Calling All Experienced Cruisers!

CindyB

CindyB

Active member
After almost 20 years...my husband and I are FINALLY going on a "just-us" vacation...a CRUISE!!! Not until October, so I have some time...but I'm starting to get excited! We will be leaving from Miami, and stopping in Bonaire, Aruba, and Curacao. 7 days total, 2 days at sea, 1 day at each port, and 2 days back.

So...any tips or experiences to share? Anything this newbie should know before going? We usually do Disney vacations, so a "relaxing" vacation is kind of foreign to me. How expensive do the extras like snorkeling, swimming with dolphins, etc. get? We will have the all-inclusive package while on the boat (food and drinks) but what about entertainment and such? I honestly have no idea what I'm doing...hahaha. Wifi on the boat? Is that even a "thing"??

Sure, you can link me with some "must have" kits, too, that I will need for my vacation pages when I get back ;)

TIA
 
I have never been on a cruise - be sure to scrap it all, including all the hints you get, so when I go on my cruise.... (if ever!)
 
OHHHH I can help. I certainly have opinions [I know, you are surprised]. We've been on many. In fact cruise #13 was booked yesterday!
However, I've not been to the ports of call you mentioned. got a ton of other ports!

That said:
Our first cruise was out of the port of Miami.
We've also done: Port Canaveral [sometimes referred to as Orlando, except Orlando is mid state]
Honolulu
Vancouver
& Tampa several times

and in the fall leaving from Baltimore.

WE've been on: Holland America, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Carnival, Disney, Looney Toones, Armerikas [no longer around]

**YES on of beverage package [food is included, all you can eat, except specialty dining].
**YES on the ship's photography package and get every photo you can. The $200 I spent last cruise was well worth the $20 per photo for a single purchase.
**NO or think twice about their internet and turn OFF your roaming at sea. You can still use your phone for photos if needed.
When in ports, usually your home cell plan will kick in for a fee of about $5-10 for 24 hours. At least Verizon's does. Most of the time it doesn't work well and it is pricey.
**Entertainment- has always been good on every ship I've been on.

- I've never gotten sea sick.

Other tips: Bring a bar of soap with you for hand wash in your cabin. They are great about the 'washi washi' and the anti bacterial squirts, but be prepared in case. Some cabins have bar soap. Some only liquid.

-Buffet's... Personally, I'm not a fan of them- anywhere, except possibly Holland America because... I personally do not like touching the serving utensil that who knows what touched prior [and that includes buffet here at home at restaurants.

and I will be back with kit suggestions or check my gallery.

My favorite way to travel!!!
m
 
The wifi at your port of calls should be good. It always has for us. A ship that size is a good one. We like them. It's not in the HUGE category. I'm not fond of those 5,000+ onboard. I agree on going a day early. We've done that before.
Our next one is out of Tampa to Havana and then Cozumel. I've been to Cozumel enough...not sure if we will even get off the ship. I was hoping for a Key West stop en route to Havana, but that one was only a one day in Havana. We will get 2 days there.

My favorite cabins are ones with a verandah and having a jr. suite is nice too.

m
 
Cindy, I just looked in the store under Vacations. There are 40 + pages of kits! I think there needs to be a category for Cruises! Check my gallery. Plenty of cruise pages there.
m
 
I've done several cruises, although, not as many as Michi :) I've not cruised on Norwegian, but your itinerary sounds fabulous! 2400-ish on ship is a great size, too. Not too big, not too small.

I have severe motion sickness, but I start taking Dramamine (just the generic brand from Wal-mart) about 1-2 days before the cruise and then take it as prescribed each day of the cruise and I've only ever been queezy once. That was during very high seas in the North Atlantic, though, and that's not something you'll need to worry about in your location.

WiFi on ship is hit or miss, so I've always purchased it by the hour for when I need to check-in for some reason. I don't need to be connected all day and prefer to use cruising as a way to unplug. I'd definitely check with your cell provider before purchasing ship WiFi as Michi suggested.

I swam with the dolphins in the Bahamas years ago and loved every minute. Worth the expense to do it at least once in your lifetime if you like that sort of thing. The dolphins were rehabilitated rescues and they loved interacting with people.

Otherwise, in ports I generally just like to site-see and take in the local flavor. There's usually a local foodie tour and I like taking those because you get to sample bites of local cuisine and see the city you're in at the same time.

I'm not a drinker, so I don't do the beverage package, but anything that includes the premium dining options would be great. I, too, hate buffets (anywhere, not just on ship). Some people let their kids go a little crazy on ships and most of them like to use their hands to get all sorts of food, and not the utensils. :) Besides, the dining room is quieter and I like being able to sit and relax while a waiter who knows my name brings me a clean plate of food. Then I can enjoy the cruise and who I'm with on the cruise without waiting in long lines for less healthy food options.

