What's One thing a First Timer should know!!

[Spazarelli]

Were going on our first Cruise on 10/02/04. What's something we should know that we might not have thought of!!

[randolph]

Things will not be perfect, there will be

frustrations, the cabins will be smaller

than you thought. That being said, you will

still have a wonderful and relaxing time

with your sweetie. So much so, you WILL

book another cruise within 30 days after

you get back...guaranteed.

 

 

 

[hockeymom]

Bring a shoe holder to hook over the inside of the bathroom door. You can store all your goods - shampoo, cond, brush, comb, toothbrush and toothpaste, sunglasses, cosmetics, camera, film, lotions,etc, etc. This makes for a very clean and orderly bathroom. Your room steward will love you!

 

Judy

 

Carnival Pride - Mexico

 

Celebrity/Mercury - Alaska Aug 2000

Celebrity/Century back to back Caribbean Aug 2001

Celebrity Century Western Caribbean Feb 2002

Rented a villa in Jamaica Aug 2002

Norwegian Star Hawaii July 2003

Norwegian Sea Bermuda July 2003

 

 

 

[Spazarelli]

Thank you so much for your replies! that helps a lot!!!

[masq]

Even though the cruise companies will tell you you don't need one..... get passports just to be on the safe side.

 

Join 6 of the Survivor 9 on the Triumph in:

Days since the trip from hell:

Windjammer Barefoot Yankee Clipper 04/03

Carnival Paradise 11/03, 03/01 & 02/00

Dolphin SeaBreeze 04/94

[GOTTA CRUISE NOW]

Don't overpack!

No one cares if they see you in the same outfit twice! Also, take little "shout" wipes for any stains you might aquire.

 

10/24/2004 Carnival Miracle

 

[Spazarelli]

thank you all! what do you do when you port for a day and you want to swim in the ocean but you want to take your camera along?!! do you leave it on the beach??

 

[paradiser]

get to your departure city the day before and get to the port about 2 hours before the actual time they tell you when you can get there

you can be on the ship enjoying your vacation by noon for a 5 o'clock sailaway

 

[GOTTA CRUISE NOW]

There are a few options for the beach;

-Take a throwaway camera

-Take a ziploc bag for your camera & bury it.

-You can also get little plastic watertight containers that are on a neck strap to put $, cc's, s&s cards.....

 

10/24/2004 Carnival Miracle

 

[Terre]

After you pack, remove about half of what you put in your suitcases!

 

 

<MARQUEE>Forever Cruzin...</MARQUEE>

 

Emerald Seas 1990 & 1991

Dolphin 1992

Fantasy 1996

Soveriegn of the Seas 1998 & 2000

Norway 2001

Century 2002

Triumph 2003 & 2004

Paradise 2003

[hockeymom]

I agree. Remove half of what you pack and add twice as much money!!!

 

Judy (who'scruisinginlessthan24hours!!)

 

Carnival Pride - Mexico

 

Celebrity/Mercury - Alaska Aug 2000

Celebrity/Century back to back Caribbean Aug 2001

Celebrity Century Western Caribbean Feb 2002

Rented a villa in Jamaica Aug 2002

Norwegian Star Hawaii July 2003

Norwegian Sea Bermuda July 2003

 

 

 

[walkerjordan]

I buy the disposable waterproof/underwater cameras to take with me to beach. Not only do they take great land pix but you can take them under the water if you are snorkeling or see anything interesting. Make sure you purchase them at home before you leave. They are 6-7 dollars at Walmart around here but will be 20+ on islands or ship. Also buy a pair of watershoes before you go. some beaches are rocky or sand is very hot. If you live up north get them now cause stores won't carry them in the fall. I just paid 4 dollars for watershoes at walmart in nj and those are also 20+ if you buy them on islands.

Have a wonderful time and just enjoy yourselves. We love every minute even if its not perfect. We just returned on Friday from 11 day cruise and some people we complaining that it was too long and the portions in the diningroom were too BIG! Life is too short to look for trouble.

Sheryl

Don't forget sunscreen getting burned up the first day can be a trip breaker

[Cotton]

Hi Spazarelli! Welcome to the board, and welcome to the world of cruising. (Boy, are you gonna get hooked!)

 

The most important thing, I think, is to do a lot of homework. Read this board - and go to the Ports-of-Call board for info on the islands. Ask questions! No question is stupid. We were all newbies at one time. I'm still learning!

 

A few things you need to know:

 

No irons or candles allowed in cabins. BIG safety hazard.

 

Laundry rooms available on each deck with washer, dryer, ironing board, iron. OR - take Wrinkle Release for your clothes.

 

Mix & match your outfits/shoes for less packing.

 

Don't sweat the small stuff. If something isn't perfect on the cruise, shrug it off and enjoy every minute. Life's too short (and so is the cruise!) to let little things get to you.

 

"The Carnival Capers" (newsletter) will be delivered to your cabin every evening for the next day's events. Take a highlighter pen to mark all lthe activities you don't want to miss.

 

I know you asked for ONE thing, but I just couldn't help myself!

 

"Laissez les bon temps rouler!"

Festivale 1987

Carnivale 1988

Mardi Gras 1989

Pacific Princess 1990

Norway 1994

Holiday 2001

Holiday 2002

Holiday 2003

Sensation 2004

[ukcruisefan]

You can sleep at home!

