Okay CoSo, I'm looking for some tips on what to look out for when you go on a cruise for the first time.
Go!
@MrsE0113 I e only been on one and it was quite a long time ago. But from that experience:
Make sure you check your onboard tab regularly for unexpected or incorrect charges.
Pay attention to all boarding/unboarding instructions. You don’t want luggage pickups to be missed.
Extra excursions off shore are expensive. If you can, book in advance.
Don’t. I repeat don’t visit the 24 hour dessert buffet multiple times a day 💜😂
Had friend who said they were served 11 meals a day. He gained 15 lbs in a week trying to get his money’s worth.
@CherNohio @LnzyHou @MrsE0113
You do have to have some serious self control. Especially if you're a drinker lol. But there are gyms, pools and tons of other activities. I actually lost 5 lbs...
@MrsE0113 I've been on 4. Don't waste money on the fancy balcony room. Your going to spend maybe 20 min a day in there aside from sleeping 😆
Do find the ship spa, the masseuse is usually amazing.
Even tho they cost extra go to the fancy restaurants instead of the buffet once in a while. You won't be disappointed 😋
Always make sure you keep track of time on offshore excursions... they will leave you 😱
Know that shit can go wrong and you can't control it, relax and just have fun 😊
@PurpleDragon @MrsE0113
If I may interject about the room. Yes the balcony is more expensive. But, a first cruise , if it’s affordable, the balcony is so damn cool. At night with the door open and the moonlight and the waves..it’s just something else. Also, in my case it helped with relieving and avoiding sea sickness. An inside room first time ever might be a bit claustrophobic for some. I was thankful for that balcony numerous times.
@CherNohio @MrsE0113
It is and I did it twice. But saved money the 2 other times for excursions. But I'm one of the lucky ones who's never had a problem with seasickness. Guess it depends on the budget and person. 🤷♂️
@PurpleDragon @MrsE0113
For sure it’s person/budget specific. 💜
@CherNohio @PurpleDragon Side note: I can't cross the Capy May Lewes Ferry without dramimine. I can't fly without.. and I am afraid my 5 days are going to be horrible. The anxiety is so real.
Real talk. I took and ate ginger snaps. After the first day I got my sea legs. There’s lots of opportunities to be out on the decks and you don’t even feel the movement that much when you’re not. I would not let a missed opportunity go by to enjoy this experience.
@CherNohio @PurpleDragon I plan to make the most of it. I just hope my body wants to play as well... 😏 💜
@MrsE0113 @PurpleDragon
24/7 open bars MrsE 😂💜
@MrsE0113 @CherNohio
Oh wow I'm so sorry. On the ship itself it isn't too bad if the sea is calm. But hubs noticed it when the sea got rough and once we docked trying to get his land legs back. Maybe ask a doctor?
@MrsE0113 @CherNohio @PurpleDragon
FYI.. I much prefer Bonine... As a long time vertigo and motion sickness sufferer the meclizine is much gentler... Try a quarter tablet under the tongue... Raspberry flavored so tastes good...
Have you every tried a scapolomine patch behind the ear?
Maybe give one or the other a go on the ferry?
@MrsE0113 @CherNohio @PurpleDragon
Oh... I say a quarter because even a half for me can make me drowsy unless I stay active... And I'm sure I'm a tad bit larger than you are... 😉. So start at a quarter then increase if need be....
Good luck...
@MrsE0113 @CherNohio @PurpleDragon
Asian markets often have ginger chews.
Consider trying them
@MrsE0113 have you ever tried Sea Bands? I once mailed a pair to Spain for an acquaintance who had to fly for work but was miserable from the turbulence. Word back was that they helped immensely. (They're wrist bands with nubs on the inside that apply acupressure.) 🤗 @CherNohio @PurpleDragon
Look for a boat without too many holes in the hull. Sinking might impact your enjoyment of cruising.
*Do* get the traveler's insurance. Unexpected things happen and it can be very expensive to take care of without it! Better safe than sorry.
@MrsE0113 Hey Mrs. E! I love cruises, and I am obsessively researching them. I can share my preferences and experiences, but your results may vary.
I have been fortunate to never get seasick, but if you are prone to motion sickness, try to 1. go on a larger ship 2. book a room in the middle on a lower deck.
I like going on newer ships and have always stayed in either interior cabins or oceanview (window) cabins. I think you still have fun without the extra cost.
1/? this could be a doozy
We hardly drink alcohol and have no interest in gambling, what we like is for our boys to have fun and to go to the beach. Disney Cruise line does not have a casino, so is high on my list.
All cruise lines have private islands which offer a fantastic beach experience! Not much culture at the beach, but if you're a toes in the water, butt in the sand kind of girl, you'll love the private island experience.
2/no really, tell me to shut up if necessary.
@MrsE0113
Cruises are great for multi-generational adventures, which is why I like them so much. Bring grandma, parents, teens, and littles. Everyone does their thing and then gets together for dinner! Fun.
OK now, ports. Here's what I did recently when we went on a cruise for my Dad's 80th:
Grand Cayman is just a flat little island, but I had fun snorkeling on the cheeseburger reef! I almost got bitten by an eel! 😱
3/yeah there's more
@MrsE0113
Ocho Rios was so fun! Jamaica is beautiful, and very, very hilly. I was scared to death on the ride to the White River (it was on a cliff and I don't love heights) but tubing on the White River was a blast. I'd love to spend more time in Jamaica.
But it's more about the ships than the port, IMO.
4/and I have more opinions, too
@MrsE0113
If you go on Cruise Critic, half those reviews are super, laughably negative, and appear to have been written by people who couldn't have a good time if their life depended on it, so take the Cruise Critic bad reviews with a grain of salt.
Still. Cruise lines have reputations, and those are earned for a reason.
Mass market cruising is not for wealthy people, so if being around middle class families being a little rowdy is not your thing, you may want to explore luxury lines.
5/?
@MrsE0113
Carnival, for example, will be a vastly different experience than Oceania. But it's not as bad as some people make it sound.
Cruise ships have spas, too, so if you just really, really want to relax, be near the ocean, and not worry about cooking or anything for the duration of your trip, and go to the spa and relax, and go to the beach, you will have an absolute blast.
I know you will have so much fun on your cruise if you go!
What do you hope/like to do on your cruise?
OH!!!
I forgot.
Always, always opt in for trip insurance. If something goes horribly wrong, it will be worth it.
I don't think anything will go horribly wrong, but still, get the insurance.
@MrsE0113
Oh, also, I love Key West. They have 6-toed cats and giant iguanas. Love the vibe there. And Key Lime Pie. 😋
Go to the evening shows. There's amazing young talent on board to entertain you. They put in a lot of work and the shows are free.
Also: if they offer previews for the next day (cities/excursions) go to those. Generally in the afternoon prior the cruise and excursion directors will give good info about the next day's adventures available. They have some good insider tips!
@MrsE0113 There is a nausea med that I find indispensable when traveling. It is called Zofran. My doc gave me an RX for it and I only need it rarely, but for me it is like magic if I get nauseous.
@HopeSeeker @MrsE0113 That's the under the tongue pill. I use that when I have a bout of vertigo.
@MrsE0113 norovirus?