So, I'm going on a cruise to warmer climes with my family next week. This is my first time on a cruise ship and I think I'm prepared. Anyone here have any tips for a first-timer?

I have never been on a pleasure cruise either. I would like to hear some personal accounts. MadMonk, I hope you are avoiding Italian owned cruise ships. ;)

So, I'm going on a cruise to warmer climes with my family next week. This is my first time on a cruise ship and I think I'm prepared. Anyone here have any tips for a first-timer?

Yes, Relax and have fun. Actually the best tip I can give you is set your dinner schedule for the 8:00 pm setting. This allows you to stay on whatever destination stop you are at to the fullest extent of time. In the Mediterranian, we never get back to the boat until it's about to leave. This gives you time to clean up and rest before dinner and visit the markets and what not to the fullest.
About dinner, some cruises have 'dress up for dinner' nights. A sports coat and nice shirt is enough. Every now and then you see people who will rent a tux but it's rare.
Excursions - At some ports we always go through the cruise line, but most of the time we book our excursions on our own. It's about 1/3 of the cost. We did this on our last cruise to Alaska and save a bunch. It all depends on the port though.

If you want to know more give me a PM.

I do it every year and personally think it is the most relaxing way to travel. Your meals, room and transportation is all paid for and the food is world class. You pay for liquor and gambling so watch it there. If you plan to drink a lot they have a plan that allows to drink pretty much all you want for 50.00 a day. Be sure to go to the shore excursion seminar that they have before you reach port. that will explain all the different shore excursions to you. Some ports like Cozumel are fun to just go walking around though.

Transderm Scop patch saved my life while I was on the cruise - never a hint of sea sickness. Got home, took it off and within 24 hours was sick as a dog!! HAHA. Dr said I wore it too long and my inner ear got reliant on it. Should have cut it in half and limited the time I had it on.

Being in the travel business, I have been on many cruises and assisted countless others in going on a cruise. Every cruise line and ship is a little different but basically they give you an opportunity to be as active on non-active as you want. Everyone is a little different about that so just decide what fits your idea of a good time best. You will get a listing of everything going on in the ship put in your cabin one day in advance. That gives you an opportunity to plan your activities ahead of time so you can make the best use of your time. If you haven't already booked shore excursions for the ports you're going to it may be too close to departure now to do that. You can still go on the cruise line's website to see what shore excursions are offered and try to book them on the ship. Some of the most popular shore excursions do sell out. Booking shore excursions from someone other than the cruise line isn't a bad thing to do but, in case of some kind of delay getting back to the ship, the people operating the cruise line's shore excursions are best equipped to make sure you aren't left behind. I've never had a customer with a problem like that but it can happen. Basically, as mentioned before, just relax and enjoy all of the pampering. Being spoiled a little is a good thing.

Used to go cruising every year before kids. It is a great value especially if you aren't a big drinker

I don't have any tips aside from stay out of the casino lol. The worst part is debarkation which can take several hours (can seem like several days) to get off the boat.

What are the ports you are stopping at?

Most will let you bring on some soda or wine for the room. Usually up to one liter of wine. We have always been able to pack a 3l box of wine without issue if looking just to take no frills wine. If a liquor drinker.......you can use a butter knife to gently open the box, take out bladder of wine and pop out the spigot. Drain the wine and refill with beverage of choice. Put back in box and glue lid shut. This works pretty good............so I have been told.


Also, at dinner, they will bring you more than one entree or let you have lighter portion of one entree as appetizer. They generally will bend over backwards to satisfy you if you just let them know what you are wanting. My son really liked the garlic Parmesan fries from the specialty restaurant we ate at first night. Told the waiter at regular dinner the next night and he went to talk to chef and out they came. When they saw how he cleaned them up....they automatically brought them out the rest of the week

That first paragraph is brilliant! Vodka in a wine bladder. Maybe Tickle will try it with Moonshine.

I have never been on a pleasure cruise either. I would like to hear some personal accounts. MadMonk, I hope you are avoiding Italian owned cruise ships. ;)

Believe it or not, the Costa Concordia is/was owned by Carnival Cruise Lines. We happened to boarding a Royal Caribbean ship in Civitevechia (Rome's port city) 2 weeks before that boat sank. We road the train with people who were getting on that ship, the Costa Concordia.

That first paragraph is brilliant! Vodka in a wine bladder. Maybe Tickle will try it with Moonshine.

