share your useful tips for a royal caribbean cruise?

[Sequim88]

Had not noticed OP cruise will be on Radiance. So some Radiance class specific 1st time tips....

 

1. Would say ditto on Seaview Cafe but that is gone now on Radiance oTS. :( Now Samba Grill.

 

2. When going from dining room to theater the shops area on deck 5 can get extremely crowded - especially if there are sales going on. So duck outside at first opportunity (just before Centrum elevators) and make way foreward then back in at doors by forward elevators. Like an express lane and often a very pleasant walk.

 

3. Take outboard centrum elevators (facing water) all the way to deck 12. Watch for cows.

 

4. While on deck 12 take a peek at the Crown & Anchor Lounge that is suspended over the void of the Centrum. Look down through the glass at the center. :eek:

 

5. Deck 6 go to the Slingapore Slings bar at far aft. At night the view of the wake from there is really nice. Like looking over the edge of a waterfall.

 

6. There is a movie theater that shows the same ones they show on TV but has theater type seats. Just foreward of the English Pub - entrance on port side.

 

7. For sailaway a nice spot is deck above the fitness center - take outsid stairways from deck 12.

 

8. Pool towels must be checked out (they scan SeaPass card) and there is a charge if not returned - make sure they are scanned back in. They may be taken off ship to beach so no need to bring own.

 

9. There is no self serve laundry on RCI ships but one day they should have a "bag special" for light items that don't need pressing for $25 or so.

 

10. Cabins have two outlets at vanity - one 110v and one 220v euro style two-pin outlet. Many electronics (with transformer brick) can be charged on the 220v if you use a plug adapter.

[Darkwolfe]

Good list folks!

 

Here's one I'm surprised no one has posted yet.

 

Always fly to your departure port (if necessary) the day before, not the day of, your sailing. Far less stressful!

 

Besides, it's a good excuse to start your vacation a day earlier. :D

[hippie7love]

Do attend at least one raffle event! Even if you don't win anything, they are fun to watch.

[Jimnbigd]

You can slap a luggage sticker on a case of water and it will be delivered to your cabin.

Not on my last Voyager of Seas (March, 2011). No outside beverages at all, including water.

 

Smuggling your own booze on board is easy and enhances the time on your corner aft balcony.

Really? I have read that if caught, there is a risk you might be denied boarding. There are tons of threads on this.

 

2. When going from dining room to theater the shops area on deck 5 can get extremely crowded - especially if there are sales going on. So duck outside at first opportunity (just before Centrum elevators) and make way foreward then back in at doors by forward elevators. Like an express lane and often a very pleasant walk.

If you mean on the Voyager or Freedom class ships, then this would be on outside on deck 4, not deck 5. It can be windy though. You could go through the casino inside on deck 4 (if you can stand the smoke), or even walk through the cabins on deck 6.

[BecciBoo]

Plan as much as you can before hand, then be prepared to throw your plans out of the porthole when the sheer joy of being on board takes over and you can chill and enjoy each moment for what it is.

 

Wow Linda, that was the best...my sentiments exactly! The other tip is to explore the ship on your own and find those little unexpected areas where one can be alone...sorta like a treasure hunt.:D

 

And get your morning coffee at the Promenade Cafe unless you are on Allure/Oasis(Starbucks). It has the best free coffee onboard.

[NordicPrince]

1. I don't like to waste time wandering aimlessly around when I first get on the ship, so I like to go to the RCI web site and look at the overview of where things are located on the ship such as the Solarium in the section-by-section ship's view ahead of time.

 

2. I also print out the deck plans ahead of time and give them a review before getting on board so I know where our room is in relation to everything.

 

3. youTube is your friend. You can get amazing previews of your ports of call by Googling and getting youTube videos. This worked great on our Serenade B2B as one of our CC friends had put out a youTube video of his own Serenade B2B.

 

Enjoy your cruise.

[jebl]

I use those little paper caps on the glasses for small items in the drawers or in the cabinets.

 

They are great for holding change, my jewelry at night and any other small items that seem to get lost in the drawers. Keeps small things from rolling around and they are easy to find.

