First time X cruiser and I am getting nervous!

[BigB0882]

Hi everyone! First I want to thank all of you for the endless amounts of information you share on this board. I have really appreciated it.

 

I will be leaving on Friday for my first cruise on X. I am a little nervous because I have only ever sailed on Carnival.

 

Can anyone tell me if there is anything important I need to know about X that differs from Carnival or other lines? We are taking my in-laws on their first cruise and I want it to be smooth sailing for them, plus they think I know all there is to know about cruising but the truth is that I am as much of a newbie on this cruise in many ways.

 

I do have a specific question about online check-in. I have received a few emails from X saying to do online check-in but I already did. When I log-in it says 2 out of 2 passengers complete. Is this just an automatic email X sends out to everyone? Is there something I am missing?

 

Our excursions are booked through X. Do I need to bring anything for them, such as print-outs of any kind? Or is that going to all be in their system and we will be good to go? Do I need to worry about tender tickets in Juneau if we are on an X excursion?

 

Anything at all that I need to know or that would be a good tip would be GREATLY appreciated. Thank you!!

[eandj]

Your ship booked excursion tickets will be in your room along with all important schedules and info. ( Lock them in your safe.) On the ticket is printed what time to meet and where on the day of. If tendering is needed that will be handled when you go to the meeting spot, usually a theatre or restaurant.

I always bring any paper work showing/proving I purchased the excursions, drink packages, any obc's you might have received etc. Just in case paper work is messed up. (never had that problem tho)

 

If you are sure all the info is entered online and it says you are complete, then that's it. You probably are just getting a robo email reminder. Make sure you print out your boarding pass and have the credit card with you to complete the check in process at the port.

 

 

If you have a minute, I'd print out a map of the public floors on the ship. make copies for your inlaws. You will get a map when you board, but it's nice to look it all over before and carry one with you until you are familiar with the ship. Whenever we book a new ship, we do this and find it handy.

 

Which ship are you cruising?

Edited June 19, 2016 by eandj

[cb at sea]

No reason to be nervous! The experience, while not identical, is pretty close...different ship layout...different menus....that sort of thing!

 

Excursions and such are handled the same way on all the cruise lines!

[Mr. Click]

The check in online emails are automatic, if you have checked in and printed your Xpress pass you are good to go. You might want to print out the page from your account showing your purchased excursions just to have a back up but they should have all of that information. Once you get to your cabin there should be an envelope from the shore excursions desk waiting for you with tickets and information on the excursions you already booked.

 

The best thing you can do is sit back, relax and enjoy your trip. Celebrity is a bit quieter, a bit calmer, a bit nicer than Carnival from our experience and we have come to love it.

[jelayne]

Read the Celebrity Today which will be put in your cabin evey evening & if there are things on the schedule that you want to do make a note of them! Unlike Carnival there is only 1 announcement a day, so no reminders that bingo starts in 30 minutes, pool volley ball in 45 minutes, etc.

 

Now relax and enjoy your cruise.

[springs741]

Unlike Carnival there is only 1 announcement a day, so no reminders that bingo starts in 30 minutes, pool volley ball in 45 minutes, etc.

 

Thankfully. Hubby and I are about to book X for the first time. We are platinum with Carnival but it is time for a change.

[BigB0882]

Thanks!

 

The information about the excursion tickets and information being in our room is really handy. I have never done a ship excursion, even on all of our Carnival sailings, so I had no idea how this worked. That makes it very easy. I will not worry about printing out too much info, instead I will just save some screenshots on my phone of the various proofs of purchase and OBC and such. Thanks again!

[hcat]

We print out our PAID cruise details, including alc packges, grats , OBC, confirmations for excursions and any pre paid specialty dining ...saves time if anything is left out from your folio once you board ..

 

We do not print out the entire set of cruise docs, but have it accessible on laptop or online in case it is needed.

 

Once you make final payment, and are sent your e docs there's a "button" to click on to order the luggage tags by mail .Often does not work so you or your trvl agent can call to make sure the order went through. You can also get them at the port..

 

Have fun...the Celebrity cruise experience far exceeds its tech systems!

 

PS.

You can check your on line account daily to make sure it is correct.

Edited June 19, 2016 by hcat

[boscobeans]

My tip for you all.

 

HAVE A GREAT CRUISE.

 

bosco

[lovevacadays]

Enjoy your first Celebrity cruise.:):):) How fun to get to share it with newbies. I haven't sailed Celebrity yet but from everything I've read it looks like you will have a great time.

[NCHPcruiser]

You have so much to look forward to!! I hope you and your in-laws enjoy your cruise.

[ClaudiaB]

Yes, please ignore that one ridiculous post.

 

I have never sailed Carnival and I probably never will, but that's because we're completely happy with Celebrity.

I love the almost zero smoking on board. I love that there are no announcements on the PA system all day. Celebrity treats you as an adult and assumes you can read the printed 'daily' that comes to your cabin each evening, so thee are no reminders all during the day. The entire next day's schedule is there, along with relevant port information, maps of port, restaurant and bar and other hours, etc.

 

From what I've seen online there is a difference somewhat in decor. Not that that's a big deal, but I've seen videos of some of the Carnival ships. On Celebrity you are not going to have any fixtures on the ship that are lit up and painted bright colors and you are not going to have employees going around urging people to join this and that. You won't find a belly flop contest at the pool.

