The one thing I wish I knew before my first cruise...

[Bobblefrog]

I wish I hadnt left all the paperwork and planning to someone else. We almost missed the ship because the person I was travelling with thought that the sailaway time was the beginning of check in time...like a hotel. It makes me cringe every time I think about how close we came. Heard the ship's horn from the parking lot as we ran to check in.

 

:eek: OMG - I am horrified just thinking of that scenario!!!!!! That is going to give me nightmares for sure...

[firefly333]

firefly, do you mean if I have a cash S&S account I can't purchace a FCC using a credit/debit card?

 

You can if you have a credit card or debit card with you. Some people didnt have one and were upset.

 

Its a separate purchase and they dont take cash.

[quest2best]

Originally Posted by helen haywood

It made my husband very happy when I found out he could order a banana split off the Kiddie's Menu every night in the MDR.

 

New one for me ;)

Oh, if only I had a cruise planned to look forward too..........

[Daveman_1973]

I'm a first time cruiser on a big ship and I have many questions, but I have to admit, I have enjoyed this thread and wanted to thank everyone for the awesome advice. The one advice I am happy I took was getting on Cruise Critic and getting advice before I took my first actual cruise. Some reason my wife doesn't count the Nile River Cruise we took in Egypt a couple of years back and has told me it's tottally different from sailing the bigger ships. Here we go with the first question. Do you guys recommend buying thermal cups at the gift center on the ship or bring one from home? Also, are the soda cards worth it? Does anyone recommend the martini tasting? One last thing, is it worth it to build up points in the casino to get free drinks for the rest of the cruise?

[OnePsychLynne]

I'm a first time cruiser on a big ship and I have many questions, but I have to admit, I have enjoyed this thread and wanted to thank everyone for the awesome advice. The one advice I am happy I took was getting on Cruise Critic and getting advice before I took my first actual cruise. Some reason my wife doesn't count the Nile River Cruise we took in Egypt a couple of years back and has told me it's tottally different from sailing the bigger ships. Here we go with the first question. Do you guys recommend buying thermal cups at the gift center on the ship or bring one from home? Also, are the soda cards worth it? Does anyone recommend the martini tasting? One last thing, is it worth it to build up points in the casino to get free drinks for the rest of the cruise?

 

The thermal cups they sell in the gift shop are very nice and make great souvenirs to take home. I think most hold about 16oz. I still have mine from 2005 :D

 

Not sure about your other questions :o

[usafchick1980]

I have read about the Martini tasting but no one mentioned the cost. Can someone please tell me how much the Martini Tasting costs?

[usafchick1980]

I'm a first time cruiser on a big ship and I have many questions, but I have to admit, I have enjoyed this thread and wanted to thank everyone for the awesome advice. The one advice I am happy I took was getting on Cruise Critic and getting advice before I took my first actual cruise. Some reason my wife doesn't count the Nile River Cruise we took in Egypt a couple of years back and has told me it's tottally different from sailing the bigger ships. Here we go with the first question. Do you guys recommend buying thermal cups at the gift center on the ship or bring one from home? Also, are the soda cards worth it? Does anyone recommend the martini tasting? One last thing, is it worth it to build up points in the casino to get free drinks for the rest of the cruise?

 

If you drink more than 3 sodas a day then yes the soda card is worth it. But if you do decide to get it. Do yourself a favor and wait until the 2nd day. It is cheaper..because it is one less day and you don't have to pay tax.

[Cruisin Christi]

I have read all of this before, but it sure was nice to have a refresher. Thanks to all who have given advice.

[kayleesmeme]

Go with the flow! Don't let each little incident get you all worked up. Skip a port? just go with it. Annoying tablemates? asked for a different table. Some little something in the cabin not right? tell your steward. The staff only want to please and will do most anything to make that happen. And, yes, big things can also happen....toilets overflow....engines break.....weather turns nasty. They are still trying to do everything they can to make your cruise experience wonderful. So, just go with the flow. You never know, it might not be exactly what you pictured, but it can be something else and that also usually turns out to be good as well.;)

 

 

Great great Advise !!!!

