tips for a first time cruiser!!!

jamie6969 · April 2013

We are going on a cruise for our honymoon in 23 days. I am super excited but alittle nervouse. This is my first one and i am not sure what to expect. I know we will have fun but not sure what to pack or how to dress. We are going to the eastern carribean any suggestions as to whats fun, what to wear, or scursions? Thanks

mlg78 · April 2013

www.cruisecritic.com is a wonderful resource for cruises! Based upon your sailing date, and cruise line you can get involved on a message board for that particular cruise and there are TONS of veteran cruisers on there.

Have fun!

SuMmErKuTiE · April 2013

CMGr always has the best cruising advice

My advice is to not over pack! You will be living in a bathing suit and cover up during the day and dresses at night. I always find that I only end up wearing less than 25% of what I packed.

Make sure you pack the following:

~ Plenty of sunscreen

~ Aloe in case you get burned anyway

~ Hat for the beach/pool

~ Nice dresses for dinner and a LBD or cocktail dress for formal night and make sure your H packs a suit for formal night(s).

~ Plenty of cash for tipping on the islands (on board everything will be billed to your sail and sign card and you'll be billed for all drinks, pictures, on board purchases, and tips at the end of the voyage).

~ More than 1 bathing suit so you have a fresh dry one every day

No need to pack towels, they'll supply bath towels in your room and beach/pool towels up at the pool that you can trade in as much as needed for fresh ones. Just make sure you turn them in at the end or they will charge you for them.

Don't pack a hairdryer, there will be one in your room. It's a typical hotel room type dryer, but it gets the job done and saves room in your suitcase.

Also, depending on the cruise line you are able to bring on board one bottle of wine or champagne per person. Bring your own wine key or else you'll be charged a corking fee in the main dining room. When you board, just ask room service for 2 wine glasses and they'll bring them to the room free of charge. They can also bring a cheapo wine key if you forgot yours, just don't bring it to be opened in the restaurants or they'll charge a corkage fee. You are able to walk around with your wine glass which is nice, or enjoy a nice glass or two of wine before dinner on your balcony while getting ready.

Cruising is hands down our favorite way to travel, you guys will have a blast!

winelover123 · April 2013

I love cruising! Definitely don't over pack. There's nothing worse than waiting to get off the ship when you have a huge bag with you. When I went on both of my cruises, I didn't wear half of my clothes. It can get a little windy when you're sailing if you're on the upper decks outside, so I'd suggest bringing some clothes that won't blow around too much. Bring extra camera batteries - they cost a fortune on the ship!

Depending on where you're going specifically, I would actually skip the cruise excersions unless there is something you really want to do. They're a little pricey. The way I travel, I usually prefer to do my own research to see what there is to do and wander around myself. If you don't want to do the dress-up nights, there's usually a buffet you can go to or you can order room service (free - at least on Norwegian it is).

[Deleted User] · April 2013

One tip! If you plan shore excursions, make sure to book them ahead of time. Don't wait until the day before you are in port, as you'll have to wait in a rediculous line at the excursions desk, and you may not get the one you want.

Bring a pair of good shoes for walking on excursions.

Have a fantastic time!!! Cruising is great fun.

AprilH81 · April 2013

I echo the advice for reading on Cruise Critic if you have the time. There will be a section on each cruise line for you to find out about the ship and cruise line. They will also have a specific board for each port of call so you can get an idea of what there is to do and how much it will cost.

If you are ONLY going to go to the beach there is no need for a ship's tour. Get off the ship and grab a taxi. It will be cheaper and you will be on your own schedule.

If you are confident travelers and can do your research you can save a lot of money by booking your tours privately (not through the ship). Trip Advisor and Cruise Critic is a great resource for this.

Shore excursions are what makes the cruises special. The ship is fun but for me it is a mode of transportation, the islands are what interest me most. Some people are different, especialy those who have cruised a bazillion times.

alithebride · April 2013

where are you stopping and how long is the cruise? ahve you booked any excursions through the ship or otherwise? have you checked the itinerary for formal nights at dinner? have you reviewed the cruiseline's website for dress codes?

my 5 biggest pieces of advice:
1) know your budget limits. it's easy to stay in budget if you have one in mind. bring cash for the casino on board if there is one and if you want to gamble. dh and i love the casino and hit it pretty much every night.

2) bring 2-3 swimsuits each and half the clothes you think youll need. bring pieces that coordinate such as a skirt, dress and pants that you can wear with 1 or 2 cardigans and 2 shoes and 1 scarf then just change it up nigthly.

3) listen very carefully at the emergency drill. while it's kind of a pita and chances are small anyhting could happen it's only to your benefit to listen.

4) check out the menus of the specialty restaurants. if you like them pay the little extra and eat there (also a great option if you dotn want to do the formal night in the regular dining room).

5) know your ports. it never hurts to know where the ship will dock in relation to the town and a basic knowledge of the area.

some other goodies: if you drink wine many lines allow you both to bring one bottle in your luggage to enjoy in your stateroom or at dinner (corking fee applies at dinner). dh and i always travel light clothes wise, bring our travel clothes line and a few tide sink packs.
partake in fun ship stuff-the slot tournament at the casino, the black jack tourney etc.. they also have instructional classes where you dont have to bet any money so if you want to just go and learn you can. see if there are any tours of the ship available. seeing the bridge, galley and living quarters of staff is really fun. see if they do any chefs table dinners. dh and i did one 2 weeks ago in the galley during a dinenr service and it was great. keep in mind you'll be in each place for a short amount of time. you can always go back. enjoy your time-dont try to shove it all in. most ports have the same boring old jewelry shops. make friends with your bartenders on the first day. extra tips go a LONG way. if you're not sure how you'll beo n the boat bring bonine, dramamine and ginger gum just in case. WASH YOUR HANDS OFTEN!! gastro disease spreads FAST on ships. be sure to wash your hands before you eat anything or touch your food, after using anything you touch etc... if you have a balcony room hav ryour breakfast room serviced (this is one of the reasons we always get one-i hate buffet breakfasts or sitting for a lont time to eat in the AM). it's also great for wine/cheese in the afternoon while leaving port. there probably wont be a clock in the room. use your cell phone or bring an alarm clock.
hope all of those help.

jamie6969 · April 2013

wow such good advice thank you all. We are traveling on the carnival pride and going to eastern carribean. We stop at grand turk, half moon cay, and freeport. I did not realize they provide you with pool towels. Can you take these towels off ship at a port if your going to lay by the beach? And i didnt think about more than 1 swim suit for him. Thanks again

efmcc67 · April 2013

If you're prone to motion sickness, talk to your doctor before you go! You can get dramomine over-the-counter, but it makes me really sleepy. My doctor prescription for something (I can't remember what it was called) that cured the motion sickness without knocking me out.

alithebride · April 2013

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_honeymoon_tips-for-a-first-time-cruiser?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:11Discussion:a3f2d4b2-8975-48b6-b074-a52010f5e7fbPost:d9cc9f0f-9e89-4208-bac3-16a0c4a9a0c8">Re: tips for a first time cruiser!!!</a>:
[QUOTE]wow such good advice thank you all. We are traveling on the carnival pride and going to eastern carribean. We stop at grand turk, half moon cay, and freeport. I did not realize they provide you with pool towels. Can you take these towels off ship at a port if your going to lay by the beach? And i didnt think about more than 1 swim suit for him. Thanks again
Posted by jamie6969[/QUOTE]

you dont take the pool towels to the beach. there are separate towels to take with you in your room. they are dark blue iwht a white 'carnival' written on them.

tips for a first time cruiser!!!

Re: tips for a first time cruiser!!!

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