Favorite Cruise Hack/ Tip

[JennyB 329]

10 minutes ago, Rose City Cruiser said:

We usually skip 1st formal night in the MDR.  Grab a quick bite at Windjammer and take advantage of the empty hot tub and pool. 

oooooooo...good idea!!!

[MindiLou 12]

1 hour ago, Ditchdoc said:

For those that just to be in contact all the time, small hand held portable radios work well. Some are more expensive but basic units come in in various packages of 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and even 20 radios for about $10-11 per radio. The range is pretty good onboard. This is not such a bad option for 2-4 people as long as you keep up with the radios and keep them charged.

Phone and Voom is going to cost as well. Putting phones in airplane mode turns off phone service but maintains WIFI or data/Internet. Voom is basically $50 a phone and allows unlimited text. If you want data, then its $100 per phone.

Connection back to the mainland will depend on your phone service provider. Most charge about $2 per minute or offer some kind of package deal.

Your phone is constantly checking for new texts and e-mails. Those checks are connections you get billed for. If you just have your phone turned on, its racking up a bill that can be $100s. It's not much fun having your provider text you that excess charges have reached $200 when you were not expecting it. Been there, done that.

Unless you just have to have all that continuous communication or have deep pockets, I'd suggest turning off your phone and putting it inside your room safe for the duration. 

If you want to use your phone camera, think about putting it in airplane mode and turning off WIFI. You can still take pictures and play Bluetooth music on your phone (not streaming) to your wireless ear buds if you want. You could also read e-books and play some games and use some apps that do not require data or Internet.

 

 

 

[MindiLou 12]

Thanks for the tip about shutting off Wi-Fi.  

[fonemanbob 387]

Better yet power down the phone and put it in the safe till the cruise is over.  The peace and tranquility is amazing.  A dry eraser or post it notes work great. We tell everyone if their is an emergency just call RC and they will contact us.  Don`t worry be happy.  And ENJOY the cruise.  

[Pima1988 1,071]

We shut our phones off completely.  Hubby takes his tablet so that is what he uses to surf and stream.  When we travel as a group, the night before at dinner we discuss what we will all be doing the next day. 

[Matt 11,525]

18 hours ago, MotleyCruiser said:

I know @Matt never EVER talks about it but attend the shopping seminar. You'd swear they don't exist with matt around...jk.   I think it is helpful and informative about each port and many times you get a little hook-up.  Free taxi to the downtown Cozumel area once. Cut the very long line and discounted ferry at St. Thomas another time..  Plus free swag! If it's free, it's for me!!

Sorry, but the reason I never talk about it is because I feel, in my not-so-humble opinion, to be at best an unsolicited sales offer and at worst a border-line racket.

The shopping seminar is more about which stores have paid RC to advertise as stores to go to, rather than an educational overview of which areas of the city/island truly represent a good place for value or deals. Any store that is mentioned in these seminars have paid to be mentioned. Moreover, there is often a kick back for sales referred.  Not to mention that "little hook up" is a ploy to get you into the store.

If you want to learn about the port you are visiting and/or the best areas to shop, I recommend utilizing the internet and getting recommendations from other cruisers who have gone to these places.  

[Rose City Cruiser 545]

Bring small bills to purchase items in port.  Little shops may not have enough change to break large bills.  Also this will somewhat lessen the impact if you receive counterfeit currency as change. 

[SweetHomeLady 42]

Think of whatever you need to make you comfortable at home, and consider bringing that. 

I travelled with my father who was having knee issues, so we brought a small folding camp stool, which he used to elevate his leg when relaxing.  We also used it to hold the room service tray during breakfast on the balcony, etc.  I don't always take one, but in this case it was great. 

My husband likes to sip on coffee all morning long so I bring an insulated mug from home for him so he can carry it around with him wherever we go.  I wouldn't take it for me, because I would never use it. 

If you get chilly easily, bring a wrap for dinner.

I have a small black jeweled coin purse that I carry to dinner.  It is just big enough for my room key, a lipstick, and a mint.  It is small enough to put on the table beside my plate.  I stow my receipt from any drinks at dinner, reapply my lipstick, then off to the show!  When I cruised alone I had a small purse that was large enough to hold a paperback and I carried that around with me all day so I could read while waiting.

Think of your comfort items and bring them for yourself!  Enjoy your cruise!

[TheHobbys 613]

24 minutes ago, SweetHomeLady said:

My husband likes to sip on coffee all morning long so I bring an insulated mug from home for him so he can carry it around with him wherever we go.  

This is a good one - we did this one year and brought some insulated cups for our coffee - but we got sorta held up at the security scanner while the guy looked at them.  Of course, they were both empty - but still.  Make sure to have them handy before you get to the security bag check   will save you a little time from someone question what those thing are, if they are still in your bag.

[PG Cruiser 1,755]

Bring “European to US” outlet adapters so you can use the European outlets in the room.  There are about two of them, I think.  Bear in mind they are 220V, not 110V

 

 

[deep1 277]

I saw mentioned somewhere in here about calling back home. I do get the voom package and when in its range I leave my phone on. To make calls or text I use WhatsApp. All my family and friends are instructed to contact me via that only. Any other calls come in  I likely don't want to hear from them anyway...

[PG Cruiser 1,755]

I’ve been reading about the tips on door shoe hangers.   Haven’t those been banned before?  I read about them causing damage to door finishes.

[MotleyCruiser 404]

6 hours ago, Matt said:

Sorry, but the reason I never talk about it is because I feel, in my not-so-humble opinion, to be at best an unsolicited sales offer and at worst a border-line racket.

