first time cruise

[vio219]

this is mine and my fiances first cruise...

it was a gift from my dad, any suggestions? or advice?

 

thanks a bunch!!

 

woohoo, im soooo excited!

 

4/17 serenade of the seas

[royalcaribbeanfan]

Just relax and have a good time. Royal Caribbean is very good about answering any questions that you might have. To give you any advice I would need to know how many nights and the ships itinerary to see if they are the same as mine was. I went on my first cruise with my husband; we were on our honeymoon. It was in October, 2002. We are now hooked. I will warn you. You will get a disease once you arrive back home. It is called : I/need/to/go/on/another/cruise/right/away/itis!!! The withdrawals with this disease are awful!!! I am still going through them now; over a year and a half later!! Everyone who really enjoys their first cruise gets it and you will get it everytime you go on a cruise after. The day we disembarked, I actually cried. I didn't want to leave. Trust me; you will have a great time. I envy you! We aren't going again until 2005. Another year and a half to go!!!!! Have a great time.

 

 

Happy Cruising

 

Patty

[vio219]

its a 7 day cruise

 

april 17

leave houston fly to puerto rico

**RUSH TO CRUISE SHIP**

cruise leaves at 10:00p

18th- charlotte amalie, st. thomas

19th- philipsburg, st. maarten

20th- st. johns, antigua

21st- castries, st. lucia

22nd- bridgetown, barbados

23rd- at sea

24th- back to san juan, puerto rico

 

how much money should we bring? and how much should i bring in travelers checks? we found a few shore excursions we want to do... also, how formal are these formal dinners?? what about sea sickness? lol, ive got so many questions! do i need to bring my own beach towels?

 

if youve been to these islands please let me know which are the best excrusions... and also is this ship really nice? my dad said it was thanks a bunch!!!

 

4/17 serenade of the seas

[ahoughton]

This may be your first cruise but will not be your last. We completed our fourth cruise in eight months 4/3/04. As for the cash, you will need what ever you plan to spend in ports for souveniers and for the casino, everything else will go on your sea card and charged to your credit card. Beach towels are on the pool deck and can be checked out for shore excursions. Formal nights are from one extreme to the other. Just go as formal as you want and you won't be out of place. We have never had a problem with sea sickness but always take along some walmart brand motion sickness (non drowsey) tablets. We have never sailed out of San Juan so I can't help you on anything about that specific cruise. Check on shore excursions with private tours to get better deals than with the cruise line. You can get much information on cruise critic. Check with others on the reputation of the company and to make sure your times can be made. Rest up because you will be going non-stop for seven days. Have fun and post pics when you return.

 

03/27/04 NCL MAJESTY

 

"BABY LET'S CRUISE AWAY FROM HERE"

[Ohunion Cruzers]

The following expectation can be found on RCI’s Web Page:

 

What are the dress codes onboard?

There are three distinct types of evenings onboard: casual, smart casual and formal. Suggested guidelines for these nights are:

 

Casual: Sport shirts and slacks for men, sundresses or pants for women

Smart Casual: Jackets and ties for men, dresses or pantsuits for women

Formal: Suits and ties or tuxedos for men, cocktail dresses for women

 

3 to 4-night cruises include one formal night and two or three casual nights.

5 - nights include one formal, one smart casual and three casual nights.

7-night cruises include two formal nights, one smart casual night and four casual nights.

10, 11, and 12-night cruises include three formal nights and three smart casual nights, all other nights are casual.

14 and 15-night cruises include three formal nights and four smart casual nights. All other nights are casual.

 

We appreciate your usual parental guidance and cooperation in observing these easy guidelines with your children.

[Cloudmaster]

We were on the Serendae two months ago. It is a beautiful ship. You will certainly enjoy it. I suspect like others, this won't be your last cruise. Congratulations on your wedding!

 

Sovereign 2/2000

Voyager 3/2002

Enchantment 3/2003

Serenade 2/2004

 

 

Until Explorer of the Seas 2/27/05

 

 

[caribbeancats]

We were on this cruise in Jan. It was wonderful. The at sea day on Friday is a great time to relax & unwind. Just don't get upset about the chair hogs around the pool. The staff very helpful. if you like the beach & water there are some of the most beautiful. If you like shopping we got some of the best buys esp. in jewelery.

[jst4fun715]

We were on this cruise in Jan also...our first time to the Southern route and first time out of San Juan. The embarkation was a breeze. Just get there as early as you can and since the ship doesn't sail until 10:00 it seems like you have another day on the ship. Gives you time to do some exploring on the ship and get oriented.

 

We had been to St Thomas and St Martin before. Our first trip to St Martin, we did the America's Cup excursion....way too much fun if you like sailing as you actually get to take part in a race and you help do the actual sailing of the boat. This year, we just hired our own taxi driver to take us on a tour of the island...about $25 per person for about a 3 hour tour...great guide. Still had time for shopping and a few drinks afterwards.

 

We did the same thing on St John (not as knowledgeable of a guide) and also on Barbados..again a great guide. We found hiring a cab to be an inexpensive way to see a good bit of the islands and still have time for shopping, drinking or whatever.

