What tips would YOU give to a first-time cruiser?

[cruise_lover]

OK - your reservations were made months ago. You have your tickets and passports in your hand as you walk up the gang plank with your heart racing faster than it never have before. You have waited for this moment for months on end. You have heard that you can get 24 hour room service, if you are willing to wait long enough for it to be delivered and the cabins are tiny but you wanted to cruise anyway.

 

Welcome to the world of cruising. Your cabin is larger than you expected. In fact almost as large or larger than your bedroom at home. You also will have someone that will clean your room, make your bed, cook your meals, bring your meals to your table, clear the dishes when you are finished and even wash all the dishes, glasses and silverware you just dirty. The food might or might not be as great as your expected but then you realize that you are on a large ship with 3,000 other passengers and the chef is trying to please all of you. But wait, you on a cruise ship. And if you are eating in the main dining room (not one of the specialty restaurants) you can ask your waiter to bring back the menu and you can order something else to eat. Something you can't do back home at your favorite restaurant. You can even order 3 appetizers, one entree and two desserts if you want. :)

 

You get back to your cabin later that night and lo and behold your bed is not only turned down but has a chocolate mint waiting for you on your pillow. And if you are lucky enough during the week you'll get one or two of those towel animals you keep hearing about.

 

The next morning you wake up and decide you want breakfast served in your room so you call for room service and are told that they are busy and it will take awhile. At first you are wondering, what give's? Then you look at the time and see that it is during the peak time so you remind yourself that you are on a cruise and you don't have to grab a bite to eat as you are rushing out the door to get to the office on time. So you sit back, pick up the novel you brought with you, relax and wait for room service to bring you breakfast.

 

Its your first day at sea so after a leisurely breakfast you get dress, look at the rumble bed knowing that you won't have to make it because someone will be doing it for you. You pick up your Sign and Sail Card and head out to explore the ship. The sights, the sounds and the smells (its called fresh sea air, different than the smog and fumes from the traffic in the city) will have you dreaming long after you leave the ship. And just think, you are only on your first full day. But beware because the week can and does go by faster than you would like for it to.

 

Welcome to the world of cruising. You just got hooked; hook, line and sinker.

[lostie]

That's exactly how I feel and I leave in two days:D:D:D:D:D

[Seasickcruiser]

That's exactly how I feel and I leave in two days:D:D:D:D:D

 

 

Same here. I've felt like that since I booked the cruise. Now I'm driving everyone crazy with my cruise talk and bugging my husband to start planning our next one, and he hasn't been on his first yet. We leave in October.

 

Thanks to Cruise Lover, for that wonderful synopsis.

 

Dorothy:D

[cruise_lover]

Same here. I've felt like that since I booked the cruise. Now I'm driving everyone crazy with my cruise talk and bugging my husband to start planning our next one, and he hasn't been on his first yet. We leave in October.

 

Thanks to Cruise Lover, for that wonderful synopsis.

 

Dorothy:D

 

Thank you. My sister and I haven't even gone on our January 2008 cruise yet and we are in the process of planning our February 2009 (my 60th birthday) cruise. Go for it. Start planning your second cruise.

[KC_fn]

Maybe this is obvious, but since I often overlook the obvious:

 

Leave detailed information with someone back home. I type up a one-page itinerary, including:

 

Flights: Day & date of all flights, airline, flight number, departure/arrival times.

Hotels: Day & date of stay, hotel name & phone

Cruiseship: Day & date of cruise, name of line & ship, cabin number, emergency shore-to-ship phone (noting that a call is going to run them about $100, that way they don't pester me onboard :D )

 

I also attach a copy of our passports, even though I know that won't help if I get stranded somewhere, but it makes me feel better.

 

I leave a copy of all this with our nearest family member in case there's a family emergency, and with a neighbor in case there's a problem with the house.

 

DH thinks this is overkill, but it only takes a minute, and it's sure not going to hurt!

[Happy ks]

OK - your reservations were made months ago. You have your tickets and passports in your hand as you walk up the gang plank with your heart racing faster than it never have before. You have waited for this moment for months on end. You have heard that you can get 24 hour room service, if you are willing to wait long enough for it to be delivered and the cabins are tiny but you wanted to cruise anyway.

 

Welcome to the world of cruising. Your cabin is larger than you expected. In fact almost as large or larger than your bedroom at home.

 

.

 

I think this statement can be a little tiny bit misleading to those who haven't been on a cruise, or have only seen staterooms presented in movies and TV shows ;) .

 

We're not able to afford suites, just regular ole cabins, mostly with a balcony, our master bedroom at home is fairly small, probably 13 X 15. No way are ship cabins as large as a typical bedroom at home :eek: , my daughers tiny bedroom is larger than a regular sized cruise ship cabin, her bedroom is the smallest room in the house, around 10 X 9.

