Assistance please, cruise questions

[Bluedevil]

I am sure you all are sick to death of my questions, I am sorry. But I have come up with a few more:

 

1)Ok call me stupid but what is a Lanyard?

 

2) Are hangers plentiful in the cabin (Majesty NCL)or should I bring my own,

or can I request more hangers from the cabin steward?

 

3)Now I don't usually walk around in my robe in public but when returning from a spa appointment or say the sauna, is it acceptable to walk back to your cabin in your robe ( a nice spa robe that is) I don't want to embarress myself or hubby.

 

4)I am leery of this "sign and sail" card thing. How do they stop other passengers ( the devious ones) from using your cabin # and signing for things to your acct. I mean anyone on your deck see's you come out of your cabin or someone overhears your name and cabin #. Do they ask for a picture ID to sign for items? What recourse do I have if someone does attempt this?

 

5)Does the pools and hot tubs stay open late in the evening? Majesty NCL in

particular

 

6)Call me a GEEK but I use a fanny pack at times when traveling on land, I know its a fashion DON"T but hey I don't want to carry a pocketbook and digging stuff out of my backpack is a pain so.... how ridiculous will I look??? Again I don't want to embarress myself or hubby.

 

7) Would (for an 11 night cruise) a case of water,case of RedBull and a case of diet soda ( for hubby AND myself) be to much to bring on board? I COULD live without the water but not RedBull and Diet pepsi.

 

8) Last but not least: Deck chair saving: I know this has been discussed at length and I despise those who save chairs early in the A:M and don't even sit in them till HOURS later. Am I breaking cruise etiquette by getting my deck chair in the AM and leaving for a quick bite to eat then return. I mean I'm not going to take a nap in my cabin or anything. How long can you leave a deck chair unoccupied without someone thinking I'm a chair hog?????? Would a little note like "I just stepped out to use the restroom, will be right back" be ok or are my things going to get thrown overboard as soon as I depart?? I read some really wild stories about this deck chair problem and I don't want to be the cause of any ill feelings.

 

Well I guess that is about it for today. Thank you in advance

[Grayce]

I'll try and answer what I can.

 

1)Ok call me stupid but what is a Lanyard?

It's a rope thingie with a clip that you wear around your neck with your S+S card hanging from it.

 

3)Now I don't usually walk around in my robe in public but when returning from a spa appointment or say the sauna, is it acceptable to walk back to your cabin in your robe ( a nice spa robe that is) I don't want to embarress myself or hubby.

I think you might get some "looks" lol. I only wear clothes or bathing suit/coverup combo outside my room.

 

4)I am leery of this "sign and sail" card thing. How do they stop other passengers ( the devious ones) from using your cabin # and signing for things to your acct. I mean anyone on your deck see's you come out of your cabin or someone overhears your name and cabin #. Do they ask for a picture ID to sign for items? What recourse do I have if someone does attempt this?

 

The card is like a credit card so as long as you have it in your possession nobody can charge on it. They scan your card for every transaction. They don't just ask you for your room number.

6)Call me a GEEK but I use a fanny pack at times when traveling on land, I know its a fashion DON"T but hey I don't want to carry a pocketbook and digging stuff out of my backpack is a pain so.... how ridiculous will I look??? Again I don't want to embarress myself or hubby.

There are tons of people that use fanny packs.

 

7) Would (for an 11 night cruise) a case of water,case of RedBull and a case of diet soda ( for hubby AND myself) be to much to bring on board? I COULD live without the water but not RedBull and Diet pepsi.

You can try carrying it all on. As long as it's not alcoholic I don't think they mind. Personally I would not take the water. In my experience the tap water available on the ship is very good. You could take a mug or bottle and fill it at the buffet restaurant.

 

8) Last but not least: Deck chair saving:

 

You 'll have to get a feel for the ship I guess. I have only taken 2 cruises so I am not an expert but I didn't have trouble finding a place to sit on either cruise.

[Sheffie]

I am sure you all are sick to death of my questions, I am sorry. But I have come up with a few more:

 

1)Ok call me stupid but what is a Lanyard?

 

A lanyard is the thing that you can hang around your neck (sort of like a thick shoe lace) that has a clip on the end on which you can hang your Sign and Sail card. You can get a hole punched in it at the Purser's desk.

