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"I wish I knew before..."


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thanks for this thread, please keep contributing :)

 

nekah, thanks for your response, I must agree with with fredr (who will have me doing a world cruise if I don't stay alert LOL!!! ) it is really lovely to hear a 1st timer's point of view. Thank you for sharing! (and fredr thanks for asking)

 

I'm keen to hear from any other first time cruisers? Is there a thread going for that?

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I wish I'd known how tiny the bathroom counters are, bring clear over the door shoe holder for everything. I wish I'd known if you want a soda card- wait till your in international waters to pay no tax. I wish I'd brought battery back-up alarm clock, my own soap, shampoo, and conditioner. Now I know to make the kids bring their school backpacks- great for getting off ship to carry their own things..snorkle...mask..and keep the collected shells separated :) I have older kids that can roam the ship, I find walkie talkies VERY handy. This year is the first yeat we bought something to decorate the door with and ribbons to put on our suitcases.. the suitcase thing sounds dumb..until you see everyones suitcase in one room and your trying to find yours! no kidding! I wish I'd brought...big cups, thermal cups, mugs, something to keep my BIG wine discreet and cold :)

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I am leaving on my third cruise in May. I have one tip that may be helpful to some. I know looking at the Carnival capers can be very overwhelming with all the times and things to do. I bring a highlighter with me so I can highlight the things that I don't want to miss. Makes it so much easier to go through the day :)

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I wish I knew on my first cruise to bring an empty beach bag (or something similar).. It's nice to have on excursions and even when you're just walking around town so you have a place to put all your purchases. Plus, if you're like me, when you pack your stuff back, there never seems to be enough room. So you have an extra bag for the excess.

 

I'm going on my 4th cruise in June, but bringing my neice for her 1st cruise. I love these tips so I can share with her the things that I already knew, but will probably forget. Please keep them coming!

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I disagree. I've had family formal portraits taken at Department stores and OlMi and always spent $200 plus some, whether I liked them all or not. At about $22 a pop, and never buying the ones you don't like, I think they are a bargain. I usually decide I have enough and won't buy, but get them taken everywhere. Then I usually find one that I like enough to buy--it's just over the price of a bingo card! Have them taken everywhere. Only buy the one(s) you want. Remember when you are 80 you will wish you had a picture of the younger, better looking you at THIS age.

 

Carnival sells frames that match, but any craft store sells matte. I've never had a problem with that.[/quote

 

I agree. You don't have to buy them in the end if you don't want them, but it is fun to be photographed in the many different background options nightly, and the fun ones especially, (dressing up in the 1800's clothing--holding bags of 'money' as if you were big a casino winner).

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1. Set your expectations realistically. Doubtless you’ve heard stories of how magical cruising is or how awful it can be. The reality is that it will have a few great moments, lots of good ones, and a few bad ones. The secret to getting the most out of your cruise is to remember that this is a vacation and vacations are not about stress. The staff and crew of a cruise ship have one goal in mind: make sure you enjoy yourself. If there is something wrong, tell someone immediately; someone will try to fix things right away. My wife had heard so many stories about the five-star gourmet food, she felt let down on her first cruise. We never actually had a bad meal. Most were as good as you’d get in a very good restaurant and a couple were outstanding. But her expectations were based on the service you see in old movies and modern ships simply can’t do that when carrying 3,500 passengers rather than 500. Do your homework and set a realistic expectation and you will have a memorable time.

 

2. Get your documents in order before you leave home. All cruise lines offer online registration these days. USE IT! When you have completed all the documents, print two copies. One you keep on you to check in, the other is in your luggage as a backup. We usually do three so that each of us has a copy in-hand. Make photocopies of your passport, medicine prescriptions, return airline tickets, and emergency contacts to put in your luggage as well.

 

Some cruise lines allow you to print your luggage tags from home as well. If you are concerned that they are too flimsy, you can get regular tags at the departure terminal. Just make sure you put your name and cabin number on them before you let the porters take them. And tip the porters $2/bag and they will make it to your cabin instead of going to Aruba without you.

3. Study the ship’s layout before boarding. These ships aren’t just big, some of them are HUGE! The key landmarks you want to have a mental map of before boarding is:

  • where your cabin is (which deck, side of the ship and side of the aisle),

 

  • where your dining room or other eating spots you’ll want to frequent are,

 

  • where the gangway is (for exiting in port), where the elevators and stairwells are, and

 

  • where the Purser/Guest Services Office is.

