Are Cruises Fun?

Question

I am going on it for first time! Tell me what its like and what i need to watch out for?

Answer 1

They can be.  That's up to you if you enjoy it or now.

A couple of things to know:

First - you have to sign up for the shore excursions quickly, as they will fill up fast.  Find out ahead of time what's available, and which ones you want to do.  Your travel agent can tell you, or the cruise line's website should say.  If not - call the cruise line and bug them to find out.

Second - they'll probably give you a temporary credit card that you will use to book everything, and to pay for drinks, etc.  It's a slick way to get you to not think about how much you're spending.  Keep an eye on how much you use it, or you'll get a rude surprise at the end of the week.

Third - the cruise lines have a long list of suggested tips for everyone from the 2nd asst. cabin cleaner up to the Maitre d'.  They used to do this in cash, but now I've heard that they're charging these directly to that temp. credit card.  YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO TIP AS MUCH OR AS LITTLE AS YOU WANT.  If you want to change the amount - go to the purser's office and have the tips removed, and get cash to tip who you want, how much you want.

Fourth - there is food available almost all the time on a cruise.  You can eat yourself silly 3 times over if you want.  The captain's dinner is the exception - it's usually a night or 2 before the trip is over, and this is where you get hit with the list of suggested tips.  You have to go to the formal dinner - none of the casual places are open then.  Bring nice clothes so you don't stick out like a hick.

Fifth - on the islands in the Caribbean, tourists, especially those on cruise ships, are looked at as walking money bags who are there to be harvested.  Get used to telling people "NO", repeatedly and firmly.  They will hand you things to buy on the sidewalks, they will call you into shops, they will take your hand and lead you in.  We went to one place that had a carved wooden bird out front.  The neck had been broken before, and it was put back very carefully and lightly glued.  When one of our group picked it up, the head came off, and the proprietor was right there, demanding $25.  He wouldn't budge off that price after an hour of arguing.  My advice is to not touch anything you don't plan to buy.  If you really want to look, ask the shop owner to pick it up and hand it to you.

Finally - unless you're going to a US port, keep in mind that YOU ARE NOT IN THE US.  Laws and customs you grew up with don't apply here.  Cops may side with the locals in direct conflict with the law or logic.  Taxi drivers may charge you exorbitant rates.  Meals may cost you 3 times what a local just paid at the other table.  Refills on soft drinks aren't free.  I was charged $6 per refill on a glass of Coke in Mexico, and I only found out when my son had drank 3 of them.  Caveat Emptor applies in a big way.

Answer 2

cruises are amazing. you will want to take another after. watch out for EXCESSIVLY loud people and heavy drinkers

Answer 3

Yes, they can be a blast.  Once you're on board, the cruise lines will try to sell you all kinds of stuff.  Most of the stuff isn't worth it, so be careful.

Do not ever, ever, ever book a shore excursion through the cruise ship!  Go with an alternative licensed excursion company on shore.  You'll pay about half, and get twice the tour.

And, like I've said, don't cruise with Norwegian.

Answer 4

Cruises are very fun. You really don't have to watch out for anything.. be practical and use common sense. Don't go off on the shore excursions alone. Be back to the boat on time.  Don't climb up on things where it says not to on the boat, and drink responsibly.  

The food is great, you will get to try things you never have even heard of.  You can go to the dining room at night, and hit the buffets during the day.  

During days at sea, there is the pool/hot tub, games/ lido deck always has activities.. movies, and just getting to know the ship.  They are huge and you can spend a week and find out you never found everything.  

If you book a room with a balcony, it's so fun to watch for different things in the sea.  If your room is an inside stateroom, you better take an alarm clock, as there might not be any windows and its too easy to sleep in the dark.. all day!

Have a great time

Answer 5

it issoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much fun i have been on like 20 different ones!!!

ummm i would say watch out for the drunks lolz j/k j/k

just go and have fun!

u goin with any one???