Did you ever feel like your head would explode?

[CruisinJamma]

Hi all! I'm new here and new to cruising. My husband and I are hoping to cruise this April (we have to await confirmation on his vacation request). When you were first starting out, did you ever feel like your head would explode with all the information you pumped into it about cruising? I have just recently found this forum, and my brain is scrambled. It's a lot of information to absorb, as I've never really thought about cruising. There is SO much information here -- and a lot of conflicting information. It's such a personal preference type of thing, so figuring things out is a bit confusing. :eek::eek: Anyway, just wanted to say hello. I'm sure I'll be asking lots of questions, so please be gentle with the replies (I will try to search for answers before asking :) ). Have a good day!

[Fitmomd]

I feel the same way sometimes. We are going on our first cruise in April and there is just too many "tips" to remember! I'm still going to try tho lol

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Roz]

You don't need to know everything, or close to everything, in order to enjoy your cruise. Nor do you have to have everything planned down to the last detail ahead of time. Finding things out on your own and discovering things on the ship once you're onboard are part of the fun of being a new cruiser. Welcome aboard!

 

Roz

[Fitmomd]

But what else am I going to do but read all these CC boards while I'm counting down the day until my cruise? ;-)

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[CruisinJamma]

Oh, I know I won't be able to figure it all out. Heck, I can't even figure out which cruise line to go with for the first time around. LOL. :D

[paul929207]

For our first cruise, we went to a TA and she recommended one. We haven't looked back.

[CTCruiser001]

Oh, I know I won't be able to figure it all out. Heck, I can't even figure out which cruise line to go with for the first time around. LOL. :D

 

Allow me to suggest Norwegian Cruise Lines. :D

 

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Forums mobile app

[TruckerDave]

Nope, not at all......but than again, I am the type of person who will just buy a last minute plane ticket and go someplace with no set agenda and just explore.

[MMOMOM]

Hi all! I'm new here and new to cruising. My husband and I are hoping to cruise this April (we have to await confirmation on his vacation request). When you were first starting out, did you ever feel like your head would explode with all the information you pumped into it about cruising? I have just recently found this forum, and my brain is scrambled. It's a lot of information to absorb, as I've never really thought about cruising. There is SO much information here -- and a lot of conflicting information. It's such a personal preference type of thing, so figuring things out is a bit confusing. :eek::eek: Anyway, just wanted to say hello. I'm sure I'll be asking lots of questions, so please be gentle with the replies (I will try to search for answers before asking :) ). Have a good day!

 

Take a minute to breath! LOL!! :) It is all overwhelming, but just be comfortable with what works for you! We took our first cruise on a lark ... got an email on a really cheap, short Carnival Cruise and said, 'what the heck, let's give it a try and see if we even like cruising'!! We did, but then thought, maybe we should try another line. Got another email for a very attractive deal on a JS. We booked a FABULOUS cruise (this is several years ago, when the Voyager of the Seas Class was the biggest ship) on the Adventure of the Seas out of Puerto Rico with a Port every day and one sea day .... we were hooked! It takes awhile to learn things, but this board can be very helpful. And, also, don't forget, like any board where people are interactive, you have to take some things with a grain of salt and not everything as law. Lots of people have lots of different opinions, likes and dislikes. I will tell you, I've never had a bad cruise. We've cruised on several different lines and still like Royal Caribbean the best. It just works for us. However, that being said, we'd still like to try Celebrity and Princess, we loved our cruise on HAL's Eurodam. We weren't crazy about NCL's Epic, but still had a great time and there were things we weren't crazy about with Carnival, but not only did we have a good time, we wouldn't hesitate to go with them again if the timing and the price was right. It's a great cruise world out there and lots to enjoy! Just enjoy and be comfortable with what works for you! :)

[cb at sea]

Nope...it's just a vacation! Sometimes, I get mighty excited...but that's true of any trip!

Edited January 14, 2015 by cb at sea

[serene56]

Hi all! I'm new here and new to cruising. My husband and I are hoping to cruise this April (we have to await confirmation on his vacation request). When you were first starting out, did you ever feel like your head would explode with all the information you pumped into it about cruising? I have just recently found this forum, and my brain is scrambled. It's a lot of information to absorb, as I've never really thought about cruising. There is SO much information here -- and a lot of conflicting information. It's such a personal preference type of thing, so figuring things out is a bit confusing. :eek::eek: Anyway, just wanted to say hello. I'm sure I'll be asking lots of questions, so please be gentle with the replies (I will try to search for answers before asking :) ). Have a good day!

 

 

is this your first cruise? if so just get on the ship and enjoy. dont worry about doing it all or fitting it all in.

The only thing you need to know is when are you going.? (fly in the night before)

how do you get to the ship

and where your cabin is located.

