New cruisers

[noteaching]

My husband and I are going on a 7-day Alaskan cruise July 17-24 on the Rotterdam - very excited, but, neither of us has ever gone on a cruise before. Would like some basic tips from seasoned cruisers! We have a verandah suite, have booked shore excursions in Juneau, Ketchikan and Sitka, but what are some on-board ideas/suggestions? We are both 61, want to relax and enjoy, and not be too stressed about the dress code, which I've read a lot about. Shirt/tie/slacks for him, black pants/nice blouse for me OK? We have a later dinner time for 2 - will we miss shows? We want to have fun - hope cruising is for us!:rolleyes:

[cb at sea]

The shows are NEVER conflicting with traditional dining times....you won't have a problem with the shows!
Your wardrobe sounds fine..no tie needed on casual nights. On the formal evenings, you may want hubby to wear a jacket....maybe something a bit dressier than black slacks and blouse for you....evening pants (silk, satin or some other "dressy" material") with a cute top will be fine.
You will get a schedule of the daily events in your cabin nightly...that will allow you to plan your day, if you want to take part in the activities.
A cruise is just like any other vacation....do what you want, when you want....there's no right or wrong way to vacation!
For Alaskan cruises, you'll be off the ship in the ports...so your days will be full (and tiring!) Just enjoy!

[aliaschief]

This is always are number one tip for a Alaskan cruise. Each person have their own set of binoculars. Layers and gloves are next.

[3rdGenCunarder]

A seasoned cruiser told me that for Alaska, pack what you think you will need to be warm. And then double it!

My advice to a first timer is, pace yourself. If you have booked very active tours, use the days in between ports to relax. There are lots of activities ofered on sea days, but you may find that the chairs on your verandah call to you.

When you first board, explore the ship and get your bearings. Learn where the elevators are in relation to your cabin and how to get to the main dining room. Scope out the bars and see what looks appealing to you. There are lots of other places to find, but don't try to memorize the entire deck plans on the first day.

I think cruising is a wonderful way to travel, and I hope you like it, too. One final warning--cruising can be addictive!

Enjoy!!!!

[geocruiser]

Hi,

Welcome to Cruise Critic. You will need rain gear. Alaska get lots of rain.

Maria

[TracieABD]

Bring a camera and lots of film or memory... We took over 1000 pictures with 3 cameras in 7 days.
Alaska is breathtaking, and we were so happy to capture it on film.
I look at those pictures all of the time. They are precious to me.:)

[lazey1]

If you want to have fun you will have fun. Did you realize that your :rolleyes: means sarcastic?

For formal nights your DH will need a jacket and tie, for yourself a black silk or satin skirt or pants and a sparkley blouse and you will both fit right in at the main dining room.

In my humble opinion you would have to work at it to not enjoy cruising.

So enjoy yourself then come back and tell us all about it (please). :)

[COLLEYBERRY]

Welcome to CC and cruising

First of all you are going to LOVE. Alaska....what a wonderful choice for a first cruise..

The promenade deck circles the ship ... a stroll day or night is ... just so very like cruising in the movies:D

Room service breakfast ... such a treat... fill out the card hang it outside the door the night before and like magic your wishes will appear the next morning.. delivered quickly and without fuss.

Make sure you each have your own binoculars..it just makes things easier.

Tenders are a piece of cake.. the. staff take good care of you.and.boarding is easily managed.

Enjoy each sunset and and catch at least one sunrise.:)

I hope cruising brings you as much joy as it has my husband and I...

Happy Sailings to you both.

[mudscraper]

Go to the `Ports of Call` section of Cruise Critic and click on `Alaska`. Lot`s of good info for your trip.


Rich

[noteaching]

No, I didn't know that the little blue face means "sarcastic"! Thanks! I'm such a newbie to this!

[RAJKR74]

You will do fine. Read as much as you can on this CC site and ask questions. We did our first cruise on Hal to Alaska 3 years ago. It rained 4 out of the 7 days on the cruise. But like you, we live in the northwest (OR) and are prepared for it....raingear, warm jackets, hats and gloves. We did fine, had a great time. The ship was great and staff was excellant. Oh forgot...the food was good also!

