Going on our 1st cruise in Nov, any tips/advice on what to expect ?

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tess

It all depends on the Cruise Line and Ship.
All offer something different.
Cruising is the only holiday for me!

Gator fan 483

expect:

rough seas
children puking
substandard food
bad service
saltwater
over priced soft drinks
annoying tourists
foreigners
long lines
small and cramped cabins
norwalk virus
credit card debt

seventy

I've been on Princess cruises and am due to go in January on the Ruby. They are fantastic holidays and there is absolutely something for everybody to do. The excursions are well worth it but you can get a free shuttle bus to the town centres etc but have to make sure you're back to the ship on time or they will sail without you unlike their excursions, if they run late, they wait.
fabulous holidays...enjoy

Stoo73

Take time to do your own thing when onshore at each port of call. The organised excursions are usually ok, but can sometimes simply be an opportunity to sell you something.

Take advantage of any drinks packages offered once you are aboard as these can save you money. Go to to the welcome aboard meeting as the rep can give you lots of useful info. Read the daily newsletter too as this holds important local info.

Enjoy the holiday.

john h

If you are going on any ship with a name that ends in ANIC do not ask for ice in your drinks

amsterp

I just went on my 2nd cruise Feb 08 to the Carribean. This time we went Princess and it was a trip from hell! Our flight that was booked thru Princess was delayed in S. Carolina and we almost did not make the ship. We finally boarded, with no luggage! It missed the connecting flight so we had to go to our first port of call (Jamaica) and the entire day in port in the same clothes we had. So my first suggestion is to pack your swim suit and at LEAST one change of clothes in your carry on along with whatever essentials you would need that can be taken on the plane with all the regulations since 9/11.

If you are a drinker, like my family, pack some alcohol. Trust me they do not check for stuff like that. Then get the soft drink card once you are onboard. I think it was like $23 and that was for all the soft drinks you want the entire trip. This way you get all the soft drinks and mixers for your packed alcohol.

Do check out the shows the have nightly, there are some funny and interesting ones. And mingle and chat with everyone, you'll be suprised how many people you will meet from all walks of life!!

Excursions are dependant person to person. If you want to see the island most excursions take majority of the day leaving you little time to sight see and shop on your own. Not sure where you are going but if Jamaica I DEFINATLY suggest climbing Dunns River Falls, it was awesome. But most excursions can be purchased once you depart the cruise ship for a fraction of the cost the cruise line offers them for and they are pretty much the same thing. If going to Cozumel and you are thinking about doing the Canopy tour, believe me skip it!!! It's not like other islands were you are on a cable above the rainforest. You go about 200 ft from one little hut to the other little hut about 20 ft in the air and that's it!

Once again if your drinkers and the island you port at has a Carlos and Charlies you GOTTA go. But do your shopping and sight seeing first cuz when you leave that place you will be toasted!!! I think we drank enuff to put most college parties to shame! And the place is a blast!!!

Beware of the sign and sail or whatever the cruise line you are going on uses. You just keep using it and using it and loose track of what you spend. Next your buying rounds for everyone! You use no cash on board, just your card which is linked to your credit card.

Can't think of anything else off the top of my head. Cruises are GREAT but from past experience I will never go on Princess again and will for sure return to Carnival!!!

Have fun!!

Vicki G

I went Ion my first cruise last March. I wasn't sure I'd like it but had a great time. If you'd like to read all of the details and see photos from my cruise go to:
http://www.squidoo.com/Mexico_Cruise

For more general information and tips about cruises, this is a great website:
http://vgsims.traverustravel.com/whycruise.asp

stargazer (lost in space)

sea sickness,no really it's fun lots to do,lots to eat.
depends where you are going but there will be different
places to visit,always make sure you allow plenty of time to get back aboard before sailing.
there are loads of facilities on cruise ships you can chill out
or be as active as you like.
enjoy wish i was going weathers dreadful here.

Time travler

If you have a flight, fly the day before. That way flight delays will not effect your cruise. Bring a change of clothes in your carry-on. Don't let one thing that may go wrong let it ruin your cruise. I have no idea why someone here did not like Princess cruises because I can't praise them enough. I suspect because of his flight delay(not the cruise ship problem) he decided the rest of the cruise would be terrible. Shore excursion booked through the cruise company are expensive, but they are the best tours and they guarantee you get back to the ship on time. Watch how much alcohol you drink as this can really push up your bill big time, Remember you are on vacation the minute you board the ship, so enjoy everything the ship has to offer. One last tip is diet before your cruise as you will gain weight and if you can use the stairs as much as possible so you don't gain too much.

Leslie A

rooms are small sometime even the showers. you have a safe in your room, tv and cable. the water in room is not free. they add $10 per person per day for the tips which gets added on your bill at the end of trip you will see it. lots of fun things to do food choices are so easy to pick from even if you have medical problems ( salt or sugar in take : if you don't like something no problem ask for something else. they take lots of pictures you don't have to pay for all of them just ones you want. the boat rocks sometimes. the staff is very help ful

adhil12

Expect a great vacation. Take advantage of the shore excursions.

..Saila Vash..

If you see a Barge along side your ship, please don't toss things down on the tankerman below unless it is your top. Security then gets involved and everything goes down hill from there and I hate dealing with ship security. Other than that Just Relax.

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