What tips would YOU give to a first-time cruiser?

[shopinful]

We are 56 and 57 married couple and have travelled on many cruises. My favorite is Celebrity but it doesn't seem like that is one of your choices. I have recently traveled on Norwegian and was very disappointed along with 3 other couples that traveled with us. Carnival is known for their young party crowd which was great when we first started cruising in our 30's but a little drunkeness in main areas goes a long way at our age. Princess would be my choice. I have probably cruised on them more than others and they have a variety of age groups, decent pricing, good food and a selection of places to eat, fair entertainment, and nice rooms. I don't believe they have yet switched to non-smoking rooms. I am not a smoker and very sensitive to smoke but I have found the rooms do not have a smell. I do always bring Febreeze with me and spray everything down in any room including hotel rooms just to give them a fresh smell and get rid of any odors. Princess usually offers anytime dining which I really enjoy. You don't have to hurry or stop what you are doing to rush to dinner and can pick the time you like. You can also call in advance and put in your name or go down for a specific time. If you find a waiter that you like, you can always request their table. Princess has pretty much everything for dress up. It use to be that you felt like you needed a very formal attire (and some still do) but I put on a nice pair of slacks with top, skirt and top, dress and out the door. Don't feel you have to look like a million dollars on dress up night. I, too, go on cruises to relax and don't feel the need to put on the sparkles like some do. Many others feel the same so you will fit right in. A tie and shirt with pants is fine for the guy as well. We normally get a balcony and spent quite a bit of time on the balcony. I feel it is well worth the price and you get extra room as well. In all the cruises we have taken....even those that may have fallen short of my expectation.....I have always relaxed and had a nice time.

[simplelife]

So many good suggestions!

I heartily endorse wearing aboard what you will wear to dinner on the first night. Pack a bathing suit in your carry-on if you want to catch some sun before dinner.

Ziplocks are your friend.

Simplify!! Leave the electronics at home. Let your clothes do double & triple duty.

 

I have a few modifications/additions:

Packing a comfy sweatsuit is a great idea, but if your in the hot Caribbean summer, opt for easy shorts and a T-shirt instead.

Many have suggested Febreeze or Oust for odors, but I bring Lysol (linen scent) instead -it actually kills any germs as well.

Take time to think about what YOU really like to do and set a few priorities - don't try to do it all , you will be exhausted. (I guarantee this will not be your last cruise)

 

My additions (my apologies if these were posted and I missed them):

Buy one of those ID badge holders (or just save one from a convention) to carry your S & S card.

 

Plan a treat for debarkation day to make it less of a "bummer" (ex: I buy a special book I've been wanting to read and save it for that last day)

 

 

Relax and Enjoy!!! :)

[ILVMM]

Two couples (early 60's) taking our first cruise.

 

*I know we can avoid the main dining room on formal nights, but is that a reasonable option?

 

I'm 52 and DH is 63. We absolutely do not attend formal night; we don't want to waste precious luggage space on those kinds of clothes + DH is not comfortable eating in formal-type situations.

 

We have only sailed HAL and Celebrity and have not had a problem with other-than-formal-dining. There's room service and/or buffet to choose from. Also, we tend to eat a later "lunch" so our dinners are usually lighter fare.

 

ENJOY your cruise - - you'll be anxious to book sail again soon!

[piemom9397]

Don't be afraid to ask your room steward to remove things that are in your way. For example, we had a family of 4 in a balcony cabin--kids slept on the sofa bed--we asked the steward to remove the coffee table for the whole time, to give room while we were in the cabin during the day. It has been mentioned but worth repeating--have the steward remove things from the mini-fridge also so that you can store whatever you bring or take with you from the buffet. We took many milks and cereals from the buffet & kept them in the refrigerator for snackage later on!

