What's not to miss?

[dsu_2003]

Hi - I'm going cruising with new and new to NCL cruisers on the Gem in December. I wanted to make up a newsletter with things I wished I knew before my first cruise, like pack something to wear to the White Party and bring socks for bowling.

 

What other tidbits of information would you have liked to know before your cruise?

 

Thanks,

Denise

[debnjoe1438]

Be sure to check out/partispate in the evening games like, The newly wed, not so newly wed, quest.... There are more, I just don't remember them now.

 

Have dinner in the Main Dinning room. (1st cruise Joe and I ate every meal at the buffet except one at Cagney's.)

 

If the budget allows, try the speciality restraunts

 

Partisipate in the daily activities.

 

Leave all stress at the port and HAVE FUN. :D

[dsu_2003]

No ideas yet? Do all the sailings have a 70's themed night? Any other themes? I slept a lot on the Jewel. I know to tell them to pack duck tape, an extention cord, clothes pins, and a traveling clock ( the only thing on this list I take) . What else did you go to, dress for or need? Thanks!

[newmexicoNita]

Remind everyone the ships are strictly charge: no cash is accepted anywhere except the casino.

 

For people with a lot of hair or long hair, they might want to bring their own dryers. The ones on ships are not the most powerful.

 

Leave the irons at home. They will be convescated: the same with the hard liquor and remind them of the $15 cockage fee.

 

Eating in the specialty dining rooms does not require extra tips nor should they be expected but many do choose to tip because of the outstanding service.

 

Don't be chair hogs

 

Don't over pack, remember most of what one wears (especially at night) can be worn 2 or 3 times or mix and matched.

 

Bring a light sweater or shawl (the gals) sometimes the showrooms and dining rooms are chilly.

 

Nita

[dsu_2003]

Sorry debnjoe - I must have started before and ended after your post.

 

Good information, I forgot about hair dryers and irons. I will tell them about the alcohol policy, just to make sure it is out there.

 

I'll also let them to get involved.

 

Thanks, and keep them coming.

[CruisinCrow]

You'll get a daily newsletter every night in your cabin for the next day's activities. They have a ton of information about activities, dining hours and dress codes, etc. I like to pick up an extra copy at the front desk to carry around with me during the day. Then I keep my "clean" copy to take home for a souvenir.

 

Dining - you can order more than one appetizer, entree or dessert. Try new things. If you don't like it, you can always ask for something else. It's all included!

 

A co-worker just got back from a cruise and was mad that no one mentioned that she might feel like she was still on the ship after she got off. It doesn't happen to everyone - my dad and I both get it, my mom and husband don't. I've heard taking Bonine helps (although I haven't tried that yet). It goes away in a couple of days.

[weltek]

Random tips/wish I'd have knowns:

 

The ports may be on a different time than the ship-make sure you read about time differences in the Freestyle Daily.

 

Unless you made transfer arrangements thru NCL, you'll need to decide how you'll get from the airport to ship (if applicable to your group) and back again. If driving, you'll pay for parking at the port.

 

Art auctions can be fun, but be aware these are often from large productions studios and aren't masters originals.

 

The port talks are mostly tips on shopping at the NCL partner stores.

 

You can ask your steward for more hangers.

 

There is a pressing special the first night, as you cannot take your own iron. You can, however, ask the steward for an iron if you want to work.

 

A port can be missed due to weather and safety. In that case, you will be refunded port charges, but not necessarily any other compensation. Sometimes you'll get a little on board credit to ease your disappointment.

 

Turn off your cell phone on the cruise! Those incoming calls and texts can cost you big time.

 

The wireless is slow and expensive, so don't plan to watch a streaming video or Skyping.

 

Pack a swimsuit coverup. You will want something to wear for walking to the pool from your room, and hitting the buffet for a snack while lounging on the pool deck.

 

Buying a bucket of beers is the cheapest way to buy beer. You can mix beer types, and save any unopened beers in the bucket. Have your room steward refresh with ice as needed. Save your receipts in case you are required to use it for a deposit return when you bring the bucket back empty.

 

You can't bring alcohol, but you can bring soda, water, and juice. The caveat is that you can bring a bottle of wine, but you will pay a $15/bottle corkage fee at embarkation.

 

Bring a backpack or comfortable tote if you plan to shop in any of the ports. If you buy alcohol in port, they'll collect it when you check back in at the ship and you can get it back the night before disembarkation.

 

You don't HAVE to get your picture taken at every opportunity. Politely walk right by or say no if you don't plan to purchase a photo.

