PLEASE help this new cruiser!!!

Hi! Taking our first cruise (honeymoon) on Star Princess December 5.

 

I’d REALLY appreciate some tips from you *experienced* cruisers:

1. How early to be at the dock on the day we leave

2. What should we do first on the ship? Is there a good place to watch the ship leave port? Where should we go to get a good snack?

3. What events on the ship should we NOT miss?

4. What is this crafe service I keep hearing about? And there’s a buffet that’s different?

 

Thanks for helping this very unknowledgeable cruiser!

Hi! Taking our first cruise (honeymoon) on Star Princess December 5.

 

I’d REALLY appreciate some tips from you *experienced* cruisers:

1. How early to be at the dock on the day we leave

2. What should we do first on the ship? Is there a good place to watch the ship leave port? Where should we go to get a good snack?

3. What events on the ship should we NOT miss?

4. What is this crafe service I keep hearing about? And there’s a buffet that’s different?

 

Thanks for helping this very unknowledgeable cruiser!

1. You can arrive around 11:30 for most cruises with boarding beginning at noon OR later in the afternoon prior to sailing time. 2. Take your carry-ons to your room. Lunch at the Horizon court if you have not eaten lunch or want a snack. The Grill may be open on deck 14 for burgers, or pizza may be open, and if you just can't wait for "free" ice cream in the dining room at dinner you can purchase that on deck 14 also out by the pool. After that either relax or explore the ship. Good place to watch the ship leave port is your balcony - especially if on the dock side- or the open decks like 14 or 15 on the Star Princess 3. A "Patter" for the day will be on your bed. Look it over and see what appeals to you. Could suggest many things but they might not appeal to you so is really best for you to decide. 4. Have never heard of "crafe service" so can't answer that one.

We like to get to the ship as early as possible on boarding day, which is usually around noon. The crowds aren't as thick and the whole process generally takes less time. If your cabin is ready, you can drop your carryon bags (your checked luggage will take a few hours to arrive from the pier), head to the Horizon Court buffet and have lunch. The Horizon Court is open 24 hours, so you can always get a good snack there.

 

If you want a spa treatment, drop your bags & head up there to make your appointment. The more conventional treatments like massages book up quickly, especially for days at sea. I think you can see the offerings on Princess' website, so you have an idea of what will work for you.

 

We haven't been on the Star for 2 years, so I don't know what shows, etc. they have. We always like the production numbers, but that's a matter of personal taste.

 

Crafe service? I don't know what that is.:eek:

 

Have a wonderful time - is this your honeymoon?

1. We usually get to the dock around 11. There's usually quite a lot of people there already but not so many as to make the wait that long once they open the doors. I think if things go right they usually open up around 11:30. If you want to avoid the lines I would say get there at 1:30 or so.

 

2a. First thing to do.....Well....on your honeymoon....hummmm....lets see......... :D

 

2b. We always check out our room first and then buy our soda card and a drink of the day and head to the buffet. After that we take a walk around the ship to get the lay of the land. For sailaway we love the promenade. Last year I think there were only a dozen or so passengers there. A lot of crew though. We watched from the side facing the breakwater and then once we passed that we walked to the back of the ship to watch the other ships following us out. Of course don't forget to get a drink to toast with before going out there!

 

3. We love catching as many shows as we can. Also we love the deck party. Usually a bit crowded but still fun. Not an event but check out Skywalkers during the day. Usually very quiet up there and the view is great.

 

4. Not sure on what this is. Sorry!

 

Scott

Welcome "getting married" to Princess

 

The above suggestions are right on target and will help you get a really good start on your cruise.

 

As more questions come up, be sure to come back here and ask them ok?

Where should we go to get a good snack?

If you want lunch rather than just a snack, I'd recommend going to the dining room instead of the buffet; much nicer experience!! Gets you used to being pampered for the week and don't have to fight the crowds. :D

If you want lunch rather than just a snack, I'd recommend going to the dining room instead of the buffet; much nicer experience!! Gets you used to being pampered for the week and don't have to fight the crowds. :D

Agree BUT...unfortunately most of the ships this past year have opted not to have the dining room open on embarkation day.

Regarding ? #3, if you're interrested there is usually an escorted ship tour at around 3pm your first day of sailing. Check your patter for the exact meeting place and time. A great way to learn about all the ship has to offer.

It's also a good idea to make reservations for the specialty restaurants --- the steak house and Sabbatini's --- on the first afternoon, since the best times do go fast. There is usually a desk set up outside one of them, with a waiter there to help you. He can also tell you which nights of the week have which themes --- Italian Night, for instance --- in case this helps with your decision. These reservations can always be cancelled, so you don't lose much by making one, if you think this is something you might enjoy. For more info on these, keep reading the boards, there's always lots of chatter about them. Congratulations on your upcoming marriage!!

