1st Cruise - terrified and thrilled at the same time

[HammockDreamer]

Just booked our first cruise - RCI Allure of the Seas - May 18th. This will be a group of 3: me (Laurie), my dh, Jay, and our DD whom will be turning 21 on the cruise. My hubby and daughter have begged me for years to go on a cruise...they have finally worn me down! Although my DH has worked in the travel industry for years, we have never cruised! I am just concerned that our daughter may feel out of place - so hoping there are others her age that she can befriend. We will be in port at Falmouth on her birthday---any ideas to make this even more special for her would be greatly appreciated!

 

So thrilled to have found CC - I'm taking notes like crazy! :)

[Krazy Kruizers]

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

You should check out the RCI board here:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=83

You may be interested in joining your Roll Call to see what others are doing here:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1823481

 

Since your DH has been in the travel industry, he may already have information on Falmouth, but you can read and ask questions on this port here:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=111

 

Once you have taken that first cruise, you will be hooked.

Relax -- nothing to be terrified about.

[paul929207]

Welcome to Cruise Critics.

 

Most of the people on these boards took their first cruise sometime. If you have any questions we will be happy to help.

[Hydrokitty]

Welcome to Cruise Critics.

 

Most of the people on these boards took their first cruise sometime. If you have any questions we will be happy to help.

 

so true.....everybody felt your apprehension at one time or another! Only thing I'll add to previous posters is make sure you tell them before boarding, if possible, otherwise first night at dinner, that you'll be celebrating a birthday. they'll have a cake and everyone will sing Happy Birthday and unless you hate that stuff, it'll be great fun! we celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary on board celebrity infinity and they gave us champagne and a cake and everyone clapped, I loved it (DH not so much):D And don't worry about your daughter....unless she's a recluse, she'll have a great time.

[cb at sea]

Your daughter, unless she's VERY shy, will find others around her age...no problem!

 

Get a guidebook on your ports, if you're not familiar with them...it will help you maximize your time ashore!

 

No need to be nervous! Enjoy the anticipation!!!

[bonsai3s]

...to Cruise Critic. There are so many great members here. (We've been cruising for many years but are relatively new members...many thanks to our British friend who told us about CC.)

 

You will have a wonderful time on the Allure. The ship itself is the destination. You'll have plenty of things to see and do. Just to name a few: Ice skating rink, rock climbing walls, golf, basketball, a well equipped fitness center, IMHO the best running/walking track on any ship, flowriders, zipline. There are so many places to eat...you'll never go hungry.

 

You'll soon discover that your daughter will be busy with new friends and perhaps trying all the activities onboard. You may not see her until dinner.

 

There are plenty of good advice when sailing on the Allure. Here's a few:

* Make sure to reserve your shows online.

* You can also sign your liability waiver online. For the rock climbing walls, zipline, flowriders, etc.

* Learn as much about the ship as you can. (We were on the inaugural sailing and didn't see everything on the ship. We've sailed her 3 additional times since then.)

* Main thing is to relax and enjoy. Happy sailing! :)

[mycruiseandvacations]

Your daughter will love RCI and the Allure. For the birthday a shore excursion either River Tubing, snorkeling, horseback riding or world famous Dunns River Falls is in order! :)

[wassup4565]

What a wonderful trip you have ahead! You get time to spend with your daughter as a family, and at her age, you may not have many future chances like this. I wouldn't worry about her experience on the ship. You'd have to be an extreme grouch not to enjoy a cruise - most 19-year-olds haven't learned how to be grouchy about life's opportunities yet. And as others have said, the young people know how to spot each other.

[HammockDreamer]

Thank you all for the warm welcome - you have helped to ease some of my apprehension. My dd is an outgoing person - I was more concerned that there would not be others in her age group - I have no idea what the average demographic of passengers on the Allure is! I have never been a "water" person - but I'm hoping all the distractions on board will keep me from stressing too much!

[crystalspin]

Dreamer,

 

I am not a water person either, at all. Cruising on such a large ship is not like water sports or fresh water boating. You'll rarely if ever even be aware of her moving (maybe way up on top or way in the front bow) without looking at the wake or something close by as entering ports. Instead what you have is a floating city to explore, with many environments to walk between, and a cabin to be your cocoon if you want. You have ports to travel between and also explore, without having to pack up your bags to travel to the next one as on a land-based "If this is Tuesday it must be Belgium" trip.

 

I think you three will have a wonderful time.

 

ETA: have you read all the FAQs?, here:

 

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/customersupport/faq.do?cS=NAVBAR&pnav=5&snav=2

Edited January 24, 2014 by crystalspin

[dkjretired]

Just booked our first cruise - RCI Allure of the Seas - May 18th. This will be a group of 3: me (Laurie), my dh, Jay, and our DD whom will be turning 21 on the cruise. My hubby and daughter have begged me for years to go on a cruise...they have finally worn me down! Although my DH has worked in the travel industry for years, we have never cruised! I am just concerned that our daughter may feel out of place - so hoping there are others her age that she can befriend. We will be in port at Falmouth on her birthday---any ideas to make this even more special for her would be greatly appreciated!