 

I do have to say, however, that ship cabins are so efficient, most of us have plenty of space for a week or so. The only problem we ever have with a cabin is if someone is in the hall getting stuff out of the closet and another person opens the bathroom door. My husband and I have whacked each other with these doors plenty of times!

 

So, the small size isn't so much a worry, just don't go thinking you are getting a lot of floor space if you have a cabin less than a suite size :)

[KC_fn]

The cabin will seem a little bigger if you take a bunch of hangers with you, and hang everything you possibly can. This will free up drawers and shelves for other stuff, which in turn will reduce the general clutter. Nothing makes a space seem more cramped than clutter.

 

I take the poly-wrapped metal hangers (yes, I know :( but it's only for a week). They're small, and they're so cheap that I don't even bother to pack them for the return -- just leave them in the closet.

[AmyVK]

"I have never taken an alarm clock but when I am on a cruise I really don't keep track of time. If you do plan on doing early morning excursions, I wouldn't count on the wake up call. You will be worrying all night if you get the call and you want to relax. A cheap watch with an alarm may be a good option as well."

 

Why not just bring an alarm clock from home? Or, how about wear a watch! Surely you have both of these items at home. I've also heard that you can buy the travel ones at the dollar store for cheap. I definately agree with "I wouldn't count on the wake up call." For me I like to know that I will be be awaken FOR SURE. This means that I myself set the alarm clock. That way I KNOW for sure that I'll be getting a reliable wake up.

[AmyVK]

"We are sailing on the Golden Princess. two questions: I have seen posts that recommend bringing a travel alarm clock. Isn't there a clock in the room (something lit so you can see it in the middle of the night perhaps?) And can't you request a wake up call if you need an alarm? I hate to buy a clock for just a one time use."

 

 

Why not take an alarm clock from home? Surely you have one. Also, I've heard that you can buy the travel ones from the dollar store. So maybe you could pick one up there for cheap?

[Shorex]

Research, research, research. Know what your own expectations are and what cruise line and itinerary will match them. If you expect to be able to special order osso buco for dinner at no extra charge, book with a luxury line such as Crystal or Silversea. If you expect to party hardy all night, try Carnival.

 

Your cruise experience is composed of several elements:

 

Pre-cruise planning and selection of cruise line and itinerary -- a great travel agent is critical here.

 

Travel from home to ship and ship to home. Plan for air (see the Cruise Air board) and transfers. Learn how to minimize the hassle.

 

Once on the ship your time is divided between PORT days and AT SEA days. What's a great day at sea for you? Soaking up rays, reading a book, attending an enrichment lecture, playing bingo or trivia, seeing a movie, improving your computer skills, being amazed at the power of nature as the ship drifts up close to a glacier....? Find a cruise that will satisfy how YOU define a great day at sea.

 

How do you plan to spend the evening? Dining at a time of your choice or a set time? Assigned seating or not? Casual dining around the pool? After dinner in the show lounge? or casino? or the Avenue? (plug for Crystal) or the disco? or the hot tub? or at a movie? Find a ship that will match your style of evening enjoyment.

 

What's a great day in port? Shopping, visiting a museum, kayaking, poking around ancient ruins, seeing wildlife, hiking in World Heritage forests, river rafting, visiting battlefields, taking a dip in Blue Lagoon in Iceland, crawling inside a pyramid, riding a camel in Lanzarote, sipping ouzo on the island of Santorini while overlooking the glistening Aegean Sea, finding the Irish pub in Bangkok, finding the Irish pub in Ushuaia, finding the Irish pub in Malta.......We've done all of the above (ok, except kayaking) and loved it. Find an itinerary that will give you memories YOU will cherish.

 

Take along a positive cheerful attitude and you will attract fellow cruisers who have a positive cheerful attitude.

[lostie]

"I have never taken an alarm clock but when I am on a cruise I really don't keep track of time. If you do plan on doing early morning excursions, I wouldn't count on the wake up call. You will be worrying all night if you get the call and you want to relax. A cheap watch with an alarm may be a good option as well."

 

Why not just bring an alarm clock from home? Or, how about wear a watch! Surely you have both of these items at home. I've also heard that you can buy the travel ones at the dollar store for cheap. I definately agree with "I wouldn't count on the wake up call." For me I like to know that I will be be awaken FOR SURE. This means that I myself set the alarm clock. That way I KNOW for sure that I'll be getting a reliable wake up.

 

Your as paranoid as Jerry Seinfeld. I've never had a problem with wake up calls.

