What are some guidelines for a first time cruiser?

Question

what are some things that a first time cruiser should no before booking a cruise. (btw, we're still stuck between royal caribbean and carnival)

Answer 1

There are so many things to know....

Before you can book a cruise, you need to know:  which cruise line, what type of cabin, what deck, which itinerary, when to go, type of cruise and fellow passengers, etc, etc.  There are book about cruising at your library or bookstore.

If you already know  about that aspect of cruising and just need to know "tips", etc, a good source is CruiseCritic.com.  Click on "Boards" at the top of the page, then go to whichever topic interests you, e.g. "First Time Cruisers", etc.

Carnival has better service, cabins and food, but the ships are glitzier [think Las Vegas on steroids!]  They may have a slightly rowdier crowd than RC, but probably not by much.  Carnival is usually less expensive than RC for similar itineraries.  Both have their ardent fans and detractors, but basically they're in the same "class".

Answer 2

The best way to find out what you need is to look on the site like www.carnival.com or www.royalcarribean.com. I hope that this helps you and you have a wonderful cruise.

Answer 3

well I Absolutly love Carnival Liberty and the Cruise Director is awsome!! (Karl with a K) He's Amazing!! Carnival does alot of activities that include everyone!! and My Friend and I were Doing Elevator races at like 1am and the securty gaurd was HELPING us!1 lol so I like

Carnival Better!!

(I have been on Royal C too)

Answer 4

well definitly do royal carrabein and the thing u should worry about is just having fun

Answer 5

Get an eye patch and a parrot

Answer 6

There are a lot of factors that affect what cruise you should select.  Cruises generally cost about $125.00 per day per person AND all cruises are priced based on double occupancy (2 people per cabin).

Since cruises can be 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 12, or 14 days or more the price will depend mostly on how many days your cruise is. Then the cruise lines give the best price for early bookings that are a year or more in advance. Cruise lines also list specials on their web sites so do look for those. The specials can many times save you a couple hundred per person over the price for the exact same cruise on a different date.

All cruise cabins are sold based on double occupancy and the prices listed will be per person and based on at least two people going on the cruise.  If you have a 3rd and/or 4th person in your cabin their fare is generally about 50% of the first two persons.  The price you pay will depend also on the type cabin/accommodations that you choose.

There are 4 basic types of cabins on ships;

- inside (no window),................................... least expensive

- outside (a window or porthole),

- balcony/veranda, and

- suites and penthouses.......................... most expensive.

The "FROM" prices you see will always be for an inside cabin. There are also some subcategories within each category with cabins on a higher deck, and/or a better location on ship (like midship), and/or that are slightly larger costing more. So as you browse, pay attention to the square footage of the cabins. You may not want to pay more for the same sized cabin on a higher floor; or vice versa do pay less for the same cabin on a lower deck.

You can reserve a cruise on line, by calling the cruise line, or through a travel agent by paying the minimum deposit which will be between $250 and $350 per person for a 7 day cruise, depending upon the cruise line. The minimum will be more for a longer cruise, for example $450 per person for a 14 day cruise. The balance will be due approximately 60 days before the cruise departure date. But you can make periodic payment on line or with the cruise line. I have reserved on line and made payments many times.

Carnival is the budget cruise line that generally has the lowest prices.   They cater to young people, first time cruiser and families.  The best of their ships are their newer ships so do pay attention to when the ship was launched is you find a really cheap cruise. A seven day cruise on a Carnival ship can be as low as $750. per person. :http://www.carnivalcruiselines.com/cms/f...

Royal Caribbean is also a cruise line that caters to young cruiser and families.  It has the advantage of having the most on-board activities.  Things like ice skating, roller blading, mini-golf course, a full sized basketball/tennis court, the rock climbing wall, and on the new Freedom Class ships the surfing simulator, the Flowrider.   The RC ships that you should look for cruises on are the RC's Freedom Class and Voyager Class ships:

You can look at the features of these ships on these two web links:

Freedom Class:

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/findacruis...

Voyager Class:

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/findacruis...

For the most part all cruises are all inclusive. Let me explain.