 

As soon as you board, don’t go straight to your cabin. Depending on how early you arrive, you may not be able to go to the cabin anyways as the hotel staff may still be cleaning it. Instead, head to the spa to make any reservations you didn’t make online before boarding (hint, hint). Head to the buffet deck for lunch and, about an hour before sailing, head for the open deck to get a good spot for watching your sail away

 

4. Stock up on batteries, memory cards, film, and videotape before sailing. Even if they have those items on board or in port – which isn’t guaranteed – you’ll pay 3x the cost. If your camera can use rechargeable batteries, bring a supply of them and a charger. Remember, everything has to go in your luggage and the airlines have gotten mercenary about both how many bags and the weight allowance for each (50 lbs). Don’t waste your weight allowance on a ton of batteries if you can help it. Don’t forget the chargers for your other electronics as well. A small netbook computer can do multiple duty as a place to download your camera and as a charger for devices that have USB interfaces (e.g. cell phones, GPS units, MP3 players, book readers). A must bring item is bug repellant! We were on an excursion to Mayan ruins in Costa Maya, 20 miles out in the jungle. When we realized we hadn’t brought any we ran down to the ship store – who didn’t carry bug repellant. As soon as we docked, we ran to the first store we could find since we only had 10 minutes before the bus left. None to be found. Diamond bracelets yes, bug spray not a drop. Fortunately, the tour guide had some when we arrived at the ruins or there were going to be a lot of cruise ship mosquito snacks that day.

 

5. Use two credit cards for your cruise: one for your shipboard account and a separate one for shopping. The reason is authorizations. When you check in, the credit card you use for your onboard account will get an authorization request for about $200 per day for however long your cruise lasts. This authorization freezes that much of your available credit line so an 8-day cruise has just frozen $1,600 of your available credit – even if you don’t spend a dime. The authorization will expire some time after your cruise has finished and you are home. Oh yeah, remember that hotel room you stayed in the night before sailing? They did the same thing when you checked in. So did that rental car company. Regardless of the actual charges, all those authorizations have sucked up your credit line and you may get that embarrassing ”I’m sorry your card was denied” when you try to buy that absolutely darling sapphire and diamond necklace in Grand Cayman.

 

When you’re using a credit card in foreign countries you may also get charged a currency conversion fee and a 2-3% processing fee. Check with your card company before leaving as not all cards charge this. Make sure you bring cash with you for incidental expenses and shops that don’t take your credit card. MC and Visa are pretty universal but AMEX and Discover are not. Don’t put all your money in traveler’s checks because you’ll have to find a bank to cash them in port. What do you do if the banks aren’t open or you don’t have time before the tour leaves to find a bank? Cabins have safes in them if you’re worried about taking a lot of cash with you.

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My top 5 cruise must-haves:

1) $3 blow up water float - perfect for those beach days (instead of paying $10-15 to rent one)

2) Power Strip

3) Highlighter

4) Travel Alarm Clock (no clocks in the staterooms) & cheap waterproof watch (perfect for by the pool or the ports)

5) water bottle

 

Also, I call my credit card company and tell them I'll be traveling so they don't put a freeze on my card when they see non-traditional charges.

 

Lastly, just like any beach trip, sunscreen and aloe vera!

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This thread is AMAZING! We head on our first cruise in less than 2 weeks! I am so excited! This thread has been invaluable. Please keep any and all ideas coming.

 

I am definitely bringing a powerstrip and over the door shoe holder!

 

THANK YOU!!

 

Tiffany

Carnival Legend: 1/17/10

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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, ;)

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I always pack some powdered drink mix, i.e Gatorade, Crystal Lite.

 

I drink a lot of water especially on Caribbean cruises .:)

DW always packs the power strip for the computer so we can download the pictures we take from the digital camera.

 

Enjoy your cruise !!!!!

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I always make two copies of all of my cruise related documents, as well as photo ID, passport, credit cards and important family phone numbers. One copy I leave with a trusted family member back home. The other copy I put in the safe in the cabin. I have never had to use the "copies", but they are a good source of security. Never know when they may be needed.

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1) Your cruise starts LONG before you get to the dock. Read these boards. It's addictive yes, and you might not agree with all of the information on it, but there is a lot of good useful information on this site.

2) Bring a small "gift" for your cabin steward from your hometown. I bring a t-shirt from our local area, but any souvenir will do. I wrap it in cellophane and add some candy and then put a note on the outside with a quick hello message (basic info about who we are and how excited we are about this cruise). I carry it on board, and put it on the top of the bed as soon as we board.

3) Call room service each day, and ask them to deliver a pitcher of ice water with lemon. It is nice to have that pitcher in your fridge when you get back from your day's activities (don't forget to tip the room service person)

Which brings me to 4) bring small pre-made cello envelopes with a $2.00 tip (and again I add candy and a small pre-printed thank you) for room service. Our travel friends used to "make fun of me" for my creative tip envelopes, but when room service showed up when we were in the fjords with a second pot of hot coffee after we had been outside in the freezing cold for an hour (without being called) everyone agreed it was because I gave that "goofy" tip.

