AmandaP2185 Posted September 21, 2017 #1 Share Posted September 21, 2017 Hey everyone! I have been researching and looking into cruises for a long time! I was supposed to go with my family (parents and brother) about 4 years ago, but that never happened. I had started looking into everything then. Anyway, my husband and I just booked our cruise for April 2018 on Allure of the Seas to the Caribbean! We will be porting at Labadee Haiti, Falmouth Jamaica, and Cozumel Mexico! I am 19 and my husband is 21. I am looking for all around tips, tricks, advice etc. It can be about the ship, the ports, the cruiseline, or just 1st time cruises in general! Everything is appreciated! Thank you!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Herfnerd Posted September 21, 2017 #2 Share Posted September 21, 2017 Read up on as much as you can here on CC about RCCL, your ports of call, and the First Time Cruisers section Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted September 21, 2017 #3 Share Posted September 21, 2017 Bring half the clothes and twice the money.:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NMLady Posted September 21, 2017 #4 Share Posted September 21, 2017 Hey everyone! I have been researching and looking into cruises for a long time! I was supposed to go with my family (parents and brother) about 4 years ago, but that never happened. I had started looking into everything then. Anyway, my husband and I just booked our cruise for April 2018 on Allure of the Seas to the Caribbean! We will be porting at Labadee Haiti, Falmouth Jamaica, and Cozumel Mexico! I am 19 and my husband is 21. I am looking for all around tips, tricks, advice etc. It can be about the ship, the ports, the cruiseline, or just 1st time cruises in general! Everything is appreciated! Thank you!! Read in the Royal Caribbean cruise line forum for all kinds of info about cruising with RCI. Go to the Ports of Call forum and find each of your ports for all kinds of information about what to do in each port. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shipgeeks Posted September 21, 2017 #5 Share Posted September 21, 2017 Be sure to read the daily planner that will be put in your cabin each evening. Mark the activities that you might be interested in. If there is trivia/dance lesson/bingo that you want to do, be on time. Ship activities run like clockwork. The planner will also have information about meal times, time to be back on the ship after a port (Very Important!), and lots of other helpful things. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cb at sea Posted September 21, 2017 #6 Share Posted September 21, 2017 A guidebook on Jamaica and Cozumel would be a great way to learn something about those ports. Labadee is the private beach That RCI owns...it's not an "island", but it is on the northern coast of Haiti. It's a beach day, pure and simple, and you aren't allowed to leave the confines of the private area, so research into Haiti isn't needed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sixtytwo Posted September 22, 2017 #7 Share Posted September 22, 2017 Be sure you understand what ship time is and have a watch or other device that does not update based on the that me zone! Most ships stay on embarkation port time and don’t change time during the cruise. Always plan to be back at the port at least half an hour before sail away! Hope you have a great first cruise! Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Keith1010 Posted September 22, 2017 #8 Share Posted September 22, 2017 Don't try to plan every minute of your day. Take time to enjoy the ship and related to that read all about the ship on the cruise lines web site. Study the diagram to learn where things are located and what amenities are on the ship. Have a great time and welcome to the world of cruising. Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare puppycanducruise Posted September 22, 2017 #9 Share Posted September 22, 2017 Take patience and a sense of humour. Hope you have a wonderful cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Essiesmom Posted September 22, 2017 #10 Share Posted September 22, 2017 Understand that even though you are married, you will be under 21 and not allowed to drink alcohol. EM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin7kodak7 Posted September 22, 2017 #11 Share Posted September 22, 2017 Bring half the clothes and twice the money.:D Funny but true. best advice for 1st timers, or even 5th timers. With the new mega ships best to book everything 90 days out. Research is the key to a better cruise. Sent from my SM-G955U using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Itchy&Scratchy Posted September 22, 2017 #12 Share Posted September 22, 2017 less clothes. Tux rental or being super formally dressed is not mandatory. Don't forget flip flops!!!! I did on our first ever cruise. Duh.... 2 swimsuits/trunks because they take forever to dry. Comfy shoes. If you got an inside cabin, try to bring a tiny lantern nightlight (battery operated because sometimes it's impossible to get to an electrical outlet). Inside cabins are like coffins - it's impossible to see in the dark. Labadee is a lovely beach place. Our first time there hubby did the ziplining and loved it! Other than that, it's a gorgeous beach place. Falmouth is boring. Everything fun is quite a drive away. Cozumel's attractiveness depends on what you like doing best - beach, snorkel, ruins, shopping, etc. Do go to all the destination boards and do research. :) Allure will have a ton of activities for young, active people. Explore away! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmandaP2185 Posted September 22, 2017 Author #13 Share Posted September 22, 2017 Understand that even though you are married, you will be under 21 and not allowed to drink alcohol. EM Of course! My husband and I are not the drinking and partying type! He turned 21 in July and I have seen him have maybe 2 small glasses of whiskey, if that.. And I have no desire to drink! I would like to actually remember the cruise! hahaha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janetz Posted September 22, 2017 #14 Share Posted September 22, 2017 Here is the link to the RC board. Lots if information on the Allure. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=83 The Allure is a fabulous ship. The shows are outstanding. be sure to reserve your shows when they become available. