Cruise "personality"-how do you know if its right for you? Cancellation???

[norjus]

I am having 2nd thoughts about our first cruise set for April. After reading all the boards, it just seems like there's so much to pack and to be aware of that I just don't know if our family (18 and 16 yr. olds) has the right "personality" to do a cruise.....We enjoy lots of R&R on beaches but we wanted a fun vacation for the kids...maybe an all-inclusive resort would be a better option...does anyone know the possibilty of getting out of a cruise w/out losing alot of money????? HELP!!!!

[trish1c]

The packing issues can seem daunting, but they really aren't that bad. Other than formal attire, I take most of this stuff on a land based vacation anyway.

 

Just get organized. Make lists of clothes. Try for the mix & match to cut down on the stuff you have to bring. It will be OK.

 

If you like R&R on a beach, you should like cruising. There are choices for everyone. You can veg by the pool, explore a port, hang out at the beach, or play sports / games on board. The ship is really a floating hotel.

 

The food tends to be better on the ships than many islands. The entertainment is far superior. You have the choice from elegant to casual to in between.

 

Try it before you reject it.

 

I do not know how you get your money back but other's may. It's going to have something to do with how close you are to sailing.

[ebrener]

I also tend to like land vacations more, but for the opposite reason. I tend to be active and like to explore destinations. However, I do enjoy cruising as well, as I think it gives me the opportunity to relax and do nothing for as long as I can, or to be active when I want to. Also, I really enjoy the dining experience and the ship atmosphere.

 

My suggestion would be to see what activities are offered on board (what ship are you sailing, what ports?) and discuss it with your family. Also, you don't mention how you booked the cruise, but a good travel agent can really help you see if it's the right fit for you.

 

About canceling, it depends. If you haven't paid in full yet, but just paid the deposit, there are usually no cancelation penalties imposed by the cruise line. Some travel agents do impose separate penalties, so check on that as well (I know I don't...:p ). Let me know if you have any questions...

 

Regards,

 

Enrique

[Big Al B.]

I think the ship and destination would help others answer some of your questions. Traveling in April, there is a good chance there will be others of the same age as your children. Most lines have programs for teens and a lot of activities are available. As for cancellation, you would stand a good chance of losing at least your deposit. I think if you give it a chance, you will find you like it.

[norjus]

Good question! We will be on the Caribbean Princess to Eastern Carib...St. Thomas, St. Maartin, Princess Cays, departing 4/15/06. I really appreciate your input as I am totally second-guessing myself to the point of HIGH anxiety!!

[catmand]

These boards are here to HELP folks, not scare them away. So much of the stuff you read here you truly don't need to do/know.

Once the bags are packed, once you get to the ship, once you unpack those bags, well then you have a week to enjoy all of this "stuff"

Sure, to each is own but we have done many a land vacation and just think the cruise can't be beat.

If you are into the time after you have made final payment you are going to loose $$. As trish said, make a list, get organized, pack and go have a good time. Feel free to ask any questions here on CC, that may help you. Also if we knew which ship and where you were going we could make some suggestions.

[catmand]

OK, the Caribbean Princess is a beautiful new ship with all the bells and whistles. You have so much freedom and flexibility with Princess, heck you can pack for three days and do same laundry on board. The ship has self service washers and dryers on just about every floor. You can go "Anytime Dining" and eat pretty much when you want. If you don't want to deal with formal stuff, just pass on the dining rooms that night and chow down in the buffet.

Again, as I said before, RELAX PS: my e mail address is here, feel free to e mail me if you like and I can answer any of your questions off the boards

[ebrener]

Well, Princess usually has an older crowd, or at least a reputation for it. However, as Big Al said, nowadays most cruise lines have very good teen and children programs to keep them interested.

 

Based on your itinerary, you'll have opportunities to spend time at wonderful beaches (I just came back from St Maarten and St Thomas), as well as to explore a little if you want. Princess Cay should be a good beach day as well...

 

Go with an open attitude, take the advice of people here and you should be OK...Feel free to IM if you have any questions...

