So, who here has been on a cruise?

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 5/21/05 at 8:50pm

My family just decided to go on one this summer and I'm extremely excited. I haven't gone on vacation in close to five years and it's about time. I've been trying to convince my parents to go on a cruise for about ten years and it finally took. It's gonna be my parents, me, my aunt, uncle, three cousins and my cousins friend. So, it's going to be quite nuts. I've never been on a cruise before, although I have been on large ships for day trips and things of that nature. It's going to be seven days to Bermuda out of New York.

So, I'm basically asking those of you who have been on cruises before for your advice. Anything specific I should make sure to bring? Things I should make sure to do while on the boat/on the island? Anything you'd like to offer I'm happy to hear. Thanks!

[oxdreaminxo]

Posted: 5/21/05 at 8:53pm

Cruises are amazing. I went on my first (and only, lol) one last August. Oh. My. Gosh. They rock!! Some advice, when you do the whole safety drill thing, I think it's called Mustering, or at least, my friend and I called it that, do not blow the whislt on the life jacket. Tis gross, just don't touch it, lol. Also, form what I found out from me and my friends, the boat is almost better then the actual vacation spot. Have fun! And if there's glass elevators, use them- they rock! =P

[liotte]

Posted: 5/21/05 at 8:55pm

I have been on a couple in the bahamas, they are awesome!

[sabrelady]

Posted: 5/21/05 at 9:05pm

Tips: bring w u anything like film ,batteries, toiletries the ship charges a premium on this stuff.Remember LOTS of sunscreen- sun is more intense @ sea cover ears, knees, collarbone, ankles. Unless it is a very casual cruise @ least 2 dressy type outfits for dinner. Also keep cash avail for tipping yr steward & waiters etc @ the end. ( yes it IS expected)

OH & be careful what u sign for @ the bar- has a way of adding up to an unpleasant surprise @ the end of the trip.
DO do some of the excursions but pick & choose- not all are equally good .
ENJOY!!!

[bwayballerina]

Posted: 5/21/05 at 9:14pm

Cruises are a lot of fun! I just went on one at the end of March.

When you get off the ship in a dock, there are usually stalls (or something similar) that sell local crafts and unique things like that. I found that it was pretty similar to what was being sold in the stalls further in on the islands, and the prices were about the same. However, taking a "taxi" on the islands is a pretty interesting experiance. Their taxis are way different from American taxis. The fare is also pretty cheap... I think it was something like four dollars per person round trip (to the local shopping area and back). You also get a glimpse of the culture on the island... how buildings are arranged, how people dress, if walking is more common than driving, etc. It was an interesting experiance. But if you don't have enough time to explore the island, you can still buy more or less the same stuff in the stalls by the ship.

Heh, sorry for making that kind of long. Have fun on your trip!

[The Grovers Corners Yenta]

Posted: 5/21/05 at 9:26pm

I have taken the ferry from Bridgeport, CT to Port Jefferson, NY

[ashley0139]

Posted: 5/21/05 at 10:16pm

I've been on 9 to all different kinds of places. They are the most amazing vacation. I would be happy to answer any specific questions you have. Make sure you bring lots of books and music. It is so relaxing. The last cruise I went on I think I read 3 long books in one week. Also, have your music for when you are just sitting around. Also, the shows at night are interesting. They usually have a Broadway night where they do a Broadway review so look out for that. Have fun!

[Elizabeth_DeBris]

Posted: 5/21/05 at 10:45pm

We went on a Carnival cruise from New York to Canada, a few years ago. As much as I love Canada, there's a reason it isn't toured to frequently. Our waiter scared the crap outta me, but other than that it was a nice experience. Free soft-serve ice cream 24/7...

They did two reviews, both of which I loved. One was songs from different countries (they used two songs from Mary Poppins for England), and another was songs from decades leading up to the present. It was fun.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 5/21/05 at 10:47pm

NEVER NEVER NEVER GO ON CARNIVAL CRUISE LINES!!!!

It is a total rip off, bad food, ****ty drinks, HORRIBLE entertainment.

The ONLY reason I would ever suggest it is for a character study of what white trash does on the high seas.

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 5/21/05 at 10:49pm

My family didn't want Carnival. They said the ships are too large and over crowded and don't live up to the hype. We're going on Norwegian Cruise Lines.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 5/21/05 at 10:51pm

Good for you.

[Elizabeth_DeBris]

Posted: 5/21/05 at 10:52pm

Mm. We decided to use a different line, if we ever go again. I didn't think it was THAT horrible, but I was 11 years old, and had nothing to compare it to. However, I feel I should be insulted at implication that everyone who sails on Carnival cruise lines is white trash...
Updated On: 5/21/05 at 10:52 PM

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 5/21/05 at 10:55pm

Okay then. I was worried that an adult was excited over free soft serve ice cream. Knowing you were only 11 makes sense to me now.

