Still overwhelming on the boat?

[Smilner01]

My family's first cruise is in a two weeks. The information is overwhelming, does it seem less overwhelming once you get on board? Things like figuring out where to go what to do stuff...seems there are sooo many options :)

 

 

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[SeaPeaInn]

It is not overwhelming just a pleasant surprise. One of the first things you learn is that you are on a ship not boat.:D

[Smilner01]

Lol, if it has water in it it's a tank and if it floats it's a boat. Never seen a cruise ship in person, may have to schedule an extra hour to stare in amazement.

 

 

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[serene56]

First time cruiser are my past time. I love watching them. Yes you can tell them from the rest.

 

Get onboard and RELAX. You can get it all done. and still relax.

 

First go to the buffet-- walk around and check out the various stations to see what is offered. Most get in the first line they see because they think it will all be the same... not so.

 

after seeing whats available get something to eat -- sit down and enjoy your first meals of many. They are not running out of food so no need to stock your plate like it will be your last meal...LOL

 

then explore the ship.. there is only a few decks that are public spaces.

although the SHIP is huge--many of the decks are cabin space. So you will not even be visiting those decks unless you have a cabin there. Look at the deck plans now.. learn your way around.

Know that there is a dead end on deck 3 and 4 if you have the aft dining room you can only get there from the aft elevator. if you have the mid ship dining room you can only get there by the forward elevator-- and going in the back way use the miship elevator.

 

The promanade deck goes all the way through.

 

you visit deck 5 (promanade which is where your entertainment is)

deck 10 is lido deck where the food and pools are

deck 11 is camp carnival and a small section for food but where you can find tons of seating if finding nothing on the lido deck

 

no deck 13

and visit 12 14 and 15 decks.

 

really is not overwhelming at all.

 

once you get to the cabin-- look over the fun times and decide what you want to do the rest of the day.

Edited December 28, 2014 by serene56

[liquorstore]

My best tip would be Don't do Everything! Plan as little as possible, explore the ship, and be open to new adventures. You'll relax more and quickly find out what you enjoy and what you don't. Use what you learn on your first cruise and each cruise after and you can plan more to what you enjoy... but always be open to new adventures. Have Fun!!

[morganboys]

welcome the beginning of your cruise addiction. Here are my 2 cents for a first timer. The warm chocolate melting cake is a must. We have it every night. Make sure you have at least one breakfast in the main dining room. If you are traveling with kids let them be kids and enjoy their cruise just as much as you do. Allow them to order every dessert off the menu in the dinning room if they chose. If they want to try different things in the dinning room let them. if they don't like it they can always send it back and order something else. Most of all have fun, take lots of pictures, and post them here when you return.

[GRANNYOFSIX]

There is absolutely nothing that compares to your FIRST cruise!! Plenty of time to get to know the ship, etc. After we get something to eat for lunch, which is an experience of it's own (love the deli sandwiches and pizza), we enjoy going to the dining room to see where our table for dinner is located. If you need to make a change, you can do it then. Do you have early or late seating or "your time dining", in which case you will not be assigned a table.............

 

We always find highlighting the activities you are interested in helps us not miss them. The fun times has a "summary" of activities which you can highlight and tear off to carry with you. However, be sure to read the Fun Times because NOT ALL of the activities are listed on the perforated sheet - we just write them in.

 

Your cabin steward is usually super helpful..........don't be afraid to ask him for whatever you need......ice, etc...........they are wonderful!!!

 

We started cruising in 1993 and our very first cruise got us hooked!! Don't worry - you will all have a super fun time!:)

 

 

Edited December 28, 2014 by GRANNYOFSIX
Added sentence about cabin steward

[Cinders411]

Relax it is going to be fabulous & soon you will be a seasoned cruiser. :)

We always eat a little lunch when we board. Then we head to the pool for a drink & some chilling until the safety drill.

Edited December 28, 2014 by Cinders411

[Smilner01]

We know another family on the cruise that has been on multiple cruises. We are linked to their cabins for early dining, but not sure which MDR. Their rooms are in the back of the boat and ours are in the front.

 

 

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[volfan22701]

You will spend the first day at least walking around in amazement. Try to slow down just a bit. You can see it all in a week. Also after a few days you may have to tell yourself to slow down on the food. We had to learn you don't have to eat every time you see food. The first couple days we did. The amount of food available can be overwhelming. Cruising is our favorite way to vacation now. Leaving in a couple weeks on our 8th.

 

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[IPlayWithString]

Like hubby says, sometimes you have to go up and over in order to go DOWN.

 

He learned that from watching JAG, I think. LOL

[YubaSutter]

It is not overwhelming just a pleasant surprise. One of the first things you learn is that you are on a ship not boat.:D

 

CLling a cruise ship a boat is acceptable. Ever hear of the Love Boat or The Big Red Boat? Both cruise ships.

[RWolver672]

CLling a cruise ship a boat is acceptable. Ever hear of the Love Boat or The Big Red Boat? Both cruise ships.

 

The Love Boat was a TV show that in all reality was nothing like a cruise ship. Their inside cabins looked more like a suite than a inside. The Big Red Boat was a name of a cruise line.

