First cruise booked; now what?

[WestSideDrew]

Eight of us (multi-generational: two kids, three Gen Xers, three boomers) are booked on our first cruise! Royal Caribbean, Vision of the Seas, to the Western Caribbean in April 2016.

 

I feel like the dog that caught the car: now what do I do with this thing? It's nine months away, but if I've learned anything on this forum, it's the importance of planning early.

 

I've looked, and can't seem to find, a checklist of things to do between booking the cruise and getting on board. There are general lists, but I want the good stuff - what are the secrets that y'all use to ensure you have the best experience?

[NMLady]

Eight of us (multi-generational: two kids, three Gen Xers, three boomers) are booked on our first cruise! Royal Caribbean, Vision of the Seas, to the Western Caribbean in April 2016.

 

I feel like the dog that caught the car: now what do I do with this thing? It's nine months away, but if I've learned anything on this forum, it's the importance of planning early.

 

I've looked, and can't seem to find, a checklist of things to do between booking the cruise and getting on board. There are general lists, but I want the good stuff - what are the secrets that y'all use to ensure you have the best experience?

 

There is a Royal Caribbean forum which is a good place to read posts for information specific to Royal Caribbean cruises and to ask questions about your cruise.

 

There is a Ports of Call forum where you can get info about the ports you will be visiting.

 

In the Roll Call section under Royal Caribbean, Vision of the Seas, you can find the date of your cruise and "meet" some of your fellow passengers. That is a good place to find out what folks are doing in the various ports and possibly join a tour someone is organizing.

 

All of those forums will help you enrich your experience. Happy reading. :D

Edited June 18, 2015 by NMLady

[t_car]

Research your ports. Plan any excursions you like. You may want to stick with the ship sponsored ones on your first cruise. It depends on your comfort level and what you are interested in doing.

 

As previous poster mentioned, join your roll call. Get involved and have fun meeting fellow cruisers on your cruise.

 

Have you booked your flights if needed? We have no idea where you live.

The earlier you book flights, the cheaper it usually is.

 

If you are flying in, it is always recommended to fly in a day ahead. Avoids problems if there are flight delays. Explore your embarkation city. Lots to do and see in the Tampa area.

 

For other stuff, you can do a search here for packing lists , and other lists of things to do. No big deal, just pack as you would for any other vacation.

 

Enjoy planning your first cruise.

 

Welcome to Cruise Critic!

[Krazy Kruizers]

You all need to sit down together and decide on what interests you all have -- i.e. -- beaches -- touring ruins -- shopping. Research each port.

As to lists -- I made a list a long time ago of what we need on a cruise. When you start your list (mine is on my computer so that it can be updated) make certain that you include prescriptions, passports, documents. Make copies of everything that your TA has promised you.

[sparky-elpaso]

One thing I like to do is check out the ports in Google Earth. It gives a much better idea of what the area is like than a map. You may find that you don't need an actual excursion at some ports because there are thing to see / do right near where the ship docks.

[cb at sea]

Yes...on this ship, the only thing you REALLY need to do in advance is learn about your ports. You don't need to pre-book anything on the ship....so don't spend your time worrying about scheduling every minute!

 

Remember, this is a vacation, so leave some down time for relaxing! It's not a marathon or an "I did it better than you" thing!!!

[paul929207]

Verify that each person has the needed documents. If not, get them.

[clackey]

And the main rule is: Take half the clothes and twice as much money as you think that you will need. We start a tour fund to finance things and figure a minimum of $150 @ per person so with 3 port stops we have at least an extra $900. Then there are tips and extra expense for T-shirts, food, drinks and etc.

 

If you have a 7-night western you probably have stops in Roatan, Belize and, of course, Cozumel. Roatan and Belize need tours. Cozumel can be done by taxi.

[Mabks0412]

Even though it's nine months out, those months will FLY by. Like everyone said, make sure you have the documents you need. We went and got our passports and got them stamped at each port.

 

I make a list of ports and do a ton of research on them. I read reviews from other cruisers who went on the same ship or who went to the same ports. It helps a LOT.

 

If you plan on doing any excursions, I would book those as soon as you all decide which ones you would want to do. Some excursions go quick.

 

I'm also a very list orientated person and I make a packing list. I print it out a week before cruising and make sure I pack everything on the list (cross them out as they are in the suitcase).

 

I don't know if you have a 'cruise fund', but I would start one if you don't. Nine months and you can save up a good amount.

 

If anyone thinks they will get motion sick, make sure you research anything you can get or do to help that.

 

 

I hope that helps some. I didn't know about cruise critic or anything before my first cruise and I wish I did. It would have made me a lot less nervous and a lot more prepared for the ship. :D Have a fantastic time!!!

