Any tips?

[michelle808]

This is my first cruise,are there any tips to know for first timers? Any tips that carnival doesn't tell you about?

[mephistoles]

Hope this link works for you:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=48388

 

PS... Have FUN!!!!!

[FireEater]

Do not let any situation get you down.

 

Go with the flow.

 

Enjoy all that is offered that YOU want to enjoy.

 

Relax and smile.....You will be on vacation....

[Boozebabe]

#1 Take more money than you think you'll need and less clothes.

#2 Read the schedule of things offered and highlight them so you won't forget some fun thing you want to do. They leave this on your bed every night.

#3 Do something you wouldn't usually do.

#4 Do a lot of port research before you leave. It's not necessary to book all excursions thru the ship. Some places are very easy to explore on your own.

#5 Have fun--your first cruise will be the most memorable. After 17 cruises I still remember my first one 20 years ago the best.

[jcearth]

Don't leave the ship saying "I wish I would have done this, or I wish that I would have known about that." Do the research about the things you like and do them! People cruise for a variety of different reasons - which is great, because if everybody had the same interests, the ship would feel very crowded. Some love to go to dinner and a show, others want the buffet and casino or comedy clubs. Some love the pools and waterslides, some love laying in the sun without a care in the world, and others love to have a rollicking good time at the bars and clubs. The point is, there is so much to do on a ship (and this is even before you get to the ports), that it makes sense to have a plan of attack. Use the Fun Times to your advantage and map out a daily strategy. Get to the port early, be prepared (but also willing to roll with the punches), and start having a blast the moment you board the ship!

[cdancer20]

Hope this link works for you:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=48388

 

PS... Have FUN!!!!!

Start on page 218 of that thread. Someone compiled all the tips thus far into 1 page.

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

This is my first cruise,are there any tips to know for first timers? Any tips that carnival doesn't tell you about?

 

My number one suggestion would be to have all your documents ready NOW (ie. passport IN HAND and know exactly where it is, expiration date is ok, or birth certs, or WHATEVER) Have it ready to go RIGHT now and in a safe place. Before I ever think about a cruise, I check our office desk drawer. I do this often to appease myself I think! As the cruise gets closer, I may even take them out and place them IN FRONT OF THE MONITOR. A few days before the cruise, I go on line and do the online check in, using the passport doc info (doc numbers and expiration etc). From that moment on, they go into my "boarding bag" (usually a small backpack purse so I can handle my carry-ons) and that bag sits on my kitchen table until the night before the cruise. The night before we leave, ALL the luggage with all the luggage tags is packed into the car and the MOST important bag being the cruise documents bag is in my driver's/passenger seat. Lately, we always go to work for a partial day and then start our (this year) 12 hr drive, so this helps streamline that crazy "We gotta get on the road NOW" rush and we haven't forgotten ANYTHING yet.

 

Remember, you can get just about anything you need at a store close to the cruise. You CANNOT easily replace your cruise documents prior. Before you ever start packing, these are number one priorities! I think after all that I posted above, I STILL have my husband "another set of eyes" check my "boarding bag" to make sure they are in there! And then I can finally put my mind at ease and drive away. But we know friends who had to turn around and go back and get their passports after they started driving away! My checklist is making all of that go smoothly.

 

Another tip is to be sure and leave no more than like a 3 hrs' drive the day you embark. If you are flying, it is VERY VERY chancy to fly in the DAY OF because you have no control over delays, weather or mechanical. In that case, just plan to fly in the night before and stay over night. You have NOT experienced stress unless you have read where the family was just PRAYING they could get on board! Who wants to start a vacation like that? Come in the night before or make sure you have a very short drive the day of.

