Goin' on a cruise...
 

Later this month me and the little lady are taking a 5-day Carnival cruise to Jamaica and the Grand Caymans.
So my question is simple - does anybody have any advice?
sk

not to be facetious, but the only advice I can think of is have as much fun as you can.

Seriously, have a great time.

I don't know much about cruises, but if it is all-inclusive, drink 24 hours a day. Don't get raving totalled, but maintain a good buzz.

Have a great time. :D

cruises are amazing times... but one thing, if you get off the ship in jamaica.. be real careful.. the locals there will pick-pocket you quicker than anything...

other than that, have a great time.. and try not to go "overboard" :D

My sister swears by cruises and goes on 2 a year. Eat, drink, and get laid...

Cruises are fabulous! They pamper you day and night--it's very relaxing and they is plenty to do. Have a blast!

I have been on 6 (7 if you count a river cruise in China). The first was Carnival over a decade ago.

First, the alcohol is not included. It is on only a few of the very high end lines. On those expect to pay $400 a day per person. So you end up paying for it. They are way out of my price range.

Cruising is about the best deal in foreign travel. If you are flexible, you can find a very nice trip including food and entertainment for not much over $100 a day.

The bigger ships have something for everyone and you will have to choose what you want. You can veg by the pool all day and never go ashore. You can max out your time in port with expensive shore excursions. Often, you are better off doing things on your own and consider booking on-line before you go. I did that in Alaska last month and saved $40 on a railtrip into the mountains. In other ports you are better off with the guarantees from the cruise line. Do some research before you go.

Carnival uses the PA system constantly letting you know what going on around the ship. If you just want to relax, it will drive you nuts.

I understand that a lot of people choose to skip all the dinners in the dining room because they dont want to dress. You will miss out if you don't go for the big nights. Food on Carnival is OK, other lines put a little more into the food. Keep in mind that if you can't decide between two items on the menu, they will bring you both.

The cruise line is lucky to break even on your tickets. They make their money by what you spend on board. They want to sell you drinks and t-shirts and photos and spa treatments and they love to have you come into the casino. I do all of that, but on your first trip it can be easy to lose track, because you just charge it all to your room. Sodas are almost as much has beer, so if you can't live without it, see if they will sell you a Cola pass. On some lines you pay 3 or 4 bucks a day for unlimited fountain sodas at the bars.

Grand Cayman is great. It is beautiful and clean and very safe. There was a great place to snorkel right in town when I was there many years ago. I understand that stingray city is great too. I have never been to seven mile beach, but it was made famous in "The Firm."

I loved Dunn's River Falls in Ocho Rios, if that is where you are docking. Bring a pair of the surf shoes you can buy any where these days.

Don't forget the sunscreen.

You have to put your luggage out at midnight the last night. So you will need a carry-on for what ever you wear that night. Don't forget to keep out your clothes to wear home. Every cruise has a few people disembarking in the robes they found in the room.

Figure out what the recommended tips are and bring the appropriate change with you in separate envelopes. You will not have the correct bills when you try to do this on your last night, unless you plan ahead.

Most of all, have a great time.

I've been on 8 or 9 cruises so far.

1) have fun!
2) you're smart to take *at least* a five day cruise, although I'd argue that anything less than a week isn't really worth it, as you are just getting used to things and then you have to leave
3) lots of great food and drink, mostly the former is available at all hours at least somewhere on board
4) act the part of a well-to-do around those you must tip at the end of the cruise - they'll work harder thinking they'll get that extra tip
5) lock your door. more than once I've been, well, interrupted by staff when in the middle of, well, you understand I think
6) if you like to sleep in quiet, bring earplugs
7) plan and pay for your itineraries on board as early as you can, many of the better tours/excursions sell out quickly
8) if you haven't already, choose the early seating option as that opens up the evenings (at least for me it did b/c I like to eat early)

That's about all I can think of off the top of my head. If anything, remember this: it never gets better than your first cruise, no matter how many you take. Enjoy it!!

Cruises are GREAT,
I remember mine, just wonderful.

Just remember the sunscreen ALL OVER
the sun is more intense than it feels, I forgot the tops of my feet
and got really burnt.

Remember you have to pay for all your drinks,
and note that you'll have to tip all the helpers at the end.
Maid, server, steward, etc.

You'll have a ball, and some adventure.
You definitely remember it.:)

I have been on 3.5 cruises. Make sure that you arrive in plenty of time to board the ship. Our airplane was delayed in St. Louis for 3 hours and we missed our ship. That's where the half a cruise comes from.

In grand Cayman, they will likely have an excursion to Stingray City... definitely a memorable experience !!!

Also, if you get a chance... Lone Star bar and Grill has an All You Can Eat Lobster night once a week... it is excellent !

Tipsy Turtle is a great little local regee dive... you will likely be the only tourist in the place....

eat ur heart out is my advice on ur cruise :)

Make full use of the plethora of options. You can experience everything, or just chill by the pool. Whatever your heart desires. Speaking of which, be sure to indulge inthe food. I mean you only live once.

Oh and I recommend Holland America. I've gone on 3 cruises with them. They're great.

SPF 65

I went on a cruise with my bandclass this year. My god, I think it's been the highlight of my life so far. So amazing.. ours was only 3 days long though.

Go as long as you can, weeks, months.. YEARS!!! Not days, it sucks when you have to leave.

sunscreen...check
condoms...check
sunglasses...check
.
.
.
warning: great time imminent.

have an awesome time!!

(my only advice, don´t get so seriousy drunk that you don´t remember anything... unless the cruise is full of people you just can´t like, then wipe yourself out!)

Thanks for all the advice. I especially look forward to gripping my abdomen and running up to employees shouting "Dear Lord, where is the poop-deck! Quick!"
sk

My best advice for cruising is to bring things in a carry on bag that you might need before your luggage arrives in your room. Last cruise I went on left from philly in november in high 30 degree temps. and landed in tampa at like 90 degrees. Me and my girl had bathingsuits in my backpack changed right away and laughed at our friends who waited an hour for thier luggage to arrive. Nothing funny than 6 of your friends all in winter clothes , sweating thier balls off in sunny florida.

OH, one more thing I learned the hard way. Put a swim suit in your carry-on luggage for when you arrive. You may not get your luggage until later and that is prime time to start at the pool.


I like early seating in the Carribean. Late is better in Alaska and Europe where you want to maximize shore time. Up north the days are longer and you don't want to miss anything.

I guess I'm in the minority. I hate cruises. Too much time on the boat, too little time on the islands. The nights on the boat were cool since there was always something to do (casino, shows, clubs, etc) but the days SUCKED. Basically hang out at an overcrowded pool, sleep, tan, play bingo (or some other lame activity).

I prefer to pick one place and stay there for a week. Get to actually try out a bunch of the things in the area rather than trying to fit it all into six hours.

Just my .02.