First cruise nerves! :-)

[centuryguy]

My wife and I took our first cruise last February on the Caribbean Princess. We liked it so much that we are going on another cruise this December. We were a little nervous too, but there was no reason to be. It was truly the most relaxing vacation I've ever taken, hence, that's the reason we're embarking on our second cruise this year. Plus, Princess offered us a very, very good deal on another cruise.

 

Information available on the ship makes it very easy to figure out what's going on. You can do a lot or you can do nothing at all; no one really cares. Walk around and explore the ship. Once you get your bearings it's really pretty easy to find your way around. I went on one shore excursion, scuba diving. I really wasn't impressed, but that's not Princesses fault. It wasn't bad, it was just less than I expected. I probably won't do any shore excursions on the next cruise because my wife and I had a good time simply walking around, exploring the islands, and taking in the local scenes. It just depends on what you like to do.

 

Did I say the cruise was the most relaxing vacation I've ever had? You unpack your cloths once, someone cooks and cleans up after you, and you're treated pretty much like royalty. You wake up every morning and find that you have been delivered to another exotic location.

 

Someone mentioned sea sickness patches in another post. I asked my doctor to prescribe those behind the ear patches because I have a propensity for sea sickness. Wow, that was a big mistake. I put one on the first day before boarding the ship. I had to remove it by the end of the second day due to the side effects. Even then, it took about another day for them to wear off. The patches kind of messed with my vision a little bit and made things a little dull and foggy.

 

Don't worry, be happy.

[framer]

4-letters more letters

 

left ----- right

port ----- starboard

fork ----- knife, spoon

hook ----- slice

 

 

If it got four letters it's left.

 

 

Hope that helps.

 

framer:D

[pretenda]

Congratulations on your up and coming marriage.

 

Don't worry about anything - just keep reading the boards - and do ask any questions that come to mind, there are many, very knowledgeable people here who are always willing to help out.

 

Take some ginger capsules with you just in case you feel queasy - especially around the Bay of Biscuit area!! They help me feel less sickly and don't have side effects.

 

There's so much to see and do and the ship is great, we were on her last year and hopefully will be again next year too.

 

Also, if you're driving down to - and boarding in Soton, you don't have to worry too much about limiting luggage, so long as there is room to store the cases!!!:)

 

Have a wonderful time and do ask on CC if you have any concerns.

 

Glenda and Tony

[Cruisin' Chick]

I do have a suggestion......this is your honeymoon and first cruise....I suggest trying out seasick remedies in advance. I did not do this before our honeymoon cruise....and had a groom almost comatose for 3 days:eek:. Our Dr. had prescribed a patch to go behind the ear and did not tell us that the side effects can last even after removing it.

 

The first cruise is always so special. And it'll even be better because it'll be the start of your new life.:)

 

I also recommend trying out various remedies in advance. There's OTC (like draminine, bonine, etc.), prescription (the patches, for one), herbal (like ginger...I took ginger flavored Altoids and candied ginger on my last cruise, which is a typically rough sea cruise -- if you are on any medication, you should check with your doctor to make sure ginger won't counterinteract), mechanical (wristbands). When you narrow it down to a few, take those with on your cruise as maybe something that worked on land, won't help on the seas.

 

More recs:

1. As someone above stated, pack half as much as you first plan. There is a self-service laundramat on each passenger deck on Princess ships. We'll end up wearing something a second time (my hubby insists we keep our luggage to a few pieces...but then he's a guy:rolleyes:). Just use accessories to vary your look. We had three formal nights on that last cruise, so he took one suit and three ties.

 

2. There may be a long line to check in. Just keep telling yourself...soon you'll be on the ship. Have your photo ID (hopefully you'll get a passport) and the credit card you'll be using handy to speed things up. When you first get to the pier, you can hand over your luggage to a porter (with a small tip), but keep any valuables, your ID, camera, swimsuit if it's a warm weather cruise, sunscreen in your carryon.

 

3. After check in and the security check (a conveyor belt system), you will stand in another line and get your embarkation photo taken (as with the other photo ops, you're not under obligation to buy any ship's photos). Then you'll get your cabin card photo (that's mandatory) taken and then you can go see your cabin. A crew member should be on hand to look at your card and tell you where to go. The decks on Princess are in alphabetical order going up, except for Gala, Plaza on the bottom and the Promenade, Sun, etc. decks near the top. Aloha, Baja, Caribe, Dolphin, Emerald... All odd cabin numbers on one side, even on the other side.

