Royal caribbean tips or advice?

Question

i am going on a royal caribbean trip in the caribbean. i will be going on liberty of seas (freedom class)

do you have any advice or tips?

i will be in the teen program, but is it really fun or will i want to go do my own thing?

what are some things that i should pack (like hand sanitizer or camera) i pretty much know what clothes to wear.

what are some things you wish you brought but didnt?

what didnt you do that you wish you had?

what was the best thing you did that you cant miss doing? how was the food?

how was the service?

i will be going with my family, so is there any fun family things?

thanks!!!

Answer 1

Whew that's a lot of questions.  As far as tips or advice, look over the shore excursions before you go.  As soon as you get on board people start booking them and they are first come first serve.  Don't do any shore excursions like Jeep ride or Beach excursion--they are islands.  You can find a beach on your own.

Each night you get a newspaper that tells you a whole bunch of stuff to do the next day.  Look over it and see what is of interest.  Same with the kids club.  What age group are you in?  For the younger kids, they have a ton of different activities.  As you get older (like 15-17), they expect you to only join them for a few of them.  Some are rather cool--they have movies, take over the surf area at a certain time, have certain night club evenings when it is closed for all but the teen club, etc.  But either way, you can look over the newsletter for the teen program and the regular one to see what catches your eye.  You'll probably want to do a little of your own thing and a little of the teen plan.

Things to pack:  Really that's up to you.  Pack several swimsuits, i-pod, books if you read.  Most things you don't really need.  There is so much to do on a cruise ship.  I found a lot of stuff I packed that I didn't need.  Like many of the cabins have shampoo and body wash dispensers.  I'd carry hand sanitizer.  That's a good idea.  If there are any snacks you are very particular.  But really there is tons of food and it's out all the time so you won't go hungry.  I'd bring my own snorkel gear.  That helps a lot.  On an island, you can just walk off the beach and snorkel for a bit without having to sign up for a shore excursion.  Carry some kind of baby bookbag/tote bag.  If you are wearing a swim suit, you can carry a tshirt and anything you buy.  

Buy some underwater disposable cameras.  They are ridiculously overpriced on the ship.  The one thing I learned the first time was that you are carrying your room key/onboard credit card with you all the time.  A lanyard around your neck with the lil plastic holder was an awesome thing.  They sell them on the ship though and they aren't terrible expensive.  Of course a lot of guys bathing suits have pockets so I guess that matters a lot more if you are female.

I've always loved the shore excursions I took.  I've always had some I wish I'd done of course when you get back and other people at your table are talking about what they did.  Next cruise I'd like to do cave tubing.  But you definitely don't need to take a shore excursion at every port of call.

The best thing that you can't miss doing depends on what islands you are going to.  Are you a history buff?  Are you a foodie?  I love the midnight buffet but I end up every time just eating most of my breakfasts and lunches at the Lido deck by the pool.  It's soooo good.  And then at the end of the time I'm always like This ship had 17 places to eat and I only ate at 2 of them.  The food is GREAT.  Each meal in the dining room is about 5 courses:  a salad, a cold appetizer, a hot appetizer, entree, and dessert.  I never had a meal I didn't like but if you do, they will be glad to get you a different choice.

The service is rather good too.  My room steward brings the towels frequently so you don't need to bring your own even for the pool.  The wait staff is usually amazing.  Creative and entertaining.  A cruise is filled with fun family things.  It really depends on your family.  The shore excursions are rated based on their activity level so your family can hike ancient ruins or swim with dolphins.  Or if not so active, you can take a bus tour around the island or tour a rum plantation.

What islands are you going to?  Check on Cruisecritic.com to read reviews from people who just got off the cruise you are going on.

There is so much to do and they basically provide everything you need.  Between laying out by the pool, surfing, going to different games being played, eating dinner, going to the after dinner show, and hitting the night club--you really don't have time to think about what you wish you had brought.  There is nothing you really need.