Very Important Questions..UPCOMING cruise on the SUN

Morning everyone!

As a virgin aboard any ships. We have what they would call pre booked with our travel agent for the N534 aboard the SUN coming up on November 7th. We got an amazing deal for the 5 of us being my husband, myself our daughters aged 15 1/2, 11( only 4 weeks to go) and our little man who is 2 1/2.

Anyway we will be flying to Sydney the day before as I have all my family in Sydney whom I havent seen in 18 months so we will have a little reunion which will be great and head on down to Darling Harbour on the Monday.

When I say pre booked well they are holding the cabin as we await my husbands company to approve his leave. ( Alot of money to pay and lose)

My husbands company are not famous on wanting to give out holidays to often when we want them. He isnt allowed them in Dec, Jan or any school holidays for that matter so we have to take them out of school time which in November is exams etc but what can you do...not go on a holiday! No way!

So to cut a long story short I have some fears... and questions of course!

• I have this big fear about my son going overboard on the boat and have been having awful dreams of this for the past few days.
  
• I will admit I dont even like boats but I am being pulled towards this cruise from the good lord above! I know some may think it is strange but for someone who has never liked boats I just piped up one day after having a vision and said to my husband who was suprised...lol...We need to go on a cruise for our next holiday and so the plans began.

I will begin my questions and I hope someone can answer me as this will all help me.

• what time can we board the boat?
  
• Is my son who will be with me 24/7 allowed into the kids areas if I am with him to play? As I have to keep him as well as myself amused.
  
• Obviously he will eat for free even though we didnt pay for him am I correct?
  
• Is the food good? We dont go out to eat much so I am sure this will be a luxury type of eating.
  
• Should we take some currency for the stop over countries? Or do they have the facilities onboard to change this over?
  
• Any idea of how much money to take?
  
• How does the cruise card work? Does it have a pin number?
  
• The name of the best sea sickness tablets for children and adults?
  
• Also do we need needles for this cruise?

I would like to take the time to thank you for reading my post. My family and I are all virgin cruisers and so looking forward to being apart of this life time experience for all of us. Now as we wait for my husbands leave to be approved ( I am thinking optimistically here) as we will be so disapointed if it doesnt come through as this holiday has worked out so cheap for us compared to the likes of flying overseas and even better we get to see 4 countries as well. Cant wait for FIJI. Love that place. Keep us in your prayers for the approval...

If anyone has any other suggestions please send them to me at gories72@bigpond.net.au and please come someone tell me how to get the timer!

Have a good day and roll on November 6th!!!

Anissa

From Sunny Brisbane:)

Hi Anissa,

I will try to answer some of your questions:

· what time can we board the boat? Embarkation normally starts at 1pm but can be a little earlier depending on departure time. Full details will be included in your tickets.

· Is my son who will be with me 24/7 allowed into the kids areas if I am with him to play? As I have to keep him as well as myself amused. I wouldn't think this would be a problem. I would suggest however taking some toys & games for him so that if you need to you can keep him occupied in the cabin or on a deck chair while you try to relax.

· Obviously he will eat for free even though we didnt pay for him am I correct? Yes, I believe he will eat free but if you are concerned check with P&O. The kids menu is specially formulated for kids and has all the great things they like to eat.

· Is the food good? We dont go out to eat much so I am sure this will be a luxury type of eating. The food is fantastic. You don't stop eating and the standing joke is that they take you on a passengers and roll you off as cargo! Breakfast is either a full buffet with everything from cereal & toast to a full cooked breakfast with juice and free tea & coffee, full service in the restaurant with everything you could want for breakfast OR a continental breakfast to your cabin. Lunch is either a full buffet (including Pizza on the Sun!) or a 3-4 course meal in the restaurant. Dinner is another amazing meal with 5-7 courses and nothing stopping you having something from each course. Believe me you don't go hungry. They are also very happy to help out with fussy eaters, just let your table waiter or the Maitre D know.

· Should we take some currency for the stop over countries? Or do they have the facilities onboard to change this over? There is money changing facilities on board.

· Any idea of how much money to take? This is a very personal thing depending on how much you usually spend. To some what seems like a lot is actually a little to others. I usually take a little over $1,200 for a 10 night cruise and come back with plenty of gifts for everyone I have left at home. But then I don't have kids!