[che5904]

Not sure if this is what you are looking for and some things are Pearl specific. I did this up for friends of ours that were taking their first cruise.

 

I hope this PDF works

tips tricks answers.pdf

[lgfromdg]

Join your Roll Call.

 

Bring a hi-liter for to mark activities in your FreeStyle Daily.

 

Check out Trivia and the other daily games; you can meet some great people there.

 

If you can't figure out which way to go from your cabin, check out the fish on the carpet. They're swimming towards the front of the ship. This tip saved me many times when I thought I was heading aft to the Great Outdoors, then looked down and saw I was going the wrong way.

 

 

Once you're not having fun any more - STOP. Don't keep pushing yourself - if you don't get to do everything, that's ok.

[vols_159]

pack your suit case then remove 1/2 the stuff you wont need

Bring a small travel alarm clock

bring xtra sunscreeen and the after sunburn medicine

bring common otc meds like stomach acke or heart burn

oh ya dont forget your edocs or passport at home

[silkhair1]

On embarkation day, go to the main dining room for lunch so you have a relaxing time and not the craziness of the buffet.

 

I also like to bring an over the door shoe rack to hold all of out little things. I usually have my kids with, so we have many small things.

[terracool]

Soap: The soap in the showers is liquid, and I discovered on my first cruise that I didn't like it at all. Not becuase it was bad - just because it was liquid. Guess I just like bar soap. I brought a bar of Irish Spring on this one and was glad to have it - it's the little things!

 

Sushi: They went ala carte pricing on sushi, and in my opinion made it the best bargain on board. It used to be a $15 flat fee, but the ala carte menu has 2 combo platters for $12 each - as much as I could eat and as much as I would have paid $15 for under the old pricing. I also got two rolls and ngiri individually priced for about $11-$12, and it was more than I could eat. Best bargain on the ship is the great sushi for really good prices.

 

Steak: Cagneys makes a great steak, but the MDR lunch steak is also pretty good. I tried it twice, and both times the cooks hit them perfectly rare and perfectly wonderful.

 

Highlighter: I just happened to have one in my computer bag and was glad I did - it helped me organize my thinking on sea days to be able to highlight the Freestyle Daily - there are LOTS of activities on free days.

 

Carabiners: Best thing I brought, hands down, were 2 large-ish carabiner clips, and they were really just a throw-in. I used them to clip small plastic bags of knick-knacks that I bought in ports to my shore bag (not enough room inside, but I could easily clip 2-3 bags to each end of the strap). I used it to put my water bottle upright inside my shore bag and clip it to a strap so it wouldn't tip over. At the airport, I used it to clip the small bag containing my passport and money to the pull handles of my roller bag or the frame of my luggage cart so it couldn't be quickly or easily grabbed while I was distractedly trying to find my way around or even doze off. I used them to clip a camera strap to balcony furniture so I could make a quick clothesline that would dry clothes outside much quicker than in the shower.

 

I'd put carabiners right up there with duct tape as something that a lot of improv uses.

 

.

[debnjoe1438]

Sorry debnjoe - I must have started before and ended after your post.

 

Good information, I forgot about hair dryers and irons. I will tell them about the alcohol policy, just to make sure it is out there.

 

I'll also let them to get involved.

 

Thanks, and keep them coming.

 

Not a problem:D

[suzequ]

To bring:

I bring a couple clothes pins to pin wet swim suits to the clothesline in the shower.

If I have room I bring a power strip; there just aren't enough outlets.

I second the hair dryer and the light sweater recommendation.

I will bring meclazine for my dh and dd (they used to give it out at reception, but I'm hearing conflicting accounts re: if they still do).

 

To Do:

Depending on your liquid preference - the Margarita tasting, Martini tasting, Beer Tasting, etc are fun and a good deal. (And you can share w/a spouse, friend, if you don't want 4 whole Margaritas yourself)

If you get a massage, facial, etc (there are good deals on port days if you don't go ashore) you can say from the start "I'm not interested in buying anything"

Blue Lagoon has tasty comfort food and is open all day long (great for late night snacks).

The crew talent show is generally very good and Fountains is very funny.

If you're thinking about buying alcohol ashore, check out and bring a paper/card with the best prices you can get from home. Some of the "deals" ashore aren't good at all.

 

I hope you all have a wonderful cruise. Happy sailing. :)

[dsu_2003]

Thanks for all the tips. Let me know if you come up with any others.