<p>In 27 days, the girls and I will embark on our first cruise…I’ve read all the literature, the website and a few forums. Any advice or tidbits from the folks here…?</p>
<p>Just booked a snorkeling excursions for us all, holy moley, what have I done?! And they dont let you have the rum punch until AFTERWARDS…</p>
<p>for our first cruise I nervously memorized the packing lsits etc from the cruise chat site that I am sure you have found,…</p>
<ol>
<li>do take a night lite</li>
<li>do not pack your own coffee pot or blender</li>
<li>do take an over the door hook - I started using them all the time at home afterward. </li>
<li>skip the art auction</li>
<li>snorkeling is really easy - enjoy!</li>
</ol>
<p>Not sure what forum you’ve read but the absolutely best advice comes from cruisecritic. There are tons of newbies asking for advice on their first cruise. A lot of what you pack depends on where you’re going and what you’re doing; it’s sort of like the packing lists for freshmen - everybody needs something but nobody needs everything! It varies greatly by ship, itinerary, activities, etc. so if you need more than generic advice that’s where to go.</p>
<p>The usual rule of thumb is take half the clothes and twice the money. ;)</p>
<p>My basic advice is to try out everything and anything that looks halfway interesting; this is your chance to experience all sorts of new stuff. Be sure to talk to everyone that seems friendly. Keep an eye out for the drink of the day but remember they all still cost something. Don’t be afraid to try different foods.</p>
<p>If you register on the other cc, you can join a message thread on your exact cruise and get to know some of your fellow cruisers; find out how many other families with kids in your age group, etc. You can also get information probably about your specific snorkling excursion. I love to snorkle; once you get the mask and tube going all you have to do is float and marvel!</p>
<p>Actually I did take a small electric kettle on an Alaskan cruise so my Mum and I could have hot chocolate or tea and sit on the balcony. Was really glad I did. I Wouldn’t for a Caribbean cruise though.</p>
<p>I’m jealous - I really miss cruising with my Mum. Special times. Have fun.</p>
<p>Most cruises allow you to take two bottles of wine on board with you. We have ALWAYS taken advantage of this policy.</p>
<p>I second Cruise Critic. Not sure if they do this anymore, but on the first day of our cruise, there was a CC party. It was nice to put faces to the screen names; even nicer to actually “know” people on the boat and bump into them on excursions etc. over the week.</p>
<p>Royal Caribbean does not allow you to bring any alcohol on board, nor do they allow electric heating devices. There’s a whole room on every ship just for confiscated products; of course some people always get away with it but it’s a big gamble. The “smuggling liquor” threads on the other CC are up there with the other controversial threads such as “why can’t I wear jeans to formal night” and “chair hogs by the pool”.</p>
<p>We’ve been on two RCI cruises since I discovered CC - as londonb says, it is so nice to see familiar faces around the ship and have people to say “hi” to. The group on our last cruise kept the thread going to 1000 posts then they all moved another to another thread since several of them are going on the same cruise next Feb. And no one knew each other ahead of time. It was only a five day cruise so we all planned to meet the first afternoon. RCI will throw a get-together party if at least 25 people register via cruisecritic and the cruise is at least 7 days long. I’m not sure if other cruise lines do the same.</p>
<p>Thanks for the suggestion of the “other” CC site. I have never been on a cruise, largely because H does not think he would like it. Cruisecritic looks like a great place to start some research!</p>
<p>If you are going snorkeling and someone in your group is both nearsighted and wears glasses (not contacts), be sure to ask the excursion folks if they have any corrective lens diving masks. They often have one or two, and they go to the people who ask first. They really improve the vision under water for those of us who never got used to contacts!</p>
<p>On Norwegian Cruise Lines you can bring wine aboard, but they charge a $15/bottle corkage fee. As cruise lines probably at best break even on your room and standard food, their profit margins come primarily from the “extras” you buy on board – alcoholic beverages, the casino, the art auction, extra-charge restaurants, spa treatments, etc. If you can resist the temptation to spend $ on those extras, cruising can be a quite reasonable cost vacation.</p>
<p>Hmm. We were on Royal Carribean a few years back. We brought a full case of wine. I read on cruise critic that if you let the sommelier taste the wine they often didn’t charge the corkage. I’m in the industry and from wine country so I was more than happy to share. We did not pay corkage for any of our bottles the whole trip. 