Regardless of which cruise line you select, Carnival or any other, the things that are included are pretty much the same. The price of your cruise includes your cabin, all meals (including breakfast, lunch dinner, snacks and free room service)(you do pay to eat in the specialty restaurants), all shows and entertainment, and free use of all facilities on ship. The things that you will have to pay for are:

GRATUITIES: They will amount to about $10 per person in your cabin per day; about $70 each for a 7 day cruise. When you check in at the pier they will set up an on-board charge account for you to cover any and everything you may buy on ship. They will issue you a "cruise card" which will also serve as your room key and pass to get on and off the ship. At the end of the cruise they will add the gratuity to your tab and you can pay with a credit card or cash, your choice.  So everything on ship except the casino is cashless; everything you buy goes on your account.

ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND SOFT DRINKS: Coffee, tea, milk, juice, and lemonade and punch will be provided free but you must pay for soft drinks and alcoholic beverages and they will add a 15% gratuity to each drink and soft drink order.

PHOTOGRAPHS: Cruise lines will take plenty of photographs of you all over the ship, in the dining room, and as you exit the ship in ports. These will cost a lot, like $15 to $20 for most.

TOURS/EXCURSIONS: You are not required to book any tours and can get off and on in the ports as much as you want. But the cruise line will offer a lot of tours and these are expensive.

SOUVENIRS: Anything you buy on ship from a gift shop or duty free shop goes on your on board account. Things that you buy on shore you pay cash or credit card for.

CASINO: If you plan to gamble on ship you will need cash for that.

OTHER: most cruise lines have what they call "specialty" restaurants where there is a gratuity/service charge. All other food on board is free and its not really necessary to budget for food; you cannot eat all of the FREE FOOD that will be available.

SPA SERVICES: If you want/need to have your hair done, get a massage or wrap, or any services from the spa, you will have to pay for them. You can use the gym free but the spa stuff cost big bucks.

INTERNET SVCS: Ships now have internet cafe and some have WiFi but the there is a fee for internet access and it is very expensive (like about $50 to $60 an hour).

You cabin will likely have a minibar with soft drinks and munchies; you have to pay for them (but there is free room service 24/7).

Answer 7

It is always a good idea to research the cruise ships and cruise lines which you are planning on sailing.  ~ I see you are doing that already~.  But also, don't believe everything you hear or see!  It is advisable to speak with an experienced cruise agent who knows cruises inside and out and whom can answer any and all of your questions, and be able to tell you things that you would never know or would have thought about asking (such as how can you get free onboard credits?).  I recommend you call my cruise agent who not only knows and can tell you everything about cruising from start to finish but also has great deals.  I know there is a special going on today for a DEEPLY DISCOUNTED 7-Day Caribbean Cruise on the Carnival Conquest and only $50 per person deposit to reserve your rate of only $70 day including all taxes, fees, port charges, and fuel supplements!  It sails in January and you can pay it out.  Call her at 877-779-SAIL or 903-968-2151 TODAY!.  

PS.  I love Carnival's ships~ and the bigger the better!

Answer 8

well first choose the cruise line... i suggest carnival but royal Caribbean is a lot of fun also. then you need to remember to get there early enough for the life boat drill, I've missed it 4 times because we got on the ship at the last minute. you need to get the cruise itinerary as soon as you get back from the lifeboat drill and decide if there is anything you have to do. and I'm warning you that even if the cruise seems fairly well priced before you by the on board expenses add up and you end up spending a lot. you need to know where you want the stops to be and where you want to leave from. and I'd get a deck plan from the desk as soon as the life boat drill is over so you know where everything is. there's really not much you need to know for buying and picking the cruise and once you're settled in on the ship there's not much to know there either.

Answer 9

1.Take a credit card and not a lot of cash

2.don't pack to much stuff

3.If you want to dress for dinner ,most people dress semi-formal with a suit and tie,besides that you can dress real casual on board with shorts.

4.make a list of things you like to do and how it to the cruise director.

5.give yourself enough time to board the ship on time

6.when on board and underway,just take a leisure walk around the ship to get familiar with everything.

7.most of all/Have Fun !

Answer 10

Each cruise line and to a lesser degree different ships have different personalities.  RCL and Carnival are as different as California and Texas.  Do some research on customer posts to see which ones fit you.

Be prepared for quite a bit of spending over and above the fare:  excursions, land spending, drinks, tips.