We also like being able to go to a local store to pick up wine, soda, etc., but you should check the Royal Caribbean website to see what's allowed and what's not.

 

Any public library should have guide books you can look at about the area. If you find one you like, go on Amazon (or if you're lucky to have a bookstore) and get the most recent edition. I also will google each port -- there will be many tourism sites.

[Noo74]

:D:) I'm hooked. My partner works away and he cannot believe how much research I've done :rolleyes:! I had to own up and tell him about this fab community of people I've met who should be cruise TA themselves!