1st time cruise, have I forgotten anything? Equinox, March sailing

[Cwspy]

Re: Equinox, March sailing

First thank you for so much for the time you have put into this board, I have poured through the posts and now feel pretty prepared.

From Chemmo sharing of experience last fall in the the very Royal Suite we have reserved, to so many others who have chimed in on various posts, I believe we are prepared for this trip of a lifetime. 

I have reserved a wheelchair for my 92yr young Aunt just in case it is needed during the cruise, I have prepped a list of questions for the shoreside concierge, gathered sundries from sunscreen to dental kit, reserved the Tuscan Grill for the first night and Murano for the second (although I think I need to cancel and wait until we are on board), we have lanyards and an extra plug with usb connectors, insurance, and even straight razor shaves scheduled to pamper my husband. 

As my Aunt likes to say, she just wants to sit with a drink in her hand and look out at the sea....I am sure we will enjoy the various locations around the ship to enjoy said drink! 🙂

This trip is more about enjoying the ship, the cruise, and not so much about the destinations.

What have I forgotten? 

This really is a trip of a lifetime....a gift from my late Dad to his sister decided upon when he was in hospice last summer. He wanted to spoil her as his last gift to her and knew I had already made plans to take her on a cruise. As he was trying to think of something to do for her, his eyes lit up and said I know what I want you to do....I want you to find a ship with a suite and spoil her rotten. So that's what I am doing.

Thank you in advance for all and any suggestions......

Edited January 19, 2020 by Cwspy

[helen haywood]

Which ship?

[CHEZMARYLOU]

Unlimited specialty dining is included with your suite. Let the shore side concierge know when and where you want to dine and she will make the reservations for you. Otherwise you will have to pay or use OBC if you pre book on your own.

 

[mom says]

Sounds like you have a wonderful trip planned. As to whether you have forgotten anything, does everyone have the necessary travel documents that they will need ( passports/ BC, phot ID)? So many horror stories of people arriving at the cruise port, only to find they were missing an essential doc.

[Cwspy]

Passports and additional travel documents are in order as well as the applicable travel insurance......😊

[Luvcrusn]

I sounds like your dad was a caring, loving father and brother with a kind and loving heart who raised an equally kindhearted daughter. The two of you seem to have it all covered. The only things I can think of to suggest is transport to and from the ship and some reading material. Have a wonderful "trip of a lifetime."

[chemmo]

So happy your cruise is now only weeks away!

 

Cruise Critic has helped us often over the years so I  am thrilled that the live review I did on Equinox last September/October helped you! 

 

You will be well looked after, just make sure you communicate clearly to both your butler and concierge and suite manager ‘little extras’ which may make your Aunt’s cruise even more perfect. For example, there are behind the scenes tours (theatre and galley) which may be a bit much for her but she may enjoy her wheelchair being pushed down

the I 95... Ask if you need to!!!

 

Remember if you do have any difficulties in your cabin with mobility issues discuss with your butler, they are very experienced in looking for solutions!

 

Sincere best wishes for a fantastic cruise, your Dad will be with you all the way, so happy that you made his wish for his sister come true...

 

Any more questions just ask!

 

 

 

 

 

 

[fizzy1]

2 hours ago, helen haywood said:

Which ship?

Says Equinox 

[MEcruzr]

If you are flying, have you arranged for transportation? Last time my friend and I traveled with my "88" yo mom we got a limo service to take us to the ship. It was fun to see her face when she saw the person in uniform holding up a sign with her name on it. Helped us, too, because we had help gathering our bags and getting everything (and her) out to the limo. It's a great way to start a cruise. Or end it. 😉

 

Also, if you're flying have to arranged for passenger assist with the airline? 

 

 

 

[DENIE]

Enjoy your cruise!!! 🙂

[pattyj 1204]

I was reading a recent posting about the kinds of OTC meds to take in addition to your regular meds. Cough/cold/seasick/ ect. 

What a wonderful gift you have been given. An experience that will not soon be forgotten.

