5326jan Posted November 13, 2010 #26 Share Posted November 13, 2010 I wish I had known the difference between Anytime & Traditional dining...We had anytime and it was a mess. I wish I had known how much I love to have a balcony cabin I wish I had not just grabbed at the hotel and transfers in FT.L provided by Princess but made my own arrangements I wish I had know the pros and cons of cabin locations I wish I had known - or been confident enough to arrange -my own excurions I wish I had know that a decent travel agent could have told me att this.... I wish I had known - and read Cruise Critic. Yes, all this PLUS... I wish I had known that some travel agents compete for your business by giving you discounts, On Board Credit, wine in your room, and other perks.!!! Our agent did none of the above on our first cruise!:rolleyes: We have definitely learned a lot here at Cruise Critic!:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimeTraveler2 Posted November 13, 2010 #27 Share Posted November 13, 2010 Didn't know you could order as much as you want in MDR. Also would still like to know how to get a lounge chair by pool since most are reserved. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neiner Posted November 13, 2010 #28 Share Posted November 13, 2010 i would have asked someone too lock my suicase before it was full of stuff i ddnt need too wear. i dont overpack now and am so glad i have cut my clothing in half. Isn't that a bit too revealing? :eek: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dustyroad Posted November 14, 2010 #29 Share Posted November 14, 2010 Isn't that a bit too revealing? :eek: :D:D. i wish i could cut them in half by loosing weight. and i never do that on the cruise either. ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjcruiser Posted November 14, 2010 #30 Share Posted November 14, 2010 I wish I had known or asked about not taking all those clothes like I was going away forever. So glad I learned to mix/match, and take less. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
staygulf Posted November 14, 2010 #31 Share Posted November 14, 2010 Didn't know you could order as much as you want in MDR. Also would still like to know how to get a lounge chair by pool since most are reserved. There is no such thing as "reserving" loungers. If you see one that has been unoccupied for more than 15 minutes, simply move the "stuff" on to the floor and take over the chair. No passenger has the right over another to reserve loungers. Some people think that by placing a towel on a lounger it's theirs for the whole day and they can come and go as they please. Well, sorry, not in my book !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jana60 Posted November 15, 2010 #32 Share Posted November 15, 2010 For instance, what do you know now that you wish you were aware of prior to taking your first cruise. We are newbies, taking our first cruise in early 2011 to the Caribbean. I'm not so sure what to ask, but I know there are some tips/tricks and secrets that I'll wish I were aware of prior to boarding the ship. :) I am going on Cruise #13 in 2 weeks. I've been on 4 different cruise lines and many different sized ships and the most important things I have learned are #1) read the cruise critic review and then #2) print out the deck layouts, locate areas of interest (especially your own cabin), find out which decks you can travel from the front to the back of the ship on and which ones you can't. I spent my first cruise lost at least 1/3 of the time and only learned my way around on the last day of the cruise. You will find that very few of the crew speak English well and none of them speak it as a first language so understanding their directions is pretty much impossible. Even the folks who speak English do not always know their way around the ship. I have sailed on Carnival Triumph twice. On my 2nd cruise aboard her, I overheard one of the pursurs directing another passenger to the lounge "where they do the Karaoke". Instead he was directing her to the main show lounge at the other end of the ship. I corrected his directions. When I told him that I had been on a 7 day cruise on the Triumph six months before, the purser informed me that I had been been on that cruise ship a total of 7 days longer than he had as he has just joined the crew the day before. Now I typically know my way around a new boat before we leave port and I'm never late for the shows and special events. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suezyq50 Posted November 15, 2010 #33 Share Posted November 15, 2010 Get to port early, board, and enjoy that first day. Pack less. I now pull out what I want to take and put half of it away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stowaway2k Posted November 15, 2010 #34 Share Posted November 15, 2010 the general cruise advice I would have for first timers is take half as much clothing as you think youll need and twice as much money Before my first cruise, I read a "to do" list that said "Pack your luggage. Go to the bank and get travelers checks. Return home and unpack half of what you packed. Return to the bank and get more travelers checks." I thought... ha ha... very funny, but that doesn't apply to me. :rolleyes: When I came back home after the cruise, I wished I had done exactly that: half the clothes, twice the money. :eek: (Does anyone use travelers checks anymore? :confused:) There is no such thing as "reserving" loungers. No, not any more. :( Those were the days... a reserved deck chair that was always there, always available, just for you. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlendaleCruiser Posted November 15, 2010 #35 Share Posted November 15, 2010 (Does anyone use travelers checks anymore? :confused:) Nope. Lots of places won't accept them, either. Too much trouble they say. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wrxrob Posted November 15, 2010 Author #36 Share Posted November 15, 2010 I am going on Cruise #13 in 2 weeks. I've been on 4 different cruise lines and many different sized ships and the most important things I have learned are #1) read the cruise critic review and then #2) print out the deck layouts, locate areas of interest (especially your own cabin), find out which decks you can travel from the front to the back of the ship on and which ones you can't. Awesome! :) Never would have thought of this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
griffy116 Posted November 15, 2010 #37 Share Posted November 15, 2010 1) The #1 tip is pack less clothing. We've cut our cruise clothes in half (or less). Women in our crowd use a LBD for formal nights now instead of the long gowns. Four inch heels are difficult to walk in on the deck and around the ship. 2) You spend more than you think you are going to. Those frozen drinks look so good out by the pool. That wine tastes so good at dinner. You look so good in that photo. 3) Save your looser clothing for the last days and nights. Shockingly, you may find you have gained a few pounds. One of our most hilarious memories is my Aunt asking for help getting her dress zipped on the last formal night. It took 3 of us to get her zipped and stuffed into her dress. When she said, "what is wrong? this fit perfectly when I tried it on the night before we left," my daughter replied, "ice cream, desserts, frozen drinks, buffets for breakfast and lunch?" 4) You can relax. You don't have to do everything to enjoy your cruise to the utmost. 5) Saying "please" and "thank you" means more than you know to your fellow cruisers and the crew. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MonaCD Posted November 15, 2010 #38 Share Posted November 15, 2010 They used tohave, not sure they have them now, a little fold up card with the layout of the ship available at the Guest Services desk. I pick some up as soon as I board and carry it with me until I get my bearings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warmer Climes Posted November 15, 2010 #39 Share Posted November 15, 2010 I wish I had been much more relaxed about the whole process. As long as you get to the port in time and have a couple of credit cards that work and your passport and reservation stuff, you're all set. You can buy anything you forget. And if you do your research, you can save a lot of money by doing private excursions vs. ship excursions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GORDONCHICK Posted November 15, 2010 #40 Share Posted November 15, 2010 I wish I'd known to pack a power strip so I could dry my hair while DH was showering - it would have saved so much time. Also to plug in flat iron and use while DS is in the bathroom. Also, know that if you are adventurous in trying new foods and you simply don't like something, just request something else! They really want you to be happy and well-fed, so it's not a problem at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
srlafleur Posted November 15, 2010 #41 Share Posted November 15, 2010 On the several cruises we've been on with freestyle-type dining, I wish I had realized that I could come back to the the MDR a while later just for dessert. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill S Posted November 16, 2010 #42 Share Posted November 16, 2010 "Will cruising become an addiction?" :eek: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlp20 Posted November 16, 2010 #43 Share Posted November 16, 2010 Why am I using a TA who really hasn't a clue about cruise vacations. A week afetr making that first booking I found these boards. Five weeks of reading, went to pick up the cruise docs. After 30 minutes, I realized the T/A was asking me the questions... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MsYukon Posted November 16, 2010 #44 Share Posted November 16, 2010 I didn't have to do it all the first time I saw it in the daily newsletter! And so agree with the 1/2 the clothes and twice the money! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
