Hints for someone on first cruise

[Procruizer]

I would fly in the day before a cruise. With air travel and weather you never know what can happen. It's not a good feeling to be stressed out if your plane is delayed. Vacation is about stress free. Pay the extra money for an over night stay so you can have peace of mind.

[flounder315]

Take a small electric fan for each room. I need some air movement...

[ylwdogsc]

Take a heavy duty zip-lock freezer bag and keep the camera in it in your room with some silica dessicate packs (available at camera stores, usually.) This helps the foggy lens issue.

[Buffettfan 225]

I explained it wrong- the parents are 45+- plus two 20's and 2 kids, ages 6 and 8. They are just going to Freeport and Bahamas and the private island. The husband gets bored easily, so the more things to do is better. They have two balconies and an inside, at the front on deck 8 just behind the bridge on the Liberty and it will be over Thanksgiving. They can afford any extras(they are blessed with a wonderful family and jobs) so I want them to at least have ideas of what to do and see. Any suggestions on the ports would be great also. Thank you all for your ideas-love CC people! :D

One of the things we liked in Nassau was the Ardastra Gardens/zoo. It is extremely very small, very tropical plant like but loved the flamingos march for kids and lorry bird feeding. The flamingos are basically hearded by a whistle into a large octagon frame performance ring -the audience sits in b4 row high leacher like seats to watch them perform on command. If one gets there early and sits in front row kids and big kids :) they may be asked to come out and stand on one foot like flamingo and be surrounded by the birds. Great photo ops. We did zoo on our own by catching local jutney bus for $1.25 and walked 6 blocks, but for a family with youngsters a cruise ship excursion or local tour may be better. We've never done Atlantis either as stay in Nassau has been so short.

zoo info: http://ardastra.com/meet-our-animals/birds

[HenanSan]

Somewhere on here there is a thread on Lido creations. This will give you a list of things you can do with the basic foods available on the lido deck. Some are very good but give it a once over and see if there is anything you and the kids may want to try the first time out.

[Domino D]

I explained it wrong- the parents are 45+- plus two 20's and 2 kids, ages 6 and 8. They are just going to Freeport and Bahamas and the private island. The husband gets bored easily, so the more things to do is better. They have two balconies and an inside, at the front on deck 8 just behind the bridge on the Liberty and it will be over Thanksgiving. They can afford any extras(they are blessed with a wonderful family and jobs) so I want them to at least have ideas of what to do and see. Any suggestions on the ports would be great also. Thank you all for your ideas-love CC people! :D

 

I would say check the forums the week before they leave for recent Funtimes. Check the dive in movies. If you find the right movies, you can plan an activity that everyone can attend together and enjoy one evening. We also attend a lot of the classes, lectures, and demonstrations. Like in the casino, spa, cooking, and martini making. Some have led to us to signing up for casino tournaments, or getting a spa treatment, or ordering certain meals or drinks. It really is a good time to try something new. My wife always attends the art auction on sea day, she enjoys seeing different artists, and has made some purchases. There are all forms of art (including photos and sports memorabilia), and many price levels.

 

If they want to stay together on excursions, you have to cater to the younger ones. Do you think they will want to stay all together while in port?

[5000]

The ship tour is called "Behind the fun". It is pricey, but for the adults very cool. It is not really a good excursion for kids.

[treasure4two]

I would say check the forums the week before they leave for recent Funtimes. Check the dive in movies. If you find the right movies, you can plan an activity that everyone can attend together and enjoy one evening. We also attend a lot of the classes, lectures, and demonstrations. Like in the casino, spa, cooking, and martini making. Some have led to us to signing up for casino tournaments, or getting a spa treatment, or ordering certain meals or drinks. It really is a good time to try something new. My wife always attends the art auction on sea day, she enjoys seeing different artists, and has made some purchases. There are all forms of art (including photos and sports memorabilia), and many price levels.

 

If they want to stay together on excursions, you have to cater to the younger ones. Do you think they will want to stay all together while in port?

