My 1st Cruise... any info/ideas helpful. Thanks *-*

[flyygyrl1908]

I will be cruising to Nassau the third week in September!! We'll just miss each other Strobelite Has anyone been on Royal Carribean Soverign of the Seas????

[AKA4MJ]

The Delta SF that commented on cruising it hit all on the head! Especially about nt seeingyour lugguage for a while, so better safe to take a spare with you in your carry on.

My husband and myself cruised for our honeymoon last September on a 5 day cruise to Mexico on Royal Carribean, and we we absolutely loved it! No complaints at all.......The food was always good, and if it wasn't they took it back and brought you anything else off of the menu or made you whatever you wanted. The food is availible 24/7.........But do make sure you watch the drink charges they'll catch up with you. Have a great time! After I drop my load, I'll be planning my next cruise this time with the family.

[Virtual Violet]

Originally posted by Virtual Violet
Remember the ship doesn't use cash, so plan on having them set up your ship account with a credit card. Take some bottled water if you can, the bottled water in the cabin it too expensive.

Keep an eye on your complimentary beach towels (if provided)....you are responsible for them and if they aren't returned at the end of the cruise, you will be charged for them. The professional pictures can be expensive, so only choose the ones you are really going to like. You aren't obligated to pay for them all.

When booking the cruise---always choose the second seating, it will give you more time to get back to the ship from the island and get ready for dinner. Otherwise, if the ship offers open seating, you can go at your convenience.

If you are planning to take advantage of the ship spa, make your appointment first thing when you board the ship, that way you will have the best choice of appointments. (I recommend you set your appointment for a day that you will be at sea---Ships usually sail at night, but when returning, sometimes you have at least one day at sea).

Be sure to pack one change of clothes in your carry-on bag, once you get to the dock, you will be separated from your luggage and there will be no way to determine when it will be placed outside you cabin door before departure.

The Virgin Islands are great for silver, Mexico is great for turquoise , don't buy any fruit or vegetables, You can't bring those on the ship.

Also, usually you are only allowed to bring back 2-4 bottles of duty free liquor, but check with the ship steward before you buy
any liquor.

Finally, you are "expected" to tip all service people at the end of the cruise (matree d, waiter, cabin steward, etc) since they serve you the entire cruise...(assuming you are seated at the same table for dinner every night) Check with your travel agent to confirm whether gratuities are included in your cruise package.

If your interested in a good chartered cruise, check this one out, unfortunately the 2003 7 day Carribean cruise info is not available until August.

http://www.festivalatsea.com/

I know that was a lot of information, have fun, as you can tell I love cruising!! PM me if you like!

Duh, how about I didn't realize the first post was in 2001? Anyway, I hope the info helps someone......

[Augystskyz]

I decided to reactivate this thread since I plan on taking my first cruise August 2004.

Here's the scenario:

I've never been on a cruise before and decided that I'd like to celebrate my 21st B-day on one. Does anyone have any suggestions on what cruise line/boat and most importantly where I should choose? I'm trying to keep the price less than $800 and around 3-4 nights. All suggestions and comments are appreciated! Thanks

[Peaches-n-Cream]

I had a great experience on Norweigan Cruise Line. It was a one week cruise to Florida and the Bahamas leaving New York City.

[Paradise359]

Originally posted by Augystskyz
I decided to reactivate this thread since I plan on taking my first cruise August 2004.

Here's the scenario:

I've never been on a cruise before and decided that I'd like to celebrate my 21st B-day on one. Does anyone have any suggestions on what cruise line/boat and most importantly where I should choose? I'm trying to keep the price less than $800 and around 3-4 nights. All suggestions and comments are appreciated! Thanks

I don't know much about the cruise lines as I always fly (just faster lol) buuuut I am biased being from the Bahamas, I must do my duty as a good citizen & say cruise to an island in the Bahamas

[Kimmie1913]

My one cruise has been on the Big Red Boat (spring break. Senior year college...ah the memeories! Me, my best firend and Bugs Bunny.) but have been told that Norweigian and Royal Carribean are wonderful. Better than Carnival, more expensive but worth it. The Bahamas is a great destination, that is where we went. Also, many make several stops so you may pick one that has a few different ports of call. As someone else pointed out, always be conscious of the fact that they do not use cash on the boat and it is easy to spend a lot of money when you are just charging it to your room! The bill at the end can be a big wake up call.

[Confucius]

Ok, I am looking into a cruise/vacation for 2005 and found a lot!! Including one from our soror, TJ Butler.

There is the NPHC Cruise, Labor Day Cruise, TJ Butler Cruise, Rio De Janerio Cruise but, I am thinking about the Essence Festival in New Orleans as well. Since I have only a few weeks to decide, can someone please tell me if they attended any of these events, if so, what did you think of them?

[Virtual Violet]

I took a cruise to Hawaii this year in August. In my opinion, if you have never been to Hawaii, this is the best (most economical) way to maximize the number of islands you can visit while minimizing the cost of your accommodations.

For a 7 day cruise to Hawaii, you will probably visit at least 4 islands...(fly into Honolulu, sailing to Oahu, Maui, Kuai and Hawaii---ie the big island). The good part is your room and food accommodations are on the ship, so you don't have to spend money on expensive fly-overs or room accomodations for each island. The downside is the airfare to Hawaii is expensive for peak flights.

Still note, Hawaii is EXPENSIVE....there are plenty of tours...but most are only available through the ship. Tour activities include, horseback riding, parasailing, tour of the islands, snorkeling, volcano tours (by copter, bike or hike), etc. However, Hawaii is BREATHTAKING....especially Maui, you will enjoy it if you go.

I had a ball, but stay away from Norwegian Cruise Lines for a Hawaiian cruise, they took their maiden voyage in July, 2004, and they have not had good ratings from the passengers. I believe Princess and Carnival cruise there.

[Confucius]

Virtual Violet,

Wow! That sounds like too much fun. I would like to take a cruise but, maybe after I have a hubby. But it sounds really romantic.

I think I have it down between the ESSENCE festival and the NPHC Carnival "Fun Cruise" that will be held on Memorial Day. I am actually leaning toward the NPHC Cruise b/c I figure this will be my first Cruise, it will be short and I can see if I want to take another that will be longer. But gee, I have to admit, I wish that I could visit 4 islands in Hawaii!!

[Virtual Violet]

Originally posted by Confucius
Virtual Violet,

Wow! That sounds like too much fun. I would like to take a cruise but, maybe after I have a hubby. But it sounds really romantic.

I think I have it down between the ESSENCE festival and the NPHC Carnival "Fun Cruise" that will be held on Memorial Day. I am actually leaning toward the NPHC Cruise b/c I figure this will be my first Cruise, it will be short and I can see if I want to take another that will be longer. But gee, I have to admit, I wish that I could visit 4 islands in Hawaii!!

You're welcome....no luck on the "hubby" for me... It was a trip with friends. But you can have fun even if its not as a couple. I took a charter (www.festivalatsea.com), so it was fun to meet other people, even if NCL sucked.

I was thinking about the NPHC cruise or an cruise being put on by some Alphas, but I'm undecided. I like cruising 7 days or more. 3-4 days doesn't seem like enough time.

[Confucius]

Cool...Thank you for the website. I actually was thinking about the Alpha Cruise but we will see.

[AKA2D '91]

ttt

[soft&beautiful]

thanks....A'91...this thread answered some of my questions...
@Paradiseor anyone do you speak patois?