Pool etiquette / top tips!

[hopeishere]

Do people generally walk to and from their cabin in swimwear / cover ups or is there somewhere to change at the pool?!

Any general planning tips for a first timer?? Think we are going to sort our own excursions as their own are ££££

There is a changing area near the pool which has showers. I've never seen people walk to and from their cabin in swim wear.

If you sort out your own excursions then you need to remember that the boat will not wait for you if you are late back. We did it once and the coach back was stuck in really heavy traffic and we were late. It was very stressful and we spent the whole journey hoping that the coach for the cruise excursion which was several vehicles behind us didn't overtake. I wouldn't do it again like that.

IME most people just wear their swimwear and a cover up on the way to the pool. Never a bath robe though, if you have one provided in your room.
Re excursions, as floral has said. It really depends where you are going and what sort of tours you might do. Also, how far would it be to get yourself to the next port?
Have a look on Cruise Critic, join the roll call for your cruise and see what others are doing, or look at the Ports of Call board for information. Tour companies regularly used by the ships will be very vigilant re getting you back in time, as they rely on good feedback for their business, but accidents on the road etc can’t be avoided. We had a difficult time once on the long road from Hanoi to our cruise port when an accident happened in front of our car, and also missed a local bus in Italy, but all was fine in the end.

We're going to Cartagena, Barcelona, Palma, Corsica and Portofino.

I've been to Barcelona before so confident I can manage it on my own / I know what I want to see.

Might do a Corsica excursion to the caves.

Portofino - happy to wander round there.

Palma - will need to research!

www.cruisingexcursions.com
We found their website great for excursions, much cheaper than the cruise company ones and just as good!

Hope, 30th June from Rome 😀

@TheCaddy no August from Rome! Two nights in Rome first.

Ah it sounds like the same cruise that we are on. Jewel of the Seas. Have fun when it comes.