 

2) Are hangers plentiful in the cabin (Majesty NCL)or should I bring my own,

or can I request more hangers from the cabin steward?

 

If you need more hangars, your room steward will get you some. Personally, I leave my hanging clothes on hangars when I pack them just so that I don't have to spend my precious crusin' time hanging them back on hangars. :D

 

3)Now I don't usually walk around in my robe in public but when returning from a spa appointment or say the sauna, is it acceptable to walk back to your cabin in your robe ( a nice spa robe that is) I don't want to embarress myself or hubby.

 

I haven't used the spa, but you see many people in coverups. Some of these may be coming back from the spa.

 

4)I am leery of this "sign and sail" card thing. How do they stop other passengers ( the devious ones) from using your cabin # and signing for things to your acct. I mean anyone on your deck see's you come out of your cabin or someone overhears your name and cabin #. Do they ask for a picture ID to sign for items? What recourse do I have if someone does attempt this?

 

Your card is the only one linked to your cabin and credit card. You have to use it when getting drinks, buying articles from the shops, etc. No one can use your card other than you. Don't fret.

 

5)Does the pools and hot tubs stay open late in the evening? Majesty NCL in

particular

 

I have never sailed NCL; therefore, I don't know this answer.

 

6)Call me a GEEK but I use a fanny pack at times when traveling on land, I know its a fashion DON"T but hey I don't want to carry a pocketbook and digging stuff out of my backpack is a pain so.... how ridiculous will I look??? Again I don't want to embarress myself or hubby.

 

I guess as rediculous as I do, and a LOT of other cruisers! Don't fret about this one either. You are being a careful vacationer.

 

7) Would (for an 11 night cruise) a case of water,case of RedBull and a case of diet soda ( for hubby AND myself) be to much to bring on board? I COULD live without the water but not RedBull and Diet pepsi.

 

All I know is that I always bring my own Diet Cherry Coke with me. I have read of others bringing water and pop in their original containers to the ship. Some people even bring a rolling cooler!

 

8) Last but not least: Deck chair saving: I know this has been discussed at length and I despise those who save chairs early in the A:M and don't even sit in them till HOURS later. Am I breaking cruise etiquette by getting my deck chair in the AM and leaving for a quick bite to eat then return. I mean I'm not going to take a nap in my cabin or anything. How long can you leave a deck chair unoccupied without someone thinking I'm a chair hog?????? Would a little note like "I just stepped out to use the restroom, will be right back" be ok or are my things going to get thrown overboard as soon as I depart?? I read some really wild stories about this deck chair problem and I don't want to be the cause of any ill feelings.

 

I have done this same thing and have had no problem. I don't sit down by the pool, though, because I like being on an upper deck with the view and the seabreeze.

Well I guess that is about it for today. Thank you in advance

 

Hope this has helped. You sound like you are going to be able to have a wonderful cruise. Nothing is better than the first cruise than . . . the NEXT one!

Have a great cruise!

[Bluedevil]

Thanks for the info. I wasn't sure about the robe thing. Guess I will wear my bathing suit coverup or regular clothes. Where do I get a lanyard thingie?

Good to know about the sail/sign card. I was kinda worried.

[Sheffie]

I think I have seen all kinds of lanyards at Walmart. Not sure, though.

 

An office supply place might have them.

 

If you have purchased a water wallet, you can use that instead.

 

Okay, one more thing to wonder about, right!:eek:

[Grayce]

They have lanyards at the dollar store.

[Bluedevil]

Ooooohhhhh, I love the dollar store. hehehe. I can get the greatest stuff for a buck there, especially for traveling. Thanks, now i'll search for a collapsable cooler.

[Bonnie J.]

Hi Deborah!

Everything in our garmet bag is on hangers and I now pack things on hangers - my tops.

Most ships have their own robes for passengers to use. If you don't have then in your cabin, ask your room steward for them. We use them to & from the hot tubs in the evening.

Each pasenger has their own 'sign & sail' card. You have to sign for everything just like a credit card which I guess it is.

The daily news you get in your cabin every night has the hours for the pool & spas.

