Cruisin' with rookies

[lharry]

We will be cruising in June with 2 other families who have never cruised before. We are very close to them, and always have a good time whenever we are all together.

 

I am a "planner" and a "doer", and since I planned this trip and they are joining us, I'd love to plan something fun for them once they board.

 

My DH and I are Platinum so we will board early, and before they board. I'm thinking about sending them on a "scavenger hunt" or something when they board. Maybe give them a little note card for them to open when they get to the port to get it started. And, send then on some kind of crazy, funny, adventurous tour of the ship, where they would find other clues here and there.

 

I am hoping to get some ideas from some of you who I know are very creative. Where to start, what to leave behind, where to leave it behind, and where and how to end it.

 

FYI - We will be on the Sunshine. Any ideas out there?

[cruiser_family]

I'm interested in this as well. We are cruising to celebrate 50th birthdays this year. There are 20 of us going and I considered a scavenger hunt but was afraid that I couldn't pull it off.

 

So please, let the suggestions flow.

[CruisingNoob]

I have no ideas but this sounds like a lot of fun!

[lharry]

I'm thinking (although I've never done this before), that maybe we can have them board and go straight to the Atrium bar, where we could have pre-paid for their first DOD, and have the bartender give them a note with their next stop on it.

 

But - I'm not familiar with the Sunshine; and what would I tell the bartender, and how would he know it is them when they walk up to the bar.

 

And of course, where do they go from there.

[mowrider]

Rooky cruisers will be overwhelmed on their first cruise, I recommend that you just be with them there to advise them and answer questions. remember "your" first cruise ?

[UKJJ]

Rooky cruisers will be overwhelmed on their first cruise, I recommend that you just be with them there to advise them and answer questions. remember "your" first cruise ?

 

I second this.

[bills blasters]

I suggest the same. Just show them around the ship yourself. On our first cruise 12 years ago, we were so lost when we got on board. It took us a day to find our way around. I don't know if I would have wanted to attempt a scavenger hunt right away. Maybe wait a couple days.

Claudia

[lharry]

Okay - good point! I hadn't thought of that.

 

Maybe what I can do instead is order something from Bon Voyage for their room. Some chocolates or some other kind of goodies.

 

Maybe that will be better.

 

Thanks for the advice!

[4Tacos]

Okay - good point! I hadn't thought of that.

 

Maybe what I can do instead is order something from Bon Voyage for their room. Some chocolates or some other kind of goodies.

 

Maybe that will be better.

 

Thanks for the advice!

 

I think that is a great idea. Our first cruise was three years ago and I wish we would have had someone with us to show us around the first day who was at least comfortable with cruising. Now that we've done a couple, I'm good on our own but that very first day can be overwhelming!! Taking them on a personal tour and sending them a gift to their room would be a would be a wonderful jeasture.

 

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[kona_wahine]

I agree. I remember the first time we walked on board and were completely overwhelmed. I'd help them get acclimated, get them a drink, have something nice waiting for them in room, maybe some flowers. Show them around and get some lunch. That's what I would have wanted first cruise.

[Aviendah]

Okay - good point! I hadn't thought of that.

 

Maybe what I can do instead is order something from Bon Voyage for their room. Some chocolates or some other kind of goodies.

 

Maybe that will be better.

 

Thanks for the advice!

 

This is exactly what we're doing for our friends on our March Breeze cruise. I've ordered flowers and treats for their rooms. On our last trip I got t-shirts for the kids. Was a very appreciated surprise!

[HawkIVette]

I agree with something more suttle, not quite so overwhelming.

The Bon Voyage idea sounds great. Chocolates, banners, drink coupons, bottle of wine, and then just escort them around the ship and help them with tips to make their trip more memorable.

I remember my first cruise, and although it was great, just think how much better it would have been if I would have known then what I know now after 12 cruises.

Edited January 7, 2015 by HawkIVette

[stargate fan]

Also remember that your friends will have their carry-ons with them, which they might not want to schlep around during a scavenger hunt.

 

As for showing them around the ship, why not let them go off on their own and experience everything themselves as first-time cruisers. I bet there will be lots of oohing and aahing as they see the beautiful ship at their leisure.

 

After 15 Carnival cruises, we are still so excited to explore each ship, top to bottom, at our own pace.

[KatieBug28]

I agree that letting them explore the ship is a great idea! Especially if they have kids. Maybe something you could offer (since you've been before) is to take the kids to go mini golfing or something like that while the parents unpack, or explore a different area of the ship that the kids have no interest in.

 

One other idea — and I know this is probably kind of a pain — but you could let them drop off their carryons at your cabin before they head to lunch or whatever. I remember on my first cruise that DH and I thought we were being so smart doing carryon only. Well, that was sure a pain when we wanted to explore the ship and get lunch! I actually bought FTTF this time pretty much only for that reason. I've got two DDs, 6 and 2 when we cruise, and the thought of wrangling them, and our carryons, and lunch trays makes me exhausted. So even something simple like that could really add to their enjoyment of the cruise and help them experience the "wonder" on their first day!

[goolia719]

Also remember that your friends will have their carry-ons with them, which they might not want to schlep around during a scavenger hunt.