 

Enjoy!:D

[jkudzu]

 

3. Try a little kindness when dealing with your fellow passengers and crew members. Just remember' date=' it's not your personal yacht. You're sharing facilities and support staff with maybe 1,000 or more other people who paid for their cruise too. Don't be unreasonable with your requests. And wait your turn. There's plenty of food for everyone, plenty of sea to look at, plenty of relaxing to do.[/quote']

 

This is excellent advice!!! With this attitude, you'll have an amazing vacation! :)

[seagurll]

have fun

[JudeeJim]

Cruising Chris,

 

Thanks for all the suggestions and tips. Today I went to the $ store and bought two of the clear over the door organizers. If I only need one I will offer it to someone on the cruise.

 

Here is an idea I am going to try. Last year while traveling in Italy I, of course, had to use public restrooms. Most were clean but a few were not. I am taking a clip like the one you use to close chip bags and some anti-bacterial wipes. I am going to put the wipe on the clip and then wipe the seat. A few wipes in a zip lock bag and the clip will take little space in our back pack and I will feel more comfortable sitting on a toilet seat. Men are blessed when it comes to this necessary duty.:rolleyes:

 

Judee

[Mammaof2girls]

Cruising today has changed significantly over the years as more and more people discover the joys of vacationing aboard ship. While travel agents do their best to answer most questions, passengers may find some surprises when they board a ship. Those surprises usually come from not knowing what questions to ask. Having good information will make your vacation that much more enjoyable.

 

Embarkation - As you arrive at the ship terminal, porters will transfer your luggage to the ship, to be delivered to your cabin sometime during the day. Prepare for the first of many gratuities (about $1 per suitcase). Once inside the terminal, cruisers may be faced with long check-in lines, especially on mega-liners with 2000 or more passengers. Most cruise lines reward returning customers with express check-in, so don't get upset when you see some passengers get in the very short line and breeze right through, while you are waiting 20-30 minutes to reach the check-in desk.

 

Although you have already pre-registered, you will need to present your cruise ticket and a passport or some form of certified identification (birth certificates, etc., NOT driver's licenses). NOTE: New US customs laws state that by 12/31/2006 all air and sea travel to or from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will require a passport.

 

The cruise line will also need emergency contact information and a credit card for on-board purchases. Passengers without a credit card will be asked to provide a cash deposit (around $300-$500). If you are a single parent traveling alone with minor children, you may need custody verification or a notarized letter from the other parent. Check with your travel agent or cruise company.

 

 

After check in you will be directed to the gangway to board the ship. Some cruise lines will have your Sail and Sign cards and/or room keys ready at the check-in desk. Others may simply give you a boarding pass and room keys will be in your stateroom. In some cases, such as Carnival, your boarding pass, room key and charge card will all be the same plastic card.

 

Cabins - If you expect hotel room size accommodations, you will be disappointed. Average staterooms are about 200 sq. ft or less. Suites and penthouses are larger and vary in size from 300 to 1200 sq. ft., depending on the ship and the price. Since most people purchase average accommodations, expect small spaces. Beds are generally two twins or combined to make a queen size, but some lines offer king-size beds. Cabins configured for three or four passengers will have upper pull down berths or convertible sofas. The latter may be fine for kids, but it takes up valuable floor space.

 

Most cabins have a desk, stool, small table and a chair or loveseat. TVs are usually mounted on a hanging pedestal in a corner. Many cabins have small bar refrigerators.

 

Stateroom designers make the most of small rooms. Generally there is enough storage space in the closet, drawers and shelves for two people on a seven-day cruise. If your cabin accommodates more than two people, or your cruise is longer than 7 days, you might be hard pressed to find room for everything. Storing suitcases is also a challenge. Garment bags and some suitcases can be stored under the beds, but larger cases may take up cabin space, stored in the closet or on the balcony (if available).

 

Bathrooms are tiny, not much bigger than those in RVs, and showers range from miniscule to adequate. Most cruise lines provide bar soap, shampoo, conditioner and body lotion on a daily basis and have hair dryers in the cabins. If you have preferences about the products you use, bring your own. Cruise ships DO NOT provide toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant or razors, but they are readily available in the gift shop. By the way, the bottled water and/or cans of soda placed in your stateroom upon arrival are NOT FREE. Drink them and you will be charged for them.