Perhaps the policy has changed. This was for wine only…not liquor. You might want to check if you like wine with your dinner. (or lunch…lol.)</p>
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<p>Yes, the policy has changed. You can no longer bring alcohol onto Royal Caribbean ships. They will confiscate it if they see it as it goes through the x-ray machines. Certainly many people manage to get it through, but apparently they are cracking down on this and more people are getting nailed for trying to bring it on board.</p>
<p>Snorkeling advice: make sure you put high SPF waterproof sunscreen on your back, backs of your legs, bottoms of your feet… (I learned this one the hard way). :o</p>
<p>CruiseCritic advice: if you find your roll call, make sure you actually sign up for the official onboard “party” (if there is one), or else you won’t receive an invitation. (I learned this one the hard way too). :o</p>
<p>Beach/Sand advice: bring baby powder! Baby powder sprinkled onto wet sandy feet and then rubbed a little will let the sand fall right off! (This one I learned the easy way) :)</p>
<p>I’m leaving on my 2nd cruise in a few weeks. I can’t wait, it’s the most relaxing vacation I’ve ever been on. I hope you have a blast! Happy sailing to you!</p>
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<p>I second that. Additionally, if you sunburn easily, bring a SPF 50 rash guard style long-sleeve T-shirt to snorkel in. Something like this:
[Long-Sleeve</a> Rashguard - Rashguards & Tees - Speedo USA Swimwear](<a href=“http://www.speedousa.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3877652&utm_source=ysmv2&utm_medium=plm&utm_campaign=Swimming&utm_extra=dim1%2FRash+Guards%2F%2Fdim2%2FAdvanced&utm_term=rashguard+kids+sale&cp=3124328.3128428.3131888&cid=1098234]Long-Sleeve”>http://www.speedousa.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3877652&utm_source=ysmv2&utm_medium=plm&utm_campaign=Swimming&utm_extra=dim1%2FRash+Guards%2F%2Fdim2%2FAdvanced&utm_term=rashguard+kids+sale&cp=3124328.3128428.3131888&cid=1098234)
Just don’t get a balck or dark navy one 
We always wear ours when snorkeling in HI.</p>
<p>I love CruiseCritic, so much great information. The most useful single item is an over the door shoe bag (plasitc, lots of clear pockets). A wire hanger and some ribbons, we’ve been able to hang it near the door every cruise. At this point, we take it on hotel vacations, too, it hangs in the closet. A great place to stash everything: door keys, cameras, sunblock (take a lot, we like Banana Boat Sport), chapstick (with sunblock), etc. There is not a lot of counter space in a cabin, the hanging shoe bag is a great place for all those little misc. items. Have a great time!</p>
<p>Unfortunately I haven’t been on a cruise for a while but I like to bring:</p>
<p>A coffee mug (to bring coffee back to your room - better than the little styrofoam cups.)</p>
<p>An id tag holder with a clip or lanyard. Not all my clothes have pockets and you always need to have your room key card.</p>
<p>Tip envelopes</p>
<p>Depending on your ports you might save by arranging your own shore excursions - many tour companies will pick up at the pier or arrange for a rental car ahead of time.</p>
<p>Drinks on ships are pricey but there is usually a drink of the day as well as free samples at the how to make a _______ lessons.</p>
<p>Have a great time - you will love snorkeling.</p>
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<p>Do these topics pop up in the forum for a particular ship or somewhere else?</p>
<p>Wonder of wonder, miracle of miracles, my h agreed to go on a cruise next winter. SIL is getting a group together. We’ve never been.</p>
<p>Sistersunnie, I hope you have a great time - you and yours deserve it.</p>
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<p>Once you’re a member of cruisecritic:</p>
<p>1) go to <a href=“http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com%5B/url%5D”>www.boards.cruisecritic.com</a>
2) scroll down to the section called “ROLL CALLS - Members Only”
3) click on the name of your cruiseline</p>
<p>From there, you should be able to navigate your way through :)</p>