Fess Up! Share stories of mistakes you've made while cruising.

[pris993]

Been cruising for 30+ years, let me think:

 

Booking a Disney world package thru TA following a Carribean cruise. We spent the entire day at Miami airport waiting for a flight, when we could have driven there in less time. When we finally arrived at our hotel near Disney world, found the pool had been closed by the health department. The travel company had substitute hotels from the one we had selected, found that was okay in the fine print. That was the last package we ever booked.

 

Putting up with a rude head waiter for 10 days, thinking his attitude would change, never did. We learned our lesson, now we would speak up and change tables.

 

Flying on a code share, realized if you don't book with the primary carrier you are a second class citizen on the flight. Now we always fly and book with the primary carrier and avoid code share flights.

 

Booking air and or hotel through TA or cruise line. We can do better on our own and we then are in control of our bookings.

 

Inviting someone we ran into from our home town on a cruise to join our table for two (a 4 top) for one night, on a 12 night cruise. They stayed for the entire cruise and were not very good company.

 

Trying to do it all on a very port intensive cruise in the Mediterranean. Arrived in Barcelona exhausted, we spent our 3 day stay at a 5 star hotel sleeping. We have learned to pace ourselves.

[trinaM]

Pris- thank you so much for sharing your experiences. thats very valuable.

My question is What is CODE sharing on a flight? and what do you mean by a Primary Carrier(airline). thanks again!!

 

 

 

 

Been cruising for 30+ years, let me think:

 

Booking a Disney world package thru TA following a Carribean cruise. We spent the entire day at Miami airport waiting for a flight, when we could have driven there in less time. When we finally arrived at our hotel near Disney world, found the pool had been closed by the health department. The travel company had substitute hotels from the one we had selected, found that was okay in the fine print. That was the last package we ever booked.

 

Putting up with a rude head waiter for 10 days, thinking his attitude would change, never did. We learned our lesson, now we would speak up and change tables.

 

Flying on a code share, realized if you don't book with the primary carrier you are a second class citizen on the flight. Now we always fly and book with the primary carrier and avoid code share flights.

 

Booking air and or hotel through TA or cruise line. We can do better on our own and we then are in control of our bookings.

 

Inviting someone we ran into from our home town on a cruise to join our table for two (a 4 top) for one night, on a 12 night cruise. They stayed for the entire cruise and were not very good company.

 

Trying to do it all on a very port intensive cruise in the Mediterranean. Arrived in Barcelona exhausted, we spent our 3 day stay at a 5 star hotel sleeping. We have learned to pace ourselves.

[SadieN]

Pris- thank you so much for sharing your experiences. thats very valuable.

My question is What is CODE sharing on a flight? and what do you mean by a Primary Carrier(airline). thanks again!!

 

 

Code sharing is when you book one airline (ie American) and really flying on another (ie Alitalia). In this example American is your primary carrier.

Edited June 12, 2014 by SadieN

[Sue Do-Over]

I pack my insulin in a ziploc, along with a post-it note that says FRIDGE. When the baggie goes into the hotel fridge, the post-it goes on the inside of the room door, hanging over the edge so it can't be missed.

 

Same strategy for anything you put out of sight or in an unusual location (phone charger, meds in fridge, something drip-drying in the shower, stuff in the safe).

 

This has saved our bacon several times. The trick is to pack the post-it WITH the item so it goes right on the door.

[downundermatt]

Returning a Car Rental in Halifax prior to our Transatlantic this year and couldn't find the downtown drop off, made it to the ship with minutes to spare - just as well as next stop was Cork, Ireland - lesson learnt the $15 charge for GPS is money well spent.

 

Have been researching my next Caribbean Cruise, without the benefit of seeing my booking (that's a story for another thread). Was ready to book my tour for St. John (USVI) when the ship is actually going to St Johns (Antigua). Maybe I should have paid more attention in Georgraphy class...:D

[auntjoy036]

I am not an attractive woman. I am middle aged, short, and quite round. On my second cruise I had traditional dining. Our table for 7 had a mother and son, two men friends, me traveling alone, and a heterosexual couple. She looked like me. He looked like George Clooney. I knew from the start that something was fishy. On the last night of the cruise, "George" invited me to join him and a few friends for a drink in the disco. There he pulled me aside, revealed the truth of the relationship - he was an escort for hire, and offered me his services if I ever wanted to take him on a nice vacation.

[julie3fan]

So what was the mistake-did you turn him down or take him up on his offer?? Enquiring minds want to know! ;)

[auntjoy036]

Julie3fan, My mistake was doing whatever I did to make "George" think I was a likely customer.

 

Vicki

[julie3fan]

Vicki, I think the mistake was solely on his part! You sound like a very nice person and I admire you that you travel alone. If my DH didn't want to cruise I wouldn't feel comfortable going alone, so I would be staying home.

 

Happy travels. Julie

[Canadian Cruiser98]

While enjoying some ice cream in Cozumel on one of our sailings, we suddenly realized our watches were off and the cruise ship was set to depart in under 5 minutes. We made a mad dash for the port and caught them just as they were pulling up the gangway. That's an experience we will never forget!

[Taxguy77]

I'm prone to motion sickness and Dramamine (non-drowsy) seems to do the trick for me. I normally take it an hour before leaving a port and on Sea Days, first thing in the morning and again that evening. The mistake I've made is forgetting to take it on the Sea Day morning and around lunch time I'll feel like I've just gotten off a spinning ride at an amusement park. This seems so trivial though, so I can't wait to see what others (are willing to) share. :)

 

NEVER go on spinning rides after age 15.

