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Mimi from MI

By Mimi from MI,
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Scrapnana "Live from...." Rare

Scrapnana

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Don't try to do everything! Every ship has so many activities that you could need a holiday when you get home from a cruise. Try a few things you think you will enjoy and leave the others for future cruises (if you are like most of us you will become addicted to cruising). Enjoy!

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obnurse

obnurse

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Plan to fly in the day before your cruise leaves. It's much more relaxing and you have almost no worries about a flight delay, etc. Enjoy Ft. Lauderdale for the afternoon and evening! We stay at Embassy Suites and it's inexpensive to get a shuttle from the hotel to the port area. You can see the port from the hotel. You can also walk to restaurants, stores, etc for last minute items. Plan to have a great time! By the way, I'm a Michigander, too!

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Sixtytwo

Sixtytwo

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Welcome to Cruise Critic and your first cruise adventure! Keep you watch (not cell phone or iPad or other electronic device) set to ship time and be sure you know if ship time changes to port time. You don't want to be left standing on the dock waving bye-bye to the ship as it sails happily toward the next port! Other than that, relax and have a great time!

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Jimnbigd

Jimnbigd

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  • Lunch when you first board is included (buffet on deck 11, and the small restaurants on deck 5).
  • MDR (main dining room) is "all you can eat". Feel free to order several starters and more than one main course. MDR is open for breakfast every day, lunch on sea days, and dinner every night.
  • The buffet (Windjammer, deck 11) is open every day for all meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
  • Cafe Promenade (deck 5 Royal Promenade) is open just about all of the time. Pre-made sandwiches, and desserts, and I think the best free coffee on the Royal Caribbean ships (not all have Cafe Promenade but yours does).
  • Your ship will also have Sorrentos on deck 5 -- pizza, salads, and other Italian stuff. I'm not sure of the hours as I have not been on a ship that has Sorrentos (yet -- the Liberty of the Seas is coming to Galveston in November).
  • Captains party is probably the 2nd night (first full day) and has free champagne. It is probably held on deck 5's Royal Promenade.
  • If you want your hair done later in the crusie, especially the 2nd formal night, make your appointment when you first board. The spa is deck 12 forward, above the gym area.
  • Don't miss the ice show (free). All shows are free. Enjoy the theater shows, Schooner Bar, and other live music around the ship (mostly at night).

Youtube has lots of videos for the Independence of the Seas. You can also search for the Freedom of Seas and Liberty of the Seas, since these are the same layout as the Independence. Enjoy your cruise.

Edited by Jimnbigd
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Keith1010 "Live from...." Rare

Keith1010

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Welcome to Cruise Critic.

 

I would thoroughly read the cruise brochure and also visit the cruise lines own web site. There is a wealth of information that will help you prepare for the cruise.

 

I hope you enjoy cruising as much as we do.

 

Keith

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SuiteTraveler

SuiteTraveler

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Some hotels in Ft. Lauderdale offer a cruise package which includes overnight before your cruise, breakfast for 2 the next morning and shuttle to the pier. Compare prices to get the best deal in your price range.

 

Check your suitcases with the porter at the dock and tip him $1 per bag. Keep your small carryon with you. This should contain medications and any necessities that should not be trusted to others. If you plan to go to the pool on boarding day, put your swimsuit in there as well.

 

When the bags arrive at your cabin, completely unpack and stick your empty bag under the bed.

 

Make use of your room safe. Put you wallet and all other valuables in there (cash, jewelry, etc.) You only need to carry your cruise card on the ship to pay for things.

 

Never bring anything on a cruise that is too precious to lose.

 

Those drinks the waiters are carrying around on boarding day do cost $.

 

Bring air freshener and a nightlight for the bathroom in your cabin.

 

Shampoo, conditioner, body wash and lotion on cruise ships, except in suites, is generic, so if you are particular, DO bring your own.

 

Do bring a watch. You will need it to know when various events are held onboard and also what time it is onshore.

 

There will not be a clock in your stateroom, so you might want to bring one. Otherwise, make use of the wakeup call system.

 

ALWAYS make sure to consult the dailies about what time you need to be back onboard the ship and make sure your watch is set to ship's time. Don't just ask random crew members what time to be back onboard as they may not know and may give you an incorrect time. Usually there is also a sign next to the ship's exit that states what time to be back. We make it a point to always be back onboard at least 1 hour prior to boarding. Cruisers do miss their ship from time to time and it is at your own expense that you would have to catch up with the ship or just fly home and miss the rest of your cruise. It is best to always carry a credit card onshore and at least a copy of the main pages of your passport at non-US ports. If this does happen, contact the port agent for RCCL. They can assist you. But probably this won't happen as you have now been alerted to be back onboard an hour in advance of the ship's back onboard time.

 

On the way from the airport to your hotel, you can have the taxi stop at a drug store and buy any liquids you need such as shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, suntan lotion, etc. This will save you from having to pack these things in your luggage.

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FTLcruisers

FTLcruisers

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Welcome to Cruise Critic and the world of cruising. My best advice is try not to do it all, after all, you are on vacation. Leave some time to relax. It took us quite a few cruises to do that - we used to hate sea days because we wanted to off the ship doing something. Now we appreciate those sea days and will just kick back, read a book or just hang out somewhere on the ship.

 

Marianne

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