First time Cruiser - Explorer of the Seas

[megs000]

I'm going ono the 9 day eastern Caribbean cruise on the Explorer of the seas later this month. Has anyone taken this cruise? do you have any recomendations for things we should make sure we do/watch out for? We've never cruised before and we'll be going for our honeymoon. Approx. how much cash should I bring for drinks, extras, for the different ports? Thanks for all your help!

[39august]

Anything you purchase on board will be charged to your Sea Pass card. No cash is used on the ship except in the casino or if you choose, for gratuities on the last night. Don't worry about how much cash to bring for shore excursions etc. We usually bring a couple or three hundred, with lots of one's for tips. Any more cash that you may need is a simple matter of going to the casino and asking for cash which will be billed to your Sea Pass along with all your other charges on the cruise. There is no fee on RCI for this service. Now, all this is assuming you are putting the cruise on a credit card. I particularly like being able to get cash on my Sea Pass because we get airline miles on our Visa. Be sure to see the ice show. Your daily Compass will tell where and when to get tickets(no charge). What to watch our for...all those drinks that servers will be carrying around when you board are NOT complimentary. Any "drink of the day in a souviner glass" costs more than in a regular glass. Specify if you do NOT want the souviner glass. Have a great cruise!

[crisndeefromde]

Those singles come in handy for tips for room service if you have a room with a balcony you will want to enjoy breakfast in your room. You can purchase a soda card right after you get on board if you drink sodas. They just charge your seapass for this expense and put a sticker on your card and you are ready to go and you can show this anywhere and get your sodas. Ice water, hot tea and coffee free 24/7 in cafe promenade.

 

There is a terrific thread to read that has over 80 pages that is Everything Explorer started by Christie in NJ. Check it out. We all love this ship. You will learn so much.. Enjoy your honeymoon. You couldn't have picked a better ship.

[39august]

Oh, and watch out for those coconut cookies!!! They are SOOOO addictive!

[dzboss1]

OMG!! THose coconut cookies are AWESOME!!!! Glad someone else agrees with me about them.

[cb at sea]

The "extras" depend on you! You can cruise very well and effectively without buying art, or jewelry or "souvenier glasses" or any of that crap! There's no need to spend money on the specialty restaurants, unless you want to! If you don't, you really won't be missing anything1 If you do, you'll enjoy it--it entirely up to you and your budget! You don't have to do "excursions" at every port. (1st timers almost always go overboard on the excursions!) Sometimes, it's just nice to wander around the port, and then hang out on the ship while it's practically empty! (after all, the ship is what you've paid for!!!)

Unless you plan on buying something big in port, take smaller denomination bills--you don't want to pay for a $3.00 item with a $100.00! They may give you change in "foreign" currancy! Not all of the merchants in the "straw market" areas take credit card. Most of the larger stores do.

[Bailey969]

I'm going ono the 9 day eastern Caribbean cruise on the Explorer of the seas later this month. Has anyone taken this cruise? do you have any recomendations for things we should make sure we do/watch out for? We've never cruised before and we'll be going for our honeymoon. Approx. how much cash should I bring for drinks, extras, for the different ports? Thanks for all your help!

 

 

 

Meg - I just got off the Explorer last week and didn't realize I had an additional 25.00 chip in my pocket book. I obviously can't use it - and think maybe it'll bring good luck to someone. If you'd like it - for the casino - it's yours. Just need an address to mail it to. I'm in MA. Good luck and Happy Honeymoon!!

 

Let me know - my e-mail address is: enflap@comcast.net.

 

Tammy

[CruiseKeeper]

Tammy, that's a very nice gesture. You sound like you're already a winner to me. :)