We'll be on the star as well that day. Here's what we plan to do.

 

Homework: Before we leave, we will have downloaded the appropriate patters posted on various sites so we pretty much know what to expect and when, especially spa treatment prices and special deals/sales and show schedules. Also by reading the boards from the weeks prior sailing, the best specialty resturants will be known, so we know where to get reservations.

 

Arrive around 11:30 at dock - make sure you have filled out all of your information on line prior to leaving - that gets you through quicker. Get coke sticker. Drop carryons in room. Grab patter. Check excursion tickets, if in cabin. Take both digital cameras, one for me and one for her, and start out. Priority 1 is to reserve speciality resturants. Priorty 2 is to check spa prices and reserve treatments. Priority 3 is lunch wherever the crowd is less - usually the dining room or the grill/pizza place - the buffet is typically crowded. As we go we take pictures as we explore the ship. This is the best time to explore and photograph. We usually take the majority of our ship photos during the exploration tour. Exploring a new ship is a real kick.

 

Don't worry about your luggage. It will either arrive or not and there's not a thing you can do about it. (Note - If you have rented tuxes or gowns and shoes for formal nights, try them on as soon as possible to ensure they fit.)

 

After muster, some of us on the roll calls are getting together in the library to put a face to a name. That should be fun.

 

Sailaway on deck is fun out of fort lauderdale. You want to be on the left hand side of the ship facing the large condos and apartments. Don't know on the Star where the best place is, but explore around until you find a good place. As the ship leaves, the decks get pretty crowded, but its fun waving at everybody, especially as other ships leave at the same time. Everyone is having a good time at this point and it is a party atmosphere. This to me is the best time of the cruise because you leave work, responsibility and cell phones home.

 

Get in the mood and just simply enjoy. Its the best vacation I've ever had.

I've seen my mom's daily ones from RCI, Celebrity and Norweigan.

Would love to see Princess.

THanks,

Kristin

We love booking in around 11:30, not as crowded and you will have the afternoon to enjoy. A note about your carry-on - if it is a nice day out you might want to bring your swimsuit along with you when you board. That way, if you choose, you can head to the pool to soak up some sun and relax!! Remember you have 7 days to explore and discover!!

 

We have never rushed to book restaurants or spa treatments and have never had difficulty getting the times we would like. Make sure you see the production shows - not everyones bag, but we love them (even if our daughter wasn't one of the dancers :D on the star). You will need to be about 15 - 1/2 an hour early to get a seat.

 

Relax and have a good time - there is no wrong way to enjoy a cruise!!

Have a wonderful time - is this your honeymoon?

 

Yep! It's our honeymoon. We'll be spending a few days in Ft. Lauderdale and then taking the cruise. I'm pretty excited!

 

 

Again, thank you everyone for your advice (and for your well wishes)! I'm really looking forward to a fun and relaxing week.

 

If you have more advice, I'll be back to read it later!

I’d REALLY appreciate some tips from you *experienced* cruisers:

 

4. What is this crafe service I keep hearing about? And there’s a buffet that’s different?

 

 

I'd like to know too, what is that "crafe" service? Where did you hear about it?

KKB check out cruiseclues.com and look to the "Ship Strips" under your ships name. You will find all kinds of links there.

Your new wife and you will probably enjoy the Champagne Waterfall in the atrium the second formal night of your cruise. Also, check your Princess Patter for Pub Night. Both events are not to be missed.

Okay, seems no one know what crafe serice is. Maybe I read something wrong somewhere and I messed up.

Do you mean the Caribe Cafe maybe?

 

jen

Beginning marriage on a cruise is a nice start! Since embark day is a "travel move" day regardless, I too, agree that getting aboard as early as possible is a plus. You're not going to do much else that day anyway, so be ahead of the herd and give yourself an opportunity to puruse the ship - meet the cabin steward, etc. before things get REALLY hectic for the crew (its a hectic day for them start to finish). Your luggage is also more likely to be delivered earlier.

 

Take a carry bag with a swim suit (and minor clothes, toiletries so you can enjoy the afternoon poolside), take a swim while the pax come aboard.

 

Just relax and enjoy, like another said "roll with it". Lauderdale is a nice harbor to depart (given a flat landscape) you pass out a slot channel by some hi-rise condo type buildings - the locals waive to the big ships. I'd be up on the pool decks, in the breeze, drink in hand if that's good, just walking the exuberance on - sliding toward the stern as the ship hits the open water and the coastal beach appears and recedes... ENJOY!

 

P.S. You've got to do Stingray City on Grand Caymen! Excellent operators beat the ship excusions at lower cost (Capt'n Marvin, Nativeway - google 'em) on a trip that every publication from National Geographic down calls a must. Book a morning trip; you can hang around the pier and shop or swim Eden Rocks in the afternoon.