 

On an Alaskan cruise it's different anyway. A lot of time is best spent up on deck in the public areas looking for wildlife (whales, bears, etc.) and the naturalist on board will be very interesting and helpful. DO go to the lectures. Particularly if your naturalist is Brent Nixon! He's the best in the business. DO bring your best binoculars. The ones provided in cabins are mere toys. Alaska is a special place, so beautiful, and for those of us who live in muggy south Louisiana, it's quite a treat! Your day sailing the glacier will be COLD. Pack a lightweight but very waterproof and warm Gore Tex type jacket with a hood. We got ours at Cabela's in Gonzales and they now go with us everywhere. You'll want layers. It could be very cold and rainy and it could be just beautiful shirtsleeves. For Alaska we pack light gloves and a hat and a sweatshirt or something equivalent. However, they will sell all kinds of warm weather sweats, etc. on the ship and in the towns. To conserve suitcase space, squeeze these bulkier items in a space bag and suck out the air.

 

Service on X - we have never had anything but great service from anyone. Food is great. Alaska cruises are the only ones we ever bring blue jeans. We never wear them on board the ship, although nice jeans *are* allowed at dinner on some evenings. We just like to make a bit more effort in the evenings.

 

Hope you have a great cruise. Nothing at all to be nervous about. You're going to want to hurry back to that beautiful state.

[fleckle]

Hi everyone! First I want to thank all of you for the endless amounts of information you share on this board. I have really appreciated it.

 

I will be leaving on Friday for my first cruise on X. I am a little nervous because I have only ever sailed on Carnival.

 

Can anyone tell me if there is anything important I need to know about X that differs from Carnival or other lines? We are taking my in-laws on their first cruise and I want it to be smooth sailing for them, plus they think I know all there is to know about cruising but the truth is that I am as much of a newbie on this cruise in many ways.

 

I do have a specific question about online check-in. I have received a few emails from X saying to do online check-in but I already did. When I log-in it says 2 out of 2 passengers complete. Is this just an automatic email X sends out to everyone? Is there something I am missing?

 

Our excursions are booked through X. Do I need to bring anything for them, such as print-outs of any kind? Or is that going to all be in their system and we will be good to go? Do I need to worry about tender tickets in Juneau if we are on an X excursion?

 

Anything at all that I need to know or that would be a good tip would be GREATLY appreciated. Thank you!!

The only things we print out are our xpress passes.

(But even that is not essential, as you can still check in at the pier without them if you should forget them or lose them. Having them just makes the check in process a little faster.)

 

We do not print out any other documents, but only email them to ourselves so that they will be accessible to us on the ship in case we should ever need them.

However, in all our years of cruising with Celebrity, we have never needed any of them. :)

 

A copy of Celebrity Today (the ship's daily newsletter and activity schedule) will be in your cabin when you board, usually on the bed.

It will have information about guided tours of the ship being offered on the first day.

 

I would suggest that you take one of those guided tours to familiarize yourselves with the ship.

Although you can walk around exploring the ship and find everything on your own, it is better to go with a guide who is right there to answer all your questions along the way and who can point out anything of interest or importance that you may miss on your own.

 

I can assure you that there is absolutely no reason to be nervous.

In general, Celebrity cruises are more relaxing and laid back than Carnival cruises.

 

If you are on the Solstice, in past seasons the ship has sometimes tendered and sometimes docked in Juneau.

If you are on a ship excursion, your excursion tickets will tell you when and where to meet, usually in the theater if you are tendering.

There they will call each group, give you stickers to wear, and escort the entire excursion group down to the tender together.

No tender tickets are needed if you are on a ship excursion at a tender port.

 

I would also suggest that you call Celebrity before your cruise and enroll yourselves and your in-laws in the Captain's Club, Celebrity's loyalty program. They have a preview level for passengers who have never cruised with Celebrity before.

The toll free Captain's Club telephone number is 1-800-760-0654.

 

Then when you are on the ship, go see the friendly Captain's Club host or hostess, a good source of information and advice who will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

 

Also, when it is time for the muster drill on the first day, I would suggest going down to your muster station early, about 15 minutes ahead of time so that you can get seats, particularly if your in-laws are elderly or infirm.

Depending on the location of your muster station, latecomers may need to stand throughout the entire muster drill.

 

I also second the recommendation to attend Brent Nixon's presentations on the Solstice. But if you miss them, they are repeated on one of the TV channels in the cabin.

 

You can use the interactive menu on the TV in your cabin to order room service or check your account or order additional excursions, among other things.

 

If you like having an ice bucket and water pitcher in your cabin, just ask your stateroom attendant for them. They are refilled twice each day, when they service the stateroom, or more frequently upon request. Also ask for extra hangers, if you need them.

 

Have a wonderful cruise!

 

 

Edited June 19, 2016 by fleckle

[eandj]

I think Carnival has changed, catering not just to families and partiers during spring breaks. So much on ANY line depends on length of cruise and date. Those ships do Europe and other itineraries ,that as I understand from family and friends, are not just for the party crowd. Not sure why riclop thinks there will be such stark difference.

 

The X cruise will be well received by the inlaws for sure :)

[Host Jazzbeau]

The little guide to the ship that they hand out only shows a side-on view with names of what is on each deck. You can get a real deck plan at the Future Cruise office, which may make it easier to get around on the first few days.

[eandj]

I curious as to why you say this. I'm 31 and a equal opportunity cruiser. I was on the Carnival Breeze in January and we seemed to follow the Eclipse everywhere. The demographics seemed quite spread out, we met a lot of people in my age range. Anyway the ship looked awesome and we are considering celebrity to the Caribbean in November.

 

We've done Eclipse 3 times on their 14 night Carb itinerary. Try it you'll like it.

[Cruise Raider]

DO go to the lectures. Particularly if your naturalist is Brent Nixon! He's the best in the business.

 

I second that!!!