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Topic: First Time Cruiser Looking for Advice

Janine
Just Boarded
Member # 1103

posted 02-17-2000 03:13 PM

We are taking ou first cruise in April on RCL's Nordic Empress. I am looking for any advice vetern cruiser's have about this ship/cruise line. Things you have learned (good or bad) that a first timer might not know about.

Posts: 8 | From: Cedar Rapids, IA, USA | Registered: Feb 2000 | IP: Logged

Jelllybean
First Class Passenger
Member # 992

posted 02-18-2000 01:09 PM

Bring your own hairdryer.
Pack beach shoes/slippers/aquashoes
Sodas are free only in dinning room.
Onboard ice tea/lemonade free and refreshing.
If you are wine drinker,wine pkg is good.
Don't forget suntan lotion and hats/shades.

There could be more.....

Hope this help.

Posts: 20 | From: Toronto, Canada | Registered: Jan 2000 | IP: Logged

jwine
First Class Passenger
Member # 634

posted 02-19-2000 10:25 AM

I would definetly take something along for seasickness - it can certainly ruin a good time, I can attest to that. Have tried many things over the years - last couple of years I've been taking ginger capsules, they have worked far better than anything else and you don't have any side affects. One thing is you want to make sure you take whatever before you start getting sick, then it's too late. I usually start taking the ginger two days before the cruise (4 capsules a day) and it has worked wonders. In Oct we were on the Splendour of the Seas doing the Fall Foliage and we got into a north atlantic winter
storm and for 24 hours the average waves were 35ft! The ginger worked fanastically well.

Also, if you are not happy with something, dining seating or tablemates, whatever, say something right away. Their aim is to please, they need repeat customers. The Nordic Empress is a beautiful ship, you should have a great time.

Posts: 223 | From: Cincinnati, OH USA | Registered: Apr 99 | IP: Logged

Janine
Just Boarded
Member # 1103

posted 02-20-2000 11:47 AM

Thanks for the tips and suggestions. We are definintely looking forward to our first cruise and your suggestions will definintely help us to prepare.

Posts: 8 | From: Cedar Rapids, IA, USA | Registered: Feb 2000 | IP: Logged

topgun3
Just Boarded
Member # 1085

posted 02-20-2000 12:29 PM

Dont worry too much about the motion sickness thing. Certainly take precautions, but very few passengers on the larger ships have any problems, especially if it is in the Caribbean.
I always take a Vodka and Martini mix onboard for cabin use.
For bottled water, take onboard the small one liter refillables.These can you can get at the supermarket. They can be refilled at the Lido deck.
Dont stay in full sun for much more than an hour on the first day out. You"ll see why when you see the other red faces at the gala dinner.
Enjoy.

Posts: 9 | From: Burlington, Ont, Canada | Registered: Feb 2000 | IP: Logged

K&K
First Class Passenger
Member # 1040

posted 02-22-2000 04:08 PM

Janine; You already got the best advice you could get. Limit your time in the sun at first. The sun in the carribbean is very different than you would be use to!!!!! I would say to you that a cruise is what you make of it so get involved, join in the pool games or anything. Have fun!
Kevin

Posts: 446 | From: Sandpoint,Idaho,USA | Registered: Jan 2000 | IP: Logged

Mercy
First Class Passenger
Member # 322

posted 02-24-2000 10:03 AM

I used spf 50 sunblock, and still got a dark tan. You should have seen the poor people with really bad burns! Always step up when going through doorways, ALWAYS stand up before flushing the toilets!!! Barryboat had a horrible story about that! Book your excursions as soon as possible. Never take ALL your money in port.Leave the bulk of it on the ship in the safe. I always take seasick patches, just in case. I have only had to use them once, and that was in the Pacific Ocean in a storm.But you never know how you will react with the movement of the ship. Read all the cruise reviews you can find on the net, and research your ports. SMILE! It's infectious!

Posts: 697 | From: Stanwood, Wa. USA | Registered: Sep 99 | IP: Logged

Ascendancy
First Class Passenger
Member # 840

posted 02-24-2000 02:36 PM

I know I'll get some flack about this, but on the days you are at sea, before breakfast, go up to the pool deck and put an old shirt or
wrap on the deck chairs you want. Undoubtedly, that is where the action is during the day. You want to be in a good location, whether in the shade or not. Go reserve your spot early!
OK you cruisers go ahead tell me I'm bad.

Posts: 354 | From: Aurora, CO | Registered: Oct 1999 | IP: Logged

topgun3
Just Boarded
Member # 1085

posted 02-24-2000 05:29 PM

Ascendancy, I"m the bad guy. I"m the one that removes your dirty old shirt and refuses to let you have your place.
PS don"t leave your shoes. I make them disappear too

[This message has been edited by topgun3 (edited 02-24-2000).]