 

Dining options - Traditional cruises offer two seating choices, early or late. Early dinner starts around 6:00 p.m. and late dinner around 8:30 p.m. (Times vary by cruise line). You will be assigned a table for the entire voyage. Every effort is made to provide the type of table (seating for 2,4,8,10, etc.) and time you requested, but this is not always possible. If you really don't like your seating assignment, you can go to the maitre 'd and request a change. Bear in mind, there are usually more requests for changes than can be accommodated, so don't be surprised if a change cannot be made.

 

Many ships are moving to freestyle dining (e.g. NCL and some Princess ships). Arrive at the main dining rooms any time they are open and you will be taken to the first available table. If you dine during peak periods or have a large party, you may have to wait, sometimes 20-30 minutes. Dress is resort casual (formal wear is optional), but most ships ask that shorts and bathing suits NOT be worn at dinner. (Some will not seat you if you do so).

 

Cruise ships also offer casual dining or buffet meals. There are grills, serving hot dogs, hamburgers, etc. and some ships have special deli stations and cultural cuisine available as well. You can usually find pizza and ice cream machines on most ships. All ships offer room service menus - some 24/7.

 

Extra expenses - many people believe that after they have paid for the cruise, everything is cost-free. Nothing could be further from the truth! As far as I am concerned a cruise vacation gives you the most value for your dollar, but there are added expenses you may not think about when budgeting your trip.

 

Specialty Restaurants - Many ships offer alternate dining rooms with special cuisine. Although the food in the main dining room, buffets and grills is included in your fare, the smaller specialty dining rooms require reservations and carry a cover charge ($5-15 pp on average) Entrees are different and are generally well-worth the extra cost.

 

Beverages - Your cruise fare does NOT include bar beverages. This includes soda and bottled water. This is probably one of the biggest surprises people find when they get on board. Many cruise lines will offer a soda package (around $30), which will allow unlimited soda during the run of the voyage. Bar drinks are pricey and sodas can run $1.50 or more per drink. Drinks purchased from the bar have a 15% gratuity added to each bill. While many cruise lines prohibit bringing your own soda or alcohol aboard, some are more lenient. Check with your travel agent. It may not seem like much, but a glass of wine at dinner, one or two drinks during the show or in the lounge can add up. Have a beer in the sports bar, 2 or 3 cokes by the pool and your bar bill can run $100 + by the end of the cruise.

 

For wine drinkers, most cruise dining rooms offer a large selection. Expect restaurant pricing, as the cheapest (e.g. Beringer White Zinfandel) will run $25-29 a bottle. Better wines are significantly higher. If you bring your own bottle to the dinner table, (perhaps you received a bottle of wine as a gift or were able to purchase one on shore and bring it back) you will be charged a "decorking fee" (approx. $5-10). If you don't finish your wine at one meal, your waiter will store it and serve it at the next meal.

 

Photographs - Most cruisers want to capture the experience with photos and videos. Cruise lines are aware of that and photographers will take your picture everywhere. The first picture is taken as you embark. Several will be taken in the dining room, especially on formal nights. Portraits (both formal and informal) can be taken. At each port, photographers will be at the gangway to snap a treasured memory. The photo gallery will display photos every day, hoping you can't resist buying them. Be prepared, photos are not cheap. 6 x 4s run about $8 each and portraits (8 x 10) are about $20 each. Some lines have videographers (Carnival especially) to capture every event, including some shore excursions. A video makes a nice souvenir, but be prepared to pay $25-$35 for a copy. Better idea, take your camera along and ask fellow passengers to take some shots of you. If you can’t resist the professional photos, look into photo packages that many cruise lines offer.

