Traveling with Newbies!!!

[barbie5401]

My husband and I have been on over 150 cruises, not bragging just want to emphasis how familiar we are with cruising. We are going on the Ruby to Alaska in August with another couple who has never cruised. What words of wisdom can you give me so I don't overwhelmed them! Thanks

[paul929207]

Relax and have a wonderful time.

[CineGraphic]

Patience. Let them enjoy themselves. Millions have cruised for the 1st time without any "help".

[Daisyloo]

We had done a few cruises on our own when friends decided to accompany us on a Caribbean cruise.

I typed out a list of things that were unique to a cruise vacation. Even though they were experienced with land based vacations, they had never cruised before.

On the list were things I thought it would be helpful for them to know and that would make their trip more enjoyable.

They said they found it helpful.

[rebeccalouiseagain]

I took Newbies on a cruise over spring break. A good friend of over 20 years and her daughter. It was my treat for her daughter's high school graduation. They loved it.

 

We were in side by side balcony staterooms and used sticky notes on the doors so that we could find each other at the various locations onboard.

 

I ordered Flowers, chocolate covered strawberries, a bottle of wine and a 12- pack of water for them. The wine and water had to be signed for (several calls to room service were required). This made it a special cruise for them.

 

We did the MDR for the first two nights using anytime dining. We ended up enjoying the specialty restaurants the best instead of the MDR. We did three nights in the specialty, 2 nights in the MDR and 2 nights in the Lido buffet.

 

We did two excursions. I think that is enough for a seven night cruise. I wouldn't micromanage it. The one I enjoyed most was the trip to the Musher's Camp (about 30 minutes) outside Skagway. The scenery was beautiful, we walked over a stream and saw huge salmon swimming upstream. There was an orca swimming in the inlet. The dogs were friendly and it was a great excursion.

 

Don't plan an excursion for Juneau because it's almost always fogged in and helicopter rides are cancelled. Instead you can take the public bus to Mendenhall Glacier for $14.00 each.

 

It's a shame that the ship is only in Victoria for a few hours (we disembarked on day 6 one year and spent two nights exploring the area) I'd definitely go to Buchart Gardens. It's lovely at night and they sometimes have an orchestra set up in the middle of the park. If you do disembark there- there is a hydrofoil to downtown Seattle or flights to Seattle. We did zip-lining, a walking ghost tour, walked around the Empress Hotel, and visited Buchart on a day when no cruise ships were in town and it was so much better (I've been there when ships are in port and it's very crowded). We also did whale watching in Victoria which was excellent.

 

If you do the 7 days and disembark in Seattle, plan to meet in the MDR for breakfast. Get there by 8:15 because they stop serving at 8:30. This was way more relaxing than the buffet and you are closer to where you disembark.

Edited May 13, 2016 by rebeccalouiseagain

[moki'smommy]

One of the highlights of our trip was whale watching in Juneau. Don't rule out an activity just because helicopter rides are often fogged out.

 

In Ketchikan, it is very easy to do the public bus to Totem Bite on your own ($1 per person each way!). Park admission is free and there are volunteer guides who will take you around or you can explore on your own with the written guide.

 

As to newbies on the ship--your help is great, but exploring on their own will be fun for them as well. I'd suggest meals together and a couple of scheduled things, but allow them plenty of time and space to fly solo.

[Arizona-Cruising]

Show them around highlight the areas they will use eating entertainment.... Make sure they have the ship map. And on the 2nd day let them adventure on their own and make arrangements to meet at dinner. We did this last year and all enjoyed their voyage. We had fun running into each other. We did separate tours and would meet at dinner to go over our adventures. It was a great time.

[barbie5401]

Thank you all for your honest answers - I'm getting excited about our trip, so I want to pass on the excitement but not overwhelm.

 

We are treating them to one night in the Crown Grill! I will bring post-it notes great idea!

[ggprincess2004]

I don't think the best cruise survival tips will overwhelm them at all. We are taking newbies with us (again) this fall, and I was getting dribs and drabs of questions, so we just planned a very leisurely lunch dedicated to their questions concerning the cruise, and added what we considered to be a few survival tips.

 

survival tips - outlet expanders since they carry lots of electronics, really study the deck plans of the ship based on your cabin location to recommended spots on the ship, what a cruise card does and doesn't do, ins and outs of coffee/coffee cards (he is a caffeine addict), dining options, don't blow the whistle on the life jacket, lots of info we now take for granted..... and for Alaska, really good binoculars for every passenger, rain gear.....it's all about giving them options to consider to make the experience as seamless and wonderful as possible.

 

I really think that sharing your experiences and opinions is a great thing - there is no greater gift to a newbie cruiser than a master class on the cruise they are taking.

[scott4020]

When traveling with cruise virgins, make sure you take the time and view the ship through their eyes. Do things a new cruiser would do that a veteran would no longer do. It can be refreshing to see things new again.

[barbie5401]

the couples' children want to make it even special for their parents, - chocolates to the room, $100 for each casino credit, soda and more card..! I so want to enjoy the cruise thru their eyes.

[cb at sea]

Let THEM discover the wonders of cruising on their own. The more you "talk it up", the less they will appreciate the experience! Don't "guide" them...let them do what they want, when they want! It will be more meaningful for them if THEY are in charge of their good time! Long-time cruisers have a set routine that works for them...but not for everyone!

Edited May 13, 2016 by cb at sea

[Pierlesscruisers]

My husband and I have been on over 150 cruises, not bragging just want to emphasis how familiar we are with cruising. We are going on the Ruby to Alaska in August with another couple who has never cruised. What words of wisdom can you give me so I don't overwhelmed them! Thanks

 

These are most of the rules I try and follow. Following them may save you time, money and frustration and cut down your medical expenses (from the ulcers you won't get!) ;)

 

-------------------

1. Keep my passport with me and not in any bag that isn't going to stay with me-ever!

 

2. Never, ever travel to the point of embarkation on the day of the cruise

 

3. Never put a passport or any other travel document in any bag that will ever be out of my sight! (Yes, it's important enough to have 2 rules!)

 

4. Never pick up any covered document (passport, eBoarding pass, etc.) and blindly put in my pocket or anything that I'm carrying without first opening/unfolding it first and insuring that what is there is what I thought it was!

 

5. If I get an important question answered on which some other important thing depends, that I, at a minimum, write down and keep handy the name and address and/or phone number of the person who gave me that answer.

 

6. Not ask a question because someone else might think that the question is stupid. Better to ask the question and be thought stupid than not ask the question and be proven to be!

 

Tom

[Lucky TGO]

My husband and I have been on over 150 cruises, not bragging just want to emphasis how familiar we are with cruising. We are going on the Ruby to Alaska in August with another couple who has never cruised. What words of wisdom can you give me so I don't overwhelmed them! Thanks

 

Don't say anything just take pictures of them smiling :D so they never forget there first cruise.

Tony

[GUT2407]

Relax and have a wonderful time.

 

Patience. Let them enjoy themselves. Millions have cruised for the 1st time without any "help".

 

Too best bits of advice you'll get.

 

Not sure why their experience will be that much different than yours.

 

I haven't had as many cruises as you, but had a few all the same.

 

I still go wow, every time I board, actually I hope I always do.

[Tripmaven]

Your great question brought a memory from a Coastal Cruise last September where we took a group of seniors who had not cruised before or had only cruised many years ago. We discovered that the most important information was for the day of embarkation. Anyone who cruises knows that that day can be very tiring and stressful, even for seasoned cruisers. Once our group was on the ship we enjoyed watching them search and discover.

 

This is what we found were important tips: Have a pen handy to fill out the medical questionnaire: Keep your passport and cruise boarding document close by for a smooth check-in: Get your cruise card punched for the lavalier, which we encouraged due to the possibility of loss on the ship: Go early for the life drill in order to get a seat in the venue: Agree on a combination for the safe in the room. Last, but not least, was how to reach us on the ship, if needed.

 

They all got through the first day calmly and enjoyed a great cruise.

[donaldsc]

My husband and I have been on over 150 cruises, not bragging just want to emphasis how familiar we are with cruising. We are going on the Ruby to Alaska in August with another couple who has never cruised. What words of wisdom can you give me so I don't overwhelmed them! Thanks

 

Do nothing. Let them figure it out by themselves. I assume that you did that over 150 cruises ago and it apparently worked out. You are over planning.

 

DON

[NoWhiners]

Lots of good thoughts here. My basic advice--entertainment forward, food in the back! Helps you get a sense of direction when you are new. I still use this when I am on a new ship. Somewhat relative to where your cabin is I guess, but still helpful. I think it's like this on all big cruise ships, but I might be wrong. I know it's true for Princess and HAL.

 

ML