5) Suck the marrow out of the cruise. Go and do the things that might be a little out of your "interest zone", talk to people that talk to you, try foods that you might not necessarily order at home. And most important....leave all of your troubles at the dock. Turn your phone off, do not pick up email (unless it's for business) and have the BEST TIME!!!

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tiffany- that's about it...Now each cruise line will have different rules about bringing a bottle of wine on board, but I am on Carnival Conquest and you can walk on with a bottle of wine in your take on bag/per person. The 20 age group take beer cans in their suitcase and all have at least one bust...yolu may find some hotties at the "wash-a teria" the first two days solid...those are the ones that came with a stocked bar :) lol...Didn't read a lot- sorry, didn't mean to offend if your not single LOL...but it's true

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2) Bring a small "gift" for your cabin steward from your hometown. I bring a t-shirt from our local area, but any souvenir will do. I wrap it in cellophane and add some candy and then put a note on the outside with a quick hello message (basic info about who we are and how excited we are about this cruise). I carry it on board, and put it on the top of the bed as soon as we board.

 

I have to disagree with this. The crew lives in quarters smaller than the inside cabins for the passengers, and they share them with another person. They don't have room for extra tee shirts or other knick knacks from your hometown. Of course they're going to thank you for it, but odds are, it ends up in the trash, because they just don't have the space for it. Can you imagine how stuffed their rooms would be if everyone brought them a shirt or souvenir from their hometown?

 

My tip is money talks. If you liked the service someone gave you, cash is the best gift. Also be sure to fill out your comment cards, they get promotions and raises based on the comments you write.

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4) bring small pre-made cello envelopes with a $2.00 tip (and again I add candy and a small pre-printed thank you) for room service. Our travel friends used to "make fun of me" for my creative tip envelopes, but when room service showed up when we were in the fjords with a second pot of hot coffee after we had been outside in the freezing cold for an hour (without being called) everyone agreed it was because I gave that "goofy" tip.

 

 

What is a cello envelope

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"I wish I knew before"...

 

*Not to stress over what I was going to wear.

*Fear that I wouldn't fit in.:)

*Not to bring a beach bag because I never used it. Instead I used a small cross body purse that held a water bottle, small wallet, etc.

*Bringing a pop-up hamper would be so great for dirty clothes. It folds flat, keeps clothes off the floor and out of my suitcase. Ours had handles in case I wanted to take them to the laundry.

*To bring more casual outfits.

Edited by jkudzu
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I agree with most of what has been posted. Here are my additions:

 

-DH and I have different last names so I always bring a copy of our marriage certificate. (A friend who is a public health director in the US pointed out if one of us got sick in another country, we may need to prove we were married and had the right to make decisions for the other). I guess the same would be true for carrying documentation of proof of custody/birth certificates if children have a different last name than you.

 

-Bring a backpack to carry stuff in port

 

-Bring a sun hat, but make sure it fits tight or ties on...it can be windy when your ship is moving.

 

-Bring ear plugs, it helps with blocking out the folks who forget how much voices travel down the hall at 3 am.

 

- No one cares if you wear the same outfit for both formal nights.

 

-Buy cheap rain ponchos at the dollar store before you leave home. Always bring along when in port, even if it is sunny when you leave the ship. The weather can change very quickly especially in the Caribbean.

 

-Bring a small number of cold tablets, bandaids, antiacids, tylenol, etc..they cost a fortune on the ship.

 

-Bring mini bottles of champagn (you can find them in 4 packs at the liquor store) Then order orange juice from room service. 1 little bottle makes 2 mimosas!

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Bring a small "gift" for your cabin steward from your hometown. I bring a t-shirt from our local area, but any souvenir will do.

 

Why?? It boggles my mind why anyone would think the room steward would have any interest in a t-shirt from your hometown!? They don't work that hard for t-shirts & trinkets (that they DO NOT have room for); they work for MONEY.......don't you?? Have you ever left a waiter or parking valet a t-shirt or a plastic snow globe? Why would it be in some way charming for the cabin steward? Money. Money, money, money. Really tip them with a mention on the comment card.

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Hello,

We have purchased the air as the price was much better than anything we could find. Your checked luggage is still free on Canadian airlines but I am wondering if the charges that the US airlines charge are included in the fare through the cruise lines.

A sincere thank you to all those who help us us first-timers! The lists are incredible and we have picked up some great hints!

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As soon as you board, don’t go straight to your cabin. Depending on how early you arrive, you may not be able to go to the cabin anyways as the hotel staff may still be cleaning it.

 

Staff usually doesn't mind if you drop off your carry on.

 

 

Don’t put all your money in traveler’s checks because you’ll have to find a bank to cash them in port. What do you do if the banks aren’t open or you don’t have time before the tour leaves to find a bank? Cabins have safes in them if you’re worried about taking a lot of cash with you.

 

My bank gives us free traveler's checks in which I cash at the purser's desk when there is no line.

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