 

Shore excursions and tours - Your ship will offer a wide variety of different tours at each port. If you are not familiar with the port, and want to take a tour, I suggest purchasing it from the excursion desk or pre-purchase on-line with the cruise company. You get a very organized and safe trip; although you'll pay a little more than if you had booked it on your own. The cruise line will guarantee holding the ship if one of their tours gets back late, something you can't count on with privately purchased excursions. Tours run anywhere from $20 for simple sightseeing bus trips, to $500 for special tours such as helicopter/dog-sledding tours in Alaska. Depending on the itinerary, you will probably average $75-$100+ pp per port.

 

On-Board entertainment expenses - each ship usually has bingo games several times during the cruise. Sometimes they also have horse racing games. Bingo cards can run $10-20 per session and horse racing is $2-3 a bet. The former is usually charged to your shipboard account; the latter is usually cash only. If the ship has a casino, factor in your gambling expenses.

 

Gratuities - Cruise lines have changed from tip envelopes to charging your on-board account automatically. They add $10 pp per day to tip your room steward, dining waiter and assistant waiter. (This is actually pooled to cover all dining staff). The tips do not include your Head Waiter or Maitre'd. Since tipping is a personal choice, passengers may opt out of this auto posting by going to the Purser's Desk and asking that it be removed from their account and tip as they see fit. There are differing opinions on whether this is a good thing or not, but be prepared for an extra $70 pp on your account for a 7 day cruise.

 

Misc. - All purchases on board are charged to your shipboard account. This includes everything I've already mentioned, plus gift shop purchases, tuxedo rental, florist purchases, spa treatments, art auction purchases, etc.

 

As you can guess, you could spend hundreds or thousands more than the original cruise price by the time you finish your vacation. This is no different than costs incurred with land vacations, but some passengers seem surprised to find them on cruise ships. You can spend as little or as much as your personal style and budget allow.

 

I love cruising and although there can be some additional costs; there are still plenty of things to do that won't cost you more money. The Cruise Director's staff plans lots of activities, from pool and/or deck games to trivia and karaoke. You can see movies or live entertainment, go dancing, and check out the card room or library. You can swim or use the Jacuzzi, work out in the gym or use the jogging track. You can do a lot or do nothing - your choice.

 

If you travel with children, you'll find that most major cruise lines have separate programs and counselors for small children 2-12 and teenagers. Some ships have special areas set aside for these groups and schedule events just for them.

 

Now that you really know what to expect – Bon Voyage!

 

-

Awesome tips. As a first-time cruiser I am learning alot and am even taking notes. However, I wanted to address the above in which I bolded in red. That is inaccurate. I purposely triple checked, as we do not have passports, and found out that passports are not needed to Bermuda until June 2009.

[skf]

Tip...Whatever anyone else says, you should bring your passport.

Even if you are taking a cruise which does not REQUIRE a passport, you can avoid potential trouble if you bring it anyway.

Steve

[forensic]

:D RELAX, enjoy yourself! You have already made a choice as to which cruise you would like to go on, so go and relax and enjoy. You will learn what is important to you that you might OR might not want to change the next time around. Do NOT feel obligated to do anything, it is YOUR vacation. If you want to go on an excursion pick one, if not don't. If you don't want to get off the ship, don't! etc., etc.

[EricCartman]

Thanks for the helpful suggestions. I created a list of these and I'll pass it on to friends that we are going with in August. Thanks again

[Alvida]

Having just returned from my cruise to Nassau, here are my golden nuggets:

 

1. pack according to your priorities. for example, if you are a picture-taking fanatic, be sure to bring your battery charger (of digitcal camera) and a few extra waterproof disposables (in case someone needs to borrow 1) but don't feel the need to bring a full length gown if you don't want to when a silky sundress will do on formal night.

 

2. Do what you want when you want! You paid a lot of money to be where you are so make the most of it. Do not let other people's agendas stand in the way of your fun. I went to that island to get some conch fritters and I let the people I was with stop me and I regret that!

 

3. eat in the dining room at least once.

 

4. stay up late and get up early. you didn't pay all that money to sleep.

 

5. try to get some sleep before you leave!