I can never figure out why women are carrying a purse on a cruise. You can't pay cash for anything so you don't need a wallet or check book,the wind is going to blow your hair anyway, who wants to worry about makeup whan you're sitting on a cruise ship and what do you have to have you can carry in your pocket or a small bag;.l I have a small NCL bag where I put my book & suntan lotion.

I have a small, 6 pack size colapsable cooler. We often call room service and take our lunch ashore with us. Have zip lock bags for ice to keep things cold.

There has been only one cruise when it was hard to find a chaise. We often go to the deck above the pool but they have chaises all over the decks. Just going for lunch is usually not a problem.

I'll email soon. I want to go to Virgin Gorda. Once it was raining and last year the water was too rough for the boats that take you there.

I still pack too much but will tell you how I plan for outfits.

Keep Smiling....................Bonnie J...............

[Bluedevil]

BonnieJ you are so sweet. Thanks for all the info. A god send you ALL are :D I've never packed on hangers, might try it this time. As for purses on board, I would only carry a small evening bag, I certainly don't need my regular purse which is normally filled with a variety of things I never use anyway LOL.

I remembered about my SAM's CLUB bag I have, it is a pretty good size ( folds flat) insulated bag with carrying handles. I believe this would work well as a cooler for the room, hmmmm one less thing to buy. I am so looking forward to this trip. We have had a very unsettling year ( many medical issues, work etc) and getting away on a cruise is JUST what my shrink ordered ( just kidding);)

 

Hey here's another question: Beauty Salon. Anyone know if I can get my hair done for New Years on the ship? I have kinda long hair and I hate wearing it down ( to hot and it blows in my face) It would be such a treat to have someone put it up for me and NOT in my usual ponytail....

Thanks again everyone.

[Bonnie J.]

Yes, you can get your hair done on the ship. I would make an appointment the minute you get on board as other ladies will be making them also. Remind me to tell you about a new year's eve cruise when we dined with a hairdresser who was subbing, her old job, for the regular gal. (She became an 18 wheel truck driver when she left the ship!) She knew everyone in the dining room and her boy friend was the bar manager!

 

Did you know I know you're on this site right now? The green 'ball' by your name tells everyone this!

[Sheffie]

Hey here's another question: Beauty Salon. Anyone know if I can get my hair done for New Years on the ship? I have kinda long hair and I hate wearing it down ( to hot and it blows in my face) It would be such a treat to have someone put it up for me and NOT in my usual ponytail....

Thanks again everyone.

 

When you get on the ship, go directly to the salon and book an appointment for your hair do. You should be fine.

 

Oh, about the clothes on the hangars - I always put those drycleaner bags over each set of clothing and I don't have any wrinkle problems.

 

Have fun planning!

[masterbaker]

There are always hangers in your closet and if you need more your steward will bring them to you. I always send out our wrinkled clothes for a press only service when we unpack (I refuse to iron before a cruise) when they are returned, they are always perfect and on hangers.

 

We hardly ever see anyone in public areas in a robe on caribbean cruises, however on our recent Alaska cruise, there were LOTS of people using robes to go to and from the pools and hot tubs. IMHO, robes are too warm to wear to the pools. I like silky coverups, easy to pack because they take up no space and cool for when walking around on deck. I use the robe in my cabin when lounging around and wouldn't want it wet or smelling like chlorine.

 

Your sail and sign card has to be scanned for purchases, just keep it with you at all times. During your cruise (depending on the cruiseline) you can check your balance on your onboard account either by using the interactive TV system in your cabin or by getting a statement printed from the pursers desk. It's a good idea to do this a couple of times, mid-cruise and the day before departure. This way you have plenty of time to have any errors corrected. Errors do not happen often, but they do sometimes so it's good to keep copies of you receipts and check them against your account. Errors are corrected by the purser and should be brought to their attention as soon as possible. Getting anything corrected on the day you disembark is difficult.

 

On our last NCL cruise at least one pool and the hot tubs around it were open until 11 pm. The pools are drained, cleaned and refilled during the night so they are nice and fresh for the next day. You will find the same on most cruiselines.

 

I use a fanny pack on all my cruises, it's an easy way to keep stuff handy without carrying a huge bag or backpack. There are lots of cruisers that use them, you won't look out of place at all.