[lymah]

I had read on the boards to always pack Downey Wrinkle Release. I had never tried it and wanted to before our cruise. It is DA BOMB!!!! We use it all the time at home now when we are in a hurry (or lazy!). Seriously a great travel (and home) product.

How do you use the Downey Wrinkle Release when you are on the cruise?:confused:

 

that I picked up from these boards is for inside cabins: Tune your television to the ship's bow camera and leave it there. It'll let you know when the sun's up and it's like having a window at no extra charge:D

I'm gonna try this:D

[Rockportgirl]

How do you use the Downey Wrinkle Release when you are on the cruise?:confused:

 

Spray it on your wrinkled clothes, pull on them and then hang them up. Wrinkles fall right out. I never travel without this, either.

[Daveman_1973]

How do you use the Downey Wrinkle Release when you are on the cruise?:confused:

 

Spray it on your wrinkled clothes, pull on them and then hang them up. Wrinkles fall right out. I never travel without this, either.

 

 

Are the Downey Wrinkle Release reasonably priced? I need to buy this before my cruise.

[Shelli]

 

 

Are the Downey Wrinkle Release reasonably priced? I need to buy this before my cruise.

 

I found a travel/trial sized bottle at Target a while back-- very cheap and so worth it! The bigger bottles aren't as convenient (especially if you're flying to the port), but still worth it.

[Rockportgirl]

 

Are the Downey Wrinkle Release reasonably priced? I need to buy this before my cruise.

 

Probably between $3 and $4 in any grocery store. I've tried other brands, but they don't work as well. Antigualvr is right, this stuff is the bomb! :)

[GlendaleCruiser]

I have read about the Martini tasting but no one mentioned the cost. Can someone please tell me how much the Martini Tasting costs?

 

 

If I remember right :rolleyes:, it was about $15 and there were 4 martinis to try.

[TakeMeAway1001]

I found this recent thread on the Martini tasting, looks pretty good :)

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1418017

 

We bring our own mugs and absolutely bring Downy Wrinkle Release, we get it in the travel section of Target as well. I roll my clothes so wrinkles are pretty limited, however DH usually uses it more than I do.

 

We aren't big soda drinkers so we don't buy the soda card but DH brings a 12 pack to make drinks in the cabin with the rum we pre order for our cabin drinks.

 

I also think it's worthwhile mentioning that it's ok to book excursions outside of the ship, first time cruisers are often led to believe it's taboo, I know I wouldn't even consider it on my first cruise. Now I cannot tell you the last time we booked any excursion through the ship. We find our choices are less crowded and a lot less money and if planned out are a really great deal. The ports of call board on Cruise Critic is a great stop for lots of wonderful excursion ideas :)

[Twibbs]

The one advice I am happy I took was getting on Cruise Critic and getting advice before I took my first actual cruise. Some reason my wife doesn't count the Nile River Cruise we took in Egypt a couple of years back and has told me it's tottally different from sailing the bigger ships.

 

I've done the cruise from Luxor to Aswan. That was my first cruise (about 12 or 13 years ago), and I also keep forgetting to count it.

 

Other than location, nationalities, etc., the only HUGE differences I've noticed is that 1) everybody around me doesn't get Pharoah's (or Montezuma's, or whoever's...) Revenge from them re-serving the same food on the buffet and 2) it's much harder to see specific things from the top of a Carnival ship!

 

We had a much better camaraderie than I generally find on the big ships, as there were only about 10 of us who spoke English! I was cruising alone at age 16 or 17, and we were always in a group wandering through the markets and ruins (one lady even met me in Cairo after the cruise and went to Kahn el-Kalili with me!). They told the guy who offered 50 camels for me that his offer wasn't high enough. :D

 

There's a lot of little things that are different, just because of the cultural differences and the sizes of the vessels involved. I was fascinated when we went through the locks on the Nile.

