Best Cruise TIPS?

Question

what was some of the things u wish you knew before going on a cruise?

Answer 1

Bring very little with you, people wear shorts & jeans, the dressy nights are casual.

Loose 10 pounds before you go, so you don't hate yourself when you gain 15.  Very good food 24/7 in your face.

A light jacket for nights.

Have fun.

**TIP - At night look at the horizon to see the curve of the earth, you see 8 miles on land but, you see 11 miles on water.

Answer 2

Get Visa TravelMoney.  Its like american express travelers checks/cards but AE isn't accepted everywhere like Visa is.

Remember to bring cash with you to the port of call.

Eat at the later time so you aren't rushing to eat dinner after coming back on the ship.

Answer 3

I just came back this past Sunday from the Disney Cruise in the Mediterranean.   Everything I wished for did come true.

First Time for on a Cruise Ship...First Time to Europe

While I have lived and travelled across the US and Pacific, I was apprehensive about stepping onto a European foreign shore and a cruise ship. I had heard how some cruise ships were poorly maintained, people falling overboard, mass sickness, fires and sinkings...I would never have made this trip but I promised my wife I'd take her to renew our vows on a Mediterranean Cruise on our 25th anniversary.....I kept my promise I made 25 years ago.

Disney made it's inagural transatlantic cruise last month in May and the Disney Cruise Ship MAGIC began it's Mediterranean cruises for the first time stopping off in:

Barcelona Spain,

Palermo, Sicily

Naples/Sorrento/Capri, Italy

Olbia, Sardinia

Rome, Italy

Florence/Pisa, Italy

Marseille, France

Manaco, France

Barcelona, Spain

From day one I was just amazed impressed with the Disney Cruise Welcome staff, housekeeping, Dining, and Entertainment venues including new Movies (latest Pirates movie) and shows (2 per night).

Disney contracted out the shore excursions, and I found them all well run...although IF I ever do this again, I will opt to do several 1/2 day tours (get all the travel and shopping tips) and 1/2 on your own. Disney provided travel and shopping seminars (which are rebroadcast on their internal TV channels 14 and 46).

We met many veteran cruisers (almost 70 percent were on Disney Cruises in the Bahama's (Castaway Club) where they've been based since 1998) and all agreed with my assessment that Disney made this the most enjoyable experience I ever had. Other said Disney was the best as compared to other cruise lines....not just for families with kids, but also for couples, single parents (I met several who left their kids at home).

Many Disney Vacation Club members also told me how they got to take this cruise for FREE (paid only airline fees and EU Taxes). I learned something new about how to plan for future vacations (maybe for my 50th Anniversary).

My only regret was that I now realized I should have done this sooner...but I'll will do it again.

Good Luck and have fun!  Disney will give you all the info you need before and during the cruise.

Answer 4

Don't be suprised when you come back 10 pounds heavier! It really happens to me every time.

Avoid drinking soda because its expensive and theres usually free lemonade or juice.  Its better for you anyways.

Try new things at dinner because its already paid for so if you don't like it just send it back.

Bring Dramamine too.  I don't get sea sick but my sister and mom do.  However if you are going on a Mexican Rivera cruise and normally dont get sea sick, bring dramamine anyways because the last day is usally pretty rough.

Its nice to have a balcony room, midship or foward.  Midship is most convienent because it is, well, in the middle of the ship.  Usually, the higher the deck the better, but also the more expensive.

Don't bring a gigantic suitcase unless your going on a 16 day europe one or something.

I would do one shore excursion to meet people but otherwise they aren't really worth it.

Go to the shows after dinner because they are usually good but almost always... interesting.  On one cruise i went on there was a hypmotist and he was absolutely hilarious, and hipmotized real guests!

Make sure you know how much you can spend without having to pay duty or whatever.  I believe its around $800 but I don't know if thats per person or family or what.

Don't get sucked into the whole Diamonds International thing!  Waste of your time in port, buy your diamonds at home.

Lastly, be prepared to be amazed by the food and the outstanding service.  And be prepared for it all to be gone in the blink of an eye when as soon as you step off the ship.

Answer 5

-The shorter cruises are 3, 4 or 5 days, and the normal ones are either 7 to 14 days or more.  If you are not sure whether you will like cruising, go on a short one first.  

--To save some money, consider driving to the port; Miami, Ft Lauderdale, N.O., Houston, LA,  NJ.  Most ports have plentiful and safe parking (I have driven many times to Miami and Ft Lauderdale) at both places that costs about $12 a day.  Driving can save money over the cruise line "add-in" for airfare.  We generally drive most of the way on one day and stop about an hour or two from the port for the night.  Then we continue the short trip the next day to the port.  Most ships start boarding between noon and 1:00 PM.  If you are a cruise club member you generally get to go on first, or early.  