 

Regards,

 

Enrique

[Cam6959]

norjus...The right personality? You have it. This is something new for you and new things are always anxiety ridden. Stay centered and pack just like a land vacation. Your teens will love it! If you really want them to enjoy themselves next time cruise Royal Caribbean...great line for teens, but they and you will have a blast on this cruise! If you want to dress up then bring something dressy for formal nights otherwise just go to a casual dining venue. I was terrified I made a wrong choice for my husband and I's wedding anniversary he is a railroader and we thought we would never fit in. Guess what everyone else on these cruise ships is just like you and me. So go have fun and let us know how much you enjoyed it! Take a lot of pics and hold on to your first cruise memories. They are something special! Especially sail away and first sunset or sunrise!:)

[Roz]

What are some of the things you think you need to pack that are bothering you? I say this because I've never brought the following with me on a cruise, even though others recommend them:

 

Duct tape, bungee cord, collapsible cooler, night light, air freshener, over-the-door organizer, power strip, child's blow-up pool, lanyard, etc. Well, you get the picture...

 

Take a deep breath, relax, and enjoy your cruise. There is no "one" cruise personality. Cruisers come in all shapes and forms.

 

Roz

[Big Al B.]

Best bit of advice I ever saw for packing was to lay out what you plan to take and then put half of it back ;). Like Roz, we've managed OK without those things although I'm sure that they have uses.

[Roz]

To echo what Big Al just said, pack half of what you THINK you need, and bring twice as much money! :D

 

Roz

[lv2crooz2]

Don't give up the ship:D !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[SANDY BEACH]

I am now packing for a cruise this Sunday. Yes, it is always a little overwhelming but let me tell you, it is well worth it!! We like to relax when vacationing and have found that a cruise offers just that. I would think with the dates you are traveling, the teenagers should find many friends. There is a lot to do if they want excitement instead of relaxation. Please go----decide for yourself upon your return if cruising is for you. Remember there are laundry and dry cleaning services available for a fee if you need them. A few dollars set aside in the budget to handle these services might add less stress to your packing and vacation. Again, I can't stress enough how cruising is the BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!

[meluvtogocruise]

I am having 2nd thoughts about our first cruise set for April. After reading all the boards, it just seems like there's so much to pack and to be aware of that I just don't know if our family (18 and 16 yr. olds) has the right "personality" to do a cruise.....We enjoy lots of R&R on beaches but we wanted a fun vacation for the kids...maybe an all-inclusive resort would be a better option...does anyone know the possibilty of getting out of a cruise w/out losing alot of money????? HELP!!!!

 

I'm new to these boards. The reason we're here is because we llove it so much we want to talk about and relive it until we can do it again.:p I have three boys. They've cruised with us 2 out of 3 times. They love it. My oldest is 18. His first cruise was in '98. He graduated from hs last year and wanted to go on another cruise for his grad present. We took his buddy. They went cave tubing in Belize. There is something for everyone.

R & R is a must for my hubby and me. We spent much time relaxing. On the deck near the top of the ship on Liberty there is a very peaceful spot.

My husband wasn't sure he would like a cruise when we went the first time.

He's the one now who has to book one as soon as we get home.

 

I would be surprised if you don't love it. Don't overpack. There are laundry rooms on some ships. Throw a load in while you're napping. The one on Liberty was just a couple of doors from our cabin. Very clean!

 

Mel.:D

[meluvtogocruise]

I am having 2nd thoughts about our first cruise set for April. After reading all the boards, it just seems like there's so much to pack and to be aware of that I just don't know if our family (18 and 16 yr. olds) has the right "personality" to do a cruise.....We enjoy lots of R&R on beaches but we wanted a fun vacation for the kids...maybe an all-inclusive resort would be a better option...does anyone know the possibilty of getting out of a cruise w/out losing alot of money????? HELP!!!!

 

I'm new to these boards. The reason we're here is because we love it so much we want to talk about and re-live it until we can do it again.:p I have three boys. They've cruised with us 2 out of 3 times. They love it. My oldest is 18. His first cruise was in '98. He graduated from high school last year and wanted to go on another cruise for his grad present. We took his buddy. They went cave tubing in Belize. There is something for everyone.

 

R & R is a must for my hubby and I. We spent much time relaxing. A deck near the top of the ship on Liberty provides a very peaceful spot.

 

My husband wasn't sure he would like a cruise when we book the first one.

He's the one now who has to book as soon as we get home.

 

I would be surprised if you don't love it. Don't overpack. There are laundry rooms on the ships. Throw a load in while you're napping. The one on Liberty was just a couple of doors away from our cabin. Very clean!

