First Time Cruise

[Zewind]

So I was recently award a voucher for a cruise. This will be my first cruise ever. So I was wondering if anyone had comments or suggestions, recommendations.

I was told to keep it short in case I cant handle the sea, 7-9 days.

Thanks in Advance for your help :clap:

[arian_ma]

Well I'll say one thing, I think 7 days on a cruise is the absolute most I would do, unless you have lots of stops and get to get off the boat a lot. It sounds like it would get old fast, kind of like a resort in Mexico. I wouldn't worry too much about the sea sickness unless you get sick with that kind of stuff often. Just take some ginger tablets with you and you will be fine.

[JordanLotoski]

I did a 10 day cruise, Never again would i go on one.

[Redlyne_mr2]

Wow 10 days is insane. I'm not really down with cruises at all, the only cruise I would do is the mediterannian because of all the crazy countries you get to stop and visit.

[PD77]

Originally posted by JordanLotoski
I did a 10 day cruise, Never again would i go on one.

Same here, although the last 2 days were forced because a hurricane hit the Miami port so we were stuck on the boat with a mob of angry Americans...good times.

[InRich]

Originally posted by JordanLotoski
I did a 10 day cruise, Never again would i go on one.

why dude. share please, was thinking about one this year. going to be doing 3 vactions this winter, mexico, cuba, and one more...
was it cause its friggin crowded?

[Aerobat]

im going on a back to back 14 day cruise in under a month..great food smuggle some booze on and go diving in every port..work out and relax on the sea days?? doesnt sounds so bad to me?

[Stunt66]

it all comes down to who you go with and who you meet on there. If its just you and your mate then it's gonna get old real fast unless you meet some people on there. 7 days is plenty if it's your first time and regarding getting sick, it happens but all you need is some gravol or those bands. My father in law can't handle boats worth a shit but he did fine. I'm gonna be doing 10 trips this month and cruises will be at least 5 of them.

[sexualbanana]

Originally posted by InRich


why dude. share please, was thinking about one this year. going to be doing 3 vactions this winter, mexico, cuba, and one more...
was it cause its friggin crowded?

From what my friends have told me, I think you just start to develop a serious case of cabin fever after a few days. After awhile, it's all the same shit with no escape.

[Redlyne_mr2]

I spend a ton of time on a large boat and for me you really start to get sick of your 15x15 room very very quickly. Granted the boat I'm on doesn't have malls and restaurants in it I can totally understand where Jordan is coming from when he says he could no longer handle a 10 day trip. When I travel on our boat we dock every night so at least I can get back on to land and go out for dinner. We did have 1 day where we spent 30 hours on the boat without docking and I was ready to loose it. Long cruises are for old people IMO, they seem to fair ok with confined spaces. Better ways to spend your money on a vacation IMO.

[Ven]

In order for a younger person to survive a cruise you need to get involved. Go to the shows and events, go to the dinners, get into the games, do some gambling, really get to know your serving staff they usually have great stories and appreciate your interest in their work and home countries... After the fifth day I was ready to blow up the boat and we still had 9 more days to go, five of which were an open water sail. Another couple spotted us looking sour and gave us those pointers which totally changed the atmosphere for us. Basically get involved. We met some amazing people and the whole experience turned into a great thing. Stay out of your stateroom unless it's for the 3 S's (Sleep, Sex, Shower). Damnit, now I want mega-waffles. God the food was good on the boat.

[D. Dub]

Originally posted by Ven
Another couple spotted us looking sour and gave us those pointers which totally changed the atmosphere for us. Basically get involved. We met some amazing people and the whole experience turned into a great thing. Stay out of your stateroom unless it's for the 3 S's (Sleep, Sex, Shower). Damnit, now I want mega-waffles. God the food was good on the boat.

You hit it on the head. Get involved in the cheesy activities, see shit, realize the sheer human hubris and technological attributes of these ships, talk to and get to know people -- you'll meet with lots of interesting, different people from all over the world from all age groups. Don't be shy.

Go on some of the island tours & make friends and explore with them. Utilize the ships amenities. Most of all appreciate the people and the sheer extravagance of the experience. Situations are what you make them.