celyvabeach Posted November 16, 2010 #45 Share Posted November 16, 2010 I wish I've discovered CC before my first cruise... I wish I was confident to book my own flights and hotels.. I wish I knew how to change tables after getting stuck with undesirable tablemates (that's why I prefer 2-toppers now unless travelling with friends)... I wish i knew how to book private excursions (recommended on CC) instead of getting stuck with a crowd on ship's shorex... I wish I didn't have to buy all the photos taken by the ship's photogs... I wish I didn't have to do so much shopping on the ship store and on shores... After a few cruises and several land vacations I'm more confident and now can do all of the above with no problem...my DH is so proud of me lol! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bcsurvivor2001 Posted November 16, 2010 #46 Share Posted November 16, 2010 There is no such thing as "reserving" loungers. If you see one that has been unoccupied for more than 15 minutes, simply move the "stuff" on to the floor and take over the chair. No passenger has the right over another to reserve loungers. Some people think that by placing a towel on a lounger it's theirs for the whole day and they can come and go as they please. Well, sorry, not in my book !! Sorry - but while I agree no one has the right to plop a towel on a lounger to "reserve" it all day and not use it....if someone were to remove MY belongings after I've been in the POOL for longer than 15 minutes I think I'd be rather upset to say the least. So, being at the pool I'm not allowed to "come and go" to the pool as I please?? Now, asking those around my vacated lounger if anyone is using them is a different story ;) I do agree - it's annoying to see vacant "towel saved" loungers empty literally all day. That's why I always ask the neighbors. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jana60 Posted November 17, 2010 #47 Share Posted November 17, 2010 Sorry - but while I agree no one has the right to plop a towel on a lounger to "reserve" it all day and not use it....if someone were to remove MY belongings after I've been in the POOL for longer than 15 minutes I think I'd be rather upset to say the least. So, being at the pool I'm not allowed to "come and go" to the pool as I please?? Now, asking those around my vacated lounger if anyone is using them is a different story ;) I do agree - it's annoying to see vacant "towel saved" loungers empty literally all day. That's why I always ask the neighbors. I agree. You want to feel free to swim and then sun bathe then swim again ect.. without fear that your belongings will move or disappear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KatieMcG Posted November 17, 2010 #48 Share Posted November 17, 2010 For instance, what do you know now that you wish you were aware of prior to taking your first cruise. We are newbies, taking our first cruise in early 2011 to the Caribbean. I'm not so sure what to ask, but I know there are some tips/tricks and secrets that I'll wish I were aware of prior to boarding the ship. :) I wish I had known I was going to get sea sick, and I had taken dramamine while still on shore to get it into my system. I was fine the first night, but spent the next day and a half in misery until I was able to keep the medicine in. I was on Epic, and we had a rather smooth sailing according to the crew, but apparently, I just have a very weird inner ear. ;) So, my suggestion is to take the dramamine/bonine/patch before you board, just in case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlendaleCruiser Posted November 17, 2010 #49 Share Posted November 17, 2010 I agree. You want to feel free to swim and then sun bathe then swim again ect.. without fear that your belongings will move or disappear. On most ships the wait time is 30 minutes. I get as annoyed as anyone when chair hogs save loungers for a long time, but on the other hand, I've waited a good 20 minutes in the hamburger line 50 feet from my lounger at times. If I want to swim, I would expect to come back in a reasonable time and find my belongings. If possible, I tell people on the loungers around me that I am: --going to the bathroom, --getting a snack, --running back to my room for my lotions, etc. and they can help save them for a reasonable time. I am usually solo at the pool (my friends don't like to be in the sun) so it helps if I can engage my fellow loungers. If I come back in 15 minutes and find my stuff gone, I'm calling Security on your A$$ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Morgsmom Posted November 17, 2010 #50 Share Posted November 17, 2010 Actually, security won't likely intervene. My biggest pet peeve are chair savers, especially those who are 'holier than thou' about it. I've been sitting there at 8 am when someone comes by with towels and "marks" chairs and says "the sun will be just lovely when we return later today..." Makes my skin boil... however, on most lines the security will NOT touch personal belongings nor intervene in such circumstances, in my experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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