 

Never had seasickness; thought I was getting "woosey" a couple of times, but forgot about it as soon as I've seen the ocean,. Worked for me on a 500ft. Jap freighter and a 35 ft. fishing boat.

[DesertPesce7751]

We took a Patagonia cruise and learned to follow the locals' lead at foreign airports! All the lovely Argentines on our flight waited in line to plastic-wrap their luggage. We didn't and we were relieved of a favorite handbag, a great bottle of Malbec, and some (thankfully costume) jewels. Lesson learned!

[pris993]

Heading to the muster drill as soon as they announce it.

 

Agree, we use to, now we head that way, ahead of time to use elevators, DH is 82, then wait and hang out so we are not first in... best for us to be able to leave the drill first to get back to the elevator.

[GolfMom321]

Agree, we use to, now we head that way, ahead of time to use elevators, DH is 82, then wait and hang out so we are not first in... best for us to be able to leave the drill first to get back to the elevator.

 

I never thought of this. We are always very prompt for the drills. And it always takes us FOREVER to get out of there after, as we are way in the inside of whatever location is our muster station. Next time we will "hang out" nearby until it fills up. Thanks!

[Swayde]

My lesson learned the absolute hard way.... There are steps off the dance floor near the DJ booth on the Miracle...

 

The 2nd to last night of our Alaskan cruise we were having a lot of fun, drinking and dancing, however I did not notice there were steps behind me off the edge of the dance floor... Doing a line dance that required I step back... Stepped back and completely missed the steps so the ground was about 3 feet lower than anticipated, twisted my ankle and then fell forward smashing my knee on the metal lighting strip of the stairs. I tried to walk it off, but despite a few Long Island iced teas the pain was excruciating.

 

Could barely walk the next day, which fortunately was only Victoria BC and we hadn't made any plans. I missed out on going to the Space Needle in Seattle and had the most painful airport and flight experience of my life. Ended up spending my time with my leg elevated with ice packs.

 

Of course I was stubborn and refused to let my husband take me to the ships doctor or get me any wheelchairs.

 

I saw a doctor immediately when I got home and found I had fractured my kneecap and then walking on it, thinking it was only badly,bruised or sprained, caused further soft tissue damage and I had to have surgery.

 

A year later and it's still not 100% better, but this was the second time I had severely damaged it and required surgery and the surgeon says I have no more cartilage left and will need a knee replacement eventually, but I am too young so they want to hold off as long as possible.

 

So yea, be careful on those dance floors, and around stairs, especially when the ship is moving and you have been drinking. And if you do get hurt, go to the doc and get any assistance you can so you don't make it even worse for yourself.

[stvntra]

Your post made me laugh! :) This is why I keep a packing list on my PC and print out a copy prior to packing for each cruise. You'd think I'd remember to pack underwear, but that list has saved me more than once! The list also GREATLY helps us to avoid overpacking as well. We now only pack what we'll need/use, no more no less.

Hello to a fellow "Arkansan"! (We just happen to live in Houston now - but Arkansas is our home always and we are HUGE Razorback Football fans - WPS!!) I have been on 3 cruises and about to go on a 4th next month but would love to see your packing list if you are up for sharing as I ALWAYS overpack! LOL

[stvntra]

Care to share? I ALWAYS overpack! LOL Leaving again next month!

[MtnBikerFallDown]

My lesson learned the absolute hard way....

 

I saw a doctor immediately when I got home and found I had fractured my kneecap and then walking on it, thinking it was only badly,bruised or sprained, caused further soft tissue damage and I had to have surgery.

 

 

Oh, yikes! That's awful! I learned the hard way that the signs around the pool that say the wet floors are slippery are very literal, true, factual and not to be ignored. But, luckily I just skinned my knee and bruised my pride. Why is it that you NEVER fall unless there's a lovely crowd to see it?!

[Floridiana]

Our first mistake was to book a cruise on a ship with lots of people who started drinking at 10 am.

 

Second mistake was to book a cruise on a ship that was overdue for dry dock. Dirty carpets, unhygienic buffet set-up.

[Laurie S.]

What's wrong with drinking at 10 am? :)

[papcx]

What's wrong with drinking at 10 am? :)

 

 

That's too late IMO, when on holiday!

[CruiseMore1]

That's too late IMO, when on holiday!

 

And besides, it's always 5:00 somewhere - Just ask Jimmy B. and Alan J!!!

Edited August 20, 2014 by CruiseMore1

[biker@sea]

What's wrong with drinking at 10 am? :)

 

I guess it depends if your starting or finishing . ;)

Edited August 20, 2014 by biker@sea

[Illyria]

This is nowhere near as juicy as some of the other stories in this thread :) I don't usually get sea sick, so I never bring any meds with me. However, I didn't count on the combination of having a high-deck aft cabin and very rough waters in the North Sea all through the night and all next day. I woke up that morning feeling like crap and was so nauseous and miserable all day...did not realize that the ship's store sold seasickness medicine, and I could have spared myself the misery!

[MaisonRose]

My neighbor had this happen on one of her HAL cruises:

Last night, suitcase open on bed, fully packed.

Goes in to shower.

Comes out and..

Her husband has zipped up the bag and put it in the hall for pickup.

The next morning she realizes that she hasn't laid out any clothes for the arrival!

 

Guess what she had to do?