 

I also bring a travel alarm and a small flashlight. I can't sleep if the bathroom light is on and the flashlight makes it easier to "go" in the night.

[Maryscooking]

My biggest tips are not Royal Caribbean specific.

 

1) Never underestimate the power of the sun over water. Seriously, bring, wear, and frequently re-apply the highest SPF sunscreen you can find. Even if you never burn at home. Way better safe than sorry, as a sunburn will put a huge damper on the remainder of your cruise activities. Not to mention, it is not cool to look like a lobster in your formal night pictures. I speak from experience.

 

2) Don't think that you MUST book your excursions through the ship. The only real benefit of this is that the ship will wait for you (or get you back onboard somehow) if the excursion is late. But privately booked excursions are most often smaller (more personal), more flexible, and much less expensive. And the good guides are very conscientious of time, as their reputation depends on it.

 

If you just want a nice beach day, often just taking a cab to the beach yourself will save so much money over booking through the cruiseline. And it is more flexible as far as time goes.

 

On every port forum I've researched, there are guides that people use over and over again with great results. I'd find these guides and excursions and book with them.

 

2a) With all that said, try hard to budget to have enough money to do more than just visit the "immediately off the ship" touristy shopping areas in the ports. Most of them have so much more to offer.

 

3) Bring comfortable shoes!!!! Even the dressier ones should be good for walking long distances without getting blisters, because you walk a great deal on the ship.

 

4) Early morning is such a peaceful time on a ship. I just love getting up, walking around, and finding a comfortable spot to watch the ship come alive.

[Traveling Library]

Don't miss the Seaview Cafe if you are on the Jewel or the Brilliance. Get involved with any activity that interests you. I do trivia and line dancing and have met wonderful people. Promenade Cafe is open on disembarkation day and try breakfast in the main dining room, much more relaxed than the Windjammer.

And above all, enjoy your cruise!

[tkilrainrn]

My biggest tips are not Royal Caribbean specific.

 

1) Never underestimate the power of the sun over water. Seriously, bring, wear, and frequently re-apply the highest SPF sunscreen you can find. Even if you never burn at home. Way better safe than sorry, as a sunburn will put a huge damper on the remainder of your cruise activities. Not to mention, it is not cool to look like a lobster in your formal night pictures. I speak from experience.

 

2) Don't think that you MUST book your excursions through the ship. The only real benefit of this is that the ship will wait for you (or get you back onboard somehow) if the excursion is late. But privately booked excursions are most often smaller (more personal), more flexible, and much less expensive. And the good guides are very conscientious of time, as their reputation depends on it.

 

If you just want a nice beach day, often just taking a cab to the beach yourself will save so much money over booking through the cruiseline. And it is more flexible as far as time goes.

 

On every port forum I've researched, there are guides that people use over and over again with great results. I'd find these guides and excursions and book with them.

 

2a) With all that said, try hard to budget to have enough money to do more than just visit the "immediately off the ship" touristy shopping areas in the ports. Most of them have so much more to offer.

 

3) Bring comfortable shoes!!!! Even the dressier ones should be good for walking long distances without getting blisters, because you walk a great deal on the ship.

 

4) Early morning is such a peaceful time on a ship. I just love getting up, walking around, and finding a comfortable spot to watch the ship come alive.

 

Great suggestions! I have learned through CC about different tours and now arrange all my own excursions and have never had any trouble. Let CC members tell their experiences and go with their suggestions!

[whimsy7]

thank you for all your helpful tips so far.

will be printing them out and taking them on board the Rhapsody (our first cruise on RC)

[orville99]

would you share your tips that you wished you'd known before you went on your cruise? or tips that you now know after going on your cruise?

this question was asked on the Princess cruise board and it generated lots of useful posts.

thanks in advance.

 

One I never would have thought of, until it happened to us. Before you put your clothes in the suitcase, line the inside of the suitcase with a lawn-sized leaf/trash bag. Pack your clothes inside, and then close up the leaf bag. We were on FOS, and there was a pop-up downpour while all of the luggage was still being loaded onboard. Everything inside two of our bags got soaked, and some of the dryclean only clothes were ruined.

