1st time cruiser - a few questions

[BellaCaps]

Cruising on Grandeur for my first cruise in 2 weeks. Leaves from Baltimore and goes to Port Canavarel, Nassau, and Coco Cay. Will be in a group of 10 people.

 

Reviews of Grandeur scared me at first but it being a small ship doesn't bother me since I have nothing to compare it to.

 

I'm purchasing a beverage package through the website. Will I need to bring anything with me when boarding to show I have it?

 

We are staying 3 in a large Oceanview Stateroom. I am prepared for how small it will be. We actually measured a place in our house to visualize how small it really will be. I already mapped out where the closes public bathroom is lol.

 

I heard that people stay away from hot tubs on cruise ships. Is that true?

 

Anyone have any tips for a first time cruiser? Any kind of tips - from what to bring, or places to see, favorite parts of the ship, etc?

[Clarea]

...I'm purchasing a beverage package through the website. Will I need to bring anything with me when boarding to show I have it?...

The purchase of your beverage package should be apparent when you get your SeaPass cards at check-in. There should be a beverage package sticker already on the cards. However, just in case of some mixup, I would bring the email receipt you got when you made the purchase.

[George C]

We have friends who recently traveled on Grandeur and loved it. I found drink package worth the cost, at dinner try different things, you can also order multiple appetizers etc. I think this is a good size ships for a 1st time cruiser.

[searoses]

I hope you will have a great time....hot tubs on ships are really not very hot and when you notice the same few people in one for a long time with several buckets of beer there is a cringe factor.....and groups of kids can bring out the same eeewww response....I always top off a soak with a few minutes in the pool thinking the chlorine will kill off anything I don't need!....the hot tub are also known for bleaching out bathing suits so don'rat wear your nice,new one into them!

[Royal2464]

In addition to the bathroom and shower in your cabin there will be rest room facilities on decks that contain something other than cabins; i.e., casino, restaurants, pool, etc.

[Thoie]

Anyone have any tips for a first time cruiser? Any kind of tips - from what to bring, or places to see, favorite parts of the ship, etc?

 

I took my first cruise without the benefit of Cruise Critic, so wasn't aware that they take your suitcases from you at the pier, and deliver them to your room much later.

 

Bring a carry on bag (that you're willing to actually carry around with you for a few hours) with things that you might want on the first day - swimsuit, change of clothes if you've been travelling, a book, a toothbrush, whatever. Your cabin won't be open until probably at least 1pm, so be prepared to carry it around with you until at least then. Or do what I do, hole up in a comfy lounge/bar until the time is right :)

 

There are towel stations on the pool deck, so you don't need to bring towels with you, or bring them from your cabin.

 

If you think you might like going for walks on deck at night (try it, it's lovely), bring a wrap/cardigan with you - it's mostly lovely, but can get a little chilly late at night due to the breeze.

[RSLeesburg]

We took our first two cruises on Grandeur and loved it. I posted reviews for both cruises - see links in my signature. I provided some tips in there :)

 

The only one piece of advise I can give is to start researching your next cruise now, so if you realize you love cruising, you can book your next cruise while onboard. My wife did not decide she wanted to take a second cruise until we were driving home from the port - I booked our second cruise the next day...lol. For our second cruise I was prepared, and we booked our third cruise on the second or third day.

Edited May 14, 2015 by RSLeesburg

[LilBlackDress]

Cruising on Grandeur for my first cruise in 2 weeks. Leaves from Baltimore and goes to Port Canavarel, Nassau, and Coco Cay. Will be in a group of 10 people.

 

Reviews of Grandeur scared me at first but it being a small ship doesn't bother me since I have nothing to compare it to.

 

I'm purchasing a beverage package through the website. Will I need to bring anything with me when boarding to show I have it?

 

We are staying 3 in a large Oceanview Stateroom. I am prepared for how small it will be. We actually measured a place in our house to visualize how small it really will be. I already mapped out where the closes public bathroom is lol.

 

I heard that people stay away from hot tubs on cruise ships. Is that true?

 

Anyone have any tips for a first time cruiser? Any kind of tips - from what to bring, or places to see, favorite parts of the ship, etc?

 

Tips for first timers....

 

Read your daily compass!! It will be left on the bed each night, while you are at dinner. If you want, bring a highlighter and highlight things to do for the next day/evening. (guest services should have extras if the other people in your cabin want their own)

 

As George said, order what you want, 2 or 3 apps and entrees etc. Try things you wouldn't normally try, such as escargot.

 

Room Service is free, there is a charge during late night hours (I think it is from midnight to 5am, it will be listed)

 

Most the time we pack more than we need, I don't have any good advice for this! Some people can fit everything they need in a carry-on, others like me can not :eek:

 

Most the drink packages include bottled water (not Evian). I grab a bottle of water most every time I go to the room and keep them in the mini fridge for late night or excursions etc.

 

You are on vacation, remember to have fun and relax...

 

Our next cruise is on the Grandeur :) unfortunately it's over 200 days away still!!

