Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Going on a cruise in Jan...

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Posted by Jason Black (Member # 684) on 12-12-2004, 11:13 PM:

So the company my wife works for is taking her whole office on a 7 Day Eastern Caribbean cruise in January... I'm going.. [Smile]

A great deal for just air fare on a discounter air line.. :woo hoo:

SO what are some cruise tips for someone who has never been on a cruise and has a little bit of an issue with being 'out of control' for that length of time... (control-issues)

Are they as fun as they look in the ads.. and as people say that are? I've heard for years now that if you go on a cruise once, you'll be hooked... Any truth to that?

Seriously, anyone who has any experience(s) with cruising, let me know..

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 12-12-2004, 11:24 PM:

My best advice is to try and not think about how things are getting all messed-up and going completely chaotic back home.

Posted by William Hooper (Member # 71) on 12-13-2004, 06:36 AM:

quote: Jason Black
SO what are some cruise tips for someone who has never been on a cruise

If you fall overboard, do not make swimming motions in the water as you will attract sharks.

Posted by Richard Greco (Member # 2032) on 12-13-2004, 08:48 AM:

First of All, What cruise line are you taking?

Royal Caribbean is by far for more active people

Carnival is for people who don't want to do anything but lay on deck.

Royal Caribbean is extremely fun, I went with my parents to the Bahamas last year and I had a blast.
They have so many activities to keep you moving from sun up to 3-4am
They also have an awesome kids club so the parents can have more fun.

Carnival is more boring to me.

Posted by Jason Burroughs (Member # 68) on 12-13-2004, 09:32 AM:

I went on a Carnival cruise back in Sept, it was absolutly fantastic. We were plotting our next cruise before we even eneded that one.

Take some motion sickness medication, just in case. Most ships are able to compensate for the motion of the seas pretty well, but be prepaired.

Be ready to eat LOTS of food. There's something to eat 24hrs a day, both in the dining rooms, and in the Lido deck restaurants. Take some formal clothes. For a 7 day cruise there will probably be 2 Formal nights, one being the "captian's dinner" on the 2nd day at sea. Tuxes are usually worn for these. If you forget, a tux rental is usually available on board, and the cost isn't too bad.

If you're a soda junkie, be prepaired, sodas are very rare on board, and you'll want to sign up for some sort of drink card, otherwise they are very expensive.

In regards to the dining, don't pass up the formal dining rooms. The cruise lines usually do a very good job at putting you with interresting table buddies, and the food is awesome.

I'm sure other cruise lines use something similar, Carnival uses a "Sail & Sign" card. Its very handy for various purchaces on board. Be careful what you spend so you don't end up with sticker shock at the end of the cruise.

Above all, have fun, outside of any company events that may be pre-planned - its YOUR cruise. What you do or don't do is up to you.

Posted by Rachel Gilardi (Member # 1016) on 12-13-2004, 10:35 AM:

quote: Richard Greco
Carnival is for people who don't want to do anything but lay on deck.

Carnival is "known" as the drinking cruise line. People get a little crazy on this line. It's fun but geared towards the younger crowd.

quote: Richard Greco
Royal Caribbean is by far for more active people

I don't agree with that at all. Royal Caribbean was boring to me, I've been on two RC cruises and I didn't really like either one. The food was good but all the activities seemed to be geared towards old ladies unless you just felt like drinking constantly. And since I don't really drink much, so...

quote: Richard Greco
They also have an awesome kids club so the parents can have more fun.

I will agree about the kids club, I don't have kids but you always saw the staff doing cool stuff with them. Parading around in pirate costumes, playing mini golf, and ice skating (on one of the ships). Also, one of the two ships I went on had a really large arcade area, it looked like the kids always kept busy.

But, Norwegian was by far my favorite, the food was awesome and it was relaxing yet you could always find some fun activity going on if you looked. I can't really explain why I liked it more, I just did.

The formal dinners...

quote: Jason Burroughs
Tuxes are usually worn for these.

Suits are also acceptable. For the woman, formal gowns.

On most other nights dress for dinner is casual, but casual doesn't mean jeans. You'd be fine with a polo shirt and kakis. For the woman, a dress, skirt, or just nice pants and a blouse. NEVER wear jeans or shorts to dinner, it is not considered acceptable. On most lines there is also usually a "theme" night, you can usually find out what it is from your travel agent if you have one. Some people dress up for these, some don't.

Hope I helped, HAVE FUN!

Posted by Richard Fowler (Member # 893) on 12-13-2004, 10:46 AM:

Even though it is January....the best time to visit the Caribbean, make sure you have good sun screen lotion. The sun you will soak on the deck and island visits will creep up on you. I used to fly out of San Juan,Puerto on Sunday and was used to seeing scores of discharged cranky sun burned cruise line passengers [uhoh]

Posted by Jason Black (Member # 684) on 12-13-2004, 04:54 PM:

Thanks peeps!