[Kan't Wait]

When using the stairs stay to the right. When walking to your cabin stay to the right when someone needs to pass. Be kind and patient with elderly and handicapped passengers. Ignore complainers. Don't ditch people in line. Don't save seats. Don't save a lounge chair by the pool if you aren't going to use it right then and there. Take a lounge chair that isn't being used and only saved. Use the laundry service. Take at least two swimsuits. Save all of your charge slips (have an envelope for these) it helps to verify charges. Have the room steward empty the refridgerator so you have room for water bottles, Redbull etc... If traveling with another person decide who gets the right or left of the closet and desk. Have the room steward bring a large pitcher for water. Spend time looking at the photo gallery it can be fun and entertaining. Take a walk on deck at night. Watch at least one sunrise and one sunset. Take a picture of your ship while in port. Pose for formal night photos and buy one. Stay up late at least one night and go to the nightclub. Drink plenty of water. Wash your hands as much as possible.

Most of all just be happy and enjoy your first cruise.

[DBXX]

Great thread, looking forward to hearing more.

 

Danielle

[SirBeavis]

1) Relax!

2) Be adventerous in the dining room, order food you would not have at home.

3) Don't sweat the small stuff, no vacation ever goes completely as planned.

4) Be polite to the staff, they work hard for your pleasure.

5) Find a quiet spot on board, the loud poolside fun can get old.

6) Don't be shy, make new friends.

7) Don't go crazy with the shore excursions, they can get expensive. Sometimes just walking around with no plan at all is more fun.

[coach32]

1) The most amazing person you will ever meet might be serving you dinner or making your bed talk to the crew.

2) Spend your time researching your destination let the ship be a surprise.

3) Captain morgan comes in a plastic bottle.

4) A Cuban cigar is only a Cuban cigar if the label says made in Cuba.

5) If you don't leave a tip you will feel guilty.

6) Don't miss the boat, they will leave you.

7) You can check your bar bill any time.

8) Keep your belly full in rough seas.

9) If you dress up and pose for 20 pictures your wife will buy them all even though they all look the same.

10) On shore excursions avoid Bob. Bob will cause your group to be behind schedule making you skip some stops and rush thru others. He will complain and ask dumb questions. At the end of the trip he will rush off the bus, boat, or taxi complaining of motion sickness without tipping the guide. Don't try to look after Bob he'll just turn everybody against you too. Save yourself! His wife will have an annoying voice which you will hear constantly as she makes excuses why it's not their fault. Bob and Bobette are easy to spot they will be the couple at the front of any line that's not moving for no reason other than Bob's brain has locked up again.

[JPerry]

Just back from RCCL Monarch of the Seas.

This was my first cruise! Here are some tips that may be helpful!

 

1. There will be 15% charged on top of the price of each drink ordered, so dont feel bad about not tipping.

2. If you are going as a couple only purchase one soda package, you can share. Most of the time I just wanted water anyway.

3. Do not go through the ship for excursions, find them on your own they will be cheeper. When you get off the ship there will be plenty of things to go and do.

4. Eat a good breakfast before getting off the ship this way you wont have to spend much money on food when you get off the ship.

5. If you feel that you are getting sea sickness, eat apples.

6. Buy a cheep over the door shoe holder, this will come in handy for putting all your junk in so your stateroom is less of a mess.

7. Take a clock of some kind ( if you do not have a port hole it is very difficult to tell what time of day it may be. Dont depend on your cell phone for time, there may be times when it does not work.

8. Do all that you can do! Make it a time you will never forget! Take lots of pictures!

[PattyG12]

I already have a notebook and a list of everyones "suggestions" ..... I appreciate everyones help.

[rosegrower]

1. I just read the entire thread and I know someone mentioned Zip Locs of all sizes. We take the 2 1/2 gallon (jumbo size) ones. We put our dirty laundry in them as we go. When one fills up, we squeeze all the air out and store in closet. When you go to pack on the last night, you just put them in you luggage and you are packed in no time. When back at home, bags go to laundry room and then dumped into washer. These bags also work well if you have any damp swimwear. I know some people pack clothes in these bags by the outfit but we have not tried it.

 

2. If you are using a fold over garment bag, put garments in dry cleaning plastic bags and use tissue paper, especially at fold to prevent wrinkling. You can pack ahead, just keep bag flat. Fold at last minute before leaving for airport or drive. If you are arriving a day early, unfold the bag again until you leave for port. We learned the hard way that you just cannot leave the clothes folded for a long time or you will have major wrinkles!

[WECRUSIN]

Thanks for the great tips. We are going on the Crown to Bermuda in mid-Oct.

Cindy :)

[WECRUSIN]

Dorothy,

Have a wonderful time - we are looking forward to ours on the 14th. :)

[Ryffian]

1) When you park your car for the week, double check to make sure that ALL of the lights are off. Headlights, map lights, dome lights, etc.