[2TNCruisers]

We've only been on one cruise, taking our 2nd in December. Here are things i'll definitely do or do differently.

 

1) Bring 1/2 as many clothes, twice as many underwear!

 

2) Those small index card holders that sell for a dollar at Walmart are great for keeping up with recepits, ticket stubs and the like.

 

3) Keep a notebook (just a small one will do) where you can jot down things you'll want to remember for your scrap book. Hubby and I did this and each night we'd go over our day and what "stood out" in our memories. After I got home, I compiled a nice scrapbook with photos and our memories.

 

4) Print up business cards with your name, e-mail address and cell phone #s (we didn't do this the first time and spent a lot of time giving and getting addresses from our table mates)

 

5) Leave any books you've finished on board for the crew and other visitors.

 

6) Bring a small can of Lysol to spray the shower, toilet, phone and door knobs.

 

7) Waterless hand sanitizer is great to have on shore excursions.

 

8) Try a new food at each meal.

 

9) Keep plenty of dollars for tipping

 

10) Keep an envelope for casino $$..and when the envelope is empty, LEAVE the casino!

[cruiseman40]

Don't read all the suggestions including mine. It'll just confuse the hell out of you(just kidding). My best advice is to don't spend way too much time in your cabin(unless honeymoon). Don't overeat. Stay away from the railings after getting drunk(if you're a heavy drinker). Don't have to buy all the photos taken. Don't be afraid to say no thank you to drink servers. Try to get plenty of sleep. Lose weight prior to 1st cruise sailing. Try not to overpack. Wing it, you get wiser on each cruise!

[cruiseman40]

I forgot the most important thing when it comes to Surf N Turf/Formal night. Get em both! You paid for it anyways.

[vic/leelee]

"I heartily endorse wearing aboard what you will wear to dinner on the first night. Pack a bathing suit in your carry-on if you want to catch some sun before dinner."

 

Where would you change into your bathing suit?? Should you where it under your clothes???

[tlovesdis]

WOW, is all I can say! What a great thread. I am going on my first cruise in October and this thread is just awesome!

Please keep the tips coming!

 

Tina in Antioch, CA

Norwegian Star 10/18/08

First cruise EVER!

[Alvida]

 

Where would you change into your bathing suit?? Should you where it under your clothes???

 

There are plenty of public restrooms all over the ship. they're not very comfortable but they will do for a quick change.

[Isaac&Julie]

My best advice, don't overthink and overplan. These boards and others are full of excellent tips, but it can be overwhelming. Just understand you WILL forget something, you WILL wish you would have done x, y, or z, or known about this or that.

 

No matter how much you read and prepare, this will happen. So my advice is jsut relax, and take it as it comes. It's vacation, so just relax and roll with it. You'll just be better prepared for the NEXT cruise!

 

To prove my point, we have been on several cruises and haven't used many of the tips pointed out here. No interest at all in taking some of that advice in the future, simply doesn't apply to us and/ot interest us.(No need to mention them by name.)

[Noire]

Bring an additional bag for souvenirs and other purchases made at the ports!

[VillaHappy]

All of these are good pieces of advice - we've cruised on 7 different ships and one of the things I enjoy so much is breakfast served in your stateroom. Just remember to fill out the little order card that is in your room.....place on your door handle at the specified time....and enjoy being treated like a queen the next morning! Coffee/tea/juice, etc in bed! How decadent can it be? If you have a balcony cabin there is nothing like eating out there every morning! Enjoy

 

To expand on this idea, if you have a day where you've planned an early morning excursion, this is a great way to wake up! We ordered our food to arrive at 7am. They called just before and said "your food is on it's way." Woke us up in a HURRY! :D

[copnlpn2]

Save yourself (and the cruiseline) a lot of headaches and misplaced anger should something go awry - read your cruise contract from beginning to end - twice. You'll be glad you did!

[LadyPandora407]

Cruising today has changed significantly over the years as more and more people discover the joys of vacationing aboard ship. While travel agents do their best to answer most questions, passengers may find some surprises when they board a ship. Those surprises usually come from not knowing what questions to ask. Having good information will make your vacation that much more enjoyable.