 

 

We are cruising with 4 other couples in March, DH and I got FTTF and are letting our friends drop their carry ons in our room until theirs are ready, frankly we got FTTF so I didnt have to schlep my carry on around until the room was ready!

[Smiling Cruiser]

wait for them in the atrium, escort them to the Lido deck and buy them their first drink of the day.Happy Sails.

[ncbeachteacher]

I have had rookies cruise with us as well and I can tell you, it is very overwhelming for newbies. I recommend telling them to meet you at the atrium bar (where they first come on broad.) Enjoy a quick, but hey, we are here drink. Escort them to their cabin (or yours)dependent upon the time, to drop luggage and then head up to Lido for lunch. Pick a mutual meeting place to eat, show them around the buffet and the other Lido options, then enjoy lunch. After lunch, give them a tour of the ship. Even if it is your first cruise on the Sunshine, you can offer insights, give them your favorite type of locations, elevators, word meanings such as forward, aft, etc..... Don't forget to show them Camp Carnival, Serenity, the Spa..... You have cruising experience that is highly valuable. After tour, escort them to their cabin to get ready for muster, unpack, catch their breath..... Plan a meet up later. Make sure they all have paper ship deck plan (the little folded ones!!!) Your friends will greatly appreciate the time and effort to help them get oriented and take some of that new experience confusion away! :D

 

I do like the idea of decorations for their cabins!

[cb at sea]

Do NOT tell them how wonderful it is, or how much fun they'll have, or how nice breakfast is, or whatever...LET THEM FIGURE IT OUT ON THEIR OWN! I mean it...if you tell newbies too much, you ruin the fun of discovery! I'm serious!

 

I'm sure your friends aren't stupid, and have vacationed before...they WILL figure it out...in short order. Cruising is hardly a mystery! It's very easy to find your way around, and have a good time without direction! Let them do it! Fun is better when you make it on your own.

 

 

I understand how you feel, being a "planner", but you're making a HUGE mistake. Do not "plan" for them. If friends handed me a "scavenger hunt"...I would tell them where to stuff it.

Edited January 8, 2015 by cb at sea

[StaceySteveDMB]

Bon Voyage is s good call but I also think the scavenger hunt would be cool for a sea day activity. We are sailing on the Sunshine June 27th. When are you going?

 

 

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[wareaglefan]

Bon Voyage is a great idea. Let them discover and be on their own, no set times. Don't want to look at watch when on vacation. Plan to meet up for dinner and enjoy talking about the day. I was a planner too years ago, but now at 65 want to do whatever whenever. You had some great advice. When we cruised with family years ago, I had planned cruise and thought I would have to do that during cruise. My nieces grown & married let me know that during day it's their time to lay by pool or whatever and we would later meet up for dinner and enjoy wine and have laughs about our day. It was great. At ports if we were interested in same thing we did go together on that. Have fun and I am sure your "newbies" will get hooked on cruising too!

[lharry]

Bon Voyage is s good call but I also think the scavenger hunt would be cool for a sea day activity. We are sailing on the Sunshine June 27th. When are you going?

 

 

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That's our cruise as well. I'm super excited!

 

Thank you all for the responses. They have made me reconsider things. I truly appreciate your opinions! Things I hadn't even considered!

[sandij]

I love watching the faces of the newbies and remembering how exciting it was so many years ago when we were new. I've shown people around and it was fun for both of us. Since you'll be on the ship first you could do a sign to put on their doors welcoming them aboard and then buy them a DOD.

[michigyrl]

I leave in 3 weeks with my sweetie who's never cruised before and another couple who are also cruise virgins. I've taken care of all the planning--including booking their cruise. Since we've booked, due to price rate reductions, our rooms have bumped from the 2nd floor to the Lido deck and I've also bought FTTF for both rooms. My BF knows about the bump and FTTF but the other couple does not. SURPRISE!! :D My BF and I have also rounded up door decorations for both rooms.

 

I love the idea of ordering some chocolate covered strawberries or other treat for their room. I'll have to do that!!

 

I love traveling with friends who have never cruised before and their excitement and new experiences! At the same time, I don't want them to think I'm over-planning their vacation or ruining the element of surprise. It's so hard not to!! I would love to switch careers to be a cruise vacation planner!!

[Erinl]

This is making me super excited for our upcoming cruise with our friends who are cruise newbies, too! Great ideas for in-room gifts!

 

 

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[SeaGoingDAD]

We will be cruising in June with 2 other families who have never cruised before. We are very close to them, and always have a good time whenever we are all together.

 

I am a "planner" and a "doer", and since I planned this trip and they are joining us, I'd love to plan something fun for them once they board.

 

My DH and I are Platinum so we will board early, and before they board. I'm thinking about sending them on a "scavenger hunt" or something when they board. Maybe give them a little note card for them to open when they get to the port to get it started. And, send then on some kind of crazy, funny, adventurous tour of the ship, where they would find other clues here and there.

 

I am hoping to get some ideas from some of you who I know are very creative. Where to start, what to leave behind, where to leave it behind, and where and how to end it.

 

FYI - We will be on the Sunshine. Any ideas out there?

 

We've had newbies with us many times, and try NOT to make the mistake of forcing them into something they may not wish to do. I may nudge, or advise, but besides that, I simply like to watch as they experience things the way we did on our first cruise.