Feedback Wanted: Help for First Time Cruisers

[megr1125]

If you can afford it, fly in a day or 2 early and return home a day or 2 later.

Helps with minimizing stress and flight problems.

 

Shop around before you take the cruise lines airfare.

 

Don't overpack. You really don't need an over the door shoe thing for just 2 people. You don't need 1 pair of shoes for each outfit! You need sandals, walking shoes and something for evening. Get neutral colors.

 

Take clothes that coordinate!

 

Tip the room service people. Give a couple dollars if you eat in the buffet or dining room. (other than dinner in the dining room, example breakfast or lunch!)

 

Pre tip the cabin attendant about $10. Trust me! (a little more if you are more than 2 people!)

 

Get a fold-up zippered tote! You will buy stuff!

 

Research! You don't have to take shore excursions through the ship! You can do it alone! Read these boards!

 

Use a good travel agent, at least the first time!

 

Take an open mind. That is by far the most important thing I learned!

[ERsecurity]

This is a very personal decision. If you are young, in good health, live in a non threatening weather area and not traveling in a hurricane season maybe you do not need to.

 

Obviously if any of the above are not true you should really consider the coverage. Anyone on medicare SHOULD as Medicare does not cover you out of the US.

 

Any age traveling a long distance such as Europe or Asia should also purchase insurance. Many unexpected travel deviations will be taken care of for you by the cruise line if you have the lines insurance.

[ERsecurity]

If the rates are good, yes. If you are going to Asia or Europe, yes. You should shop for one stop problem resolution and help in case itineraries change and you need rescheduling. That would be the ship/cruise line you are travelling with.

 

Staying in the US for embarkation and disembarkation and you can work with your airline, go for it. Feel free to use some frequent flyer miles or book some cheap tickets. Do as few connections as possible as this is where you get messed up. VERIFY how your insurance will cover or not cover independent travel.

[jlifeisgoodfaye]

All previous suggestions are great. I emphasize discussing insurance as a necessity because you have no control over what might happen and your travel insurance is a comfort cushion should the unthinkable find it's way into your plans.

 

Newbies have never heard of muster drill and discussing that is good. And I agree with the comment....after muster dump your lifejacket and get back on the upper decks for sail away. It's fun to feel the relaxation come over you as you push off the dock with an umbrella drink in your hand. :-)

 

Newbies have never heard of tendering either. You could discuss looking at the itinerary and noting if the ship docks or tenders and explain the tickets they need to get etc. I think that's a big one.

 

I think a big issue to discuss is.......if you're not satisfied with something, be sure to tell someone and give the cruise line the opportunity to fix it. Don't let things go and ruin your trip because you won't say something. Every cruise line will do their best to rectify any situation to the best of their ability. If you're just tooooo picky then you need to let some things go, but every time I've brought something to their attention they have listened and fixed it.

 

Another one is what to expect when they get off the ship. Putting your bags outside before midnight then seeing all that luggage and trying to find theirs is always a shocker for a first time cruiser. It's the last impression they get of their cruise and sometimes it's not the best. If they're prepared for it, it's less tramatic.

 

Sailing during hurricane season, you must be prepared to be flexible in your plans. You could end up on the ship for a couple extra days or have your cruise cut short. You have to understand that the cheaper pricing comes with a cost....and that's flexibility.....just in case.

 

these are just some of the things I've spent a lot of time telling my newbies.

[gingerloop]

sas80 - I'm booked on Mariner of the Seas 4/2007 aft 1690, just a couple doors down from where you are booked for 2006. Can you please tell me all about your cruise and how it goes? Thanks!

 

Devin@gingerloop.com

[DannyS]

Something I've found most first timers don't understand is that each cruiseline has a distinct product.

 

"You Get What You Pay For" is especially true in the world of cruises. Some people pick the cheapest cruise because they assume every ship is the same.

