What are your Crusing Do's and Dont's?

Show all answers

Ed S

Do cruise often

Do pack light

Do everything or nothing its your vacation and you will see see those people again.

Do bring a good camera to capture the memories

Do bring someone you love and bring friends too

Do talk to everyone on board you'll make friends fast.

Do eat everything you want

Do bring enough money to enjoy yourself

Dont hold back.. let loose and have fun

Dont expect the fun to come to you...make yor own fun

Dont miss the ship

Dont eat anything you dont like.. If its not right send it back

Dont drink to much.. way pay all this money to be drunk all week and not remember your trip

Do Join a cruise group
Join a cruise group...
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Cruiseaddict/

TINKERTOY ..... the 1 & only

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, - good walking shoes,
- your camera.
- and other personal toiletries.

Your cabin will have towels and soap provided, including pool and beach towels. It will also have a generic hair shampoo so you do not need to bring that unless you like a specific brand. They do not provide tooth paste, mouth wash or lotions. They DO provide a hair dryer.

- The formal nights are REQUESTED not required attire. So you do not have to dress up unless you want to and if there are two formal nights, just dress up for one of them.

- 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. 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 want to use the gym, pool and/or hot tub as soon as you get on ship pack those clothes and a change of clothes in your carry on bag because it will be hours after you board before you get your luggage.

- 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.

- Cruise lines charge a lot (about $15 to $25 per photo) for the photos they take so take your own photos around the ship when you get the chance, especially on the formal nights. Take your own camera and ask other passengers to take photos for you, they generally are very willing.

- 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.

- 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. 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.

- Don't be afraid to ask for or order things that are not on the dinner menu.

- Don't try to eat all of the food that's available and make yourself sick.

- Do order the free room service for breakfast at least once.

- Do read the daily news letter of activities on board and go participate in something unusual.

- Do take a close look at the tours and activities offered to see if its really worth the money; go on your own instead to save money.

- Do book your next cruise while on the ship as it will save you money and also get you an onboard credit for that cruise.

- Do take at least two sets of swim wear so that you don't have to put on a wet one to go to the pool or hot tubs on ship, or to wear to the beach.

- Do take pictures of the ship and try to get shots without people in them.

- Do take pictures of the food served for dinner in the main dining room.

- Do take a tour of the ship when you first board so you can learn where things are.

randall_nd

Don't try & skip the muster drill. They do a head count and check every cabin.
Don't bother packing shampoo, cream rinse, and hairdryers, razors, hand lotion. They are provided.
Do pick up feet going through bathroom door. There is an anti-flood threshold.
Do be forwarned. The toilets make a hell of a noise. Kind of like a jet!!
Do bring "church" clothes for the Captain's Gala and the 2 formal nights.
Do order the lobster when it's offered. You only have one opportunity. The same for the escargot.
Do bring an empty paper towel tube. On the last night, the dining room staff gives you an autographed placemat.
Don't buy that tee shirt right away. They discount things near the end of the cruise.
Do walk past all 6 chow lines at noon. They are all different.
Don't use cell phone on board. Major roaming charges. Best way to call home is to buy a prepaid calling card from a vendor on some island and use a public phone.
Do check your Sea Pass / Sail and Sign acct. at the purser's desk periodically to make sure you're not over spending.
Do enjoy the towel animals in your stateroom each night.
Don't be bashful. Go ahead and have the time of your life - Everyone else is in the 'same boat'!!! Keeping in mind that stuffy people don't go on cruises. They're back in North Dakota freezing their asses!!
Bon Voyage!!

shhhhhhhhhhhimhiding

Do pack an extra power cord and an alarm clock, there are never enough plugs and some ships dont have clocks in the rooms

Dont overpack, I almost always bring 1/2 the clothes I pack home unworn

Do go with a positive attitude and have fun, there are alot of things to do , so try the wine tasting class or afternoon tea

Dont spend prime daytime sunny weather in the casino, if you need to gamble do it at night or if the weather is crappy.

I have been on 6, soon to be 7, 8, and 9 cruises, so go and have fun

my4sonsnme

Do- read the daily ship's newsletter and check out the activities. OK, dumb belly flop contest- but fun to people watch.

Do- try new foods. It is all included, and they will bring something else if you hate it.

Do- pay the recommended tips, or better, as the crew works hard, and is away from family.

Don't- be a drunken fool. Stay home and drink if you must, but a week dazed is a week lost.

Don't- book the ship's excursions. They are cheaper ashore, and as long as you go EARLY, and don't miss the ship, it will be great.

darkwarriorxii

Do's:
- Get to the port several hours early. You can typically start boarding around noon, depending on if the ship arrives on time.
- If you're flying in, it's best to arrive a day early. This way, if your flight gets delayed, you won't risk missing the boat. If you're late, the boat WILL NOT wait for you! (This is both at home and at ports.)
- Book excursion through the cruise line. They're more pricy, but you have the security of knowing the ship is aware of your status. If something happens on your excursion, the ship will know. If your tour is running late, the boat will wait. If you go out on your own and you're running late, the boat won't wait for you. The excursion companies used with the cruise line can be trusted more than the others as well.
- Bring lots of cash if you wish to gamble in the casino!
- If available, complete your cruise documents online. This will save time checking in at the pier, and will make everyone happier.
- Consider your wants and needs before booking a cruise. Not all cruises are created equally! Some cater more toward families, while others are much more elegant. Some travel to exotic destinations, while others travel to cold places. Some ships are huge, some are tiny. There are many things to consider.
- GO IN WITH A POSITIVE ATTITUDE. If you're convinced before the cruise starts that you're going to have a bad time, you're going to end up having a miserable time. Then you'll come home and complain, and this will be no good. Go in saying you'll have a good time no matter what happens. This will work.
- Start your seasickness remedy the day before you cruise. This will give the medicine a chance to get into your system before you hit the water. We take Bonine the night before. This also helps us fall asleep the night before, and not during the first day of our cruise!
- Try new foods on your cruise. You never know what you may like! All the food is free, so try everything!
- Get to the buffets about 10-15 minutes early so you can get in line right as the buffet opens. This will save you from the headache of waiting in line.

Don'ts:
- Book airfare through the cruise line. Contrary to popular belief, if you book through the cruise line and you're late to the boat, the ship will not wait for you. Book on your own. You'll have more flexibility and it will be a lot cheaper.
- Try to use cash on board (except at the casino). They won't take it. The exception to this rule is, if you hand your tips directly to your wait staff instead of charging the tips to your account.
- Be late ever to the boat. It won't wait for you.
- Buy anything in the shops until the last days when they have discounts.
- Take the drink they hand you when you first walk on the Lido deck on the first day. It's not free! If you want to pay for, then you can take it!
- Be too late for dinner. It only makes more work for your waiter.
- Forget your passport and/or ID!
- Ask for soda unless you're willing to pay for it. It's not free. You can buy a soda card for unlimited soda. You can purchase this from any bar.

cojo

Do make sure to make the best out the trip.

Don't nit pick every bad thing that happens.

Do plan outfits out so that you won't over pack.

If you get something at dinner that you don't like try something else.

If you have kids make them go to the kids program the first night to meet kids. They won't regret it.

Try something new

Enter Your Message or Comment

User Name:
User Email:
Post a comment: