Things I learned after my cruise

[ScottD]

After months of reading blogs and FB posts leading up to my cruise,it's finally come and gone and I thought I'd share a few things. Just got off Oasis this past Sunday...3 of us, 2 adults and an 11 yr old. 

1. Don't overpack. I read it a million times, I swore we wouldn't, yet..here we were with a large suitcase,a large duffel bag and three back packs. Packing up on our last night, cursing as I packed tons of unworn clothes,  unnecessary footwear and clothes for "cold nights". Next time it WILL be one suitcase and maybe a backpack. 

2. Magnetic hooks. Maybe they are helpful on older ships but our basic (boardwalk balcony) room had hooks on the bathroom wall, bathroom door, inside the shower, next to the front door and next to the vanity/ mirror on the desk. Plenty of hooks. We put a few on the balcony walls just because we brought them..but definitely not needed.  

3. Plug extender. This one came in handy..not needed,though. again would have had enough plugs between the ones behind the bed and the ones on the desk. We never needed to have more than one or two chargers in at any time. And all of our Android devices,including lap top and tablet all use the same charger. 

4. Take some adult time. I love my kid...I do. But after day 3 I needed some daddy time,once the wife and kid were down for the night..I strolled around on my own. Hit the casino, walked the pool deck, just sat on the balcony. I did this early in the morning sometimes also, since I am a very early riser and they are not. 

5.Maybe we missed something,but after all the reviews,we thought for sure we would have loved coco cay more. But we did chill beach, ate at a few stands, checked out the straw market, hung out in the pool for a bit...then were all ready to get back to the ship by maybe 1:30.  I don't know..maybe we will explore the other beaches next time,but we took advantage of the empty ship and enjoyed that more. 

6. Planned for the worst and got yhe opposite. Read so much about crowds,lines and food issues. We experienced none of this. The ship never felt over crowded, food was fine,service was amazing, shows were fantastic (no amount of reading or watching videos can compare with how amazing aqua 80 was in person). The only time we ever felt a little crowded was Windjammer. 

 

Edited to Add one more. 

Tipping/dining (I'll combine them):

We are over tippers. We are both former service workers,so we tip more than necessary.  I saw so many people posting how,besides the pre-paid tips, they tip additionally on every drink. I think I saw maybe 2 other people put cash on the bar the whole trip. I'm not shaming anyone..it's totally your choice since the drink price includes tip, just surprised how many people say they do it compared to the amount we actually saw. Also...dining at MDR,we did it 3 nights, and it never took longer than maybe 75-80 minutes. 

Overall it was an amazing trip on a beatiful ship.  I played way more mini golf than I could imagine, ate way more pizza and drank way too many mocktails. We can't wait to book our next one..already dropped the deposit at next cruise..just gotta pick the date!

[jbrinkm]

I was also surprised at how many hooks were in staterooms on Allure, many more than when we sailed Freedom class ships. However, I like to sleep in a dark room so used the magnetic part to keep the balcony curtains pushed a little closer to the wall. 

[letscruise]

Nice review and glad you had a lovely time!  I'm a victim of over-packing too, though I swear to myself the next cruise will be different.  I prefer sitting by the pool more than the beach, so if I can do that on the ship when we're docked at Coco Cay, that works for me.  I'm usually ready to head back to the ship early afternoon and enjoy the quiet pool there.  I do think you may be discounting the option to write in the additional gratuity on the drink slip, so there is probably more tipping than you realize, especially for those that don't want to travel with a bunch of small bills.  I do hope the additional gratuity added to the receipt goes directly to that person and isn't pooled. Maybe someone on here knows the answer to that question.  That may make a difference when choosing how to tip (cash or add to receipt). 

Happy planning of your next cruise!  

 

[Ampurp85]

I'm glad you enjoyed your cruise. I know for me the more I cruise the more of a system I have. I pack way less than any woman I know. I have learned not to overpack and considering I always pack for at least 2 cruises; I often have less luggage than I have seen on four-night cruises. 

One thing I want to point out is that this blog represents a small section of the cruising population.

I was on Oasis Jan 15-22, I saw very few people tipping, some crew even mentioned how a nice chunk of pax removed the auto gratuity. I sailed on Grandeur right after and noticed that a lot of people chose to tip at the end of the cruise. In some cases, people tip at the beginning of the cruise. There are people who just don't tip extra and there are people who choose to not tip at every instance. I too spent many years as a waitress, but I tip as I go because I may not see that crew member again. 

In regard to PDCC, I have to agree.......if a sailing has it as a port, I get off for maybe an hour. Since it was almost the only port during the restart, I went there a lot. Now I am always glad the casino is open when we are in port because I can spend my time there. 

