1) you can eat breakfast in the main dining room. And, most people don't eat breakfast there, so it's quick and easy to get service. I prefer the food also.

2) there's not a lot of storage space in the room for luggage, etc.

3) bring all your own toiletries. The options they have are awful.

4) everyone says to get the alcohol package. Cruise drinks tend to be chintzy, cloying mixed drinks with thematic names like "tropical storm." If this doesn't interest you, you may want to just buy wine by the bottle or glass. Also, you would have to drink 1.5 bottles of wine per day, generally speaking, to make it worth it. And do you really want to do that? No.

Tell us which ship and which ports, and we can provide helpful info.

On some ships you need to book certain things in advance or have a game plan to address crowds. Other ships (read: smaller) are totally chill and you can basically wing it.

Signed,

Veteran cruiser with kids

Research each port to see what there is to do close to the ship (or a short ride away) before booking excursions at each port. There are some stops where there is plenty that you can easily do on your own and others where if you don't book an excursion, you might as well just stay on the boat.

If you are traveling as a family of four, booking two connecting regular rooms will oftentimes give you more room than a suite, as well as an extra bathroom.

Don't feel pressured to go to the dress-up nights if that's not your thing. I like them but it's just as nice to have the entire casual buffet to yourself sometimes.

I'm sorry but the phrase "before you cruised for the first time" really made me laugh. It made me think of the kind of cruising George Michael got caught doing.

Anonymous wrote:If you’re leaving from a port in Florida, some locals will have arrived and started drinking long before you arrive right when the safety briefing begins
Even high-end cruise lines suffer this

And? how many safety briefings do you need? they are all the same

Bring meds!!!

Two of us got sick and were glad I had packed an entire pharmacy in a carry on :0)

Bring plenty of sunscreen and a tote bag for towels, etc.

Bring after-Sun lotion.

If you have an indoor room, bring a night light. Also pack extra outlet plugs for charging items. Bring a sweater or light jacket. We’ve done both ship excursions and our own, both are fine. Try to read up on your destinations for the best options. Check to see if there is a Facebook page for your cruise. I was told about it during one of my cruises and found pictures of my family that someone took for us. Talk to the waitstaff, they have fascinating back stories. Bring a lidded coffee mug if you want to walk around with your drink.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Independent excursions are usually nicer or at least cheaper. Go visit cruisecritic’s forums if you want any tips for a particular port or cruise.

I thought you should never book independent excursions because if something happens and you don't get back to the boat in time the boat won't wait for you.

Are you cruising the Caribbean?

It’s nearly impossible to miss the boat.

We always hire a driver or taxi, and because we do the early dining time we get back to the ship in plenty of time to shower.

They make soft sided flasks for sneaking in alcohol on cruises and such. We did this 10-15 years ago and it worked out fine. Not sure if it’s doable now.

Bring layers - the indoor areas of the ship, like the casino and the theaters, can get chilly with AC.

The ship feels really crowded when you first board because no one can be in their rooms yet, so everyone is just milling about, especially in the buffets. But it’s not usually that bad so don’t assume the rest of the cruise will be like that - even the at-sea days.

If you’re leaving from a port in Florida, some locals will have arrived and started drinking long before you arrive right when the safety briefing begins
Even high-end cruise lines suffer this

Carry your own bags on/off as they can get lost. You don't have to use their service.

Bring more clothes than you think you need. Laundry is a nightmare on the ship.

Bring soda and bottled water.

There's videos on Youtube of the boat pulling away while cruise passengers were too late to reboard. Remember to be on time.

Anonymous wrote:I wish I would’ve figured out how to smuggle in liquor.

They search your bags, so it's tough.

Using a cruise excursion means the boat won’t leave without you. That’s the main benefit. Obviously it won’t save you for a volcano blowing up but most people aren’t morons thinking it will. So for normal people, the main reason to book with the cruise is that the boat won’t leave and the drivers are generally safer.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Independent excursions are usually nicer or at least cheaper. Go visit cruisecritic’s forums if you want any tips for a particular port or cruise.

I thought you should never book independent excursions because if something happens and you don't get back to the boat in time the boat won't wait for you.

This is what I heard too. And, they are vetted - if you go out on your own you could end up with some shady excursion that’s dangerous/not regulated/under the table.

The excursions to see the Whakaari volcano in New Zealand (in 2019) were RCL vetted. Yet numerous people died or were horribly burned by the eruption. A cruise excursion is no guarantee that all will go well!

I’m pretty sure vetting a company won’t ensure that a freakin’ volcano won’t erupt on any give day