our first cruise

mfred · February 7, 2004

:smiley:

We Just booked our first cruise :smiley: :smiley:

Alaska on the Mercury sailing August 20 any one have any hints, tips or anything else helpful for a new cruiser??? (especially shore excursions....)

Thanks in asvance for the help

Misty

DaCruzNut · February 7, 2004

Hi, mfred!

First of all....

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Welcome to our little CruiseCrazies family, the friendliest cruise board on the net!

Hope you'll stick around, before your cruise, and, then, come back and tell us all about it. By then, you'll be hooked.

As far as advice, it's simple.

Remember that most of your fellow passengers will, also, be first-time cruisers. "Repeats," on the Alaska itineraries, usually run less than 20%. So, anything you don't know, they won't know.

Another good tip is, "Don't sweat the small stuff, and everything short of sinking is small stuff!"

Things will go wrong. A ship has a crew which is comprised of people, and people make mistakes. Add to that the fact that you're at sea. If you run out of Sweet-n-Low, you can't just run down to the super market and fill in. No, you wait until the next port. This goes for engine parts, as well as sweetener....

You've come to the board at the right time! I've just been reposting my little story, "A Sea of Memories." Part 3, which was posted tonight, is all about MY firt cruise, so you may get some pointers. I wouldn't be hurt if you read Parts 1 and 2, also, but that's your call.

Most of all, remember one of the things I say in the story: "Everything you need to know about cruising you learn on your first cruise."

So relax! Read the brochure; go on line; explore the cruise lines board; and visit us, often!

:grin:

Jason · February 7, 2004

Hey mfred! Welcome to CruiseCrazies!!

I remember my first cruise like it was yesterday...I couldn't believe the size of the ship as we drove up to the dock - And the fact that we were gonna be sailing on it very shortly! We had a fantastic time on that Carnival Sensation, and have been on about 18ish cruises since then.

You're in for a great time. Until then, we hope to see you on our forums - you will be able to learn a lot from many of our experienced cruisers. Feel free to ask any questions at all you may have!

Shari2 · February 8, 2004

Hi mfred!

Welcome to Cruise Crazies! One suggestion is to try not to overpack. Some people say you should fill your suitcase and then take half out because you don't always use everything. Mixing and matching is the best way to do it. I always bring along some plastic garbage bags for putting dirty laundry in, and, I always pack make-up and anything that would leak in plastic baggies. I also bring along hand sanitizer in case of any tours where I couldn't wash my hands.

Another is to try not to do EVERYTHING on the ship and on shore, or you will miss the best part of cruising... just relaxing and watching the sea.

Try to have some time to relax and just enjoy the sea. It sounds like you've picked a good ship. I've been on the Infinity and the Zenith and loved them both. I haven't been to Alaska, yet, but everyone says it's so beautiful.

Regarding shore excursions: We have taken ship excursions, and we have gone out on our own. Most ports will have taxis and people waiting to offer to take you on a tour. We have taken a few this way and have never been disappointed. If you do take a tour this way, be sure to agree on a set price and time for the tour before you go.

Here's a web site that's really helpful for first time and all cruisers. It has an Alaska packing list which might interest you. www.cruisediva.com

Have a great cruise!!!

KeithnRita · February 8, 2004

mfred,

We did an Alaska inside passage cruise in 2001. It is an experience of a lifetime. Be sure to take plenty of film, or as we guess now, plenty of digital storage media. Our cruise was late July/early August, about the same time as yours. Yours will be extra special because it is your first cruise, as well. We topped ours off by taking the Alaska Railroad from Seward to Anchorage. The Scenery was spectacular!

The advise given by other CruiseCrazies is very good. If you have any specific questions, just fire away. :wink: :wink:

DaCruzNut · February 9, 2004

DON'T FORGET THE..........

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PEB · February 9, 2004

I am one of those people who returns to Alaska for a cruise over and over. There is so much to do that the only thing I have done twice is a whale watch. The following are some things to do for your first cruise to Alaska.

Ketchikan: A tour of one of the Totem Parks can be very interesting. A harbor tour of Ketchikan is well worth a try. If you are ambitious a Kayak tour in Ketchikan is great. A fishing trip is always good in Ketchikan. WARNING you will most likely always have rain in Ketchikan.

Juneau: One of the best places to do a whale watch. I personally would recommend this with Capt. Larry of Orca Enterprises. He does a better job than the ship tours IMHO and the naturalists from the ships use him. A trip to Mendenhall Glacier is nice here. A helicopter flight and landing on a glacier is great here also. A raft ride down the river from Mendenhall Glacier can be fun. It is not a fast ride and not any big rapids. Juneau also has several tours of old gold mines and places for panning gold.

Skagway: A tour into the Yukon can be quite interesting here. A trip on the White Pass Railway will provide some unbelievable views. There are also very good flight tours out of Skagway.

These are just a few suggestions of some of the better things to do in these ports. Walking all of these towns can also be fun and interesting.

When in near the glaciers watch where the glacier meets the water. When you see small splashes like pebbles hitting the water, whatch the face of the glacier over that spot because that is where the next big chunk will fall off the glacier.

When cruising Alaska ALWAYS keep your eyes open. You never know when you will see wildlife either in the sea, on the land or in the air.

The Mercury is a beautiful ship but Alaska will be the main attraction. Have a great time.

sailingrose · February 9, 2004

Lucky you! First cruise and Alaska! I've been there 3 times and will continue to go back. Here are my tips......

If you take 35mm film bring lots, film is expensive on the ship and in the ports......also a panoramic throwaway for amazing pictures of the glaciers is wonderful.

Pack for layers.......t-shirt, sweater/sweatshirt, light jacket. Gloves and hats may be very useful. Also go to the dollar store and get plastic ponchos.....lots of them so you'll always be prepared in case of rain. When your done with them just toss them.

Juneau, I second Orca Enterprises for the whale watching. Excellent experience! We also landed on the Mendenhall Glacier with Temsco. Also excellent.

Ketchikan, we've done the Lumberjack show and the Floatplane to Misty Fjords. The Lumberjack show was lots of fun. The Floatplace was amazing!!! Absolutely beautiful! If you want to know who we used I'll look it up....as the name escapes me at the moment.

Skagway, we did the helicopter to the glacier also with Temsco. Loved it! The RR is also wonderful if you like that kind of stuff.

Be prepared......some of the shore excursions are very expensive but remember that this is a very special trip and you may never get the chance to do it again. Take advantage of the opportunity.

Feel free to ask as many questions as you have......we'll be glad to help.