[Miss Fig]

 

4) The WJ has platters of cheese (blue, swiss, Et.Cet) where we go after dinner instead of eating desert in the MDR. The cheese, plus a glass of port, while sitting on our balcony or on the Promenade is quite classy.

 

Michael and Silke

 

 

Whoa! This is a great idea. Do you just fix a plate & take it to your balcony??? Do you get saran whrap to cover it?

[LovesCruising]

Bring a highlighter and mark the things on the Cruise Compass that look interesting. When you are looking for something to do, it's easy to see what appealed to you.

 

I also bring a sticky pad in case I need to leave a note for the cabin steward or traveling companions.

 

Bring lots of singles and some fives for extra small tipping (room service etc)

 

If your using those paper luggage tags that can be printed out with your e docs - reinforce them with clear packing tape before attaching them to your luggage - helps to keep them from being ripped off.

 

Don't over pack. You'll probably wear half of what you bring. I also try to do "mix and match".

[karajeboo]

One I never would have thought of, until it happened to us. Before you put your clothes in the suitcase, line the inside of the suitcase with a lawn-sized leaf/trash bag. Pack your clothes inside, and then close up the leaf bag. We were on FOS, and there was a pop-up downpour while all of the luggage was still being loaded onboard. Everything inside two of our bags got soaked, and some of the dryclean only clothes were ruined.

 

This is a great tip!!! Never thought of it! Or also, because I've walked by the room on DCL where they literally toss all the bags the night before debarkation, if anyone has liquid in their luggage, it could easily leak onto everyone else's bags.....

 

 

And my favorite (and we've only taken one cruise but this was a lifesaver) as there is little counter space in the bathrooms, is the over the door shoe holder. Two words.... Dollar Store. I toss in makeup, toiletries, sunscreen, etc. So easy to find everything and keeps the bathroom neat.

[MikeNJ1109]

Whoa! This is a great idea. Do you just fix a plate & take it to your balcony??? Do you get saran whrap to cover it?

 

Have never seen -- or needed -- saran wrap, as we'll be partaking within a short time after our "desert run" to the WJ. And yes, we just fix a plate with what looks interesting, head to Vintages for either a Port, Sauterne or Late Harvest Riesling, and then find an interesting place to sit and soak it all in.

 

Michael and Silke

[missymatt]

After you pick out what you are going to pack, put half of it back. You never wear all that you pack.

 

Bring a water wallet for the ports. Put your sea pass and some cash or credit card in it and you're done. I wear mine around my neck. Leave your passport in the safe in your room.

 

Bring a water jug (mine is insulated) from home or re-use a water bottle and fill it in the windjammer in the morning before you leave for your port of call. The water is fine and cold and you just take a cup or two and it's filled. Don't pay for water unless you're really fussy about water.

 

Get on the ship as early as you can. You get the most pictures of things and areas without a lot of people being in the way.

 

Go to the dining room right away to check out where your table is located and if you got the size table you wanted. If not, there is a person there who will adjust it for you. The earlier the better.

 

Be kind and patient with fellow cruisers and the staff. It makes for a better cruise experience for everyone!

[mark290]

Not on my last Voyager of Seas (March, 2011). No outside beverages at all, including water.

 

 

Really? I have read that if caught, there is a risk you might be denied boarding. There are tons of threads on this.

 

 

If you mean on the Voyager or Freedom class ships, then this would be on outside on deck 4, not deck 5. It can be windy though. You could go through the casino inside on deck 4 (if you can stand the smoke), or even walk through the cabins on deck 6.

 

 

So you put a luggage tag on a case of water and you never saw it again ?

 

 

If I had a nickel for every well documented case of a person being denied boarding for no other reason than trying to bring their own alcohol on board I would have....well, I wouldn't have a nickel.

[RayJacki]

Here's my "Just In Case" list that I've accumulated over time from experience (the experience of NOT having something when I needed it)

1) Recommend bringing an alarm clock - with a lighted dial if available. Also recommend a battery-powered clock since there is probably not an outlet available where you need it.

2) A "tap-light" works well as a bathroom nightlight because, again, no plug is available in the bathroom. I pick up a dollar store light so, if I have to leave it behind when packing to go home, I'm OK with that.

