things you wish you would have known

[gtlovell]

I wish I would have known to just relax and have fun! :) Cruises are a great getaway!

I wrote a couple of fun articles about cruising and packing if you want to read them:

Packing light for a 7 day cruise

Top 10 stupid questions not to ask on a cruise

[geneology]

I wish I would have known to just relax and have fun! :) Cruises are a great getaway!

I wrote a couple of fun articles about cruising and packing if you want to read them:

Packing light for a 7 day cruise

Top 10 stupid questions not to ask on a cruise

 

You have a great sense of humor!! I had a uky day and decided to unwind doing what I like best -- reading the posts.. I laughed at your 10 stupid questions - common sense is not common!!! LOL:D

[tulips*n*truffles]

Holy cow great information here!!! So much for that 50-lb weight limit on the plane! HA!

 

Many many of these suggestions *sound* like they're intended for a warmer climate. Are there any hints for those of us headed to Alaska? I keep paring down my clothing list as everyone says they pack too much, but warm clothes are big! Fleece and jeans instead of t-shirts and shorts...long-sleeved shirts instead of tanks. I wondered if some of the pack light ideas translate well to colder-weather clothes?

 

Thanks everyone!!

[kkpcruiser]

• a small flashlight..interior cabins are pitch black at night if you need to get up.All the other cabins have great room darkening curtains as well.
  
• a small travel clock with alarm
  
• some extra baggies
  
• pack a bathing suit and coverup and flipflops in a carryon in case luggage isn't delivered until late
  
• wear decent clothing to board incase your luggage doesn;t make it to your room before dinner. They say you can wear anything to dinner on night one but i personally would feel uncomfortable if i went to dinner in sweatpants.. then again it is vacation..but thats just me:D
  

[meanlook]

I also packed way too much. WAY too much! They do have laundry facilities on board! And we had to PAY for checked baggage at the airport. :mad:

 

I kind of wish I'd known that they don't really look at your name on the Fountain Fun card. I think we could have just bought one! Maybe we should've checked into the coffee card.

 

And I wish I'd known it's not as stressful as I'd thought. The employees are all very nice and helpful if you have any questions. There's nothing to worry about. Just relax and have fun!

[amandaepperson21]

hello,

 

I just want to add this...enjoy the aesthetics of your cruise. Go out on deck and look at the sunsets and the Moon at night, and maybe there will be moonbeams on the ocean. Look at the stars.

 

my DW and I have always done this on our 27 cruises, and yet, it seems that so many just go for the food, entertainment, party, and so on. Nothing wrong with this but if you do not spend at least some time looking at the world around you when you are on a cruise ship, you will be missing much that make a cruise such a wonderful travel experience.

 

Fred

 

I feel the same way!!! I love just getting out on the decks and looking at the world pass by. DH and I make a point to go out on deck and do nothing but just enjoy our surroundings. Watching the sunset onboard is like no other sunset you'll ever see. Going out to the decks at night is nice... everyone is so wrapped up in the theater, casino, clubs, etc. that the decks are empty. It's so easy to enjoy a nice, peaceful, quiet breath of fresh air.

[amandaepperson21]

1) Bring a backpack each.... We used these as our carry-ons and it's also what we took on excursions. Plus, a cute Jansport is much more fashionable than a fanny pack :).

 

2) Enjoy the deck activities... if you want a nap, take one while lounging on deck.

 

3) Don't feel obligated to spend every moment that you're in port IN the port... it's okay to hang out on deck, come back for lunch, etc.

[sassy73]

I wish I would have brought an over the door shoe holder on our first cruise. I listened to the advice here and brought one on the Monarch last month. My DH laughed and was VERY skeptical. Turns out he LOVED it. I got mine at Target for around $7 -- it is a see-through plastic thing that hangs on the door in the bathroom. It is meant for shoes, but it works great for holding almost everything that would normally go on a bathroom counter. i didn't think we'd fill up the pockets, but we did. We had a pocket for sunscreen, my makeup, my jewelry, my hair products, our camera. I gave him a couple of pockets too :)

 

My family uses it at home, because we have a small house, and too many people. (SF home prices for you.) Anyway, it works great for us. for all the little incidentals we use . I will definitely take one on the cruise.

