Just got back from my first cruise: 9 day Voyager cruise

[rockster]

Thanks to everyone for answering all my many questions before my trip! It would definitely not have been as brilliant if I hadn't found this board.

 

I had a wonderful time and was well prepared because of cruisecritic. My tablemates kept asking me questions about the cruise and were surprised how much I knew considering it's my first cruise.

 

I'm super shy, but I went to the Meet and Mingle and had a chance to meet some of the cruisecritic community.

Everyone was wonderful and there was some hilarious guys in the group! If there are any people considering going to the Meet and Mingles, they should definitely go.

 

We arrived a day early and stayed at the Country Inn in Elizabeth, NJ. Nice area, not much to do there but there is a HUGE outlet mall across the street with awesome shopping. We were previously planning on staying in Newark, but one of the posters advised me to avoid the hotel we were going to stay in.

 

We hired a car to take us to Bayonne which cost $45 including a stop at the "Stop and Save" so I could pick up some last minute pharmaceuticals.

We didn't get to the port till 2 hours before sailing because I thought that's when we were supposed to get there, but we were one of the last people to board the ship.

 

I didn't realize how much there was to do on the ship! There was so many activities, but I ended up in the Casino a lot.

The entertainment on the ship was good too, better than I expected. My only complaint about the entertainment was the comedian on the last night was quite offensive and I don't offend easily.

 

The food was good, and I ate in the dining room every night but one night I had dinner at Portofino's. Great experience!

Between my husband and I, we gained about 12 pounds. I don't think I ever ate so much in my life.

The waiter was so wonderful, and I felt bad for him cause he had about eight people missing from his tables.

My husband recently quit smoking so he always had some kind of snack in his hand.. He was basically on a first name basis with the people in the promenade cafe..

 

I think we went a little crazy on the cruise cause our seapass account ended up being more than the actual cruise. (more than we can afford but it was our honeymoon so I guess it was worth it).

 

Our cruise director was Allan Brooks. He was funny and he was quite a favorite with the younger girls. (lots of giggly girls lining up to talk to him).

 

The staff overall was wonderful and attentive, I had a complaint regarding an incident I witnessed that questions the cleanliness (not of the cabin). I did mention it on the comments/feedback form, hopefully they address it. I also had a problem at the Spa, and I let it spoil one of my days on the cruise (PMSing).

 

Seeing how hard a lot of the staff work on the ship really made me realize how lazy I am at home. Visiting some of the ports and seeing some of the poverty made me really appreciate what I take for granted in North America.

 

Because of the hurricane we didn't get to one of the ports (Grand Cayman) but got to go to Nassau instead which I was happy with since we got to visit Atlantis. I read a lot on these boards that Freeport is not worth going to, but I really enjoyed Freeport. We went snorkelling there and I saw some of the clearest and most beautiful waters I've ever seen.

 

Ocho Rios, Jamaica was awesome, we did Phil's tour which was Phantastic! I couldn't believe how many stray dogs I saw in Jamaica though.

After the cruise we spent five days in New York and New Jersey. I was suffering from post partum cruising so it wasn't as enjoyable as it should have been.

 

I can't wait to go on our next cruise!

 

Thanks for reading, and if anyone has any questions I would love to help!

 

some tips from me:

-those seabands really do help. They sold them on the ship for 8.50, the velcro kind are good because you can adjust the size. I originally bought the elasticized kind, even though I have skinny wrists they totally cut off my circulation and they were one size fits all. My veins were bulging like a bodybuilder's.

-take the stairs if you can! the elevators are slow and it gets irritating when people push and shove past people in wheelchairs and people with strollers.

-the tomato and mozarella sandwich in the cafe promenade is sooo delish.

-bring a digicam and take lots of pics. better to have too many than too few like me. and get a passerby to take your pics, they're so much better when you're actually in the pics.

 

Whew, sorry for the lengthiness. There's so much more, but don't want to get even wordier so I'll save it for my diary.

[Linda/Ohio]

Thanks for your review--what sort of problems did you experience? I have afew cruises under my belt--but certainly like to be aware of anything.

[Merion_Mom]

Rockster, I am SO glad that your honeymoon was wonderful! You sound like a roll-with-the-punches type, and that's a good sign for a long and happy marriage. Best always!

 

Carol

[Catseyes]

:D Welcome back rockster, SO glad you enjoyed your first cruise. We had our first in September and can understand your excitement. Congratulations on your marriage, wish you a long and happy time together. What a great way to spend your honeymoon. Thanks for the review. What problems did you have with the Spa etc., ? would be interested to hear.

 

Tessa

[maurick]

I also have a few cruises under my belt and am wondering what problem you had. We are going this Sunday to Bermuda.

 

Thanks for posting your review

[PhoenixCruiser]

Welcome back! Have you started planning your next cruise yet? :D

 

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[dorothyh]

Hi Rockster!

 

It WAS a great cruise, wasn't it? I know I met you at the M & M, but I had such a hard time keeping names/screennames straight! :-(

 

We have booked Freedom for 01/07/07 (we may eventually change the booking) but it does feel good to have SOMETHING booked!!!

 

I too got SOOOO much more out of our cruise experience because of these boards.

 

The hints from these boards that helped me the most:

 

Arrive early at the pier!! We were on the ship by 1:00 PM and it was great having lunch and enjoying the ship before departure.

 

Get one of those over-the-door shoe holders! Those were great!!!

 

Research your ports and excursions ahead of time!

 

Don't sweat the small stuff! Enjoy it - you're on a cruise!! One of our ports got changed due to Hurricane Wilma damage, and I couldn't believe how many people I heard complaining over and over about something that the captain had no control over. Why waste the time and energy complaining? I was disappointed too - but we had fun at the alternate port as well! And if we wouldn't have liked it, we would have enjoyed an extra day on the ship!! One of those hazards of traveling during hurricane season!

 

I still need to write up my review and post my pics!!

 

Dorothy in NJ

 

Voyager of the Seas 10/21/05

Freedom of the Seas 01/07/07

[nfused2cruze]

some tips from me: -those seabands really do help. They sold them on the ship for 8.50, the velcro kind are good because you can adjust the size. I originally bought the elasticized kind, even though I have skinny wrists they totally cut off my circulation and they were one size fits all. My veins were bulging like a bodybuilder's.

Congrats on your first cruise & honeymoon. Sounds as if you got the bug now! BTW what were the seabands for - seasickness? Did you only see them on the ship?

[dreamcruisers]

:) Congratulations on the wedding and honeymoon. You'll have to make cruising an anniversary habit! We are set for Voyager in Feb and wonder how the ship is holding up. Went on its newer sister Mariner earlier this year and loved it. Hope there are lots of cruises and happiness ahead for you!

[LuvMyVette]

Hi

First I would like to congratulate you on your marriage. Much luck, love and happiness to both of you.

Voyager is a beautiful ship. I was on the 9 day for my 10th wedding anniversary/vow renewal in July. It was awesome! We went to Bermuda on 10/30 and arrived back last week. That was a real interesting cruise! LOL

So happy that you had fun. There's so much to do and not enough time to get it all done. Even on the five day we still couldn't get caught up with all the things we "really" wanted to do but did manage to do a few things that was new to us. Sad the cruises end so fast and we gain weight from them!

Congrats again and thanks for your review!