First time jitters

[cruisevirginmd]

Just finished booking with Peat. Really appreciate the info. Now on to finding the best access to stingray city.

[Cincy-David]

Just finished booking with Peat. Really appreciate the info. Now on to finding the best access to stingray city.

 

Howdy, I was a cruise Virgin just a fe wmonths ago, but now feel like a pro due to all the great info I got from this web site prior to cruising the day after Thanksgiving. If you have not been to your meet and mingle site, do so tonight and introduce yourself and then go to the meet on board.

 

Just as a helpful hand, below is a list of "don't forget to pack" items that our Cruise Critic group put together. You may or may not want to take all of this, but evaluate each one and take what you need. I am a compulsive overpacker and took every single item. Unbeleivably, I used every single item. It is amazing what can happen when you are at sea and can't just run down to Wal-Mart or Target.

 

If I could turn back time, I would have left the IRON at home. The prices to have items pressed on board are very reasonable. Just plan ahead to leave the few hours needed for the labor. There is no self serve laundry on board.

 

Have a Great Cruise, Here is the packing list....

 

Pepto Bismol

Imodium (anti diarhea)

First Aid Kit - Band Aids , Neosporin, Aloe Vera (burns)

Sunglasses

Ear Plugs for the water

IPOD - Need music at the beach.

Playing Cards - Some of the group want to play some rounds

Door Decorations - Holiday Themed (or Cornhusker football for Gloria) to spruce up the place, or your Meet and Mingle Door Sign. Don't forget tape to attach to the door.

Extension Cord - we all have lots of things to charge

Post It Notes - Easy for notes on doors of friends and instructions for your room attendant.

Bubble Pack - For packing breakable you buy on the cruise.

Duct Tape - For more reasons thanone can list.

Super Glue- never leave home without it!

Downey Sheets - Keeps your suit case fresh smelling before and after.

Alarm Clock - They are not on the boat (wake up calls are available)

Address Labels - PrePrinted for post cards

Photo Copies of Pass Port and ID - Just in case you need them

Flashlight - In case of power loss in the dark

Walkie Talkies - For Communicating (or rent the cell phones on-board)

Closet Style Shoe Holder - Packs light and makes great sorter in closet or bathroom door.

Collapsable Laundy Basket- holds dirty clothes in the closet neatly and takes up no room at all in luggage.

Super Large Zip Lock Bags - Use to seperate pre-cruise packing items / Use to pack dirty laundry - damp items on the last night.

Night Light - It's better than the bathroom light on all night

Sewing Kit - Don't want a Janet Jackson do you...?

Travel Iron - There is no Self Serve laundry on RCCL

Small Bottle of Laundry Soap - For soaking spills in the bathroom sink.

Downey Wrinkle Release Spray - For minor wrinkle issues - No Ironing

Clothes Pins - For hanging wet swim wear in the bathroom

Long Pants - Required for ice skating

Hi Liters - For marking your Daily Compass activity plans (one color for each person in your group.)

Binoculars - (Obvious)

Camera / Camcorder - (Buy your underwater disposable before leaving (much $$$))

Camera Accessories - Film,Chargers, Cords, USB Cords, Spare Alkaline Batteries in case you forget to charge at night.

Digital Camera's - Bring extra Memory Chip - You will take more pictures than you plan.

Bathroom Air Freshner (spray) - How do I put this delicate? For large odors in a small space.

Xtra Coat Hangers - But em cheap, leave em behind when done. You can iron the night before at your hotel and hang for quick transfer to the closet on board.

Soda Pop - If you only want a few for the week, bring your own.

Hats/ Visors - The sun is a killer if you are not used to it. Scalps can badly burn.

SunScreen - Much cheaper to bring your own.

Snorkel Gear - Bring your own - Cheper than the cost to rent.

Seasick Meds - See List on Thread postings earlier today.

 

 

Most Important - Docs, Passports and $$$$$

[Aliann]

How exciting, your first cruise. Wanted to wish you a wonderful time and remember all the tips you learn from the boards, you'll be using them again because if you're like the majority, it won't be your last cruise. Have fun!

[Guest cruzr44]

Hello, This is my husband and my first cruise and we decided on the spur of the moment. So now, with only 10 days until the cruise--voyager of the seas--, I am trying to learn everything I can about cruising, the western caribbean and the do's and don'ts.

 

When planning the shore excursions, is it better to go through the cruiseline the first time or try to do it thorough independent excusions. And then, Who are these independent excursion people? you can't find them before you are actually there, right?

 

Also, we are on a oceanview balcony room...is there really room to eat out there, or just to stand squished against a rail?

 

Also, if you board the ship early, can you go reserve the alternative dining rooms then, or do you have to wait until we set sail???

 

The last thing is...is there anyone else leaving in 10 days for this cruise as well? We have registered for the meet and mingle, but since we haven't had much time to talk to anyone and the time is running out, I am a little nervous about showing up and no one having a clue who we are....should we just opt out of this?

 

Thanks so much for any tips. We are excited about trying a new type of vacation.

 

Just a suggestion... make sure you read the daily Compass (newsletter), delivered each evening to your cabin to see what is happening the next day. You may miss out on some fun if you don't know what is going on. I bring a hi-liter to mark what we don't want to miss. Also, get to the ship early so you can spend time exploring before you set sail. If possible get to the port around 10:30 as they will start letting you board around 11:30. Yes, go to the M&M, they also have drawings for little prizes. Have a great cruise!

[TheWog]

Just finished booking with Peat. Really appreciate the info. Now on to finding the best access to stingray city.

 

You will have a great day with him.

 

Stingray City do a search for

 

Nativeway

Soto's

Moby Dick

Captain Bryan

Captain Marvin

 

These are all very popular vendors that do this tour.

[Cam6959]

I always do the Cockatoo catamaran from the cruise ship. Relaxing and enjoyable way to see stingray city. You will have time either before or after to just walk around Georgetowne. Wonderful city that is very european in flavor. The people there are super too! Don't forget to go to the Rum Cake factory there. It is right down the street a little bit from the tendering pier.

The MOST important thing to remember is have fun. A cruise is a wonderful vacation that is geared to take care of all your worries. Just remember to take a lot of pics and watch your on board expenses. Get a breakdown every two days so you are aware of how much you are spending. Again, MOST important is relax and have fun! :cool:

[JBoshears]

I would highly recommend Nativeways for your stingray excursion. For us to to the stingray city/coral gardens tour, it was $30.00 per person, and we tipped an additional $5.00 per person. They have other tours as well to Rum Point. Not sure of the cost for this.

 

Here is a link to their website:

 

http://www.nativewaywatersports.com/

 

Have a great time!

[RanDe]

Also' date=' remember that even without a lot of "inside" information, you will have a great time. Sometimes I think people get the feeling from these boards that you have to really "know what you're doing" to have fun, and that's just not the case. My first cruise was on Voyager to the W. Carribbean, and I had no "inside" info and had a blast.

 

Enjoy yourself and just go with the flow![/quote']

 

I totally agree! We were clueless on our first cruise and even though I wish I had found cruise critics before we left, we had the best time of our lives. A lot of the fun was the anticipation of not knowing what was going to be next. We came back on board after our first port stop and were welcomed with open arms to the "welcome back party". I had no idea it was for previous cruisers. :eek: We thought it was nice of them to welcome us back from the port.:D

 

De