I am going on a cruise. Is there any advice you can offer before I go?

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Kurtis R

Thoroughly research the ports of call you will be visiting. The ship does offer excursions but sometimes they are overpriced. If you are the adventurous type don't be afraid to just go out and explore. Also haggling is a way of life at most of the ports you are likely to visit so if the tag is handwritten or you are at an outside type market the price is probably negotiable.

TINKERTOY ..... the 1 & only

I have been on about 20 cruises and here's what I suggest based on my experiences:

Always pack your passport and cruise documents in your carry on bag ONLY. Also, if you plan to get into the pools or hot tub as soon as you get on ship (they will be open), bring those clothes in your carry on bag; you other luggage may not get to your cabin until much later in the afternoon.

The dress on ship is casual all day until 6:00PM, so take:

-swim wear (at least 2),
-shorts, tank tops and "T's"
-sandals, beach shoes, flip-flops
-your snorkel equipment if you have it,
-sun glasses and sun screen, and 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,
-good walking shoes,
-your camera, and
-other personal toiletries including tooth paste, mouth wash or lotions.

Your cabin will have towels and soap provided, including pool and beach towels, and a hair dryer. It will also have a generic hair shampoo so you do not need to bring that unless you like a specific brand.

After 6:00 PM they request that you wear "sports or resort casual" attire. That's attire that you would expect a person to wear in a business office, (like a bank employee), 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. Don't over pack , take clothes that you can mix and match tops and bottoms and plan to wear each piece twice. If you are going to the Caribbean you will likely be in shorts and/or swim wear most of every day so evening clothes don't usually get much wear.

Your cruise will have a formal night or two 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. You will not be denied entry to the main dining room if you decide not to dress up, as long as you are at least sports casual. But most people do dress up. A gown or party dress for women and a suit or tux for men. Some people dress up both formal nights, some don't. We always take the formal stuff off after dinner and a photo or two and go back to casual stuff.

- Its best to pack using soft-sided luggage because with space limited in your cabin it fits under the beds better if its not hard sided luggage.

- Pack using the vacuum clothing bags (about $20 for 3 at Target) so that you can get more in your bag AND so that if the TSA at the airport opens your bag they can see what's inside without rummaging through your things.

-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 your clothes that you sleep in.

- If you can take a six-pack of bottled water and soft drinks in your carry-on for your cabin. You will have to pay for both on the ship and its nice to have those handy in the cabin. The cruise ships do let you bring water and soft drinks onto the ship but not alcoholic beverages. I always take 16 oz soft drinks and water; ask the cabin steward to take the stuff out of your cabin's mini-refrig and put your own in it. Buy more in ports if you run out.

- If you are taking your cell phone, MP3 player or other item that needs to be plugged in take an extension cord as the plugs in the cabin are generally not in the best places and there are usually only one or two.

- Take a small bottle of hand sanitizer and/or hand-wipes. There are generally sanitizer dispensers at the entrances of restaurants, the buffets and dining room, but some times the are not there or not working. The sanitizer helps prevent the spread of the Norwalk Virus that sometimes occur on cruise ships.

- Take a can of air freshener for your cabin bathroom. The bathrooms do not have exhaust fans.

- Take a few zip lock bags of various sizes; they always come in handy.

- If you think you may get sea sick (you more than likely WILL NOT) take some ginger candy or cookies along; otherwise get a patch or medicine from your doctor. But you are not likely to get sea sick because the ships have automatic stabilizers to minimize motion.

- Take some one dollar bills (also maybe a few $5's) for tipping the porters in the airport, at the pier (they do not work for the ship), and they will come in handy in port stops for buying small items in the markets and at vendor stands; especially bartering places.

All of the above is a part of my normal cruise packing list.

MomSezNo

You can get lots of advice from experienced cruisers at CruiseCritic.com. Click on "Boards", then go to whatever topic interests you. I'd suggest "First Time Cruisers", "Money-Saving Tips", "Ports of Call", and the board for your cruise line.

Have a great time.

jjdriskel

Honestly --- TINKERTOY said it all!!

One thing that he did miss... I'm taking a small container of Clorox wipes with me in June, so I can wipe down the cabin when we first check in and other times during the cruise. I want to make sure my family doesn't get sick with the Norwalk flu.

Have fun and enjoy the sun!!

Well, I think the #1 overlooked thing is to read the ship's newsletter that'll be in your cabin when you arrive and delivered each morning. It lists all the activities and shows - you don't have to do any of them (hanging out by the pool is great too!) but this way you'll know all your options.

If this is your first cruise, you might want to check out the "Introduction to Cruises", which covers FAQs like what a typical day is like, what costs are included/additional, etc:
http://www.cruisesavvy.com/savvyguide/introduction_to_cruises

There's also the "Know Before You Go" guide which has a packing check-list, tips on how to stay healthy, etc:
http://www.cruisesavvy.com/savvyguide/know_before_you_go

Hope you have a great time!

worknlakeside

Among the good answers you got, they were quite informative. I live near the port so I pack hangers inside my hanging clothes makes unpacking a breeze. Bring 2 way radios if you want to keep in touch with others I purchase the 10 mile kind. Bring a highlighter for the to-do list it has lots of stuff that might interest you. Try new things find something new. Like an art auction I went with no interest and had a great time. Always something to keep you interested. If you find things on menu you want to try order it! Like 2 appetizers or deserts my husband orders two entrees! He's skinny and can do it! I like a clock in bathroom keeps me on time to dinner. Check out cruisecritic.com it's great!

Harrison S

YES
cruises are the best thing in the world!!
just be open to anything and keep a smile
you will have a great time
lots of great partys and people !!
have a blast
and dont worry about eating there is soo much to chose from you can either choose to eat fat food and get fat or chose to eat the healthy stuff on the ship and lose weight .. there is soo much varity in food aboard the ship so dont worry

karkee07

Check out you lines website. They'll have eveything about everything. Book your shore excursions though the ship they are guarented and are safe.

Cruisecritic.com is a message board for all things crusing. You can selcect your lien and ship and find out tons of info about your ship, the service, prots of call, what to do ect ect ect. its lovely. and you'll even find people on cruise critic who will be on the same sailing as you!

enjoy your cruise, have fun and be safe.

jvega624

do lots of research before you choose a cruise line, and go on a diet because you will eat lot

Cell Fone Wench

Bring a life vest.

... and a small boat.

You'll have fun, fun, fun and more fun! Good luck!

mediabuyer4life

I actually just returned from a cruise and was suprised to how terrible the food and entertainment were. Now that's not to say we didn't have a blast, it's just the food was horendous.

It's over-rated and bland. The Vegas style entertainment was comparable to a high school production.

Laying by the pool and raking in the bucks in the casino were our pleasure.

Linda M

Get well rested before the cruise.

Pack clothes that don't wrinkle and can be interchanged.

Check with the cruise line to be sure your suitcase is small enough to slip under the bed. Our's was too big and it was 2 weeks of stepping over them.

Enjoy - it is gona be the best of times, have fun.

tofffees

Check the age of the vessel .and previous reviews .bon vovage

Katchup

Yeah
don't curse the trip by saying not even God could sink it ........