[megansdad1]

I wish I had known not to use the time listed on my cell phone. I checked the ship time against my phone and saw it matched before we got to St Thomas. My DW was shopping and I brought the bags back to the room and stayed on the ship. I checked the time and the ship was due to leave in 5 minutes :eek:. I am in ful panic mode as 20 minutes passed and I see my wife strolling up to the ship with no sense of urgency. When she got back to the room, I was shaking at the thought that she could have been left in port. She tells me to calm down and shows me her wrist watch which shows that the ship was not due to leave for another 45 minutes. At some point between the point where we pulled into port and then, my phone has shifted 1 hour forward.

[momof3cruisers]

I'm a first time cruiser on a big ship and I have many questions, but I have to admit, I have enjoyed this thread and wanted to thank everyone for the awesome advice. The one advice I am happy I took was getting on Cruise Critic and getting advice before I took my first actual cruise. Some reason my wife doesn't count the Nile River Cruise we took in Egypt a couple of years back and has told me it's tottally different from sailing the bigger ships. Here we go with the first question. Do you guys recommend buying thermal cups at the gift center on the ship or bring one from home? Also, are the soda cards worth it? Does anyone recommend the martini tasting? One last thing, is it worth it to build up points in the casino to get free drinks for the rest of the cruise?

For the casino it's going to depend on what type of gambler you are. doesn't hurt to try but I know it would take me probably 25 years to earn enough credits as I am a small time nickle machine kind of girl! ;)

 

As for the martini tasting, it's a much better deal on NCL, IMO. That was $15 and you got more martinis and they told you what was in each as they prepared them. However, the Carnival one was fun too. You choose four drinks from the martini menu they give you, to sample. It cost $16 plus tip. My sisters and I split it and each chose one we wanted to try, then passed the drinks around and we each got several sips. Not full size martinis but a decent sampling. I wouldn't do it on my own but am hoping to convince my husband to join me this next cruise.

[FaeCruisers]

Not to bring beach towels from home!

 

Why wouldn't you? You don't want to lose carnivals on the islands!

[TakeMeAway1001]

Why wouldn't you? You don't want to lose carnivals on the islands!

 

We brought some from home once, we wouldn't do it again however. They take up too much room and when they were wet and sandy it was our job to wash them before they started to smell funky. We always take Carnivals towels and have never had a problem and the best part is they wash them :)

[CruisePimp101]

Is it worth it to build up points in the casino to get free drinks for the rest of the cruise?

 

With the free drink card, the drinks are only free in the casino while you are playing. Keep in mind, you have to earn 1,500 points to receive the free drink card. You earn 1 point for every $2.50 coin in for slots, and 1 point for every $5.00 coin in for video poker. Whether it is worth it or not depends on what type of gambler you are. If you are low bankroll $20 for the slots after dinner type of player, no. If you are the large bankroll or play for hours every day player, yes.

 

I would not gamble just to get the free drink card. Chances are likely you will lose more than the drinks would have cost anyhow. Now if you are already a player that gambles at that level during the cruise, then of course you should take advantage of it.

[kelkel2]

Totally agree with those who said pack less. For our first cruise, my mom told me over and over again, don't pack that much. Did I listen? NO! Seriously, I can't stress enough don't pack so much. You just won't wear it.

 

Always bring your passport with you off the ship, you never know when you may need it. But, keep it in a safe place and not visible.

 

If you buy liquor pick up one of those sheets in the gift shop that say the type, size and price. Put it in your purse or whatever you take into the islands, that way when you are in shopping in port you know if it really is a good deal. Never want to buy any liquor and realize you can get it in the gift shop cheaper. And, yes I have seen it cheaper on the ship before.

 

Also agreed with the downey spray!

[L_K]

Delicious Ceasar's salad with chicken available at the pizza station.

 

Sushi available at 5 PM at sushi bar.

 

Room service is free.

 

Better be 15 minutes early if you want good seats at the shows.

 

Bingo is always 10-15 minutes late.

[ccruisequeen]

on Embarkation day, dake a photo of your cabin door on your I-pod/cell phone/digital camera & keep said item with you. Then when you get lost, you can refer back to it