Brand New Cruiser

[MtnDweller]

After many years of asking my other half to go on a cruise, he finally said YES!!! I have been scouring the internet for the past few days. Hope I don't overload on information. :D

 

Thanks for having me,

Tina

[crg33]

Be very careful because it is adictive. Have fun.

[perditax]

I was in your shoes less than a year ago.

 

1. Take a deep breath.

 

2. DO NOT get freaked out by negative reviews. If you insist on reading one-star reviews, make yourself read a couple of five-star reviews too each time. Learn to spot the reviewers who are acting like they were on a cruise from hell--you can probably discard them as outliers who had unreasonable expectations or are just never happy. (That said: you can look for trends on a given ship--if the last ten reviews all mention the food being bad, it may be worth considering.)

 

3. DO NOT worry about making your first cruise "perfect". It's almost certainly not going to be your last.

 

4. If you're like me, an addendum to number 3: don't worry about making the cruise perfect for the other person. They're either going to like cruising or they aren't--little decisions you make along the way (excursions, dining, itinerary, etc) probably won't change the final outcome, so it's probably not worth driving yourself (and others) crazy, no matter how tempting. :)

 

Have fun.

[paul929207]

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

 

Don't obsess over the cruise line/ship/cabin. Just look at the info and go with your head and your heart

[MtnDweller]

Be very careful because it is adictive. Have fun.

 

 

It's getting there. I am so looking forward to it.

[MtnDweller]

Great info, perditax! I have the same thoughts about traveling. Reviews are subjective so I take them with a grain of salt. And nothing's perfect in life so, I just roll with the punches. We've been to Disney several times and always went without a plan and whatever happened, happened.

[MtnDweller]

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

 

Don't obsess over the cruise line/ship/cabin. Just look at the info and go with your head and your heart

 

 

That's pretty much what I'm doing. :D

[cb at sea]

Just remember...it's a vacation! Have fun! Research your ports....and don't try to do everything, or you'll need a vacation from your vacation!!!

[OCruisers]

Hi Tina! Welcome to Cruise Critic! :)

 

Finding a good travel agent who specializes in cruising would be so very helpful to you. ;)

[NMLady]

After many years of asking my other half to go on a cruise, he finally said YES!!! I have been scouring the internet for the past few days. Hope I don't overload on information. :D

 

Thanks for having me,

Tina

 

Welcome! Do you have an idea of where you want to go or an idea of how many days you want to spend?

[Cruisin' Chick]

Don't try to stuff too much into each day, not even when in port.

 

If you're flying (or taking a train) to get to your embarkation port, always go at least a day ahead. Less stressful if you're already there and you can have a relaxing dinner and maybe even get in a shopping trip in for whatever you didn't bring.

[Keith1010]

Enjoy your first cruise.

 

Don't overthink it.

 

I have found that the cruise lines web site has a lot of useful information to help you prepare for your cruise.

 

Keith

[MtnDweller]

Just remember...it's a vacation! Have fun! Research your ports....and don't try to do everything, or you'll need a vacation from your vacation!!!

 

HEH! My dh is already planning a recuperation day. :D But that's the norm for him.

[MtnDweller]

Welcome! Do you have an idea of where you want to go or an idea of how many days you want to spend?

 

We're looking at the Bahamas on a 5 day cruise.

[MtnDweller]

Thanks to all of you for the welcomes and for the great info.

 

We are definitely going to do it in "fly by the seat of our pants" mode and just take it as it comes. ;)

[MtnDweller]

At what point do you schedule your MDR reservations? When you pay for the trip or once you get on board?

Edited October 16, 2015 by MtnDweller

[achurt]

...

Edited October 16, 2015 by achurt
accident :(

[Cruisin Broad]

When you book the cruise, you'll be asked for a preference of dining time.

[NMLady]

At what point do you schedule your MDR reservations? When you pay for the trip or once you get on board?

 

Depends on what cruise line. NCL has only 'anytime' dining so if you eant reservations in MDR do it onboard.

 

Some cruise lines have only assigned dining, when you book your cruise you choose one of two times, early or late, and table size.

 

Some cruise lines have a choice of anytime dining or assigned dining. You choose at the time of booking.

 

None do it at final payment.

[MtnDweller]

When you book the cruise' date=' you'll be asked for a preference of dining time.[/quote']

 

Thank you!

[MtnDweller]

Depends on what cruise line. NCL has only 'anytime' dining so if you eant reservations in MDR do it onboard.

 

Some cruise lines have only assigned dining, when you book your cruise you choose one of two times, early or late, and table size.

 

Some cruise lines have a choice of anytime dining or assigned dining. You choose at the time of booking.

 

None do it at final payment.

 

Thank you!

[princessbee76]

After many years of asking my other half to go on a cruise, he finally said YES!!! I have been scouring the internet for the past few days. Hope I don't overload on information. :D

 

Thanks for having me,

Tina

 

Me too! I took 14 years, but I'm getting to plan our first cruise too. It is addictive! Information OVERLOAD!!:eek:

[MtnDweller]

Me too! I took 14 years, but I'm getting to plan our first cruise too. It is addictive! Information OVERLOAD!!:eek:

 

Good for you!!! Persistence pays off doesn't it? :D

 

You are soooooooooo right! It's very addicting.

[perditax]

Just to pop in with an alternate view--solo cruising can be unbelievably relaxing, should you have a significant other whose favorite word is "no".

[Cruisin' Chick]

You didn't say which line. Personally we love traditional (assigned dining) as it's something unique to cruising. We got stuck with anytime a couple of cruises ago (booked the cruise just weeks before the cruise and never cleared the waitlist) and we found we missed our late traditional seatings.