Thorntor Posted September 9, 2022 Report Share Posted September 9, 2022 Agree with everything shared about packing. DW has a hard time with this one. If going to Labadee, take cash for the straw market. If you want to dress up for formal night(s), go for it. Don't be afraid to wear pant outfits, golf shirts and slacks if desired. Ship excursions are okay for first time cruisers getting the lay of the land. Experienced cruisers often use private tour operators. Be back on board 1 hour before sailing. We love to watch for late comers running to get on board and have seen folks left on the dock. Once the gangway is removed, they will not put it back to allow stragglers to board. Relax and enjoy the experience. KristiZ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike n Ky Posted September 9, 2022 Report Share Posted September 9, 2022 Started our packing to leave Liberty on Sunday...don't know if it has been mentioned but bags that can be compressed including 2 gallon zip lock bags. Has made a huge difference for us and especially with clothes arriving less wrinkled. One of the worst things on this cruise...they didn't have the fill a bag pressing for 17 dollars...got spoiled and got caught having thrown shirts into a bag because they would press them.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D Alt Posted September 9, 2022 Report Share Posted September 9, 2022 i PhillyLady and CrimsonCruiser 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonR Posted September 9, 2022 Report Share Posted September 9, 2022 Don't carry on any more than you have to. Our First cruise we had way to much carry on. Rooms are not ready until usually 1:30PM ish so your 'carry on' you 'carry with you'. We held on to bags we could have checked and had delivered and instead lugged them around till the cabins were ready. These days we each have a back back and herself has her purse. As stated before definitely have any prescription meds in your carry on and a change of clothes, Swim suit if you are not already wearing it, and basic necessities. The rest? Hand it over to be brought up from check in! CrimsonCruiser, PhillyLady, KristiZ and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foxrunner Posted September 9, 2022 Report Share Posted September 9, 2022 Not booking a cruise right now! PhillyLady 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tmsmith Posted September 10, 2022 Report Share Posted September 10, 2022 13 hours ago, asquared17 said: we like the holiday inn express on 17th just before the bridge (https://www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/us/en/fort-lauderdale/fllcc/hoteldetail) but any of the hotels in this area are perfect; there's a hilton, marriott, some other major chain places too. the pricing is not as low as it is farther away from the port -- but from here you can see the ships at the bridge in the morning on a walk, which is so cool when there are multiple ships in port. there's also a starbucks and chipotle across the street (usually where we snag dinner the night before) and of course, the publix and homegoods maybe 5-10 mins away (you could uber if you had a lot to carry) too. Thanks! asquared17 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack805 Posted September 10, 2022 Report Share Posted September 10, 2022 On 9/8/2022 at 7:22 AM, barjpoe said: I've even had crew members remember me from a pervious cruise. I sometimes don't remember someone I just met yesterday. Can't speak from personal experience of being remembered (since my cruise last month was my first), but definitely saw lots of repeat cruisers getting greeted from staff, asking about families, if they had been on other ships since last time they sailed together, etc. Really stuck out to me how well they remember stuff like that during (and after) the cruise with turnover in the thousands every so many days. So in short, definitely get to know the staff you see repeatedly, and say hello to all of them because they're friendly and love having us on board. asquared17 and FloatyBoaty 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asquared17 Posted September 11, 2022 Report Share Posted September 11, 2022 21 hours ago, Tmsmith said: Thanks! we also just booked our stay and on the confirmation page, it says they offer free shuttle service from the airport and 15pp to go to the port. time wise, this may or be not be a good option for you -- we still prefer to uber -- but it's nice to know that there is the possibility if needed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanHardlyWait Posted September 12, 2022 Report Share Posted September 12, 2022 On 9/9/2022 at 9:17 AM, Gadget Hackwrench said: I consider one of the types of biggest cruise mistakes to avoid is any action that results in you having a stay in the special Royal Caribbean accommodation called the Brig. Nicer and bigger then my first cabin on Carnival 25 yrs ago! PhillyLady 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhillyLady Posted September 12, 2022 Report Share Posted September 12, 2022 22 minutes ago, CanHardlyWait said: Nicer and bigger then my first cabin on Carnival 25 yrs ago! Oh c'mon, the cabins on Carnival used to have bunk beds-and they even offered shares with strangers--getting one single bed like this would be an upgrade!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike n Ky Posted September 12, 2022 Report Share Posted September 12, 2022 On 9/10/2022 at 7:28 PM, asquared17 said: we also just booked our stay and on the confirmation page, it says they offer free shuttle service from the airport and 15pp to go to the port. time wise, this may or be not be a good option for you -- we still prefer to uber -- but it's nice to know that there is the possibility if needed! We have stayed there as well but the shuttle service is not with the hotel but a third party who comes in. We have also stayed at a Holiday Inn and Suites on Fl-84, can't see the port but much nicer, which has airport shuttle and the uber to the port is reasonable and didn't take long. asquared17 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike n Ky Posted September 12, 2022 Report Share Posted September 12, 2022 7 hours ago, PhillyLady said: Oh c'mon, the cabins on Carnival used to have bunk beds-and they even offered shares with strangers--getting one single bed like this would be an upgrade!! My first cruise was a Carnival...went with a group...switched rooms with someone who claimed claustrophobia and went to the bottom of the ship with bunk beds. NEVER again...at least a balcony or I don't go. LOL asquared17 and WAAAYTOOO 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitsmom Posted September 12, 2022 Report Share Posted September 12, 2022 On 9/7/2022 at 9:58 AM, Mike n Ky said: Pretty much the biggest mistake most people make is over packing. We still bring more than we need but we don't have three large suitcases in our stateroom anymore. Getting tips is a great start to making fewer mistakes. Hope y'all have a great time! I am guilty of over packing. I did a little better this last trip but still over packed (in my defense, it was my first 12 night and first Europe cruise). KristiZ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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