[Synical Investor]

Wish I had known that there were so many unhappy people in the world. I can't believe how many grouches we ran across. Everything was wrong, nothing right. Must suck to be them. And these were the cruisers :eek:

[Redh0tw]

First off remember that - This is YOUR vacation and do what you want to do. The minute you rely on someone else for your entertainment is the minute it doesn't feel like a vacation anymore but a chore.

Happy Travels -

• Tipping the room steward daily or even every other day works wonders ie. Free book, towels etc. (We leave left over alcohol in our bottles for them as well if we can’t finish it before the end of our cruise) they always make sure we have goodies to take home then.
  
• If flying in to cruise port – buy at the duty free store, if driving in bring water bottles and pack them on your luggage and/or place “adult” beverage choice in luggage as well in your "water bottles"
  
• Order multiple entrée’s if you so desire or for that matter order multiple desserts as well
  
• If you tell them you are celebrating a “certain” occasion ie. Graduation, birthday, anniversary etc. They will bring out a dessert from the dessert menu and stick a candle in it and sing “Hoppy (place occasion here)”
  
• Cornflakes make great snacks for fish if you are snorkeling & make great photo opportunities
  
• Additional boxes of cereal make great snacks
  
• Bring zip lock Baggies for whatever occasion. (Wet swimsuits, TSA travel guidelines, washcloths for beach/sun block, wet/cool washcloths for relief, valuables that you do not want to get wet)
  
• Art Auctions have free drinks
  
• Captains party has free drinks as well, if you wish not to drink what is being carried around on the tray (which is usually GROSS) head straight for the bar and request whatever your poison
  
• Booking excursions through the cruise ship is only recommended for short port days. If the ship leaves by 3-4 so you do not get left behind. Otherwise look for independent companies and you will save hundreds $$$.
  
• If offered a free upgrade, ask if you could get on board credit instead. Free drinks or the same room but higher deck?
  
• The higher you are on the decks, the more movement you feel. (Not good for people who get seasick!!)
  
• Aspirin, motion sickness tabs, & post cards are free. Most can be retrieved at the purser’s desk (Dramamine at the gift shop is around $4)
  
• I HIGHLY recommend getting your OWN snorkel equipment and bringing it along. Renting fins is all right, but seriously now with the diseases and virus’s that are out there… Are you really willing to place your mouth on something that you HAVE NOT seen being cleaned?
  
• When headed to the Caribbean, it is advised in most islands that you use environmentally safe sun block to protect the reefs. Look online.
  
• Bring a hat because the sun is intense
  
• Bring water shoes
  
• DO NOT WEAR cotton swimsuits in the hot tubs. They shock them frequently and your once nice bright red swimsuit will turn white!! (Personal experience)
  
• Keep your “souvenir” cup and you can enjoy the “Drink of the day” for a refill price vs. full price..
  
• Eat breakfast in the dining room for a better service/quality/choice of food
  
• Buy drink coupons before the cruise and you will save money per ticket vs. buying full price on board.
  
• For interior staterooms it is advised that you bring a long a night light. It will get EXREMELY DARK in there
  
• Most people do not want to bother with their cell phones, so it is advised to get a travel alarm clock so you will not miss your shore excursion
  
• Grab a few of the blank “gift cards” available at Wal-mart for your room safe. (Since the are locked & unlocked using a card with a magnetic strip.. not advised to use your S&S card or a credit card since they have been known to de-magnetize cards)
  
• If for some reason it looks like you have no storage in your bathroom for your toiletries, try opening the side mirror for extra storage. (People next to us in a cabin once didn’t realize this)
  
• If the photo purchasing is a must – purchase one and you can scan it when you get home and make additional copies for family etc.
  
• Best place to store your luggage once in your cabin is under the bed
  
• Pack a beach bag, or a large bag to take with you on shore. (Or a snorkel bag)
  
• Most “SECRET” Doors are actually crewmembers only areas and if caught you will get yelled at. Plus if anything happens to you in these areas, you are held responsible for your own actions.
  
• Bring highlighters for your capers, so you know what you want to do the next day
  
• Look for the Galley tours you will not be disappointed. (Check your capers and bring your camera)
  
• Always bring $1 & $5 for tipping
  
• Sit up front during shore talks and get free stuff .. T-shirts, bracelets.. etc.
  