 

4. In your cabin, should be the first day's Patters (the ship's daily newsletter). Your cabin steward will probably stop by to meet you. If you had ordered any shore excursions through the princess website, he may have your tickets. Check out the minifridge, bathroom, etc. Make sure you each have a life jacket.

 

4. Around 4:45 or so (check the Patter), there will be a muster drill. Carry (don't wear) your life jackets to your muster station (which will be posted on the back of your cabin door). Sometimes you have to stand, if you're lucky you're in a lounge or the Princess theater. Just be thankful you're not on a ship where you have to stand outside. At one point, you'll be ask to don the jacket. Don't blow the whistle.

 

5. Before then, you'll have time to check out the ship. The Horizon Court (the buffet) will be open for lunch. A dining room may be open too. Most of the bars will be open. There will be plenty of tables hawking the soda card. Onboard, if you buy anything, it's all done via the cabin card. Many passengers will use a lanyard to carry theirs (I got one at Walmart and attached a plastic sleeve to insert the card in).

 

6. If you have traditional dining, go to the dining room a few minutes after the time listed on your card (the first night, it's a zoo). You'll be escorted to your table the first night. If you have anytime dining, you go to one of the anytime dining rooms sometime when dinner is served. There should be a book in your cabin with all this info.

[Minoushka]

First of all RELAX ...YOU ARE ON VACATION

Find your cabin lock up your valuables change if you are in Winter clothes -sandals cap sunscreen shorts and stuff

Check out your balcony ...if you have one

Unpack carry=on especially to uncrease clothes you will wear to dinner

Go FOR LUNCH on Lido deck . you might also choose the dining room

EAT DRINK BE MERRY

Find layout of ship Go exploring ...such fun .Check out all different lounges.pools shops etc ...get your bearings

MUSTER drill

back to cabin ...unpack ...go to Meet & GREET of ROLL call If you are done early go to a bar CELEBRATE with a cocktail

Relax get ready for dinner and night's entertainment ...GO HAVE FUN !!!

Drinks and /or wine with dinner ...BREATHE..... RELAX...... SAVOUR every moment

After show go star gazing up on deck or balcony ..do not miss show

Go to Casino or dance ...so many options ...beddy by in the wee hours

Ready for your first real day

 

 

BON VOYAGE!!!!!

 

 

Michele

[wobblybob74]

Wow! Thank you all so much for all your help, and a particular thanks to those of you who have sent their best wishes on our impending marriage - that means a lot for complete strangers to do that.

 

If all the people we meet on board are going to be as friendly as you chaps then we have nothing to worry about. I suppose we'll meet a few miserable buggers at some point, but I'll treat them with the contempt that they deserve!

 

Thanks again,

 

Rob (and Sue!) :D

[Coral]

Even though I am a seasoned cruiser - I still find myself looking at the maps "you are here" and looking at which direction something is.......

[Sailingpeace]

1. Breathe in and repeat : "I will not be able to do every activity on board and this is OK", repeat five times

2. Take time to stop , just enjoy the moment and take it all in, a cruise can be like you wedding day, goes by so fast, so much going on, by the end you feel you missed a lot, so take time to just be happy !

3. since this is you honeymoon, maybe have a little budget set aside for a special souvenir on board or at one of the ports that will last a lifetime

 

Congradulations and have a nice cruise !

[kooljamming]

Everytime I sail a new line or new ship, I have the same feeling. Five different ships and three different lines in the past 3 years and booked on yet another new ship,haaaa. By getting lost you will discover parts of the ship you would have missed, meet people you wouldn't have, and take note of things you would have otherwise ignore. See this aspect as an onboard adventure. Now, once you get off the elevator the carpet on the port is slightly different from the one on the starboard. You can remember port is left because they both have 4 letters. This comes in real handy about 1 am in the morning after dancing and a few drinks in the disco. Keep an eye out for the patter and highlight things you might be interested in doing. Time sometimes drags or flies, so it's easy to miss some fun stuff if you don't plan ahead. Join your roll call. A meet and greet is ussually schedule on or close to the first sea days. As you are exploring the ship either by chance or accident, it will be nice ot see a familar face. It's an overwheleming feeling laced with excitement so enjoy it;) The hardest part is sometimes not even knowing the right question to ask but somehow things will fall in place. If it doesn't just book another cruise until you figure it out :-)

