LuckyMcSwervy 0 #1 October 30, 2013 I know I could post this over at CruiseCritic.com but I lurked there and some of them seemed a little condescending to a first timer asking for advice on how to make the most of the trip. We're stopping in Ocho Rios (been there tons of times not sure if we'll venture too far from the port), Grand Cayman, Cozumel and the Bahamas island the cruise line "owns". We hope to scuba at every port except probably the Bahamas and Jamaica stop. The room is smallllllllll but I'm trying to upgrade and get a balcony room. The trip was complimentary so it's only costing port charges/taxes/ gratuities/etc. We can take 2 suitcases each on the ship, so one will be scuba gear for me. Anyone have any advice/suggestions as to some things to bring along?Always be kinder than you feel. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oldwomanc6 38 #2 October 30, 2013 Cruises aren't what they used to be. I recently saw an ad for a cruiseline that had a wind tunnel. lisa WSCR 594 FB 1023 CBDB 9 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LuckyMcSwervy 0 #3 October 30, 2013 oldwomanc6 Cruises aren't what they used to be. I recently saw an ad for a cruiseline that had a wind tunnel. OMG... I would've hogged that thing!! Looks like the best we have access to is a rock climbing wall. I've never done that so I'm hoping I feel well enough to give it a shot. Always be kinder than you feel. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oldwomanc6 38 #4 October 30, 2013 Do you get motion sick? I've been told that the ships are so big, that unless you get caught in a monster storm/hurricane, you can't feel that it is moving up/down/roll, etc...lisa WSCR 594 FB 1023 CBDB 9 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
monkycndo 0 #5 October 30, 2013 If you want to save on booze, google sneaking alcohol onto cruise ships. Lots of interesting ideas.50 donations so far. Give it a try. You know you want to spank it Jump an Infinity Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LuckyMcSwervy 0 #6 October 30, 2013 oldwomanc6Do you get motion sick? I've been told that the ships are so big, that unless you get caught in a monster storm/hurricane, you can't feel that it is moving up/down/roll, etc... I take Triptone whenever I'm going diving so I'm thinking I'm going to take one daily anyway even on a large ship. Ever since I turned 40 (5 years ago) I now get seasick in sporty conditions but being on board for an extended time makes me not want to chance it, especially since my travel buddy has sea legs and never has gotten sea sick.Always be kinder than you feel. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LuckyMcSwervy 0 #7 October 30, 2013 monkycndoIf you want to save on booze, google sneaking alcohol onto cruise ships. Lots of interesting ideas. I'll do that! I'm not a big drinker but I see alcoholic beverages aren't included. Nor are all of the restaurants for that matter!Always be kinder than you feel. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 6 #8 October 30, 2013 We've done over 25 all over the world... If you want to upgrade, try a few days prior...everybody asks the day of departure. If you're currently an inside cabin...pay whatever for a balcony, you WON'T be sorry! 'Handicapped' accessible rooms are huge, they usually don't book...ask about that. Booze is how they make the money on a cruise, a water bottle full of vodka will save ya 100 or more in the long run. Every cruise ship is a disease farm...don't drink anything you didn't open, carry hand cleaner & use it often...that handrail on the grand staircase is right next to the restroom if ya get my drift. For SCUBA...I just bring MY mask snorkel & regulator, rent everything else. It takes a lotta room you kinda need for other stuff. Dress for dinner is fancy not formal for every night but one...the 'formal' night is a passenger fashion show - I'd recommend a French maids outfit. Tips ~ you tip your room steward at the end - 10.00 a day in minimum, 20.00 a day is fair. You also tip your waiter staff...AND the head d00d - yeah it adds up. Any specific questions? ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airdvr 197 #9 October 30, 2013 Some lines are offering their version of "all inclusive" when it comes to alcohol. I'm not suggesting you're a lush or anything but it might make sense. By far our largest expense is settling up the bar tab at the end. You can try smuggling booze in water bottles but they're catching on quick. Will your dive trips be set up through the cruise line? If not make absolutely certain you're back well before the ship leaves. Trip insurance? Nothing like a family member getting sick or hurt the day before you're leaving. Also, trip insurance will get you out of the islands if you get sick or injured. Health insurance? Take your Passport. I know you don't need it but shit happens. Also, make a copy of the picture page of the passport and put it somewhere in case you lose the real one. Call your credit card companies so they know you'll be spending money in the Caribbean. On the "at sea" days get up early so you can get a good chair at the pool. Are you flying to the port? Will it be winter in any of the cities you will connect through? Depending on climate sometimes it makes sense to fly in a day early. The ship won't care if your flight is delayed unless you made the air reservations through the cruise line. Be smart. US laws don't apply on the high seas. Take lots of pictures. Have