Cruises
 

Well against my better judgement we are going on our first cruise in June. My wife has always wanted to go on one, I on the other hand have fended off her request for a long number of years.

So does anyone have any experience on this kind of vaction? Tell me your stories. Do's and don'ts, advice, what ever.

Ours is a 7 day cruise on the Carnival Glory, Nassau Bahamas, St Thomas, and St. Martin.

Don't piss off a ship's officer and get yourself handcuffed to a table while the ship is sinking.

Don't try jumping up and down in the ship's elevator like a 12-year-old kid - you might stall the car and get stuck for 3 hours.

what's wrong with a cruise vacation? I would think there's something for everyone. I'm envious.

Yea, I guess it is just the thougth of going on vacation with 3000 other people.

no different than Disney World or Paris.

You can hide in the casino.

Lots of free drinking - you'll have fun - Oh and there aren't many illegal immigrants on cruises - well that what Radar told me anyway.... :P

No free drinking on any of them. That is how they make their money. Most of the workers are from other countries because the boats are not US flagged. But I hear you can sneak your own etoh on board and as long as you keep it in your room you are good to go.

Another reason that I would not go to either one.

Prepare to enjoy yourself. I have been on quite a few cruise vacations in the Pacific, Caribbean, and Mediteranean. Just the right mix of enjoying entertainment and mellow relaxation.

Do you like:

Gambling? The casino will be open anytime you aren't in port. Have a blast.

Food? It is impossible to go hungry. There is always a kitchen or restaurant open somewhere. Make sure you hit the midnight pizza buffet for me. Most isn't the highest gourmet quality, but it is good enough. Make sure you hit the formal dining time at least a couple times, you'll have assigned tables and you'll meet new people to laugh with (or at). definitely go for the last night, the show is worth a few laughs.

Nightlife? There is always a bar/nightclub open. Want to dance? go to the danceclub. Want to hear piano music? Go to the piano bar. Want silence? go to the library. Want a show? The theater will have many choices of shows. comedians, revues, game shows.

Relaxation? Lay by the pool or hottub. Wife wants to show off the hooters? take her up to the topless sundeck. Sit under the stars on the deck sipping a beverage and listening to the waves. Go to the spa. Go to the gym. Learn to ballroom dance. Whatever your interests there is something.

I highly recommend that you arrive early so you can board ASAP. Get your gear into your cabin, relax, settle in, then head up to the pool area for some beverages and listen to the music. Usually they'll be playing beach-type party music. Did I mention that English probably won't be their primary language so it can be pretty funny. Just sit back and watch people.

Leave your cash in your room safe, everything you do on board (except the casino) will be charged to your room for you to settle at the end. Prices for beverages aren't out of line with what you'll find on land. I have alway lived by the BYOB system though. Grab some of your favorite drinks and load them in your luggage. Beware they can confiscate the bottles, but it's never happened to me. We usually pack a couple full size bottles of rum because you can get them in plastic bottles and just put them in with your toiletries. Whatever floats your boat.

Unless you are EXTREMELY sensitive you won't have to worry about seasickness. We encountered a REALLY nasty storm on one cruise but it felt like a couple bumps in the road, nothing more. ironically, you probably will feel a little dizzy about 5 hours AFTER getting off at the end of the cruise.


Oh yeah, you also can have plenty of fun in your ports each day.

have fun.

**treat your cabin steward well. They'll treat you well and entertain you. Keep some cash back and tip them discretely and directly - that is all they're likely to get. The company keeps your cabin steward charge that is applied to your bill. Same with your waiter for the formal dining room. Screw the maitre de dude - he's part of management and paid well.

We're going to Hawaii next month, but I would much rather go on a cruise. I loves 'em.

well, I'm rather opposed to crowds at the mall, but for Paris, I'd make an exception. Disney World is really, really fun, too--worth fighting the crowds.

oooh, Lookout, I'm envious at you, too!

Oh, and make sure you find a crew member (usually a bartender) that you see regularly and talk to. Ask them what the best things to do in each port are - they'll give you the real scoop.

Most of the on ship tourist packages you can buy are ok, but nothing great. You can do much better by just following your gut.

Thanks LO. that is exactly what I was looking for.

At most ports there is, inevitably, a bar that caters specifically to cruise partiers. Drunken revelry and wet tshirt contests almost guaranteed. But once you've seen that, you may want something more off the beaten path. Ask the bartenders.

And take lots of pics.

I worked in the cruise industry for 15 years in sales doing new ship introductions, etc and have cruised all over. Alaska, Caribbean, Mexico, Italy/Croatia, South Pacific and Australia.

Lookout pretty much said it all. You have to go through the mandatory "how to jump off the ship as it goes down" to-do on the first day.

Definitely go to formal dining at least once. Formal night is the best time as that is Lobster night. :lobstah: And truly, if you want seconds/thirds, it's yours. Just ask.

They'll want to take your picture everywhere. Getting on the ship, off at each port, at dinner, on formal night, etc and then sell them to you. Head to the Lido Deck when you first check in for a buffet lunch. And yes, get there early. It'll give you time to acquaint yourself with the ship.

The shows after dinner are pretty good. Prior to dinner, find a nice bar that you like for cocktails ahead of time. Don't lose your cruise card as you will need it getting on and off the ship and for purchasing drinks to. It's a royal pain if you do.

Your room stewards are phantoms. You leave your room, forget something, come back in a short time and it's all neat and tidy. Hopefully you have a veranda. The only way to go!

The tips for drinks are already included on your bill so don't tip again.

And....have fun!!!

You will be tempted to sleep in, of course, but try to make it to the earlier breakfast in the dining room (instead of the available-into-the-afternoon buffet) at least a few times. We only bothered to go on the last day when we had to be up anyway, and found ourselves wishing we'd gotten up for it every day. The buffet is certainly good, like all the food, but the fancy breakfast was just incredible.

Advice given to Dagney a while back
Cellar thread

if 'twere me, and one day I hope it may be, I'd go out and buy Cruising for Dummies or some such, to stock up on insider tips.

Why? Seems to me that pretty much all the important stuff has been mentioned here or is only a question mark away.

Oh, hey you're going to be on Carnival, right Merc? They've got the infamous "bloody big bottles of heineken" that my drunken australian table mate fell in love with on one cruise. They're champaigne size/style bottles, but it's heiney. fun.

why? because I'm obsessive like that. Trust me, if I were going on a cruise, I'd be buying 2-3 books on cruising to prepare.

and then my whole family and all my friends would be laughing at me. :)

I'll save you some time, effort, and money by laughing at, er with you now if you like.;)

no fun and no fair!

I hate cruises (and Disneyland, Paris, London, and other similarly theme-parkish places).

That said, I've been on several cruises on different ships and cruise lines, since I didn't have to pay for them.

Food-wise: avoid buffets (except perhaps the midnight gala buffet), go to the upscale restaurant at least once, eat in port in an off-the-beaten track restaurant.

Excursions are generally fun, but choose at least one port to explore yourself.

The cruises I've gone on have tip envelopes that are distributed to your waiter, steward, and a some other people, I think. There is a recommended tip level, but I forget what it is.

Good stuff, keep it coming.

Do most people just wear bathing suits while tripping around the boat on the excursions?

I'm not sure exactly what you mean Merc. Do people wear swimsuits while on shore? Sure, you're going to islands and can spend your days on the beach if you want. I would be more inclined to bring a backpack with that kind of stuff in it though.

Do you mean just walking around the ship? Sure, some do. Personally I only wear my suit if I'm hanging around the pool.

Wear comfy clothes during the day. Pretty much anything goes.
Dress a bit nicer for the evenings. Jackets aren't required for dinner anymore, but there is something fun about getting dressed up for dinner, getting your pictures taken, and hitting a couple of bars or shows.

We usually dress up a bit for dinner and pics then change to more casual and hit the nightlife.

I highly recommend that you take a ajacket and dress up for the final dinner. It is just a fun way to finish up.

Yea, I meant while walking around the boat.

Yeah, you'll be able to walk around in your suit without getting crowds of pointing and staring people. Unless of course your suit is a banana hammock, then let the pointing and staring be joined with laughter.

Most cruises have a final "day at sea", which is the last day where the captain takes you out and chases the sun all day long with no port calls. That is just a sunshine, gambling, and beverage consumption day. Enjoy. That night typically gets a bit rowdy in the clubs too. Twice I have walked out of the bar straight to the line to disembark. Good times.

I think I am beginning to warm up to the idea. Thanks for your notes.

Take something cool and easy to slip on if & when you're walking to the sunbeds/ deck, "pool" (it's never really a pool!). Like linen trousers, khaki shorts, whatever. It means if you decide to grab a quick drink or a snack you won't feel you have to go change.

On the flip side, don't take too much out of the cabin with you. Part of the fun of being on board a ship is the fact you remember that's where you are. If you have to go get something from the cabin you can take a different route and see something you might have missed otherwise.

The extra clothes are the one thing I'd advise because if you fancy a nibble you want it right now. Unless it's that kind of nibble. Then you have to go back to the cabin. Know what I mean?

Lookout nailed it!!
Carol and I went on a Cruise a few years back , it was WAY Cool !!!!
We went on a 7 day cruise , we only did the formal dinner thing twice , nice and all food was Great but a bit too stuffy for me, But DEFFently do the Last nite Supper , they pull out ALL the stops !!!!!!!

Have fun , take and Post LOTS pics !!!!!

I've been on 7-8 cruises, and you're getting good advice and suggestions. Crocs are great but you may want sturdier shoes if you are going biking or hiking in port. Shore-blessed excursions are pricey but they'll get you back to the ship on time or the ship will wait, not like when you are on your own, so decide what might be fun to schedule or do on your own. Carnival has descriptions of port trips on their site. Lots of good food aboard but we've always lost weight while aboard from running around day and night. I love being on the balcony at night, looking up at the stars or down at the dolphins or flying fish. It's beautiful at sea at night. Have a great time!

Thanks guys. Keep the comments coming. I will post a link to Picasa when we get back so you can see the pics.