Cruise Do's/Don'ts - Page 2 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

awildermode · 01-24-2010, 01:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by csnarpy

On the subject of seasickness. If you get this in anyway, bring along the patch - it's called Transderm (i think). You just put it on and where it behind your ear.

My wife gets motion sick for almost everything and she swears by this patch.

dramamine is available at the front desk, no need to purchase it at the gift shop. in fact, try not to purchase anything in the gift shop. you can usually find better/cheaper things at the ports of call. or, bring your own supplies like toiletries, first aid, snacks (although there is plenty of free food on the boat).

what ship are you going on?

CGYTransplant · 01-24-2010, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

Try to avoid booking the tours from the cruise ship. Usually you can find the same tour company selling the tours on shore for a lot less, and you can often book online in advance.

I've only sailed with Norwegian, so I'm not sure if this policy is just them or is universal....it was also a couple of years ago, so I'm not sure what has changed.

What previous posters said is true- when the itinerary says the boat leaves at 4, THE BOAT LEAVES AT 4....and in many cases, you have to be on board no later than 2 hours prior to sailing (so 2 pm). If you miss the ship, you are responsible for catching up with it at the next port (usually by flying in, and then waiting for the boat to arrive).

Anyway, with Norwegian, if you booked an excursion on the ship, and the tour company ran late, they would hold the ship for you until you got back. If you booked the same excursion on land, even with the same operator, and you were late, you were SOL. Yes, you get HOSED in terms of pricing by booking on the ship, but if there is a built in guarantee that you'll be back on the boat that night (as opposed to paying for a plane/ferry ticket and a hotel room and cabs), it may be worth it.

Check the alcohol limits for boarding- I know Norwegian searched luggage when you embarked, confiscated any alcohol, and held it for you until the cruise was over.

And, budget for tipping. We tipped our room attendant (just like previous posters said, if we left the room for 3 minutes, it would be spotless when we got back), our waiter at dinner (we had the same guy every night, since it was a set seating- same time, same table, same people), and I think a couple of other people as well...can't remember. All in, we spent $1300 on tips on the ship.

Use hand sanitizer a lot, and avoid open buffets- Norwalk is called "Cruise Ship Disease" for a reason. The last thing you want is to spend 7 days on the toilet. If you can, eat only at the places that cook you food right there for you.

Sylvanfan · 01-24-2010, 10:59 PM

Yeah, if the tour is going to be an all day sort of thing than it may be worth doing it on the ship, especially if you have to use tender boats to get to the port from the ship for that reason.

I did a Norweigan cruise in Hawaii and booked my round of golf through the ship. Found out that it cost me $10 more than the rate at the course but they also provided transportation to the couse and the tee time so it was well worth it. But if a tour is 4 hours and the ship is in port for 8 you can save a fair bit.

MoneyGuy · 01-26-2010, 07:49 AM

I've done eight cruises and absolutely love cruising.

Cruisecritic.com

Best cruise site.

guzzy · 01-26-2010, 08:24 AM

don't swim in the pools onboard...they are like human soup.

TimSJ · 01-26-2010, 08:51 AM

we have done a couple of cruises on Celebrity and Carnival. Food is outstanding! Chocolate Melting Cakes are just about the best desert you can have in the world.

One thing for us is that we must have a balcony. Nothing better for us than getting up in the morning and sitting out having coffee as we pull into a port. Love it.

We are looking at doing a Disney one with the kids next winter. They look like fun but big $$$

I would echo what moneyguy said above Cruise Critic is the best forum out there for cruisers.

GreenLantern · 01-26-2010, 08:51 AM

Do: Book a gay cruise for you and your friend without telling him.

Don't: Pay or show up, so he has to go on it alone

albertGQ · 01-27-2010, 11:03 PM

Anyone know if I am able to bring a carry on?

Our first layover is in Houston

MoneyGuy · 01-28-2010, 07:52 AM

If by carry on you want to bring a bag until you get to your room and your suitcases, of course you can. They will scan it. It's like boarding an aircraft. Feel free to pm me as I've done lots of cruises.

albertGQ · 01-28-2010, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MoneyGuy

If by carry on you want to bring a bag until you get to your room and your suitcases, of course you can. They will scan it. It's like boarding an aircraft. Feel free to pm me as I've done lots of cruises.

Sorry. I meant for my flight. We're taking Continental. Are we now allowed to bring a carry on again or are those strict rules still in place?

yads · 01-28-2010, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by albertGQ

Sorry. I meant for my flight. We're taking Continental. Are we now allowed to bring a carry on again or are those strict rules still in place?

Last I heard you are allowed one piece of carryon luggage not including purse/jacket type stuff.

Stormy Lancer · 01-28-2010, 09:46 AM

Contential charges for you each checked bag so check in early and pay the 90 bucks to upgrade to first class. You are allowed to check two bags for free then and for an extra 40 bucks you get gourmet service.

JerzeeGirl · 01-28-2010, 01:36 PM

When I was in San Juan, we took an excursion that toured you thru old San Juan with stops to look around the fort (kinda cool) and then dropped you in the middle of down town to shop & walk back to the ship. Lots of fun and not too expensive - some beautiful sights from the fort of beaches and the ocean.

St. Thomas is where a lot of people, esp Brits, do their shopping as the electronics tend to be dead cheap among other things. Shopping when the Cdn $$$ was still around $1.25 I didn't find it all that great and would actually recommend you skip shopping there and just hit a beach.

Tortola was my absolut favourite stop on our cruise. We did an island tour with a stop at a beach for maybe $40? The tour was really interesting (the hairpin turns alone keep your interest piqued!) but the beach was awesome. Our stop came with a complementary fruit punch that for $1 extra you could get as much rum as you wanted in it....my friend and I both drank almost all our juice and filled our cups a couple times.

There really isn't a bad thing you can do while cruising except for spend too much on-board & not realize it! If you do pop card, just get one and share the drinks with your bride...you aren't supposed to but what're they gonna do?

Other little things:
- if you don't have one already, try to upgrade to a balcony - that made all the difference for us while cruising the carribean, so nice to have the option of coffee in your pj's or to just sit out in the warm night air
- make sure to hit the show and some of the other things on board in the evening, they can be a great way to spend time
- the tip about drinking wine on board was a good one - not only can you take the open bottle wherever on the ship you go that night, they will also re-cork and store it for you if you don't want to finish it at that specific time from pretty much anywhere you are on board
- the photos can be extra pricey but if you see a set or two and you both love them, get them, I still regret not getting the "Welcome Aboard" pix from my last cruise and they were my faves of the trip
- have a ton of fun & congrats on the wedding!!!

IliketoPuck · 01-28-2010, 02:03 PM

Here is my list of Cruise do's and don'ts

http://www.babble.com/CS/blogs/famec...quot-list.aspx

awildermode · 01-28-2010, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JerzeeGirl

When I was in San Juan, we took an excursion that toured you thru old San Juan with stops to look around the fort (kinda cool) and then dropped you in the middle of down town to shop & walk back to the ship. Lots of fun and not too expensive - some beautiful sights from the fort of beaches and the ocean.

i did the same thing in san juan...but i walked to the fort and want to shopping areas. no excursion. this saved a lot of money for us. but not all ports have 'attractions' that are within walking distance.

someone posted that ships DO NOT wait for late cruisers, unless you book excursion with ship. this is true. i was on an excursion that was an hour late due to traffic. luckily, the excursion was booked with the ship. when we finally arrived the engines were already running...people applauded us. before we even got back to our room, we were already moving

may be too late, but do your research on local attractions.

Quote:

There really isn't a bad thing you can do while cruising except for spend too much on-board & not realize it! If you do pop card, just get one and share the drinks with your bride...you aren't supposed to but what're they gonna do?

Other little things:
- if you don't have one already, try to upgrade to a balcony - that made all the difference for us while cruising the carribean, so nice to have the option of coffee in your pj's or to just sit out in the warm night air
- make sure to hit the show and some of the other things on board in the evening, they can be a great way to spend time
- the tip about drinking wine on board was a good one - not only can you take the open bottle wherever on the ship you go that night, they will also re-cork and store it for you if you don't want to finish it at that specific time from pretty much anywhere you are on board
- the photos can be extra pricey but if you see a set or two and you both love them, get them, I still regret not getting the "Welcome Aboard" pix from my last cruise and they were my faves of the trip
- have a ton of fun & congrats on the wedding!!!

all great tips.

yes, you can spend A LOT of money on cruises. especially if you purchase all the photos, drinks, food (specialty restaurants, though worth it). wait till the end of cruise to buy photos, they usually go down in price and have 'buy 3,get 1 free' deals.

be careful. since you will not have 'money' on the ship (just your sea pass) you can unknowingly spend.

take advantage of the 'free' stuff and activities, especially on sea days. most of all, have fun, you are on vacation...honeymoon...ROCK THE BOAT!!!

Barnes · 01-28-2010, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MoneyGuy

I've done eight cruises and absolutely love cruising.

Cruisecritic.com

Best cruise site.

Nope. Mine's the best.

http://www.nauticalcities.com/cruiseships.php

Now go sign up and upload your photos.

albertGQ · 01-30-2010, 06:06 AM

Thanks for all the tips and Tom Cruise jokes. Lol. We're going to use some of your pointers. Talk to you all in two weeks!

MJK · 01-30-2010, 06:45 PM

I packed a 40oz of Morgan in my suitcase and no one said anything to me. I highly suggest bringing your own booze somehow or you will pay a fortune if you like to drink.

MJK · 01-30-2010, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimSJ

One thing for us is that we must have a balcony. Nothing better for us than getting up in the morning and sitting out having coffee as we pull into a port. Love it.

I second this. A balcony room is a must. Up every morning to watch the sun rise and have a coffee as we get ready to port in a new country. Hard to top that!