Special Thanks to our buddy Joe... who just had to put that idea in my head... You're the best Joe... [Roll Eyes]

We're going on RC aboard the Navigator of the Seas. Balcony suite.

Sounds like plenty to keep my going.. not really keen on dressing for dinner. Room service may be more in order... vacation for ME means NOT wearing a jacket/tie. I'm sure I'll be all nice and golden brown by the time I return..

There will be plenty of pics.. you can bet yer sweet ass on that.. [Smile]

Posted by Phil Hill (Member # 371) on 12-13-2004, 05:41 PM:

quote: Jason Black
...not really keen on dressing for dinner...

Oh c'mon Jason! I've been on many cruises and that's part of the fun! Don't be a drag, get out/rent that tux!

Posted by Bill Gabel (Member # 1105) on 12-13-2004, 07:08 PM:

Phil, The Jungle Cruise does not count.

Birdie Num Nums [thumbsup]

Posted by Rachel Gilardi (Member # 1016) on 12-14-2004, 10:38 AM:

Navigator of the seas was the last ship I went on...the cruise that me and Don went on. It is a beautiful ship.

But, go to the damn formal dinners! They are the best dinners for the whole week, formal dress = better food. Sure, you can get it from room service but its really not the same. AT LEAST go to the second formal dinner, that is usually the one with lobster. [Smile]

Posted by Bob Maar (Member # 763) on 12-14-2004, 11:05 AM:

Jason, Going on a cruise is by far the best vacation you can have. They cater to your every need. You will want for nothing and will most likely gain 25 pounds.

Enjoy - the world will become your oyster. [Smile]

I'm Jealous.

Posted by Dan Suomi (Member # 2585) on 12-14-2004, 11:44 AM:

Cruises are awesome, I went on one a few years ago. The only advice to you is make sure you take your motion sickness pills and watch your bar tab. They don't accept $$ on cruises and when you first board they give you a credit card type thing that is tied into your credit card or bank account. If your not carefull you could end up having a $300.00 bar tab and won't even know it untill you disembark.

Posted by John Carpenter (Member # 1488) on 12-14-2004, 12:13 PM:

I too must agree with Rachel and thus disagree with Richard. Carnival is in no way very relaxing. All drinking and all partying. The even close the pools & hot tubs at dark so the drunks wont dround. So no relaxing in the hot tubs after dinner [Frown]

Royal Carib & the Disney Cruises are much better in my opinion unless you want the frat party feel the whole time.

And I must also support the Soda Card - get it from day one of you are a soda drinker.

Posted by Thomas Procyk (Member # 1170) on 12-14-2004, 03:12 PM:

I went on Celebrity Cruises in 2000 with my mom. Her 50th B-day, my graduation! The ship's name was Century.

Like everyone else said, GO TO THE FORMAL DINNERS!! There's noting like being waited on hand and foot with GOOD food! Makes you feel like a million bucks.

I always thought the soda situation was strange, but I never got a card. I just drank the free stuff like juice and iced tea.

They had activities all day and TONS of food. One night they had a "roaming buffet" which was just waiters with trays of food walknig around the ship.

Also, try to catch a few of the productions/shows if you can. All were spectacular and the auditorium was HUGE! The on-board "cinema" left a lot to be desired, though. It was just an LCD projector showing a videotape of sub-sub-run pictures.

A few words of caution, though. The last full day of the cruise they made it known in a letter that we're supposed to tip our waiter, his assistant, our maid (which we never saw. the room was just miraculously clean), and the person who delivers/takes your luggage at the beginning/end of the trip (whom we never saw either). These "tips" were to be filled out on a form with suggestions for the "customary" amounts. These "tips" added up to about $75!!!! It was the topic of discussion with our "table mates" at the last dinner. Everyone felt kinda cheated. So much for "all inclusive" eh? [Frown]

Also, prepare to be seasick, even a little bit. I was brave the first few days but about mid-week I was rockin' and rollin'! They sell pills or little patches you stick behind your ear on-board which help a lot.

Careful on the excursions, too. Those tend to drain your cash very quickly.

Above all, HAVE FUN!! [Big Grin]

=TMP=

Posted by Rachel Gilardi (Member # 1016) on 12-14-2004, 04:24 PM:

quote: Thomas Procyk
Also, prepare to be seasick, even a little bit. I was brave the first few days but about mid-week I was rockin' and rollin'! They sell pills or little patches you stick behind your ear on-board which help a lot.

I personally like the little blue bracelets that cut off some of your circulation. Seriously, they work, only problem was that they didn't go with my formal gowns. [Smile]

quote:
These "tips" added up to about $75!!!!