 

On my last cruise, there was a couple (in their 50s or 60s) at our table that were first time cruisers, and woefully unprepared. They had no idea that there were formal nights. They said that they were shocked to come out of their cabins and see everybody in suits and tuxedos. He hadn't even packed a tie, so they went to the buffet to eat because they didn't know what else to do. (They said, "Is this some sort of new tradition where everyone gets dressed up on the first full day of the cruise?" We joked, "All we know is that they had formal nights on The Titanic.")

 

When we told them that there was going to be another, they didn't know what to do. We assured them that we wouldn't be offended if they weren't dressed up when they ate that night.

 

Of course, the wonderful crew on board Navigator of the Seas did everything they could to accomodate them.

 

When they said to the waiter, "We don't like eating at 6:00, can we come at 6:30 every night?" he said (as most RCI waiters would) "not a problem." One night, the husband told the waiter, "I really enjoyed the spinach you served with the salmon last night. Can I have that again tonight?" The waiter's reply? "My pleasure." (The waiter brought him some of that spinach every night the rest of the cruise!)

 

They were nice people, they just had no idea what they were getting into - and were definately overwhelmed. They would have loved it if someone had told them what to expect.

[newgrandma]

Duct Tape can fix ANYTHING!!!!! I always travel with a roll!

 

Do not leave home without a highlighter....it makes it easier to read the Compass.

 

Also, you don't need a new outfit every day. Just mix and match with what you have!

[ORANGEinINDY]

.........take one of the disposable underwater cameras!

 

Buy your underwater camera at home and bring it! cost of one of these on an excursion or on board is as much as 2X.

 

My advice:

 

1. Read these boards and REMEMBER everything !!

2. Read these boards and FORGET everything !!

 

This is just my way of saying there is a lot of valuable opinions on these boards and you can learn a lot, but remember... they are often only opinions... Go, cruise and develop your OWN advice, but go with some knowledge.

[cruiseman_tx]

It is impossible to do or experience everything that is offered on a cruise, so don't even try. Some of the most enjoyable times are when you do nothing but sit on your balcony or a quite spot on the promanade deck and just listen to the ocean pass by.

Cruising is a unique venue where one can experience the ship, the ports and the sea. I like to get a good mix of all three, and not a heavy dose of any particular one.

[Radiomark]

I have a friend who's never been on a cruise and says he would never go because he thinks he would be bored out of his mind. How far could that be from the truth? A great article would include an abundance of information to dispel that totally bogus perception.

 

Mark

[KBD1516]

I usually tell people to make copies of their documents and leave it on the kitchen table in case of emergency. Also, I tell them to take 2 credit cards; one to use and one to keep in the safe in case the first one gets lost or stolen. Also to call credit card companies to let them know when and where you are going so they don't have problems. Keep an extra copy of your passport ID pages in another place. If you lose it, you can get a replacement much faster if you have the full information with you.

[Lou_70]

My best advise is to do as much as possible.

 

Look at the Compass and pick out at least 3 things a day to do on it, and make yourself go.. trust me you will have a great time doing things you might not normally do.

 

Make sure you do not hover to one area of the ship. Always being at the pool or always being in the casino. Make it a point to go to a different bar every night for at least an hour to experience it.

 

Try foods that you might not normally eat. If you do not like it, they will take it back and bring you whatever you want. If you like it, order another one :)

 

Overall, just get out of the normal person you are mode and be courageous and experiment. After all you are spending alot of money, you mias well get your money worth

[SharkCruiser24]

1. Look at deckplans before you sail - availiable on the web

2. Check the ships website for info on onboard spending i.e- soda and tips

3. If possible do not take suite cases on a 3-4 night cruise- take a small carry on or duffle bag- helps in departure and you can unpack before muster drill;)

4. Don't take your whole closet.

5. Ladies- 4 shoes max- 1.pool\beach shoes 2. Casual shoes 3. 2 pairs for formal dining- make them work with all formal nights

6. TAKE your children to the Youth activities the FIRST night

7. Try to see the whole ship the first day,, seeing deckplans isn't going to put it in perspective, seeing the rooms with your own eyes will make it a more permenant memory

8. HAVE FUN