 

We usually bring a hardside suitcase filled with drinks, water, sodas, bubble wrapped wine bottles. Most of it gets consumed during our cruise and sometimes we even have to restock in ports if we are on a long cruise. Anything left over I leave for our room steward and then I have a totally empty suitcase to pack all the stuff we have purchased on our cruise, or not have to repack so carefully going home. It's nice to have that extra room and have the drinks you like in your cabin. Great tip!!!

 

Deck chair saving is a hot topic (as you probably already know) I see it all the time, especially those chairs right by the pools edge. Honestly that's the last place I want to sit so it doesn't bother me at all. You can find me on a chair in the shade away from all the noise and splashing. ;) If the row of chairs by the pool is your cup of tea, then it seems like the only choice is to join in the saving game, or just move someones stuff and use the chair until they return and then move someone elses stuff for a new chair. There are always plenty of chairs without people in them.

 

Bluedevil, if you want your hair done up for a holiday or formal night, I would suggest you make that appointment as soon as you get onboard the ship, those appointments fill up FAST.

[masterbaker]

 

Did you know I know you're on this site right now? The green 'ball' by your name tells everyone this!

 

Not necessarily, you can choose to be on the boards in a hidden mode like me and it never shows green. Just go to the user CP and you can change your preferences.

[MrsPete]

A lanyard is a shoestring-type thing that holds your ID. You probably have one at work or to hold your gym membership card. They're a frequent give-away item at conferences. If you need to buy one, just keep your eyes open -- they're everywhere, and now that you're looking for them, you'll see them. My daughter recently bought one at Claire's (a teen jewlery shop at the mall), but theirs definitely scream TEENAGER.

 

I prefer to bring my things already on hangers from home. That way I can just hang things directly in the closet, which saves time.

 

I would never walk down the hall in my robe! The cruise ship is akin to a nice hotel with a spa; it's okay to walk around inside the spa in a robe, but it's not okay to walk back to your room.

 

I've wondered about the "sign and sail" thing too. Your waiters in the dining room will "know" your room number, so it's not possible to lie there. Bartenders will take your cards and scan them. But waiters who bring drinks to poolside and some other folks just ask for your room number. Your card doesn't have a number or picture on it, but if it were a widespread problem, I guess we'd read about it here on the boards.

 

Pools are generally open late at night (unless there's a deck party, and then they might cover them with a wooden platform to make a dance floor). Late at night is a great time to swim without a crowd.

 

Many, many people use fanny packs -- they're practical. One safety note: money and ID should always be on your person instead of in a bag. It's not difficult for a thief to cut your fanny pack strap and make away with your things, and some of the people on the islands live desperate lives.

 

I always bring some sodas along, but the amount of beverages you're talking about bringing is kind of pushing the limits. I'd suggest that you bring several EMPTY water bottles and refill them. The ship's water is purified, so it's no different from what you buy at the store. You can chill them in your cabin's cooler.

 

Chair hogs: People have different opinions on this topic. My personal opinion is that it's okay to leave your chair for 10-15 minutes tops. This is enough time to hop in the pool to cool off, to run to the restroom, or to get a drink. I think that if you're going to lunch, you should forfeit your chair; if you want to keep the chair, consider having a member of your party run to the buffet and bring back burgers for your whole group. I do just what you suggested: I have a little laminated note that I clothes-pin to my towel that says "This chair is occupied, back within ten minutes". Also, people can tell when a chair is really being used (used towel, suntan lotion, books, etc.); what people mind is a chair with a neatly folded towel that's obviously just being saved.

[miami]

Since you are planning to cruise on NCL, on the Dawn, if a chair was unoccupied for more than 30 minutes, the staff would remove the towels, etc. Didn't really have a problem finding one.

[lv2crooz2]

Hi, If I may add one more thing....Target sells a soft nylon "belly bag" (not sure what to call it!) It's tan, flat and has a zipper across the front.Think of it as a money belt for ladies. VERY comfortable to wear and a t-shirt covers it up. I would not cruise without it. It holds my S&S card and cash in case the casino calls!!:D When we disembark for shopping and such, I switch to a regular belly bag for a wallet, glasses, passports etc. Hope this helps. We leave this Saturday and I know I'll have mine on! Smooth sailing..............

[Bluedevil]

Wow thanks for all the tips. Can Dec 27th be here ANY sooner :p