fun. When you get back you can tell all the naysayers about how much fun you had. Please don't dent the planet. Destinations by Roxanne Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 6 #10 October 30, 2013 You raised a good point... DO NOT book anything through the cruise line! It's costly, usually an abbreviated version and you have the whole boat doin' it with ya... You are at a tourist destination...shop for values on the net 'trip advisor' has the best deals. Book the activities the port prior, don't use the net on board it's 2 million a minute. Very true about missing the boat...it's good to be on it when it leaves. Look at the cruise ship as a bus to get you to the general area...once off the ship head out & explore on your own. 1/2 the time we rent a car and head away from the tourist traps walking distance from the dock. ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airdvr 197 #11 October 30, 2013 LuckyMcSwervy***If you want to save on booze, google sneaking alcohol onto cruise ships. Lots of interesting ideas. I'll do that! I'm not a big drinker but I see alcoholic beverages aren't included. Nor are all of the restaurants for that matter! Probably one or two aren't included. Usually a steak joint and something like a burger joint. Totally waisted money IMHO. Oh...if you're scheduled to eat dinner at 6 be there at 6.Please don't dent the planet. Destinations by Roxanne Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tkhayes 124 #12 October 30, 2013 leave the scuba gear at home. maybe just mask and fins if you have the bring something. it is too much trouble to lug that shit around and you can rent. take advantage of the free champagne at every chance you can get. Get used to having them wait on you hand and foot. "Garcon. Another couple poofy rum drinks over here please." Nap a lot. bring a book. forget internet service, you are supposed to anyway. Balcony rooms very nice - you get to see the sunrise/set, and an ocean breeze. Interior rooms if you are on a tight budget. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
theonlyski 3 #13 October 30, 2013 airtwardo You are at a tourist destination...shop for values on the net 'trip advisor' has the best deals. Book the activities the port prior, don't use the net on board it's 2 million a minute. Driving to Florida after I signed out on my terminal leave, I get a call about a job in Hollywood (Miami area) working internet for cruise ships. Pay wasn't horrible either... They said basically what happens is a ship at sea radios out that their internet is down. I fly to the next port that ship will be docking in, board the ship, fix the internet and ride it out till the next port... then fly home. I would've gotten in SO much trouble doing that... Easy pickins . But yes, knowing what's required to support it if the link goes down, I can only imagine how much that porn surfing costs."I may be a dirty pirate hooker...but I'm not about to go stand on the corner." iluvtofly DPH -7, TDS 578, Muff 5153, SCR 14890 I'm an asshole, and I approve this message Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LuckyMcSwervy 0 #15 October 30, 2013 airtwardo We've done over 25 all over the world... If you want to upgrade, try a few days prior...everybody asks the day of departure. If you're currently an inside cabin...pay whatever for a balcony, you WON'T be sorry! 'Handicapped' accessible rooms are huge, they usually don't book...ask about that. Booze is how they make the money on a cruise, a water bottle full of vodka will save ya 100 or more in the long run. Every cruise ship is a disease farm...don't drink anything you didn't open, carry hand cleaner & use it often...that handrail on the grand staircase is right next to the restroom if ya get my drift. For SCUBA...I just bring MY mask snorkel & regulator, rent everything else. It takes a lotta room you kinda need for other stuff. Dress for dinner is fancy not formal for every night but one...the 'formal' night is a passenger fashion show - I'd recommend a French maids outfit. Tips ~ you tip your room steward at the end - 10.00 a day in minimum, 20.00 a day is fair. You also tip your waiter staff...AND the head d00d - yeah it adds up. Any specific questions? Wow. Thanks! LOTS of good tips. The cruise was "free" for an interior stateroom. I'm trying to get a balcony suite for an additional $600. I gotta have fresh air. We're allowed 2 suitcases each so one of them will have all of my scuba gear. I'm a HMB with my gear and haven't rented anything scuba related in years, except air/nitrox tanks. That's a lot of room to take up but I'm ok with that for this trip. And you watch, we'll have bad weather and not be able to dive. I was worried about the health related stuff. I forgot to get sanitizing gel in Walmart last night but it'll be in my bag, for sure. And I love the Clorox wipes. And I always have a mini can of Lysol with me. I spray everything in the hotel room. Door knobs, bathroom fixtures, TV remote controls, comforters/duvets, light switches. I saw the 20/20 black light in a hotel room show!! And those railings are kinda skeeving me out already!! There's just one "fancy" night but it's a White Party. Sounds like fun so I'm going to do that. Other nights I think I'll keep it resort casual. The French Maid outfit is staying home. Don't want to give my dive buddy the wrong idea!! LOL The good thing about this ship is it's the freestyle cruising concept where we won't have to make dinner reservations. I'm not really up to sit at a group table with people I don't know. I'm funny like that. I'm really hoping for some tables for 2, if possible. You can pay the tips in advance of the cruise on the NCL website. They charge $12/pp per day on your account. I'm sure there will be additional tipping going on as I like to take care of the people who take care of me. They work hard. So many good tips!! Thank you!!Always be kinder than you feel. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riddler 0 #16 October 30, 2013 I wouldn't even bother trying to scuba on a cruise. I would take a mask and fins and snorkel. You just won't get time to get much good diving in, in the short time that you are in port. Buy little bottles of that hand sanitizer, keep it in one pocket at all times. Use it frequently! The norovirus is one of the worst, but there are plenty of nasty critters that hang out on the balcony rails, door knobs, etc.Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rick 67 #17 October 30, 2013 I like the freestyle cruise we were able to find a table for 2 at every dinner the last cruise we went on I bought the allyoucandrinkalcohol deal..saved me a lot of $$$$$$ but I tend to drink a bit depends on your drinking habits they had hand sanitIzer stations EVERYWHERE on the boatYou can't be drunk all day if you don't start early! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 6 #18 October 30, 2013 Rick I like the freestyle cruise we were able to find a table for 2 at every dinner the last cruise we went on I bought the allyoucandrinkalcohol deal..saved me a lot of $$$$$$ but I tend to drink a bit depends on your drinking habits they had hand sanitIzer stations EVERYWHERE on the boat A couple at our table a few years back did the 'booze included' option...said it seemed expensive until they did the math. What they DIDN'T do was the 'all included' thing for their kids soft drinks.....1200.00 at the end of the two week cruise for SODA! Like I said, we've done quite a few & look at the boat as a nice way to get to cool places...some people look at the boat AS the vacation...YMMV. Just remember Lucky Mc - the whole idea is just like Vegas, they are there to separate you from as much money as they possibly can! ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ryoder 1,380 #19 October 30, 2013 riddler ... but there are plenty of nasty critters that hang out on the balcony rails, ... Hey, the lower class likes to take vacations, too."There are only three things of value: younger women, faster airplanes, and bigger crocodiles" - Arthur Jones. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LuckyMcSwervy 0 #20 October 30, 2013 airdvr Some lines are offering their version of "all inclusive" when it comes to alcohol. I'm not suggesting you're a lush or anything but it might make sense. By far our largest expense is settling up the bar tab at the end. You can try smuggling booze in water bottles but they're catching on quick. Norweigan looks to have a drink program for the week, I think. I read somwhere someone did the math and said you'd have to get 8 drinks a day (alcoholic beverages) to break even on the cost. I don't think I've ever drank that much in a day. I assume I'll be mostly water/juice/soda which apparently may cost extra. And if 1 person in the cabin does the drink plan, both must do it to alleviate cheating. No worries, I get that. Quote Will your dive trips be set up through the cruise line? If not make absolutely certain you're back well before the ship leaves. Probably not since I like to wreck dive vs. the popular cattle boat reef dives. I know that's a risk I'm taking with not going with a cruise excursion dive, but maybe it will end up with them, I'm not positive yet. I actually have a credit card I'm bringing "just in case" I need to make additional travel arrangements to get to the next port... just in case. In Jamaica I was on a dive boat that broke down so I know it really happens. Quote Trip insurance? Nothing like a family member getting sick or hurt the day before you're leaving. Also, trip insurance will get you out of the islands if you get sick or injured. Health insurance? Yup. Covered. I have trip insurance, DAN (Divers Alert Network) in case of a diving accident (which also covers air transport, which I always found hypocritical since you're not supposed to fly for about 18 hours after a dive, and chamber rides. But I guess if you're already bent, it's like nevermind... LOL) and also regular health insurance that covers out of the country stuff. Quote Take your Passport. I know you don't need it but shit happens. Also, make a copy of the picture page of the passport and put it somewhere in case you lose the real one. I actually carry it on every trip, even just going to FL. I'm so impulsive sometimes I never know when I'll get the urge to puddle jump to the Bahamas or somewhere else. I also have copies of the picture page secretly stashed here and there with my stuff, plus I always keep a copy when I'm on a side trip for diving, etc. Quote Call your credit card companies so they know you'll be spending money in the Caribbean. On the list! But Bank of American can KMA because they cut off my debit card a few weeks ago and closed an account because I was logging in very frequently from a few different devices (laptop, desktop, netbook, smartphone) when I was waiting for a big deposit to clear. I went into Wawa, bought $8 worth of stuff and the kid at the register said "It says to take your