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"I wish I knew before..."

T&Dcruisers

By T&Dcruisers,
in First Time Cruisers

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Jetfan1967

Jetfan1967

Posted
Posted

sooooo........I'm not a wine fan and like a beer or two or more. Can I buy any for the room to have? From my limited research to date, Royal Caribbean doesn't offer drink plans for beer, correct? Sailing the Allure of the Seas in July.......any tips for beer drinkers besides lots of money?

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skyfire53

skyfire53

Posted
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What I did was make copies of the deck plans so I could match up where I wanted to go with the cruise paper that you get in your room each day...that way I didint have to wonder all over to find what I was looking for. I would sit in my cabin and plan where I wanted to go. Saves alot of leg work especially on the bigger ships.

 

Another tip I dont know if any one gave is you can take your meds with you on shore in little round clear colored plastic waterproof containers that you can buy at Walmart in the travel size section. They work great and keep your meds dry.

 

A small purse or pouch with a long strap or cord that you can put over your head and keep under one arm keeps your ID and camera and things safe while in port. These can be purchased at most ports right as you get off the ship.

 

Those ar just a few things that I wish I had know about on my first cruise. ;)

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johneeo

johneeo

Posted
Posted
sooooo........I'm not a wine fan and like a beer or two or more. Can I buy any for the room to have? From my limited research to date, Royal Caribbean doesn't offer drink plans for beer, correct? Sailing the Allure of the Seas in July.......any tips for beer drinkers besides lots of money?

 

Take a collapsible cooler. Have your room steward fill it with ice each day. Buy your beers and put them on ice. The frig is worthless for keeping beers cold.

 

I used to fill the bathroom sink up with ice, but DW did not appreciate that.:eek: Some people just do not have the right priorities.

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Jetfan1967

Jetfan1967

Posted
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Take a collapsible cooler. Have your room steward fill it with ice each day. Buy your beers and put them on ice. The frig is worthless for keeping beers cold.

 

I used to fill the bathroom sink up with ice, but DW did not appreciate that.:eek: Some people just do not have the right priorities.

 

..thanks for the tip. Can you buy buckets of beers on these super ships?

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Athankfulheart

Athankfulheart

Posted
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Compeed is quite good too. UK folk can get it in Boots (the bigger stores have moleskin as well)

 

 

You can prevent the blister with a product called Blistop. I found it at Walgreens near the shoe inserts and such. This works wonders if you are sensitive to the thong part of a flip-flop. Its a tiny spray can that applies a clear coating to your skin, preventing blisters.

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Fluffy Terry

Fluffy Terry

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We also tip our room steward - but we also bring a gift - especially if the cruise is at Xmas - The gift is either a large chocolate bison or a box of chocolates specifically from Manitoba Canada where we are from) dont have to worry about it taking up any room in their cabin or size not fitting and you know it will be appreciated.

 

I have to disagree with this. The crew lives in quarters smaller than the inside cabins for the passengers, and they share them with another person. They don't have room for extra tee shirts or other knick knacks from your hometown. Of course they're going to thank you for it, but odds are, it ends up in the trash, because they just don't have the space for it. Can you imagine how stuffed their rooms would be if everyone brought them a shirt or souvenir from their hometown?

 

My tip is money talks. If you liked the service someone gave you, cash is the best gift. Also be sure to fill out your comment cards, they get promotions and raises based on the comments you write.

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Lightning Flash

Lightning Flash

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Posted
If you had to list your top 5 points/tips that you wish you had known before you went on your first cruise what would they be? Examples, like binder clip for the shower curtain or that the first drink is NOT free, etc.

 

My friend is going on a cruise for her honeymoon and neither have been on one before and she just doens't have time to read these boards, wedding planning and all, so I thought I might compile a list for her. I tried composing one myself but found that I just kept forgetting things. Thanks for everyone's help!

 

Get your bank card approved for the countries you are going to. You may want to buy something.

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Sinppu

Sinppu

Posted
Posted

1. There's so much to do you can't possibly try everything you wanted.

So don't wear yourself out trying.

 

2. The amount of food is blinding and mostly it's good. You wish there were more time so you could eat more.

 

3. Try to do something physical everyday. Go for a swim, a jog or take only the stairs. Because of number two, you'll end up in tight clothing.

 

4. Talk to other people. Even if their age, gender, religion and nationality differ from your own, you might still have your love of key lime pie in common.

 

5. You can always book a another cruise and come back. ;)

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Alibobs

Alibobs

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If you are on a trip with many port stops consider not doing an excursion but perhaps just have a stroll around the port town. Then come back to the ship and enjoy the relative peace and quiet. No problems with sun beds, dining queues, waits for the gym etc on port days

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skyfire53

skyfire53

Posted
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1. Do as much research as you can about the ports you are going to so you can feel comfortable when you get there. You can find almost any thing you need to know here on CC. On our first cruise, I didnt have a clue so most of the excursions we did were not as enjoyable as they could have been. The next time, I researched, planned ahead and paid as many of the excursion deposits as possible so I didnt have to guess how much its going to cost. I printed out each reservation and put the amount of money left to pay on it into an envelope with the reservation and wrote the port name on the front of each envelope. When we got to our cabin, we put all the envelopes into the safe and took out the one we needed at each port. Once you have filled your envelopes, you can see how much you have left over to spend at the ports.

 

2. Always pre-pay the gratuities if at all possible and add money to your onboard account in the weeks before you leave as well. Its really nice to get off the ship and owe little or nothing.

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cruiser 2

cruiser 2

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Posted
Relax and enjoy yourself! We all work so hard to pay for our cruise so remember to relax and enjoy every minute of it - don't waste your energy worrying about what others might/might not think - they 're all far too busy having a good time ;)

 

Excellent advice! I've been on several cruises, but some of this info is new to me. Keep it flowing. Above all share the idea "You haven't lived 'til you've cruised."

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Cruising Around the World

Cruising Around the World

Posted
Posted

Hi Fredr

 

Thanks for this-its very helpful for newbies-any thought on getting land excursion costs down in Alaska ports it would be appreciated. Oh yes I know don't do any.

 

thanks

 

 

 

 

 

Hello

 

These are just my opinion and I'm sure others will disagree:

 

Stay out of the casino unless you have lots of money.

 

Alcohol is expensive so watch it.

 

Most ships have shops and these shops will have some very nice sales.

 

Make sure that you have enough money on your credit card to cover the gratuities automatically. DO NOT EVEN consider not paying the gratuities.

 

A cruise is an adventure unlike any other vacation, so keep cool and cheerful. A smile is truly the international language so do this often on your cruise. Be kind, patient, and gracious with the cruise staff.

 

Do not let problems fester...see the Head waiter for the dining room or the Purser's office if you need assistance. Ususally the first night of a cruise the converastion at dinner can be quiet but as you get to know each other generally this really improves.

 

Do some research on the ports as there are many ports you can see on your own...not spend any money or very little.

 

Read the board when leaving the ship that states when you need to be back on board the ship.

 

Do not overpack. Ships have self service laundries and sometimes there will be a special price on laundry and dry cleaning. Take an extra swimming suit.

 

Participate in formal night...taking a jacket and tie (him) and black pants/top (her) is not going to ruin your packing.

 

Get some exercise every day and this includes a long walk around the ship. Use stairs when going places.

 

And...enjoy the romance...stars, moonbeams, sunrises and sunsets.

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suzyed

suzyed

Posted
Posted
Does anyone know if Princess (Ruby or others) has ironing boards in their laundry room?

 

I am pretty sure there were! We were on the Ruby as well!

 

The reason I don't know for sure? I don't iron! ;)

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