Things people do that make it obvious they are cruise virgins

[MommaBear55]

I plan on being a newbie forever. I love the pre-cruise anticipation, over packing so I have all my favorite clothes and shoes. I definitely stop and say "wow!" when I get on the ship. I don't like to sunburn so wear lots of lotion. I never got used to the Windjammer being on the front of the ship so I always turned the wrong direction. I love the variety of people and behaviors I see onboard. I still haven't played bingo, gambled, done line dancing or gone to a nightclub, so lots of opportunities to have a newbie experience.

 

And remember, it is not the size of the ship but the motion of the ocean!

 

181 days to my next cruise feels way too long. Wonder if I can squeeze another one in before that? Hmmmm....

[lilybay]

Momma Bear, I agree. I feel like that every time. But it is the size of the boat. I feel overwhelmed and out of place on the big ships

[IPlayWithString]

I just thought of a biggie....

 

Jumping into the pool and getting a big gulp of water...only sea water and not realizing it until it's too late! :eek:

 

 

We did that on our first cruise and afterwards, it was really hard to get my son (who normally loves the water) to go back into the pool.

 

Of course, having the pool be a small oval shaped tub with no shallow end and was too deep for either one of us to stand up in (my head was only a few inches above the water) so that we either had to cling to the side or tread water the entire time didn't help things either.

[kangaand2roos]

Instead of focusing on having their own fun, they keep looking around at others and pointing out how unsophisticated the supposed "virgins" are as compared to their own jaded, world-weary selves.:p

 

Actually, I find seeing the "WOW!!!" reactions to be refreshing, knowing someone has had a momentously impressive moment on what will hopefully be a cruise PACKED with many more such moments.

 

From one central PAer to another, I totally agree!!

[kangaand2roos]

We did that on our first cruise and afterwards, it was really hard to get my son (who normally loves the water) to go back into the pool.

 

Of course, having the pool be a small oval shaped tub with no shallow end and was too deep for either one of us to stand up in (my head was only a few inches above the water) so that we either had to cling to the side or tread water the entire time didn't help things either.

 

On my first cruise I was STUNNED at how small the pool was. On "The Love Boat" it looked like a normal pool! On that cruise, but none since, the water was also icky and slimy looking, so I wasn't going in anyway!!

[ChrisB123]

Small pool's and slimey pools? I don't know what ships you're talking about but the one's I saw on RC and Princess were large AND clean! :eek:

[sprint180]

I use a lanyard in the Caribbean but not in Alaska. Most of my shorts don't have pockets so that is why the lanyard. My pants do, so in Alaska I just slipped it in my pocket. It looks ridiculous you say? Well, I am probably looking at you thinking the same for a different reason. It is your vacation, do what ever makes it enjoyable and easier for you.

[IPlayWithString]

Small pool's and slimey pools? I don't know what ships you're talking about but the one's I saw on RC and Princess were large AND clean! :eek:

 

We never saw slimy water, just a tiny tub of a pool that wasn't what either one of us expected on a cruise ship. :( I'm hoping that since we're going on the Triumph in a little over a week, it'll have a bigger, better pool.

[griffy116]

We're Diamond and still use the lanyards. They are just too convenient. My Grandson is 19 and he usually carries a friend and they have their own cabin. About 2 years ago, on one of the cruises, his friend decided he was too cool for the lanyard. On day ONE, we saw them in line at Guest Services twice because his "cool" friend had lost the key. They came to my cabin and asked for the lanyards. They decided the lanyard wasn't really a problem (lol). The smile on my face when I hear the first "ping" upon getting on board simply can't be wiped off my face. I'm still amazed at the size of the ship. I still get turned around and have to head in the opposite direction on the ship. I still have to have the drink with the umbrella for sail away on the deck, even though we always book a balcony. Once the excitement of being on a cruise ends, I'll find a different type of vacation, so I guess after 16 cruises (15 on Royal), I'm still a newbie.

[jackiedanny]

Women who carry their big purses around all day. You're at sea. You don't need anything in that bag.

 

I second the cruise card on a lanyard around the neck thing too. To me that's a sure sign someone is new to cruising.

 

I wear the cruise card on a lanyard and I am not new to cruising it is way more convenient and I am always afraid it will accidently fall out of a pocket and I always have my back pack with my cameras with me you never know when you are going to see something, maybe a whale or dolphins and I like taking pics of birds as well:o

[jackiedanny]

I plan on being a newbie forever. I love the pre-cruise anticipation, over packing so I have all my favorite clothes and shoes. I definitely stop and say "wow!" when I get on the ship. I don't like to sunburn so wear lots of lotion. I never got used to the Windjammer being on the front of the ship so I always turned the wrong direction. I love the variety of people and behaviors I see onboard. I still haven't played bingo, gambled, done line dancing or gone to a nightclub, so lots of opportunities to have a newbie experience.

 

And remember, it is not the size of the ship but the motion of the ocean!

 

181 days to my next cruise feels way too long. Wonder if I can squeeze another one in before that? Hmmmm....

 

absolutely, the fun starts at the planning stage my travel friend leaves all the planning and decisions to me, I love to research each ship and port pretty exhaustively and decide on which shore outings, this builds the anticipation so when you get on board it is kind of surreal after so much thinking about it that you are actually there (we only get away every 3-5 years or so unfortunately it takes that long to save for one ):)

[blazerjan]

Truth is.... we were all "newbies" at one time.

