Cruise veteran weighing in her opinion...
Packing tips depend on how long your trip is, but here are some generalities:
Pack light - noone but you will care if you wear the same shorts 2 days in a row. You'll never see these people again. Each item in your suitcase should 'go' with 2 other items minimum.
Bring twice as much underwear and socks as you think you will need - onboard laundry is expensive and the bathrooms are too small to have damp panties hanging all over the place.
If you don't really want to completely dress up for formal dinners that's OK - long gowns aren't required. If you are going to go all out - bring one dress to wear for both formal nights.
Bring bottled water OR at least a water bottle to take with you for field trips. They will charge and arm and a leg for small bottles of Evian. You can get as much ice as you need from your cabin steward.
Even though you have a cabin steward to clean up after you, don't be a slob. The level of service you receive will be in direct proportion to how much of a mess you make in your cabin. Yes, he/she will clean up your mess, but you might not get the same extra-special treatments as other guests in your area.
Bring cash for tipping - this is not an option. The folks that work on cruises are often from third world countries and make very little in the way of salary. More than half (sometimes as much as 75%) of their income comes from tips. You will need to tip the following: cabin steward, waiter, assistant waiter, and maitre' d. Don't forget about bartenders, etc. Tipping guidelines should be provided to you along with envelopes.
Be sure you remember to leave out a change of clothes the night before you return home - you will be required to pack and leave your luggage in the hallway by midnight the night before you dock. If you don't remember clothes you will be going off the gangplank in your pajamas. Remember a small duffle bag for your nightclothes and toiletries, too.
You will eat way more than you think you will - participate in the daily exercise classes or activities. These make a big difference. The last two cruises I went on had fantastic food - and I lost weight while indulging myself. Ask how many trips around deck make a mile - or use the walking track on board. Norwegian even offers prizes for participating in their Sports Afloat program.
Unless you are a millionaire with money to burn, avoid the casinos. This is where the ship makes it's money on the cruise.
Get to know the ship staff - they are interesting people from all over the world. Get to know your table mates at dinner - you will be seeing these folks every night, so it pays to be friendly.
Don't be stupid and take illegal drugs with you or buy them at your destination. You will be found out - they use dogs on your luggage (remember you left it out the night before?) and do a cabin-by-cabin check when you get into dock. On our last cruise, we were delayed by almost 3 hours because some idiot refused to respond to requests for her presence at the purser's desk. Later we got to see her being loading into a car belonging to Miami's finest.
Last but not least..have fun!
Barbara
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