first time cruising - top five tips

[VermontMaple]

1-Take half as many clothes & twice as much money!

(you think i am kidding; NO; I spent afternoons in bathing suit, so needed few shorts/tanks; black pants for dinner, multiple tops;

My brother FORGOT to get cash for his family before the last cruise--NO KIDDING!!! Yes, it is a cashless system BUT NOT IN PORTS)

2-There will be food you like & food you don't. Get over it.

3-Try some things out of your comfort zone--activities, food. Trust me, it's worth it. (PS at dinner if you don't like it, let your waiter know & they will bring you something else--or try 2 appetizers or 2 entrees or 2 desserts if you can't decide!!)

4-Do what YOU want to do--some prefer to lounge all week while others want to hit every activity on that list!

5-Dine with others at some point; we had dinner with 3 other couples our first cruise (new friends--couple in 20s, one in 30s, one in 50s, us in late 30s) and they MADE the cruise for us; you can't be sure of such a fit, but we had SUCH fun with them all cruise--and it has made us more open to dining w/ others; sometime it is "eh" , other times OK & sometimes surprisingly GREAT (the NY snowbirds from FLL--the gentleman got a job at CBSsportsline--DH's DREAM retirement job!)

JUST RELAX & HAVE FUN!!!! (and prepare to be hooked!)

 

I just went through my clothes and took probably 6 outfits out! Thought I'd need about 2 outfits a day but after reading all these posts, it's obvious I don't. Thank you all so much.

Going to pack the pop up hamper too! Would never have thought to do this.

Thanks everyone!

Amy

[dst]

I just went through my clothes and took probably 6 outfits out! Thought I'd need about 2 outfits a day but after reading all these posts, it's obvious I don't. Thank you all so much.

Going to pack the pop up hamper too! Would never have thought to do this.

Thanks everyone!

Amy

 

You'll spend the majority of your time in a swim suit, instead of a pop up hamper (which is a cool idea) we just use one of our empty suitcases and put the dirty clothes in there......

 

One day on the ship, usually toward the end of the cruise, they will offer a bag of laundry for a cheaper rate. We usually take advantage of this, its nice to go home with clean clothes :)

[scooobycat]

1. Less Clothes, yes you will change a couple times a day but we wore outfits only a couple hours one day then used another day. Something long sleeve for evenings, I never thought i'd say i was cold in the caribbean, but at night it is cool and windy. Rolling clothes allowes them to be packed better! Water shoes were great but depends on your destination.

2. Once you double/triple check all documents, passport, ship documents, id, airline and any other travel documents Relax!!

Always plan on one day or most of it relaxing by the pool or wherever suits you, it is vacation afterall. I know i thought we had to do and see everything on the ship but its great to relax! Be sure to check the daily activity guide, for anything that you may like, we carried one with us or checked the guides throughout the ship so we didnt use a highlighter, but its a good idea.

3. A nightlight if your in an inside cabin. we found our room had plenty of storage. Also used my cell phone for alarm but could have had a wakeup call if desired, i just dont like talking to people before i am awake. lol

4.You do not have to eat in the dining room, you can eat every meal at the buffet or other places if you are not hungry or doing other activities when the dining room is open. My dh and i loved to just walk into the buffet whenever, wether it was 6 pm or 8:30. We ate at different times every day based on what activities we did. I would recommend checking out the dining room once, it was a good experience.

5. Drinks are expensive but yummy! realize you can spend nothing once you get onboard or alot! we never ate at the specialty restaurants, why pay when you had soo many free (good)choices!

Above all enjoy, do whatever makes it the best vacation for you!. I read cc and loved all the suggestions but after i cruised the first time i found what worked for me. Many people say always fly in a day early, which is great advice depending on where your coming from and the time of year. i would have liked to have flown in the day before but the budget and flight schedules decided i came in that day. so yes it is possible but i was tired at the end of the first day. Expect at least an hour (plus) when you arrive at the ships terminal to arrival on the boat (then the search for your room!)

Enjoy, i know i cant wait to cruise again!

Enjoy!

[MeMl]

GREAT advice!! My husband and I are leaving on our first cruise in less than two weeks and have so many questions!!

 

Thank you for sharing all these wonderful tips.

[pansieFL]

I am really glad I started this thread! :) Lots of people are getting great advice from the 'experts'....

 

And, I was just told yesterday, I get to plan a second cruise for this year! YAY!:cool:

[cajjgt]

Another good idea is to keep on hand smaller denoninations of money...ones, fives, and tens...comes in handy for buying smaller things in port, tips, etc. Some vendors may act like they cant make exact change if all you have is a $20 or higher. Also...remember to pack sun screen for carribean cruises...the sun down there can really burn. And remember, you can carry on several bottles of water or soda. It helps to bring your own bottled water to take along when in port.