I know this is "wrong" but we didn't tip anyone we didn't use. Some of the suggestions of people to tip some people use and some don't, like the Mader-D (you know what I mean, I don't know how to spell it) for example, we never needed his assistance with anything so we didn't tip him (he will set up a really nice surprise for a birthday, anniversary, or wedding if you approach him about it). But the maids, waiter, and waiters asst. got really nice tips, they did a very good job.

Posted by Phil Hill (Member # 371) on 12-14-2004, 05:00 PM:

quote: Dan Suomi
If your not carefull you could end up having a $300.00 bar tab...

Heck, I run up more than that a night at the Hollywood clubs here on land. [beer]

quote: Tom
...prepare to be seasick...They sell pills or little patches...

quote: Madamn Mod
I personally like the little blue bracelets...

What a bunch of whimps! Can't wait to see yous in 30ft seas!

I agree about the tipping. Don't feel you must tip anyone for a service NOT provided.

Do take good care of your cabin boy, waiter, etc. I mean you don't want your bed to be short-sheeted or a goldfish in your water.

Posted by Rachel Gilardi (Member # 1016) on 12-14-2004, 09:16 PM:

quote:
What a bunch of whimps! Can't wait to see yous in 30ft seas!

Actually I grew up on the seas between fishing boats and helping out on whale watches, I never got sick. I think the only reason I get sick on the cruises is because the ship is so big that you can't really feel you're moving back and forth even though you are. On smaller boats you can see how you're moving. I think...

quote: Phil Hill
Do take good care of your cabin boy, waiter, etc. I mean you don't want your bed to be short-sheeted or a goldfish in your water.

Yes, do tip them but they won't do anything bad if you don't, you tip at the end of the week. The last cruise we went on the asst. waiter did a much better job all around then the head waiter. He made special trips every night just to go get me lemonade from the upstairs restaurant for dinner because I don't like iced tea, RC only serves free iced tea and water for dinner, lemonade is added to the lunch menu. His personality was much better and he did all the work...needless to say, the asst. waiter got a better tip, he deserved it.

Posted by Jason Burroughs (Member # 68) on 12-15-2004, 09:53 AM:

quote:
What a bunch of whimps! Can't wait to see yous in 30ft seas!

Been there done that. We got caught in the fringes of Hurricane Ivan. Approx 25ft swells. The ship has stabilizers, but can't compensate for that amount of sea. That ship was rocking and rolling for sure that night. Dinner was ummm interresting. I don't know why they put the dining rooms so high in the ship [Smile]

The next day several people took advantage of the Carnival vacation guarantee and left the cruise. Ironiclly, the rest of the time it was very smooth seas.

Posted by Ian Price (Member # 14) on 12-15-2004, 02:20 PM:

After the travel industry took a big hit after September 11th, I booked on 7-day Mexican Riviera cruise with Carnival on the Elation. I was obsessed with the idea of taking a cruise and when the price hit $300 without the single supplement, I hopped on board. With taxes and port fees it hit about $500 total.

I took the Amtrak Coast Starlight from Martinez down to L.A. I then took the Blue Line down to Long Beach. I stayed at a cheap hotel about 3-blocks from the cruise ship. The next morning I took the van to the dock and commenced the mad push to get on board.

The porters will take your luggage. Just accept that fact up front, they are very aggressive about it and they won't let you through security with more than a handbag. I showed up at noon when they were first letting people on. Getting on took about 90-minutes. I've heard that if you want to not eat lunch on board and wait a couple of hours, you may miss the crush.

Yes, all soft drinks and other beverages are extra money; Milk, Coffee, Tea, Ice Tea and Orange Juice were free. Stick to those if you are on a budget. But you're on vacation, so budget $200-$500 to blow on drinks, shore excursions and such.

Tips are spelled out in the literature they send. Get over it, the workers usually sign up for a 6-month tour of duty, are paid less than US minimum wage and work 7-days per week, 12-hours per day. Those tips may be supporting a family of 8 back home.

Shore Excursions cost money. You will spend the equivalent amount if you go ashore on your own and take cabs, eat lunch and dinner and go shopping. If you are really on a budget, shop the Internet for shore excursions. Most of them are rated and they cost less to book on line than on the ship. Most of them will be the same tours as well.

Get guidebooks to the places you will visit. You can get stuff on line for free. You could put together your own shore tour for much less if you are willing to put some effort in to it. Sitting on the beach and reading a book is darn cheap. Most cruise ships will even pack you a lunch, but I don't see why you would do that, I'd much rather eat at the crab shack on the beach.

Midnight buffets are amusing at first, but they grow old after a while. I saw the grand midnight buffet, but didn't come back to eat when they opened it up at 12:30.

To me room service is a stupid idea unless you are sick or something. Get out and see and be seen. As far as dressing up for dinner, you can get by with a coat and tie. If you are really dead set against dressing up for dinner, there are always casual alternatives. Everybody on my ship got excited about dressing up, they were like a bunch of girls playing dress up. Some went way over the top. It was fun to see.

