cruise any tips

[TheOpalFox]

I’m
going on a cruise for the first time with my family. Any tips please?
thank you

Your bags won’t arrive at your cabin until a few hours after boarding so take things you’ll need with you for the afternoon- swimwear, sunscreen.

the mandatory tips are the absolute minimum you should give - I would always take extra cash for cabin steward and servers. It is likely to be the best service you’ve had in your life.

look at excursions for ports of call on Viator

Which ship, when, to where?

Need more information, which cruise line, which sailing etc?

Buy the drinks package, always.
More info?

I found https://emmacruises.com/ really helpful when we were looking at what cruise would be best for us a few years ago

The thing people get worried about is what to wear to dinner and how dressed up they’re expected to be. The answer is, wear what you feel comfortable in, you’re on holiday. On special nights (your cruise company will tell you if there are any of these) people make a bit more of an effort. You’ll see a lot of sequins!

I agree. On P and O you only need 5-6 drinks a day - including premium tea/coffees, soft drinks not just alcohol - to make it worth your while. Even on port days we do that with a couple of cocktails, a drink or 2 with dinner then a couple after while watching a show.

Get the drinks package. Tip everyone. Investigate ports thoroughly beforehand. Always try the ridiculous cocktails. Talk to everyone- those crazy American grandmas are some of the funniest people you'll meet, and even the few people who aren't nice will give you something to laugh at.

You need to state the cruise line as they have different approaches to drinks and tipping. Also depends on the class you are going.

Do your research before you book, both on the cruise line you want to use and the itinerary. Some cruise lines are more child centric than others, some are more formal etc. plus the port can be some distance from where you want to go, like a med cruise with Florence and Rome. Neither are near the ship so it’s a long day and very expensive.

I love cruising so not trying to put you off. Plus a fly cruise can be harder as lots of travelling and transfers but it’s nice if you can do a few days pre cruise in a great hotel. Watch your insurance as not all travel insurance covers cruises particularly if you fly to another country before you get on the ship

Pay attention to dinner theme nights. On my RC cruise lobster night had a huge wait, so the tip is to order a few and not one. Remember, you can order as much and as often as you want. Tip your host as you'll be in the same section for duration.
When you embark, look for the desk selling things like spa packages. It's often your only chance for a deal.
Stick with buying excursions on board. Safer.
The only things I did do were share a taxi hire in St Kitts to get a tour and pick-up and drop- off at a beach resort for lunch. Still, was a bit risky.
I used the sauna/steam/hot stone beds almost every night. Bliss.
Bought a 3-restaurant pkg, which was enough.
Shows were great.
Did climbing wall and surfing.
Disco was fun.
Jazz bar was cool.
Gym and jogged the track around the ship daily.
Took dramamine at bed time to prevent seasickness.
Take emergency meds just in case.
Didn't buy drink package as don't drink that much, so a glass of wine at dinner and the odd drink in the evening was more that enough. Finding the secret self serve ice cream cone station was way better! 😂
I also liked ordering warm cookies delivered
to the room at night.

I'd recommend taking clothes that are a little on the looser side for end few days. Almost everyone puts on a few pounds on a cruise. The longer the cruise the more likely to add a few pounds.

We are about to fly out for cruise number 7. We have never bought a drinks package and never spent anywhere near what it would have cost on drinks and we used to drink quite a lot in the evening. I’m sober currently so hoping drinks cost will go down this time.

Balcony cabin is essential for me, we did obstructed sea view once but it’s not for us.

I always like to pay extra to choose our cabin and pick carefully. Rooms above and below. I don’t mind front or back but some prefer mid ship.

Southampton is so easy if you live south but it’s a few sea days to anywhere warm usually and that can be a struggle. We are flying this time as 3 sea days to Madeira from Southampton nearly killed me off! We can be home from Southampton in less than 2 hours though so it’s something to consider.