First time cruising, what to expect?

[Mide]

So I’m planning on going a Caribbean cruise with the wife. Never done the whole cruise thing so I’m looking for some advice as to how it all works. The only thing I've heard is that alcohol is expensive but we don't drink so no loss there.
1) We are not into snorkeling or swimming with turtles or anything so land-based activities are probably it. Are the tours OK or are they too rushed? Would it be just as fun to just wander around?
2) How does one pay for stuff by going to various countries like Jamaica, Caiman Islands, etc? Just bring cash or credit cards will do (Although I’m thinking there will be some international fee)
The whole vacation is just for chillin’ and seeing things but paying $80 at each destination for a tour seems a bit lame. Any experiences or advice you guys would like to share?

 

[Joseph F]

You can expect to get ill, and for the ship to crash from an incompetent captain. :thumbsup:

 

[Mide]

true dat, both could indeed happen again

 

[GoSharks]

US dollars will be accepted everywhere you [want to] go. If you want to go on tours, you can either book by yourself before hand or just find a tour when you get to that port. You'll save 50+% on the listed rates bypassing the cruise operator.

 

[alkemyst]

Book Oceania or better.

 

[xSkyDrAx]

you will be eating.... a lot

 

[LiuKangBakinPie]

 

[ReggieDunlap]

Excursions/Tours need to be researched first. I went on a cruise for my honeymoon. We'd never cruised before, so we signed up for excursions not taking into account how long we would be in port, how long was the "tour" and how much it cost. For Example: roughly $50 per person for a tour; you had to be at the meeting place by 6:30am; it took an hour or more to get to the destination, the "tour" was an hour maybe; you got about 20 minutes to go where you wanted by yourself, then the bus back to the ship. Important to stay with the group cause the ship was only in port 4-5 hours.

I would say, unless you're slated to be in a port for at least a day, or it's something you REALLY want to do, be very very very choosy about the tours.

Also, if you're not big drinkers, your other options will prolly be casino or just hanging out. If you want a deck chair near the pool, get up and out EARLY.

BTW, for our honeymoon we cruised with Costa, the company that ran the Concordia. LOL Of course this was back in 2001 so.

 

[Lounatik]

I'd really recommend watching that Al Pacino movie Cruising. It would probably help you more than we can.



Peace


Lounatik

 

[edro]

CruiseCritic.com - check out your exact cruise (ship and destination). There are reviews of the trip and suggestions and comments on excursions.

We have had our best excursions by walking on shore and taking tours with local tour guides, not through the cruise line. We have had great excursions through the cruise line too... Sometimes they are hit or miss and can greatly be affected by weather or the actual guide.

If you don't plan ahead of time, a destination can be a complete waste.
The destinations live off of the cruise ships, so if you just wander around near port, you will experience trashy tourist traps selling chinese crap with the name of the destination on it. You need to get away from the port to experience the destination!

What destinations are you going to and what time of year?

I am leaving for a cruise in 2 weeks! (Southern Carribean on Royal Carribean)

 

[DaTT]

I did the Alaskan cruise a few years back. Bring money. Everything costs money (except your basic meals, but some of the nicer restaurants have a cover charge).

You are already ahead if you don't drink.

 

[LiuKangBakinPie]

Lots of water as well

 

[nanobreath]

So I’m planning on going a Caribbean cruise with the wife. Never done the whole cruise thing so I’m looking for some advice as to how it all works. The only thing I've heard is that alcohol is expensive but we don't drink so no loss there.
1) We are not into snorkeling or swimming with turtles or anything so land-based activities are probably it. Are the tours OK or are they too rushed? Would it be just as fun to just wander around?
2) How does one pay for stuff by going to various countries like Jamaica, Caiman Islands, etc? Just bring cash or credit cards will do (Although I’m thinking there will be some international fee)
The whole vacation is just for chillin’ and seeing things but paying $80 at each destination for a tour seems a bit lame. Any experiences or advice you guys would like to share?

1) Yes it is worth it to take some tours, typically called excursions. Some of the best things to do on the cruise is take a tour of the unique historical or natural locations each location has. These usually have significant travel times to reach, but are well worth it. You can either book directly with the cruise line, or through 3rd party sites. Expedia etc all run their own sites for excursions, and you can even find local places advertising on their on on the web. The biggest benefit to booking through the cruise line is that if something happens (bus breaks down, etc.) on your excursion, the cruise line will WAIT on you to get back. Not so if you book with a 3rd party, you are responsible for getting back in time.

2) 100% American dollars. #1 Tip I can give you though is BARGAIN. The stuff they sell are intentionally overpriced, as Americans are used to just paying what is on the sticker. Don't be afraid or embarrassed to ask if they will take less.

An additional pointer

Leave a tip the first day for your room cleaning. Leave them $20 the first day and they know you will tip well and will provide better service. Even more important, if you order room service or other similar things TIP THEM, at least a buck or two.

 

[Jeeebus]

If you see Johnny Depp or Geoffrey Rush... best to take off running. I hear they both frequent the Caribbean.

 

[dandruff]

1. bring patch or pills > for motion sickness - if you forget the medics on boat will give you some

2. bring small bills USD

3. NEVER book an excursion thru the cruise co.

4. cruise critic

5. room service 24/7 is free

6. if you like it - buy the onboard cruise credit for your next one

7. be nice and polite to locals selling souvenirs - we are their economy - a polite "no" usually works

8. have fun!

 

[Squisher]

Stock up on meds before you go. Hit your doctor up, nausea, diarrhea, sunburn, antibiotics, tamiflu, and any other stuff particular to you like if you suffer ear aches after plane flights (ear drops). Waiting until you're at sea will mean you're at the ship doctor's mercy and what he will dispense at 10x the going rate.

 

[RavenSEAL]

Lots and lots of vomiting

 

[rudder]

I'd really recommend watching that Al Pacino movie Cruising. It would probably help you more than we can.



Peace


Lounatik

Any pay close attention to what color bandana you have hanging from your pocket.

 

[bignateyk]

Cruising has lots of pros and lots of cons:

Pros:
-All you can eat food that is usually really good
-Get to see lots of nice places in a short amount of time
-Good entertainment

Cons:
-You are essentially trapped in a small space with thousands of other people who are looking out for themselves. (Imagine being in a cattle herd with 2000 other people trying to get at an all you can eat buffet)
-The pool(s) are basically unusable due to the number of people trying to cram into them.
-You don't really get to spend an adequate amount of time at each destination to feel like you really saw it.
-Everything is crazy expensive

Also, you get what you pay for. The cheaper cruise lines attract lots of college kids, couples with children, poor people, etc... The expensive cruises will generally be filled with people who are more well off, less kids, and you won't have to deal with as many "people of walmart" on a daily basis.

edit: Also, I'd recommend touring the destinations on your own if possible rather than paying for an excursion. You will get to see lots more and it will be cheaper, and you can get away from all the masses of tourists. Just plan ahead.

 

[ichy]

If you don't plan ahead of time, a destination can be a complete waste.
The destinations live off of the cruise ships, so if you just wander around near port, you will experience trashy tourist traps selling chinese crap with the name of the destination on it. You need to get away from the port to experience the destination!

No kidding. I was in Roatan last year (not on a cruise) and saw the parts of the island that were clearly set up to cater to the cruise tourists. They'd built a freaking Applebee's there! Seems crazy to pay to take a cruise and then eat at the very epitome of American chain restaurant shitiness.

 

[bobdole369]

Pro tip: Do NOT use a credit card in Jamaica. Even in the tourist traps. They WILL steal your numbers and empty the account. If you want to make phone calls - buy a prepaid cell phone when you get there. (your us plan will be international roaming and screw that)

Bring US dollars or exchange to the local currency if going ashore. In the Bahamas USD = Bahamas dollar. In the Caymans, exchange to their dollar, same with Jamaica, get like $60 worth of local currency at a currency exchange near the port in order to eat a local meal or grab a drink or for kitschy souvenirs.

Stay with pre-arranged excursions, they are very safe. In the Caribbean locals know exactly when a cruise ship is coming so expect to be assaulted as you come ashore with kitschy cheap souvenirs, requests to run you around in a horse carriage, etc. All these people will barter - $40 is too much for a trip around the downtown area - they will do it for $20. In Nassau - (also known as "Braid-ya-hair", Bahamas) - expect your wife to be continually asked to get her hair braided - literally every 250 feet. Also locals will hand stuff to you and tell you the money is "for the children" which means "for the person who handed it to you". It gets better if you get outside the port and into the city. I don't recommend doing this in Jamaica, but every other island is darn safe and you can walk about with no fear.

Short pants and tank tops are taboo and for the beaches. If you want to be taken seriously - you should wear a light button down shirt and slacks or at least jeans.

 

[nickbits]

Also, you get what you pay for. The cheaper cruise lines attract lots of college kids, couples with children, poor people, etc... The expensive cruises will generally be filled with people who are more well off, less kids, and you won't have to deal with as many "people of walmart" on a daily basis.

The more expensive ones attract retired old people with oxygen tanks and anyone else over the age 60. Last cruise I went on was "cheap" and had a much better mix of people.

 

[bignateyk]

The more expensive ones attract retired old people with oxygen tanks and anyone else over the age 60. Last cruise I went on was "cheap" and had a much better mix of people.

I see that as a plus. That means there will be less people trying to crowd the pools, bars, nightlife entertainment, etc...

 

[purbeast0]

if i had to take a 'budget' vacation, i'd just wait till i could save more money and go on a non-budget vacation. i could never go on vacation and worry about spending $80/day and that being 'lame' to do and see stuff i would only see on vacation. you are on vacation, money is the last thing you should be worrying about.

if i didn't like snorkeling or being in the water, i don't think i'd take a cruise either, at least not one to carribbean places.

 

[Squisher]

Before you leave the ship stock up on five dollar bills and a few ones. Don't expect anyone especially taxi drivers to have change. Asking for change will suddenly cause locals to forget any english.