I'm not much of a grazer during the day, but the ships have room service as well (which is usually free, but pizza delivery may include a small fee). I always get the fruit and cheese plate for late night snacks and the cookie plate is great to have for a little sweet snack, too.
 
Last edited:
I'm watching this thread - we leave August 4th for a Caribbean cruise. We are cruising Harmony of the Seas on Royal Caribbean. It will be my son and I, my parents, my sisters and their families. We have an outside cabin and our balconies will all be open to each other, but each family will have their own cabin. I am so excited!! I did buy the internet package - not as much to be overly "connected" but because my husband isn't traveling with us (he is a home-body), and this way we can connect with him still using the What's App texting. Also, I can text and keep up with my son, he will be 16 so will at times be doing his own thing. I also did buy the beverage package for myself - my parents and sisters did as well, so this way I don't feel like I have to count every drink I get to make sure I don't spend too much and have a surprise later.
 
See if NCL offers a "social media" package. I haven't done NCL, but Carnival has a package that just gets you access to social media websites (like FB and WhatsApp). We always get that to keep in touch with our adult kids at home.

It's my favorite way to vacation. So relaxing.
 
I appreciate all the great advice...

I might have jumped the gun a bit...but will save all this because a cruise WILL happen...just need to put it on hold for now.

We actually were going to call and get our deposit in today, and my husband got a call...he was let go from his job. *sigh* Just really sucky timing. He's been struggling for 2 days to get his credentials to work (he works at home for a bank), countless hours on the phone with IT, and nothing was working...finally realizing he was let go and that's why nothing would work. Really crappy move not letting him know up front...but what can you do?

Sorry for the bummer post...hoping he can find something quick and comparable...he was 1-month shy of his 10th anniversary :(
 
CindyB said:
I appreciate all the great advice...

I might have jumped the gun a bit...but will save all this because a cruise WILL happen...just need to put it on hold for now.

We actually were going to call and get our deposit in today, and my husband got a call...he was let go from his job. *sigh* Just really sucky timing. He's been struggling for 2 days to get his credentials to work (he works at home for a bank), countless hours on the phone with IT, and nothing was working...finally realizing he was let go and that's why nothing would work. Really crappy move not letting him know up front...but what can you do?

Sorry for the bummer post...hoping he can find something quick and comparable...he was 1-month shy of his 10th anniversary :(
Click to expand...

I'm sorry to hear about your husband's loss of employment. Prayers something will fall into place and be better than before.
m
 
kimb said:
I'm watching this thread - we leave August 4th for a Caribbean cruise. We are cruising Harmony of the Seas on Royal Caribbean. It will be my son and I, my parents, my sisters and their families. We have an outside cabin and our balconies will all be open to each other, but each family will have their own cabin. I am so excited!! I did buy the internet package - not as much to be overly "connected" but because my husband isn't traveling with us (he is a home-body), and this way we can connect with him still using the What's App texting. Also, I can text and keep up with my son, he will be 16 so will at times be doing his own thing. I also did buy the beverage package for myself - my parents and sisters did as well, so this way I don't feel like I have to count every drink I get to make sure I don't spend too much and have a surprise later.
Click to expand...

What are your port of calls??? There's a good chance one of us 'cruisers' have been there. Oh, and on RCL- usually the first at sea day, they host a belly flop competition at the main pool. It is hilarious to watch. Love those verandah balconies.
I usually try the $8.00 drink of the day, but mostly I drink wine which tends to be about $11.00 per glass then added service charges. The drink package also includes fresh orange juice, specialty coffee and bottled water.
m
 
That is ABSOLUTELY AWFUL, Cindy! What a terrible company to do that to him. You will DEFINITELY get to go on a cruise because you deserve it after something like this.
 
msbrad said:
What are your port of calls??? There's a good chance one of us 'cruisers' have been there. Oh, and on RCL- usually the first at sea day, they host a belly flop competition at the main pool. It is hilarious to watch. Love those verandah balconies.
I usually try the $8.00 drink of the day, but mostly I drink wine which tends to be about $11.00 per glass then added service charges. The drink package also includes fresh orange juice, specialty coffee and bottled water.
m
Click to expand...

Our ports of call are: St. Maarten, San Juan, and Labadee. My son is doing the zipline on Labadee with my sister and her family, and they are all also doing an "Amazing Race" type excursion on St. Maarten (I cancelled the excursion for myself since I'm not sure my knee will be able to handle all the walking on cobblestone roads and it's our first stop and I don't want to tweak it or anything and be suffering the rest of our trip).