· How does the cruise card work? Does it have a pin number? The cruise card is issued to you when you board and has a credit of $300 which you usually have to pay for in the first few days. I don't think kids have any cash on their card to start. There is no pin but you will be asked to sign the receipts.

· The name of the best sea sickness tablets for children and adults? We normally just use Kwells, but if you are prone to sea sickness I would suggest something a little stronger like maybe Dramamine.

· Also do we need needles for this cruise? You shouldn't need any needles but your travel agent should be able to advise you if you do.

Don't worry about falling overboard. The statistics are in your favour. I have only heard of a few people falling overboard and most of the time they were drunk or trying to commit suicide. There are barriers designed to keep people on board even in strong winds so I am sure your son will be fine. Saying that however please ensure your children understand that they must never sit on the railings of the ship and understand they should stay off the open decks in extreme winds (usually the decks are closed if the winds get too big).

I pray that your husbands holidays come through and am sure you will have a fantastic time.

Cheers,

Chaz :)

Hi Anissa,

I'll try and answer some of your questions.

 

I have this big fear about my son going overboard on the boat and have been having awful dreams of this for the past few days.

 

Unless your son is climbing over the railings i cant imagine this happening. Just keep an eye on him and dont let him wonder off.

what time can we board the boat?

From my experience get to the terminal at noon and line up you should be onboard by 1-2pm. Once on board all facilities will be avaiable.

• Is my son who will be with me 24/7 allowed into the kids areas if I am with him to play? As I have to keep him as well as myself amused.

Not sure as i havent been on a cruise with kids yet. (Taking my nephew who is 10 in Jan with my Brother)

 

Is the food good? We dont go out to eat much so I am sure this will be a luxury type of eating.

 

The food is excellent. The 5 course dinners are wonderful. From my experience the food is great quality and interesting.

• Should we take some currency for the stop over countries? Or do they have the facilities onboard to change this over?

The cruise ship should have local currencies for the countries you are visiting on board

Any idea of how much money to take?

 

only the money for things you plan to do? tours, shopping, food??

• How does the cruise card work? Does it have a pin number?

The cruise card is linked to an onboard account. When you board they give you your card (one for each person) and take your photo when you board. This serves as your ID and on board cash. On the first day all cards (not sure about kids) have a $100 advance credit put on them. This is removed by PO about 24-48 hours after you board. Any funds used must be paid for. During this first 24 hours its advisable to go to the pursers office and place an amount of money on each card say several hundred for yourself and husband and maybe a smaller amount for your kids. its up to you. Once onboard everything is paid for with your cruise card. the card is swiped and the amount is deducted from the balance. There is no pin number. Your photo and signature on the back are the security. when they swipe your card they see a photo. If the photo matches its all good.

After every transaction you get a recipt detailing the transaction and the balance pre and post transaction.

Its important to remember that everything on the ship is bought using this card, drinks, pizza, ice cream etc.

• The name of the best sea sickness tablets for children and adults?

I went to the doctor and he presribed maxalon. I had the prescription filled but during both of my cruises didnt need to take them.

Also do we need needles for this cruise?

It would depend on which countries you go to. Consult your doctor and get the best advice. Its better to be safe then sorry.

MOST IMPORTANT!!

HAVE FUN and enjoy your cruise.

Cheers,

Dan

Chaz you beat me!!!

Chaz on the sun did they make you sign each receipt? On the sky they just checked the photo and after a while the bartenders knew me anyway, infact we cleared it so either my borther or myself could use each others cards?

Cheers,

Dan

Annisa,

Dan & Chaz seem to have answered most of your questions!

My advise is go and have a wonderful time, don't worry too much about it beforehand. We took a reluctant virgin cruiser with us on our cruise in June, and he had a ball, and within two months of coming back, was booked on his next cruise :)

Just to clarify the conficting advise about the cruise card (Dan, the system's changed a bit from what you experienced). When you board you will have an 'advance' of $300 per adult (not sure about children) on the card, to use until you go to the purser's office and put your own money on the card, within 72 hrs of boarding. At the end of the 72 hrs, the $300 automatically gets deducted from the card's value, so you need to have put money on it by then or you won't be able to make any purchases on board the ship!

