any tips for a 1st time cruise?

rob & I are going on a c ruise to the bahamas next week...without the baby.

Soverign of the Seas is the ship

any tips ? anything we should know in advance??

help! Im getting a little worried...

Re: any tips for a 1st time cruise?

take some dramamine about 1hr before you board the ship. i normally do not get sea sick on boats, but i had a difficult time on the last cruise i went on. i took dramamine everyday and it really helped!

Re: any tips for a 1st time cruise?

Helpful hints, I went on explorer of the seas this summer
1. Your own shampoo/conditioner they have a generic pert plus type
2. Hand santizier, me and DH both got bad colds.
3. Lots of underwear!!! I would go to gym and shower, pool and shower, excursion and shower. etc. ran of off undies!!!!!!
4. We brought our own liquor(I know sounds cheap but we really saved that way.) I brought gin and vodka and put them in 1 liter seltzer bottles and carried them on in my backpack. That way we alsways had liquor in the room as well.
5. I never knew what time it was in our room, I found out mid cruise you can request an alarm clock for your room.
6. Have an excellent time!!! So much to do!! It is my favorite vacation!!

Re: any tips for a 1st time cruise?

Just wanted to wish you a nice trip!

Re: any tips for a 1st time cruise?

bring a empty stomach

Re: any tips for a 1st time cruise?

sounds good ladies keep this hints coming....

Re: any tips for a 1st time cruise?

I agree with the tips above!
I used Bonine for seasickness (I think Dramamine is the same thing).
Definately sneak alcohol on the ship because if you buy bottles you are not allowed to bring them back to your room and an individual drink is so expensive!
Bring some light sweaters and pants. It can get very cold at night if you are outside.
Bring an underwater camera with you (if you are going to go snorkeling) because to buy them there is like $25!!! They are only $10 here.
And definately bring the hand sanitizer and use it! This can prevent you from getting colds and also the 'cruise viruses'.
HAVE FUN

Re: any tips for a 1st time cruise?

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bring a empty stomach

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Oh yeah!

Have a great time!

Re: any tips for a 1st time cruise?

I got the patch that goes behind my ear, instead of having to take pthose pills, because i think they say not to drink when taking dramimine. You left the patch on for like 3-4 days i think, but I had to get them from my Dr.

Re: any tips for a 1st time cruise?

yeah i heard that we have to trun in any bottles we bring on boaard, they hold them for you , and u tell them when you want the bottle opened..for whcih dinner. They charge a $8 corkage fee...

for zinfindel they wasnt $28 a bottle! Sutter home costs us $4.99 sometimes..and I have a case of it!
i guess I could pack a bottle of it in our luggage??? or a small bottle of port?

we are not big drinkers but I dont want to pay $20 more for a bottle I could buy at home!

Re: any tips for a 1st time cruise?

IF you do happen to get seasick, make sure you go on the top deck to look at the horzion. I made the mistake of staying in my room because I felt so sick.

But you'll have a GREAT time.

Re: any tips for a 1st time cruise?

my only tip to you is to have a GREAT TIME!!! i have been on 5 cruises and have never needed any sort of seasickness medicine. enjoy yourselves!!! and don't be upset if you gain a few pounds!!!!!

Re: any tips for a 1st time cruise?

If you get sea sick.. DO NOT use dramamine.. FIND BO 9... Ask a pharmasist! I used Dramamine and slept an entire day! I used bo-9 the next day from someone we met and felt WONDERFUL! We went on a cruise for our HM... If you can upgrade to a balcony suite or Balcony room, definately do!! We were supposed to have a room with a window... one of the other couples we met had the window-- it was nice, but the balcony is AWESOME! We went on the Serenade of the Seas... They are sister ships!! You will have a blast!!

OH-- When you get on the ship make sure you scope out the 'Compass' (the newsletter) for dining and entertainment options. Theres places you can go and spend a few bucks extra or you can eat fine gourmet (included) at other 'restaurants' other than the formal dining room. I HIGHLY recommend dinind in the dining room as often as you can.. even Breakfast! Oh I could go on... Just remember to try and grab all three meals at least once in the formal Dining room! Oh.. and at dinner if you drink, get the after dinner shooter! (They come in a cute keepsake glass!!!!!

HAVE FUN AND RELAX!!!!!!!!!! (Sorry so long!!)

Re: any tips for a 1st time cruise?

Oh.. we also brought wine and champagne with us. (They never took it out.)

And I wanted to mention that for the entire cruise we had hurricane force winds, thats why I wasnt feeling well the one day! But the other 5 days were GREAT! You will have a blast!! And I agree with the prior post.. do not feel bad if you gain some extra weight!!

Re: any tips for a 1st time cruise?

Yes - Check your own luggage on yourself. Mine never arrived before we set sail. I was without my luggage for three days and it was horrible.

Re: any tips for a 1st time cruise?

I didnt realize you can check your luggage yourself,,,hmm def seems worth it,..I hate to wait for things like that

will pack the vino and the port..I guess in the luggage then. and not forget to get a corkscrew!!!

thank all of you ladies for all the tips. If you have any other tips PLEASE PLEASE send them to me...FM... we leave EARLY sat morning

thanks again

Re: any tips for a 1st time cruise?

I used those wrist bands for motion sickness and didn't have any problems.
Just wanted to say ..Have a wonderful time!!

Re: any tips for a 1st time cruise?

Thanks Ladies...I wanted to be sure..I have all the details...but one thing I am not sure about.

Do they check your luggage and carry on while entering the ship? -- After 9/11 I believe so. I am going on the canival destiny cruz from 0801-08/08.

Thanks for the helpful tips

Re: any tips for a 1st time cruise?

we just got back from a cruise a few weeks ago. we brougth on our own bottles of wine( paid the $10 corkage fee), a bottle of vodka and a 12 pack of water and soda. the drinks add up big time and no one took out our beverages- we packed them in our luggage.
definatly check out the excursions but see how much time you spend at the beaches. many times its only 2 hours- so we just took cabs to the beaches ourselves and stayed there the whole day. if you meet people see if you could split the cab costs with them and go together. one of our cab rides was going to be $80 round trip but we split it with another couple. definatly bring a formal wear. they wouldnt let people into dinner without formal wear on 2 of the nights( suit and cocktail dresses). o- we never figured in tip money. the tips added up to $140 for the both of us between the wait staff, and bell hops and the maid. hope you have fun!!!

Re: any tips for a 1st time cruise?

enjoy every single second I never wanted to leave that ship!