 

In St Lucia (my favorite island...absolutely gorgeous) we did the Sandal's half day pass and were really happy with it, however, I have read that the price has gone up substantially since then. I think I have read that there are a couple of other "all inclusive" resorts that still offer the day pass for a more reasonable price. Check the Ports of Call board for more information if you're interested. I also wanted to see the Pitons in St Lucia too...and we got to do that as when we were leaving, the Captain takes the ship past them and does a 360 degree turn so everyone can see. This is at sunset and is an awesome sight.

 

You will also love the ship...the most beautiful and elegant I have been on. What a great gift you got!! You will love it.

 

Carol

 

Enchantment of the Seas 11/01

Mercury 12/02

Serenade of the Seas 1/04

Radiance of the Seas 12/04

 

[Mark_K]

Hopefully, if you're not married, you're both 25 years old.

 

----------------------------------------------------------

 

"Nothing so needs reforming as other people's habits" Mark Twain

 

"Nothing so needs reforming as other people's formal night attire, poolside attire, child rearing practices, walk-talkie usage, chair hogging, seat saving, line cutting ..." Mark_K

[Bandit236]

My friends and I always go on the Kon Tiki Tour when in St. Thomas. You can book through Royal and the tickets will be delivered to your room. It's a boat with an upper and lower deck, free rum punch the whole time, you go to an island to swim, and on the way back there's a limbo contest. You get to meet alot of nice people from your ship as well as others. When in St. Maarten I like to take a ride over to Orient Beach which is quit beautiful. Whatever you do I'm sure you'll have fun.

[lauren0309]

We were on the ship in November for its first sailing to the Southern Caribbean. Its a beautiful new ship. To answer some of your questions, no, you dont need to bring towels, the ship provides them. There is a formal night the second night and the fifth night. I wore a long dress and my husband wore a suit. I didnt see too many men in tuxedos. As for the excursions, all of our's got rained out because we had rain 5 out of the 7 days so we took bus tours around the islands. Not what we expected to do but we made the best of it. When you first get on the ship, EXPLORE! There is alot to see. There is also the Seaview Cafe which is kind of hidden away, its behind the childrens pool. They have good stuff for lunch that the Windjammer doesnt have, seafood salad, brownies, wings, etc. Have a great trip

 

Majesty of the Seas 3/02

Monarch of the Seas 2/03

Serenade of the Seas 11/03

 

Till the Enchantment!

[vio219]

@mark_k

why 25?? i am 23, and he is 26.

 

just another question(hehe) weddings.

we were going to get married down there, but a travel agent told me that texas wouldnt see us as married even though the us does. how lame!

can we just get married on any island? or do we need to have papers? kevin and i have been engaged for almost 3 yrs. we got engaged after knowing eachother for 3 months, so we both agreedon a long engagement. were ready now!

 

4/17 serenade of the seas

[Mark_K]

vio219,

 

Now that I think about it, you're OK as long as both of you are over 21. It's if one is under 21, the other one has to be over 25 - unless you're married.

 

----------------------------------------------------------

 

"Nothing so needs reforming as other people's habits" Mark Twain

 

"Nothing so needs reforming as other people's formal night attire, poolside attire, child rearing practices, walk-talkie usage, chair hogging, seat saving, line cutting ..." Mark_K

[mfredstr]

We got married ON the ship in Puerto Rico. THAT was cool!

 

Martin and Tresa

 

9/12/04

Exlorer of the Seas

2nd Anniversary Cruise

Time till the party starts!

9/6/2003

Navigator of the Seas

1st Anniversary Cruise!

 

9/1/2002

Adventure of the Seas

Wedding/Honeymoon Cruise!

[BaliChic]

Yes , i think that you can get married, depending on the ship, they may have a wedding chapel.

 

Hope you have a wonderful first cruise, you'll be going on more in no time!! April 17 is a popular cruise date, there'll be alot of people onboard!

 

Again, Have a great vacation,

 

-Diahndra

[CruiserCanyon]

I know that all voyager-class ships have a wedding chapel, dont know about the others. I thought about this but what about that whole "cant see you 24-hours before the wedding" thing? that'd be kinda hard

[VickiVSN]

Check out my guide for first time cruisers. The link is below. It was written just after my first cruise when all "those" questions were still fresh in my mind.

 

Vicki

Check out my guide for first time cruisers http://www.vsn.org/cruise

 

Radiance 6/2002

Radiance 10/2002

Brilliance 11/2003

 

 

[/b]

LEGEND OF THE SEAS - September 26, 2004

Visit our Roll Call HERE

 

 

Cruise Europe 2005 (CC Group Cruise)- June 5, 2005

Visit our Roll Call HERE

[PhoenixCruiser]

Check out Cruise Critics Tips, lots of information.

 

Have fun planning

 

Navigator of the Seas 6/26/04

 

[vio219]

i just want to thank everyone for your help and advise. it was all very helpful!! ONE WEEK!!

 

4/17 serenade of the seas

[lmmn]

I would try to get one of the $50 certificates offered on this page.

 

Explorer of the Seas ~ 10/02

Majesty of the Seas ~ 1/03

Majesty of the Seas ~ 8/11/03

Navigator of the Seas ~ 10/11/03

Serenade of the Seas ~ 1/31/04

Adventure of the Seas ~ 1/30/05