My sisters, mom, niece and me have reservations for dinner one night at the Wonderland restaurant, otherwise my son and I are just planning on eating in the dining room.

I'm so excited!! We were able to book our shows last weekend, and that made me even more excited!
 
kimb said:
Our ports of call are: St. Maarten, San Juan, and Labadee. My son is doing the zipline on Labadee with my sister and her family, and they are all also doing an "Amazing Race" type excursion on St. Maarten (I cancelled the excursion for myself since I'm not sure my knee will be able to handle all the walking on cobblestone roads and it's our first stop and I don't want to tweak it or anything and be suffering the rest of our trip).

My sisters, mom, niece and me have reservations for dinner one night at the Wonderland restaurant, otherwise my son and I are just planning on eating in the dining room.

I'm so excited!! We were able to book our shows last weekend, and that made me even more excited!
Click to expand...

San Juan might be my favorite port ever. We actually sailed from there 5 years ago and want to go back for a mini land vacation. What time are you there? I know RCL docs farther away from Old San Juan but it's worth it to go over there to walk around (or ride the trolley).
 
FormbyGirl said:
That is ABSOLUTELY AWFUL, Cindy! What a terrible company to do that to him. You will DEFINITELY get to go on a cruise because you deserve it after something like this.
Click to expand...

That's the banking business for you. They have been after him to "train" people to do his job for about a year...so I guess the writing was on the wall. He went through multiple trainees...none of whom could grasp the processes. They probably figure they can hire someone at half the salary. It's really annoying, but hopefully he'll find someplace better that values their employees a little more.
 
StephanieH said:
San Juan might be my favorite port ever. We actually sailed from there 5 years ago and want to go back for a mini land vacation. What time are you there? I know RCL docs farther away from Old San Juan but it's worth it to go over there to walk around (or ride the trolley).
Click to expand...

We docked in Old San Juan on RCL a year ago. It was fun!
m
 
kimb said:
Our ports of call are: St. Maarten, San Juan, and Labadee. My son is doing the zipline on Labadee with my sister and her family, and they are all also doing an "Amazing Race" type excursion on St. Maarten (I cancelled the excursion for myself since I'm not sure my knee will be able to handle all the walking on cobblestone roads and it's our first stop and I don't want to tweak it or anything and be suffering the rest of our trip).

My sisters, mom, niece and me have reservations for dinner one night at the Wonderland restaurant, otherwise my son and I are just planning on eating in the dining room.

I'm so excited!! We were able to book our shows last weekend, and that made me even more excited!
Click to expand...

How awesome! We did Labadee, San Juan, and St. Maartin [plus St. Kitts] in March 2017. I did NOT "Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah" but did watch it go. LOL- They looked like they were having a blast. On Labadee- stay aware of the locals 'selling' their goods. They don't give up. I purchased a little dress for our granddaughter there. We did the beach, and had lunch. The cruise ship brings all the food & beverages, so the card works. <wink>. To us the water was cold but it was March and we live in Florida.

Loved San Juan- like Stephanie said. We did the old / new tour that included the forts. We did some shopping and went to CVS...Also had a pina collada at the place it was invented.

St. Maartin- been there twice. Loved it each time. First visit- to the beach [it was clothing optional- I prefer with]. and the airport to watch those crazy planes land. The restaurant bar there is Sunset. And the fort.
This past visit- we explored Phillipsberg and went shopping. Bought a beautiful necklace. I would shop there again. Also bought Rum. Oh, and back to the airport area again. Lunch and planes. Plus sat at a hotel and visited a church.
I have plenty of pictures. I think Stephanie and I have many of the same after seeing some of her pages.
m
 
msbrad said:
We docked in Old San Juan on RCL a year ago. It was fun!
m
Click to expand...

I forget that when it's just a port call, they do dock in OSJ.

We have two favorite restaurants we like to hit for breakfast and lunch if we're there early enough.
 
I've been on the Norwegian sun on a cruise to Alaska , I really liked NCL

ive done carnival and princess too.

My biggest tip, is take a power bar, there are never enough plugins.

We missed our flight home home from Miami because of drugs found in offloaded luggage that no one was claiming. One other time due to extreme weather in Utah we ended up getting to ft lauderdale so late the cruise had actually held the boat for the sixteen of us. One perk of buying through them.

We went to mexico, grand cayman and Jamaica 🇯🇲 On an October sailing that was supposed to be early for hurricanes. One hit Miami shortly before we got there, all power out, at hotel, stairs to tenth floor room, no air, no power. Then at sea we had to loop another one, and one hit grand Cayman and the scuba diving visibility was affected

i love cruising.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top