If I knew now what i knew then?

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BabeHeart

Don't pack more than you need, but do look at various cruise websites for tips on what to pack. Make sure you carry clothing appropriate for the climate and activities you'll be doing, and remember there's usually at least one formal night if you choose to eat dinner in the dining room.

It's easy to get carried away and run up a high bar tab so pay attention to how many cocktails you are ordering and check your total daily to make sure you aren't being charged for things you didn't get (keep all your reciepts)

Food is available 24 hrs a day and it's easy to eat non-stop but make sure you don't get too carried away and go home being unable to button your pants. Most ships have some sort of fitness center so you might want to take advantage of that so you can enjoy the variety of food offered (without so much guilt).

Take the classes, go to the demos, participate in the on-board activities...that's part of what makes cruising fun (and those things are often at no extra charge). Don't sit around your cabin all day or by the pool all the time (although that's fun too!) but take advantage of what is offered...and remember to tip your servers well if you got good service (your dining room attendants, your room attendant, bartenders, etc).

Enjoy! I've been on 3 cruises and I ADORE traveling that way!

Michael R

Read cruise critic.com boards and reviews. Get out and see the ports of call.

wind_master9944

don't hit the booze to hard

leahcane

Avoid the ship ATM. Get cash at the Casino and they'll take it from your Sign and Sail card. I can't remember the charge, but I know it was over $3 dollars per transaction. Watch the drinks in your room killer charge. I didn't drink any because I knew before hand they would charge, but I was charged for a water I didn't drink because had to go to the desk to get it taken off(this is just the cokes and water in your room not the one with your meals). And they love to sell you on the ship drink special another black-hole. Make sure the people your going with like to have fun. My stbx got on my nerves even though I didn't let him spoil all my fun!

megakatlover

Swimming suit. T shirt. Shorts. Sandals. Tennis shoes. 2 sets of evening wear. This is all you need. You don't need towels, shampoo, extras of anything. Leave it at home and save yourself luggage weight.

Also, when going to shore: fill a water bottle from the ship and take it with you. Beaches, especially, price gouge for bottled water, soda, or other thirst quenchers. Better yet; PACK a water bottle, because if you open the Carnival one, it costs $3.

quinnline

dont over pack, you wont need much clothing as you might think. Bring a battery clock, there are none in the room. The first time you get to your room, it wont be the cleanest, since other guest were there hours before you were, give them time and they clean up the place nice. Jamicia is scary, if you're going to the carribean. Take a lots of pics with the photographers, there is no need to purchase and they do a wonderful job. Be on vacation when you're on the ship and you'll have a wonderful time... relax and enjoy your honeymoon.

peash

Don't over-eat on the cruise ! What happens is on your "sea day" you eat all day and then you get bloated and spend the next day on an excursion all bloated lol. Or you can bring laxatives and solve the problem. I had alot of sea sickness on my first cruise, i used gravol alot, it made me really sleepy though so i ended up taking too many afternoon naps and not doing many of the on-board activities.

Kristina L

Don't over pack. Seriously, lean towards "minimalism". I took 3 bags with my first cruise and used less than half of what I brought. If have to ask "do I need this", then leave it at home. If you find that you do need it on the cruise, you can probably pick one up on the ship or at port pretty cheap.

Also, be sure to bring a sweatshirt / sweater / jacket - after dark it can get chilly out on the open water.

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