[Mycue1966]

51 minutes ago, letscruise said:

Nice review and glad you had a lovely time!  I'm a victim of over-packing too, though I swear to myself the next cruise will be different.  I prefer sitting by the pool more than the beach, so if I can do that on the ship when we're docked at Coco Cay, that works for me.  I'm usually ready to head back to the ship early afternoon and enjoy the quiet pool there.  I do think you may be discounting the option to write in the additional gratuity on the drink slip, so there is probably more tipping than you realize, especially for those that don't want to travel with a bunch of small bills.  I do hope the additional gratuity added to the receipt goes directly to that person and isn't pooled. Maybe someone on here knows the answer to that question.  That may make a difference when choosing how to tip (cash or add to receipt). 

Happy planning of your next cruise!  

 

I just got off WOS and asked the bartender directly if her preferred cash or the to on the bill. He said the bill was better. I started the week giving out cash, but switched to the tip on the bill after that conversation.

[Xaa]

Glad you had fun @ScottD!

Even with the many hooks, I found I could use them for so many things.  Hanging my sunglasses, my lanyard, swim trunks, hat and on and on.  I've even added to my magnet collection with some that have clips to hold papers.  Love them.

 

[ScottD]

1 hour ago, letscruise said:

Nice review and glad you had a lovely time!  I'm a victim of over-packing too, though I swear to myself the next cruise will be different.  I prefer sitting by the pool more than the beach, so if I can do that on the ship when we're docked at Coco Cay, that works for me.  I'm usually ready to head back to the ship early afternoon and enjoy the quiet pool there.  I do think you may be discounting the option to write in the additional gratuity on the drink slip, so there is probably more tipping than you realize, especially for those that don't want to travel with a bunch of small bills.  I do hope the additional gratuity added to the receipt goes directly to that person and isn't pooled. Maybe someone on here knows the answer to that question.  That may make a difference when choosing how to tip (cash or add to receipt). 

Happy planning of your next cruise!  

 

I rarely saw paper being signed,either. I assume that's people without drink packages,which didn't seem like many. But you make good points 

[ScottD]

48 minutes ago, Ampurp85 said:

I'm glad you enjoyed your cruise. I know for me the more I cruise the more of a system I have. I pack way less than any woman I know. I have learned not to overpack and considering I always pack for at least 2 cruises; I often have less luggage than I have seen on four-night cruises. 

One thing I want to point out is that this blog represents a small section of the cruising population.

I was on Oasis Jan 15-22, I saw very few people tipping, some crew even mentioned how a nice chunk of pax removed the auto gratuity. I sailed on Grandeur right after and noticed that a lot of people chose to tip at the end of the cruise. In some cases, people tip at the beginning of the cruise. There are people who just don't tip extra and there are people who choose to not tip at every instance. I too spent many years as a waitress, but I tip as I go because I may not see that crew member again. 

In regard to PDCC, I have to agree.......if a sailing has it as a port, I get off for maybe an hour. Since it was almost the only port during the restart, I went there a lot. Now I am always glad the casino is open when we are in port because I can spend my time there. 

Yes..our original plan was to "lump" tip at the start but we never really found a place we planned on being all week,so we brought a stack of ones with us each time we left the room and would give them to the bartender after every round or so.  I felt more obligated to do it when I'd ask for a mocktail of their choosing. 

23 minutes ago, Xaa said:

Glad you had fun @ScottD!

Even with the many hooks, I found I could use them for so many things.  Hanging my sunglasses, my lanyard, swim trunks, hat and on and on.  I've even added to my magnet collection with some that have clips to hold papers.  Love them.

 

We brought a small bungee with us,so the hooks came in handy outside..put two across the corner of the balcony and hung the bungee cord between them and used it to dry shorts overnight.

[ChessE4]

130 is normal for us to return to the ship at Coco Cay.  Staying all day in the sun can sap your energy for the evening events.

[smokeybandit]

#4 is a lesson for all families cruising.

[ScottD]

18 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

#4 is a lesson for all families cruising.

It's really important or you'll burn out...it's easy to get real temperamental or snippy if you don't take a few minutes to relax. I saw way too many families looking miserable with each other half way through the trip,lol. 

[ScottD]

21 minutes ago, ChessE4 said:

130 is normal for us to return to the ship at Coco Cay.  Staying all day in the sun can sap your energy for the evening events.

Especially since we were doing aqua show that night, was more than happy to go chill on the ship for a bit

[StayFrosty]

I spend every minute I can on Coco Cay. Usually beach, to the pool, then back to the beach. But then again I can float with my drink or read in the shade for hours. 
 

Once a down pour happened about an hour and half until all aboard. Everybody rushed to the ship. We waited it out for 20 minutes then had the entire beach to ourselves for about 45 minutes. It was fantastic!