Scotch in a large mouthwash bottle works very well too. ;)

I'm writing this down.

Yes, Relax and have fun. Actually the best tip I can give you is set your dinner schedule for the 8:00 pm setting. This allows you to stay on whatever destination stop you are at to the fullest extent of time. In the Mediterranian, we never get back to the boat until it's about to leave. This gives you time to clean up and rest before dinner and visit the markets and what not to the fullest.
About dinner, some cruises have 'dress up for dinner' nights. A sports coat and nice shirt is enough. Every now and then you see people who will rent a tux but it's rare.
Excursions - At some ports we always go through the cruise line, but most of the time we book our excursions on our own. It's about 1/3 of the cost. We did this on our last cruise to Alaska and save a bunch. It all depends on the port though.

If you want to know more give me a PM.
We chose the option for "any time dining" on the suggestion from a friend. I'm told that means I can dine in certain restaurants whenever I want (during their operating hours). We are planning to attend the "cruise elegant" night as well, but I'm not wearing a tux. My wife, however, considered this an excuse to do some pre-cruise dress shopping. :) We have already booked one excursion (prior to learning we could probably get it cheaper outside of the the cruise line channel). Even so, I feel better that you are almost guaranteed to make it back to the ship on time with the cruise line-booked method.


I do it every year and personally think it is the most relaxing way to travel. Your meals, room and transportation is all paid for and the food is world class. You pay for liquor and gambling so watch it there. If you plan to drink a lot they have a plan that allows to drink pretty much all you want for 50.00 a day. Be sure to go to the shore excursion seminar that they have before you reach port. that will explain all the different shore excursions to you. Some ports like Cozumel are fun to just go walking around though.
Reading through all the information on the Carnival website informed us about the drink package. I'm not a heavy drinker, but if the drinks are as expensive as I'm told, then the package seems like a pretty good deal. I'm sure I'll get my money's worth. ;)


Transderm Scop patch saved my life while I was on the cruise - never a hint of sea sickness. Got home, took it off and within 24 hours was sick as a dog!! HAHA. Dr said I wore it too long and my inner ear got reliant on it. Should have cut it in half and limited the time I had it on.
Wow, I didn't think of that happening. I've got the transderm prescription stuff ready to go. Doc told me to put it on the day before we leave and let it wear off (about 3 days) and see how I'm doing before putting replacing it. I don't usually get motion sickness, but I've never been on anything larger than a pontoon boat on the lake so I'm thinking better safe than sorry.


Being in the travel business, I have been on many cruises and assisted countless others in going on a cruise. Every cruise line and ship is a little different but basically they give you an opportunity to be as active on non-active as you want. Everyone is a little different about that so just decide what fits your idea of a good time best. You will get a listing of everything going on in the ship put in your cabin one day in advance. That gives you an opportunity to plan your activities ahead of time so you can make the best use of your time. If you haven't already booked shore excursions for the ports you're going to it may be too close to departure now to do that. You can still go on the cruise line's website to see what shore excursions are offered and try to book them on the ship. Some of the most popular shore excursions do sell out. Booking shore excursions from someone other than the cruise line isn't a bad thing to do but, in case of some kind of delay getting back to the ship, the people operating the cruise line's shore excursions are best equipped to make sure you aren't left behind. I've never had a customer with a problem like that but it can happen. Basically, as mentioned before, just relax and enjoy all of the pampering. Being spoiled a little is a good thing.
Cool, I was wondering how, on a ship this large, that you can keep track of all there is to do, and was hoping for some sort of activities/events listing. Our cruise is 7 days in the Caribbean, and we only have 1 excursion currently booked (a dolphin encounter). We are considering others, but really I'd just rather hang out on the beach for the day.


Used to go cruising every year before kids. It is a great value especially if you aren't a big drinker

I don't have any tips aside from stay out of the casino lol. The worst part is debarkation which can take several hours (can seem like several days) to get off the boat.

What are the ports you are stopping at?
Oh, I'm a very poor gambler, so I don't plan to do it on the ship. Did I mention that we are taking our kids (ages 15 and 13) with us? We are going on a 7-day Carnival cruise to the western Caribbean and stopping in Jamaica, Grand Cayman and Cozumel.


Most will let you bring on some soda or wine for the room. Usually up to one liter of wine. We have always been able to pack a 3l box of wine without issue if looking just to take no frills wine. If a liquor drinker.......you can use a butter knife to gently open the box, take out bladder of wine and pop out the spigot. Drain the wine and refill with beverage of choice. Put back in box and glue lid shut. This works pretty good............so I have been told.