 

I usually pick one MAJOR highlight excursion of the trip to book, and maybe I book more, maybe I don't. If you plan to do any animal encounters (like sting ray, dolphin, sea turtles, we just did a sea lion encounter), these typically are quite expensive but some of them are the BEST experiences and they DO sell out! So if you plan to treat yourself, you might book that ahead of time and have one major excursion booked for your trip. That is up to you, you don't have to. You can book with the cruise line or you can chance it on your own. I will say, I have never had a bad cruise line tour (this is speaking for myself personally) so sometimes the extra money you spend actually means you get a great day. I have booked through priceline as well and had a great tour too! Sometimes you can just get off the ship and see what's there, but keep in mind that a lot of port/cities can be a lil on the 'grungey' side and other than shopping and some public beach options, there may not be as much to see unless you take a tour to another part of the area. (Like a snorkel catamaran which means you get a nice boat ride with caribbean music and drinks and get to swim above the reefs with fish.) And if the party scene is your thing, I think a Senor Frogs is RIGHT there at the pier...wherever you get off the ship...

 

Don't feel bad about ordering a few appetizers if you want to taste different things! I think new cruisers often feel like they can only choose one app, soup or salad, one entree etc. You can actually order as many as you like, but this WILL slow service down a bit and you WILL get VERY full and not be able to finish all of it. If you want to 'sample' different menu items, get with your fellow cruisers/friends and you can mix and match, or at least that's what we do!

 

FYI, ANY SINGLE TIME someone asks you for your SAIL & SIGN card (room key, ship credit card), that means you are PAYING FOR/BUYING something. So for instance, if you walk on board and a waiter HANDS YOU a bright beautiful umbrella drink, please note: it is NOT complementary. If they ask for your ship card, you bought it. I usually don't make eye contact with them or flat out refuse to accept the drink from them (unless I plan to purchase one.) So don't fall for this, new cruiser, unless an umbrella drink is first on your list, and if so, enjoy.

 

Otherwise, you are on vacation. Do whatever you want! There is plenty to do, or nothing at all. You can sleep all day in your cabin if you want. It's kinda fun to roam around the ship. We always enjoy the karaoke, but that's just us. You can sing with a band on most of the CCL ships (at least the last ones I have been on.)

 

Also remember that each cruise line is different. If you find that there were things you didn't enjoy (for me, my service wasn't good on my last one and I was sick of having to walk through the smokey casinos on the promenade -or thoroughfare to get from dinner to the show etc- and so I since have found a cruise line with no casino that I enjoy) just remember that each cruise line and even cruise ship is different, and so hopefully you will fall in love with cruising like all of us addicts clearly have!

 

Bon voyage! :)

[michelle808]

My number one suggestion would be to have all your documents ready NOW (ie. passport IN HAND and know exactly where it is, expiration date is ok, or birth certs, or WHATEVER) Have it ready to go RIGHT now and in a safe place. Before I ever think about a cruise, I check our office desk drawer. I do this often to appease myself I think! As the cruise gets closer, I may even take them out and place them IN FRONT OF THE MONITOR. A few days before the cruise, I go on line and do the online check in, using the passport doc info (doc numbers and expiration etc). From that moment on, they go into my "boarding bag" (usually a small backpack purse so I can handle my carry-ons) and that bag sits on my kitchen table until the night before the cruise. The night before we leave, ALL the luggage with all the luggage tags is packed into the car and the MOST important bag being the cruise documents bag is in my driver's/passenger seat. Lately, we always go to work for a partial day and then start our (this year) 12 hr drive, so this helps streamline that crazy "We gotta get on the road NOW" rush and we haven't forgotten ANYTHING yet.

 

Remember, you can get just about anything you need at a store close to the cruise. You CANNOT easily replace your cruise documents prior. Before you ever start packing, these are number one priorities! I think after all that I posted above, I STILL have my husband "another set of eyes" check my "boarding bag" to make sure they are in there! And then I can finally put my mind at ease and drive away. But we know friends who had to turn around and go back and get their passports after they started driving away! My checklist is making all of that go smoothly.