 

Thanks for all the suggestions. I was looking at the excursions for them and I think they would definitely want to do the dolphins with the younger kids. That parents are the 45+ couple and they would take the two youngest with them. The 20s are the daughter and her boyfriend(boyfriend is sharing room with young boy), so I think they will want to go off on their own. The younger kids are very sociable so I am think they might really like Camp Carnival. This hints everyone has given them are very helpful! Many thanks to everyone.

[kingoftheicedragons]

It's risky to start asking for advice with a "first cruise." Everyone's idea of what makes a perfect cruise is going to be different. Even giving the advice of not trying to do everything isn't necessary the best advice. If people want to experience this, that's up to them. I remember our first cruise, and we were pretty active with the various activities, and we loved our first cruise.

 

I do agree with the advice to let them discover the ship on their own. Don't try to steer them in one direction versus another. I would probably say that "The Behind the Fun tour" probably is best suited for a second cruise or above and not a first cruise as there are other things to discover on the ship, and only if they go on multiple cruises would it become more interesting to them, but that's just my opinion.

 

Advice for a first time cruiser would be: 1) Don't rely on the boarding times posted on Carnival's website. We did on our first cruise and had long lines and wondered how people were already on the ship. I even asked my older sister who had cruised before us what time to go, and she said we could the times on the website.

 

Know what deck Lido is. We were told by the check-in person that the food was on Lido deck, which left us wondering where Lido deck was.

 

Planning ahead of time is best suited for the ports, not the ship itself. I think for many first time cruisers, the ship is the means to an end, which is the ports.

[Big_G]

Don't read Cruise Critic until after their first cruise. It may scare the bejeezus out of them. ;)

[RWolver672]

I always tell first time cruisers not to go with any expectations. Then everything that happens will be a new experience. Just go and have fun. If you see something that looks like it might interest you, do it. Don't do what others have said "you'll really enjoy this". Nobody knows what others might enjoy.

 

Many have said that Camp Carnival was great for their kids. Others have said that their kids were bored. Some loved Behind the Scenes Tour while others have said it was rushed and they were tired by the time they got done with it. Some love the Steakhouse, others say it's a waste of money. Different strokes for different folks.

[Terre]

My suggestions:

 

First day, as soon as the board, unpack what's in the carry-ons, head to the buffet, explore the ship and find everything, i.e., dining room, theatre, casino, Camp Carnival, spa, etc.

 

Head back to the cabin to see if luggage has been delivered and hang up everything quickly before it gets wrinkled.

 

Second Day: Do everything you can, try everything to eat, and enjoy the cruise, relax when you want to.

 

Third, Fourth & Fifth Days: Same as above.

 

In ports see as much as you can and do as much as you can...

It's their first cruise after all...and it may be a long time before they can go again with children.

 

One tip: let your friend know that she can shower in the spa and those showers are usually larger than the ones in the cabins and the towels are softer and a little bigger.

[dadroy]

Both my pointers deal with food:D

 

In the main dining room, treat it like you would a friends home. If you don't like sauces on your food, ask for the sauce on the side. When I read the descriptions I often read there is a sauce with something I don't like in it. Don't want my steak covered with a rosemary and basil gravy. I like lots of sauce on my pasta, I ask for extra on the side.

 

We love vegetables, so we order a plate of assorted vegetables for the entire table. Usually broccoli, carrots, some sort of squash and whatever else they have available.

 

And my last one is room service. Many (if not most) new cruisers think there is an additional charge for using it. Except for midnight to 5am, it is free. Great snacks on the menu if just relaxing in the room. One thing though, if you order something like coffee, you have to list each additive. Want cream, list it, sugar or substitute, list it. If you don't you will probably not get it. A dollar or two tip per delivery is nice.

[tkportersat]

Go on Bon Voyage and order something to be delivered to their room..beer, wine, chocolates, etc.

 

Pack sand toys for the beach stops.

Pack a power strip

Start researching excursions

Mostly, go with the flow. You most likely won't get to do everything you want the first trip. Relax and have fun!

 

A friend of mine and her husband and 2 young people in their early 20s and 2 kids between 6-8-the 6 of them are all going on their first cruise.

