What is your best secret/piece of advice for new RC cruisers?

[Tigerlawmpw]

My family is going on its first Royal Caribbean cruise (Harmony of the Seas / Eastern Caribbean)  and I wanted to see if all of the experts on the board would be willing to provide any little secrets and/or pieces of advice to help me make this the best vacation ever for my family!  🙂

 

thanks in advance for the help!

[Clarea]

Don't plan every minute of your cruise.

 

Bring half the clothes you think you need and twice the money.

[PhoenixCruiser]

Bring comfortable shoes

 

Pack some OTC meds for just in case.  The ones onboard are pricey

 

 

[A2Mich]

26 minutes ago, Tigerlawmpw said:

My family is going on its first Royal Caribbean cruise (Harmony of the Seas / Eastern Caribbean)  and I wanted to see if all of the experts on the board would be willing to provide any little secrets and/or pieces of advice to help me make this the best vacation ever for my family!  🙂

 

thanks in advance for the help!

 

 

Is is this your first cruise ever, or first on RCI?

 

I would also suggest bringing a basic first aid kit, and as suggested, OTC meds (neosporin, Tums, Imodium, maybe even a laxative, just in case (🤣)). When is your cruise?  We are booked same ship/itinerary in May 2020.

[karena1]

I pack a lot as I like choices.  I take a different outfit for each evening and probably double the swim suits so I can pick and choose.  I take flip flops, fancy flip flops, dress sandals for formal etc.  Take cold meds, aspirin, first aid kit, sun screen, toiletries, blow dryer (I hate the ones on the ships), sweater for the evening as some venues can be chilly.  Most of all, don't sweat the small stuff and just enjoy.  Make reservations for the shows.  If you have MTD, do not feel like you have to make reservations.  If you have a big group, you probably should, but since it is just me and my husband, we never do.  Check the boards for things to do in the islands.  You don't always have to book excursions through Royal.  There are fantastic tour companies in each island that are less expensive.  We are beach people so just hit our favorite beaches.  Have been on Royal 104 times and to the Eastern Caribbean many times. If you have any specific questions, let me know and I will try to help you out.  Go with the flow, so much to do/see on Harmony that you can get stressed if you try to do everything.  See the Aqua Show, Ice Show, Production show which is Grease and super good.   Just have an amazing time.  If you have kids, they will love the water slides and mini golf course. 

Edited February 28, 2019 by karena1

[matj2000]

Don't micro-manage your trip.

 

Don't plan every second of the day.

 

Don't  try to find everything you can about the ships nook & crannies.

 

Don't read the Daily Compass's people post here.

 

Don't Look over every menu available that people post here.

 

Find out the basics and learn as you go.

[mets07]

In addition to the more general recommendations you are getting....

 

On Harmony, take advantage of the free breakfast at Johnny Rocket's  ... you can sit outside on the Boardwalk. We really enjoyed this. 

 

Don't miss the Aqua and Ice Skating shows.... 

 

Have a great time. 

🌞

[taglovestocruise]

Book all your shows as soon as they open in the cruise planner. Absolutely skip embarkation day lunch in the Windjammer and go to the Bistro or Park Cafe. 

[Tigerlawmpw]

36 minutes ago, A2Mich said:

 

 

Is is this your first cruise ever, or first on RCI?

 

I would also suggest bringing a basic first aid kit, and as suggested, OTC meds (neosporin, Tums, Imodium, maybe even a laxative, just in case (🤣)). When is your cruise?  We are booked same ship/itinerary in May 2020.

 

1st RC cruise, 3rd overall (2x on disney). sail date, Feb. 2020.

Edited February 28, 2019 by Tigerlawmpw

[Johnamac123]

1 hour ago, Host Clarea said:

Don't plan every minute of your cruise.

 

Bring half the clothes you think you need and twice the money.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

This.. Clarea knows more about Royal Caribbean than Royal Caribbean knows about Royal Caribbean....

[A2Mich]

11 minutes ago, Tigerlawmpw said:

 

1st RC cruise, 3rd overall (2x on disney). sail date, Feb. 2020.

 

 

Oh ok.  I have not cruised Disney, so can’t tell you any specific differences. We used to be Carnival cruisers (and May still sail with them in the future), but we currently enjoy RCI’s product.  I would guess that many things are in fact similar, but many of RCI’s ships are absolutely massive in size, and tend to offer many things that other cruise lines and ships simply cannot.

[AlanF65]

1 hour ago, Host Clarea said:

Don't plan every minute of your cruise.

 

Bring half the clothes you think you need and twice the money.

Do you need twice the money for the clothes you buy

[Tigerlawmpw]

1 hour ago, A2Mich said:

 

 

Oh ok.  I have not cruised Disney, so can’t tell you any specific differences. We used to be Carnival cruisers (and May still sail with them in the future), but we currently enjoy RCI’s product.  I would guess that many things are in fact similar, but many of RCI’s ships are absolutely massive in size, and tend to offer many things that other cruise lines and ships simply cannot.

 

Yeah we did both of our Disney cruises on the two older ships so I think if I get it right that the harmony is about three times the size of the Magic and wonder

[John&LaLa]

Book the Comedy Club

[Tigerlawmpw]

Thanks everyone for The great responses! If anyone else wants to jump in with their thoughts, it would be greatly appreciated as well! 🙂

[NateUpNorth]

Sometimes you can "barter" the prices on things like specialty dining and galley tours. I've seen posts where people have got greater discounts on specialty dining just by asking, and we personally got significant discounts on the galley tour.

 

Independent excursion operators do fantastic work.... caveat...... do your research first!! Use the "Ports of Call" threads on cruise critic extensively for recommendations.

 

Book your shows ahead of time, however make sure to leave open spaces in your schedule, there's a LOT to do.

 

[birdylady]

Walk the decks.  Notice each deck and each side of each deck (specifically cabin decks) are decorated differently. A- It helps you get oriented to which side of the ship you are on, B- you get to see all the different artwork and C- you get your steps in. 
Erika

[Johnamac123]

11 hours ago, John&LaLa said:

Book the Comedy Club

Hey John - Bella has some competition now - see EmilyJay's post # 46 on the Live Review Navigator OTS  ABC's 1st - 10th March thread...

[John&LaLa]

1 minute ago, Johnamac123 said:

Hey John - Bella has some competition now - see EmilyJay's post # 46 on the Live Review Navigator OTS  ABC's 1st - 10th March thread...

 

Someone posted a Westie, Lola, on my Oasis live.  

[Clarea]

4 minutes ago, Johnamac123 said:

Hey John - Bella has some competition now - see EmilyJay's post # 46 on the Live Review Navigator OTS  ABC's 1st - 10th March thread...

 

I think Ellen's dog is pretty cute too.

[Johnamac123]

9 minutes ago, Host Clarea said:

 

I think Ellen's dog is pretty cute too.

They all are. We're so blessed to have them!! My little girl is recovering from 2x ACL (same knee) surgery. Rehab is difficult but we're working thru it...

[Johnamac123]

24 minutes ago, John&LaLa said:

 

Someone posted a Westie, Lola, on my Oasis live.  

Post #? please. 

[John&LaLa]

1 minute ago, Johnamac123 said:

Post #? please. 

 

Sorry, I don't recall.  I can check later this afternoon

[bigeck]

1 hour ago, Host Clarea said:

 

I think Ellen's dog is pretty cute too.

Could be related

[Johnamac123]

1 hour ago, John&LaLa said:

 

Sorry, I don't recall.  I can check later this afternoon

ESPN posted # 384, page 16.