 

So thrilled to have found CC - I'm taking notes like crazy! :)

 

At Falmouth, there is a Margaritaville, you might want to have lunch there. Also, have you joined the roll call for your cruise.

[HammockDreamer]

I finally read through ALL of the FAQ and "Wish I Had Known" tips - whew! I'm a little nervous about our cabin 10729 - last cabin with balcony overlooking Boardwalk yet have a bit of an ocean view. Due to my anxiety for cruising in general, I thought the location would offer good distractions and we are all night owls. I also joined the Roll Call - so hope to connect with others there! Thanks again for everything!

Laurie

[Hydrokitty]

I finally read through ALL of the FAQ and "Wish I Had Known" tips - whew! I'm a little nervous about our cabin 10729 - last cabin with balcony overlooking Boardwalk yet have a bit of an ocean view. Due to my anxiety for cruising in general, I thought the location would offer good distractions and we are all night owls. I also joined the Roll Call - so hope to connect with others there! Thanks again for everything!

Laurie

 

If your concern is that you might suffer sea sickness get a patch and if it's that you'll be in danger, here's a statistic for you to keep repeating: more people are killed driving their cars on local streets every day than are killed in a year in plane crashes or sea disasters!! So, you are more at risk driving TO the ship than ON the ship!!! If this doesn't help and you're really nervous tell your MD and you can get a very mild RX to help with the anxiety ....one that won't make you sleepy, it just makes you not mind so much.:D

[MrnMrsT1231]

If your concern is that you might suffer sea sickness get a patch and if it's that you'll be in danger, here's a statistic for you to keep repeating: more people are killed driving their cars on local streets every day than are killed in a year in plane crashes or sea disasters!! So, you are more at risk driving TO the ship than ON the ship!!! If this doesn't help and you're really nervous tell your MD and you can get a very mild RX to help with the anxiety ....one that won't make you sleepy, it just makes you not mind so much.:D

 

My mother in law has changed her mind about going because of the whole food poisoning thing that happen im like really ... This would have veen her very first cruise

 

Ready To Go!!!!

[Hydrokitty]

My mother in law has changed her mind about going because of the whole food poisoning thing that happen im like really ... This would have veen her very first cruise

 

Ready To Go!!!!

 

What a shame...is she concerned about food poisoning or norovirus on recent ship in the news? Cruise lines are VERY careful about preventing this virus and j would bet that it started with a passenger not a crew member....if you wash your hands AND use hand sanitizer that is everywhere on the ship chances are good you wont get sick...but it can happen anywhere.:o

[MrnMrsT1231]

Probaly about them both i didnt want to get into t it too much because it crazy that you would be in fear of something that could happen anywhere and to anyone ... It almost saying you want to stay in your house 24 /7 but what happen if you get burglarized that happens daily

 

Ready To Go!!!!

[Kendy1961]

I can guarantee you that your daughter will not want to have anything to do with you (pretty much) throughout the cruise . I have no kids nut have learned from people I have met that their kids get so UTTERLY ENTHRALLED with their programs and separate part of ship and activities that YOU are the last people they will want to see. They have their own "mock tail bar" and disco. Etc.

 

The Allure is amazing ...highly highly recommend the diving shows. ....the Viking crown lounge is beautiful and hardly used if you want a quiet date night.

I would also make sure you do the Samba Grill as a specialty restaurant. (Brazilian steakhouse) it is by the Solarium and understated and wonderful.

 

The broadway show "Chicago" is exceedingly well done! I love the Champagne Bar .

 

Don't worry about "novovirus" ....did you know that cruise ships are the ONLY entity required to report outbreaks. It also happens in land resorts, hotels and nursing homes but does not have to be reported to the CDC as cruise ships are required to do.

 

It has to do with dirty passengers, not dirty ships....life happens. And we can't hide out from every potential hurdle ...

[snap4876]

The rep from rccl said I do not need to reserve my show tickets because I am staying in the aqua theater suite. He said I will have priority seating for all shows anyone know how true this is?

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[KKB]

Don't be put off by the crowds at muster (required safety drill about 30 min. before departure)...I swear they cram all 6K passengers on 3 decks!

 

BUT after that we NEVER felt crowds! We LOVED the Solarium for child-free (tho your daughter can go--and will likely love it) sun bathing/swimming & ate breakfast at the small buffet there daily.

 

We LOVED LOVED LOVED Central Park 150 (and we have always been pleased w/ MDR on all our cruises)--I recommend it for birth day dinner night (and DH is a self-proclaimed non-foodie--he would eat bar food every night of the week & be perfectly happy. He loved Central Park so much we booked it again later in the week--they do 2 menus/week)

 

We really loved Central Park, especially at night. Dazzles club was on that level & we danced there often (your daughter may prefer the real club, Blaze)

 

If you gamble, it had the nicest casino at sea, for sure.

