Feedback Wanted: Help for First Time Cruisers

[kenrich]

All ships are not created equal - even within the same line. So if you compare cruises you need to compare the cabins head to head, rather than an inside vs. an inside. They can be very different.

 

Also that you can book a specific cabin rather than a guarantee!

Karen,

 

My partner & I are sailing the Oosterdam out of San Diego 1/14/06-1/23/06 with port stops at Cabo San Lucas, Matzlan, and Puerto Vallarta - was this where you went in November?

 

This will be our first cruise and we are very excited. We will be on Rotterdam Deck in a deluxe verandah suite and hope to enjoy having the space and also hope not to suffer motion sickness.

 

We decided not to pre-book shore excursions and wait to find something on our own. Any suggestions?

 

Can we pack liquor to bring on the trip or will it be confiscated. Are any of the drinks on board included alcohol soda water...? We have tuxedos to bring for the formal nights - what do they do on formal nights and which nites are they held on?

 

Thanks for any info you can provide about this cruise. Did you enjoy yours? How does it compare to other cruise lines you've vacationed with and other ports? I am hoping we love it and will then plan a future cruise to the Mediteranean and other foreign locals.

 

kenrich

[oystergrower]

We always take two "cozies" to put on our water bottles - that way the water stays cool longer and you don't get the "bottle sweat" in your tote bag. (to clarify "cozies" - they are the foam bottle covers that you can buy in most dollar stores and places like WalMart, KMart, etc).

Another tip that we learned from our cabin steward - if you need to do some laundry just use the shampoo provided in your cabin. We take a box of dryer sheets to use; and then leave in our luggage when we return home.

Here's one that's great for anytime you travel - buy a nite light. We get the flat "green glow" one's. They give off enough light to make the middle of the night trip to the bathroom a bit safer.

A vinyl "money bag" (looks like a big pencil case) is invaluable for keeping your documents all in one place. Leave your passports in it when you get home and they're always ready when you need them.

Buy rain ponchos at the dollar store - they're lightweight, and easy to take on shore excursions if the forecast is for possible showers.

[grannynurse]

I decided to recheck this thread and noticed tha noone suggested making copies of important documents like face page of passport, front and back of credit cards, driver's license, trip insurance verification etc. On board, put the originals in the safe and carry copies with you when you leave the ship. You might also leave copies at home with a trusted friend or relative. Keep copies you carry separate from your wallet or purse in case of theft/ injury. You never know when you might need documentataion, "ship" happens even in super secure ports.

 

Always carry your ship ID and photo ID when you leave the ship.

 

Consider using ATM's on shore for currency exchange as ships charge for currency conversion. You'll most likely get the best rate this way.

 

My biggest enlightenment from new cruisers happened on the Maasdam last summer. A lady in the show lounge nudged me and asked if the ship was in trouble because she heard engine sounds and felt more motion than usual.

Realize the SHIP MOVES, and also they usually pick up speed at night unless the next port is very close.

 

Last suggestion. Instead of staying silent about your needs, ask your cabin steward first if you need or want anything. Just because something is not published or not in view does not mean it is unavailable or possibilities for getting it do not exist. He may refer you to the front desk or concierge, but do ask.

Grannynurse

[MrLee]

This is my first cruise with HAL but on Carnival when we boarded th ship they gave us a small pamphlet that laid out all of the deck plans. Are you saying that HAL doesn't do that?:(

 

 

I would like to suggest that new cruisers print a copy of the deck plans and plot paths to various areas from their cabin. Note the locations of the elevators and stairwells on their deck and orient themselves to port, starboard, forward and aft.

 

Another thing I would suggest is to read the cruise information in the book in the cabin which contains room service menus, dress codes, hours of services for lounges, dining, shops, spas etc. Also the daily programs which mught contain schedule changes, and of course port information. Most lines also televise port and shopping info as well as tour particulars.

 

Familiarize yourself with the air/heat controls and the radio station for announcements that you may only hear if you're on an outside deck. The anti-scald controls on the shower/tub fauncets are important too.

Ask the cabin steward to show you how to use the safe, and where to find laundry bags and order lists.

That's all I can think of now, hope it helps.

GN

[grannynurse]

HAL's welcome aboard pamphlet does have a reproduction of the deck plans. I was suggesting that new cruisers do some preliminary reading and planning.

If you have an idea of where your cabin is located before you board, and essentially how to get around the ship a lot of the newness anxiety will be alleviated.

It's easy to lose your bearings on a ship and even forget if your cabin is port or starboard. IMO it's better to have some idea of orientation to direction.

GN

[aHALofaCruise]

Always tip first so that you get great service right away. Some previous email mentioned having a few small US bills on you for tipping, great idea. I did the same and the good service we had been receiving improved even more. Just returned from my first cruise ms Statendam.Ended up in New Zealand starting point San Diego, 35 days. If you have a long cruise bring a laptop for making photo cds and managing your digital photos. It's a lot of work to organize when you get home. I found the photo department too busy working on the passenger portraits and cruise video to keep up with the digital camera memory to cd burning. Use the internet in ports $2 an hour. Ship at least 45 cents a minute and not always reliable.

[Host Walt]

HAL's welcome aboard pamphlet does have a reproduction of the deck plans. I was suggesting that new cruisers do some preliminary reading and planning.

If you have an idea of where your cabin is located before you board, and essentially how to get around the ship a lot of the newness anxiety will be alleviated.

It's easy to lose your bearings on a ship and even forget if your cabin is port or starboard. IMO it's better to have some idea of orientation to direction.

