DaCruzNut Posted December 10, 2003 Author Report Share Posted December 10, 2003 TIPS FOR FIRST-TIME CRUISERS You are about to embark on your very first cruise, and a million questions fill your mind. When should I arrive at the dock? What should I take? Where do I park? Will I get seasick?….. The best advice I can give you is to remember that most of your fellow-passengers are also on their FIRST cruise! In fact, only about 20% will be “veteran cruisers.†So, relax and join the crowd. I have always said that almost everything you need to know you will learn on that initial sailing. A week on a ship will turn you into a seasoned cruiser. The fact that many “first-timers†visit this Board, and ask questions, puts them way ahead of their fellow cruise-virgins. Take time to check out the prior posts, and you’ll find a wealth of information. Some basics: Pack as you would for any resort in a similar area. Mostly resort-casual, with, usually, two “formal nights.†That term has different meanings on various lines, and many ships have “relaxed†the rules. Some disregard them, entirely. Remember, anything you forget, you can buy aboard ship, or in port. Get to the dock early, but not too early. If you’re leaving from the Port of Miami, most ships begin to embark passengers about 11:00 am to noon. Port Everglades is about an hour later. Drop your luggage off at the pier and, then, go park. The porters will show you where… Once on board, take a quick tour of the ship, in order to acclimate yourself. Grab a Deck Plan, and begin exploring. You’ll probably bump into a lot of people doing the same thing. Most important, don’t worry about anything. You will quickly pick everything up and feel at home in no time. Best advice: Don’t sweat the “small stuff,†and, anything short of sinking is “small stuff.†Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaCruzNut Posted December 10, 2003 Report Share Posted December 10, 2003 TIPS FOR FIRST-TIME CRUISERS You are about to embark on your very first cruise, and a million questions fill your mind. When should I arrive at the dock? What should I take? Where do I park? Will I get seasick?….. The best advice I can give you is to remember that most of your fellow-passengers are also on their FIRST cruise! In fact, only about 20% will be “veteran cruisers.†So, relax and join the crowd. I have always said that almost everything you need to know you will learn on that initial sailing. A week on a ship will turn you into a seasoned cruiser. The fact that many “first-timers†visit this Board, and ask questions, puts them way ahead of their fellow cruise-virgins. Take time to check out the prior posts, and you’ll find a wealth of information. Some basics: Pack as you would for any resort in a similar area. Mostly resort-casual, with, usually, two “formal nights.†That term has different meanings on various lines, and many ships have “relaxed†the rules. Some disregard them, entirely. Remember, anything you forget, you can buy aboard ship, or in port. Get to the dock early, but not too early. If you’re leaving from the Port of Miami, most ships begin to embark passengers about 11:00 am to noon. Port Everglades is about an hour later. Drop your luggage off at the pier and, then, go park. The porters will show you where… Once on board, take a quick tour of the ship, in order to acclimate yourself. Grab a Deck Plan, and begin exploring. You’ll probably bump into a lot of people doing the same thing. Most important, don’t worry about anything. You will quickly pick everything up and feel at home in no time. Best advice: Don’t sweat the “small stuff,†and, anything short of sinking is “small stuff.†Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbond Posted December 10, 2003 Report Share Posted December 10, 2003 That's the great thing about cruising and it's what keeps us coming back. Reading other boards, I find the two things that people anguish about the most are tips and dress code. Neither are big deals and are both well explained in the brochures. As you say, don't sweat the small stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbond Posted December 10, 2003 Report Share Posted December 10, 2003 That's the great thing about cruising and it's what keeps us coming back. Reading other boards, I find the two things that people anguish about the most are tips and dress code. Neither are big deals and are both well explained in the brochures. As you say, don't sweat the small stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katier825 Posted December 12, 2003 Report Share Posted December 12, 2003 Another tip: don't try to do EVERYTHING! You will end up exhausted within a short time! Whatever you don't get to do on this cruise, you can always do next time because you will most likely get the addiction and will be cruising again soon! Relax and enjoy! B) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katier825 Posted December 12, 2003 Report Share Posted December 12, 2003 Another tip: don't try to do EVERYTHING! You will end up exhausted within a short time! Whatever you don't get to do on this cruise, you can always do next time because you will most likely get the addiction and will be cruising again soon! Relax and enjoy! B) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KeithnRita Posted December 12, 2003 Report Share Posted December 12, 2003 The only tip for first time cruiser we can add may be the most important--stand up before flushing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KeithnRita Posted December 12, 2003 Report Share Posted December 12, 2003 The only tip for first time cruiser we can add may be the most important--stand up before flushing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GottaCruz Posted December 13, 2003 Report Share Posted December 13, 2003 Really great tips, everyone. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GottaCruz Posted December 13, 2003 Report Share Posted December 13, 2003 Really great tips, everyone. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.