[Minoushka]

I just realised you are going on the GRANd .It is a LOVELY ship.Do try to go HUNGRY to Sabatini's .It is MARVELOUs.The bigger the group the better.It is a wonderful dining experience ..but Go VERy hungry ..the food is delicious and presented beautifully

 

Where are you going ?We can give tips what not to miss

I loved aft swimming pool ..so nice over the wake ...go there

 

Try MUTS at night I never saw a whole movie...fell asleep each time!!!

 

Do not miss 4pm cookies ..THE BEST

 

You guys are going to hve a great honeymoon....Congrats and ENJOy

 

 

Michele

[CRUISE BUG BIT HARD]

Congratulations on your impending wedding and soon to be newly aquired addiction to cruising. You will love it. Something that I have found that works well is to look for landmarks. Pay attention to the artwork that is by your room or the elevators or a particular place you want to go. That way you will know what direction to go in. You may also find it helpful to look at the floor plans of your ship ahead of time. You can look at them on the website.

[wdblake]

1) Be sure to pack a multiplug because there is only one outlet in a room.

2) Bring an alarm clock since there is no clock in the room and if it's an inside camera it can get very dark.

3) We pack a small fishing scale to weigh our luggage to avoid paying extra airline fees.

4) You will get a patter which is a list of all the events and their times onboard. This arrives the day before so you can plan your next day.

5) You have a better chance of scoring a hot tub alone in the evening and late at night when most people are eating and going to shows.

6) Do try the specialty restaurants they are awesome.

7) In the dining room you can have as many dishes you want. Want to try all the soups...go for it. Want both the steak and lobster...no problem. It is not unusual for cruisers to order multiple dishes.

8) Order room service, it's free of charge, except for pizza.

9) Bring a few bottles for water since the water from your room tap is filtered just like bottled water.

10) If you want to get a lounge in the pool area arrive early (before 10am) since chairs get grabbed up fast. Many people "save" chairs with personal items (which is a huge subject on these boards...just search chair hogs).

11) Pack your swim suits in your carry on since it takes some time for your luggage to be delivered to your room and you may want to lounge poolside when you first get onboard.

12) Be aware that the time changes in some ports! Change your watch so you won't miss the boat.

[Terre]

Congratulations on your wedding and your first cruise! I have not read all the posts, but I can tell you that your first cruise is like the first time you, well, you know...you will never forget it...

 

Stepping foot on the ship for the first time, smelling the ship smells for the first time, your first ship's buffet, walking around and checking everything out for the first time, your first sail away, your first dining room experience, your first port of call, your first show...ahhh...I can remember it all so well.

 

Okay, back to your question...you won't need all the clothes you think you will. After 19 cruises and one coming up, I've learned that I can wear the same outfits more than one. I now take only one formal outfit for both nights, and two pair of capris and tops for two nights different nights and a dress for the other or maybe wear it twice. I try to take one pair of shoes that will go with everything plus my pool shoes and a good pair of walking shoes. The cabins now have hair dryers, and most ships have laundry rooms so those forbidden travel irons are not needed.

 

Pack your documents in your carry-on. Pack your shorts and swimsuit in your carry-on so you can change when you get there and be comfortable for all the walking around you'll be doing. Talk to everyone, talk to the waiters, talk to the cabin stewards, talk to the bartenders, talk to other passengers, you will make lots of friends. Don't be afraid to ask questions...seasoned cruisers love to talk about cruising and they will be happy to give you tips and answer your questions. The crew love to talk about themselves and their families back home; they love it that you are interested in them. They work hard and are the ones who make your cruise wonderful, well that and your own attitude. Ignore the complainers and the dirty spot on the carpet...who cares anyway about them anyway, right?

 

Get there early, walk around, find the bars, find the lounges, find your dining room, find your table, find the maitre 'd if you don't like the location of your table and change it. Find the Lido Deck, find the buffet, find everything.