 

Embarkation - As you arrive at the ship terminal, porters will transfer your luggage to the ship, to be delivered to your cabin sometime during the day. Prepare for the first of many gratuities (about $1 per suitcase). Once inside the terminal, cruisers may be faced with long check-in lines, especially on mega-liners with 2000 or more passengers. Most cruise lines reward returning customers with express check-in, so don't get upset when you see some passengers get in the very short line and breeze right through, while you are waiting 20-30 minutes to reach the check-in desk.

 

Although you have already pre-registered, you will need to present your cruise ticket and a passport or some form of certified identification (birth certificates, etc., NOT driver's licenses). NOTE: New US customs laws state that by 12/31/2006 all air and sea travel to or from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will require a passport.

 

The cruise line will also need emergency contact information and a credit card for on-board purchases. Passengers without a credit card will be asked to provide a cash deposit (around $300-$500). If you are a single parent traveling alone with minor children, you may need custody verification or a notarized letter from the other parent. Check with your travel agent or cruise company.

 

 

After check in you will be directed to the gangway to board the ship. Some cruise lines will have your Sail and Sign cards and/or room keys ready at the check-in desk. Others may simply give you a boarding pass and room keys will be in your stateroom. In some cases, such as Carnival, your boarding pass, room key and charge card will all be the same plastic card.

 

Cabins - If you expect hotel room size accommodations, you will be disappointed. Average staterooms are about 200 sq. ft or less. Suites and penthouses are larger and vary in size from 300 to 1200 sq. ft., depending on the ship and the price. Since most people purchase average accommodations, expect small spaces. Beds are generally two twins or combined to make a queen size, but some lines offer king-size beds. Cabins configured for three or four passengers will have upper pull down berths or convertible sofas. The latter may be fine for kids, but it takes up valuable floor space.

 

Most cabins have a desk, stool, small table and a chair or loveseat. TVs are usually mounted on a hanging pedestal in a corner. Many cabins have small bar refrigerators.

 

Stateroom designers make the most of small rooms. Generally there is enough storage space in the closet, drawers and shelves for two people on a seven-day cruise. If your cabin accommodates more than two people, or your cruise is longer than 7 days, you might be hard pressed to find room for everything. Storing suitcases is also a challenge. Garment bags and some suitcases can be stored under the beds, but larger cases may take up cabin space, stored in the closet or on the balcony (if available).

 

Bathrooms are tiny, not much bigger than those in RVs, and showers range from miniscule to adequate. Most cruise lines provide bar soap, shampoo, conditioner and body lotion on a daily basis and have hair dryers in the cabins. If you have preferences about the products you use, bring your own. Cruise ships DO NOT provide toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant or razors, but they are readily available in the gift shop. By the way, the bottled water and/or cans of soda placed in your stateroom upon arrival are NOT FREE. Drink them and you will be charged for them.

 

Dining options - Traditional cruises offer two seating choices, early or late. Early dinner starts around 6:00 p.m. and late dinner around 8:30 p.m. (Times vary by cruise line). You will be assigned a table for the entire voyage. Every effort is made to provide the type of table (seating for 2,4,8,10, etc.) and time you requested, but this is not always possible. If you really don't like your seating assignment, you can go to the maitre 'd and request a change. Bear in mind, there are usually more requests for changes than can be accommodated, so don't be surprised if a change cannot be made.

 

Many ships are moving to freestyle dining (e.g. NCL and some Princess ships). Arrive at the main dining rooms any time they are open and you will be taken to the first available table. If you dine during peak periods or have a large party, you may have to wait, sometimes 20-30 minutes. Dress is resort casual (formal wear is optional), but most ships ask that shorts and bathing suits NOT be worn at dinner. (Some will not seat you if you do so).