 

There were SO many things we didn't do--we need to go back, SOON!

 

I have found that it doesn't matter how many 20 somethings there are on a cruise, they migrate toward each other; and she may just enjoy hanging with you as well. Our teens always enjoyed both--hanging with us about half the day, and other teens the rest of the time.

 

Have a great time!.

[HammockDreamer]

KKB, thank you for your kind and reassuring words. I just have to "go with the flow" and not try to overplan ahead of time. My daughter is sociable but not a party girl ---she just finished an internship at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History - so she's wired that way!! Both my husband and daughter cannot have gluten, so I need to research that next --may have to make an exception for birthday cake!

 

Sent from my Kindle Fire using Forums mobile app

[KKB]

KKB, thank you for your kind and reassuring words. I just have to "go with the flow" and not try to overplan ahead of time. My daughter is sociable but not a party girl ---she just finished an internship at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History - so she's wired that way!! Both my husband and daughter cannot have gluten, so I need to research that next --may have to make an exception for birthday cake!

 

Sent from my Kindle Fire using Forums mobile app

 

I do it all the time...maybe over-researching is more accurate. I just scoured the menus & "dailies" for our cruise. It actually was a good thing, as there are activities we don't want to miss & I could determine when they were offered.

 

We do go with the flow...I have scrapped many a days plans. Maybe we are a bit sluggish today & hanging at the pool all day feels right...maybe we discover a new activity we didn't even know we liked...maybe we meet another couple that we just have a blast with & they like something that isn't our first choice, but hanging with them is just too much fun!

 

As soon as you get on the ship, head to the dining room & let them know of the gluten issue. They will point out what works on the menu or see if they can prepare something different for you (not always possible, but I find they strive to meet everyone's needs)

 

The beauty of a cruise (especially a giant one like the Oasis) is that there are so many choices of activities to meet all sorts of interests. I also like that you can do EVERYTHING...or nothing at all...:)

[Kendy1961]

I forgot when your cruise was, but I would contact RCI or your travel agent (see below from RCI. ASAP

 

Contact your travel agent or Certified Vacation Planner and request that the remark be noted in your reservation details. If you made your reservation online at royalcaribbean.com you may add your request to the "update personal information." section. You may also send an e-mail request to special@rccl.com; please include in the e-mail the guests' names, booking number, ship name and sail date. E-mails will receive an automated response. We kindly ask that guests do not call Royal Caribbean International suppliers with specific questions.

 

Special meal requests that are received less than 45 days of sailing (90 days for European/South American itineraries) are dependent on the ship's product availability. We will try to accommodate to the best of our ability.

 

Please note: Baby food is available via our Gifts and Gear page via our Babies To Go program and infant formula is not provided on board.

 

Guests may not bring on board any food items other than baby food and/or dry, nonperishable snack items (cookies, crackers, chips, energy bars, etc).

Edited February 6, 2014 by Kendy1961

[Kendy1961]

Yes it's true....but why would you want to go for the seating. When you have a great great view from your aqua suite balcony....I would invite new found friends to your suite for a drinks party and the show......however if you want to be in the SPLASH zone at the front then that's a different matter. Diamond and above and suite guests get first dibs...(all suite guests however, not just aqua theater suite guests.....

[whataboutport]

If you're interested, you can read my lengthy review of Allure. Click the link in my signature. I think Allure will be a great fit for your family. I really enjoyed the Aqua theater and the diving show was amazing. Food was pretty good, service was great. If you're into tapas, there's the Vintages venue which is very intimate and hardly ever busy. Very reasonable priced for-fee venue.

 

Don't let the title of my thread discourage you. Allure was just too big of a ship for us, but I think so far what you've described, you guys will have a blast, esp in a suite! :)

Edited February 14, 2014 by whataboutport

[wannavacay]

The rep from rccl said I do not need to reserve my show tickets because I am staying in the aqua theater suite. He said I will have priority seating for all shows anyone know how true this is?

 

All suite guests in Grand Suite level or above have access to Concierge services. The concierge has a set of seats reserved for every show, but you do not have to sit there if you book your own seats/reserve your show ahead of time. It is a very nice perk though, especially if you have changed your mind about a show. Suite perks are online on RCCL's website: http://www.royalcaribbean.com/contentWithHero.do?pagename=enhanced_program_for_suite_guests

 

That said, IMHO the OceanAria show should be seen both from your balcony downward, and from the ampitheater area where you would normally watch the show (do that one first). Two different views/experiences, both pretty amazing.

 

If you are on a large ship like Freedom or Oasis classes, it is almost impossible to see and do everything you want to on the ship and still take in the islands on just one voyage. You might stress yourself out trying. Try something new, have some fun, and make sure you allow yourself some time to relax.

 

Enjoy your cruise!