 

Conflicting information comes from changes that have happened over the course of time. Stay away from old posts. Read posts from the last 6 months..

[AmberCascades]

To me "just a vacation" is when I go to the cottage. :D

 

Since we started cruising in the last couple of years, every one has been "the trip of a lifetime!" in my mind. :) They've all been different but so lovely.

 

Do you know where you want to go, OP? If you have some idea of a destination or two, Frommers and Fodors have guidebooks about cruising. At the beginning of their books they break down the various cruise lines by what they offer, size of ships, passenger demographic, etc. to give you some idea of which cruise line might suit you best.

 

For our first cruise we just decided on Alaska. The vacation time had already been set so we took a cruise that fit into the time I was allowed for vacation. It happened to be with Celebrity and we also got the beverage package and paid gratuities. It turns out that Celebrity suits us very well, although we have tried a couple of other lines.

 

I find the planning and researching fun. But others just wing it and they are fine with that. Good luck!

[griffy116]

How funny. We did the same thing. Super deal on Carnival cruise, then took advice of a Travel agent and booked Royal Caribbean for my parents 50th Wedding Anniversary and loved the line so much we consider other lines but we only got to cruise once (occasionally twice) a year, we know what to expect, the product we get and love Royal. Didn't discover CC until after several cruises. We were tipping in addition to the 15% on every drink order. We were purchasing every photo, booking all excursions through the cruise line, felt like we had to treat formal night like a red carpet event and didn't dream of wearing a pair of slacks or top more than once for fear the waiter would recognize it. Paid for a lot of things that we no longer need or want on a cruise. Right now we have a cruise booked on Royal, but we are contemplating a cruise on Celebrity during the holidays this year or an NCL cruise to Hawaii next summer. Enjoy it and don't let it stress you out. The planning is lots of fun.

[KayFit]

My first cruise is this month, Jan 30th on NCL Gem. I just recently also join CC. It's a lot of information to read through. I have become addicted. I read sometimes for hours. I already had my cruise booked prior to joining CC. I chose NCL because I could drive to the port (NCL) and the dates of sailing was around my birthday. CC has helped me a lot with port excursions, meeting people on my same ship, dinner options, cabin options (changed from inside to obstructed view), and also what to pack. I'm looking forward to my cruise but at times I do get overwhelmed with all the information I read on CC.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[Traveller21x2]

As a traveller who started with my parents in my younger years at the camping places the travel world changed a lot.

Step by step I built my own travel.

 

But cruising is new for me and I always say google is my best friend and CC showed up.

Reading and reading ,called a agent.

I'm looking forward to my first cruise.

[trish1c]

The way I avoid that is start eliminating options.

 

First you figure out when you want to go. That eliminates every other time of the year.

 

Then you figure out a budget. A cruise on a luxury line will be more than a weekend trip to the Bahamas.

 

Figure out where you generally want to go: Caribbean, Alaska, Mediterranean, something more exotic.

 

Now how long will you go? Let's say 1 week / 7 days since it's your 1st trip.

 

What is the closest cruise port to you?

 

The more you can narrow down, the less overwhelming it will be.

[leeruss1]

2 questions for experienced cruisers: 1 - Are there lockers for belongings at the Nachi Cocom beach break? Where do you leave your stuff? wallet, jewelery etc?

and 2- If you don't purchase a beverage packageon the ship, what beverages are included at no extra charge? Thanks in advance for answers.

Edited January 14, 2015 by leeruss1

[trish1c]

2 questions for experienced cruisers: 1 - Are there lockers for belongings at the Nachi Cocom beach break? Where do you leave your stuff? wallet, jewelery etc?

and 2- If you don't purchase a beverage packageon the ship, what beverages are included at no extra charge? Thanks in advance for answers.

 

I have never seen lockers at the beaches.

 

Included beverages vary by cruise line but usually water, lemonade, ice tea, coffee, & tea Juices are available at breakfast.

 

You don't have to buy a drinks package. You can order ala cart & be charged for what you drink. It's silly to pay $50+ per day if all you want is one drink with dinner.

[Talisker92]

One thing that helped us was to either download or tear out the ship layout diagrams for the decks. Do not bother with the passenger decks. That way you can find you way around easier. The plans also show where all the bathrooms are:)

You can locate the dining rooms, show lounges, passenger service deck, and shore excursion deck for example.

By ship plan I mean like looking down to the deck. Princess gives out ones that show show the side view, which is almost useless.

I have attached a sample deck plan for the Golden Princess

Edited January 15, 2015 by Talisker92

[MMR555]

Very excited about our first cruise on NCL Escape Dec 2015. I love all the information....it's fun to read. I know that I don't need to know everything but I like to be somewhat prepared. 😊 I used to over plan all of our vacations but now I tend to go with the flow more. I can't wait for all the pictures and trip reports from the first cruisers on the Escape.