And, I was typing my post before you posted yours Elizabeth, so don't think the negative comments were aimed at you. Hell, I don't even know you..

Hello!

[Elizabeth_DeBris]

Posted: 5/21/05 at 10:58pm

Well, who doesn't love the occasional soft-serve ice cream? Except people who don't like soft-serve ice cream... wow, I'm tired.

I was kidding! I was kind of assuming you didn't think I'm white trash. Sorry for the misunderstanding.
Updated On: 5/21/05 at 10:58 PM

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 5/21/05 at 10:58pm

I went on a Royal Carribbean Cruise and my hunch that I was probably not a "cruise person" proved correct. On the at sea days I wanted to kill myself out of sheer boredom. You, however, might be a cruise person if you enjoy:

* being in a floating mall with no way out
* crap shows
* crap food
* automatically answer the question "Are you having a GREAT time?" affirmatively by every staff member until you are convinced that it must be true
* really don't want to explore new places on your own

It's the vacation equivalent of fast food.

[Liam]

Posted: 5/21/05 at 11:03pm

Namo must you make evrything misrubl?


im just kidding :) i like your posts for some of the same resons i like simon cowl

[DAME]

Posted: 5/21/05 at 11:03pm

Ok. Here is my advice. Bring some Lysol disenfectant. Cruise ship hotel rooms are notoriously unhealthy ( Prime Time Live, 20/ 20 have both done stories on this). Do not buy any of the ships excursions. They are available for less than half the price at most ports and usually by the same company. Bring your own booze. Wrap it up in your luggage.. they don't care. You can order mixers from room service for free. Be careful how you spend your money on the ship. There is no real cash. They give you a card that you use throughtout. Lots of people forget that it is money and on check out days find themselves with $3000.00 charges. Make sure that on the first day you bring your evenings set of clothes in your carry on. When you check your luggage in you never know what time it will make it to the room. Sometimes it is right away and sometimes it isn't till the evening. And always tip yor stewart. Always!

Also.. do bring a good book. Just in case you discover it is not your thing.

All the cruises I have been on have been gay. I would imagine I would be miserable at s straight trip.

Updated On: 5/21/05 at 11:03 PM

[ckeaton]

Posted: 5/21/05 at 11:04pm

While I can see where Namo is coming from...

I enjoy the occasional cruise. I find the motion of the ship soothing at night. I like the activities, though I often don't take part in them.

I also like seeing multiple ports without packing and unpacking. I rarely take shore excursions, because 5-7 hours in a place on your own is generally more than enough time to sample the culture. Rome excluded. :)

[DAME]

Posted: 5/21/05 at 11:07pm

Most wonderful thing is a room with a balcony in which you sit at night and stare at the sea while enjoyingg your 420 and a drink.

Updated On: 5/21/05 at 11:07 PM

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 5/21/05 at 11:08pm

Smooches, Elizabeth.

Namo, you've got the point right there. I TRIED to get drunk on the boat, and after 15 Long Island Ice Teas, I sort of figured it wasn't going to happen.

More advice:
Take liquor with you, the drinks are watered down.
Screw the excursions (RIP OFF) and do a litte online investigating about the area you are going to, then, when you get there, take a cab, or a local guide. You won't be treated like cattle.

The one thing they DON'T show on those commercials is the THOUSANDS of people who are also crammed on the ship with you. Nothing like paying through the nose to go swimming with sting-rays when there are 400 other people in the water with you. It was worse than the final scene of Titanic with all the bodys in the water....

[OnTheAisle]

Posted: 5/21/05 at 11:11pm

I confess I have never been on a cruise, and I've stayed away because I (rightly or wrongly) believe that I'm going to pay all this money to sleep in a shoebox - are the rooms spacious at all?

[Popular]

Posted: 5/21/05 at 11:11pm

Aaahhh! Finally a post after my own heart! I actually worked on ships for about 5 years. Sooo much fun. Bottom line is that it is what you make of it. Join in the activities, make friends, and just have a blast!

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 5/21/05 at 11:15pm

I got a first class cabin with a view and it was as big as a walk in closet.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 5/21/05 at 11:41pm

"Bottom line is that it is what you make of it. Join in the activities, make friends, and just have a blast!"

Yes, so in other words it's just like summer camp. Very, very, very expensive summer camp.

But for those of us who have outgrown that experience and aren't so fearful of the world that we have to take our theme parks with us, just go someplace and have fun and leave the rip-off cruise companies out of it!

[Popular]

Posted: 5/21/05 at 11:46pm

Namo - you are exactly the kind of passeger we just loooooved to have on board. YES, peleeeze, for the sake of all the hardworking officers, staff, and crew, do go somewhere else. :)

And don't even get me started on you saying that the shows are crap... Updated On: 5/21/05 at 11:46 PM