First Time Cruisers~~~

[pampaul]

We are a family of 4 (2 adults and two boys ages 9 and 11) and we are going on our first cruise on the Dawn this August 19th.

 

Since this is a first time for us what do you suggest we pack? An outfit for each day/night. Extra clothes? Not too many clothes? Comfy sneakers/walking shoes? Will we need dressier clothes for dinner (will probably do the buffets each day/night) What about toiletries (not sure if there's anything in our rooms or not) How much spending money (whether for pictures, excursions, extras, etc)

 

And if there's any other websites or info you can tell me about would be appreciated. Thanks!!!

[scdreamer]

We are a family of 4 (2 adults and two boys ages 9 and 11) and we are going on our first cruise on the Dawn this August 19th.

 

Since this is a first time for us what do you suggest we pack? An outfit for each day/night. Extra clothes? Not too many clothes? Comfy sneakers/walking shoes? Will we need dressier clothes for dinner (will probably do the buffets each day/night) What about toiletries (not sure if there's anything in our rooms or not) How much spending money (whether for pictures, excursions, extras, etc)

 

And if there's any other websites or info you can tell me about would be appreciated. Thanks!!!

 

I would definitely bring comfy shoes for everyone. Depending on what you plan to do in port (gravelly beaches, etc.), you might want to have water socks, too. They're pretty inexpensive.

 

Your boys may want to take part in the kids program on the ship, which could mean you and your husband will have the option of having some meals on your own. If I were planning this trip, I would not plan to have all my evening meals at the buffet. The food is much better in the dining rooms, and also the buffet fare can get pretty boring after a few days.

 

You don't need anything really dressy to eat dinner in the dining rooms ... what they refer to as "resort casual" just means khakis or other comfy slacks and collared shirts for the guys. For you it could mean capris or a sundress. Always bring at least one sweater or light jacket, even if you think it will be warm. Some of the public rooms on the ship can be a little overly air conditioned.

 

The cabin bathrooms have shampoo and shower soap. If you want conditioner, face cleanser, etc. you should bring your own. Bring toothpaste, floss, deodorant, etc ... as buying it onboard can be pricey.

 

When you board the ship, the first thing you will do is to open a shipboard account. Most people use a credit card to do this, but you can use traveler's cheques or a debit card. They'll issue you a plastic card - it will serve as your room key and as a way to charge anything you wish to purchase onboard (pictures, drinks, specialty restaurants charges, etc.). Toward the end of the cruise, you will receive a statement of the charges to your account. If it is correct, you don't have to do anything - it will all be charged to your credit card. If there is a problem, you can take care of it before you leave.

 

The only place on the ship where you need to have "real" money is the casino ... and don't worry - there is always an ATM available there. (I wonder why :rolleyes: LOL )

 

I always make sure I have a bunch of $1 bills when I travel. It makes it easy take out a few to tip the porters or anyone else who you want to reward for extra good service.

 

I bet you'll have a great time!

[pampaul]

Thanks, that helps a bunch.

 

What about other places (websites) that I can find info on this cruise, other people's reviews, etc?

[retiredAF]

pampaul, I would suggest you do a search of this NCL page using the word pack or packing in the thread title and you will find lots of messages on what to pack. We went on our first cruise a few months ago and those posts were a life saver! I STILL over packed but it sure helped me out a lot. The two best tips we read were to pull everything you plan to pack out and then only pack half of that and to bring a clear (plastic) over the door shoe organizer. It was great to put all of your bathroom and small items in easy reach.

Have a great trip!

[Hikini]

Just a thought here....if you're going to have 4 in a cabin, you will need to pack a little bit lighter than usual. Even with just 2 of us in the cabin and plenty of closet space, I have found that I've always taken too many clothes. No one will notice if you wear the same outfit more than once.

 

You don't have to get completely dressed to the nines for dinner, even if you don't eat in the buffet. The buffet is fine, but I highly recommend the main dining rooms as well. Resort casual isn't hard to do. Not at all. Your kids will have fun!

 

Spending money is a hard question to answer. Every family has a different budget. What may seem like a lot to one person isn't much to another and vice versa. You know that you will be charged $10 per day per person, so you can plan on that for sure. If you order any sodas or adult beverages, those are extra. Photographs taken by the ships photographer - they are not necessary to buy but most of us find ourselves buying at least one every time.

 

There is always something from the gift shops on board that you just have to have. Little things or big things - only you will know what's best for yourself as far as spending money.

 

Have fun!

Hikini:D

[ute_fan]

Pampaul -- There is a website with links to lots of different reviews, photos, etc., about cruising, but I'm don't think the moderators will let me post the link here. If you want to drop me an email, I'd be happy to drop you the link. My email address is ute _ fan _ 79 at yahoo . com. Just eliminate the spaces and change the "at" and you'll get to me.

 

As far as spending money, it really does depend a lot on your lifestlye. Our last on-board account charges for the 4 of us were about $1600 -- including 2 ship sponsored excursions (including a dolphin encounter that was pricy), coke cards for all 4 of us, various photo and gift shop charges and the $10 per person service charge for your tips.

 

I'd also recommend not eating in the buffet every night. Try the dining rooms or specialty restaurants at least a couple of nights. We hardly ever eat in the buffets unless we have a tight time schedule for something.

 

Packing is always hard -- I invariably take more than I need, but would rather have a couple of extra shirts "just in case". I definitely recommend the over-the-door shoe holder for keeping toiletries, medicine, etc. organized. When we had 4 of us in the room, it was a necessity.

 

Have a wonderful cruise! I wish we'd started when our kids were young enough to go to the kids club -- they always look like they're having so much fun.

[Zeno]

Another suggestion to NOT eat at the buffet every night. Generally the food in the dining rooms is much better. Since this is NCL you really don't have to 'dress up' to eat in the dining rooms. As others have stated casual dockers style pants and collared shirts are fine (even 'formal' night will be optional). be sure to try at least one of the 'specialty' restaurants one night.

 

Best advice given to me before my first NCL cruise - READ the Freestyle Daily - which will be left in your cabin every night. It contains lots of useful info - like dining room opening hours and any 'theme' nights, specialty restaurant opening hours and prices (some cost extra, some don't), entertainment times and places, any on-board activities etc.

[calmac]

The $10 per day service charge mentioned is per adult, under 12s are charged $5 per day - so a total of $30 per day will be added to your ship board account.

 

There is no need to eat in the buffet every night. If your sons are happy to sit in a restaurant style dining room but not keen on the menu, a childrens menu is available. This is the case in the main dining rooms (free of charge) and also the speciality restaurants (children eating from the children's menu are not charged).

 

If your sons did attend the kids club they would be in different age groups.

 

Have a great cruise but beware - many of us have become addicted to cruising after that first cruise :D :D