sealady1

We are just back from the HAL Veendam cruise to Bermuda and we had no problem receiving our luggage at the beginning of our cruise but after we disembarked, it was nowhere to be found in the terminal. After searching for over an hour, with no help from the port agents, except for them to say "this happens all the time", we had to fill out a claim form and leave to wait for our bus home. We had done our part by clearly marking our luggage with our name tags and the color coded tags we were instructed to use. We placed it outside our stateroom, as instructed the night before. I couldn't understand how they could have lost all three pieces and I was extremely upset to the point of crying. We had a long wait for our bus and during that wait, two of the ship's crewmembers, in civilian dress came to tell us that they had found our luggage amongst the departing crew's luggage. This whole incident had caused my husband and me unnecessary and undue stress. I will never trust any cruiseline with my luggage again. From now on, we will choose self-disembarkation.

 

Also is thier a way to check if we get a fridge in our rooms? Do we check the cruiseline website? I want a fridge and although I dont drink alcohol at all. I want to be able to store juices and cold water in thier and plan to have all the alcohol removed from fridges.

 

Also is the drink card worth it? I like a couple of diet cokes a day and if the cups are small then that might make a drink card worth it.

 

I also plan to prepay all tips so that i dont have to think about or worry about it. Also can we prepay cash before the cruise like send a MO or have it taken right off my Debit card before the cruise? I want to do it that way.

I, too, am a first time cruiser but I have done a lot of research and have been reading these boards for a while now. So, I have learned a lot.

I think whether or not you will have a fridge in your room depends on a couple things. One, your particular cruise line and, two,your type of cabin. You should check your cruiseline's website and look at the amenities for your chosen cabin category. If you can't find anything listed, you can always call either the cruise line or, if you have one, your TA.

The drink card usually entitles you to 20 sodas which are half a can of soda each.

You should check your cruiseline's website to see if you can purchase onboard credit before your cruise. In any case, when you do your online check in, before you receive your cruise documents, you will have to either register a credit card on which the cruiseline will place a certain, per person, daily hold. This hold is not placed until the day of sailing and at the end of your cruise, your card is only charged for actual purchases and not the entire hold amount. If you are sailing for 7 days , and the hold amount is $60 a day, then the total will be $420 for the week per person. You can also opt to pay cash upfront when you board. If you should exceed this cash amount, you can always add more to it. You can always inquire at the purser's desk about your account throughout your cruise to keep track of your spending. You can also catch and correct any mistakes on your account and not find them on the last day of your cruise and, avoid a long wait.

I wish you the best and happy cruising.

I wish I had found CC months ago! My sweetheart and I are tying the knot this weekend, and we sail the Western Caribbean next week. (My first cruise, her second!)

 

Since finding CC last week, I've been amazed at the amount of helpful information available. Thanks to everyone for all the helpful tips! I can't wait to share in what all of you have already experienced. You can bet I'll become a faithful CC follower...and probably a lifelong cruise addict.

Congratulations on your marriage. May you have many many years of love, joy and happiness. Have a perfectly, wonderful honeymoon cruise.

Wow, what a useful thread. My DH and I are off for our 20th wedding anniversary, kind of a belated Honneymoon (20 yrs later!!). These tips are just what I was looking for, I didn't have a clue what to buy, and was going to buy a whole new wardrobe, but maybe not now!!

No kids, no worries, just realxation and fun. I can't wait, 67 days to go.

Thanks everyone for your input ;)

Congratulations on 20 years!! I don't know about you but I like to have at least a few new outfits to take on vacation. It always feels good to have new clothes to wear. So my advice to you is, if you can afford to do so, go ahead and spurge on a couple of new outfits that will make you feel beautiful and wonderful for your long awaited honeymoon. My best to you and your husband. Go have the time of your lives!!!

Debbie

We are going in April (actually exactly 60 days from today!!! But who's counting), How do I add a countdown clock? I see them, but don't know how to add one myself.

Looks like someone beat me to the answer. See, this is what I mean about these boards. So many wonderful people all willing to help one another and enjoying a common bond...

... a love of cruising.

I hope your cruise will be all that you dream it will be and then some.

Take care,

Debbie

Just Beautiful!!! you go girl!!!!

I'm counting down the days for my 1st cruise as well!!

Thank you so much!! Wow! there are so many very nice people on these boards. Where are you going on your cruise? From your countdown clock, I see that you will be celebrating your birthday. so let me say ahead of time...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY and HAPPY CRUISING!!!! Enjoy.:D:D:D

Debbie

SeaLady1- Your post is just about the best thing I've read on these boards! (including all the fabulous advice and tips). What an awesome story and have a wonderful time on your first cruise! (I'm counting down the days until my first one as well) Your happiness just about leaped off of the page :-)

Thank you for your kind words. When are you going on your cruise and when? You should add a countdown clock to your profile. It is fun and exciting to see the number of days decrease as you get closer and closer.:)

I quote FREDR:

And...enjoy the romance...stars, moonbeams, sunrises and sunsets.

 

I agree with this the MOST! Cruising is a GREAT way to vacation and I too believe that the most important thing to do is to take the time to

ENJOY ALL OF IT!

 

Every evening my DH and I take a few minutes to walk on the deck and tell each other how happy we are to be there together! Years ago when we were first married and did not have 2 cents to rub together did we believe we would ever be on such a beautiful ship, in such a beautiful place, with nothing to do but stroll the deck and gaze at the stars.

We are very lucky, these days especially these days it is harder for us to pay for a cruise and all the things that go with it so please, make sure you find the joy in it, not the things to complain about!

 

I wish you all a GREAT cruise!:D

Thank you!!! I, too, never dreamed in a million years that I would ever be counting down the days to my first cruise. I met my husband almost 5 years ago and we have been married almost 2 years. We are both in our 50s. If anyone had told me that I would meet the man of my dreams and walk down the aisle in a white wedding gown at the age of 50, I would have thought they were totally nuts. But that and then some has happened to me. My wonderful husband has taken me to places that were only a far off dream to me and now, a CRUISE!!!!

We plan to enjoy every minute of it... sunrises, sunsets, meeting new people, seeing new things and most of all, just being together.

My wish for everyone awaiting an upcoming cruise or anticipating a future one, may you have the very best time of your lives:D:D:D:D

Oh my gosh! I haven't laughed so much in ages! These are so funny I had to bring them up when my hubby came home and read them to him. We laughed ourselves silly! Here is my contribution -

Several years ago my hubby and I took our first cruise together on the Carnival line. My husband had heard the top most deck of the ship offered topless sunbathing. Well, the first day cruising we headed out to the pool area to get some sun - at least that was my intention. My husband, with cameras wrapped around his neck (video, and regular), panting, informed me he was going to "check out the ship". Knowing full well his intention, I laughed to myself and said "Ok, you know where to find me", as I laid out my towel and proceeded to hunker down in the sun. With a big smile on his face, he took off like the RoadRunner heading for the stairs, taking them two at a time, cameras flying in all directions! About 20 minutes later he returned and sat on the lounge next to me. "So, how was the top deck? Any interesting pictures?", I inquired. "No", he replied. Rather supprised, knowing he wouldn't let that opportunity escape him, I asked him why not. "Well, when I got up there all there were were a bunch of old guys walking around with cameras around their neck"! Ahhhhhh, gotta love it! Happy cruising everyone!

Now, THAT is funny!!

I'm glad this thread has been beneficial for most!

 

My addition, I brought a couple battery operated tealights with to keep on each nightstand. They were invaluable when trying to navigate the way to the bathroom in the interior cabin. And, for obvious reasons, ;)

This is a fantastic idea!! Much better than a night light.