[WestSideDrew]

Thanks!

 

I'm actually very set on researching the ports and airfare - that's all good. I've got a rudimentary plan of attack for each port and excursion.

 

I'm more concerned about the little things on the ship itself that only experience cruisers seem to know about (and maybe take for granted).

 

For example: do I need to make reservations for entertainment?

How soon do I contact the cruiseline about kids club bookings?

I've heard I should request an eggcrate mattress topper - when should I do that?

What other requests should be submitted, and when? To whom?

How early do I need to wake up to reserve seats by the pool?

What tips should I prepare for embarkation day, once we're onboard?

 

Maybe this belongs best in the Royal Caribbean forum, and I'll try there.

[Anthomaniac]

How early do I need to wake up to reserve seats by the pool?

 

Oh dear.

 

Sent from my XT1030 using Tapatalk

[Cruisin' Chick]

Thanks!

 

I'm actually very set on researching the ports and airfare - that's all good. I've got a rudimentary plan of attack for each port and excursion.

 

I'm more concerned about the little things on the ship itself that only experience cruisers seem to know about (and maybe take for granted).

 

For example: do I need to make reservations for entertainment? On some cruise lines, it's first come, first serve for shows. Which makes sense for me as then you don't have to be on the phone trying to reserve -- and can change your mind what to do each night.

How soon do I contact the cruiseline about kids club bookings?

We have never had to sign up ahead of time for the kids' program. There's always been info on where to sign up the first night and there has always been a day-by-day schedule that we can refer to for the kids' activities. And just dropped off our girl during the scheduled time unless she wanted to go swimming or see a show with us.

I've heard I should request an eggcrate mattress topper - when should I do that?

What other requests should be submitted, and when? To whom? Some cruise lines have something on line for your account so you should check there, check the FAQs on the cruise line's website, or ask your cabin steward when you first meet him or her. But remember on that first day, the steward will be quite busy.

How early do I need to wake up to reserve seats by the pool? NO! Just go to the pool deck when you're ready to plop down to enjoy the area, sunbathe, read, whatever. Don't just leave a book or towel on the chair and then expect the chair to be yours for the day as that's considered "chair hogging."

What tips should I prepare for embarkation day, once we're onboard? Go to your cabin (at least on Princess you can right away) and unload some of your carry ons. Eat lunch. Take your camera and start checking out the ship. The only mandatory activity once you get on board is the muster drill which usually takes place before sailaway. The info on where to go will be on the back of your cabin door and the time for the drill should be in the first day's newsletter.

 

Maybe this belongs best in the Royal Caribbean forum, and I'll try there.

 

Never been on Royal Caribbean so I would recommend going on the RC website as there should be a FAQ section. Then any remaining questions, you can ask on the RC board here. You got some good advice -- fly in at least a day ahead, use guidebooks and googling to find out info to do in ports (we try not to schedule much of our time in port, though...we're more into relaxing)

[George C]

I do not believe Vision needs any reservations for any shows, RCCL is a great line, normally not a problem to get seats for the shows. Pool chairs can be tricky, many people try to get them early, you will always be able to find chairs but maybe not that close to the pool. Normally can not get to cabin till 1pm or 1:30, some lines are different Hal is another one that cabins are available when you board , RCCL is not. As already said join roll call, I am sure they will have many people that have cruised this ship before.

[dctravel]

One thing I like to do is check out the ports in Google Earth. It gives a much better idea of what the area is like than a map. You may find that you don't need an actual excursion at some ports because there are thing to see / do right near where the ship docks.

 

That is a really good idea! Thanks for the suggestion.

[dsrdsrdsr]

Eight of us (multi-generational: two kids, three Gen Xers, three boomers) are booked on our first cruise! Royal Caribbean, Vision of the Seas, to the Western Caribbean in April 2016.

 

Off topic, but for those of us who don't speak your language, how old are you approximately?

[WestSideDrew]

Oh! Sorry! Three in their 60s (Baby Boomers), three in our 30s (Generation X) and two kids under 9. All flying into Tampa from different points in Midwest and South.

 

Thanks for your help; this makes me feel better!

[travelnteach64]

We went for our first time in March. I'm glad I researched the ports and excursions. I would get some maps of your ports if you are going to walk around at all. We did a part day tour and then walked part of the day. It was nice to have an idea of things we might like to do during out walking tour.

 

One thing we are going to do in the future is research local cuisine. We loved it in Nassau and can't wait to try it again. I like local beaches, but it all takes some research.

 

Things to buy ahead, something to hold your sea pass (I used a vera bradley accessory), good shoes for adventures (I like my keens) and some cameras for snorkeling. We had a blast on our first trip.