card". I was like "WhAT? For what?". I didn't give it to him but went to my car and called Bank of American and they said it looked like fraudulent activity with all of the log ins from different devices. For my security they shut it down. I was like thanks for calling me to verify first, effers. Grrr.... LOL sidetracked!! Quote On the "at sea" days get up early so you can get a good chair at the pool. OMG... how I HATE that part of vacationing. It is seriously sad that you have to do this. I learned from vacationing in the Caribbean that the Germans will get up at 6am to claim beach chairs. Really??!! That thought alone stresses me out. Haha. Quote Are you flying to the port? Will it be winter in any of the cities you will connect through? Depending on climate sometimes it makes sense to fly in a day early. The ship won't care if your flight is delayed unless you made the air reservations through the cruise line. Yup, I'm flying in direct the day before. Severe winter weather usually isn't an issue that time of year but you never know. Crossing my fingers! Quote Be smart. US laws don't apply on the high seas. You know it! Quote Take lots of pictures. Have fun. When you get back you can tell all the naysayers about how much fun you had. Thanks so much for all of the advice!! I appreciate everyone taking the time to reply!! Now I'm getting excited!! Always be kinder than you feel. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LuckyMcSwervy 0 #21 October 30, 2013 airdvr******If you want to save on booze, google sneaking alcohol onto cruise ships. Lots of interesting ideas. I'll do that! I'm not a big drinker but I see alcoholic beverages aren't included. Nor are all of the restaurants for that matter! Probably one or two aren't included. Usually a steak joint and something like a burger joint. Totally waisted money IMHO. Oh...if you're scheduled to eat dinner at 6 be there at 6. Yup, the steak place, Japanese place, Italian place are all surcharged. I'd rather pay extra on the cruise price total than to feel like I'm being gouged onboard. I'm thrifty with some things, but I like good food. From what I've read it isn't exactly Ruth's Chris quality, more like steak at an Applebee's. Not thrilled hearing that description. Oh well, I'll still enjoy it and I'm grateful for the trip.Always be kinder than you feel. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LuckyMcSwervy 0 #22 October 30, 2013 tkhayes leave the scuba gear at home. maybe just mask and fins if you have the bring something. it is too much trouble to lug that shit around and you can rent. take advantage of the free champagne at every chance you can get. Get used to having them wait on you hand and foot. "Garcon. Another couple poofy rum drinks over here please." Nap a lot. bring a book. forget internet service, you are supposed to anyway. Balcony rooms very nice - you get to see the sunrise/set, and an ocean breeze. Interior rooms if you are on a tight budget. I didn't know they do the free champagne service. I remember that from watching Love Boat as a kid! :) I'm really hoping to get the balcony room. I'd LOVE to try to sleep out there at least once!! ETA: Losing the Internet for a week is certainly going to test my addiction to god damn Candy Crush. I've been stuck on level 35 for a damn week. Always be kinder than you feel. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LuckyMcSwervy 0 #23 October 30, 2013 Andy9o8Antibiotics. Word. I travel with a Z pack due to my horrible sinuses and my scuba diving. I'm going to call my doctor and ask him for something different "just in case". I don't know if that's allowed, preventative antibiotic dispensing, but it doesn't hurt to ask. The Z Pack is never an issue getting a prescription for as he knows my sinus issues all too well!Always be kinder than you feel. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LuckyMcSwervy 0 #24 October 30, 2013 riddler I wouldn't even bother trying to scuba on a cruise. I would take a mask and fins and snorkel. You just won't get time to get much good diving in, in the short time that you are in port. I'm sensing a theme with some many people advising not taking the scuba gear. You guys know what you're talking about. In Grand Cayman I wasn't able to book a Kittiwake dive because the dive boat leaves at 8am and the cruise ship doesn't get into port/disembark in time to make the dive boat. Hmmm... Quote Buy little bottles of that hand sanitizer, keep it in one pocket at all times. Use it frequently! The norovirus is one of the worst, but there are plenty of nasty critters that hang out on the balcony rails, door knobs, etc. I'll definitely keep one on my person at all times. Like I do my Blistex. I'm thinking I should pack on of those little hospital face masks in case it becomes a hospital ship. I'm only half joking... Always be kinder than you feel. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
grimmie 173 #25 October 30, 2013 Went on a cruise last year with my wife. We hit up Cabo and PV. I'm good friends with the Skydive Sol guys in Cabo, so that was a great time in port. PV was a lot of fun just bar hopping all day and hanging at the beach. As far as being on the boat, never again. Too many people, the food was horrendous, the pools were packed and the constant blaring on the big screen from "Todd the cruise director" was annoying as hell. And I got food poisoning the last day. I think it was the sushi Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