 

[Riley]

23 hours ago, Mycue1966 said:

I just got off WOS and asked the bartender directly if her preferred cash or the to on the bill. He said the bill was better. I started the week giving out cash, but switched to the tip on the bill after that conversation.

Huh. Pretty sure he is coached by his manager to say that, as I have NEVER encountered (or been) a bar tender who did not prefer cash. But good for you asking!

[RafaellaCG]

I don't live in the US so I don't follow their crazy tipping culture but 18% is already way more than I normally tip so I never felt the need to leave anything extra.

[Erika O]

On 2/7/2023 at 2:22 PM, ScottD said:

Edited to Add one more. 

Tipping/dining (I'll combine them):

We are over tippers. We are both former service workers,so we tip more than necessary.  I saw so many people posting how,besides the pre-paid tips, they tip additionally on every drink. I think I saw maybe 2 other people put cash on the bar the whole trip. I'm not shaming anyone..it's totally your choice since the drink price includes tip, just surprised how many people say they do it compared to the amount we actually saw. Also...dining at MDR,we did it 3 nights, and it never took longer than maybe 75-80 minutes. 

Overall it was an amazing trip on a beatiful ship.  I played way more mini golf than I could imagine, ate way more pizza and drank way too many mocktails. We can't wait to book our next one..already dropped the deposit at next cruise..just gotta pick the date!

Just wanted to say, that I am one of those people who adds tips on occasion even with my drink package but i dont carry my wallet or cash. Like many people onboard I use my cruise key for everything, i add the extra tip to my receipt. That being said i have cruised Carnival and this will be my first RCCL cruise in over 20yrs so maybe they dont have you sign receipts where you can also add tips. Just sayin' just cuz you dont 'see' it doesnt mean it doesnt happen. 

[Erika O]

On 2/7/2023 at 3:50 PM, letscruise said:

Nice review and glad you had a lovely time!  I'm a victim of over-packing too, though I swear to myself the next cruise will be different.  I prefer sitting by the pool more than the beach, so if I can do that on the ship when we're docked at Coco Cay, that works for me.  I'm usually ready to head back to the ship early afternoon and enjoy the quiet pool there.  I do think you may be discounting the option to write in the additional gratuity on the drink slip, so there is probably more tipping than you realize, especially for those that don't want to travel with a bunch of small bills.  I do hope the additional gratuity added to the receipt goes directly to that person and isn't pooled. Maybe someone on here knows the answer to that question.  That may make a difference when choosing how to tip (cash or add to receipt). 

Happy planning of your next cruise!  

 

I over pack every time and I never regret it! I decided to try the less packing theory and regretted it when I wished I had things I didnt pack. Over packer for life! Why not, i have plenty of space for it all! 

[Erika O]

On 2/7/2023 at 7:56 PM, StayFrosty said:

I spend every minute I can on Coco Cay. Usually beach, to the pool, then back to the beach. But then again I can float with my drink or read in the shade for hours. 
 

Once a down pour happened about an hour and half until all aboard. Everybody rushed to the ship. We waited it out for 20 minutes then had the entire beach to ourselves for about 45 minutes. It was fantastic!

 

Have you ever rented a cabana or beach bed? 

[SpeedNoodles]

3 hours ago, Erika O said:

Just wanted to say, that I am one of those people who adds tips on occasion even with my drink package but i dont carry my wallet or cash. Like many people onboard I use my cruise key for everything, i add the extra tip to my receipt. That being said i have cruised Carnival and this will be my first RCCL cruise in over 20yrs so maybe they dont have you sign receipts where you can also add tips. Just sayin' just cuz you dont 'see' it doesnt mean it doesnt happen. 

If you have the drink package, you will not get a receipt to sign.

[FireFishII]

6 hours ago, Erika O said:

Have you ever rented a cabana or beach bed? 

I have rented a cabana on my first and only time at Coco Cay.  I will definitely do it again.  I like having it as a meeting place.  That allows my family to disperse and know where to come back to. Yes, you could do that with just a beach chair but I like to think the cabana is a little bit more secure.  If it is not, please don't burst my bubble. LOL 

[ScottD]

7 hours ago, Erika O said:

I over pack every time and I never regret it! I decided to try the less packing theory and regretted it when I wished I had things I didnt pack. Over packer for life! Why not, i have plenty of space for it all! 

I just hated having so much stuff. Too many bags, next time I'm keeping it to one large suitcase then a back pack for each of us.

[PhillyLady]

 

Thanks for your nice report.  So glad you enjoyed your cruise experience!

I rented the beach bed, and also experienced a big downpour, with some folks running away.  And yet 20 minutes later the sun was out, and we had a wonderful afternoon.

I also like to overpack, especially for tropical destinations, because the clothing is not that heavy.  Yes, I really do want to wear a different bathing suit every day! (Smile.)