Hope I was able to give some Old Saltie a smile while I was enjoying my first cruise because I was having the time of my life!

[dreadpirate3]

I carry my card on a lanyard and if I don't have pockets, then I carry a small wristlet bag that holds my medications and my phone/camera.

 

I do think this is to each their own.

 

Getting sunburned is the biggest newbie thing I have noticed. Also, getting drunk on the embarkation day before dinner has been served and getting that always enjoyable escort to sick bay. :eek:

[IPlayWithString]

I had a newbie experience this last trip. If it says "Habanero" on the salsa...it's gonna be HOT!:eek: I learned that the hard way.:D

 

Went to the piano bar one night and sang myself hoarse..that was a lot of fun!

 

Also got to see my first ever burlesque show on a cruise ship..I didn't think they DID that kind of thing onboard!:eek::D

[Lovely other]

Does the ship have a rent-a-husband service on board? If so - and if they are trained properly - then I'll take two!! :)

 

i'll rent you mine for a good price. clean, house trained and very efficient ...

on our last cruise he kept being asked for pool towels, directions etc. because he's of oriental descent people think he's part of the crew :rolleyes:

[Lovely other]

On our 1st cruise attending the muster drill I put a kids life jacket on and got it stuck! My son who was 3 at the time had an adults life jacket on that covered his whole body, He just had his head poking out! Not sure how we managed to mix them up!

 

On our 2nd cruise attending the muster drill we went to the wrong one, The life jackets had a letter on and when the crew said "you all should have letter A on the life jacket" well we had letter B! hoping to keep quiet about this to save any embarrassement but my son age 5 on this cruise shouts "we have letter B".

 

I am just looking forward to our 3rd cruise, Who know's what will happen this time :o:o:o

 

you just brightened up a stressful day ...i'm still giggling :D

[dadroy]

Was on either a Holland America Ship or the Celebrity Panama Canal cruise an they had a serenity pool. Heated, healthy food venue etc. My sister loved it. UNTIL we were there early one morning and saw all the dead skin floating on the water.

 

Last time she got into that pool!!!!

[Blue Line]

I know the posts are old but our first cruise we were really impressed with the people who had lanyards, instead of always trying to find somewhere to keep the card... (DH's pocket!) newbie mistake?!

 

Have to say, if I'm not feeling 'wow' about my holiday, why would I waste the money? We met a couple on our first cruise who just told us about all the ways they had 'saved', including spending the day in a hot dusty port with nothing to see & laughing at us for paying $100 to see the pyramids because it was ''a rip off'' - then spent the evening complaining about how awful their day was while we reminisced about our awesome ours was (crazy Eygptian hawkers aside). I never want to be that jaded.

 

Exactly my thoughts!! If you don't want to be wowed, save money and stay at home.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk... Please excuse punctuation, spelling, nonsensical thoughts and brevity.

[sarahtaylor]

I think the newbies DON'T have lanyards or they use the ones sold by the cruise ship gift shop. We cruise veterans know how to make things easier for ourselves!

 

We are far from newbies and we all wear lanyards when we cruise. Our lanyards have a window for your card and a nice pouch that carries my smartphone... that I use as a camera all cruise. That is all I carry. No purse. Makes it convenient so my hands are free and I always have my phone. Most of my clothes don't have pockets. :)

 

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Forums mobile app

[mr green]

Those who enquire about Canada's voltage.:)

 

john

[paul8]

I think the newbies DON'T have lanyards or they use the ones sold by the cruise ship gift shop. We cruise veterans know how to make things easier for ourselves!

 

We are far from newbies and we all wear lanyards when we cruise. Our lanyards have a window for your card and a nice pouch that carries my smartphone... that I use as a camera all cruise. That is all I carry. No purse. Makes it convenient so my hands are free and I always have my phone. Most of my clothes don't have pockets. :)

 

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Forums mobile app

Where do you get the lanyards with a window that contains your iphone 4?

[sarahtaylor]

I work for a university/hospital and they have them at the book store. They also give them to the students. I think you can also find something similar to carry passports in travel stores. I never have pockets and I leave my purse at home. Why worry about my purse for a week? You can also easily stow a few small items such as a pill you need to take later, the cruise schedule, etc.:)

 

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Forums mobile app

[krazy_dave]

As a "virgin" cruiser, I'll at least try to avoid the worst mistakes, like not getting back from a shore excursion, but you can definitely expect to see me wandering around with a goofy grin for a week!

[cruisin_baker]

A few year back we were at the muster drill with our life vests on, as required at the time. The woman beside me, who I think had already had a few DOD's, put the attached whistle in her mouth and pretended to blow it! I leaned over and quietly asked her ,"I wonder how many people have done that before you?" By the look on her face, I knew she was a newbie!!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

[capncarp]

As a "virgin" cruiser, I'll at least try to avoid the worst mistakes, like not getting back from a shore excursion, but you can definitely expect to see me wandering around with a goofy grin for a week!

 

Remember, krazy_dave, once you've "launched", you'll never want to go back up on the ways, but the launching is always the most exciting! And we'll be here to help you try to cope with your insatiable urge for your NEXT cruise.