T.

Wow, I have never been on a cruise because I get sea sick. But I love your suggestions; if I ever brave enough to try it. Thanks a million!

busygranny

I've been on many cruises and I love them all, Alaska being our favorite. The first thing I do when I get on board, is head for the consiers (I think) desk and have the 18% gratuities taken off my bill, I will tip according to service. Some that they charge you gratuities for is you don't even see them. I've had no problems having the charges taken off. And they do not question you or try to keep them on. All cruise lines have been very acomadating to my request.

heronfan

I can not thank each of you enough for all your suggestions. I promise to use them all. For me this is a trip of a lifetime as I have always wanted to go on a cruise. Each of my 4 children were lucky to have this experience with their high school band. I was more than jealous. Can't wait and thanks again.

susanlh

I have been on quite a few cruises. Some of them have had very strict dress codes for dining room (Holland America for Alaskan cruise) Most are not as strict. I have done many on Royal Caribbean and never had an issue with the dining room attire as long as not shorts and flip flops. Even on "formal" night, my husband and I have gone to the dining room in casual clothes. I would recommend that you take some anti-nausea meds with you just in case you experience seasickness. They do sell bands you can wear on wrist if you don't want to take meds. Have fun and just spend time relaxing and renewing your love

Sandi

These are great suggestions and clever ideas. I'm going to make a copy of this to save..
Thank you. { not cruising yet}
Sandi

mjsylvstr

Love cruising.......

And go on at least one a year. Yes, be assured, there is more to do onboard than you will be able to fit into your schedule.

We do not sign up & take the scheduled trips but usually get off the ship and do our own thing. We have taken some on-island trips by the local residents and have found them to be less expensive and also found them to be more interesting. The locals seem to know the places to go that the bigger trips can't get you into......

There is usually one big formal dinner evening but a lot of people don't do the "black tie" dress code.......if some evenings, we want to "just stay as is", we go to the lido deck and enjoy the "ever so large" buffet.

I don't believe all cruises offer the drink package, but we have never purchased one. We do enjoy our "wine time before & at dinner but just buy it at the time.....we have found that the prices are very much the same as the locals restaurants. The daily specials are something else or if one prefers a special brand, the price sometimes rises about that!!!

And last but not least....when at sea, casino is almost always open !!!!!!!!
And that can be very rewarding or then again, it may not, but is always fun.

Hope this helps........

grma33

lots of good advice. I`ve been on 2 not rc but hope to take rc out of Baltimore next year for our 45th! the first year took a suit coat for hubby {he hates dressing up} only used it once sec one din`t take it as long as he had long pants and a polo shirt he was fine to go in dinnig room as mjsylvstr said there is alternatives if you don`t want to eat at the dinning room every nite. they are so much fun have a blast and let us know how you liked it. Gale

sandy1953

yes there is a drink pkg... get one for the pop... or you will pay $4. a drink... the pkg is unlimited for only one person....lots of things to do. bring swimsuit,shorts, I found 2 long reversible dresses that worked great...4 outfits...for dinner...only one night is formal....(I think)...dress code was for men, dress pants, no jeans, you can wear shirts with collar, no tie if not formal...have fun and go to all the stuff they have... fun night, go esp.. to the last nite stuff.. at midnight... was wonderful

sparkys_mom

I've only been on one cruise and had a great time. I was seated with the same people every night for dinner. There was an additional charge for alcohol but a number of my dinner mates had brought bottles of their favorite beverage on board and had their cocktail in their cabin before joining us for dinner. The last night of the cruise one of them brought a bottle of wine to the table (also brought on board) to share a final glass of wine with all of us. I don't know if some cruise lines forbid that - kind of like not bringing your own snacks to the movie.
There was plenty to do on board at night with movies and broadway sketches and those were all free. This was an Alaskan cruise, so we were mostly sailing at night and staying in port all day. The days were long and it was never really dark but you have to sleep sometime. There were plenty of excursions that were included in the price of the cruise and I took some of those as well as some 'extras' and was pleased with both.
As far as dressing up, there wasn't all that much of that. The men wore suits and ties in the dining room but a nice dress or pant suit is fine for the ladies. And, as someone mentioned, there are alternatives to sitting in the main dining room where the 'dress code' is less restrictive.

coopah

We just finished our first cruise. We purchased a spa package on the first day and that allowed us to use the whirlpool/hot tub/sauna area as many times as we liked. We took formal wear for the two nights of such, and only dressed for one. We've eaten at plenty of formal dinners, so we only went to one of the formal nights. (The buffet food was just as good, but without the silver and china and servers.) With our cruise line, we paid (included in the package) a gratuity for each day, so we didn't need to tip anyone. You can easily spend money. There was a ship's store, art gallery, photography gallery. Trust me, you need to set a budget before ever stepping on the ship. There were entertainment shows, casinos, and lots to do while we were at sea. Our ship also had a library. I wore dressy slacks most days. Hope this helps! :-)