bringing along a newbie

[cibaygirls]

I am in the process of booking a Thanksgiving cruise on the Grand with my DH who have both cruised before. This time around I will be bringing my mother along with us. I am convinced she will love cruising, particularly on Princess. She is too, but is also terrified (she tends to get motion sick and saw the Poseidon adventure years ago).

I am beyond excited to share our cruising experiences with her so it got me thinking about what I am most excited to witness her experience...

So I would like to open up that question up to other experienced cruisers who have brought along a cruising newbie??

I am also open to any advice anyone has......especially cruising with my husband and my mother (they do get along wonderfully though)

Dana

[Pam in CA]

I wouldn't overwhelm her with details or rhapsodize over things that are subjective taste. Find and print out copies of Princess Patters so she can get an idea of the types of activities but explain that every CD is different so there might be more, less or different activities. The Patters have a wealth of information besides activities. Familiarize her with the check-in process so she knows what to expect. Let her know the things you enjoy doing and where you're likely to be, if possible, so if she's on her own, she will know where to find you. And make a "date" to meet at a certain time and place at least the first night. Keep it as simple as possible.

[cibaygirls]

As always Pam, words of wisdom. i will have to slow myself down a bit to avoid overwhelming her. I have already thrown so much at her and that is before we even booked! I am just so excited.

I love the idea of showing her some of my previous patters prior to going. Thanks!

[lcmslady]

I took a newbie with me in 2011 and I tried to give her as much info as she wanted but still not spoil the 'surprise'.

I walked her through check-in and other important stuff.

Here's what was neat for me though - I didn't realize it but I had become sort of 'ho-hum' about cruising - I had gotten to the point where I just took it for granted that I could cruise.

Watching her marvel over everything that we saw and did opened my eyes to how I had quit noticing some of the stuff - like the beauty of a beach.
I thanked her for that......I no longer take any of it for granted and try to see everything with the eyes of a newbie.

I would ease her through the things that she won't know about and then let her enjoy in her own way and at her own pace.

[MichelleinOC]

How nice that you will be taking your mom on her first cruise. I took my mom on hers and it was a wonderful experience and memory. I do think Pam's thoughts are right on. Give her some of the basics and let some things be a nice surprise.

My mom and I did quite a few things together but during the day she enjoyed more of the ship's activities and I tend to find a lounge chair and read for a few hours at the very minimum. I just let her know the general area she might find me and all was well.

Never traveled with my mom and ex-husband on the same trip. I would say that if everyone goes in with the idea that you'll do some shared activities together but that everyone is free to come and go as they please without feeling obligated to entertain one another all should be good for you and yours.

Have a wonderful cruise!

[sueandkent]

We are cruising with 4 newbies on our next cruise including my grown daughter. I think I'm most excited about seeing their faces and sharing their awe of the first time you walk on to the ship. It's never the same after the first one.

[Pam in CA]

Another thought: print out the deck plans and show her how to get to specific places from her cabin. Share tricks for figuring out whether you're walking forward or aft. With the size of today's ships, it's easy for even a seasoned cruiser to be "directionally challenged." If she has a smartphone, there's a great app called "Ship Mate" (for each cruise line) which has deck plans, itineraries, a way to list everyone's cabin #'s and a lot more. Before sailing with a group of family and friends, I make up a small list of names, cabin #'s and onboard phone # and give a copy to each person to make it easy and less confusing to stay in touch.

[woodspines]

We took our friends on their first cruise last year. My greatest enjoyment was watching them experience everything for the first time. However, it wasn't until after the trip when my friend said, "I just couldn't get over looking at everything and thinking I was on a ship," that I realized I may have rushed through things too fast. For example, boarding and heading straight to our cabin. I should have slowed down and allowed enough time for them to take it all in.
My advice, is to just give mom enough time to enjoy the experience. Also, give her the opportunity to decide what to do rather than plan everything yourself.

Have fun!!!

[sunluva7]

We are bringing my brother and his wife with us on the 8-day Ireland-Scotland Interlude this August for their first cruise. I think I've overwhelmed them with all my impressive cruise knowledge and have now taken a step back to let them process all the stuff I've filled their heads with. There are new cruisers (like I was) who vacuumed up every cruise tidbit I could learn in order to be fully prepared, and then there are newbies like my brother who will leave me to plan the whole cruise and just go with the flow. Fine with me.

[2BeOnaBoat]

Originally Posted by cibaygirls

I am in the process of booking a Thanksgiving cruise on the Grand with my DH who have both cruised before. This time around I will be bringing my mother along with us. I am convinced she will love cruising, particularly on Princess. She is too, but is also terrified (she tends to get motion sick and saw the Poseidon adventure years ago).

I am beyond excited to share our cruising experiences with her so it got me thinking about what I am most excited to witness her experience...

So I would like to open up that question up to other experienced cruisers who have brought along a cruising newbie??

I am also open to any advice anyone has......especially cruising with my husband and my mother (they do get along wonderfully though)

Dana

If she's internet savvy get her on CC and direct her to Roll Calls, Princess Cruises, First Time Cruisers and Ports of Call. She'll be the only expert blue card cruiser!

[cibaygirls]

Thank you all soooo much... I am sad to say though that after putting all the pieces together (paying single supplement for the room- she really wanted a balcony, boarding her dog while away, airfare over Thanksgiving weekend) the particular cruise we were looking at became too pricey, so we are not booking it

Needless to say I am so disappointed, but I do vow to get her on one soon; she did say that perhaps next May for our birthdays. So please keep the advice coming, I love reading it all, and it seems like there are others in the same boat (no pun intended) that will benefit as well.. You bet your bippy that I am going to keep my eyes peeled for any good deals that come our way prior to next Spring

Dana