[CruisinJamma]

Thank you all for your responses. I'm the OP here, so let me just answer a couple questions I read first. Yes, this is our first cruise. We are kind of locked in this year as to when we can travel, assuming his requested vacation time is approved. We have traveled the last four years at the end of April, and that is when he requested time off this year as well. We live in Ohio, but will more than likely cruise out of Florida. We can drive to Florida and do the parking at the hotel and just get transfers to/from the hotel, or we can fly if we find airfare that we are okay with paying (this is probably what we will do).

 

I have been reading here, and reading and reading and reading. LOL. I have looked at Disney cruises, Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and NCL. Within the last two hours, I read an amazing review from a member here (Jim Zim -- I'm sorry I can't remember his CC name ~ Spaniel something), and I am now convinced that NCL may be the right line for us. It is a 7 night Eastern Caribbean cruise on the Getaway, and the ship looks amazing and seems to offer so, so much. Now, if my husband's company would just approve the vacation, we can get this thing booked. He works for the railroad, and they aren't known for quick turnaround on vacation requests. Thank you all again. I'm sure my questions haven't ended here, but at least now I have something to work with and so many ideas in my head. I am thoroughly excited.:D:D

[Cruisin' Chick]

is this your first cruise? if so just get on the ship and enjoy. dont worry about doing it all or fitting it all in.

The only thing you need to know is when are you going.? (fly in the night before)

how do you get to the ship

and where your cabin is located.

 

Conflicting information comes from changes that have happened over the course of time. Stay away from old posts. Read posts from the last 6 months..

 

You just got my #1 tip: get to your embarkation city at least a day ahead. The cost of a hotel room is very worth the peace of mind that you are there and can relax.

 

Many people here will insist that their favorite cruise line is the one to go on. But I would recommend talking with a cruise specialist, a TA who specializes in cruises. Go in with an idea of dates (you can do this now even if you don't know for sure if your husband will get his choice of vacation days), budget, itinerary you want to try. Then you'll be ready to book as soon as you hear. April may be a popular time (spring break) if you're going to the Caribbean, so you don't want to delay. Most of the mass market cruise lines will be a good choice for you, more or less.

 

Once you decide on where you're going, book the flights (again, get to your embarkation city early; don't book an early morning flight coming home -- usually noon or later flights are recommended). Then get a guidebook for the area (public libraries have them...if you find one you like, go on Amazon and buy the latest edition). Pick some things to do in port, but don't overschedule yourself. Sometimes just walking around a port can be fun.

[Traveller21x2]

I have never seen lockers at the beaches.

 

Included beverages vary by cruise line but usually water, lemonade, ice tea, coffee, & tea Juices are available at breakfast.

 

You don't have to buy a drinks package. You can order ala cart & be charged for what you drink. It's silly to pay $50+ per day if all you want is one drink with dinner.

 

Sorry I disagree.:rolleyes:

When I did my research ,costa cruises in Europe doesn't include any drinks during the day maybe just the ones for your breakfast.

 

No coffee machines,no water ,ice tea during the day.

So a All Inclusive beverage package off 25 euro's is a very good option.

 

It's only not so nice that there are no non alcohol AI options just for the little ones.

With some coffee and soft drinks during the whole day and evening I would say that the AI option at Costa is better then drinking a la carte:)

[GUT2407]

Hi all! I'm new here and new to cruising. My husband and I are hoping to cruise this April (we have to await confirmation on his vacation request). When you were first starting out, did you ever feel like your head would explode with all the information you pumped into it about cruising? I have just recently found this forum, and my brain is scrambled. It's a lot of information to absorb, as I've never really thought about cruising. There is SO much information here -- and a lot of conflicting information. It's such a personal preference type of thing, so figuring things out is a bit confusing. :eek::eek: Anyway, just wanted to say hello. I'm sure I'll be asking lots of questions, so please be gentle with the replies (I will try to search for answers before asking :) ). Have a good day!

 

 

Less so on the 1st cruise than now. At that time I was just going with the flow and ready for anything. Now with a few under the belt want to know more as I realise how much there is to know.

[zookiebird]

The way I avoid that is start eliminating options.

 

First you figure out when you want to go. That eliminates every other time of the year.

 

Then you figure out a budget. A cruise on a luxury line will be more than a weekend trip to the Bahamas.

 

Figure out where you generally want to go: Caribbean, Alaska, Mediterranean, something more exotic.

 

Now how long will you go? Let's say 1 week / 7 days since it's your 1st trip.

 

What is the closest cruise port to you?

 

The more you can narrow down, the less overwhelming it will be.

 

 

Couldn't agree more. Absolutely the best advice.