May you have a wonderful cruise with your Aunt. Enjoy the sunshine and fresh ocean air. 

[Jim_Iain]

Don't wait for the Shoreside Concierge.   Just ring Captain's Club and asked to be transferred to the Shoreside Concierge for your ship.   They will transfer you and you will then be able to ask for the phone number and name if you need to call back.    They will be very helpful in setting up all of your Specialty Dining as well as your selection of Liquors and Beers to be stocked in your bar.

 

The are also very helpful in arranging special pillow choices, any special needs like extension cords etc. 

 

Once you get closer to sail date they will also send you instruction on the "Special Delivery"  area where you drop your luggage.   It will be expedited to your room.    You will also be escorted aboard and given any extra assistance you may need.

[JFontaine]

Unless your aunt is in great shape, I would suggest a wheelchair for getting on board, and getting off.  It’s a long walk, and some of it is uphill, and it isn’t always flat. Once she’s on board, if she doesn’t feel like she needs it, then ditch it.  
 

Don’t pack anything in your checked bags that you really need (medicine, phone charger, passport).  I second the suggestion to bring any over the counter medicine that anyone might want or need.  It isn’t always easy to find what you want on the ship or in the ports. 
 

Have a wonderful trip.

[NCHPcruiser]

I second the advice to arrange transportation to and from the ship if you are flying.  And I hope you have a wonderful cruise and go home with many special memories!

 

Edited January 20, 2020 by NCHPcruiser
Left something out

[Cwspy]

I wanted to say thank you again everyone....we are just a week out from our sail date and I cant believe its already here!😊

Your hints and tips have been invaluable and I am all set. Thanks to your suggestions, I contacted the shoreside concierge via a call to the Captains Club and spoke to Alex, as Edwin was not available at the time. I will call back Monday if I don't see the Special Delivery placard in my email.  

I have wheelchair transport arranged for my Aunt and a wheel chair will be in our room just to have in case of rough weather, etc. 

I will report back after or perhaps even during the trip....oh, I can't wait!! So many great new memories to be made.!😊

So, thank you!!!

Edited February 29, 2020 by Cwspy

[davekathy]

On 1/19/2020 at 10:42 AM, Cwspy said:

Equinox, March sailing

Bon Voyage...🥂

[RickT]

To the OP.... looks like you have forgotten something!

 

DW and I are sailing with you and we’ve yet to receive our invitation to the sail away party in your Suite 🥂

 

Enjoy your cruise.

[Von & John]

Have a FANTABULOUS First Cruise & many Memories!

[talljules1]

You are going to have a fantastic cruise.  I think you HAVE forgotten one crucial thing.  This is a vacation and you should relax.   You are going in a Royal Suite, and so will be royalty on board. (Jealous - we are thinking about doing this).  Ignore all the posts re taking magnetic hooks, lanyards, packing cubes etc.  None of it is needed.   Talk to your pre-cruise concierge to arrange the things you would like.  This is going to be an awesome cruise.   If you have your cruise, travel documents and transfers to and from the ship sorted, all you need do now is pack.   Have a wonderful time!

[bye-seaya]

Wow, what wonderful cruise of a lifetime planned!

The only thing I can think of not mentioned above would be a copy or photo of your passports.

Not sure if you are planning to venture off the ship or not, but we usually take copies of our passports with us and lock the originals in the cabin safe.

I started doing this a few years back when a friend of ours didn’t watch her purse in a tourist site  that was notorious for petty thieves had the purse stolen (with passport in it) - now I alway  have a color copy of our passports when we are off the ship in foreign countries, including the islands. A hard lesson for the friend. 

Have an amazing trip! 

[talljules1]

A copy of your passports is a good idea.  We do that.

 

I'd also add - don't forget to pack a camera into your hand luggage - am sure you will take many wonderful photos.  After a cruise where my SD card in my camera fritzed a few days in, I now always take a spare.

 

I have fun after every cruise making a photobook of memories.