2) Be sure you have a pair of jumper cables to help those passengers that left their headlights on when you return ... :D

[megr1125]

First thing to pack is an open mind!

 

try new foods, try new things, talk to those around you....

 

if you don't like something you order, tell your server...they are responsible for your happiness in the dining rooms! a server and maitre d both told me that if you aren't happy wth something and it winds up on the comment card, they get in trouble since they didn't have a chance to fix it!

 

don't expect perfection but don't expect a disaster either. you are on vacation..the alternative is work!

 

fly in at least a day ahead.....and try to stay an extra day after.

 

i did buy a fairly inexpensive alarm clock at target...it will lite up at night...not that i care what time it is on a cruise, i just don't want to sleep thru the early morning peae of wandering around the ship as we pull into port, or as the ship "wakes up"...just be careful on the outdoor decks early..they are often very wet from dew, seaspray and cleaning.....

 

you can mix and match clothes,especailly khakis..don't overpack..and you really do not need 2 changes per day, nor do you need shoes that match every outfit....

 

if you plan on cruising again, book onboard and book an appointment with the future cruise person asap...they tend to get very busy.....even if you don't book, or decide to cancel your appointment later....

 

Port--left (4 letters, or "do you have any port left")

starboard - right

aft - rear

foreward - self explanatory

 

gangway - how you enter and exit the ship if you are good

gangPLANK - how you EXIT the ship if you are BAD :D:D

 

Muster - one of 2 things you must do on a ship... (the other would be get off at the end of the cruise :( )

 

'may i have your seapass please?' ... what the bartender says after handing you a welcome aboard drink!

 

have a great time!

[megr1125]

1) When you park your car for the week, double check to make sure that ALL of the lights are off. Headlights, map lights, dome lights, etc.

2) Be sure you have a pair of jumper cables to help those passengers that left their headlights on when you return ... :D

 

...or at least a charged cellphone, or 50 cents for a pay phone and the number for AAA!!!

[Wiblet]

Two couples (early 60's) taking our first cruise. We're baffled by the choices and overloaded by info! Our choices are NCL, Carnival, Princess Sapphire. Our preconception was that Princess would be nicest, but there are no reviews of this ship on this route, and the reviews of other itineraries give it poor marks for food. In addition, it appears that the Princess crowd is a bit older (?) and more formal. We dress up to go to work--the last thing we want to do on holiday is pack formal clothes or spend any time in them.

 

*I know we can avoid the main dining room on formal nights, but is that a reasonable option?

*If one chooses the late dining room seating does that mean missing the shows?

*We are distressed to learn that the Sapphire permits smoking in staterooms--is that usual? Are there lines with non-smoking rooms?

*Is NCL perhaps a better fit for us?

*We could go on Royal Caribbean by juggling our schedules just a bit--is that worth it?

 

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

[Tyffni]

Two couples (early 60's) taking our first cruise. We're baffled by the choices and overloaded by info! Our choices are NCL, Carnival, Princess Sapphire. Our preconception was that Princess would be nicest, but there are no reviews of this ship on this route, and the reviews of other itineraries give it poor marks for food. In addition, it appears that the Princess crowd is a bit older (?) and more formal. We dress up to go to work--the last thing we want to do on holiday is pack formal clothes or spend any time in them.

 

*I know we can avoid the main dining room on formal nights, but is that a reasonable option?

*If one chooses the late dining room seating does that mean missing the shows?

*We are distressed to learn that the Sapphire permits smoking in staterooms--is that usual? Are there lines with non-smoking rooms?

*Is NCL perhaps a better fit for us?

*We could go on Royal Caribbean by juggling our schedules just a bit--is that worth it?

 

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

 

 

Even within cruiselines, there are some variances ship to ship on quality. I'm basing my response on my limited cruising so far.

 

My husband and I are not ones for dressing up either. On formal nights, we dress less formal (nice pants and blouse/shirt) and head to the buffett. On Princess, they dressed up the tables in the buffett on formal nights so that we would still feel treated. I think seafood night was often on a formal night so we didn't feel we were missing a thing!

 

You may wish to search for your ship's dailies to get an idea of when they schedule the shows. There are usually 2 showings I think.

 

A lot of lines have transitioned to no smoking in all staterooms and even balconies. For more details about specific lines, visit http://www.cruisecritic.com/features/articles.cfm?ID=225.

 

I think most cruises are what you make of them. We have cruised twice on Princess (we were in our late 20s) and felt it was a bit more distinguished (less abuse of drinking and fewer kids, even in the summer). We are transitioning to Carnival this summer, but I think we will be okay since we booked a suite and tend not hang around the pool (which is where I expect a lot of kids).

 

I hope this helps!