Topics for Meeting with First Time Cruisers?

[deadeye]

We are going on the Fascination on May 7 and a number of first time cruisers are going with us. My daughter is just finishing her Senior year of college and she and some of her gymnastics teammates are going to be joining us on the cruise.

 

There are going to be 11 of us in 4 cabins, my wife and I and our kids have been on 1 cruise, and my parents have been on quite a few. However 3 of the girls (2 of them 21, the other just 20) and the mother of one of the girls have never been on a cruise.

 

We will be meeting with them this weekend. What kind of things should I communicate to them that they may not be aware of? Some of the things we are going to talk about include:

 

1) Prepaid tips

2) Formal night

3) Dinner attire

4) Soda & Alcohol prices

5) Excursions

 

What else are some of the surprises that new cruisers don't expect?

 

I have learned so much from the boards here and I really appreciate all of the input from everyone.

[karen1225]

Just because I am a mom....maybe reminder about being safe onboard. No need for another "jumper" story. Also, reminder to have fun and relax. Since I have never cruised before either, I probably am not one to comment. Oh, well, I did anyway. Have fun!!!

[sea_u_onboard]

Make sure they have all their documents on them and not packed in their checked bags.

[sea_u_onboard]

Add room service to the list.

[caribbean dreams]

explain to them how the sign & sail card works.

[TennisLover]

Suggest they bring a small bag so they have a bag to pack for the last night (since they will have to put all their luggage outside their cabin before 12 midnight). They can put their stuff for the first day in here too, so they have some things before luggage arrives.

 

Hair dryers (if they have long hair, they may want to bring their own) and irons (Carnival has them in an ironing/laundry room so you don't have to worry about your clothes wrinkling!).

 

Photo ID needed to get back on the ship in some ports (like Cozumel, sometimes) -- drivers license will do; no need to go on excursions or go to beaches with your passport.

 

Great dancing in the Passage to India lounge with Music Asia (great rock music, if they or you like that). Music Asia on board till July.

 

You can check out my Fascination review for more tips (link below).

[MamaParrotHead]

We are going on the Fascination on May 7 and a number of first time cruisers are going with us. My daughter is just finishing her Senior year of college and she and some of her gymnastics teammates are going to be joining us on the cruise.

 

There are going to be 11 of us in 4 cabins, my wife and I and our kids have been on 1 cruise, and my parents have been on quite a few. However 3 of the girls (2 of them 21, the other just 20) and the mother of one of the girls have never been on a cruise.

 

We will be meeting with them this weekend. What kind of things should I communicate to them that they may not be aware of? Some of the things we are going to talk about include:

 

1) Prepaid tips

2) Formal night

3) Dinner attire

4) Soda & Alcohol prices

5) Excursions

 

What else are some of the surprises that new cruisers don't expect?

 

I have learned so much from the boards here and I really appreciate all of the input from everyone.

 

I got some plastic folders that were put together with a comb binding at Wal-Mart for like $1-$2 a piece (and purchased one for each couple that will be cruising with us). Each pocket I labelled with a category..."Flight/Transportation/Hotel", "Carnival", "Receipts" (for reconciling S&S charges at night with purchases made during the day), one each for the three ports were visiting "Cozumel", "Grand Cayman", "Ocho Rios", and a "MISC." folder.

 

I printed off copies of our itineraries, invoices, receipts for excursions we've booked, a few "first timer" sheets I've collected along the way, a safety sheet, a "What to Expect the First Day" sheet (all of these I'd be happy to email you), confirmations, contact info, a general packing list and budget outline, information on our Travel insurance, rough "time line" of when things should be done/paid for, and put them in the appropriate folder. Plus I included a laminated "Emergency Card" (to stash in our lanyards with our S&S cards or in a wallet) that lists important phone numbers (the emergency contact numbers listed in the Capers for each of our ports, travel insurance, US consulate number, Carnival number, airline phone number and flight numbers).

 

Hope that helps!

[deadeye]

I got some plastic folders that were put together with a comb binding at Wal-Mart for like $1-$2 a piece (and purchased one for each couple that will be cruising with us). Each pocket I labelled with a category..."Flight/Transportation/Hotel", "Carnival", "Receipts" (for reconciling S&S charges at night with purchases made during the day), one each for the three ports were visiting "Cozumel", "Grand Cayman", "Ocho Rios", and a "MISC." folder.

 

I printed off copies of our itineraries, invoices, receipts for excursions we've booked, a few "first timer" sheets I've collected along the way, a safety sheet, a "What to Expect the First Day" sheet (all of these I'd be happy to email you), confirmations, contact info, a general packing list and budget outline, information on our Travel insurance, rough "time line" of when things should be done/paid for, and put them in the appropriate folder. Plus I included a laminated "Emergency Card" (to stash in our lanyards with our S&S cards or in a wallet) that lists important phone numbers (the emergency contact numbers listed in the Capers for each of our ports, travel insurance, US consulate number, Carnival number, airline phone number and flight numbers).

 

Hope that helps!

 

That would be awesome to have a list like that emailed to me. How are contacts normally made on the board? I looked for a way to PM you, but I didn't see anything unless I missed it.

[MamaParrotHead]

at kwelsh1176 (at) msn.com. :) Happy to help! The docs are in Word, I hope that's OK.

[deadeye]

Word is great. I'm emailing you now. Thanks very much.