The shopping seminar is more about which stores have paid RC to advertise as stores to go to, rather than an educational overview of which areas of the city/island truly represent a good place for value or deals. Any store that is mentioned in these seminars have paid to be mentioned. Moreover, there is often a kick back for sales referred.  Not to mention that "little hook up" is a ploy to get you into the store.

If you want to learn about the port you are visiting and/or the best areas to shop, I recommend utilizing the internet and getting recommendations from other cruisers who have gone to these places.  

I was just bustin'. Sorry if it didn't come across that way.  I'm From Jersey and have an interesting sense of humor.

[Anditoo72 4]

3 hours ago, deep1 said:

I saw mentioned somewhere in here about calling back home. I do get the voom package and when in its range I leave my phone on. To make calls or text I use WhatsApp. All my family and friends are instructed to contact me via that only. Any other calls come in  I likely don't want to hear from them anyway...

I am definitely going to look into that app, I purchased VOOM for my hubbys cell because he would never be able to go that long without streaming his news. That app will be perfect for our kiddos back home to stay in touch!

[Anditoo72 4]

3 hours ago, RatedPG said:

I’ve been reading about the tips on door shoe hangers.   Haven’t those been banned before?  I read about them causing damage to door finishes.

I would love to know this as well!

[bhageerah 574]

3 hours ago, RatedPG said:

I’ve been reading about the tips on door shoe hangers.   Haven’t those been banned before?  I read about them causing damage to door finishes.

I am going to have to defer to @Matt for a definitive answer for this one but I can tell you that I have had one for the past 6 cruises, our last cruise on Anthem departed on 30Mar19 and we had no problem with it!  Not saying that they are or are not banned I am just saying that we have not had any issues as of yet! 

[rjac 2,672]

Just now, bhageerah said:

door shoe hangers

How many shoes do you need on a cruise? 

[PG Cruiser 1,755]

3 minutes ago, rjac said:

How many shoes do you need on a cruise? 

The hanger/organizer is used to hold other stuff, not just shoes.

[WAAAYTOOO 12,002]

I always take a shoe organizer and I've never had anyone question it.  I've certainly never heard anything about them being forbidden.  

[deep1 277]

57 minutes ago, Anditoo72 said:

I am definitely going to look into that app, I purchased VOOM for my hubbys cell because he would never be able to go that long without streaming his news. That app will be perfect for our kiddos back home to stay in touch!

It works as long as hes connected to wifi and the ones calling use that app as well...

 

[karl_nj 168]

5 hours ago, RatedPG said:

I’ve been reading about the tips on door shoe hangers.   Haven’t those been banned before?  I read about them causing damage to door finishes.

I think they are only banned on DCL.

[bhageerah 574]

I do not doubt what you are saying one bit, I just think its absolutely crazy that they have banned them, but oh well!  It is their ship and they can do as they please! Yet another reason that I plan on staying loyal to Royal for quite some time to come!  

 

[ThyriC 324]

Oh boy I love tips!

1.  Break in your shoes before you cruise!  My new mantra and it saves my feet not just on cruising, but for any travel.  I know brand new shoes look all shiny and pretty, but they also come with blisters and foot pain.  I recommend wearing the shoes you're breaking in for at least 8 hours a day for 2 weeks to a month before cruising.  This goes for sandals/flipflops as well.  Dont be the person with angry feet after your first day!  In case of blisters, bring a few blister bandaids (and for the love of pete dont break the blister yourself, this invites not only infection, but it hurts WORSE!)

2. Bring medications for every forseeable onboard condition.  Decongestants, allergy, tummy upset meds (take care of your tummy and the other end as well), ibuprofern, naproxen, my list is kind of crazy what I can fit in my medicine bag, but bringing a dollar's worth of medication onboard and committing a bit of luggage space to your travelling pharmacy, its way better than paying onboard prices for the same medications.  This also goes for a small dental repair kit.  At sea even the doctor onboard is not a dentist.  They cannot handle dental issues.  Hopefully you'll never need to use the dental kit, but in case you need it, its there for you.  

3.  Packing cubes are a life changer for me.  I can pack a cube and toss it in my luggage 3 months, 3 weeks or 3 days in advance.  If its something that's not going to wrinkle and I'm not going to use it until the cruise, into the cube it goes!  It makes packing so much easier for me.  Just pack a cube rather than racing the night before travel day to pack all of your luggage.  Some cubes are waterproof so your liquids can go in there, or wet swimsuits, or dirty laundry to keep it segregated from your clean clothes.

4.  When eating onboard, do small plates if possible.  There is a LOT of food onboard your cruise.  So enjoy the wonderful tastes.  Nothing's stopping you from having some "2nd breakfast" at the MDR instead of the Windjammer.  Nothing's stopping you from eating nothing but appetizers and dessert for dinner.  I highly recommend doing a "food tour" of the ship and enjoying a small bite at each restaurant if you can.  You enjoy all of the amazing tastes without committing to a full meal.  

5. Unpack as soon as you possibly can when your luggage arrives.  Get the unpack out of the way before hending to the bars, the sail away party, the MDR for dinner.  With embarkation day being SO busy you'll likely be tired that day.  And the last thing you want to do when you're sleepy is doing the "chore" of unpacking.   

[FManke 2,611]

12 hours ago, rjac said:

How many shoes do you need on a cruise? 

Two of course. One for each foot! 

[tiny260 1,604]

3 hours ago, ThyriC said:

Packing cubes are a life changer for me.

I keep stuff packed in these and leave them in my suitcase for the next cruise, magnets, lanyards, luggage tag holders, extra glasses, Sunglasses, etc..