Ssutera Posted June 4, 2016 #1 Share Posted June 4, 2016 It's been a while since DH and I have cruised. Last time the kids were little and we were on DCL. We are very excited to be sailing on the Getaway in July with our now teenage boys. I was just wondering if there are any suggestions of what things to take care of as soon as we embark, besides eating and becoming familiar with the ship. Please suggest away!!!! Norwegian Getaway July 3, 2016 Disney Magic 2008 RCL Oasis of the Seas 2000 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Turtles06 Posted June 4, 2016 #2 Share Posted June 4, 2016 Take photos of your cabin as soon as you enter, while it's in the most pristine condition it will be in during the entire cruise (that is, before you mess it up! :) ) Enjoy your cruise! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King of Cruising Posted June 4, 2016 #3 Share Posted June 4, 2016 Cocktails!!! :eek: Get your wine package. Take pictures of what you're leaving behind. ENJOY!!! :cool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kealy Posted June 4, 2016 #4 Share Posted June 4, 2016 Pack your swimsuits in your carry-on and use the waterslides the first day -- before it gets crowded. Begin enjoying the amenities immediately while other folks are getting walking in circles. Enjoy your cruise! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FreestyleNovice Posted June 4, 2016 #5 Share Posted June 4, 2016 - drop off carry on soda/water - lunch - explore ship (indeed; pack swimsuit/shorts in carry on!) - greet room steward - muster drill - dinner/sail away Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casofilia Posted June 4, 2016 #6 Share Posted June 4, 2016 Make sure you only carry a small carry-on. Have a leisurely lunch in the MDR. Explore the whole ship. Go for a swim/use other amenities. Have a welcoming drink. By then your room should be ready so have a rest!! Then, of course there is Muster Drill and unpacking. By now you will be ready for your next meal!! Finally it is time for the evening show/casino/bar w.h.y. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrNora Posted June 4, 2016 #7 Share Posted June 4, 2016 Make comedy show reservations- they have been filling up fast from what I have read lately on CC. You can also download The iConcierge app and make the show reservations while waiting to board. Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david_sobe Posted June 4, 2016 #8 Share Posted June 4, 2016 Explore and decide where to go for your sailaway party. Also they have spa raffles that you enter prior to sailaway when you do tours of the spa, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timberlysmom Posted June 4, 2016 #9 Share Posted June 4, 2016 I love this topic! I always get the obligatory first vacation fruity beverage. We usually take advantage of the low crowds found early in the day and take time to pose for silly/fun pictures with each other at different "hot spots" on the ship. For example... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ssutera Posted June 4, 2016 Author #10 Share Posted June 4, 2016 Thanks so much for the great suggestions so far. I love the thought of taking a pic of the cabin, it will never be the same once we unpack. Also did not know about the spa raffle. Would love to win rather than pay if it was an option. Does anyone know if teens have to be registered for teen club? Keep sharing learning a lot and hopefully others are too!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare mking8288 Posted June 4, 2016 #11 Share Posted June 4, 2016 Assuming you've read/scan quickly the Freestyle Daily for Day 1 while waiting to (priority) board after checking in early ... activate your free iConcierge App by connecting to ship's WiFi inTRAnet before boarding/while waiting for lunch served in the MDR that's open (avoid the buffet as we do) - reasons: book any & all specialty dining reservations and shows, as additional time slots & seating are open and avoid standing in lines, otherwise - they will go quickly & be gone, faster than using the concierge services on the ship (s/he can't get to everyone at the same moment) Eat a "light" lunch, return to the room & take a power nap (30 minutes to refresh & feel energized again ... not good to swim or do the hot tub after a meal) - set the alarm clock & upon awakening, check to see if the luggages are outside waiting in the hallway, begin unpacking - should be just about time to "report" for the mandatory life boat safety/muster station drills. Go to join the sailaway activities - if not already done, put emails & voice mails in "on vacation mode, DND" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TougherThanTheRest Posted June 5, 2016 #12 Share Posted June 5, 2016 For the boys: if they have any interest in the ropes course, go there and enjoy while the crowds are low. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare BirdTravels Posted June 5, 2016 #13 Share Posted June 5, 2016 (edited) It's been a while since DH and I have cruised. Last time the kids were little and we were on DCL. We are very excited to be sailing on the Getaway in July with our now teenage boys. I was just wondering if there are any suggestions of what things to take care of as soon as we embark, besides eating and becoming familiar with the ship. Please suggest away!!!! Assuming that you will board early,,, 1) If you can connect to the ship's wifi from the terminal, register your phone and iConcierge with the ship. 2) Once registered, scan through the entertainment each night and determine if any of your pre-booked activities (shows, dinners, etc.) conflict with what you can see now that you are on board. 3) If you did not book dinner or show reservations before you arrived at the ship, now's the time. You can do a lot from your phone while waiting in the terminal. Kinda clunkly, but doable. If not, onboard there will be touch screens in all of the public areas which can be used to make new dinner and show reservations. If you have technophobia, then work directly at the reservations stands in the atrium to fix or add new reservations. 4) Have the first of many meals on the ship. The buffet will be open up on deck 15 as soon as you board. The Taste and Savor Main Dining Rooms will be open at noon for seated dining. 5) Explore the ship. If you won't be getting a spa pass, prior to muster, the spa personnel will allow you to wander up into the thermal suite,,,, just to check it out. Walk into the sauna and steam rooms. Lay down on the hot stone loungers. Enjoy a few minutes in the spa before they close it for paying customers. 6) Don't go to your room until you are invited by the Cruise staff (usually about 1:30.) 7) Get your kids set up with the Entourage Teen Club (you may not see them again until disembarkation day). 