3) Air freshener for the bathroom is a good thing too (for the obvious reasons). It can be a solid or a spray.

4) Over-the-Counter Meds/First Aid Kit are a good thing to have with you. They may be available in the gift shop, but at a pretty inflated cost and rarely is the shop open right when you need the item.

5) A little travel sewing kit can come in handy. I got mine as an amenity in one of our pre-cruise hotel rooms.

6) I recommend a lanyard to carry your Set Sail Pass on. I have a hole punched in the card either in the Casino or at the Purser's Desk.

7) If you're a gum-chewer, bring your gum with you since Chewing Gum is not available for purchase anywhere onboard.

[HMH G]

I wished I had brought my own bandaids. I ended up getting the biggest blister ever on day 1 of the cruise and had to buy the cheapo bandaids from a shop onboard. I literately had to replace it 5 times a day because it would NOT stick! :(

[whimsy7]

read somewhere that tea/coffee making provisions are provided in the rooms...is this correct?

also, we should bring our own shampoo/conditioner as these are not provided...is this correct? or is this only on certain class of ship?

oops... just realised that we are going on the Rhapsody, not the Radiance (as shown in my original avatar)

thanks for all your helpful replies. please keep going.

[RayJacki]

read somewhere that tea/coffee making provisions are provided in the rooms...is this correct?

also, we should bring our own shampoo/conditioner as these are not provided...is this correct? or is this only on certain class of ship?

oops... just realised that we are going on the Rhapsody, not the Radiance (as shown in my original avatar)

thanks for all your helpful replies. please keep going.

 

Tea & coffee-making provisions are available in JS and higher only, but room service coffee/tea is available for all levels.

The shampoo question is a tough one. There is a generic liquid in a dispenser in the shower. There's some question about just what it is. Some say it's shampoo, some say it's bodywash, - but it definitely isn't conditioner. My recommendation is that, unless you are REALLY not particular, bring your own shampoo/conditioner. We even bring our own bar of our favorite soap - but I admit that this may not be necessary if packing room/weight is an issue.

[kyriecat]

I don't know what that stuff in the shower is either. I'm particular about my hair products so I bring my own. My husband will normally use anything but he'd rather use my "fruity junk" than the stuff in the shower. He says it makes his hair feel like he didn't wash it after swimming in salt water. He brings his own shampoo now.

 

I use the shower stuff to wash out swimwear so it does have a purpose.

 

The soap is a generic moisturizing bar. I just use it to wash my hands so I'm not too picky. I bring my own shower gel. Hubby uses it for all-over washing. It's not Irish Spring, but he doesn't complain.

[BillOh]

would you share your tips that you wished you'd known before you went on your cruise? or tips that you now know after going on your cruise?

this question was asked on the Princess cruise board and it generated lots of useful posts.

thanks in advance.

 

Before reading what may be some interesting responses I will say my tip is, Have a good time. Make an effort (its not hard) to have a good time. Don't let little things bother you. It beats being at work. If somebody is rude, laugh and walk away, if the food isn't good, go get something else. I look back at 6 cruises and think they are all wonderful. If I try hard to think about things that weren't wonderful, they don't stand out at all. I wish I could carry this attitude into daily life.

[canuckcruiselover]

If you're flying to the port, put all liquids in ziploc bags and bring empty ones for the return journey in case some spilled on the flight. For some reason, my nail polish generally leaks a little making quite a mess.

 

The staterooms are very dark at night which is great for sleeping but not so great for the bathroom trips for us older folk. I have a travel alarm with a light which switches on and use it as a flashlight to navigate my way to the bathroom. There is also no clock in the room so you may want to bring one anyway -- or an indigo watch.

 

Coiled lanyards are a must if, like me, you tend to leave your seapass in slot machines.

 

Ginger pills if you are prone to sea-sickness or wear seabands. They're not pretty as jewellery accessories but they work for me.

 

A light sweater or jacket for those windy days/nights on deck. The MDR can also be chilly on some ships.

 

Downy dewrinkler.

 

I like to bring some kind of door sign to easily identify my room so I don't have to remember the number.

 

Half as many clothes as you think you'll need -- mix n' match is great AND twice as much money!