Also, for the adults remember to allow for $4.50 per day per adult to be deducted from your card for tipping of the cabin stewards and other staff.

Most of all - have a wonderful time........... I'm jealous that you get to go in a couple of weeks, and we still have to wait 5 1/2 months!:(

Kym

Chaz you beat me!!!

 

Chaz on the sun did they make you sign each receipt? On the sky they just checked the photo and after a while the bartenders knew me anyway, infact we cleared it so either my borther or myself could use each others cards?

 

Cheers,

 

Dan

Hi Dan,

Yes most receipts on the Sun needed to be signed. Some places don't require it and they don't really check the signatures anyway. My Mum signed for my Nan's card a few times. I didn't ever notice them checking the photo and didn't think the bar computers at least were linked up to the embarkation photo. I never had any problem but then again I never really checked my statement plus I never misplaced my card and always had it with me (except in the shower or spa of course!!).

Cheers,

Chaz:)

BTW you can obtain a full statement of your purchases at any time. Some people like to get this when they are cashing out their cards at the end of the cruise for a souvenir.

Woo hoo just realised I have less than 90 days to go til my next cruise!! Can't wait!!!

I thank you all for answering my much needed questions. I am so excited about the holiday. The kids are raring to go and my 2 yr old son asks me everyday if it is time for our holiday yet. Poor thing is now getting confused as santa is coming soon....well we will have to explain that our holidays comes just before Santa...lol

I have started getting things ready being positive re: hubbies work approval. Only way to be until otherwise.

I think I will take the girls lanyards from home if I can save some money. They will think it is great having a (pretend) credit card..lol..but will explain to them about what amounts etc. They are good. I think they will have a great time. I would have liked some free time with hubby but there is always the next time...Just another excuse to have another cruise..

Have a good day

Anissa

and it's called a SHIP.

Hello,

I just had my 12th cruise with Princess and was very dissapointed with the Sun Princess. The staff for the most part was good, food was good, but the ship needs to be sunk, or sent to Carnival. Don't go out on deck 7 in the evenings.........it smells like sewer. Several cabins on deck 5 were flooded on the second day of our 10 day cruise.

If you have a complaint for any reason, don't go to the Pursers Desk......they're useless. I guess everyone is allowed a bad cruise, but I just didn't think it would be from Princess.

I'm sure you'll have a much better time than I did.

ugh! That's terrible! So sorry you had a bad cruise...I didn't think those two words ever even went together.. I'm almost 2 weeks home from my cruise aboard the NCL Majesty. It was great - my 4th cruise....here's hoping my next one isn't the "bad one".

-Sarah <~~~former Phoenix dweller

We signed more receipts on Sun in June than we did on Sky in the previous November. It seems to be a recent thing. And you're right Chaz, they don't often check the signatures anyway.

My Dad had an argument with someone in the Casino on Sun... He went to sign the receipt and he got told he didn't have to, you don't ever have to sign the receipt! This was on one of the last days, and we'd signed every receipt up til then!

What disturbed me was that on another occasion, Dad took Mum's credit card to the Pursers office by mistake, and they let him put money on the cruise card using that credit card, accepting his signature, even though it didn't match Mum's signature on the credit card.

We weren't really impressed with the service from the Purser's desk on Sun on several occasions - the staff on our cruise were quite rude and didn't seem to know what was going on a lot of the time.

Kym

Hi Dan,

 

Yes most receipts on the Sun needed to be signed. Some places don't require it and they don't really check the signatures anyway. My Mum signed for my Nan's card a few times. I didn't ever notice them checking the photo and didn't think the bar computers at least were linked up to the embarkation photo. I never had any problem but then again I never really checked my statement plus I never misplaced my card and always had it with me (except in the shower or spa of course!!).

 

Cheers,

Chaz:)

 

BTW you can obtain a full statement of your purchases at any time. Some people like to get this when they are cashing out their cards at the end of the cruise for a souvenir.