GN

Great idea. And if you are a detail nut like me, I take the very detailed deck plan maps from the web or the brochure and copy it onto my computer, then enlarge it as much as I can. Then I print out copies of the salient parts to take with us so we can locate cabins, out-of -the way venues, etc.

[denims]

Great idea. And if you are a detail nut like me, I take the very detailed deck plan maps from the web or the brochure and copy it onto my computer, then enlarge it as much as I can. Then I print out copies of the salient parts to take with us so we can locate cabins, out-of -the way venues, etc.

 

I found that our first few cruises we learned more by getting lost!:D

[HERKIMER417]

As Grannynurse stated the duplicate copies of documents are important.

 

I have lost some important papers on previous business trips and know the frustration.

I now use the internet to help. I have either scanned or copied the important information into my computer and mailed it to myself at a special address and filed it in a folder in my mail box.

 

A copy of my license, passport and travel information, including the airline confirmation with the electronic boarding pass.

 

Then from where ever I am, I can call up my own special mail and retrieve the information if needed. When the trips over - I delete the data.

 

I realize there are cyber thiefs, but the odds are far greater that I'll have it lost or stolen the old fashion way far sooner.

 

One additional thing I did find on my first trip, I was not alone in my awe and confusion. I have been on Nave ships, but you never had 2000 new sailors joining you at the same time.

 

Jack

[Captain Crunch]

A cruise should not be compared to a land resort. They are different trips. A cruise is not a floating Sandals.

[PrincessYoga]

The insurance is also helpful should you need to cancel your cruise at the last minute. The last few years, because of aging parents, I have pused the Platinum Plan through HAL.

I was 12 hrs away from boarding the Zuiderdam on Dec 30th when I received word that my FIL had died. A quick call to the company told me I was covered and that I will be reimbursed the cost of my cruise. I will be out the $339 the insurance cost me but compared to the $3000+ cruise cost, I can accept that.

 

Ditto. Although I am a first timer. This happen to my aunt 6 months when my Granny died 3 days before she was meant to go on a cruise with my Aunt and her family. They had travel insurance for my Granny because she wasn't well but not for my aunt. My uncle and my wee cousins did end up going before the funeral but they had to eat my Aunt's fare.

 

Hello OysterGrower...I noticed you are from Ocean Pines. My Dad is from the Shore and comes from a long line of fishermen (oysters and crabs) and farmers. He lived in Naticoke for years and my granny lived in Salisbury before she passed.. The shore is my favourite part of the world.

[Miss Priss]

:) Our last cruise was to the Baltic Sea aboard the Prisendam. One of our days in St. Petersburg was on a Monday, and the Hermitage Museum was closed on that day. The excursion from HAL included a trip to the Hermitage and they opened it only for the excursion. Our guide was an English teacher from a college in St. Petersburg and she couldn't get over the fact that we could actually "see" the paintings, etc. She said she had been there many times and had to settle seeing the tops of paintings over hundreds of people's heads! So don't be too hasty in discounting HAL excursions. Sometimes it can be a bonus.

 

Upcoming Cruise: Australia and New Zealand Feb, 2006 Only 3 more days!

[PrincessYoga]

Will they give your passports back on a western med cruise or should I bring my driver's license as well. I am bringing 2 passports on the cruise one Irish and one American. I still don't understand why I need the American one as I am not leaving Europe except for the day in Tunisia but hey the US travel agent told me I need it to get on the ship and I always do as I am told. :) I need the Irish one for air travel and to get back home in Belfast.

[calm_seas]

Take along a couple of pieces of Tupperware (or similar). They are very useful for preserving those items acquired on your trip that would not survive, even with bubble wrap. (An example --- those delightful origami souvenirs that the crew makes for the passengers.) Outbound, use the plastic ware for items (such clothing) that can withstand less careful handling on the way home.

 

Travel with an ashtray that is heavy enough not to move around too much, but small enough to put inside the drawer next to the bed. At night, place small or delicate pieces of jewelry inside the ashtray, and inside the drawer, to keep them from “traveling” around the drawer (or cabin), especially in high seas. This also makes it faster to find these pieces and take with you in case of an emergency.

 

In addition to a night-light, pack a small Maglite-type flashlight, with fresh batteries, for EACH pax in your group. It should be small enough to be able to be carried easily in a handbag or vest pocket during the evenings, then placed on the bedside table or in the bedside drawer during the night. That way, while no one wants to talk about it, if the power goes out and the back-up generators fail (has happened to us on two cruises), you have an easier time finding your way around the inside of a VERY dark ship.

[whogo]

Warn new cruisers that their health insurance may not cover them overseas.

 

Warn them that extra charges add a lot to the $799 advertised price. Buy a $799 cruise and you will pay a lot more. Don't snap up a "cheap" cruise without budgeting for all expenses. They will have to pay for a hotel if the cruise line flies them in a day early, as they may.

 

Airfare may add $300, $400, $500 or more.

 

Look at the weekly charge for two instead of the daily:

$10/day = $140/week.

Four fifty dollar shore excursions would add $400.

Three $5 alcoholic drinks per person equals $210.

Tuxedo rental is about $100.

Travel insurance $200 and up.

Seven days airport parking is $70 and up.

 

Heaven knows how much a woman can spend shopping beforehand for cruise wear and during for souvenirs.

 

Stay out of the casino if you are on a budget. You will lose.

 

On every cruise I see couples trying to deal with maxed out credit cards.

[wisperingwind]

If you live near the port, getting to the ship can be confusing and sometimes expensive. I found that the cruiselines know little about parking and storing vehicles during the cruise. The use of hotels with parking facilities for the cruise is normally expensive. I feel that the cruiselines should be aware of and make available information for the passengers who will be driving to the port or need transportation, other than what their air/sea programs provide.