 

So agree with you although this is my first cruise I am an experienced traveler and my boyfriend and I always save our change so when it's time to cash in it all in one dollar bills for tipping! Usually adds up to over 200 dollars! Great tip!!!:p

[Moon Orchid]

There is a way to keep your cabin Febreze fresh,bring a Febreze Set & Refresh with you !

[tracesmom]

I bring a small, travel white-noise machine with alarm clock that runs on batteries because if something wakes me in the night I have a hard time falling back to sleep. Also a night light for the bath. a travel power strip to recharge camera batteries, a clear plastic shoe pocket to hang over the bathroom door that will hold all our toiletries, sunscreen, sunglasses, anything that we grab as we leave the room. Remember you will need to carry your room key for charges as well as getting into the room so something to hold that, whether a small purse or tote and preferably water resistant for around the pool.

[mspville74]

I wish someone had posted that Diamonds International is not a reputable company. I was given a receipt and appraisal from their Belize store documenting the Asher tanzanite and opal ring I bought there in November 2010 had a 1.15 carat tanzanite stone. I obtained the "passport" for the ring directly from Asher (the ring's manufacturer) which reflects the stone is only .5 carats. I also purchased a Michele watch which the salesman and the store manager assured me I could purchase different leather bands for upon return to the States. When I called the manufacturer to order a different band color I was informed that the watch had been discontinued in 2004 - more than six years before I purchased it. AND the Belize store has only been in existence for three years so where did they get this six year old watch!!!

 

Carnival's "guarantee" isn't worth the paper its written on. Gary of the "shopping duo" has never responded to any of my emails regarding these issues.

[johneeo]

When dining, if you like two appetizers and/or two dinners, don't choose, just ask for both when ordering.

[hillbillycruisers]

So agree with you although this is my first cruise I am an experienced traveler and my boyfriend and I always save our change so when it's time to cash in it all in one dollar bills for tipping! Usually adds up to over 200 dollars! Great tip!!!:p

We always save our quarters. Typically, we'll book a cruise for the end of the year, and wont dare spend a quarter all year long...they all go into a jar for the cruise...you'd be suprised how much they add up. I know a lot of folks save all their change..but we only mess with the quarters. Right before the cruise, we'll lug them all to the bank...and say Show Me The Money!!!!

[GothamGirl]

First-time cruiser here -- and greatly appreciative to you all for the tips and tricks. I can't wait to set sail!

[marne001]

I wish someone had posted that Diamonds International is not a reputable company. I was given a receipt and appraisal from their Belize store documenting the Asher tanzanite and opal ring I bought there in November 2010 had a 1.15 carat tanzanite stone. I obtained the "passport" for the ring directly from Asher (the ring's manufacturer) which reflects the stone is only .5 carats. I also purchased a Michele watch which the salesman and the store manager assured me I could purchase different leather bands for upon return to the States. When I called the manufacturer to order a different band color I was informed that the watch had been discontinued in 2004 - more than six years before I purchased it. AND the Belize store has only been in existence for three years so where did they get this six year old watch!!!

 

Carnival's "guarantee" isn't worth the paper its written on. Gary of the "shopping duo" has never responded to any of my emails regarding these issues.

That is terrible. Can you claim a "catastrophe loss" on income tax?

Stinkin' DI water wallets ALWAYS leak, too!

[levi15]

GREAT ADVISE! We went on a cruise in 2006 and wish we had found this site before we cruised! Just so many things you don't think about. Thanks ALL!

[cracker89]

Hope you enjoy cruising as much as we do..... be forewarned, it's addictive.

 

Good advice from the previous posters! I would just like to add that I gather as much information on the ports before hand, including trying to find a map of the port area (printed from the internet) so I can get my bearings when we get off the ship and have to make our way back after exploring! I try to read as much as possible that others have posted about the port to decide what we want to see.

 

A night light is a must as we book an inside cabin

 

I've used the over the door shoe holder and it does help keep the room tidy

 

I highly recommend arriving at the port a day early, starts the vacation off right as you can arrive at the ship in lots of time with no worries

 

And the tip that no one has mentioned: I pack half of my clothes in my husband's suitcase and half of his in mine, just in case one of our bags goes missing either left behind on the plane or delivered to the wrong room on the ship! At least each of us will have some of our wardrobe!!!

 

I couldn't agree more. My sister-in-law went on a cruise and the airline "misplaced" the suitcase containing all of her clothes. The airline tracked her cruise itinerary and had her luggage sent to Grand Cayman. Unfortunately the ship was unable to stop at this port beacause of rough seas. Needless to say, she had to buy clothes on the ship and at ports. Which, I'm sure other plus-sized women can attest to, is not an easy mission.

