Top tips for a first timer please?

[anxious62]

Going on Royal Caribbean. First time so not sure what to expect or pack. I don’t think we will do the formal nights simply because that will mean a whole other wardrobe of clothes for us that we simply won’t wear again!

Royal Caribbean is very relaxed, so no need to worry about posh frocks. Take whatever you would wear on a nice evening out and pack a shirt & tie for your OH.

Which ship are you going on and where?

Jewel to Italy and Spain. DH doesn’t own a shirt or a tie! We just don’t do it but it’s no biggie as there are other places we can eat from what I’ve read. Thanks for responding.

Stacks of places to eat. I had to drag DD away from the Mr Whippy machine!

Think carefully before you buy a drinks package, as I know it can be a struggle to get through enough drinks if you have lots of days onshore.

RCI shows are great - Grease etc.

Been looking again today don’t think we will do a drinks package as it won’t be worth it.

@anxious62 - I have cruised on Jewel and couple of years ago and we are due to cruise on Jewel again in February (in fact we may also cruise on the ship again in July). Its a lovely ship especially for a first cruise - not too big not too small.

I really like RCL in terms of dress code because Ive found that it caters for everyone - you get a lot of people who do make an effort and look amazing and even the people who dont like dressing up too much - make a little more effort than perhaps they would do ...You dont have to take part in the formal evenings but its quite a nice experience and I much prefer the MDR to the Windjammer....I've also found RCL cruises not too stuffy like some cruise operators but they still treat the customers in a very special manner.

When we were on Jewel two years ago our drinks package was included in the offer ...I know the price for the drinks package for February is £43 a day and I'm not sure whether we will opt in - although we have two sea days - and I know that its very easy to spend £40 plus on drinks throughout a day without drinking excessively (2 x nice coffees, 2/3 cocktails with or without alcohol, 2 glasses of wine with meals and a nightcap and sometimes the really nice ice creams are extra too but included within the drinks package).

I am sure you will have a wonderful time...

The dress code on RCI is not compulsory like it is on P&O for example. If you want to go to the main dining room (MDR) in jeans and a t-shirt they'll let you in, but some people will frown at you.

You can, however, go to the Windjammer buffet or to the other speciality restaurants who don't apply the same dress code.

Drinks are very expensive on RCI. I drink wine at home but never drink it on RCI unless I have a drinks package. I just can't justify $9 on a small glass of wine! I normally drink spirits or cocktails which are much better value for money.

Sign up to the Crown & Anchor society - you may get some vouchers/discounts to use on board. As you do more cruises (it's easy to get hooked!) you build up points and get more perks and discounts along the way.

One of my top two tips are:

• take a nightlight for the bathroom/cabin, especially if you're in an inside cabin. When the lights are off it's really, REALLY dark! We just have a battery operated push light in the bathroom. If it's too bright we just put a flannel over it.

• the walls are magnetic! You build up all manner of bits of paper and it's helpful to stick the important ones where you can easily find them. I've got some magnetic hooks as well for lightweight jumpers/scarves, etc which help keep the cabin clutter free.

Also, head over to the forums on Cruise Critic - there's a wealth of information available there. You can also sign up to your "roll call" where you can chat with other people that will be on your cruise. There's often groups that get together to do private excursions which are a lot cheaper than the ship's ones.