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daytonasailor Posted September 23, 2017 #15 Share Posted September 23, 2017 Hey everyone! I have been researching and looking into cruises for a long time! I was supposed to go with my family (parents and brother) about 4 years ago, but that never happened. I had started looking into everything then. Anyway, my husband and I just booked our cruise for April 2018 on Allure of the Seas to the Caribbean! We will be porting at Labadee Haiti, Falmouth Jamaica, and Cozumel Mexico! I am 19 and my husband is 21. I am looking for all around tips, tricks, advice etc. It can be about the ship, the ports, the cruiseline, or just 1st time cruises in general! Everything is appreciated! Thank you!! We go to Utube. Type in where you are going. They show first hand accounts and tips as to what to do and what type of tours are available. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dustyroad Posted October 23, 2017 #16 Share Posted October 23, 2017 Bring half the clothes and twice the money.:D Agreed. Plus get to the port city the day before the cruise and don't forget to take sea sick meds before you set foot on the ship. Have the time of your life. Happy cruising. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
horsegal Posted October 23, 2017 #17 Share Posted October 23, 2017 Go with the flow!!! Things happen and ports can get changed or skipped for weather and safety reasons. Be prepared to wait in line everywhere, my husband is not very patient and it can be difficult for him on cruises sometimes lol!! Definitely go to the port a day or 2 before the cruise starts, I am also paranoid and get back to the ship about an hour before sail away in ports. We also do a late flight home the day it gets back or even the next day if possible, it is just so much less stressful to not try and rush and worry you are going to miss the cruise or flight home. Sent from my XT1650 using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bakersdozen12 Posted October 24, 2017 #18 Share Posted October 24, 2017 My best advice to you is to go into it with an open mind. Form your own opinion once you are on the ship and cruising; don’t form an opinion based on the opinion of others before you even step onboard. Also, expect the unexpected. You just never know when it comes to cruising. For example, you listed the ports you are going to, but realize that they are the ports that you are *scheduled* to go to. If the recent hurricane situation teaches anything it’s that you just never know where you might end up. We are at the mercy of Mother Nature when it comes to cruises. Lastly, have fun! Cruises are a wonderful, economical way to see the world. [emoji4] Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dustyroad Posted October 24, 2017 #19 Share Posted October 24, 2017 Go with the flow!!! Things happen and ports can get changed or skipped for weather and safety reasons. Be prepared to wait in line everywhere, my husband is not very patient and it can be difficult for him on cruises sometimes lol!! Definitely go to the port a day or 2 before the cruise starts, I am also paranoid and get back to the ship about an hour before sail away in ports. We also do a late flight home the day it gets back or even the next day if possible, it is just so much less stressful to not try and rush and worry you are going to miss the cruise or flight home. Sent from my XT1650 using Forums mobile app Ditto!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lauren009 Posted October 26, 2017 #20 Share Posted October 26, 2017 My Tips concern what to bring! I struggled with putting together a packing list for my first cruise so I published it recently (about to set sail on my 2nd cruise!) for others to use! There is a link for if you want to print it as well. Another blog post I have is about cruise gadgets you will want. Packing List: http://laurenofalltrades.blogspot.com/2017/10/cruise-packing-list.html Cabin Must-haves: http://laurenofalltrades.blogspot.com/2017/10/ncl-breakaway.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimnbigd Posted November 1, 2017 #21 Share Posted November 1, 2017 Food, even in the main dining room, is all-you-can-eat. I usually order several appetizers, and sometimes two entrees. Specialty restaurants are pay-extra, and sometimes limit how much you can order, but it is more than enough. You'll be given a ship card about the size of a credit card. This doubles as your ship's credit card and your room key. Rule of thumb -- If the venue asks for your ship card, it is likely not free. You can always cancel when they ask for your card if you didn't know they charged. The casino uses cash. You can gamble if you want. https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/international-age-policy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flatbush Flyer Posted November 2, 2017 #22 Share Posted November 2, 2017 Be sure you understand what ship time is and have a watch or other device that does not update based on the that me zone! Most ships stay on embarkation port time and don’t change time during the cruise. Always plan to be back at the port at least half an hour before sail away! Hope you have a great first cruise! Sent from my iPad using Forums Actually, "most" cruise ships adjust ship time to match "local" time zones. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRF Posted November 2, 2017 #23 Share Posted November 2, 2017 Actually, "most" cruise ships adjust ship time to match "local" time zones. But not always, therefore the suggestion to KNOW what time it is, according to the SHIP, and when to be back on board. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Herfnerd Posted November 2, 2017 #24 Share Posted November 2, 2017 Actually, "most" cruise ships adjust ship time to match "local" time zones. Sent from my iPhone using Forums But not always which is why its important to know and distinguish between the two Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KamiKake Posted November 2, 2017 #25 Share Posted November 2, 2017 Don't take the internet package....we decided on a total disconnect as a treat to ourselves and it was one of the best things we did. We slept in late on sea days, ate when we wanted to, meandered where we felt like. The week was totally about us and what we wanted to do. Go with the flow and just enjoy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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