Hey all you cruise fans! Let's share our experiences. My "3 things I learned"...
1. Your clothes will get wrinkled, no matter how good you pack them.
2. You can't do everything on the ship, no matter how hard you try.
3. When you order a "virgin" margarita, you never know what you will get.

the 3 things I learned are:

Go on board ready to relax and have a good time no matter what reviews you have read

Don't sweat the small stuff.

Your trip is what you make it not what others or staff on board make it for you

I'm sure I've learned more than 3 things but I'll pitch in-

1. If you can't decide between two items on the menu, your server will gladly bring both! Pig out...

2. You really don't need to pack as much as you do.. no matter how many times you tell that to yourself.

3. Take a shower in the Spa. Much nicer showers than the cabins.

Don't feel like you have to be doing something all the time, especially if you have a balcony room. Enjoy the sun rise/set or just sit out and have a drink.

Take LOTS of pictures, you won't regret it.

We pick something like a shot glass or magnet and get one on each island so we have some sort of 'souvenier' from each island. Don't forget to get one from the ship too

1. I would pack lighter. For sure.

2. I would bring more $5.00 bills to tip the
bus driver, the tour guide and waiters on
shore excursions.

3. I would attend all of the ships Shindigs! The
cruise director plans a lot of really fun
activities like the Bon Voyage party, etc.

My daughters 18, 20 and 21 said they would:

1. Go to the over 18 club more. The people in there were 18 to 58 and having lots of fun. The kids said there are signs on the wall telling you that there were no "vulgar" movements allowed, no drinks on the dance floor and security kept a watchful eye. The girls felt safe and happy in there.

2. Get to dinner on time. Although they didn't say anything, it made our wait staff have to rush once when we were a bit late. Not fair to such nice people. We made it a point to be on time from then on.

3. Remember to "Barter and Bargain" where ever we shopped. The merchants EXPECT to barter and will go down on the first price quote.

1) The minute you get on the ship have the cabin steward take your suit/tuxedo and have it cleaned and pressed. The price is the same as on land and that way you don't have to worry about wrinkles.
2) Take a nap before dinner. You will enjoy the ship night life better if you feel rested.
3) Bring Zip-lock baggys. They come in very handy when packing.

1. Relax and Enjoy, you are not at work.
2. Echo SeetheSea, Take a Nap between.
3. Don't sit on the Toilet when you flush it.

1. Don't sweat the small stuff
2. The casinos are tight, but the staff is great.
3. IslandCruz is spot on with #3!

1 Take zip lock bags to fill up at the buffet

2 Take cheap towels to save chairs at the pool

3 Smoke cheap cigars on the balcony so the smoke blows into the other cabins and balconies


Opps! I thought it was for things not to do

quote:

Don't sit on the Toilet when you flush it.

That's especially true on airplanes - I've seen the consequences - not pretty!

Sorry, I learned more than 3. I will not stretch past 6 though

4. Have lots of patience and good attitude

5. Bring more cash like Fivepoints said for
unexpected things.

6. Just stay in your cabin for debarkation, or
go with first color called if in a hurry.

quote:

Originally posted by 7thSon:
1 Take zip lock bags to fill up at the buffet

2 Take cheap towels to save chairs at the pool

3 Smoke cheap cigars on the balcony so the smoke blows into the other cabins and balconies


Opps! I thought it was for things not to do

Smile

Okay, it's late but I'll play along:

1. Relax and enjoy, you're on vacation! Just don't forget that so are all the other passengers on board!!

2. Get to know your wait staff/room steward/favorite bartender etc. . . these people are amazingly friendly (in my experience) and extremely interesting. On our last cruise the two most impressive and memorable people we met were our wait staff--they were fabulous!

3. As with nearly everything in life, a little extra effort, research and planning can pay off big when booking an excursion. We took the advice of multiple members of this forum & booked all of our excursions on-line via private indepedent operators for our last cruise. The result: we all had an absolutely wonderful time at each stop (Stingray City in Grand Cayman, Cave Tubing in Belize and a private day spa in Honduras) and were able to enjoy three excursions for less than two would have cost through Carnival. Just be sure you have booked with a reputable company, the other members here can (and have) offered up great suggestions.

I guess the one thing I did learn above the getting there part was that My Steward was really there to help me with anything I needed.

Take at least $500 in cash. We usually don't carry much cash. We usually charge or use Travelers checks and take about $150 in singles and other small bills for tips and etc.

The last time we cruised we were caught in Wilma. Everything was cash basis because there was no electricity. We were fortunate because we had $400 in cash as we were planning on playing some in the casino. If it weren't that we would have been in deep Sh... and even then we were sweating it out as the costs keep digging deeper into our pockets.

Pagan- (Or anyone else with info)

Who did you use in Belize for the cave tubing tour and how was your experience there?

Beach Towel: $10

Pair of mirrored sunglasses: $40

Using those sunglasses so your wife doesn't catch you looking at other women on the Sun Deck: PRICELESS!

For everything else there's MasterCard.

Hermy, what cruise are you doing in February 2007? I am doing the Feb 3, to Mexican Riviera. I love Mexico! Would love to do the Alaska cruise also. If you are doing that one keep me posted on how it turns out.

I will pitch in with 1 thing that I learn

When shopping at ports, always bargin. The more times you say "NO", more money you will save.

Cheers and enjoy your cruise