Posts: 9 | From: Burlington, Ont, Canada | Registered: Feb 2000 | IP: Logged

geno-r
First Class Passenger
Member # 931

posted 02-24-2000 05:33 PM

3 cheers for TopGun!!!!

Posts: 549 | From: Mt. Pocono,Pa. Usa | Registered: Nov 1999 | IP: Logged

Sherry
First Class Passenger
Member # 421

posted 02-25-2000 08:17 AM

Ascendency,

Although we loved our Alaska cruise, our worst cruise experience had to do with 'reserved' deck chairs. When we got to Glacier bay, every chair on the ship was reserved, although maybe 30% of them were actually occupied. Whole sections were 'reserved' by groups of people, a dozen chairs together, reserved but unoccupied. My husband and I stood at the rail for an hour before we asked if we could have two of the unoccupied chairs. The 'owners' said no. We continued to stand for a while before we left. Never more than two of these chairs were ever occupied at a time. We went to other decks where we encountered the same problem. People actually carried their empty chairs to the ship's rail and left them there unoccupied, preventing others from standing at the rail. When I tried to move one back, the 'owner' chastised me because she had been reserving her spot since early morning. I finally found two foot stools for us to sit on (my husband uses a cane and can't stand for long periods). This is the only rudeness I have ever personally encountered on a cruise ship.

Posts: 66 | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

Ascendancy
First Class Passenger
Member # 840

posted 02-25-2000 08:34 AM

Topgun and Geno-r:
I'll still take my chances with an old shirt.
The benefits out way losing an old shirt. Besides, it's never happened to me before. You either play the game everyone else plays or you end up removing the things of an irate cruiser who will sooner or later confront you. I don't like those kinds of confrontations. You can't tell me there are any rules written where you cannot leave personal items on pool deck chairs. When you are removing someone's belongings from a chair, you better make sure that poor soul isn't in the bathroom, pool, whirlpool or grabbing a quick plate in the cafe. Then you will truely be confronted.
Janine, here's one more thing I do before breakfast on the pool deck. I make sure the ash trays are far away. I will move them.
It's tough to lay out under a smoke stack.

[This message has been edited by Ascendancy (edited 02-25-2000).]

Posts: 354 | From: Aurora, CO | Registered: Oct 1999 | IP: Logged

starfish
First Class Passenger
Member # 986

posted 02-25-2000 08:52 AM

Maybe it would be a good idea to go back to
paying for assigned deck chairs.First come,
first served!

Posts: 225 | From: Dallas,PA | Registered: Jan 2000 | IP: Logged

geno-r
First Class Passenger
Member # 931

posted 02-26-2000 04:04 PM

The cruise lines should make a rule that there is NO reserving of deck chairs! If nobody is sitting in it, it should be free for the taking. When your name is on the chair or on the side of the ship then you can reserve it!

Posts: 549 | From: Mt. Pocono,Pa. Usa | Registered: Nov 1999 | IP: Logged

DianaD
First Class Passenger
Member # 1010

posted 02-26-2000 05:17 PM

On the Mercury a lot of people just put towels on the chairs in a way that they looked as if they had been used (the cruise line leaves folded towels on chairs not in use) and the staff came along and removed them so other passengers could use the the chairs.
When we were staying in a hotel in Aruba a few years ago people we putting their things on the chairs at 11.00 pm the night before to save them. I know this was bad but my husband I removed all the stuff on the chairs and placed it in a big pile under a tree near a garbage container. They didnt do it again.

Posts: 308 | From: Whitby, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Jan 2000 | IP: Logged

Sherry
First Class Passenger
Member # 421

posted 02-27-2000 10:40 AM

Ascendancy,

I can understand your reserving a chair if you are in the pool or hot tub. If you are going anywhere else, you should leave the chairs open for other passengers. Just because other people do this does not make it ok. After the experience I mentioned in my earlier post, I would never do that to anyone else. You shouldn't deprive other passengers of using the chairs while you are eating breakfast or getting a massage. Cruisers have been the most courteous of all travelers, except in this regard.

DianaD--someone was probably mad the next morning, but they were being selfish and inconsiderate.

Posts: 66 | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

Willy Paul
First Class Passenger
Member # 473

posted 02-27-2000 01:00 PM

Go with the attitude that you are goig to have a great time. If you think something is not right, ask the person in charge about it and have it corrected immediately. Ask questions, rember there is no such thing as a dumb question if it is about something you need to lean about. Listen to what other people say and use it as advise not as gospel. Your interests and mine are different but we both want to have a good time. If some one has been to a place you want to go to, ask them about. People on ships usually share all the info they have.

Posts: 151 | From: Auburn, Ma. | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

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