-  If you can plan to fly to the departure port a day early so that you do not have to worry about missed flights and connections.  If you are changing time zones it will give your body time to adjust and you time to rest from the long trip.

-If your cruise included many connections, flying, train and bus, buy travel insurance and get it from an independent supplier, not the cruise line.

-Join the cruise club so that the cruise line will send you their specials and so that you can get discounts on future cruises with them.  The discount will typically be $50 to $100 per person.   If you will be celebrating a honeymoon, anniversary, or birthday during the cruise, be sure to tell them, they will do special stuff for that.  

- Cruise lines charge a lot for the photos they take so take your own photos around the ship when you get the chance, especially on the formal nights.  Ask other passengers to take photos for you, they generally are very willing.

-Review the listing of tours offered on your cruise and decide whether you want to pay for a tour or go on your own.  On most Caribbean islands you can get a taxi or tour in port for much less than the cruise ship tours.   HOWEVER, the one big advantage of going on ship sponsored tours is THE SHIP WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU if your ship sponsored tour is late getting back to the ship.  If you will be in a port for 12 to 16 hours you are probably safe to go on your own for most anything.  But if you are only there for six to eight hours you may want to stay close to the ship or go on the ship tours.

- Take a 6-pack of water and/or soft drinks in your carry on for your cabin.

- take a cup or mug with a lid for cold drinks when you are around the pool, most plastic glasses on cruise ships are small.

_always take soft sided luggage as it stores better under the beds.

Answer 6

Although the alcoholic drinks were $5 a pop they made them at least doubles and many times tripples. You could get wasted SO fast on only two or three drinks. I was not more careful of afternoon indulginces and got ripped the first day at sea and had a bad night till time passed.

Also, although you select a specific stateroom and reserve it and pay in advance to lock in, you can still get bumped without reason.

Answer 7

don't be afraid to ask for things or to indulge yourself. the staff on cruises are extremely friendly. they are more than happy to help you out or bring you something.

get involved with a lot of activities onboard. many cruises have dance lessons or acting lessons given by the ships performers. they are super fun and a great way to meet new people.

one of the best things on cruises are the performances. try not to miss them. they usually occur in the evening and are really spectacular.

Answer 8

-Drinks are expensive.

-Shows can be quite entertaining and well done if you attend them.

-The pool is filled with Salt Water!

-The casinos are a rip off

-You can tell the photog that takes your pics at each port that you don't want to take the pic. They can add up in cost if you buy them.

-The Cruise staff does there best to help you relax, are ultra freindly and truly want you to sit back and relax.

-There are laundry facilites on a few of the decks, which comes in handy. The are usually free you just have to buy the soap.

-The shore excusions the cruise has to offer are always a better choice and they insure you get back on the ship on time. Other non-cruise excurions can not guarentee this.

Answer 9

That drinks are cheaper if you buy the souvineer glass and just buy refills (cocktails)

To take more spending money than you think you will need for the ports....cos you spend it!!!

Always eat at the formal restaurant....the informal all you can eat things go most of the night so if you are not full from dinner (unlikely anyways) you can still go grab a slice of pizza afterwards.

Take looser clothes, cos you get fat!!

With the cashless society, you really need to make sure you can link your credit card to your ship card.

Answer 10

Do not overindulge at lunch when you first board.  Bring a powerstrip.  The rooms only have one outlet.  Don't wait until the last day to start to relax.  Do not be ashamed to ask for more of what you want in the dining room.

Answer 11

That by day three I was going to get seasick - I would've brought something to take...didn't realize the water could get so stormy and violent so quickly.

Answer 12

Mark your luggage with colorful yarn or ribbons so you can find it quickly upon de-barkation.

Take a power strip.  Room only has 1 outlet.

Take a nightlight.  Rooms are wicked dark.

Avoid cabins near the stairwells, service areas and elevators.

Pick only the very best pictures.  Don't be tempted to buy an OK picture.  They will take others.

Don't overpack.  Very little storage room.

Take an extra swimsuit so you don't have to wear a wet one day after day.

Take a light jacket for cool nights.

Take a canvas bag to carry towels, etc. on shore excursions or to hold your shopping goodies.  Avoid the malls in the towns...shop in the open air markets.

If you don't like something @ dinner, ask for something else.

Answer 13

If you don't handle sea sickness very well bring some medicine

Answer 14

Eat breakfast - skip lunch - eat in the main dining room at night.

Do NOT have the cruise line book your flights - get your own flights they are MUCH cheaper.

Do not take shore excursions to the beach.  They will charge you anywhere from $25-$50 per excursion, and you can take a cab to any of these beaches on the islands for around $5 per person.  SAME BEACH!  

Casino is always paying out on the first night - then is tightens up as the week goes on.  

Don't try to cram everything in - you can't.  Relax and enjoy.  

ALWAYS get a cabin with a balcony if you can afford it.