Ugh don't go. It's awful. You don't really get to experience the places you go and you don't want to experience the people on board.

Anonymous wrote:

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

Put it in a mouthwash bottle.

This post and some of the other PPs talking about how crowded it gets pretty much sums up why we don't do cruises. And we don't even really drink.

Not sure how long you have before your cruise but start getting some good walks in now, bonus if steps are included. Elevators are crowded, stopping on almost every floor. You may have to wait for several elevators before you’re able to get one.

I took the steps as much as possible and cannot tell you how much time that saved. DH would wait for the elevator, and I’d frequently be 5-6 floors away waiting at a bar sipping my drink for 20 minutes before he showed up.

Google packing list for a cruise. Several suggestions I used that would have never occurred to me.

There’s Facebook pages for both cruises and cruise ships. Find one from a current or recent cruise on your ship and there will be all sorts of tips. Extra not as crowded seating in the main buffet dining room, quieter or shadier decks. We found out out ship was still somewhat short staffed and it was quicker to go order a drink from the bar yourself than wait for a server. Servers were great but you could wait 30-40 minutes for one at times.

Anonymous wrote:Have a stash of meds. Ibuprofen, allergy meds and Dramamine.

And anything digestive - nausea, diarrhea, constipation. You’ll probably be eating richer foods, some you’re not used to, trying out a few new ones, eating a different than usual.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sea days are the best. There are usually activities that are cheesy but fun (games, towel folding, trivia). We've only cruised Disney but my favorite sea day activity is lying on a lounge chair on deck 4 with a book.

Why not just lay by pool at a resort or private balcony?

DP but when you wake up the next morning you’ll probably be in an entirely new country (without dealing with airports, rental cars etc)

Anonymous wrote:Sea days are the best. There are usually activities that are cheesy but fun (games, towel folding, trivia). We've only cruised Disney but my favorite sea day activity is lying on a lounge chair on deck 4 with a book.

Why not just lay by pool at a resort or private balcony?

Good tips here. Have used the super-powerful magnets for bags, wet stuff, accessories, etc.

You can "check" a sealed 12-pack of bottled water that will be delivered to your stateroom with your luggage. Bring the preprinted luggage tag and some tape to affix the label.

I didn't try this, but you could probably bring a reusable water bottle or 2 filled with booze back on board with you after an excursion if you pass a liquor store while you're out. As I recall, they weren't opening these as you go thru security.

Check out https://www.shoreexcursionsgroup.com/ for alternatives to cruise ship offerings. This is a well-known brand that travel agents use.

We did these (or very similar)
https://www.amazon.com/Concealable-Reusable-Pouches-Drinking-8OZ-6PCS/dp/B09LV524C6/ref=sxin_16_pa_sp_search_thematic_sspa?content-id=amzn1.sym.82e65000-f2e5-4c5f-bb22-0380bd2d568e%3Aamzn1.sym.82e65000-f2e5-4c5f-bb22-0380bd2d568e&crid=2TXGQ9MKU5DPP&cv_ct_cx=sneaking+alcohol+on+cruise&keywords=sneaking+alcohol+on+cruise&pd_rd_i=B09LV524C6&pd_rd_r=fb0937ca-c225-4442-bfcb-bd4c1ffa59c0&pd_rd_w=l8yqI&pd_rd_wg=efs8o&pf_rd_p=82e65000-f2e5-4c5f-bb22-0380bd2d568e&pf_rd_r=ZE2EDMGC7HFW1TRBMFVS&qid=1685044617&sbo=RZvfv%2F%2FHxDF%2BO5021pAnSA%3D%3D&sprefix=sneaking+al%2Caps%2C127&sr=1-1-886882a8-fdeb-4d2a-b9a7-64e9b2543d81-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUE4WlUxNzFBR1JGV00mZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTA3Mzc5MDczMFhGWUg1OE1DRUU1JmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA2OTAzMzJSQ0RGRVVOWDdEMSZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX3NlYXJjaF90aGVtYXRpYyZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

We brought in liquor. For the wine, we just declared and paid the corking fee.

Check fine print but most cruises let you bring at least one bottle of wine onboard. And you can buy a bottle at dinner and take rest of it to your room.

I read that reservation only restaurants have free lunches, ie already included in your cruise.

I like bringing lanyards for the cruise card

Anonymous wrote:We are preparing to embark on our first ever cruise and it feels daunting. I feel like I will forget something important or do something wrong, only to find out too late.

What general advice/tips would you give a first timer? Things you found out too late or wish you had known before you even left the house?

-Book yourself a nice spa appt. Yes they will be way overpriced but there’s just something special about a spa treatment on the ship. I personally love getting a pedicure during sail away, watching the land get further and further away. I also get the weekly Rainforest room pass on Disney cruises, gives unlimited all day access to the whirlpools, saunas, steam rooms, special showers and heated stone loungers. It. Is. Bliss.

-Book a placeholder for your next cruise while onboard to save some money and maybe get extra perks. The ones with Disney are refundable if you end up not using it within 2 years.

-You won’t have time to do everything, so google before your trip to see what activities your ship offers, and what you don’t want to miss. Plan your days around those things.

-Try to take an hour or so to explore the entire ship, end to end, top to bottom. They’re pretty cool and you’ll discover all kind of hidden gems, nooks and crannies.

-There is nothing special that we pack for cruises. We pack like a normal beach vacation. For week long cruises, we pack 3-4 days worth of clothing in a carry on and do laundry on day 3 or 4. Works perfectly for us.

-Don’t worry about forgetting anything, the ship will have shops to get anything you might have forgotten or didn’t know you need. My cycle started unexpectedly early during our last cruise and the ship store had stacks and stacks of affordable tampons and pads for me to buy. Tons of meds like tylenol and advil, dramamine etc.

-We take a bonine at night before bed to help curb motion sickness. Bonine and dramamine will make you feel sleepy and out of it, so do not take them during the day.

-You can order as many apps, entrees and desserts as you want at dinner. If I can’t decide bw two apps or soup vs salad, I get both and see which I like better. Same for dessert. You’ve already paid for it so why not.

-Room service is great for when you don’t feel like leaving the room or dealing with waits and crowds. Perfect to order a cheese plate and fruit when you get back from excursions. If you’re on Disney and like sweets, ask the Room svc attendant what’s the Cake of the Day. And get your kids warm cookies and milk.

Have fun OP, cruises are the best!

I know ll i need to know that is why I haven’t cruised for the first time.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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

Have you WATCHED the documentary on that accident? It's not that the volcano erupted. That's what they do. But there were signs that they shouldn't have gone on that excursion that day. And really no plan in place to deal with it.

What documentary is this? I need to watch!

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

Put it in a mouthwash bottle.

Make sure you have travel insurance.