First time cruise questions

[NHcopwife]

Hello, my husband and I are going on a Royal Caribbean cruise (Western Caribbean on Enchantment of the Seas) in June.

 

I have a couple questions since this is our first time going on a cruise!

 

1. Should we use the cruise line's transportation to the airport? It seemed pricey and we thought it would be cheaper to get a cab. Do you know how far the departure port is from the Ft. Lauderdale airport?

 

2. How much cash do we need for spending money in the different ports? We stop at Key West, Cozumel and Belize. We will probably book 1-2 excursions ahead of time so this would be extra money.

 

3. What is the dress code for dinner? I have heard there is a formal night that we would need formal attire for, but I am curious for the other evenings what would be approriate attire.

 

I am so excited to go, we have two small children who are staying home with their grandparents so this is going to be a wonderful time for my husband and I to get away!

[silentbob007]

Hello, my husband and I are going on a Royal Caribbean cruise (Western Caribbean on Enchantment of the Seas) in June.

 

I have a couple questions since this is our first time going on a cruise!

 

1. Should we use the cruise line's transportation to the airport? It seemed pricey and we thought it would be cheaper to get a cab. Do you know how far the departure port is from the Ft. Lauderdale airport?

 

Definitely don't use the transfers. Cabs are plentiful and about a $10-15 ride ... very close.

 

2. How much cash do we need for spending money in the different ports? We stop at Key West, Cozumel and Belize. We will probably book 1-2 excursions ahead of time so this would be extra money.

 

It really depends on how much you think you will be spending. KW, of course, will be very easy to use credit if you usually do that. For Cozumel and Belize, you'd probably want to bring enough cash (in smaller bills as change is sometimes given in local currency) for any trinkets you might want. If you think you might want more expensive items, perhaps bring a little extra just in case.

 

3. What is the dress code for dinner? I have heard there is a formal night that we would need formal attire for, but I am curious for the other evenings what would be approriate attire.

 

Formal night isn't really formal. It is "dressy." You will see people from tuxedos to slacks/jeans and a polo shirt or less. The majority will probably be dressed up, usually with the ladies more so than the guys. Otherwise, typically there aren't shorts allowed in the dining room at night (though I've not seen them enforce that recently) but dress is casual. I typically wear slacks and a polo or tropical button-down for casual nights.

[eritouma]

1) I would second the "Definitely don't use the transfers"... from what I understand and what was said, there are lots of cabs and it is not too far.. we are planning to use cabs for our upcoming cruise...

 

2) This is the trickiest one as each wants, likes different things and will tend to buy different goods / souvenirs... for us... in KW we carried $200, just for a few old things.. did not spend the $200... In Cozumel.... we again took about $200, but only spent about $150 including the lunch we had.. Have not been to Belize, but if we did, I would approximate the same $200 or so and surely we would come back with money left over...

 

3) People dress-up to varying degrees and on formal nights you get the whole range of dress attire... on non-formal nights, like silentbob007, I wear slacks and a buttoned shirt... kind of resort style wear... nothing too loud, but nothing too casual, just neat and tidy.. my wife likes to dress up more than I, so she does... after all I am just the accessory....:)

 

With the kids with grandparents... I hope you have a great trip... so much to do together that usually you can't get a chance to do... enjoy...:)

[JanineM]

While I might bring $300 in cash total - I don't normally carry a lot of cash on shore - maybe $100 in mostly small bills. We tend to use cash for taxis, tips and small items. We were in Key West last Friday (:( back at work) and spent a total of about $50 on a couple of drinks at the Circle K, a slice of key lime pie, and a tee-shirt or two. In Cozumel we took a taxi into downtown (total of $16 with tip) and then bought a bunch of tee-shirts and small gifties for about $70 in total. There were some jewellery shops where they had silver pieces. They were willing to barter prices down but wanted cash only. There was a little sea turtle pendant I had my eye on - they started at $45 and were hollering "five dollars cash!" when I walked out the door.

 

On the ship you will use cash for room service gratuities, any extra gratuities you decide to give to your servers, and for the casino. Otherwise it can all go on your room card.

 

As to dress - as others have said, wear what you like. My DH wears khakis & a tropical or golf shirt on non-formal nights. I tend to bring a couple of dresses or skirts, or a pair of dressy capris (not denim). For me it's more an opportunity to wear the stuff I never get to wear at home.

 

Hope you enjoy your cruise!!

[my $.02]

Do not use the transfer's. Just get a cab. The port is maybe 30 min from the airport.

 

We have not been to Belize. But the other's we have been to many times. Each (for us) we just walk around, pick up some little stuff and maybe eat and get a drink. I would say $200 per port should be plenty.

 

I dress formal for formal night. I either bring a suit, OR rent a tux through the ship (easier then packing a suit). On Smart Casual, I wear a shirt and sport coat OR shirt and tie and on casual I wear a polo. Never jeans.

 

Have a great time, take it all in and explore the ship, you will find new things each day!

[silentbob007]

I'll say this ... if you are going to leave the tourism area in Belize, make sure it is on a tour.

[HappyCampers3]

I agree....cruiseline transfers are way over priced. Cabs are plentiful and lined up waiting outside baggage claim areas at any airport on embarkation days.