[ciadriamom]

RSLeesburg ~~ just read your review of your Bermuda trip. Great job! Do you by any chance still have the Compass Planners from your Bermuda trip?

 

Sailing in SEVEN days and can't wait!

[RSLeesburg]

RSLeesburg ~~ just read your review of your Bermuda trip. Great job! Do you by any chance still have the Compass Planners from your Bermuda trip?

 

Sailing in SEVEN days and can't wait!

 

I do. Let me see if I can scan and upload them before you leave.

[dacsmom]

Have a great first cruise, when I started I got some great advice from seasoned cruisers here. I love CoCo Cay, it is a fun relaxing beach day and the snorkeling is pretty good. Do not try to do everything, you will wind up needing a vacation from your vacation. I still have not taken my own advice, but I am working on it. One of my do not misses on any ship is the Love and Marriage show, it is usually a lot of fun.

[ciadriamom]

Thank you!!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[kacoombs]

We've been on Grandeur a couple times as well as its sister ship Enchantment. Grandeur is a perfect size ship.

 

Order 2 lobster tails.

 

Find a lounge the first day & make friends with the bartender. We are Schooner Bar lovers.

[RSLeesburg]

RSLeesburg ~~ just read your review of your Bermuda trip. Great job! Do you by any chance still have the Compass Planners from your Bermuda trip?

 

 

 

Sailing in SEVEN days and can't wait!

 

 

Compasses have been posted on my review.

[kacoombs]

I tried to keep them once, but gave up quickly!

[cincicruisers]

Pack less cloths, bring more money!

[kacoombs]

Why do you say money? You don't use money on board, even for a stamp. (Except for the casino, where you can you use anything.)

[DragonOfTheSeas]

We have sailed the Grandeur several times. She is smaller than many ships--but, if this is your first cruise you will think WOW when you look up in the Centrum the first time. Have a great cruise.

 

One thing I take along is a small LED light that we hang in the bathroom. DH gets up in the night and I hate lights. [The switch for the bathroom light is by the outside of the bathroom door. ]

 

I also take a few clothes pins to hang my bathing suit in the shower. [There is a pull cord]

 

I have found the casino bar is often the least used. [except late evening]

[dacsmom]

Why do you say money? You don't use money on board, even for a stamp. (Except for the casino, where you can you use anything.)

 

How about the phrasing pack 1/2 the clothes and budget twice the money. You have to use money off the ship in the various ports, so yes you do need money. Even if you charge things to your seapass, you have to pay it off sometime. I have often planned to spend a set amount and it usually ends up being more.

[kacoombs]

Carrying cash isn't really necessary tho. I only use cash for cabs in most ports.

[deliver42]

I was on the Grandeur many years ago, but it sold me on RCCL. Beautiful ship. You will be wowed when you see the centrum. Relax, stop worrying, and enjoy your cruise. I'm sure it will be the first of many.

[GUT2407]

Cruising on Grandeur for my first cruise in 2 weeks. Leaves from Baltimore and goes to Port Canavarel, Nassau, and Coco Cay. Will be in a group of 10 people.

 

Reviews of Grandeur scared me at first but it being a small ship doesn't bother me since I have nothing to compare it to.

 

 

I love small ships. Some complain that they feel the sea movement more on smaller ships, that's why I cruise. To feel the sea.

 

I'm purchasing a beverage package through the website. Will I need to bring anything with me when boarding to show I have it?

 

We are staying 3 in a large Oceanview Stateroom. I am prepared for how small it will be. We actually measured a place in our house to visualize how small it really will be. I already mapped out where the closes public bathroom is lol.

 

No lack of bathrooms and never had a problem with that issue on a ship. Though when sailing with DW and DD I was prone to go and have a shower at the gym.

 

 

Anyone have any tips for a first time cruiser? Any kind of tips - from what to bring, or places to see, favorite parts of the ship, etc?

 

What to bring half the clothes, none of the rubbish people tell you to bring like shoe hangers and night lights and bungee cords, twice the credit on your credit card, you will in my opinion need a small amount of cash but only say $20-50 of what ever currency is needed where you are going, for small purchases like a coffee or maybe a taxi, if you need more there are usually no lack of ATMs.

[maryjaden]

Take along small bills for miscellaneous tipping. Try new drinks and new foods. Relax and have fun. Take mix and match outfits. I still over pack! Enjoy your cruise!

[Doug S]

If you cannot disconnect from your smart phone/e-mail for a week, have a plan and don't get surprised by unexpected costs. My phone goes in the safe for the duration, and we get the international plan set for the month on the wife's phone (less than $10) and make calls from ports. If the ship is away from port you will tie into the ships cell service and it can be pricey. Wife and I saw one young lady constantly texting her boyfriend who always checked up on her. Asked what ship plan she had and she said she thought texting was free since she had an unlimited plan. She dropped a few extra bills easy before she realized 24/7 texting was for the rich folk....

[ciadriamom]

Compasses have been posted on my review.

 

youre the best!!!