What heads up can you give me aboutgoing on a cruise??

Question

im going on a cruise in september and i dont have any clue what to bring or any thing i know i am supposed to bring clothes for those ofyou who are going to be smart asses!! i am probly going to the bahamas or jamicia /mexico i dunno my mom is sending me ne ways thank you all ahead of time for your help !!

Answer 1

I was told to pack light.

Answer 2

I go on cruises all of the time and here's what you need to know.   First of all the terms "cabin" and "stateroom" mean the same thing; the cruise industry prefers stateroom.  The standard cabin that most people get (inside/outside/balcony) are generally between 175 and 200 Square feet, about the size of a 9 by 12 ft home bedroom (balconies are about 45 to 55 sq ft). Suites and penthouses can be between 350 and 1300 square feet. Each cabin has two beds which can be made into a queen, a bathroom with a shower stall, a closet and some drawer space, a TV and telephone, a safe for valuables, and a life jacket for each passenger.



Cruises are one of THE best vacations you can take. Once you are on ship the staff caters to you, its whatever you want. There is something to do all day every day. When you arrive at the port to check in you (each passenger) will receive a key card which will serve as your room key, charge card for anything you buy on ship (i.e.,drinks, souvenir) and its also your pass to get on and off ship in each port. When you first board the ship the security personnel will have you insert your key card into a scanner and then will take a photo of you that is included in the magnetic strip on the card.  Each time you get off ship you will need this key card and many times also a photo ID (passport or driver's license). This card allows them to keep an accurate track of all passengers entering and/or leaving the ship.

Each day of your cruise you will receive in your cabin a "newsletter" listing the time, place and particulars of everything happening for you on ship. There are generally activities like demonstrations of ice carvings, napkin folding and towel folding, and cooking demonstrations.  Some ships may offer a galley (kitchen) tour or a tour of the bridge. There may be organized games and other activities around the pools. In the evenings there are generally shows, one show for those with an early dinner seating and another (same show) for those who eat late. There is always food available. Usually there is a place in ship where you can go get something. Or, you can always just pick up the phone in your cabin and order from the room service menu (food is free). If you want, you can order breakfast room service.

All ships (except Disney) have a casino with slots and table games. Ships have movie theaters, generally small but nice, and you can also see movies in your room. They have ATM’s and a purser’s desk where you can cash a check or exchange currency if you need to.  There is a tour and activities desk so you can schedule land tours and activities.

Ships have free morning exercise programs, stretching and walking, etc, and on some you can pay for other things like Spinning. All cruise ships have gyms so you can go workout, usually any time from 6:00 AM to late at night. There is usually a walking/running track on one of the decks also. Some ships leave the gym open all night. They call the gyms Spa because they do promote getting pampered with things like wraps and massages with aroma therapy. They will also generally have a beauty salon to do hair and nails.

There are always pools. Some ships have more than one and the newer ships generally have an indoor pool as well as outdoor ones and all of these have hot tubs. There is generally a basketball court on the top deck, a place for scuffle board, and a mini-golf course. The newer Royal Caribbean ships have a rock climbing wall and the newest one has a pool for water surfing.

There are places on ships to play cards and board games, and the cards and games are provided. If you want to just sit and read, there’s a library where you can bring your books or select one from the shelf.  Ships have internet cafes and some offer WIFI if you bring your prefer to use your computer in your cabin (some ships offer notebooks for rent).  There are cocktail lounges that feature a variety of music.  Some have a piano bar with jazz. There is usually a disco that starts after 10:00 PM each night and last until everyone leave.  On certain days ships will have special activities like a chocolate lovers buffet, or a midnight deck party .      

I suggest that you go to the web site for the cruise lines and look at the cabin prices, port stops, the features for the ships you will be on.

Some people worry about getting sea sick, but the ships being used these days have automated stabilizers which minimize the rocking.  The larger ships cut through the water so easy that you don’t even feel like you are moving.  When there is bad weather the cruise lines will steer around and away from it, sometimes changing the order of port stops.  Also, the ships generally move overnight and dock in the mornings so you don’t feel much movement. Consequently, your chances of getting sea sick are minimal. There is generally less motion than on an airplane.  If you do get sick, all ships have a doctor and they will dispense sea sick medicines.  If you are prone to motion sickness, just get pills or a patch from your own doctor before you go, or go to a boating store and get a sea sickness bracelet.