My room was an interior room with no window. But I was one door away from the stern mooring station, so you could step outside at water level and watch the wake. I would wake up at 7:00 AM and run outside to see the sea. Mornings are quiet on ship and that's the way I like it. I'm a reader, not a partier.

I made friends with one of the pursers and she gave me a lot of insight in to the workings of the ship.

Don't go to the shopping seminar
Do go to the shore excursion seminar
Don't go to the Art Auction
Do go to Amature show
Don't go to the Jewelry Auction
Do go to the disco
Don't go to the casino, unless you are good at gambling
Do go ashore
Don't be a curmudgeon
Do try to be as outgoing as possible
Do rent snorkeling equipment on board. It's cleaner, newer and gets used less.

Try to be the first one off the ship on shore excursions. Or wait an hour for the crowed to die down.
Don't rush off to dinner on your first night, you will find yourself waiting in a huge line. This is where being 30-minutes late lets you swan in like a star. The rest of the dinners will run smoother.

Take the stairs; the wait for elevators is maddening.
Take all the ship tours, they are fascinating.
Use the gym.
Don't pay for spa treatments, you’re gorgeous enough.

Take your money, passport, ship ID/Credit Card when you leave the ship. You will need those to get back on board. Don't be late back to the ship on shore tours.

Every port has souvenirs at the dock. They are representative of what you will find in town. Bargain hard, start at 50% off. They are better at bargaining than you are, so don't get bent out of shape. Don't buy anything expensive on the dock. If you buy anything in town, you will see it on the dock on your way back to the ship. Check out the prices on the dock, so you will know how much they over charging when you see the same items in town. Buy from children, you will not save any money, but it feels good. Don't give children anything. Don't give beggars anything.

Buy your film, sunscreen, and stuff before you leave, it will be cheaper. If you like a particular snack food, it is always better to take it with you. But taking a cruise also means giving up on your routine and trying new things.

I'm betting no one gains more than 10-pounds per week, go nuts and eat everything you want. Just diet a little before you go and when you return. Walk it off.
If you don't like the people at your assigned table ask for a switch.

They will take a lot of photos of you and try to sell them to you. It's up to you if like that, I avoid cameramen like the plague. I only managed to be in three photos, none of which I bought.

My Internet access was only $10 or $20 and I checked email a couple of times. My advice is to skip it. Nobody wants to hear from you, mid trip.

We had 4-days at sea and three days in port. I liked sea days better. If you like being in port better, skip the cruise and go stay in a hotel. I want to take a repositioning cruise next time.

Cruise lines take security as seriously as airlines and they have customs. Don't make any stupid mistakes with jokes, weapons, or drugs. There will be sniffer dogs on the dock.

Take less cloths, there are self-service laundries on some ships. My room attendant, delivered my bag and asked if I were looking for another bag because he couldn't believe I traveled so light.

Lower your expectations. It's your job to entertain yourself. The food will be good, but not stellar. You don't get perfection when you serve a thousand meals an hour. Service will be precise until you ask for something different, then it will fall apart. You waiter will do all the talking, but it's the busboy that will do all the work. He won't speak English, but if you can make him understand, he will get you things faster.

[ 12-16-2004, 10:53 AM: Message edited by: Ian Price ]

Posted by Thomas Procyk (Member # 1170) on 12-15-2004, 08:41 PM:

quote: Ian Price
Tips are spelled out in the literature they send. Get over it, the workers usually sign up for a 6-month tour of duty, are paid less than US minimum wage and work 7-days per week, 12-hours per day. Those tips may be supporting a family of 8 back home.

I don't want to start another tipping thread, heh. At first, we thought we missed something in regards to the tips in the literature, but when the others at the table brought it up (some who've been on cruises before) we knew it must have been an oversight on the cruise line's part to wait until the last day to inform us. Those who were on cruises before assumed it was included in the price since nothing stated otherwise until that fateful night at sea. [Confused]

=TMP=

Posted by Jason Black (Member # 684) on 12-16-2004, 11:17 AM:

According to what I've read on RC's site (pertaining to tipping), they automatically add it to your room charge on a per day basis. Maybe I didn't read that correctly because it sure doesn't sound right.

At any rate, the advice I'm gathering here sounds spot on.

I'm doing a coat/tie for the formal dinners. No tux here... and I dont' care what anyone else thinks about the decision.. [Smile]

Thanks for your suggestions and keep them coming...

Posted by Thomas Procyk (Member # 1170) on 12-16-2004, 12:53 PM:

Jason - I had mixed feelings about the formal dinners, too. I did the coat and tie thing, no tux either. Great food, but I wish I could have been comfortable while eating it.

=TMP=