8) Checkout the ropes course, water slides, rock wall, etc. Edited June 5, 2016 by BirdTravels Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erocrobro Posted June 5, 2016 #14 Share Posted June 5, 2016 Definitely make show reservations. Especially if you want to do the comedy shows. Last week there was a very long line of people in the standby line who didn't get in. Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruisermom2nick Posted June 5, 2016 #15 Share Posted June 5, 2016 The touch screen kiosk will be working after muster drill. Take time to reserve comedy shows, theater shows, Howl at the Moon and any dining you haven't reserved yet. Things book up quickly! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elruth Posted June 5, 2016 #16 Share Posted June 5, 2016 We always go to the dining room that is open and skip the buffet as the latter is too crowded. Taste or Savor will be open when you board. Much more relaxing than the hectic buffet. I think the Getaway reservations are in the place where they have the comic show ( darn, can't think of the name right now) and that's where we make reservations for dinners at specialty restaurants once we board the ship. Once you get in your cabin, wipe down the phone, handles, light switches, tv remote etc. with a Clorox wipe and be sure you wash your hands often. This sounds a bit obsessive but we have never gotten ill on any of our cruises. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ssutera Posted June 5, 2016 Author #17 Share Posted June 5, 2016 Thank you all! I always pack wipes, OCD about that stuff. We have made our dinner reservations and entertainment reservations already through our PCC who is great! I have to check about the comedy club, don't think I have that. Is the iConcierge worth paying for and if so how many of us should put it on our phones? (DH and 2 teen boys traveling with us) We are planning to board asap. We have a incoming 9:30 flight to FLL from NYC. So nothing to do but stop to buy a case of water and get to port. Cannot wait to try Flamingo Grill. Really hope they do not change it to after our July 3rd cruise! Keep the suggestions coming!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kfamilycruise Posted June 5, 2016 #18 Share Posted June 5, 2016 Thank you all! I always pack wipes, OCD about that stuff. We have made our dinner reservations and entertainment reservations already through our PCC who is great! I have to check about the comedy club, don't think I have that. Is the iConcierge worth paying for and if so how many of us should put it on our phones? (DH and 2 teen boys traveling with us) We are planning to board asap. We have a incoming 9:30 flight to FLL from NYC. So nothing to do but stop to buy a case of water and get to port. Cannot wait to try Flamingo Grill. Really hope they do not change it to after our July 3rd cruise! Keep the suggestions coming!!! IConcierge will be totally worth it for you. you can call/text your boys anywhere on the ship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimandami Posted June 5, 2016 #19 Share Posted June 5, 2016 Thank you all! I always pack wipes, OCD about that stuff. We have made our dinner reservations and entertainment reservations already through our PCC who is great! I have to check about the comedy club, don't think I have that. Is the iConcierge worth paying for and if so how many of us should put it on our phones? (DH and 2 teen boys traveling with us) We are planning to board asap. We have a incoming 9:30 flight to FLL from NYC. So nothing to do but stop to buy a case of water and get to port. Cannot wait to try Flamingo Grill. Really hope they do not change it to after our July 3rd cruise! Keep the suggestions coming!!! We are on this cruise as well! Can't wait. We have a facebook group and have organized a meet and greet/slot pull if you are interested. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luckyinpa Posted December 7, 2016 #20 Share Posted December 7, 2016 I love this topic! I always get the obligatory first vacation fruity beverage. We usually take advantage of the low crowds found early in the day and take time to pose for silly/fun pictures with each other at different "hot spots" on the ship. For example... what ship has an elephant? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kilmar Posted December 7, 2016 #21 Share Posted December 7, 2016 (edited) Pack your swimsuits in your carry-on and use the waterslides the first day -- before it gets crowded. Begin enjoying the amenities immediately while other folks are getting walking in circles.Enjoy your cruise! I plan to do exactly this! It's going to be a bit hairy since I'm embarking in NYC in mid-December in possibly subzero weather, but what the heck, you only live once! Edited December 7, 2016 by Kilmar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luckyinpa Posted December 7, 2016 #22 Share Posted December 7, 2016 I plan to do exactly this! It's going to be a bit hairy since I'm embarking in NYC in mid-December in possibly subzero weather, but what the heck, you only live once! i regularly go from my house to my hot tub in all weather. but its more than 20 feet from my cabin to the hot tubs on the ship lol. are the bathrooms near the pool warm ? i never went in them last time on BA. then again it was 70 out. can you see the statue pretty easily if you are in a hot tub on BA? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LakeWobegon Posted December 7, 2016 #23 Share Posted December 7, 2016 Great tips. I like the iconcierge one. Last year, I downloaded it and booked all the dining reservations using the ship's wifi from the terminal. Checked one thing off early which felt great. We also learned to just bring the absolute essentials in a small carry on as noted. And yes, swimsuits to begin enjoying the pool and waterslides asap. We found on Escape during Easter week last year that the waterslides had unbelievably long lines and wait times the first day and then opened up considerably in the days after. Also found that if you get there each day to ride the slides right when they open, you can almost just keep getting back in line and going down the slide a few minutes later again for the first hour or so. Who would have thought there would be water slide strategy on vacation. One last note, we are notorious for liking to unpack immediately but on this cruise found we like to just experience the ship until after sailaway, then get organized and head to dinner. Too much to see and do right away before it gets busy to waste time unpacking! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lisakoivu Posted December 7, 2016 #24 Share Posted December 7, 2016 I second signing the kids up in Entourage as soon as it opens. There can be a long lineup later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luddite Posted December 7, 2016 #25 Share Posted December 7, 2016 Find the Pub and see if there is any decent beer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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