First Time Cruisers, We at CruiseMates, want THIS forum, to be your first stop for information to help you really enjoy your cruise experience. NO question is silly...being an educated first timer means, a more enjoyable cruise! Ask Away! Spead the word....
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Trip, with her book & tea!
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Hi, I am cruising for the first time, and solo, and would like some words of comfort... getting a bit gittery, but still very excited. Going on HAL in FEB. 2011 to Mex. Rivera. Ann
My user name is Future Cruiser because that is what I am. Although I have not booked one yet, I already know which one to book and have a travel agent (a cruise specialist). The only thing holding me back is my mom, who will sail with me and share the cost of the cruise. She is getting the house ready to sell this year and there is a lot of work left to do. Hopefully as soon as the house is on the market she can think about cruising for the first time ever and email my travel agent.
Naturally, I have a lot of questions like every other cruising newbie. And I agree none of them are too silly. A high school teacher told my class, "No question is stupid; what is stupid is not asking it." I never forgot that advice because I totally believe it.
Do you have any ideas where you want to cruise to? While you wait until your mom is ready, you can always search the cruiseline's web-sites and get an idea of what kind of cruise you want to do.
In the meantime, feel free to ask any questions, silly or not...:-)
Do you have any ideas where you want to cruise to? While you wait until your mom is ready, you can always search the cruise line's websites and get an idea of what kind of cruise you want to do.
In the meantime, feel free to ask any questions, silly or not.
The one I want to book now is Los Angeles to Vancouver on the Sapphire Princess. It's called Wine Country Coastal. I picked it because three ports are places I want to return to - Santa Barbara, San Francisco, and Seattle - and Mom wants to go back to L.A. as she has been there before. She also has expressed interest in an Alaska cruise, which surely would include Victoria and Vancouver. So it looks like a no-brainer to me. I can't take that one until May 11, 2013 because my sister, who will also go with me, has one more year of college. When I asked her where she would like to go, she told me, "I just want to go on a cruise." That was like music to my ears.
Anyway, my first question is about when to book it. Considering I still have a lot of time to do that, but have a specific cabin in mind (E711), should I worry about booking now? Or is there a good chance that despite waiting until December, I can still pick the cabin I want? I care about the cabin number because of reports a rocking motion can be felt if I am too far aft. I have a balance problem and my mom is almost 65 so we can't stay in or near E731.
Hi to all
I am new to cruising and to this board. I have found a wealth of info on other boards and hope to do the same here.
Ok, here's a question:
If you are a first timer, is it better to book shore excursions with the cruise line or check the excursion board once you set sail.
We are looking to book a cruise in April 2012 to the Bahamas most likely with Carnival out of Baltimore.
Also, what do you pack that you found you could not do without out, and what did you never use? I tend to over pack.
Janice welcome to our world One thing I never cruise withour is a power strip for all the electronics,and a garbage bag to serve as a hamper in the closet,and also, maybe an over the closet plastic shoe bag, for all the things you need at hand, jewelry, sail and sign card, snacks or whatever.
Are you going to Nassau on this itinerary? If, so walking off the ship and booking at the pier is very easy. If by chance there is something exceptional you want to do,and you want to know you have it booked, tand comfortable with the price, then go for it. Ships tours are more $$.
Remember if you are flying to the port..airline baggage restrictions make overpacking just a memory
Hope your first is a blast, and, you book onboard for your next one
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Trip, with her book & tea!
Chat Hostess & Board Moderator
Thanks for the info-yes we will be going to Nassau. I got a Frommers guide to the Bahamas. Hey, is this board the same as cruisecritic? It seems awfully similar????
Welcome to Cruisemates Janice, No, these boards are a bit different that CC, you will notice a lot of friendly posters here, and most do stay within the guidelines here, its a very imformative large group of posters. Feel free to post any concerns or questions you may have.
Welcome to Cruisemates Janice, No, these boards are a bit different that CC, you will notice a lot of friendly posters here, and most do stay within the guidelines here, its a very imformative large group of posters. Feel free to post any concerns or questions you may have.
Do you have a cruise comming up soon?
Hi Donna
Not until April 2012-we havent' booked yet. I am hoping everything falls into place. We wanted to go this year but it fell through. It all depends on my tax return. Keeping my fingers crosssed! Meanwhile I am learning a lot from these boards! I watched a show on travel channel last night showing Oasis of the seas and how they turn the ship around in twelve hours-it was interesting. Also saw the boarding process which solves a lot of mysteries. People were being turned away for not having proper documents. It amazes me that some people don't do their research. If I had any doubts about getting passports I don't now!
First Time Cruisers, We at CruiseMates, want THIS forum, to be your first stop for information to help you really enjoy your cruise experience. NO question is silly...being an educated first timer means, a more enjoyable cruise! Ask Away! Spead the word....
My husband and I will be celebrating our 25th Wedding Annv. and will be taking our first cruise. We leave Feb. 18th, 5 days on Royal Carribean "liberty of Seas".
We will go to Cozumel and Belize city.
First , is it better to go out on your own or book through ship? If ship when should you book it the day you dock?
We love the beaches, the blue waters etc.