• Diamonds International is all over the Caribbean and Mexico and they are usually expensive, plus the cruise personnel get a kickback for so many people that visit them from the ships
  
• Bring a sweater/shall for dinners in the dining rooms. They are usually very chilly
  
• Bring at least 2-3 swimsuits
  
• Espresso/Cappuccino/Coffee/Ice-Tea is free with dinner or after dinner (In the dining room)
  

Whatever you throw into your suitcase for packing re-open it and take ½ of it out, because you won’t wear hardly any of it.

[scuddles]

• "Most “SECRET” Doors are actually crewmembers only areas and if caught you will get yelled at. Plus if anything happens to you in these areas, you are held responsible for your own actions. "
  

Redh0tw, Is this from experience? ;)

[jkudzu]

I wish I'd known that I really would fit in with all the other "cruisers" and how bad that "sail-away" drink was going to be. Go to the bar if you want something and avoid those. Yuk!

[DrmnOfMaui]

I wish I'd known (snip) how bad that "sail-away" drink was going to be. Go to the bar if you want something and avoid those. Yuk!

 

Excellent advice!!!! :D

[Redh0tw]

On the first cruise we ever did, yeah it was from personal experience.. We had read on here about "SECRET" doors and found out that they are not "TECHNICALLY" secret but in fact employee only doors.....

 

Than a few years later, my cousin started working for NCL and he too had read the boards on here and he had stated that those are for the workers and most of those places tourists shouldn't go anyways...

[crazcane05]

Cruise #15 coming up in 3 weeks!

 

Never wear shorts, jeans, flip-flops, or tank-tops in the dining room at night

 

You can wear nice jeans and "dress shorts" in the dining room at night, except on formal nights. :)

[ILoveScotland]

I wish I would have known more about tipping. I'm sure I short changed the people who brought our room service breakfast and perhaps others on our first cruise. Thankfully the cruise line (NCL) automatically charged the other tips.

 

However, on next cruise and still not knowing what I do now I know that I undertipped concierge and butler when we wound up with upgrade to an Owner's Suite.

[Kiwis Afloat]

Wow! Thanks for these. I have been reading them out to my DH while he has been cooking dinner.:)

[bluehawks47]

One of the favorite things to do is to stand on deck the half hour before leaving a port. We love watching the late comers race to meet the ship.

[grandmato4]

One of the favorite things to do is to stand on deck the half hour before leaving a port. We love watching the late comers race to meet the ship.

 

 

So glad to hear that we're not the only ones that enjoy watching the late comers when we can from our balcony in port :D A few times its been the best free entertainment of the week!:D Not knowing what caused them to be late I do usually feel sorry for those actually rushing to get to the ship but can never figure out those that are late and STILL taking their sweet time coming down some of those LONG piers.:confused: Watching the crew attempting to hurry them along only adds to the humor.

[GlendaleCruiser]

So glad to hear that we're not the only ones that enjoy watching the late comers when we can from our balcony in port :D A few times its been the best free entertainment of the week!:D Not knowing what caused them to be late I do usually feel sorry for those actually rushing to get to the ship but can never figure out those that are late and STILL taking their sweet time coming down some of those LONG piers.:confused: Watching the crew attempting to hurry them along only adds to the humor.

 

It's even more fun if you yell, "hurry", "run" at the same time.;):p

[HiMagicFan]

Thanks everyone. I don't have anything to add but always love what you share and have taken copious notes....now I will ditch 1/2 of those and take the rest in a carry on with wheels. But the best advise is to smile and laugh and somewhere in there was that "please" and "thank you".

 

This was a great reading! :D

[bluehawks47]

As far as the late comers, it is also fun to hear the name or two that is being announced. We actually pulled off one time when the person they were calling for never showed. About 10 minutes later, a little boat pulled up next to the ship and a young barefoot guy had to "jump" from the little boat through the open door on the ship.

[cajunchick]

I took way too many clothes on my first cruise, I will not take that many this time for sure

[Sea Hag]

This is going to sound amazingly stupid, but I think we were on our third cruise before we found out we could get lunch on the ship on embarcation day. :D

[cujochurch]

My last cruise in 2009, this thread was invaluable. I thought maybe we could resurect it as first timers to Alaska. My next cruise coming up in August!