[Krazy Kruizers]

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

A great viewing place is the Crow's Nest.

Check out your Roll Call at this link:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1156967

[RevNeal]

The excitement and joy of one's first cruise! Wow!
Go and have a great time! You've had some good advice here thus far. About the only thing I would add is that, while you sprang for a verandah and that's a good thing -- especially in Alaska -- don't forget that half the scenery is going to be on the other side of the ship. Particularly in Glacier Bay, try to get out and around the ship. Go all the way forward to the bow and, then, go up to one of the upper deck forward observation spots (like Verandah deck forward). There is so much to see, it would be a shame if you limited yourself to just what is visible from your verandah. Your day in glacier bay is not like any other sea day ... it is scenic cruising at it's best.

[COLLEYBERRY]

No, I didn't know that the little blue face means "sarcastic"! Thanks! I'm such a newbie to this!


Oops me too then .. not to worry.... I often use the rolly face guy when I am being self deprecating or if write something that I think others may think odd,,in a conversation you would roll your eyes and say I know I am being silly here but just bear with me :D I didn't take your use of him as sarcastic...Mr.Roll Eyes I promise to use you more carefully in the future.

Colleen

[jdsaf]

My husband and I are going on a 7-day Alaskan cruise July 17-24 on the Rotterdam - very excited, but, neither of us has ever gone on a cruise before. Would like some basic tips from seasoned cruisers! We have a verandah suite, have booked shore excursions in Juneau, Ketchikan and Sitka, but what are some on-board ideas/suggestions? We are both 61, want to relax and enjoy, and not be too stressed about the dress code, which I've read a lot about. Shirt/tie/slacks for him, black pants/nice blouse for me OK? We have a later dinner time for 2 - will we miss shows? We want to have fun - hope cruising is for us!:rolleyes:

We will be first timers on this same cruise! I have found alot of great information on this board. What excursions are you doing?

[IRL_Joanie]

My husband and I are going on a 7-day Alaskan cruise July 17-24 on the Rotterdam - very excited, but, neither of us has ever gone on a cruise before. Would like some basic tips from seasoned cruisers! We have a verandah suite, have booked shore excursions in Juneau, Ketchikan and Sitka, but what are some on-board ideas/suggestions? We are both 61, want to relax and enjoy, and not be too stressed about the dress code, which I've read a lot about. Shirt/tie/slacks for him, black pants/nice blouse for me OK? We have a later dinner time for 2 - will we miss shows? We want to have fun - hope cruising is for us!:rolleyes:

My friend and her family of 4 kids and her hubby are also on your cruise!! They were supposed to cruise last month but her eldest son broke his leg and she had to reschedule. Luckily for her, she is also a HAL PCC and was able to take advantage of overbooking and was able to reschedule for your sailing istead:)

She is really looking forward to this cruise as it is her first to Alaska and she is so looking forward to the relaxation of the sea days:)

You will have a blast!!!

On Board, if I might suggest, do the Culinary Arts cooking class, enjoy the art work, enjoy just visiting for a 1/2 hour or so the various bars/lounges and listening to the music.

Just relax and let the stress of your everyday lives pass yu by:)

Joanie

[pms4104]

You might consder a self-guided art tour on the ship. You can either download the podcasts from iTunes or from the HAL site and load them onto your mp3 player, or you can sign out a pre-loaded iPod at the library. Very enjoyable, and would make for an easy hour-or-so stroll at your leisure ... interesting insights about many of the art pieces on the ship.

[noteaching]

We will be first timers on this same cruise! I have found alot of great information on this board. What excursions are you doing?
In Juneau we're doing the Mendenhall Glacier & Whale Quest; in Sitka the Historic Sitka and Nature Walk; and in Ketchikan the City Highlights Trolley Tour. Seemed like a nice variety of activities.....