 

Formal night is that...usually more formal for ladies than men. As you'll see some men in tuxedos, anymore most will wear a dark suit. Office attire and very neat attire on other nights. Jeans and shorts are not suggested and really shouldn't be worn out of respect.

 

Excursions booked through the cruiseline are added to your account; not usually paid by cash. I'd use a credit card in Key West, but never in Cozumel or Belize. On our last cruise, after using a credit card in Cozumel, a lady was informed by crew that her credit limit was exhausted, on a credit card she used for her onboard account, and then used in Cozumel. Someone in Cozumel used her number and ran it up. Although it didn't happen to me, it was a lesson learned...be very careful using credit cards in Mexico. I've used credit cards in St. Thomas and St. John and was ok...but you never know. Yes, it could even happen here in the states...so what do you REALLY DO?

 

Although you will be without your children, you will be inundated with kids on your cruise! Summer months and holiday cruises are jammed packed with "kids gone wild!"

[FoghornLeghorn]

Congratulations on your first cruise and especially the time without the kids. Great experience for the kids to spend some special time with their grandparents. Even better time for Mom and Dad to get a break from reality and enjoy themselves.

 

Money in Port: A couple of hundred while in the different ports....easier to have it and not spend it, than wish you would have brought more. I agree that in some ports I'd prefer not to use my credit card. Make sure you take a tote bag, or back pack when you go exploring with room for purchases and the things you need for your excursions.

 

Attire: Most nights you could wear a nice pair of pants/slacks and a dressy top. If you don't have a lot of dressy tops, you could take some extra jewelry to wear with what you have. Heck, if Mom has some, borrow some from her! :) She'll be busy with the kids :D

Even a nice Hawaiian type dress with dressy sandals would work.

Formal night - a nice dress. You can go a fancy long dress, or a cocktail dress. (or a dressy pant suit)

 

Go formal for one night if you want! You're on a cruise with your husband - make it special - might be fun for both of you to dress up for each other.

 

Enjoy some time out on your own balcony, or if you didn't get a balcony, just spend time on the deck together watching a sunset or sunrise...doing nothing but enjoying the ocean and being together.

 

Try new things at the dining rooms. You can always ask for something else, if you don't like it.

 

and don't try to "do everything" - as a mother of two and your husband a police officer....time alone and away from everything, will be a treat in itself! and on a beautiful cruise ship to wonderful islands.. doesn't get much better.

 

My personal favorite tip: use the cell phone for checking on the kids and for emergencies...otherwise, shut it off, don't take a laptop, leave all the distractions behind when you board your ship. You can do all those things the other 51 weeks of the year.... enjoy this week appreciating each other and the fact you can get away together... What a blessing!

 

Ask someone to snap some pictures of you and your husband on the deck, at the dining rooms, on your excursions....

 

Have lots of fun.... and give us an update and review when you get back!

We'd love to hear about your experience.

 

P.S. Those snapshots you have taken...print an extra print or two..don't put them in the scrapbook...

When I got back to the "real world" and things got hectic and crazy again.. I'd pull one out and stick it on the bathroom mirror to remind us!....or I'd put one in his briefcase, or coat pocket for him to find later in the day. He even left one on my pillow one night, we talked for hours about our trip and enjoyed the memories that were "just ours"

[dna1990]

Transfers were a better deal back when luggage was a point to point offering, meaning you checked your luggage at you home airport and didn't see (lift) it again until it was delivered to your cabin. The advantage is that it is one less thing to worry about. You are met by a RCCL rep and guided to the bus, etc. The disadvantages are price and time, you usually end up waiting longer for other passengers to gather.

 

For your kids and grandparents - look into eMail. Check into buying an internet package once you board (x number of minutes). They have kiosks to help keep in touch. Cell and other phone bills can be expensive.

[Tisha49]

We called SAS Transportation (you can find them on the web), it's very popular. Steve is the owner and who you send your e-mails, too. It's 15 per person - Ft. lauderdale airport to Miami hotel or port. They use vans, so you don't have to worry that all your luggage won't fit in a taxi.

 

They are waiting for you call right after you get your luggage. We waited one minute after our call, and they were at the curb. I highly recommend them. I believe they only take cash after you get to your destination.

 

As far as formal nights...it's is quite dressy. Most men are in dark suits, and the women are in fancy cocktail to long formal gowns. It's quite lovely to watch everyone be so decked out! You will definitely feel out of place and in the minority if you aren't. A few men wore tuxedos and a few sports jackets, but I'd say 90% dark suits. One night I wore a long sparkly dress and didn't feel uncomforable at all. Everyone is getting their pictures taken before and after dinner at different places around the ship. Those night turned out to be my favoities, even though I moaned and groaned about packing all that stuff for us (2 boys, also). It was their favorite nights, too. Had lobster for the very first time!

 

The rest of the nights I dressed more chic casual. No shorts. Towards the end, I did allow the boys to wear shorts with polo shirts a couple evenings, so they could take off afterwards.

 

DO NOT forget to go buy the $8 over the door shoeholder from Target or Walmart. It was the best $8 I ever spent. Holds 20 shoes, I put EVERYTHING in that.