 

Cruise ships also offer casual dining or buffet meals. There are grills, serving hot dogs, hamburgers, etc. and some ships have special deli stations and cultural cuisine available as well. You can usually find pizza and ice cream machines on most ships. All ships offer room service menus - some 24/7.

 

Extra expenses - many people believe that after they have paid for the cruise, everything is cost-free. Nothing could be further from the truth! As far as I am concerned a cruise vacation gives you the most value for your dollar, but there are added expenses you may not think about when budgeting your trip.

 

Specialty Restaurants - Many ships offer alternate dining rooms with special cuisine. Although the food in the main dining room, buffets and grills is included in your fare, the smaller specialty dining rooms require reservations and carry a cover charge ($5-15 pp on average) Entrees are different and are generally well-worth the extra cost.

 

Beverages - Your cruise fare does NOT include bar beverages. This includes soda and bottled water. This is probably one of the biggest surprises people find when they get on board. Many cruise lines will offer a soda package (around $30), which will allow unlimited soda during the run of the voyage. Bar drinks are pricey and sodas can run $1.50 or more per drink. Drinks purchased from the bar have a 15% gratuity added to each bill. While many cruise lines prohibit bringing your own soda or alcohol aboard, some are more lenient. Check with your travel agent. It may not seem like much, but a glass of wine at dinner, one or two drinks during the show or in the lounge can add up. Have a beer in the sports bar, 2 or 3 cokes by the pool and your bar bill can run $100 + by the end of the cruise.

 

For wine drinkers, most cruise dining rooms offer a large selection. Expect restaurant pricing, as the cheapest (e.g. Beringer White Zinfandel) will run $25-29 a bottle. Better wines are significantly higher. If you bring your own bottle to the dinner table, (perhaps you received a bottle of wine as a gift or were able to purchase one on shore and bring it back) you will be charged a "decorking fee" (approx. $5-10). If you don't finish your wine at one meal, your waiter will store it and serve it at the next meal.

 

Photographs - Most cruisers want to capture the experience with photos and videos. Cruise lines are aware of that and photographers will take your picture everywhere. The first picture is taken as you embark. Several will be taken in the dining room, especially on formal nights. Portraits (both formal and informal) can be taken. At each port, photographers will be at the gangway to snap a treasured memory. The photo gallery will display photos every day, hoping you can't resist buying them. Be prepared, photos are not cheap. 6 x 4s run about $8 each and portraits (8 x 10) are about $20 each. Some lines have videographers (Carnival especially) to capture every event, including some shore excursions. A video makes a nice souvenir, but be prepared to pay $25-$35 for a copy. Better idea, take your camera along and ask fellow passengers to take some shots of you. If you can’t resist the professional photos, look into photo packages that many cruise lines offer.

 

Shore excursions and tours - Your ship will offer a wide variety of different tours at each port. If you are not familiar with the port, and want to take a tour, I suggest purchasing it from the excursion desk or pre-purchase on-line with the cruise company. You get a very organized and safe trip; although you'll pay a little more than if you had booked it on your own. The cruise line will guarantee holding the ship if one of their tours gets back late, something you can't count on with privately purchased excursions. Tours run anywhere from $20 for simple sightseeing bus trips, to $500 for special tours such as helicopter/dog-sledding tours in Alaska. Depending on the itinerary, you will probably average $75-$100+ pp per port.

 

On-Board entertainment expenses - each ship usually has bingo games several times during the cruise. Sometimes they also have horse racing games. Bingo cards can run $10-20 per session and horse racing is $2-3 a bet. The former is usually charged to your shipboard account; the latter is usually cash only. If the ship has a casino, factor in your gambling expenses.

 

Gratuities - Cruise lines have changed from tip envelopes to charging your on-board account automatically. They add $10 pp per day to tip your room steward, dining waiter and assistant waiter. (This is actually pooled to cover all dining staff). The tips do not include your Head Waiter or Maitre'd. Since tipping is a personal choice, passengers may opt out of this auto posting by going to the Purser's Desk and asking that it be removed from their account and tip as they see fit. There are differing opinions on whether this is a good thing or not, but be prepared for an extra $70 pp on your account for a 7 day cruise.

