Is there something you wish you'd known before your first cruise?

[hikergirl_ga]

If there was anything, and it can be more than one thing, you wish you'd known before you set sail on your first cruise, what would it be?

[budcin]

I wish I had known more in advance about this website. I found it only after reading about it in a travel book. I have learned so much about cruising from this site and saved money and a lot of headaches!

 

Carnival Conquest 8/8/04

 

 

Carnival Fantasy 8/2002

 

 

[steveNcindy]

Yes, don't pack everything you read about on here as necessary to take or you end up with 7 suitcases for 2 people LOL

 

Also you will be hooked immediately and forced to find the perfect cruise to book upon returning.

 

Carnival Legend 02/04

 

Our Cruise Pics

http://community.webshots.com/user/stevencindy

 

[Scarlett Fever]

1) Before my first cruise CC didn't have a message board and I was not able to read up on excursions from a cruisers standpoint. Take advantage of the "ports of call" area and read up on them.

2) Taking "post it" notes. We sailed with a big group and leaving voice mails didn't always work. I was shoving notes in doors or underneath them with "We're in the casino. Come join us !"

[smudge's mom]

1. You can get cash at the casino

 

2. You can read up on excursions and then book on line

 

3. That Cruise Critic was available

[CruiseDreamer28]

We're just back from our first cruise. We spent 7 days in Alaska. We met lots of great people who said to me over and over "you're so prepared, you thought of everything." The truth is, I had half the luggage that most of them did! I had spent time reading these boards before we left and felt like I had a good feel for what we would need. The packing lists are a great place to start, but you won't need half of the things on it. Use your common sense. If you're a big coffee drinker, the thermal mug might be of use, otherwise leave it home. If you're with a big group the post-its might be handy, otherwise not. Pick and choose, don't pack it all!

 

My advice is read everything, use your common sense and you'll feel like an expert!

[dustyroad]

the #1 thing i wish i would have known was not too worry so much about my wardrobe. even though i hit the sales rack for 90% of the clothes i bought, i could have saved the money and worn what i had in my closet. i was way to worried about only wearing new things. if you have good clothes that arent torn, stained or too outdated take them and be comfortable.

 

and that includes formal night. a nice outfit you would wear to a wedding or a nice black skirt and sparkly top will be just fine. just dress them up with costume jewlery. i will definetely save money this next cruise by not buying clothes i wont need for the trip.

 

DUSTY

 

Carnival Spirit, 9/10/03 Alaska glacier bay

 

Carvival Spirit, 5/11/05

Alaska glacier bay again

[tjevans]

As others have said, it would be pack half as much, especially, in my case, "dinner" wear.

 

I wore shorts and t-shirts except to dinner, and I brought a different set of clothers for every night. However, I'd change out of those clothes right after dinner, so I should have brought only about three sets, and worn them over. That might be some sort of faux pas, but that's what I'd do.

 

 

Carnival Conquest 4/18/04

[Trevoli]

I wish I'd known that cruising would become an addiction, and how much $$ it would end up costing me.

 

T

[Happy ks]

Did you post this question somewhere else? I think I answered something like this before. Oh well.

 

I wish I had known how "regular" the other cruisers would be. I worried about fitting in, that everyone else would be a lot more sophisticated and travel-wise. I was delighted to find out that almost everyone was about the same as us. I also worried about clothing too much. You probably do want pretty clothes for the evenings, but the day time is very casual.

 

Have a wonderful cruise!

 

Kathy