Well hubbies holidays been approved and we are off off and away on the Pacific Sun. Sorry if I offended anyone on calling it a boat bad habit..aware by another friendly person that it is called a "SHIP" thanks once again for the great ideas for the trip. For all who have had a bad time I am sorry it was that way!

I hope that we dont have to come across any leaking rooms etc..Still a little nervous or it could be nerves of excitement...

Thanks

Anissa:)

They only check your photo when you came back on board the ship, when you put you card in the machine that went goes boing (not to be confused with the machine that goes ping!)

Kym

Hi Dan,

 

I didn't ever notice them checking the photo and didn't think the bar computers at least were linked up to the embarkation photo.

 

Cheers,

Chaz:)

 

BTW you can obtain a full statement of your purchases at any time. Some people like to get this when they are cashing out their cards at the end of the cruise for a souvenir.

if the Sun is anything like the Sky, the kids centre will be fabulous. The sky has the outside area all roped and clear shades from memory so the kids can't fall over board.

Your little tacker will have a ball and they do take very good care of all the littlies.:) Congrats on the holiday confirmation from your hubbys

work:)

Firstly, yes they are all SHIPS. The boat is one of those things usually hanging above Promenade deck, and takes you ashore if you visit a small island.

On the "Sky" I was only asked to sign my card a couple of times; maybe on the first day or so. You get a receipt after every purchase and it shows your current balance. When I checked out, I asked for, and received an itemised account of everything I had purchased, and it showed the exact bar, or area of the ship as well as the date, time of day and so on. Very comprehensive and useful for planning my next cruise.

The meals are great and I had ice cream plus another dessert every night! They don't care. Even the Maitre D' made a joke about it one night.

I am glad your cruise had been confirmed. Plan ahead with confidence, and pick the brains of all of us "experts" here whenever you like.

Have a ball.

Well hubbies holidays been approved and we are off off and away on the Pacific Sun. Sorry if I offended anyone on calling it a boat bad habit..aware by another friendly person that it is called a "SHIP" thanks once again for the great ideas for the trip. For all who have had a bad time I am sorry it was that way!

 

I hope that we dont have to come across any leaking rooms etc..Still a little nervous or it could be nerves of excitement...

 

Thanks

Anissa:)

I've been following your posts with interest, we too are virgin cruisers.

Have fun, relax and come back with lots of stories.

Just in case you didn't realise the bad experience that badboytkf had is the Sun Princess and not the Pacific Sun which the ship you are booked on.

Congratulations on your first cruise booking. :)

on each receipt you get, it will list your balance please check this each time as my card was wrongly charged 3 times (twice in one night. this was because the waiter takes several orders and several cards at once and can get them mixed up. it was easily fixed because the signature wasnt mine on the recpeit and only 1 minute apart form my purchase. Mistakes can happen so sign those things and check them.

Hi Dan,

 

Yes most receipts on the Sun needed to be signed. Some places don't require it and they don't really check the signatures anyway. My Mum signed for my Nan's card a few times. I didn't ever notice them checking the photo and didn't think the bar computers at least were linked up to the embarkation photo. I never had any problem but then again I never really checked my statement plus I never misplaced my card and always had it with me (except in the shower or spa of course!!).

 

Cheers,

Chaz:)

 

BTW you can obtain a full statement of your purchases at any time. Some people like to get this when they are cashing out their cards at the end of the cruise for a souvenir.

I hope i dont have to sign for every bar purchase, i think ill end with RSI b the end!!

That's easy, just buy 5 at once. Save's energy walking too. lol

Well we paid for our cruise this morning along with our travel insurance. We have our flights to Sydney booked for the day as my family are in Sydney. We havent been to see them in 18 months which will be great. We have to stay in Sydney the night we arrive back as well as no flights home so we will be tired by the time we get back to Brisbane.

Have been organising formal items and clothes etc. Passports for the kids should arrive next week along with the tickets from P & O. So it is all coming together.

I was tempted to book the Asia cruise in July 2006 but they wanted $11000 as we need 2 cabins as the Star does not allow 5 in the cabin like we are going this time. Also I did mention in another post the cheap price we got this cruise for was amazing! This is why we are going. A holiday to 4 countries for 5 people for under $5000. Cant go wrong with that huh!

Anissa