 

See if there is a roll call started for your cruise...you will make friends there and usually a meet and greet is scheduled...go to the meet, meet them in person, find out what everyone's doing and maybe you've already booked some of the same excursions. Go to the Ports of Call boards on CC and find out the best things to do.

 

If you have motion sickness or think you'll have motion sickness, I suggest you buy some Bonine and take that...works great for me.

 

Now take about half of what you've packed (ah ha, you didn't think I knew you'd already packed!), look over those docs 50 more times between now and Jan., look at your cabin in the brochure, look at the brochure some more and drool over all the pictures of the food, relax, and have a wonderful time!

[chrysalis]

Congratulations on your wedding and your first cruise! I have not read all the posts, but I can tell you that your first cruise is like the first time you, well, you know...you will never forget it...

 

Stepping foot on the ship for the first time, smelling the ship smells for the first time, your first ship's buffet, walking around and checking everything out for the first time, your first sail away, your first dining room experience, your first port of call, your first show...ahhh...I can remember it all so well.

 

Okay, back to your question...you won't need all the clothes you think you will. After 19 cruises and one coming up, I've learned that I can wear the same outfits more than one. I now take only one formal outfit for both nights, and two pair of capris and tops for two nights different nights and a dress for the other or maybe wear it twice. I try to take one pair of shoes that will go with everything plus my pool shoes and a good pair of walking shoes. The cabins now have hair dryers, and most ships have laundry rooms so those forbidden travel irons are not needed.

 

Pack your documents in your carry-on. Pack your shorts and swimsuit in your carry-on so you can change when you get there and be comfortable for all the walking around you'll be doing. Talk to everyone, talk to the waiters, talk to the cabin stewards, talk to the bartenders, talk to other passengers, you will make lots of friends. Don't be afraid to ask questions...seasoned cruisers love to talk about cruising and they will be happy to give you tips and answer your questions. The crew love to talk about themselves and their families back home; they love it that you are interested in them. They work hard and are the ones who make your cruise wonderful, well that and your own attitude. Ignore the complainers and the dirty spot on the carpet...who cares anyway about them anyway, right?

 

Get there early, walk around, find the bars, find the lounges, find your dining room, find your table, find the maitre 'd if you don't like the location of your table and change it. Find the Lido Deck, find the buffet, find everything.

 

See if there is a roll call started for your cruise...you will make friends there and usually a meet and greet is scheduled...go to the meet, meet them in person, find out what everyone's doing and maybe you've already booked some of the same excursions. Go to the Ports of Call boards on CC and find out the best things to do.

 

If you have motion sickness or think you'll have motion sickness, I suggest you buy some Bonine and take that...works great for me.

 

Now take about half of what you've packed (ah ha, you didn't think I knew you'd already packed!), look over those docs 50 more times between now and Jan., look at your cabin in the brochure, look at the brochure some more and drool over all the pictures of the food, relax, and have a wonderful time!

 

Just a thought...you knew that you are advising a guy about shoes, "outfits" and capris, right?

[AndyTheK]

First and foremost, congrats on your upcoming wedding and honeymoon. You will have a wonderful time.

 

Since you're from the UK, there is an important issue to take note of: shipboard voltage is 120 (USA standard). I've heard that some ships - depending on the class - have a 220 volt outlet hidden away somewhere, but I can't say from personal experience. The outlet in the bathroom does offer 220, but is for low power devices only. It is marked for shavers, but will run battery chargers easily... if you're like almost all cruisers, you will be recharging a LOT of batteries every day!

 

The 220 outlets have the the German style socket (2 pins), so bring adapters. Similarly, most battery chargers, small clocks, etc. are dual voltage 120/220, so you can use them in the regular 120V USA socket without a converter - but you'll need an adapter from the USA 2-prong to your UK one. Except for the "shaver" outlet in the bathroom, PLEASE CHECK THAT ANYTHING YOU PLUG INTO ANY OUTLET ABOARD SHIP IS ABLE TO RUN ON 120V 60 HZ. It can be dangerous if it is mismatched.

Have a great cruise!

[Terre]

[quote name='chrysalis']Just a thought...you knew that you are advising a guy about shoes, "outfits" and capris, right?[/quote]
Yup, but I figured his fiancee would be reading the replies, too.:D