[rakuroda]

Oh! Sorry! Three in their 60s (Baby Boomers), three in our 30s (Generation X) and two kids under 9. All flying into Tampa from different points in Midwest and South.

 

Thanks for your help; this makes me feel better!

Aloha :D

 

First things first ! Be realistic ! Not everybody is going to want to do the same thing at the same time, either on the ship or in the port !

 

You are spending thousands of dollars on this cruise so do your research and remember that the reason you are going on a cruise ship is to RELAX and ENJOY, not run around like a chicken without a head! You don't want to be so stressed out trying to meet a schedule of things to do that you can't RELAX and ENJOY.

 

For the Baby Boomers, do you really want to go to the bars with the loud music or spend a lot of time in the arcade?

 

Each decision maker will have to research the ship and the ports and decide what they want to do. When you have an idea of what you may want to do, then use the Ports of Call forums and see what other people have done. Use the Roll Call section under Royal Caribbean, Vision of the Seas and the date of your cruise and sign up for the Meet & Mingle and post your questions like you are doing.

 

There is a guy that just went on his first cruise and posted about it. Here is the link to his review. Read it, it has the Cruise Compass for the 9 days of the cruise. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2223424

 

I thought it was great !

 

And read this url http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1086757

 

Then come back and ask your questions !

 

Aloha :D

Edited June 24, 2015 by rakuroda

[WestSideDrew]

Aloha :D

 

 

 

And read this url http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1086757

 

 

 

Aloha :D

 

That thread is terrific! That's EXACTLY what I was hoping to find! :D

[KBD1516]

Take magnets for your doors to leave notes for each other about where you are or whether you are up yet in the morning. You will want to leave messages on the door and on the phone for each other. Also, You can buy the little notepads with magnets on the back of the pad. Start a box to put things like that in. It's fun.

[lahlah57]

If you just put the deposit down......no reservations or excursions can be booked until trip is entirely payed for.

You can research though and make notes with info on the RC boards. 9 months is plenty enough time for you to season yourself. :D

[Rebel54]

Read, research, watch YouTube videos. Last week I discovered travel videos I could stream for free through my Amazon prime and been having fun torturing my husband with them.

 

I also ordered some travel books off of half. com for the locations we are going to. Got them for .75 each. Plan to take out just the sections we are going to so I can have them in my travel folder. I have electronic travel books but sometimes I like to highlight certain things.

[rakuroda]

That thread is terrific! That's EXACTLY what I was hoping to find! :D

 

Aloha :D

 

One thing you will also find going through the different threads is that by doing your research and working a little you can save a bunch of money by NOT booking tours throught the cruise line.

 

For example, at one port on my cruise, the cruise line web page describes a 20 stop narrated trolley tour where the cruise line will provide an accompanying escort from the ship to walk you over to the start of the trolley tour for $43+ per adult. The trolley tour company website says that if you purchase your ticket directly from them, it will cost you $36, that the trolley driver provides the narration on the trolley ride, and that if you purchase direct from them, you can hop off and hop on the trolleys since their multiple trolleys make the same loop every 15 minutes.

 

Also, the Shore Excursions on the cruise line web site are not necessarily available thru them during your particular tour, but only on specific cruises. (DUH?)

 

I hope this helps.

 

Aloha :D

[Banditswife]

Eight of us (multi-generational: two kids, three Gen Xers, three boomers) are booked on our first cruise! Royal Caribbean, Vision of the Seas, to the Western Caribbean in April 2016.

 

I feel like the dog that caught the car: now what do I do with this thing? It's nine months away, but if I've learned anything on this forum, it's the importance of planning early.

 

I've looked, and can't seem to find, a checklist of things to do between booking the cruise and getting on board. There are general lists, but I want the good stuff - what are the secrets that y'all use to ensure you have the best experience?

 

You've already gotten great advice. I just thought I'd tell you to remember to have fun. Our very 1st cruise was on Royal Caribbean's Vision of the Seas, we had a wonderful time. Vision of the Seas is the reason we got hooked on cruising. It's a smaller ship, easy to navigate for your 1st cruise. If you are sailing out of Tampa- try to be on deck in the evening of embarkation day for a wonderful view of going under the Sunshine bridge- I think it's called. Have a wonderful cruise.

[john watson]

Not sure if this has been covered; get on the cruise line website and complete all the on line information in order to get your sailing pass, or whatever they call it. This will give you a smooth transition to booking any excursions when they become available and confirm to the line you are good to go. Beach days and DIY are more often appropriate in Caribbean than paying big bucks for a ships excursion.

 

Regards John

Edited June 30, 2015 by john watson