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.  

Most 7-day cruises have two formal nights when you can wear your best stuff and get pictures taken, and maybe meet the ship’s Captain.  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.

The formal nights are REQUESTED not required attire.  But most people do dress up in a tux for men and a long dress (any color) for women.  Some men just wear a suit and tie and some women wear a nice dress but not a gown.  You will not be denied access to the dining room or anything else if you choose not to dress up.  (we usually take off the formal stuff after dinner and pictures anyway).  

The dress on ship is casual all day until 6:00PM when they request that you wear "sports casual" attire.  That's attire that you would expect a person to wear in a business office, shirt with a collar, slacks, skirt, blouse, etc.  You can still wear shorts and swim wear in the pools and spas but not in public areas like dining rooms and restaurants, show rooms, bars, casino, etc.

You will enjoy.

Answer 3

Make sure that you bring some long sleeved t-shirts and/or sweaters, as it gets cool on deck at night as well as in the shows and dining rooms. Don't forget sunscreen, any type of feminine products (alot of ships do not sell them on board, so you are SOS until you reach a port, and then have to translate "tampon" until you find a store with them!), bring your own hair dryer, as the ones that are typically in the rooms are too weak to dry out a thick head of hair in a reasonable amount of time. On Carnival, they supply soap and shampoo in dispensers in the showers, so no need to pack those unless you have bad allergies or something. Bring cash, as you never know what will be brought your way in port. We typically charge everything on the ship to our credit card, and then pay it when we get home. Check on your on board account often, to avoid a surprisingly big bill on the end of your cruise. Bring good walking shoes for when you go on shore... you don't want to hike all over in flip flops!!! Do research of each port you are going to before you go on your cruise. This will give you an idea of what to do while there, and help you navigate better upon getting there to maximize the few hours you get at each port. I recommend cruisecritic.com for good ideas on excursions and port activities. Some of the message boards on that website you must be a member to view, but it is free and it's a great resource with invaluable information. Hope that helps! Have fun-- once you cruise, you will never be able to do anything else!!!

Answer 4

OKay, bring daytime clothes, and basically usually the things that u would take on a normal vacation and this may sound weird but I would not overpack as you are going to do alot of shopping and might not have room in your suitcase for it all and if you wear some of the same things twice people really wont know and can save you some room. Their will be 2 formal nights on 7 day cruises and then 2 semi formal and then the rest are casual. In the main dining room for dinner no shorts, jeans, and other apparell like that are aloud in the dining room for dinner and their are exceptions with kids.. Formal means dresses and semi formal means nice blouse and slacks usually and casual means khakis and a polo or skirt and nice blouse or something to that effect. If you have any more questiosn email me as I'm not sure what all to tell you but If you email me I can give you tons of more information.

Answer 5

If you are on a 5 day or longer, you will need formal wear for at least one evening.  Other than that pack to dress like you are on vacation.  It will be hot in all of the Caribean in September.  You will want swim wear, shorts, and light colored clothes.

A pair of flip flops is a good idea, but take a pair of walking shoes too, and something to wear to the dinning room in the evenings.

Answer 6

Check out the following site for the info you need re: clothing, etc.

http://www.all-about-cruise-vacations.co...

Answer 7

Make sure you remember sneakers, a sweatshirt (it can get a bit chilly on deck at night), and a suitcase that leaves you a little room for souveniers.  Also a large, comfortable bag to carry all your off-shore stuff.  Some days you can get off the ship first thing in the morning and dont have to return until mid-afternoon, so if your bag is big enough you can carry what you need without making multiple trips back to the ship.  Antacid, antacid, antacid.  The food is awesome, but the bellyaches arent.  Make sure to bring some Tums or Pepto.  Have a great trip!!!  I just got back from Grand Turk and the Bahamas, and am already saving up for the next one!!

Answer 8

Ok first, I have to say that I loved how you wrote the "special" message to the smart a$$! That cracked me up! Anyway, I am going on a 3 night cruise in April to the Bahamas and was told to pack: 1 pair of jeans or nice slacks, 1 formal night dress, shorts and tshirts, undies, bathing suit, film, suntan lotion, clothes pins to hang up wet bathing suit/towels. I hope you have a great time!