First Cruise

[Guest]

Yikes we are going on our first cruise in sep, must admit to feeling a little nervous going on the Anthem of the Seas , fly into Newark and cruise up to Canada and New England. All first time tips greatly appreciated
XTracy

[Dinglebert]

We are just back from our first cruise on Rhapsody of the Seas and are trying to book another one now.

The only tip I would give you is if you are planning to buy drinks packages etc then buy them now well before you get on the ship. The are far dearer when aboard. Drinks are $12/14 a cocktail onboard. Pints of beer are $7.

[Guest]

Heya thanks for tip, we have bought drinks package so good to know it is the best thing. Travel Agent recommended we did but never sure if they are right :-)

[kevbrydon]

You will have a great time!

Wife was terrified of the Sea and wouldn't even go in the water at the Beach lol so booked a 3 night DCL on the end of our Holiday and she literally cried when she came off as she loved it. Now going on our 8th cruise in 2 weeks time and have one booked for next April and looking at 2019 now lol..

[Diane1971]

Originally Posted by kevbrydon

You will have a great time!

Wife was terrified of the Sea and wouldn't even go in the water at the Beach lol so booked a 3 night DCL on the end of our Holiday and she literally cried when she came off as she loved it. Now going on our 8th cruise in 2 weeks time and have one booked for next April and looking at 2019 now lol..

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Sounds familiar. We're not long back from cruise to Bahamas - first time for my parents and my mum was a nervous wreck convinced she'd hate it. Now trying to figure out when she get her next one. She even woke one night and thought she'd go and sit on the balcony so as not to disturb anyone and got out to find there was a thunderstorm - she hadn't a clue and couldn't feel a thing.

PS The drinks package is a must

[Guest]

Thanks for info guys, can you tell me how you did your gratuity, we were advised by travel agent who likes to cruise that we should wait til onboard and then go and let them know we will pay gratuity as we go.
XTracy

[Smilesonfaces]

Originally Posted by Duffers

Thanks for info guys, can you tell me how you did your gratuity, we were advised by travel agent who likes to cruise that we should wait til onboard and then go and let them know we will pay gratuity as we go.
XTracy

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The TA (a cruise specialist) I booked with said to pay gratuities on board too. She also said not to pay for our daughters which I thought was an odd thing to say. I don't really want any bills after the cruise has finished so will ring up and pay before we go.

[Diane1971]

When the gratuities were added to the bill the day before we disembarked we went to the reception to confirm we didn't want to pay what was on the bill & wanted to change how it was split - changed without any issue at all.

I also didn't agree with paying the full amount for my kids. When I've sailed with just hubby & I we got no different treatment than with them.

[cheekydeeky]

Personally we always prepay gratuities as that then allows us my time dining which means we can eat at anytime rather than the set dining times.

We usually reserve our table for 7.30 on the first day for the entire duration of the cruise but phone the desk if we want to change it one evening.

[Diane1971]

We booked through a TA & didn't get asked to prepay up front. We were allocated anytime dining - which allowed us to eat between 5.30-9.30. Glad we didn't have a set time to be honest as we were never organised at the time we planned eat 😀😀😀