 

Another tip is to be sure and leave no more than like a 3 hrs' drive the day you embark. If you are flying, it is VERY VERY chancy to fly in the DAY OF because you have no control over delays, weather or mechanical. In that case, just plan to fly in the night before and stay over night. You have NOT experienced stress unless you have read where the family was just PRAYING they could get on board! Who wants to start a vacation like that? Come in the night before or make sure you have a very short drive the day of.

 

I usually pick one MAJOR highlight excursion of the trip to book, and maybe I book more, maybe I don't. If you plan to do any animal encounters (like sting ray, dolphin, sea turtles, we just did a sea lion encounter), these typically are quite expensive but some of them are the BEST experiences and they DO sell out! So if you plan to treat yourself, you might book that ahead of time and have one major excursion booked for your trip. That is up to you, you don't have to. You can book with the cruise line or you can chance it on your own. I will say, I have never had a bad cruise line tour (this is speaking for myself personally) so sometimes the extra money you spend actually means you get a great day. I have booked through priceline as well and had a great tour too! Sometimes you can just get off the ship and see what's there, but keep in mind that a lot of port/cities can be a lil on the 'grungey' side and other than shopping and some public beach options, there may not be as much to see unless you take a tour to another part of the area. (Like a snorkel catamaran which means you get a nice boat ride with caribbean music and drinks and get to swim above the reefs with fish.) And if the party scene is your thing, I think a Senor Frogs is RIGHT there at the pier...wherever you get off the ship...

 

Don't feel bad about ordering a few appetizers if you want to taste different things! I think new cruisers often feel like they can only choose one app, soup or salad, one entree etc. You can actually order as many as you like, but this WILL slow service down a bit and you WILL get VERY full and not be able to finish all of it. If you want to 'sample' different menu items, get with your fellow cruisers/friends and you can mix and match, or at least that's what we do!

 

FYI, ANY SINGLE TIME someone asks you for your SAIL & SIGN card (room key, ship credit card), that means you are PAYING FOR/BUYING something. So for instance, if you walk on board and a waiter HANDS YOU a bright beautiful umbrella drink, please note: it is NOT complementary. If they ask for your ship card, you bought it. I usually don't make eye contact with them or flat out refuse to accept the drink from them (unless I plan to purchase one.) So don't fall for this, new cruiser, unless an umbrella drink is first on your list, and if so, enjoy.

 

Otherwise, you are on vacation. Do whatever you want! There is plenty to do, or nothing at all. You can sleep all day in your cabin if you want. It's kinda fun to roam around the ship. We always enjoy the karaoke, but that's just us. You can sing with a band on most of the CCL ships (at least the last ones I have been on.)

 

Also remember that each cruise line is different. If you find that there were things you didn't enjoy (for me, my service wasn't good on my last one and I was sick of having to walk through the smokey casinos on the promenade -or thoroughfare to get from dinner to the show etc- and so I since have found a cruise line with no casino that I enjoy) just remember that each cruise line and even cruise ship is different, and so hopefully you will fall in love with cruising like all of us addicts clearly have!

 

Bon voyage! :)

 

What ship are u going on?

[SteelerCruiser]

go with the flow and remember a trip is what you make of it

[Dare2Believe]

I agree with one of the posters above - relish in your first cruise, you only get one!

 

Here are some of the tips I always keep in mind:

 

-Befriend your cabin stewards. They are usually very genuine and willing to help you out with anything you need. We were cruising in a suite on the Pride a few years ago, and my mom (it was her first cruise) casually mentioned to our steward that she would love a chaise lounger on our large balcony (totally not demanding, just in conversation). That evening we returned and found one waiting for her on the balcony! These individuals work SO SO hard, and I feel don't often get the recognition they deserve..they can help you out with pretty much anything.

 

-To go along with that, bring post it notes to leave notes for your cabin stewards, to write requests (i.e. "more ice please!) if you don't see them before leaving your cabin.

 

-Bring aloe, especially if you are cruising to the caribbean and are not used to the strong sun. I'm sure they sell it in the gift shop but it's much cheaper to pick it up at CVS or something and bring it in your baggage.