 

Ask any sailor; A boat is a vessel you take to get to a ship, other than a submarine which is called a boat. Why? I have no idea. It just is.

[cb at sea]

This is a vacation...they should do what they want, when they want. There is no need to try and "do it all"....you get a newsletter daily, so you can do what interests you! You don't have to "pre-plan" or get stressed!

 

It's really no different than going to a resort hotel...they have tons of options, but folks don't get stressed over that! Same on the ship....board, wander about, and then relax....that's what a vacation is for!

Edited December 28, 2014 by cb at sea

[Nic6318]

Hi

 

My best advice would be to spend some time on the Carnival forum and do a search ... something like " best things to do on cruise ship ", see what others suggest and decide what may interest you. Make a note of them so you don't forget.

 

Next, go the " port of call sections " on this site. Read up on other peoples suggestions of what to do when you get off the boat. If anything interest you see what the family thinks. You can usually only do one thing at any given port so you may have to return many times to experience all that a particular port has to offer.

 

A few very important things like don't overpack, don't exhaust yourself, and this is the most important *** don't miss the boat *** they won't wait for you.

 

 

Have a great cruise

[Disconnections]

It is not overwhelming just a pleasant surprise. One of the first things you learn is that you are on a ship not boat.:D

 

A ship can carry a boat. A boat cannot carry a ship.

[keywest1]

On our first cruise, we were amazed at the seasoned cruisers who would spot our deer-in-the-headlights look and stop to offer help. It took us a couple of days to catch on to the deal about not being able to go front to back on all decks.

That's a big perk to cruising--you'll meet some of the nicest people in the world.

BTW, the search feature on the Carnival website is currently broken :eek:

[Lerin]

CC is overwhelming.

Cruising is not.

I'd suggest you stay off CC for the next 2 weeks and then come back to tell us of your great adventure. ;)

 

Signed,

So glad I didn't know about CC before my first cruise or I may have cancelled.

[woodey]

my first bit of advice is take about half of the stuff you have packed out of your suitcase....

 

second.... walk the ship a few times on your first day get the layout so you don't have to worry about where this or that is and have to scramble at the last second...

 

thirdly.....don't try to do everything.... there is not enough time to do it all......do what looks like fun then then have fun doing it.......and remember to relax... relax and then relax some more

[jmcancruise]

The only things you need to worry about. 1. Dont be late for sailing. 2. Make sure you have all your paperwork in order and with you when you need it. 3. Buy cruise insurance.

 

If you have those three things taken care of the rest is a breeze. Once you walk onto the ship you can take a deep breath and relax. We have always found the staff and other passengers extremely helpful if we had a question.

 

Once we step onto the ship it just feels like time slows down. No rushing to catch planes or taxis. No phones, emails etc. No deadlines to meet. No overtime hours. While we try to relax once we leave for our cruise, it is not until we finally set foot on the ship that vacation mode truly begins.

 

Have a blast and welcome to a new way of life.

[SadieN]

After many, many cruises (most out of the same port) I'm still learning.

Discovered something last night about it, wondering why I never saw it before in the past five years. It makes me feel better that my family never noticed it either.

Edited December 28, 2014 by SadieN

[kyrisong1]

One of the first things I suggest you do is stop at the Guest Service desk and grab a handy layout map of the ship (no need to stand in line they are always on the very end on the counter)

This will help you figure out what decks you want to visit and which are all rooms. Also helps you figure out which decks are dead ends and don't go all the way through.

Remember room service is free. I'm amazed at people coming back and saying oh I didn't know we could order from RS for free. But I always keep a stack of dollar bills to tip the room servers.

When you get on the Lido deck the first day, there will be waiters wandering around offering you exotic looking drinks, these are not a free welcome aboard drink, you will have to pay for them, that said, it's not a cruise till I have my first Funship Special (the red drinks)!!

Have an amazing time!!!

Carole

[jbhcw]

Your first cruise is always special...we try to dump our carry ons in the cabin...head to the lido for lunch..then explore the ship...have our first drink of the cruise..usually at the casino bar...

 

Remember the cabin numbers are odd and even...so make sure you are on the right "hallway" while looking for your cabin...I cannot tell you how many times I have walked on the wrong side before it dawned on me I need to be on the other side of the ship...

 

Having lunch and breakfast in the MDR is a nice change from the lido...and room service is great...love my morning coffee:) Enjoy:)

[dave_k58]

The Love Boat was a TV show that in all reality was nothing like a cruise ship. Their inside cabins looked more like a suite than a inside. The Big Red Boat was a name of a cruise line.

 

Ask any sailor; A boat is a vessel you take to get to a ship, other than a submarine which is called a boat. Why? I have no idea. It just is.

 

But the top enlisted sailor on an aircraft carrier is called " Chief of the Boat". Go figure

[Cruise life]

We have gone from rushing to try to fit everything in to doing nothing but a few select activities with afternoon naps if we want. My best advice is to not overdo the sun or drinking and gauge your activities on a daily basis. Rest when you need to and accept you can't do it all. One heavy day of sun or drinking - or even excessive touring- can mess up several days of a short vacation!

 

 

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