Extremely Excited!

[AndrewJL]

So I'm just extremely excited to go on my FIRST ever cruise. We're going to Cozumel and Costa Maya on Radiance of the Seas. I continuously find myself watching videos on cruises and constantly checking this message board. Anyone have any tips?!

[Nick560]

Lol I am in the same boat. Just got back from our first cruise in April, went to Cozumel and Costa Maya. Just booked our second cruise on Odyssey of the seas in March 2024.

All I can say, is the videos help but it will never compare to when you step foot on the ship for the first time.

Prepare for the time of your life!

[D Alt]

Prepare to be addicted

[AndrewJL]

2 minutes ago, D Alt said:

Prepare to be addicted

I already feel im addicted!!

[D Alt]

1 minute ago, AndrewJL said:

I already feel im addicted!!

start saving money for future cruises. 

[CynBeth]

I constantly go on this and another cruise message board whether we are planning a cruise or not. I love learning new things and helping others. We have been on 4 with Royal. The Radiance was the ship for our first ever cruise on to Alaska. We next did a Western Caribbean on Allure and it went to Haiti, Jamaica, and Cozumel. We also did Bahamas I believe on Majesty to Coco Cay, Nassau, and Key West. Last month were on Enchantment out of Barcelona to Rome. The ports were Marseille, Villefranche, Genoa, Portofino, and Livorno

[Va4fam]

17 hours ago, AndrewJL said:

So I'm just extremely excited to go on my FIRST ever cruise. We're going to Cozumel and Costa Maya on Radiance of the Seas. I continuously find myself watching videos on cruises and constantly checking this message board. Anyone have any tips?!

Keep watching and reading about the ship and the ports.   Depending on your level of planning, you can prebook dining, activities, excursions. 

My favorite precruise activity is to go online and look at future cruises and go to NEXTcruise and book the next trip.   Being on a cruise ship is the best feeling, but having future cruises booked to plan and anticipate in the future is great too.

Enjoy your first cruise!

[Fuzzywuzzy]

It may be your first but we guarantee it won't be your last.  Enjoy!!!

[CruisingNewb]

Watch Matt's YouTube videos.  More importantly, watch the ones that have to do with "what not to do" or "dumb mistakes".  

Honestly, the most important things to be prepared for is getting on board and getting off of the ship when its over.  My opinion is that you should navigate (pun intended) the cruise with a level of greeness and experience things (good and bad) for yourself.  OUr first cruise, we didn't research anything because information was much more scarce back in the day.  We had ups and downs but loved our first cruise nonetheless.

[VillainsGin]

On 8/15/2023 at 3:03 PM, AndrewJL said:

So I'm just extremely excited to go on my FIRST ever cruise. We're going to Cozumel and Costa Maya on Radiance of the Seas. I continuously find myself watching videos on cruises and constantly checking this message board. Anyone have any tips?!

It never gets old for me, I get extremely giddy and excited for every single sailing.

You just can't compare or compete with the vibes and moods of sailing. Everyone is in a great mood because they're on vacation, social interactions are so much more engaging and genuine, hot tubs, buffets, casino, shows, etc.

Also something about the smell of the ship cabin and ocean that triggers my nostalgia and serotonin.

[TimeRacer]

My family just did our first cruise (Costa Maya and Cozumel) on Serenade of the Seas in July. We've already booked our next cruise, which is Alaska in May aboard Ovation. We all loved it. Make sure to roam all over the ship, there are great little hidden places to just watch the sea go by. It's amazing.

[JFCruise]

On 8/15/2023 at 4:03 PM, AndrewJL said:

So I'm just extremely excited to go on my FIRST ever cruise. We're going to Cozumel and Costa Maya on Radiance of the Seas. I continuously find myself watching videos on cruises and constantly checking this message board. Anyone have any tips?!

Tips for Costa Maya - get away from the cruise terminal. It's just a huge shopping mall with a pool. Sadly there is not much nearby. Don't eat there either, it's very expensive, bad food.

If you want to eat some good mexican food, there is a market in Cozumel that sells cochinita pibil - the traditional dish of the region.

[VillainsGin]

54 minutes ago, JFCruise said:

Tips for Costa Maya - get away from the cruise terminal. It's just a huge shopping mall with a pool. Sadly there is not much nearby. Don't eat there either, it's very expensive, bad food.

If you want to eat some good mexican food, there is a market in Cozumel that sells cochinita pibil - the traditional dish of the region.

Can you recall the exact location or have address of this place? I’m always roaming outside the tourist area but don’t remember that one!

[JFCruise]

6 hours ago, VillainsGin said:

Can you recall the exact location or have address of this place? I’m always roaming outside the tourist area but don’t remember that one!

Mercado Municipal Benito Juarez. Here's the link: https://goo.gl/maps/UGpUjvY86Ko8g9RZ9

You can definitely walk there, It's a long-ish walk from the main area - and way longer from the port. But the food is amazing, but don't expect any sort of luxury. You'll be eating on plastic plates.

[Linda R]

My first cruise was in the 80's, and was not much to research then.  No internet, etc.   I had a fabulous time!    I plan more now and have learned a lot of things.  Some are just things that make life easier  (magnetic hooks, better luggage, etc.) Also as you age the way you approach traveling, or things you do on a cruise change.  Just go with it.  Everyone learns from experience.  Just have a fantastic cruise and don't sweat the small stuff.  And then book your next cruise......and the next......