Also, at dinner, they will bring you more than one entree or let you have lighter portion of one entree as appetizer. They generally will bend over backwards to satisfy you if you just let them know what you are wanting. My son really liked the garlic Parmesan fries from the specialty restaurant we ate at first night. Told the waiter at regular dinner the next night and he went to talk to chef and out they came. When they saw how he cleaned them up....they automatically brought them out the rest of the week
LOL, all good stuff to know. I may have to take some extra "mouthwash" with me. We were planning on taking a couple bottles of wine with us. And, aside from the scenery (and warmth!), the food is something I'm really looking forward to. :biggrin:

Thanks for the info everyone. I can't friggin' wait!

We chose the option for "any time dining" on the suggestion from a friend. I'm told that means I can dine in certain restaurants whenever I want (during their operating hours). We are planning to attend the "cruise elegant" night as well, but I'm not wearing a tux. My wife, however, considered this an excuse to do some pre-cruise dress shopping. :) We have already booked one excursion (prior to learning we could probably get it cheaper outside of the the cruise line channel). Even so, I feel better that you are almost guaranteed to make it back to the ship on time with the cruise line-booked method.


Reading through all the information on the Carnival website informed us about the drink package. I'm not a heavy drinker, but if the drinks are as expensive as I'm told, then the package seems like a pretty good deal. I'm sure I'll get my money's worth. ;)


Wow, I didn't think of that happening. I've got the transderm prescription stuff ready to go. Doc told me to put it on the day before we leave and let it wear off (about 3 days) and see how I'm doing before putting replacing it. I don't usually get motion sickness, but I've never been on anything larger than a pontoon boat on the lake so I'm thinking better safe than sorry.


Cool, I was wondering how, on a ship this large, that you can keep track of all there is to do, and was hoping for some sort of activities/events listing. Our cruise is 7 days in the Caribbean, and we only have 1 excursion currently booked (a dolphin encounter). We are considering others, but really I'd just rather hang out on the beach for the day.


Oh, I'm a very poor gambler, so I don't plan to do it on the ship. Did I mention that we are taking our kids (ages 15 and 13) with us? We are going on a 7-day Carnival cruise to the western Caribbean and stopping in Jamaica, Grand Cayman and Cozumel.


LOL, all good stuff to know. I may have to take some extra "mouthwash" with me. We were planning on taking a couple bottles of wine with us. And, aside from the scenery (and warmth!), the food is something I'm really looking forward to. :biggrin:

Thanks for the info everyone. I can't friggin' wait!

You are taking kids.......go get walkie talkies! We take our kids also and it is nice having the walkie talkies to get ahold of them when they are running around. Also, buy them the soda package. They have one that also includes frozen mocktails if you kids are into virgin frozen drinks

We chose the option for "any time dining" on the suggestion from a friend. I'm told that means I can dine in certain restaurants whenever I want (during their operating hours). We are planning to attend the "cruise elegant" night as well, but I'm not wearing a tux. My wife, however, considered this an excuse to do some pre-cruise dress shopping. :) We have already booked one excursion (prior to learning we could probably get it cheaper outside of the the cruise line channel). Even so, I feel better that you are almost guaranteed to make it back to the ship on time with the cruise line-booked method.
While I enjoy dressing up for dinner on a cruise, I have never used a tux and never felt out of place. That is only more common on the really upscale cruise lines. Don't be concerned about that in the least. If you're on a 7 night cruise there will be 2 "formal" nights. A shorter cruise will only have one. The anytime dining only applies to the main dining room. The ships that offer that normally have one dining room or a specific area in the main dining room specially for that purpose as opposed to the specific dining times. Many people, especially older cruisers, like specific dining times because they enjoy have the same people at the table and the same waiters every night. The specialty restaurants will require reservations. Of course the buffets are always anytime.

You are taking kids.......go get walkie talkies! We take our kids also and it is nice having the walkie talkies to get ahold of them when they are running around. Also, buy them the soda package. They have one that also includes frozen mocktails if you kids are into virgin frozen drinks
You know, I've considered taking our walkie talkies, but wasn't sure if that was being weird or too helicopter-parent-ish. Even so, I think I'll go ahead and take them.

