Sysdeath

Wow... I've been slumming it this whole time.... :)

Thanks for sharing.

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Congratulations on your first cruise vacation! The folks before me gave you suggestions. Just to pile on, don't stress out. Everyone wants the perfect vacation and that seldom happens. There will be at least one hiccup along the way.

Tulum is great for the family. Cozumel is great for shopping too.

Unless you have to stay connected to home or work, turn off the Wifi. It's one of the few times you get to disconnect from the online world. I have to keep my phone available because of work and aging parents. I just turn my data off, and leave my phone on for voice calls. Plus, I use my phone for music and taking photos too.

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I have done taxi's many time between MIA and both local ports. It's a flat fee, so you should be good. I prefer Uber, but it might be easier to use a taxi in your case.

I have problem sleeping too. I normally keep a pair of shorts and a t-shirt in the bathroom so I can change to walk around the ship.

USD has always worked great for us in Mexico.

Norwegian Epic - November 2016

Carnival Sunshine - November 2015

Princess Ruby Princess - September 2015

Norwegian Getway - August 2014

RCCL Oasis of the Seas - August 2014

Carnival Legend - November 2013

Norwegian Epic - August 2012 ---- Mediterranean (Spain/Italy)

RCCL Jewl of the Seas - November 2011

Norwegian Epic - October 2010

Norwegian Star - July 2010 --- Alaska

Carnival Freedom - August 2009

Carnival Legend - August 2008

The port is owned by the cruise lines. There isn't much to do outside of the port. There is a pool in the middle of the shopping area. We normally book an excursion at this port.

Norwegian Epic - November 2016

Carnival Sunshine - November 2015

Princess Ruby Princess - September 2015

Norwegian Getway - August 2014

RCCL Oasis of the Seas - August 2014

Carnival Legend - November 2013

Norwegian Epic - August 2012 ---- Mediterranean (Spain/Italy)

RCCL Jewl of the Seas - November 2011

Norwegian Epic - October 2010

Norwegian Star - July 2010 --- Alaska

Carnival Freedom - August 2009

Carnival Legend - August 2008

Flatbush Flyer... your correct. If you use free WiFi, make sure you setup a VPN connection first before using any data. You can find VPN services through the Apple or Google stored pretty cheap. I use SolidKeep VPN unlimited.

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I need cell phone coverage for work and aging parents. I turn my data off and leave my phone on. I don't answer the phone unless it comes specific numbers. Everyone knows not to call unless it is an emergency.

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I never thought about taking a shower in the gym. I have two teenagers to contend with getting ready for dinner. Thanks for the tip.

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I am a former TA. A good TA is worth their weight in gold. Since you know the ship and date you want to go, they cannot be as creative for you to find the best deals. I still recommend going through a TA. Ask family and friends for TA recommendations.

Most of the time you have to go through the TA.

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Former TA.... find a great TA! Let them know what your looking for, budget and let them go. You will be surprised on what they can find. Like all professionals, not all TA are the same. At least 50% when I was a TA, I found customers something better than they had expected.

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We put a white noise or fan noice application on our phone(s) and run it all night long. It help drown out noice from outside and inside the cabin.

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Nice video! I am ready to go.

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I am sure these suggestions have been made since this is a long, but good thread.

1. Have everyone in your cabin download the same "white noise" application. We normally turn a box fan noice application on all of our phones (4 of them). The sound helps block out noise from the hallways or if someone is coming in late into the cabin after everyone else has gone to sleep, or late night bathroom call.

2. If you want to take good pictures of the ship and the different areas on the ship , board early and tour the whole ship. Even if you don't have kids, go see the kids area. The kid areas on some ships are really neat.

3. If you need to stay connected to home, but don't want a huge cell phone bill. Turn off your data. Watch SMS messages.... the cost per message can really add up.

4. If you need to complain, be nice. The ship workers are people and everyone makes mistakes. They cannot make everyone happy. Everything will not be perfect....life isn't perfect. They will do their best to make it right.

5. Wash your hands often and take your own hand sanitizer. Use hand sanitizer often.

6. Try the main dinning room for breakfast.

7. Try food you through you would never eat.

8. Watch your food consumption.... it can add up quickly. Guilty as Charged!!! I have know people to put on 20lbs in a week. No it wasn't me. :)

9. Take your kids.... all ages! Seeing the world can be a great education.

10. Arrive a day early. We fly or drive to the port a day early when possible. We try to make sure that we have multiple ways to get to a port so we don't miss the ship.

11. Understand all the standard fees (fare, taxes, and port charges) and expected gratuities costs. Multiple times I have seen people freaking out on the last day of the cruise trying to find a way to pay for all the stuff they purchased.... they didn't plan for gratuities. TA's don't like to make customers aware of some of these different costs. Prepay gratuities.

12. Get a passport! To fly back into the USA, you need a passport.

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Hii,

 

I am a first-time cruiser here. I am very much excited about my trip. Any suggestions for me?

Start saving up for your next cruise. :)

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I would grab an Uber.

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We normally try to go the day before the cruise. If we take a flight, we leave enough time to drive to most ports just in case we miss a flight or the flight is cancelled. Better safe than sorry...

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We really loved Tulum. If you like history and seeing ancient cultures, it's really neat. We took a bunch of pictures in Tulum.... I didn't have any problems. Go with the ship tour and everything will be fine.

Have fun!

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