Tips for the First-Time Cruiser – Part II

Yesterday we started things off with preparing to get on board the ship for the first time. Today we are looking at tips for once you are on board. Everyone will look like they know what they are doing and you might feel like the odd man out, but statistics show that less than 25% of the US population has ever been on a cruise so believe me, you’re not the only one feeling out of the loop.

Once on board:

  • You’ll almost immediately see a table where they’ll be pushing their unlimited soda program. You “pay” by giving them your card and they immediately add it to your account and then put a sticker or punch a hole in the card of the person who is using it. If you must have soda, then this is the way to do it, but keep in mind that water, ice tea, lemonade, milk, coffee, and tea are always free on most cruise lines.
  • Depending on the cruise line, you might be allowed to bring a small amount of non-alcoholic beverages and/or wine with you on board. Please check the cruise line’s web site before you do this. If it is agains their policy, they will confiscate it.
  • Alcohol purchased in the gift shops on board or in port will be held for you until the last night of the cruise. The prices are pretty good, but they aren’t going to let you consume it on board.
  • Be aware that the “drink of the day” generally includes a souvenir glass. Although while on board you will think you want this, you probably won’t and you probably won’t want 10 of them. You can always order the drink in a regular glass for less money – just let the server or bartender know that’s what you want.

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    Tips for the First-Time Cruiser – Part I

    Are you a new cruiser about to embark on your first cruise? The excitement of it all may be all you can think of right now, but as your cruise approaches, you may start to think or obsess about what you don’t know. Did I pack enough or too much? Will the balcony be safe for my kids? I’m hoping this list of tips will provide you with a little insight on what to expect and help prepare you for your trip. Since this is an unusually long list, I’m breaking it into two parts and will post the second part tomorrow.

    Before you leave for your trip:

  • Make two copies of the page with your photo of your passport for each member of your party. Give one copy to someone you trust back home to hold onto in case of an emergency and keep the other copy with you. Once on board, put the copies in your safe. In case something should happen and you lose your passports, you’ll have the information you need to get replacements immediately.
  • What to pack? Definitely pack comfortable clothing and shoes as well as dressy clothes if you like that for dinner, dancing, etc. Dress shoes vs. sneakers in the dining room and no shorts although I promise you that you will see everything in the dining room. I always tell my husband and son that they can change immediately after dinner, but to do it for me. That usually works! Keep in mind that there won’t be a whole lot of hangers so either bring some if you intend to bring a lot of clothes.
  • There is a hairdryer in the cabin, but no clock. If you need to wake up at a certain time, bring your a travel alarm clock or use your phone.
  • If you are traveling to the port city the day before your cruise, pack what you’ll need for your hotel stay on the top of your suitcase so when you’re there, you don’t have to go digging in your suitcase to find things. Make sure each of your bags has a luggage lock on it that is operational and TSA approved if you are checking it through the airport.
  • Complete your paperwork online via the cruise line’s website. For some cruise lines you’ll have the opportunity to also print luggage tags. Only do this if you are checking them at the port. If you intend to carry them on board, no need to do this. If you carry them on board yourself, you’ll have to carry them everywhere until your cabin is available. If you don’t, your luggage can arrive anytime throughout the day on your first day up until around 8 pm. If it doesn’t arrive by that time, contact your cabin attendant. If you do intend to do the luggage tags, print them out and pack them in your bag and don’t put them on your bags until the morning of the cruise as you won’t need the tags on the bags going through the airport.
  • If you intend to check bags, both at the airport and at the cruise port, make sure you pack all of your important items (medications, cameras, iPods, etc.) in your carry on bags. In addition, pack your bathing suits in the carry on bag the morning of the cruise. More on this later.
  • Pack some granola bars, nuts, etc. not only for your flights, but for waiting at the airport and the cruise port.

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    Norwegian Dawn | Norwegian Cruise Line Tour Part III

    Time to wrap up our tour of Norwegian Cruise Line‘s Norwegian Dawn although I thoroughly enjoyed touring her. I get so many emails about what cruise food is like on specific ships and the best way to discuss it is to show you some menus and well, some food pictures! No cruise is complete without the requisite buffet and the Norwegian Dawn does have the The Garden Café on deck 6 mid-ship and you can choose to have a few or all of your meals there, but you don’t have to. With Freestyle Cruising and 14 dining options, the choices are endless.

    We enjoyed our lunch in the Venetian Restaurant, which is one of the main dining rooms on the ship. Normally on a ship inspection you’re given a limited menu, but NCL allowed to order off the regular lunch menu, which was nice. For my appetizer, I enjoyed the Vietnamese Summer Rolls with Chili Lime Dipping Sauce. As always, I have to watch what I eat and besides no meat, dairy, eggs, etc. while at home, I try not to stress too much while on a cruise or a ship inspection. I did eat only the veggies and not the rice or the wrapper and yes, they could have been rolled tighter, but overall it was good. The other diners at my table tried the Roasted Eggplant and Olive Tapenade, the Fried Calamari with cilantro mayonnaise, and the Cobb salad. They ate them and enjoyed them, but they weren’t raving about the food. Read the rest of this entry »

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