Scotch in a large mouthwash bottle works very well too. ;)

we have had people with mouthwash bottles get stopped.. but you can buy "rum Runners" online. they are just plastic bladders that don't xray and get right on board. .. so I have heard

I'll add one about sea sickness. My wife gets very ill if there is any kind of wave motion. We've cruised in Europe 3 times, twice in the Mediterranean and once in the Baltic. Cruised out of Puerto Rico twice. Not once has she had an issue and has never taken anything for it. The boats are so large you will barely notice being on water. We even went salmon fishing in a small boat in Ketchikan Alaska and no trouble there. I wouldn't worry much about sea sickness. I have asked waitresses and stateroom attendants and they say the only time they've ever been sick are on the trans Atlantic cruises. This time of year (non hurricane season) you'll do just fine. You can always buy Dramamine on the boat just in case.

I'm writing this down.

These also work very well for bringing liquor on board. they are invisible to x-ray and conform to fit Great for bringing a little booze back from the shore excursions. Sneak alcohol on cruise (http://www.rumrunnerflasks.com/)

I have never had any issues with sea sickness and have been on 10 cruises. I get sea sick when I go deep sea fishing but the cruise ships do not move around like a small boat. they stay pretty stationary with a few exceptions such as weather.

I have never had any issues with sea sickness and have been on 10 cruises. I get sea sick when I go deep sea fishing but the cruise ships do not move around like a small boat. they stay pretty stationary with a few exceptions such as weather.

I think that is true - one night a bunch of people got sick when it was rocking pretty good and i was OK, so that is why I felt like it worked on me! MadMonk - sounds like you got better instructions from your Dr than I did! I bet you will be fine! Have a great time.

we have had people with mouthwash bottles get stopped.. but you can buy "rum Runners" online. they are just plastic bladders that don't xray and get right on board. .. so I have heard

You can also purchase white plastic bottles that appear to be shampoo and conditioner. They worked well for my wife and I. These can be purchased online as well.

You know, I've considered taking our walkie talkies, but wasn't sure if that was being weird or too helicopter-parent-ish. Even so, I think I'll go ahead and take them.

You might also consider purchasing a small greaseboard that you can affix to your room door or kids door. That way either you or your kids will know where to find each other. Walkie talkies might not be conducive if either party is in the pool or sauna.

I'm reminded of an old adage .... you can lead a walkie talkie to a child's pocket, but you can't make the pocket turn up the volume knob.

I've never travelled with small kids on a boat, just a few of the more adult variety. I've hardly notice kids on the boats, but it's more likely due to choosing the 'in school' months when we cruise, which tends to be a little less expensive.



Cool, I was wondering how, on a ship this large, that you can keep track of all there is to do, and was hoping for some sort of activities/events listing. Our cruise is 7 days in the Caribbean, and we only have 1 excursion currently booked (a dolphin encounter). We are considering others, but really I'd just rather hang out on the beach for the day.

On Royal Caribbean, they put a day planner in your stateroom every day for the next day. Not sure what any other line does but i'd think not much different.

I did do a "Tiger" cruise with my son when he was on the U.S.S. Carl Vinson on it's way back from Operation Enduring Freedom From Hawaii to San Diego to drop off the squadron he was assigned to. Not much amenities but the chow was pretty good. Wouldn't have been much for kids to do though.

On Royal Caribbean, they put a day planner in your stateroom every day for the next day. Not sure what any other line does but i'd think not much different.
That is typical for all cruise lines.

You know, I've considered taking our walkie talkies, but wasn't sure if that was being weird or too helicopter-parent-ish. Even so, I think I'll go ahead and take them.

Won't be seen as weird. We got the idea from seeing other families using them I would be shocked if you were the only family that had them. The kids like the extra freedom they get by having them and having them on.

For younger children using the children's camp program it isn't necessary.


What are the beeper/phone policies onboard? How can you contact us?


Parents with CHILDREN 3 or UNDER will be provided with a beeper/phone for the duration of the cruise. Beepers/Phones will be provided for those parents with children 4 and 5 years depending on the ship’s availability. Beepers/phones must be returned to Camp Carnival BEFORE 10:00pm on the last night of the cruise or you will be charged for it. There is no charge for this service, but there will be a charge for the beeper/phone on your Sail and Sign if the beeper/phone is lost or not returned in good condition.
Parents will be beeped/called if the child is misbehaving, ill, seriously unhappy, asking continuously for their parents and in case of an emergency. The beeper/phone is used for ship-use only; the range does not extend beyond the ship.