 

-Realize that you won't have a lot of space in your bathroom. That was a shock to me the first cruise, but it all works out!

 

-Arrive to the evening shows early, especially if you have a large party. It can be hard to find lots of seats together if you show up close to showtime. There's usually something going on (bingo, a game show etc) to keep you entertained while you wait and there are always crew members circulating, ready and willing to take your drink orders! ;-)

 

-Eat in the Main Dining Room for breakfast!!! We recently discovered this gem...the food is HOT and fresh (unlike the lido deck, where we've found the food to be cold on more than one occasion) and is so good. It's a nice, relaxing way to start your day rather than the rat race that is the lido deck buffet at breakfast!

 

-If one of the ports you're visiting isnt your cup of tea, or if you just walk around a bit when you first arrive, it's so nice to go back on the ship while everyone is still off on shore. There's no crowded hot tubs or pools, plus the spas run port day specials so you can get a deal!

 

 

I'm sure I'll think of more tips...I love cruising, and I hope you will too!

[alabamaprincess]

-Realize that you won't have a lot of space in your bathroom. That was a shock to me the first cruise, but it all works out!

 

We bring a hanging shoe organizer and hang it on the bathroom door. Great place to put lots of stuff.

 

 

Go to tea time in the piano bar (usually on a day at sea).

 

One of our favorite things to do is order a pot of coffee and muffins on the door hanger before you go to bed. Later after we are dressed we go either to lido and get a made to order omelet or the MDR for a full breakfast.

 

Have a great time. Do as much or as little as you want to do. It's your vacation...

[Cocochanel26]

Take more money (those drinks are EXPENSIVE), and I don't agree with less clothes....you might leave something you later wish you would've bought. Go with the flow. Order as much as you would like in the main dinning area. They will bring seconds. Suitcases fit under your bed. Get to the pier on time! They will leave you!

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

[D4]

TwinPrincessMermaids gave great advice especially on your passports and boarding documentation. I also recommend you keep prescription medicines with your important papers.

 

Notify your banks (ATM and credit cards) of your upcoming travel and bring their US and international phone numbers.

 

The daily bulletin specifies when you need to be back on the ship at each port. It also tells you which nights you need to set your watch ahead or back. Always stay on ship's time. It may differ from the local time at ports, so don't rely on asking a port shopkeeper what time it is.

 

Bring multiple memory cards so that you won't lose all your pictures if your camera is lost/stolen. (I'm neurotic and backup pictures daily to a netbook and to USB flash drives which I then keep in separate places.)

 

Keep in mind that the cruise line will do their best to get as much money from you as they can. It's possible to cruise without spending a lot of extra money. However, IMO, it doesn't make much sense to go to awesome places and then not spend the additional money to see great sites while you're there.

 

Use the kiosks on board or your TV to monitor your shipboard account. I do this throughout the cruise. You don't want to find an error on the last night and have to stand in a huge line at guest services to deal with it.

 

If you have a smartphone, read the threads on here so you know what to do to avoid unexpected huge bills from your cellular provider. (Or do what we do - turn them off at sailaway and lock them in the safe.)

 

Have fun! Your first cruise will always be very special. And it's nice because you don't have previous cruises to compare it to.

[bride123105]

My tip is to bring a surge protector so that you can plug in more than one thing at a time!

[michelle808]

I agree with one of the posters above - relish in your first cruise, you only get one!

 

Here are some of the tips I always keep in mind:

 

-Befriend your cabin stewards. They are usually very genuine and willing to help you out with anything you need. We were cruising in a suite on the Pride a few years ago, and my mom (it was her first cruise) casually mentioned to our steward that she would love a chaise lounger on our large balcony (totally not demanding, just in conversation). That evening we returned and found one waiting for her on the balcony! These individuals work SO SO hard, and I feel don't often get the recognition they deserve..they can help you out with pretty much anything.

