Any Advice BEFORE I got on my 1st cruise through Royal-Sovereign of the Seas.?

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TINKERTOY ..... the 1 & only

I have been on more than 15 cruises and about half have been on Royal Caribbean. It is my favorite line.

Tips:

- If you can plan to fly to the departure port a day early so that you do not have to worry about missed flights and connections. If you are changing time zones it will give your body time to adjust and you time to rest from the long trip.

-If your cruise included many connections, flying, train and bus, buy travel insurance and get it from an independent supplier, not the cruise line.

-Join the cruise club so that the cruise line will send you their specials and so that you can get discounts on future cruises with them. The discount will typically be $50 to $100 per person. If you will be celebrating a honeymoon, anniversary, or birthday during the cruise, be sure to tell them, they will do special stuff for that.

- Cruise lines charge a lot for the photos they take so take your own photos around the ship when you get the chance, especially on the formal nights. Ask other passengers to take photos for you, they generally are very willing.

-Review the listing of tours offered on your cruise and decide whether you want to pay for a tour or go on your own. On most Caribbean islands you can get a taxi or tour in port for much less than the cruise ship tours. HOWEVER, the one big advantage of going on ship sponsored tours is THE SHIP WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU if your ship sponsored tour is late getting back to the ship. If you will be in a port for 12 to 16 hours you are probably safe to go on your own for most anything. But if you are only there for six to eight hours you may want to stay close to the ship or go on the ship tours.

- Take a 6-pack of water and/or soft drinks in your carry on for your cabin. Do NOT try to take alcoholic on board, especially in your carry on; they will confiscate it.

- take a thermal cup or mug with a lid for cold drinks when you are around the pool, most plastic glasses on cruise ships are small.

-always take soft sided luggage as it stores better under the beds.

- Take a small carry-on bag for the last night of the cruise. On the last evening you will be required to put your luggage outside your cabin by about 2:00 AM so that they can start taking it down to the lower deck for offloading the next morning. So you will need a small bag for your toiletries and and your clothes that you sleep in.

- There is generally a room service menu that you can order from 24/7 and that food is free but you should tip the delivery person a couple dollars.

- The hidden costs on a cruise are your tab after the cruise for drinks (alcoholic and sodas), tours, and gratuities. Many ships now add the recommended gratuity to your on board tab. The gratuity is about $10 to $12 per day per person. You can give more if you want. Tours can add hundreds to your final bill, depending upon how many stop the ship makes and what you want to do. So study the tours carefully; some places you may want to just go on your own. and be aware that the drinks can add up.

- One way to save money on drinks is to order them in a plain glass rather than the souvenir ones; they cost about $1.00 to $1.50 more in the souvenir glass.

The dress on ship is casual all day until 6:00PM. So take swim wear, shorts, sandals, beach shoes, your snorkel equipment if you have it, sun glasses and sun screen, lotions, a cap or big hat for the sun, a book if you are a reader, your music player, sneakers and clothes to workout in if you like to use the gym, your camera, and other personal toiletries.

After 6:00 PM they request that you wear "sports casual" attire. That's attire that you would expect a person to wear in a business office, shirt with a collar, slacks, skirt, blouse, etc. You can still wear shorts and swim wear in the pools and spas but not in public areas like dining rooms and restaurants, show rooms, bars, casino, etc.

Most 7-day cruises have two formal nights when you can wear your best stuff and get pictures taken, and maybe meet the shipâ€™s Captain. The formal nights are REQUESTED not required attire. But most people do dress up in a tux for men and a long dress (any color) for women. Some men just wear a suit and tie and some women wear a nice dress but not a gown. You will not be denied access to the dining room or anything else if you choose not to dress up. (we usually take off the formal stuff after dinner and pictures anyway).

kimmer

Two things to make sure you do that no one else has written about: 1) wash your hands all the time or use hand sanitizer (they play something on the TVs about Norovirus....you don't want to be sick for your whole trip) and 2) if you want to lay out by the pool, get up really early and go put your towel on a chair....everyone was doing this. We tried to get chairs after we woke up and all the good ones were taken. Other than that, have fun!

US_DR_JD

Regarding sea sickness... I have been on 11 cruises on 8 different ships on 4 cruise lines in the past 4 years. I got queasy once but did not get physically ill. I know there are many times when the seas are rough that sea sickness can be a problem.

If you are worried I would get some No Drowsiness Formula Dramamine and take it. If not they will have Bonine available at the ships gift shops and infirmary as well as it can often be obtained at the pursers desk in heavy seas.

Also, not related to sea sickness, watch out for the amount you drink onboard. Have a good time, but they sell the drinks for a premium price and you charge them all to your onboard account. It's not hard for the bar bills to get out of hand when you just pass a plastic card without an MC/Visa symbol on it. Also, almost every occurance of passengers falling off cruise ships has happened when the person was very drunk. Since you don't have to drive cruise ship bartenders don't cut people off as quickly.

skittles8553

Have fun and participate in as much as possible. Cruises are sooo much fun. Don't be shy, no one usually is! Meet and greet, take lots of pics, try the beverages but beware of their tap water in any fountain drinks- quite nasty! It is a great experience that everyone should try at least once!

happybidz2003

I love to cruise, have fun and enjoy all the activities that interest you. There are good movies on the TV in your room when you want to rest, and the main thing is don't over pack. You don't need more than an outfit a day and one for the formal dinner. I hope you have as much fun on your cruise as I do on mine, I'm going on my 4th in October.

JenJen

There are a few things you should keep in mind when cruising. Usually you don't get your luggage delivered to your stateroom until later in the evening upon your arrival. It is best to pack a small bag with a change of clothes and whatever else you may need.
If you think you may be likely to get sea sickness go to your local pharmacy and ask the pharmacists for over the counter remedies.

Heile

Have fun and go to all the different activities/shows you can. Do not miss the chocolate buffet. Our cruise had one at 11 or 12 at night and I slept right through it...I was upset. You are so busy all day that as soon as you lay down on your bed you're out.

Wow_that_sux

i went on that cruise too it is SWEET
theres a shopping mall on the fith floor
a pool and hot tub 11th floor
go to guest services 3rd floor ask ur table numb
then go to either 3rd or 4th floor to dine
room service avalible on the phone just ask the manager of the food anyway
You will find your way around dont worry

princesslele1981

Have fun you lucky brat... lol Wish I could have a vacation!!

Have fun and check out all the shows and activities you can, it's VERY enjoyable.
Enjoy and relax.

DoubleD

Normally, everything is provided EXCEPT for your drinks. I would smuggle some alcohol onboard. :-)

jimkme

Have a Blast....ITS PARTY TIME!!!

RICK

yeah, hope and pray that the ship doesnt hit an iceberg.

I don't think I'd ever take a cruise. Too many people on board get sick, and the ship could sink. If I ever got up enough nerve I'd have to take along my own life vest and inflatable raft. If you're not as paranoid as I am then go and have a blast!! Just be sure to take along something for sea sickness, because you will get it.

kckristopher000

Dont mean to scare you or anything on your first cruise. But I suggest you check and make sure that the Cruise line is not going bankrupt or in money trouble. I went on a cruise to Greece in March of this year and 2 weeks after i got back the ship that i was on sank. And come to find out last week they are charging the captain and 4 others for sinking it on purpose. Apparently the cruise line was in money trouble so the captain decided to sink the ship with everyone on it....Thankfully everyone was brought to safety except for a french father and his daughter =( ....Other than that have fun and enjoy =)

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