I hoping that someone with a child this young is not going to let them run loose around the ship. The beepers are for the parents so the kid's club can contact while your child is in the program. Not the same if older and wandering around. At a certain age, they are allowed to sign themselves out of the club. Another tip...don't feel bad when you the kids want to spend their time in the kid's/teen club. The first cruise we did with the kids we felt bad because it was a family vacation and felt we were dumping them there. Little did we know they wanted to hang with the other kids their age instead of us. Still had plenty of family time but also gave us some nice mom/dad time. This is another plus about the walkie talkie is if you have a rule that they must call you before leaving the club...gives ample head's up to allow for some quality mom/dad time in cabin without kids.:welcome55:woowoo:

I hoping that someone with a child this young is not going to let them run loose around the ship. The beepers are for the parents so the kid's club can contact while your child is in the program. Not the same if older and wandering around. At a certain age, they are allowed to sign themselves out of the club.

Which, of course, it exactly what my post indicated. When my children were young and on a cruise that type of communication hadn't even been thought about. I did have to hunt my daughter at times and she was very adventurous and not easy to locate.

I hoping that someone with a child this young is not going to let them run loose around the ship. The beepers are for the parents so the kid's club can contact while your child is in the program. Not the same if older and wandering around. At a certain age, they are allowed to sign themselves out of the club. Another tip...don't feel bad when you the kids want to spend their time in the kid's/teen club. The first cruise we did with the kids we felt bad because it was a family vacation and felt we were dumping them there. Little did we know they wanted to hang with the other kids their age instead of us. Still had plenty of family time but also gave us some nice mom/dad time. This is another plus about the walkie talkie is if you have a rule that they must call you before leaving the club...gives ample head's up to allow for some quality mom/dad time in cabin without kids.:welcome55:woowoo:

Oh they are both ready to leave mom and dad and go hang in "their" club. One thing I was wondering about. They have a club for 10-14yr olds and a different club for 15+. I have one in each age group, but they both want to hang out together (and I'd feel better about that too). I wonder how strict they are about a 12 yr old hanging with his big sis in the 15+ club or vice versa?

Oh they are both ready to leave mom and dad and go hang in "their" club. One thing I was wondering about. They have a club for 10-14yr olds and a different club for 15+. I have one in each age group, but they both want to hang out together (and I'd feel better about that too). I wonder how strict they are about a 12 yr old hanging with his big sis in the 15+ club or vice versa?

Don't know. My kids were in different clubs and wanted to hang with kids their own age so never really was an issue for us. They have different planned activities for the different age group. The older kids may do a scavenger hunt in small groups around the ship wherein the younger kids wouldn't have that much freedom in their activities. (I think we had to give permission for the older one to do the hunt as they were let out in the ship to find stuff.

Transderm Scop patch saved my life while I was on the cruise - never a hint of sea sickness. Got home, took it off and within 24 hours was sick as a dog!! HAHA. Dr said I wore it too long and my inner ear got reliant on it. Should have cut it in half and limited the time I had it on.

Been on a cruise to Alaska, if you are on the Gulf of Alaska with a storm out there, you will retch....
Been on a cruise to Caribbean, if you are there with a hurricane way far away but close enough to toss the waters, you will toss you lunch....SCOP patch or not with me.
Otherwise, it was smooth sailing....Caribbean classically smoother sailing....

This has some helpful hints... The Best Location on a Cruise Ship for Seasickness | USA Today (http://traveltips.usatoday.com/location-cruise-ship-seasickness-109329.html)

That's not true of everyone. I know many people, including me, who enjoy the motion on a ship. My first cruise was to Alaska about 40 years ago. I had an upper birth and, if not for the side railing, I could have been tossed out of bed. It didn't faze me at all. My wife could have just looked at a boat and get seasick, however.

That's not true of everyone. I know many people, including me, who enjoy the motion on a ship. My first cruise was to Alaska about 40 years ago. I had an upper birth and, if not for the side railing, I could have been tossed out of bed. It didn't faze me at all. My wife could have just looked at a boat and get seasick, however.

That's not good, 'cause if Mama ain't happy, nobody goina be happy.

That's not good, 'cause if Mama ain't happy, nobody goina be happy.

Well, since we're no longer married, I don't have to worry about that any more. :)

Well, since we're no longer married, I don't have to worry about that any more. :)

Oh. My bad for not being more attentive. I would have enjoyed a vacation on a cruise with my boys. Until they hit that age where they don't want to admit you exist.