TheDivineMrsM

ebonybee, that sounds soo cool, I hope we get to experience that, too.

If you go into the Viking Crown Lounge, are you expected to buy a drink then?

Thanks!

How many pools does this ship have? Do all pools have a hot tub? Are any adults only?

Is this a place where you have to be a VIP member?

And what is the Concierge Club?

Okay, it really doesn't matter if there's a lid and straw. I guess I wondered if they gave out paper cups that you throw away. Just as long as water is available. Would we be permitted to take a glass of water out of the Windjammer Cafe and carry it with us?

First time cruising later this summer, booked on an RCI ship.

We did not get a drink package to keep costs down. Should we take travel mugs to keep water in our cabin? What about when we're at the pool? Is water provided in a carry-out glass with a lid and straw? Because I'm thinking at the pool I might get thirsty.

As a newbie, I booked through the cruise line for peace of mind. I will be going with hubby and son, and they leave all the details to me, and if something didn't work out, the stress would be on me. Why ruin a vacation having to be the responsible one while they have all the fun? This way, I get to enjoy the excursions as well.

Small or large, any kind of excursion or tour is what you make it. We like taking in things even in the Ohio Valley where we live, like a tour of a state penitentiary, a small winery or restored train depot. Some are more interesting than others, but it's enlightening to have the experience of it, and broadens your insight into your surroundings. Every excursion doesn't have to be as exciting or thrilling as skydiving or ziplining or bunjee jumping off a massive bridge span.

Lorrastine, I am cruising with hubby and adult son for the very first time in August on Royal Caribbean and aaaauuuuggghghhh!!!!! Every day I'm getting a little more excited. Hope your trip is grand!

We are sailing Grandeur of the Seas/Royal Caribbean. I can drink water without lemon, but it's just something we always order out as well as keep a large pitcher of water with lemon in the fridge at home.

A silly question, but we always drink water with lemon. If we're in the main dining room and request water with lemon, would that be provided? We opted to not purchase a drink plan.

Based on what both of you are saying, I will definitely stay up to see the ship sail over the Chesapeake Bay tunnel.

Oh, a whole half inch of clearance under the Francis Scott Key bridge, huh? Ha, ha, doesn't sound like much but I guess it's enough!

I was incorrect mentioning we'd traveled the Chesapeake Tunnel, it was actually the Hampton Road tunnel from Norfolk to Virginia Beach, but it's quite near the Chesapeake. And we did see some of that part of the Bay while driving around site seeing when vacationing there.

Thanks for all the tips!

Oh! What I find most interesting about your post is you mention the Chesapeake Bay tunnel at Norfolk. We live in Ohio but have vacationed at Virginia Beach several times and have gone through the tunnel. I think it's so cool now to realize this vacation we will be going over it!

In fact, hubby and I married in Williamsburg, Virginia (in the late 80s) and took a day trip to Virginia Beach on our honeymoon. When we realized we had to go through that tunnel, while seeing the vast ocean and ocean liners floating over top as we drove further down in, our legs turned to rubber. We had not seen much of the United States at that time, so it was quite an experience. lol

I'm going to check it out on my map of Maryland.

Yes, we have booked a balcony room. Morning coffee out there sounds wonderful. I like the tip about bringing travel coffee mugs, too, to get some ourselves or asking room service for coffee and sweet rolls.

Our son, who'll be a senior in college, is going on the cruise with us. I know he's never read any forums on the subject, but when we made the reservations last year, his one request was that we have breakfast on the balcony at least one morning of our trip. Then I learn of this website and in reading many posts, breakfast on the balcony seems to be one of the highlights! So my son has 'cruising' in his blood, apparently, without even knowing it. Yes, we will definitely enjoy it, all of it.

Please tell me about embarkation and Sail-Away out of Baltimore, Maryland. A charter bus (part of the travel package) will get us to the ship. We know to pack bathing suits in a carry on bag. Other than that, what should we know ahead of time? And how best to enjoy the Sail-Away? Someone said it takes 8 hours to cruise out of the Chesapeake Bay into the Atlantic. I just got a Maryland map to help understand the journey. Getting excited.

If my husband wakes in the morning, can he head to the buffet place and get a few cups of coffee to bring back to our room? It takes us a little bit of time to wake up and get ready for the day and we like having coffee while we do.

We'll be taking our first cruise soon. Many people recommended we splurge for a balcony, so we did. One main reason:

Two years ago we booked a hotel room at Virginia Beach at the boardwalk. When we opened the hotel room door, directly across from us were sliding glass doors with a breathtaking view of the ocean. We were enthralled, never having experienced that before in a room. There was an afternoon storm one day while on vacation, and we went to the room, opened the sliding doors and took a little nap, listening to the waves and allowing the ocean breeze to blow in. It was the most refreshing nap I'd ever taken. So....balcony? Yes, please.

That said, there are different personalities that cruise. I prefer a balanced mix of crowds and some alone time. I know many people who are very outgoing and want to always be where the 'action' is and don't spend much time in their own home, let alone an interior room on a ship. I've also read that many people select a cabin without windows to save on the cruise price allowing them to cruise more often. Why not, if you prefer the crowds?

I'd like to thank the OP for this post. At first, I thought it was too long to read, but I was happy to learn of the many ways to enjoy our balcony view.

Oh! I guess I am surprised at the answers. Yes, I think this is a one time experience. It does make sense that snorkeling equipment would take up a lot of packing room. We have already booked the excursion through the cruise line (Royal Caribbean). And you think the snorkeling lesson isn't needed beforehand? I'm starting to look forward even more to the cruise.

We're going on our first cruise this year. In reading the post that started this thread, I have to say, I made most of those same choices. We splurged for some things like excursions and a balcony room. We cut costs by not buying a drink package (for three of us, I can't imagine spending $60 a day times 8 days for something that we'll just pee away. Sorry to be crude, but honestly, that's how I look at it!) No internet, either. I still think the cruise is kind of pricey, but I look forward to it.

We will be trying snorkeling for the first time on our cruise. It's something I've always wanted to do, hubby and I are in our mid-50s. We want to take our own snorkeling equipment, but I don't want to pay a lot of money for something we may never do again. Can it be purchased simply at Walmart, Target or on Amazon?

We are going to a dive shop for a one hour lesson on snorkeling, and they sell equipment there, but I worry that it will cost a lot.

Also, should we get flippers for the feet? Or just a mask and the tube thing? Ha, ha, sorry, I really don't know if that breathing tube has an official name, sorry!

We will be trying snorkeling for the first time on our cruise. It's something I've always wanted to do, hubby and I are in our mid-50s. We want to take our own snorkeling equipment, but I don't want to pay a lot of money for something we may never do again. Can it be purchased simply at Walmart, Target or on Amazon?

We are going to a dive shop for a one hour lesson on snorkeling, and they sell equipment there, but I worry that it will cost a lot.

Okay, so the three of us will be charged $12 a day for tipping.

Aside from if we chose room service, are we required to tip in addition to the daily charge?

We will be leaving out of Baltimore and getting to the port via charter bus which is part of our cruise package. So our car will be out of the hurricane range.

I guess I was worried that a hurricane would cancel our cruise completely, and it sounds like that would be avoided. We perhaps might miss a port or two if there is a hurricane, but the cruiseline would just make adjustments. It's our first cruise, and we've waited a year to go, so I hope all systems will be go so we get to experience it.

I will pack a motion sickness medicine in case any of us need it for our first cruise.

If a person gets seasick, does it usually last the entire trip? Or is it something that your body learns to tolerate after a few days?

Anyone care to weigh in on whether non drowsy Dramamine or Bonine is better?