 

Misc. - All purchases on board are charged to your shipboard account. This includes everything I've already mentioned, plus gift shop purchases, tuxedo rental, florist purchases, spa treatments, art auction purchases, etc.

 

As you can guess, you could spend hundreds or thousands more than the original cruise price by the time you finish your vacation. This is no different than costs incurred with land vacations, but some passengers seem surprised to find them on cruise ships. You can spend as little or as much as your personal style and budget allow.

 

I love cruising and although there can be some additional costs; there are still plenty of things to do that won't cost you more money. The Cruise Director's staff plans lots of activities, from pool and/or deck games to trivia and karaoke. You can see movies or live entertainment, go dancing, and check out the card room or library. You can swim or use the Jacuzzi, work out in the gym or use the jogging track. You can do a lot or do nothing - your choice.

 

If you travel with children, you'll find that most major cruise lines have separate programs and counselors for small children 2-12 and teenagers. Some ships have special areas set aside for these groups and schedule events just for them.

 

Now that you really know what to expect – Bon Voyage!

 

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Thank You. This was very informative :)

[eyzwdeshut]

Since the airlines are cracking down on multiple checked bags, if you don't want to pay a fee for more checked bags on the way home you should save room in your suitcase. The last cruise we went on we had an empty bag packed in our luggage. We took it out, stuffed it with dirty clothes & checked it when we got to the airport... we won't be doing that anymore. Those fees can really add up!

[chrelaine]

We completed our first cruise in November 2007. I have some advice that I believe has been given before but bears repeating:

1) Fly in to the departure city the day before. We didn't. By the time we got to the ship, we had to run directly to the muster drill. Not fun starting out rushing.

2) Don't try to do everything. It took me until day 6 to realize that it was okay to do absolutely nothing for awhile. Relax and enjoy.

3) Pack lightly! Wear things twice, you will never see most of these people again, and the ones you will see again, don't care!

4) Don't expect the most gourmet fantastic food you've ever tasted. My DH and I didn't have a single thing we didn't like, but it did fall short compared to what we had built up in our minds. Try new things.

5) A cruise is what you make it. If you want to be miserable, you will be. We throughly enjoyed our cruise and then I read reviews from others who were on the same sailing and it was like we had been on a different ship! Does a worn carpet really ruin your vacation? I think not, so don't let it! Yes, we were thrilled with some things and disappointed with others. We consider the disappointments lessons learned.

6) Excursions = expensive, only take the ones that you cannot live without. We took one in Cozumel that we really enjoyed, but we missed all opportunity to enjoy Cozumel because the excursion lasted all day. We actually liked the ports where we just flew by the seat of our pants more.

7) I packed a million little things that people suggested on here and used...NONE! The only things we know we will never go without are non drowsy Dramamine and Immodium. The ideas were all great, just not for us.

8) Use the antibacterial gel at the buffet. Why not try whatever you can to avoid sickness?

9) Get to the production shows early...they do "sell out" as we found out twice.

10) Participate in Trivia, Bingo, ping pong, golf contests. They are fun and a good way to meet some new people.

11) Your shipboard account bill will be LARGE, prepare for it! Tips, Bingo, Drinks, shipboard shopping...it all adds up. Keep track and request a copy midcruise to verify things are correct. If you wait until the end...you will wait in a Loooonnnngggggg line at the Purser's desk, to clear up any inconsistencies. My DH thought I was anal when I checked the bill early, but we were smiling as we walked by that line of 100 people on the last evening.

12) Do your research on Cruiscritic, but take people's complaints with a grain of salt. Some people are not happy without something to complain about.

13) Remember the ship does not function at your whim. There are 1000's of other people on board and the captain is not your personal servant. If the ship's course has to change for everyone's safety... it has to change!!! We were diverted to a different port and I think we had more fun than we would have.

14) Relax and enjoy. You are not at work!