[STARFISH*4]

TRIP INSURANCE

book your flights with plenty of time going to destination port and coming home

PACK for YOU...if you want to wear 2 or 3 outfits a day...PACK them

if you like alot of shoes and need them...PACK them...

all the advise is good, but it has to come down to what you are comfortable with--you know your travel style or what makes you comfortable on a vacation.

cross-packing is great idea and have at least one carry-on filled with a few days clothes-complete outfits/underwear/lingere/shoes etc in case your bags do go missing

GO with a POSITIVE ATTITUDE..no matter what happens or doesnt its gonna depend on how YOU "Handle" it!!!

 

ENJOY YOUR CRUISE!!!

[MissColtsLover]

1. Don't feel you have to do everything. You'll wear yourself out.

 

2. Don't feel you have to do what everyone else is doing. I cruise with my brother and my parents and on sea days we all pretty much do our own thing and then meet up for dinner and we trade stories of what we did. We all have different ideas on what we want to do. I like to do the trivia contests, my mom likes to sit and read, and my dad and bro like the casino.

 

3. Do the dining room at least once. Some people perfer eating always on the lido and that's fine but at least try the dining room once...always good food.

 

4. Remember to bring some quarters just in case you find yourself doing some laundry or if you are packing to leave the cruise and you find your swimsuit still too wet to pack.

 

5. Remember there is no such thing as too many pictures when using a digital camera. Are you going to print all of them off to put in an album, probably not but it's still nice to have.

[gone sailing]

This is so awesome! I have learned so much from these forums. We're going on our 1st cruise in August to the Mediteranean. I'm sure I'll be on here reading until the day I leave!

[misscrissy134]

hi, i just got back from my second cruise. went for a week and packed everything in a book-bag! can you tell i do not over-pack? lol. unfortunately, i never thought about where i was going to put things i purchased so i had to buy a carnival tote.

 

i bought some souviners for family on ship....great deals the last day. nice tee-shirts 2 for $20. beautiful sea glass 2 for $15. cigarettes 2 cartons for $55 (i spend $12 a pack at home)

 

i booked shore excursions online with private tour guides not through the ship. cheaper, fewer people and much nicer. more individualized.

 

a balcony and room service for breakfast is a must for me. just love sitting on the balcony,listening to the ocean. watching the sun come up with my

coffee is the best!

 

i don't drink alcohol so the savings from that is put into the casino!! i am told that the first night is the best time to play....it did seem true to me.

 

i love cruises. i expect to spend money but like to save when i can.

[Bracarense]

Hello all.

 

Though it's our 2nd cruise the first was too long ago (4 years).

 

This time we booked the flight and port transfer with the cruise line (Costa). This week we got the flight time details and we found out that we will be arriving on Dubai at 11PM (the boat sails next day at 1PM).

 

As anyone experienced such late boat check-in?

Any tips on how to get by such unusual check-in time the best way? I never thought this could happen. On our 1st cruise we got on-board early afternoon (but the fligt and transfer was on our own then).

 

 

Than you all.

[shops54]

1. Rest up the night - or week- before. Going on vaca already tired means you really don't enjoy much of it.

1. I bring a mesh laundry bag because I use only carry-on luggage. Often I bring two - to separate the whites and darks for easier washing once I get home.

3. Even tho I use carry ons and don't have much space, I always bring my yellow highlighter for marking the daily's with what we want to do. It's too easy to get going and forget the wonderful one thing I wanted to do that day.

4. Eat in the MDR - by a window - for breakfast at least once. It is wonderful to have white linen tablecloths and fresh juice and flowers along with the view. Maybe this will be a sailing day and you will see the dolphins following the ship or maybe it will be a day in a pretty port watching the para-sailers or watching the town wake up. Either way it will be a priceless memory.

5. Find the chocolate croissants. Every ship has them- either in the mdr or the buffet - just ask. I don't eat them at home but on the ship - on my balcony or out on deck or in the MDR - it's a little bit of heaven to be remembered all year long.

Have an awesome trip and welcome to our amazing world!

[mvgiggles]

Great tips everyone! I'm so excited to go on my first cruise late this year. Every little bit of advice helps!:)

[MzzGriz]

These are great tips! Keep 'em coming! Hubby and I are taking our first ever cruise to Alaska in May... we are very excited, but I want to plan ahead so when the time comes we can just enjoy!

[angiegal]

I know a lot of this has been said before, but...

1. Trip Insurance- and make sure you read all of the specifics!

2. Have fun- it's vacation! Don't let anyone spoil your trip- not a line jumper or slow server or anyone!

3. Talk to the staff- most are great and can give you "insider" info. This includes local when you get to port

4. Pack less clothes and shoes and more "extras": sunscreen, band aids, tylenol, pepto, extra contact lenses, etc. It's better to have it and not use it then to need it and not have it. It's amazing how much things like that can cost on board!

5. And read as much as you can on these boards!! You'll be a pro before you even cruise!

[annadrc]

Thanks for all of these tips! We cruise in March on our first, and I am really looking forward to it.