Tips for a new cruiser (please dont yell at me :0)

[JamieLogical]

37 minutes ago, hallux said:

As a hint - I use one of these I picked this one since it's most similar to what I have since I have devices that charge with USB-C, but there are other versions with just regular USB.  Ignore the "surge protected", the resident chief engineer on the boards says they're fine if they don't have a 3-prong plug (they don't).

 

Also look into these - https://www.amazon.com/s?k=cruise+luggage+tag&ref=nb_sb_noss_2  They'll milk you for all you have by selling them cruise-line specific (making you think you need one for each cruise line), but get the biggest ones and they should fit all lines and get one for each bag (including carry-on, just in case).  I had to collect my bag at guest services on my first cruise because it had lost both the RCI tag AND the regular luggage tag between the curb and the ship.  The ones I have fit the RCI tags correctly but the NCL ones are a tight fit.  That makes it MUCH easier to put your tags on your luggage since you don't have to deal with tape or staples and it's more secure on the bag.  Also, while discussing luggage tags, do NOT put them on until you get to the embarkation city if you're flying in!!

 

Second those luggage tags. They are very durable and definitely better than just stapling printer paper to your suitcase and hoping it doesn't get torn off in the hustle and bustle.

Edited January 24, 2020 by JamieLogical

[trivia addict]

I always bring magnet hooks. Besides being handy for hats, robes, bathing suits/coverups, etc, they also keep paper clutter organized. Excursion tickets, invitations to ship events, and reminders for ourselves,, are all put in full view and don’t get lost. 
I also bring a battery operated clock for the room.

[waterjock]

22 hours ago, AKR2011 said:

It's $7.95/day plus 20% gratuities. 

The soda package can be ordered on line under beverages.

[Kclovesken]

7 hours ago, Megalyn said:

A few other cruise hacks I've picked up on -  a universal adapter with USB slots is a great help.  Limited outlets are available, so with the adapter you can use the European outlet to charge phone/watch/tablet without interfering with the need for curling iron, etc.

 

Magnets - and particularly magnet hooks.  I haven't been on the Bliss yet, but I've found the closets on other ships too short for maxi dresses.  A strong magnet hook lets me hang them on a wall up near the ceiling so it isn't an issue.

 

Yoga mat strap!  It can be used to essentially give your beach towel a handle.  Frees up a ton of space in your tote bag.

 

Water bottle.  There are plenty of places to get beverages on the ship, but they can all seem far away when you are relaxed and don't want to get up.  With a 24 oz bottle I could stay tucked in a nook with my book much longer.

Thank you for the info. I was wondering about the refillable cups. 🙂

[Catchum]

Top tips from me

1. cruises are addictive - you have been warned

2. carry your Freestyle daily with you everwhere on and off the ship - it tells you what bars are open when and gives you the emergency phone number (port agent) to call if there is a problem when you are ashore plus the all aboard time.

3. set your tv to bow cam and you get a the captains view from the bridge - great if you are not in a forward facing balcony cabin.

4. bring a battery night light to put in the loo for nocturnal visits

5. magnetic hooks the stronger the better.

6. you are not locked into one dining venue, try a salad from the buffett followed by starter at the included asian resturant, a main at O'Sheehan's and a dessert in the MDR.

see below for pic of night light, shower caddy and stuff held on the wall

[hallux]

33 minutes ago, Catchum said:

included asian resturant, a main at O'Sheehan's

I've been on the Bliss 2x, I don't recall an included Asian restaurant.  On the Bliss it's The Local, not O'Sheehan's...

[alrose251]

13 hours ago, Kclovesken said:

Thank you for the info. I was wondering about the refillable cups. 🙂

Doesn't the soda package come with a cup?  If it still does, then that would save on bringing one!

 

Love, love the magnets!!!  I have found some super strong ones that look like push pins (very small to pack), that are great.  The website shows them picking up a hammer!  I will not cruise without them!!

Edited January 25, 2020 by alrose251

[JamieLogical]

2 hours ago, alrose251 said:

Doesn't the soda package come with a cup?  If it still does, then that would save on bringing one!

 

Love, love the magnets!!!  I have found some super strong ones that look like push pins (very small to pack), that are great.  The website shows them picking up a hammer!  I will not cruise without them!!

 

No, no cup included with the soda package.

[GettotheSun]

22 hours ago, JamieLogical said:

 

Second those luggage tags. They are very durable and definitely better than just stapling printer paper to your suitcase and hoping it doesn't get torn off in the hustle and bustle.

 

I have to say when I first read my edocs (first time cruiser) and it allowed me to print off my luggage tags, I was thinking - with my home printer and tape them to the bags?  haha

[ellenw]

I have been on several cruises, and just finally purchased magnetic hooks and clips to take with me on a TransAtlantic. They work great! Came in very handy. Another tip was taking your Freestyle daily with you. It is also helpful to take a highlighter with you. You can highlight the things you want to do. 