 

-To go along with that, bring post it notes to leave notes for your cabin stewards, to write requests (i.e. "more ice please!) if you don't see them before leaving your cabin.

 

-Bring aloe, especially if you are cruising to the caribbean and are not used to the strong sun. I'm sure they sell it in the gift shop but it's much cheaper to pick it up at CVS or something and bring it in your baggage.

 

-Realize that you won't have a lot of space in your bathroom. That was a shock to me the first cruise, but it all works out!

 

-Arrive to the evening shows early, especially if you have a large party. It can be hard to find lots of seats together if you show up close to showtime. There's usually something going on (bingo, a game show etc) to keep you entertained while you wait and there are always crew members circulating, ready and willing to take your drink orders! ;-)

 

-Eat in the Main Dining Room for breakfast!!! We recently discovered this gem...the food is HOT and fresh (unlike the lido deck, where we've found the food to be cold on more than one occasion) and is so good. It's a nice, relaxing way to start your day rather than the rat race that is the lido deck buffet at breakfast!

 

-If one of the ports you're visiting isnt your cup of tea, or if you just walk around a bit when you first arrive, it's so nice to go back on the ship while everyone is still off on shore. There's no crowded hot tubs or pools, plus the spas run port day specials so you can get a deal!

 

 

I'm sure I'll think of more tips...I love cruising, and I hope you will too!

 

Thank you! We'll be sure to use the tips on the cruise.

[michelle808]

#1 Take more money than you think you'll need and less clothes.

#2 Read the schedule of things offered and highlight them so you won't forget some fun thing you want to do. They leave this on your bed every night.

#3 Do something you wouldn't usually do.

#4 Do a lot of port research before you leave. It's not necessary to book all excursions thru the ship. Some places are very easy to explore on your own.

#5 Have fun--your first cruise will be the most memorable. After 17 cruises I still remember my first one 20 years ago the best.

 

Thank you

[OCruisers]

This is my first cruise,are there any tips to know for first timers? Any tips that carnival doesn't tell you about?

 

Just by asking this question, you're off to a good start.

Please also ask any specific questions you have so "you'll know before you go". :)

 

LuLu

~~~~

[redpelican]

One thing you may not have heard is that if you book an excursion outside Carnival and something happens the ship will not wait for you. The Carnival excursions are a little pricey, but we use them for peace of mind. I KNOW the ship will be there. When we were in Key West, we took a tour on our own and somehow the trolley forgot about us. We made it back and I was not near as worried as I would have been out of the country, but buying Carnival's excursions are worth it to me'

 

I think the Bingo on the ship is way too expensive and if you go to the shopping talk, don't but the 25.00 book they tell you is such a bargain. I bought it and it's not. I guess I fell for that one.

 

Bring two swimming suits so you always have a dry one.

 

Some of the ships(you did not say which one yo are going on) have a secret deck. Not really secret, but fun to find and no one goes up there.

 

Our first cruise we were in awe....just absolutely loved it. We are now on #10 with 2 more booked.

Have a wonderful time!

[rprice11]

I think it's a good idea to have a back up plan when in ports. On my recent cruise it rained both port days. It eventually stopped but it ruined our initial plans. We go off he ship but really didn't have any direction.

[Dare2Believe]

My tip is to bring a surge protector so that you can plug in more than one thing at a time!

 

yes yes yes! There are very few outlets in the cabins, so this is a great suggestion. I'm glad someone thought of it!

[geovet]

Go pre-cruise shopping. It helps get you in the mood for your exciting trip.

[Dare2Believe]

One more thing..

 

Carnival allows each person over 21 to bring one bottle of wine aboard for free. To avoid the $10 corkage fee to have the bottle opened in the dining room, open it yourself (don't forget your corkscrew!) in your cabin. You can ask your room steward for wine glasses to be brought to your cabin. After you do this, feel free to bring the wine to the MDR to enjoy - for free!