Can someone tell me where on each place are the best places to go! And can anyone offer on each place something else we should see maybe as well. I just want to experience the warm blue water, but yet go and hit maybe the highlights of both places. Also modes of transportation we should use.
Also, do you recommend bring your own water or filter water bottles?
Another thing, motion sickness. Is there something I should bring for that ? Not sure if we will but want to be prepared.
Any help in what would be simple but get the best experiences of the stops would be appreciated. I just would like not to be worrying about what or how much we should try to do as not to be overwhelmed and not be able to enjoy the occasion.
If I have posted this wrong I apologize, if it makes it then I appreciate and thank you for any help.
KimC
There is really good snorkeling in Belieze, I would just book a ship excursion here, most cases they pick you up at the ship, rather than taking the long tender ride into port. The port has the usual shops, but I wouldn't wonder around out of that area..
Lots of options in Cozumel, check all the shore excursions offered by the ship and you can possibly find an independent one here. A nice day is taking a cab over to Chakanaab park, lots to do there and not too far from the pier. This is also the place to shop for mexican treasures, some good vanilla is sold here...
Thanks Donna,
When do you book the excursions? I have read different places you should call two weeks advance to book them? Do you just get a brochure and look through them all?
I do see comments on some islands to not venture far? MY queston is, can you fill up the whole day off port on these Islands? Belize and Cozumel?
We have already paid for tips. Am I correct that you pay 15% on alcohol,What else since we already paid should we tip? Do you suggest keeping money on you? On and off the ship?
We booked this cruise through RCI. Can anyone give me any information on the Liberty of the Seas? And any particular information that would be helpful? Am just wondering if we will enjoy this cruise. We were kinda limited on where to go at this time due to waiting so late to book. Just worried we will be disappointed. I have this idea of beautiful blue water, laying on the beach. Would like to see the highlights also of each place. We are not hikers of snorkerlers at this time. I am sure after this cruise our next one we will know how to better plan. Wish I had known about this site. My goodness what a help. If I have other questions can I write back?
Thanks again
Hi Kim, Be sure to go to the Royal Caribbean site and input all your information. You should have a booking number, you will need that. Once you do all that, you can look through their excursions and get an idea of what is offered at both ports and see what you want to do. General rule, one excursion at each stop, also depends on how much time you are there. If you go ashore in Belize, be sure to make sure you have plenty of time to tender back to the ship...
If you should order room service, you may want to tip a few dollars to the person who brings it up, otherwise, all your tips are paid for, each time you order a drink or soda, they will automatically add another 15% on to the amount, then that will go on your sign/sail pass.
Thanks again,
Have you heard anything about Passion Island at Belize and if the ride, area is sfe etc? If I decided to go I thought I would wait to book when we got there to see how weather.
I have looked at different excursions. If I were to book one of these, should I do it one Belize or Cozumel. And, on either do you have to take a boat to them first? I thought that is how I read it but not sure. I just know I want to do a day at a beautiful beach and one day do a land trip that are not so expensive. Thanks again
In Belieze you have to tender, the ship does not dock there. Some excursions will pick you up at the ship rather than take the tender to the dock.. In Cozumel, you will dock, so no boat ride...A good beach is in Cozumel, Chankanaab park, snokeling too...
Now I really feel stupid How does so many people get off the ship when it docks?
If you could tell me, do you think by me booking the Excursion to Passion Island in Belize through the ship that it would be safe? Have you heard of anyone going there?
Kim, Sometimes, it does take a little while to get off the ship. They let the people with ship excursions off first. Just wait a little while and you can just walk off, no problem.
First time cruiser here...leaving on Jewel of the Seas 5 night out of Tampa on 3/31/12...visiting Cozumel and Costa Maya. I'm in information gathering mode right now, reading everyone's boards and making notes about packing etc. Not sure how I feel about excursions at this point, a forest canopy tour sounds interesting, has anyone done that? And for main dining room, we have 8:30 seating for the entire trip, are you always seated with other people? No "two to a table" atmosphere?
My DW and I will be sailing on the NCL Dawn in a few days for our first cruise. We run a resort so we know we will have a good time no matter what - because we don't have to wait on anyone! YES!
I wanted to thank you for this great forum. I have tried another forum. Nice people there. Good info. Lots of posts. However, the "cruise cheerleaders" there sour it for me. Really bad attitudes in my opinion. Could turn off a lot of first timers here.
This forum seems to common sense discussion. I would love to cruise with some of the posters I have read on here. Anyway - job well done and thank you again.
Marsdude, I hope your cruise is wonderful,and we all appreciate youre kind words. If you ever have a chance to join a Cruisemates group cruise, you'll gat a chance to see how much fun you will have..I'm hosting one next month,and I can't wait. Please come back, and, share your "Happy Days" in paradise with us
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Trip, with her book & tea!
Chat Hostess & Board Moderator
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Attention 1st Time Crusiers!!
planning my first cruise
Looking forward to cruising!
first question
Got a good cabin
One thing I never cruise withour is a power strip for all the electronics,and a garbage bag to serve as a hamper in the closet,and also, maybe an over the closet plastic shoe bag, for all the things you need at hand, jewelry, sail and sign card, snacks or whatever.
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