 

Sensation 10/98

Inspiration 5/02

Conquest 5/03

 

UNTIL THE SPIRIT TO ALASKA

[dustyroad]

take half the clothes in the bag, twice as much money and a smile. then just lay back on the deck and ENJOY!!!!!

 

have a wonderful time.

 

DUSTY

 

Carnival Spirit, 9/10/03 Alaska glacier bay

 

Carvival Spirit, 5/11/05

Alaska glacier bay again

[morriscats]

Don't forget the power strip. $1.00 bills for tips for room service. Inexpensive beach towel so don't have to worry at the pool. Celebrity has iced towels for around your neck but I have seen them at stores - feels soo good on a hot day. Have fun.

 

8/29/04 Carnival Pride

10/13/04 Celebrity Mercury

Carnivale 1980

Nordic Prince 1993

Disney Wonder 1999

Celebrity Mercury 10/26/03

Carnival Pride 8/29/04

Celebrity Mercury 10/13/04

[NinaCO]

Bring a waterproof watch. I don't usually wear a watch. But, there aren't a lot of clocks on the ship. So, if you want participate in any of the activities, it's helpful to know what time it is. And, a waterproof watch is important when you're on a shore excursion. It's so easy to loose track of time. Seems like time speeds up when you're having fun.

 

Seems odd to wear a watch when you're on vacation especially when you don't at home, but I'm lost without one on a cruise.

 

Sleazy 3 on Conquest in Just:

[ChardonnayKJ]

WE are going on our 1st in a few days also. Don't even bother reading the board section for first time cruisers. I read those and boy what a bunch of sour pusses. Their attitude stinks. Stick with the upbeat Carnival board and ask for advice. I've learned so much and the main lessons I've learned is to relax and don't try to do everything. I think it will be like Disney World in that you have to tell yourself that it is not physically possible to do it all. Save some "must sees" for the next cruise.

 

6/27 Conquest let's party!

[travel girl23]

Pack your dresses, suits, etc. in dry cleaners bags in your suitcase and they will arrive with no wrinkles. We do this every time. Also, I take a few extra hangers and/or leave dresses on hangers in the suitcase because there aren't very many hangers in the closets. The most useful thing I had on our last cruise was a lanyard to hold my sign and sail card. They will punch the card either at the purser's desk or the casino. They sell Carnival laynards in the gift shop and I think the casino gives plastic one away. I brought my own from home.

Be sure to take insect repellent with DEET if you are planning any kind of excursion in Belize. It is a necessity. Definitely a power strip and night light (especially for inside rooms as they can be very dark). We took a small roll of duct tape which we used to tape our liquor boxes before disembarking. These are all things I learned on this board and worked for us. Have a great cruise!!

 

Celebration - 9/99

Inspiration - 12/00

Jubilee - 10/02

Elation - 11/03

Elation again - 12/04

 until the Elation

 

[travel girl23]

Oh, I nearly forgot, one of the most important things to know. When the cruise director has the shopping talk on Monday morning, be sure to sit right down in front because he/she throws samples out. I caught a string of black pearls which I have worn on several cruises. My husband caught a bottle of vanilla and our son caught a bottle of liqueur. Get there early to get a good seat.

 

Celebration - 9/99

Inspiration - 12/00

Jubilee - 10/02

Elation - 11/03

Elation again - 12/04

 until the Elation

 

[L2J]

-Go expecting less and you'll probably walk away feeling like you got more.

-The crew need their tips. Don't stiff them.

-The crew are also "human". Please treat them with the same respect you expect from them.

-"Swimmies" don't work and are not acceptable in the pools. Won't even touch the hot tubs.

-You can have several entrees.

 

Liv...Winds are 15 knots and holding....the whole world is a drop zone!

 

 

 

 

NCL Sky 2/02

[GoinCruisin]

Don't look at the carpet... it's amazing to me how many people actually remember what the carpet looked like and could give exact details of the stains... thousands of people trample them everyday, expect stains

 

If there is something not to your liking, don't make a big stink about it, if you are nice and respect the crew, they will be more than happy to assist you and make any necessary corrections.

 

Try the West Indian Pumpkin Soup!!! And the mushroom soup! I am not a big "soup" fan but found the soups on Carnival to be incredible

 

Take a "stick-up" or deodorizer for the bathroom... sometimes in port there may be an "odor" (of course no candles )

 

Take along some Downy Wrinkle Releaser... works great and you don't have to iron

 

Don't try to plan out every minute of your day. Go with the flow, relax... you will have a great time!!!

 

 

Until the SINsational Cruise from the Bayou!

 

Valor Vampires 10/30/05

 

Sensation 7/03

 

See our cruise pics at: http://groups.msn.com/thesensationgroup/chrisandchrispictures.msnw?Page=1

[cruisinonmymind]

I read a good tip on here in regard to the showers. Take several clothes pins to attach to the bottom of the shower curtain so that it will be weighed down and not "attach" itself to you.

 

Also, we try to get to the port early so we don't stand in line as long.

 

Married on Fantasy 9/95

Ecstasy 3/2001

Fantasy 9/2002

Sensational Cruise 7/24/04

[skylark]

Prior to the cruise: If you fly, watch your luggage weight. They are charging for anything over their allowed amounts. I think most are 50lbs per checked baggage and 40lb for carry ons. But check with your airlines they can vary.

[drwestlake]

Don't cry when you see the luggage handlers throw your new luggage into the big cages. It will be fine. Wear pants with elastic waist bands.