I really though I would hate cruising but now after having done a few of them -- I really like them (especially with my 9 year old along)

[JordanLotoski]

Originally posted by InRich


why dude. share please, was thinking about one this year. going to be doing 3 vactions this winter, mexico, cuba, and one more...
was it cause its friggin crowded?

Your moved around like cattle, its not relaxing at all. The pool is over crowded, they say Free food, sure only at the buffet. Most of the decent restaurants have a "cover charge" which can rage from 10-40 dollars per person. NOOOO thank you Id never subject myself to that again. the worst part was the waiting to get off the ship only to have to feel rushed to get back on again. save yourself the time and greif and book a vacation to a nice little island...My suggestion would be Grand Cayman, favorite place for me as i lived there for 2 years and love going back and Nassau. Atlantis Paradise Island is amazing.

Good luck!

[JordanLotoski]

Originally posted by sexualbanana


From what my friends have told me, I think you just start to develop a serious case of cabin fever after a few days. After awhile, it's all the same shit with no escape.

Our cabin was the best part about the cruise. we had a top level room with a big terrace. That was the most relaxing part...Could not imagin some of the lower inside estate rooms, you would fall asleep and think you were dead

[2LOW4SNOW]

Originally posted by JordanLotoski


My suggestion would be Grand Cayman, favorite place for me as i lived there for 2 years and love going back


I can second this. I've been going there sporadically for about 15 years now (It has changed significantly since then) . Will be going back to Cayman Brac for some rock climbing in Jan.

Many of the condo's in Grand Cayman post up the cruise ship schedules in a common area so you can avoid the craziness in George town when the hordes arrive. Watching the people come in on the tenders didn't look like fun to me, but I know some people really enjoy the cruises.

[freshprince1]

My wife and I went on a 5 day cruise for part of our honeymoon. It was okay. I didn't feel the food was as good as people said it was. It wasn't bad though, and there was lots of it. we got a little bored, and the offshore adventures are expensive. We just jumped off the boat and rented a quad and drove around for the days. It was cheaper than the cruise-planned adventures and we enjoye dit more being on our own.

In all it wasn't bad, but we're just not "cruise" people. We like to get out an explore. Sea sickness was not an issue for us. Those boats are so big, we didn't even really notice they were moving until we got on shore and had "sea legs".

[Godfuader]

It is all about what you make of it. We (wife and I) went on an 8-day cruise and loved it. Didn't make any friends, but still had a blast. The off ship excursions were awesome...if you did them on your own. The first port we jumped off the ship, walked towards the town, hopped on a bus to the other end of the island, jumped on a ferry, went to another island, rented a cab, and headed to a secluded beach. Risky and stupid...yes. Amazing experience... definitely. Another port we rented a scooter and explored on our own. Next port, we walked to a nearby bus station and asked the bus drivers what they do for fun on a day off...and followed their recommendations.

Bottom line: Dont expect it to be a heavenly getaway...and don't expect it to be a floating nursing home.

[RX_EVOLV]

I think it's all about who you go with and what you try to make out of it. I've been to 3 X 7 days cruises ( all big ships, mariner of the sea, oasis of the sea and Carnival Liberty) in the last 2.5 years and had a blast every single time (I'm only 26yrs old, so still young-ish )

Far from relaxing though. My routine would be

1) wake and eat bfast/lunch, and

if it's a sea day - 2) go sun tan, play sports, drink my face off, chill at the pool, or

if it's a shore day - 3) shopping in city/ drink my face off / chill at the beach, / excursion ( horseback riding, snorkeling, etc...)

then

4) nice dining room dinner at 6pm

5) shows at 9pm

6) comedy club or karaoke bar or clubbing til 12-1am (and drinking)

7) Casino til 2-3am (poker/blackjack/roulette/ slots) (and drinking)

8) smoke a big fat cigar

9) sleep at 4am

10) repeat step 1..


Sooo tiring and stressful, but loads of fun and never a dull moment! !!

[3drian]

they make their money of alcohol, as you know you cant bring any alcohol with you...


unless you are smart



You could bring shampoo and conditioner bottles full of booze they dont check that, and if they do they will just take it away big deal.. just wash them good and you will be ready to go :clap: