What First Time Cruisers Need To Know | 04/17/17 

I know im randomly asking but does someone know a way to log back into an instagram account? I somehow forgot the password. I love any help you can give me.

Dao Ly Thanks for the info!

Julie Burke i cant wait im going in june

ExtraordinaryLiving They are right, at least on DCL. DCL does not allow them.

Little Dodge I would say take a pill. I would not recommend the behind the ear patch. Take a pill on the first day. If you need another take it if you don't you don't

My motion sickness is pretty severe and I get sick on boats even with motion sickness pills. I've always assumed cruises are just not possible for me. I was hoping Tracy was going to give me positive news lol. Particularly since she's Canadian (like me) and will have applicable knowledge about medications or alternatives available.

It's been years since I've gone on a cruise (unfortunately) but I have the same problem, so what I did - and it works perfectly! - is go to the doctor's office and tell them you want a shot for motion sickness. They may try and talk you out of it ("oh, you won't get sea sick on this ship!"), just smile and say, "Thanks, but I just want to be sure." Then go back to your room for a nap because the shot will make you sleepy. - You'll wake up feeling great and never have a problem! My travel mates didn't do it and were sorry.

Not sure where she was going to go about motion sickness but I tend to get motion sickness as well. (I'm Tracey's husband). The first couple of cruises were not great for me. Each one I spent about an entire day in bed as it was the only place I felt comfortable. That being said I think it had a bit to do with how I was trying to combat the sickness. I've tried the behind the ear patch (made me feel worse). I've also tried Bonine and Dramamine (again I felt a bit loopy). What seems to work for me now and I'm over a dozen cruises in is I wear the wristband with the little pressure point combined with ginger gravol (being Canadian I'm sure you are familiar with gravol). I've tried the regular gravol but it again is a medication and I find the ginger combined with the wristband seems to work really well for me without any side effects as there is no medication involved. Please keep in mind this is only my experience but I think it's worth a try. If you try it and it really doesn't work the medical facilities on board tend to have the stronger stuff available.

slapwhitey my aunt has similar motion sickness to mine and she swears by the combination of wearing her sea band and taking half a gravol. I keep meaning to experiment with the ginger one because it's non drowsy but haven't attempted it yet. Thank you for the advice! I am definitely most likely to try your method 😊

non alcoholic beverages are available at drinks stations, bufets and in the restaurants at no extra costs. There are extra costs for sodas and other non-alcoholic drinks in the bars and lounges as well as room service.

Yup, my vacation starts when I get onto the ship, therefore I would like to get on *AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE* , the earlier the better ... I don't mind schlepping my carry-on at all ... I am just glad that my vacation has begun. :)

It depends on the cruise line, but for 12 and 17 the kids clubs should be included in the cruise fare with nothing extra

Don't knock it till you try it. We love carnival! Just got off the vista and had one of the best vacations ever!

Carnival are fine, but all agents have their favorites. Carnival are a good option for budget conscious families. Great bang for buck

They also don't seem to say much about NCL too ... and I know that NCL is *NOT* "the Wal Mart of Cruising" (BTW, I am not knocking your "the Wal Mart of Cruising" comment ... as I can see where you are coming from.) These guys probably have certain affiliation or getting some benefits for working with the 3 cruise lines they always talk about, namely, DCL, RCCL, and Celebrity.

Would say the opposite. Carnival is super also the fleet with most free dining options, luv it. Food all the time complimentary like in the good old days

You're so right! It is the Walmart of cruising! Been on one and it couldn't compare to rccl, Disney, or Norwegian. It was just cheaper and the quality and service wasnt comparable! Like the old saying goes, "You get what you pay for!"

I think they said "gratuity".

Oh thankd

Thanks

The thing is the employees are working sixteen or more hours a day seven days a week. They really depend upon the tips to make a living. Like Pete said, the ships are all registered in other countries, so they do not have to pay US legal minimum wage.

you are correct- however ,all of the ship employees interviewed for these jobs. They were told what they would be doing, what hours they would be working and what pay they would be receiving. They accepted those conditions. Also, remember while working on the ship they are provided with housing, food, and services aboard the ship. I worked hard for my living too(now retired) and I don't feel responsible for bringing their wages up to USA standards of minimum wage. The fact of "hard and long" they work is their choice. not my fault.

1) Cruise lines make far less per passenger than you would expect. Even with all the extras it only amounts to 5% of the spending per person. Cruising has huge costs for the cruise lines, the ships are expensive to build and maintain (far more than aircraft), they have a LOT of crew as well. 2) Im from Australia where there is (with only a few exceptions) no tipping. I don't get upset flying the the USA where tipping is the norm. The workers are not well paid and do rely on the tips, yes they knew about it, but for many there is no real choice, they work hard too. Sometimes you just have to put yourself in someones else shoes to understand. As for saving for years - then pick a cheaper cruiseline, they do exist. RCI, NCL, Disney etc are all what I would call mid level, good value but not super super cheap. For the ultra budget there are options.

If you can't tip, don't go out, don't take a vacation, don't take the cruise. You work hard? You don't think the workers on these cruises work hard? If you can't tip, you have no business being on that cruise. Those workers are working HARD to make sure your vacation is magical and should be tipped and paid accordingly. If you can't handle that, save longer.

Nina.Frank damn you're a cheap ass.....just stay your ass at home then!

Easy for you spoiled people that get paid to travel in suites and with a concierge and a wrap around balconys on the best seats in the house. Talk when u actually pay for your trips.

@@Nina_Frank I pay my tips and I earn each of my vacations and pay for those with my hard earned money. If you can't tip, don't take the vacation. Those people are working their asses off 16 hours a day to make your vacation magical and should be tipped accordingly. If you can't tip, stay home.