 

Someone mentioned using the hooks to hang a longer dress. Not sure if it is the same on Bliss, but on Getaway, the hangers are wooden, and latch onto metal hangers that are affixed to the bar in the closet. If you want a hanger to put on your magnetic hook, just ask you cabin steward for extra hangers. They will give you some regular plastic hangers. Those also came in handy for drying shirts that I hand washed on our  long cruise. I use a battery operated tea light in the bathroom for a nightlight. Also have a magnetic flash light (I think it was a freebee from Harbor Freight) that we keep in the cabin.

 

Someone else mentioned that the Local and Taste/Savor are open for lunch on embarkation day. The crew may try to direct you to the buffet. While that may seem like a good idea, it is always a madhouse on embarkation. Ask which restaurant is open, and go there for a nice sit down lunch. 

 

One final tip from me - Wash your hands! Do not pass a hand sanitizer without taking advantage of it. When pushing the elevator button, use your knuckle, not the tip of your finger (can you tell I was on a cruise with a lower gi outbreack?) Don't mean to scare you. Just be smart. 

 

And enjoy yourself! It is a fabulous vacation.

[julig22]

Magnetic hooks - always a good idea.

Plastic luggage tags - worth their weight in gold

Something to carry your keycard - I have a small wallet with a neck-strap - holds a little bit of money (for the casino) and ID while onboard, holds a couple of credit cards and DL for going ashore.

 

I have a small magnetic kitchen timer/clock that I can put on the wall.  Speaking of time, watch your Freestyle to note time changes.  If you need to adjust time, you should get a notice with your evening delivery of Freestyle.  Sometimes ship time and port time will be different - and that will be noted in the Freestyle.  If you need to check ship time, look at your phone.  Phones don't always update correctly, especially if you don't have an international plan - imagine my surprise when my alarm didn't go off because my phone suddenly updated when we reached US waters!

 

If you leave your tv to the "NCL" channel, you will hear all the announcements in your room - otherwise general info announcements are only broadcast to common areas.

 

$$ stores are your friend - disposable laundry bags, containers, travel size toiletries. 

 

Magnetic office supplies -I have a small magnetic pocket to hold pens, one that is excursion-ticket size, and one that holds my daily Freestyle.  Prior to leaving I print out a calendar page with the port info and hang it on the wall so I can keep track of what's coming - extremely helpful on a port-intensive cruise.

 

The more stuff you can hang on the wall the less you have to put away in order to stay organized and able to find things!

[ellenw]

Just thought of something else.  Download the NCL app before you leave. You will be able to see all the details of your cruise, including the restaurants, shows and excursions you have booked. No charge for that. You can also use it to communicate with others on the ship. I think it is about $10 per device to use the texting feature. That will be handy if you and your daughter go your separate ways on the ship, and need to track each other down. But, if you feel you will be together pretty much all the time, not worth is.

 

When using your internet minutes, make sure you log out when you are done. Otherwise the clock keeps ticking and your minutes will be gone in no time.

 

I hope we are not overwhelming you! 

 

One more thing! Join the roll call for your cruise. You can get all kinds of great info from those on your cruise. And they may organize activities that you want to join.

[2bc cruisers]

My hints...Look for your roll call Here on Cruise Critic and join in.

your room steward will stash any of the excess junk they have on your desk,just ask (bubbly bottle waters, notebooks, etc.). They will also empty your fridge if you want. So you have room for your water bottle or wine.  

you can order a pot of coffee to your room each morning.  
gym is great, gets busy, has free stretching classes a few times.

have a great time planning and cruising.

[JamieLogical]

I thought of one more thing since you and your daughter are both female. There is no shelf or foot rest in the showers on the bliss to facilitate leg shaving. I bring this and stick it to the glass shower wall:

 

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B001CFFX90/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[hallux]

3 hours ago, ellenw said:

Ask which restaurant is open, and go there for a nice sit down lunch.

Not much need.  The 2 MDRs likely to be open are in the same place on the ship - deck 6, aft (well, just forward of the aft elevators), one port, one starboard with the Mixx bar between them.  Go to that area and it'll be fairly evident which one is seating.

[Jerseygich]

Can also printout a layout of the ship on ncl.com. Can get yourself a little familiar with the ship

[Kclovesken]

14 hours ago, Catchum said:

Top tips from me

1. cruises are addictive - you have been warned

2. carry your Freestyle daily with you everwhere on and off the ship - it tells you what bars are open when and gives you the emergency phone number (port agent) to call if there is a problem when you are ashore plus the all aboard time.

3. set your tv to bow cam and you get a the captains view from the bridge - great if you are not in a forward facing balcony cabin.

4. bring a battery night light to put in the loo for nocturnal visits

5. magnetic hooks the stronger the better.