 

Mel.:D

[suzeyQ]

As much as I love these boards, they can be the worst thing in the world, especially for new cruisers. I've been on a bunch of cruises, but this is the first one that's actually stressed me out about what to pack, and that's only because I started reading the boards.

 

My advice - read the suggestions that people have but take most of them with a grain of salt. Pack what you think you'll need and stop worrying about everything you supposedly "need to know." You'll have a lot more fun and relaxation that way.

[jennew]

we have taken our teens on two cruises. We also enjoy the beach more than anything else. It is the perfect vacation. Let your teens pack for themselves, they can handle it. They will surprise you!

[strawberrypatch11]

Yes it is definetely the best holiday! It can be as relaxing or busy as you like! :) As other people have said there is no right or wrong personality for cruising. I hope that that you try it and enjoy it as much as I do! :D

[Happy ks]

I have to agree with SuzyQ, too much of the info on these boards (not just CC) is confusing.

 

Your brochure or cruise docs list the number of formal, semi formal and casual nights. Mix and match on these nights, taking the fewest pairs of shoes possible. For daytime, casual shorts, T's, bathing suits, sundresses, don't stress out over it. I've yet to see any fashion crazy people onboard a ship, just regular people you see in your everyday life.

 

A lot of the other stuff, well, some of the people here tend to stress out a lot, pack too much and have too much attitude. It's a vacation and should be relaxing. Don't pack every little thing you read about, don't worry about embarkation/disembarkation, don't worry about doing every little thing available. The beauty of a cruise is you can do as much or as little as you care to do.

 

As a matter of fact, we hardly go to the shows, casino, midnight buffets, discos, captains parties etc... and we always have a great time. We love to read while sunbathing, away from the pool area, take naps in the afternoon, a late dinner, late night walk, then off to bed so we can be up early to watch the approach into port. Hardly anyone is up on deck early or late, it's like having the ship to ourselves!

[Cruisin' Chick]

don't worry. Princess has activities for the kids and teens. The Caribbean is a nice relaxing itinerary, great for first timers. And just think, you only have to unpack once for the whole week but get to visit all those ports!

 

St. Thomas has some beautiful beaches. We've been to Sapphire Beach with our little one (at that time she was three -- she went on her sixth cruise at age 8 in December).

 

BTW my mother never thought she would like being on a cruiseship. She gets motion sickness at the drop of a hat. She went on her first cruise at age 79 at my sister's urging. She enjoyed herself. It was a 4-day cruise, which is what I recommend for first-timers.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Definitely make a computer list of everything that each individual thinks they will need. Go back over it a couple of times - you'd be surprised at what you will say - "Oh we don't need that - we'll be on a cruise ship". For example you won't need to take beach towels - the ship provides them compared to going to the beach on your own.

[ladypalmtree]

Cruising is the best Vacation..and the boys will have a great time..Spring break usually means lots of kids..My girls love to cruise. My youngest is thirteen and she meet a friend last year on the Diamond, and she is going to be on the Sapphire this year the same time as us. Both of my girls still stay in touch with friends they have met. Your boys do not have to go to the formal things if you do not want them to. but the photo's are sure nice to have with everyone dressed up. Stop stressing...I believe your family will love cruising...cheers:D

[gizmo]

What are some of the things you think you need to pack that are bothering you? I say this because I've never brought the following with me on a cruise, even though others recommend them:

 

Duct tape, bungee cord, collapsible cooler, night light, air freshener, over-the-door organizer, power strip, child's blow-up pool, lanyard, etc. Well, you get the picture...

 

Take a deep breath, relax, and enjoy your cruise. There is no "one" cruise personality. Cruisers come in all shapes and forms.

 

Roz

 

I was wondering the same thing. I see some lists that I think are on the ridculous side but each to their own.

 

I do bring duct tape wheneve I travel. My use for it is, if the airlines stomp on the luggage. I did have a bag break once. If it were not for the duct tape I would have had to make a stop on the way to the ship and probably pay a fortune for a new piece of luggage. We retaped it on the ship and it made it home with no problem.

[Roz]

Regarding duct tape, I found out a couple of years ago that the airlines, and most of the curbside check-in places, have rolls of duct tape behind their counters. Apparently passengers arrive with luggage that's been stomped upon by the Pittsburgh Steelers (remember that TV ad for Samsonsite from the 70s?), or abused by the airlines' baggage handlers, so they tape you right up.

 

Roz