Reinette

I know that Princess will send an officer to get your passport from the safe and leave it with the port agent if you are missing the ship.

Is this before the ship leaves or do the forward it from the next port? If someone did not leave it in the safe,would they search the room (I doubt it) because they would possibly assume you had it with you. I can see this falling under the lost passport process, which would create a delay getting to the next port, or home. I carry mine.

Keep in mind that you do not have to take everything someone lists. You would probably have a $1000 tab for luggage if you are flying.

Think of your week on board as a cell-phone free zone, unless you want to pay international rates. If there are more than one in your group and if occasionally you will go your separate ways on board, you will find the post-it's an easy and cheap method of communication. Use them to say where you are or where you should meet, and what time. And as mentioned leave notes for the room steward. Hope that helps.

Just what comes to mind, in no particular order, based on the hopes and expectations I had before our first cruise:

Propping the balcony door open to enjoy the sea breeze in the cabin may not be a possibility (doors are heavy and designed to close automatically.) There may also be a safety prohibition about propping doors open, as indicated in the daily newspaper.

 

Star gazing may be difficult due to lights on the ship.

 

A quiet evening/night stroll on deck may be impossible if facing headwinds -- you will feel like you are in a hurricane.

 

Seasickness (or at least a queasy stomach) is possible, and many take pills ahead of time or wear a patch.

 

Gorgeous sunsets are not a guarantee in the Caribbean, especially if the weather is perfect.

 

Most (all?) balconies are not private -- there will be a divider, but it can be looked over, around, or through (between cracks), and many balconies are at least partially visible from open decks, elevators, even the bridge! Also, crew has access through balconies and may come onto balcony unannounced for maintenance.

 

Specialty coffees (cappuccino, latte, etc.) are most likely not going to be available in the MDR, room service breakfast, or room service at all. (This varies with ship.)

 

It is not a degradation or an embarrassment to sail with Carnival. It is a great cruise experience in its own way, as all cruises are!

 

Cruising with a "higher end" line does not make you a better person. As a matter of fact, you are more likely to meet up with snobs of various stripes on the "classier" lines.

 

You may never actually see your room steward, if by chance you miss him when he comes to introduce himself early in the cruise. Many have a way of doing an excellent job of meeting your needs in some invisible way!

 

Mandatory muster drills are mandatory.

 

"Adults-only" rules may not be enforced. Many other rules may not be enforced. Enforcing rules yourself will most likely be frowned upon by other pax.

 

Among thousands of passengers, the one passenger or couple you most want to avoid (due to some previous embarrassment) will be the one you keep bumping into throughout the entire cruise. Detouring to avoid actually meeting this person/couple whom you see approaching from afar may be a long and circuitous proposition.

 

It is possible to be invited to dine with the captain without being the highest level (Elite, Diamond, etc.) cruiser with that line, booking the most expensive suite, or having babysat his children in some past life. This most certainly varies with cruise line.

 

You will not necessarily feel you are somehow getting ripped off by using cruise line excursions rather than independent ones. You may not always be on the list for excursions your signed up for and paid for before boarding, so check with the excursions desk early in your cruise to make sure your name hasn't fallen through the cracks.

 

The extra-fee restaurant may not be worth it in terms of superiority of food or service. It's primary value may be that it affords an opportunity to eat without your fixed seating table mates.

 

Being seated at a table for two at dining room breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea or "as you like it" dinner is not a given.

 

Finding a quiet, comfortable corner to read, converse, or just relax is not impossible. Look for empty cocktail lounges during the day, the library or coffee shop.

 

The pool deck is not as romantic and desirable as one might have dreamed. Pool water may not be as warm as one might hope. Hot tubs are often small and few relative to the number of passengers desiring to use them.

 

Wide teak "real" outdoor promenade decks overlooking the the sea are superior to composite jogging tracks looking down over the pool deck.

 

The Captain's entertainment (whatever it is called) in the theater is well worth attending -- lots of fun, and there is often champagne!

 

Peoples' tastes differ. 'Nuff said.

I think what you are saying is don't set up false expectations. I don't agree all that everything listed but I do think everyone should do their homework before stepping on board, or even before putting down a deposit. I think many first time cruisers have a romatized idea of cruises but not all are alike. Find one that matches your tastes and talk to people who have taken a similar cruise. It's not going to change that much! But most of all, be open to new experiences, be patient with other passengers, who really are not there to make you miserable, treat the staff with kindness because they sacrifice a lot to create a memorial experience for you and most of all, don't sweat the small stuff. It is one week of your life.

YES! Please rotate!!! Time to swap Dream for Magic or Breeze or Sunshine PLEASE! 3+ years of the same ship is long enough!

OR Upgrade fairy Please swap the Sensation for any ship in the next (or higher) class! She's been stuck in PC for longer!

Nope! Can't have the Magic until i'm done with her! She is a fantastic ship.

I haven't taken my cruise yet but I wish i had known that if you don't buy trip insurance within 14 days of booking your cruise that benefits are drastically reduced. Most important is pre-existing conditions;for the most part, they will not cover things that you have been treated for within the past six months. If you have a medical condition, make sure you buy this as soon as possible after booking.

Lots of other good advice here

Thanks!