6. you are not locked into one dining venue, try a salad from the buffett followed by starter at the included asian resturant, a main at O'Sheehan's and a dessert in the MDR.

see below for pic of night light, shower caddy and stuff held on the wall

Very cool thanks for the info. I have the night light already gotta find the magnets still. Also I have the dining package. It says 3 meal dining pack. So does that mean I can only use it 3 times? 

 

[Kclovesken]

7 hours ago, JamieLogical said:

I thought of one more thing since you and your daughter are both female. There is no shelf or foot rest in the showers on the bliss to facilitate leg shaving. I bring this and stick it to the glass shower wall:

 

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B001CFFX90/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

That is the coolest thing I have seen haha. I never even knew that was a thing. 

[sanger727]

On 1/23/2020 at 9:14 PM, Kclovesken said:

I do have the 5 free thingy majigs if that matters. 

im taking this line to mean that you have the free at sea promotion with all 5 benefits included. If so, that means that you have:

1. The drink package - alcoholic drinks up to $15 and sodas will be included so no need for a soda package. Bottled water, specialty coffee, any drinks in the minibar or drinks brought by room service are not included.

2. Specialty dining package - based on the number of days of your trip you will have a certain number of specialty dining meals included. Book those ahead of time. The good times book up quickly on the ship. Be aware that some specialty restaurants will still carry an additional cost.

3. $50 per port excursion credit. You can call to pre-book the excursions you want and then not pay until you are on the ship. It’s $50 per port, use it or lose it and can’t be combined (so can’t use $100 in one port and $0 on another)

4. Free internet. I haven’t had this one so don’t know too much about it. But it is a per minute plan so you’ll have to be careful to log in and out every time you use it so you don’t eat up minutes with it sitting logged in doing nothing.

[Nclcruise1415]

Tips from a 40 year-old male cruiser. 😉

 

1. Relax, enjoy, and have so much fun. 

2. There are many personalities on board. Don’t worry about the people who are not your people. 
3. Partake in as many games or shows as you can. There are some great ones. The Not So Newlywed game is absolutely hilarious and I hate to miss it. 
4. Find your quiet spot. Yes ships are busy, but there’s always a spot to go enjoy the sounds of the sea, listen to an onboard act, etc. 

[sirenitas]

On 1/23/2020 at 8:20 PM, Kclovesken said:

Well Pepsi works as well haha

You said to not yell at you , but those are fighting words 🤪

[sirenitas]

5 hours ago, Kclovesken said:

Very cool thanks for the info. I have the night light already gotta find the magnets still. Also I have the dining package. It says 3 meal dining pack. So does that mean I can only use it 3 times? 

 

The 3 meal dining plan means your package includes 3 meals at the specialty restaurants. The main dining rooms are complementary for everyone, the specialty restaurants charge a fee.  For the specialty restaurants it is recommended you make reservations in advance. 

[JamieLogical]

5 hours ago, Kclovesken said:

Very cool thanks for the info. I have the night light already gotta find the magnets still. Also I have the dining package. It says 3 meal dining pack. So does that mean I can only use it 3 times? 

 

 

The three meals will be three specialty dining credits per person to use on the trip. When you use them at a flat-fee restaurant, like Teppanyakli, they cover the full cost of the meal. If you use them at an a la carte restaurant, you get unlimited apps, sides and desserts, and one entree.

[alrose251]

22 hours ago, JamieLogical said:

 

No, no cup included with the soda package.

Wow, NCL is really cutting back!  It shows a picture of the cups next to the soda package, but does not mention the cup!

[Kclovesken]

8 hours ago, sanger727 said:

im taking this line to mean that you have the free at sea promotion with all 5 benefits included. If so, that means that you have:

1. The drink package - alcoholic drinks up to $15 and sodas will be included so no need for a soda package. Bottled water, specialty coffee, any drinks in the minibar or drinks brought by room service are not included.

2. Specialty dining package - based on the number of days of your trip you will have a certain number of specialty dining meals included. Book those ahead of time. The good times book up quickly on the ship. Be aware that some specialty restaurants will still carry an additional cost.

3. $50 per port excursion credit. You can call to pre-book the excursions you want and then not pay until you are on the ship. It’s $50 per port, use it or lose it and can’t be combined (so can’t use $100 in one port and $0 on another)

4. Free internet. I haven’t had this one so don’t know too much about it. But it is a per minute plan so you’ll have to be careful to log in and out every time you use it so you don’t eat up minutes with it sitting logged in doing nothing.

I'm so glad you posted and yes that was what I meant. So the excursion is per port. I honestly didnt know that. Ok. I assumed it was a one time credit. That's good to know. We arent sure if I want to pay with my credit card or load with cash once there. If I load with cash I would have to have the port excursions plus some extra right? Do they credit the 50 pretty quick after the excursion or does it take some time to post.