It is 5 days out of Port Canaveral. I need hints of things for them to do for sure.

I said Camp Carnival for the 6-8.

I said Chef's Table for friend and her husband

I said to do the ship's tour- what is that called and when do you sign up for it?

 

Hints like that for my friend-I want to help them have a fabulous cruise and fall in love with cruising like we do. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks.

[guxu]

One of the things we liked in Nassau was the Ardastra Gardens/zoo. It is extremely very small, very tropical plant like but loved the flamingos march for kids and lorry bird feeding. The flamingos are basically hearded by a whistle into a large octagon frame performance ring -the audience sits in b4 row high leacher like seats to watch them perform on command. If one gets there early and sits in front row kids and big kids :) they may be asked to come out and stand on one foot like flamingo and be surrounded by the birds. Great photo ops. We did zoo on our own by catching local jutney bus for $1.25 and walked 6 blocks, but for a family with youngsters a cruise ship excursion or local tour may be better. We've never done Atlantis either as stay in Nassau has been so short.

zoo info: http://ardastra.com/meet-our-animals/birds

Wow, been Nassau so many times but I did not even know that zoo. Following your link, I found http://ardastra.com/home/animal-activities-and-feeding And sure that lady had a familiar SS card on her lanyard.:)

[roosterlamp]

my first cruise was one of the best. I knew the ship name. What date we were leaving and where we were going.

 

As a first timer they will be out and about. The only planning to do is what to do in a port

 

As for the ship stuff. Let them discover it

 

hear, hear!!

[Honolulu Blue]

And my last one is room service. Many (if not most) new cruisers think there is an additional charge for using it. Except for midnight to 5am, it is free.

 

Room service is free 24/7 on Carnival. You should always tip, though.

[joeyancho]

At dinner order like it is your last meal. Or any other meal for that matter.

[Domino D]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I was looking at the excursions for them and I think they would definitely want to do the dolphins with the younger kids. That parents are the 45+ couple and they would take the two youngest with them. The 20s are the daughter and her boyfriend(boyfriend is sharing room with young boy), so I think they will want to go off on their own. The younger kids are very sociable so I am think they might really like Camp Carnival. This hints everyone has given them are very helpful! Many thanks to everyone.

 

Treasure,

I have a twenty one year old. The excursions that he enjoyed the most since breaking 18 were beach getaway with open bar, and then either the ATV or 4x4 off road. Freeport offers all 3. If their 20 year olds are like mine, they tend to be extremist. High adventure or complete relaxation. At Half Moon Cay it would be Aquatrax or Kayaking for him.

[Aldeya]

Wow! So much great advise. I definitely agree with not doing a lot of additional cost activities. For the first time cruiser all the inclusive things are enough to make you feel like you are being treated like royalty.

Be sure to bring that power strip.

Be sure to bring all the allowed beverages (for a family of 4 that is 2 cases of soda or water) this saves dollars.

Bring a plastic or metal beverage container with lid for each person. Ice tea, lemonade, juices, milk, coffee, tea are available on the lido for no charge. Who wants to carry it in those little glasses.

Bring detergent sheets for the laundry room. (easy to bring and much less expensive than the machines. I have even brought sandwich bags with detergent.

Bring decorations to put on the door. It is so much easier to find your cabin. (Plus the kids will love making them)

If they are not in a suite and the little ones dislike showers a small blow up pool is great for bath time. And for mom, leave the kids with dad and get ready for dinner in the spa showers. More room and no little ones. Don't rush to get to dinner right on the dot with little ones 5-10min late and they don't have to stand in line.

Let go and do it all. Dance even if you have 2 left feet. Sing even if you can't carry a tune. With exception of the people you came with, you will never see any of these people again. Who cares what they think:)

Bring the best smile you have and share it with everyone.

 

I nominate this post as THE post of the Cruise Critic!

 

Absolutely love it!

I'm printing it (with your permission of course:) and putting it on my cabin door on our next cruise!

Edited October 17, 2014 by Aldeya