Rookiw

Sound advice thank you

If you like cruising, don't get locked into just one cruise line. We did that on our first four cruises. Then we decided to try other cruise lines and discovered others we liked even more. That wouldn't have happened if we had not decided to branch out. Only then, can you really assess your different experiences. As a result, we never went back even though we were really impressed with our first cruises.

Once you've settled on your favorite cruise line you can and should be building on your loyalty account. Sign up!

If you're a veteran or shareholder, be sure to look at what your cruise line may offer. My wife and I are both veterans and shareholders (CCL) and have received over $1100 in OBC!

Don't be afraid to ask.

Thank you very much

1.) Don't try and do everything, I've tried and trust me, you can't!

2.) Get into port a day early if you can

3.) If you need to book a flight home, try to book later in the day

4.) Get to know your Cabin Steward...they know everything!

5.) I work in the Activities field in a Retirement Community, come hang out with the Activities Staff! We LOVE to see people come to groups! Do not hesitate to approach us onboard, we're ambassadors for the cruise and will gladly help where we can.

6.) READ YOUR CRUISE COMPASS! You'll find all kinds of things there and almost 90% of your questions will be answered right there. We put everything in there from hours of operation of various venues and bars to activities, Tour And Shopping Guide talks (please attend if this is your first time going to any of these ports), classes, auctions, shows, even the dress code for the night can all be found in there.

Absolutely epic post...and so true,,,Awhile back I posted something along the lines that IMHO it could actually be HARDER for experienced cruisers to adapt to the endless almost daily changes, than newbies...not to mention that the old days WERE "better" in so many ways...That "homework"? sounds like a chore, but putting in the time to bang some keys, read some reviews, scan some deck plans, plan your excursions B4 trying to do it onboard etc etc comes back to you many times in the form of enjoyment and, dare I say, getting your $$ worth. It may be harder when in a group, and you're not driving the bus...but "knowing" is ALWAYS better than confusion, especially when you're PAYING for it....

Thank you

and will do with all your suggestions,so kind and informative

As usual you are a fountain of wisdom. Thanks for covering the serious part of cruising for the first time cruiser. It is actually probably the most important in order to be able to enjoy the cruise .

Here's my advice for a first time cruiser:

Don't rely on your more experienced friends and family only for information regarding the cruise. All cruise lines, including Royal, have dramatically changed just about everything they used to do pre-Covid to conform to the multiple different national restrictions and protocols for their homeport and ports of call because of the Pandemic. So some of the most important things you will need to do for yourself is :

1) Read the FAQs at the cruise line's home page

2) Read any health and safety updates from the cruise line, as they may alter or contradict some of the FAQs which might be on temporary halt.

3) Make your own personal account at the cruise line's website, that you can make sure that all your passenger info has been entered correctly. Especially you email and text enabled mobile device as that is the way the cruise line will communicate any important information and reminders about the cruise.

4) Make sure you understand how to use the cruise line's Manage My Booking or Cruise Planner section on the website. This area is really important as it is were you will be doing your online check-in (about 30 days prior to sailing), downloading documents you will need to board the ship at the departure terminal, and make then get confirmations of purchases made pre-cruise. (Many add-on packages are much less expensive in advance than once on board.)

5) Verify that all you personal ID and nationality documents are in order and will not expire during the cruise. If you don't have a passport, several documents will be needed prior to even being able to fill out your online check-in like a government issued photo ID in the name on the booking, a legible copy of your dept. of vital statistics or health's birth record that shows whatever security validation your birth state uses, and any name change records if the birth name and photo ID name do not match Like marriage cert., divorce decree or adoption records). If any are missing you can obtain certain ones from https://www.vitalchek.com/ or by visiting your local DMV or county clerk.

6) Download the cruise line's free app to your mobile device. With Royal, unlike some other cruise lines, this is usable in place of a laptop or pc prior to boarding the ship to do things in your cruise planner including check-in and the uploading of your biometric picture and vaccine/health status. Once on board the app will allow you to access things like complete the new e-muster prerequisites, the daily activities sheet (Royal=Compass), dinner, spa/salon, activity, and show reservations, remind you of favorited activities or excursions times, see menus for various venues, and monitor your on board spending account. For a small (on Royal) daily fee an on board passenger to passenger (same booking) chat feature is available also, but only needed if you don't opt for an internet WiFi package.

Trust me after doing all of this "homework" it will go a long way to making the cruise that more enjoyable.

Lov the tips and information and will take care of all my staff I encounter😎

Absolutely. First thing I do when I get into my room, is slip the Stateroom Attendant a Tip. $10 for Interior, $20 for Oceanview and Balcony, $50 for Junior Suites(ive never had anything classier than a Junior) The only time this didnt really work was on Majesty of the Seas in 2019, when our stateroom attendant disappeared after the first day, and we only saw her again a couple times passing in the corridors.

We also always make it a point to try to learn about our Stateroom Attendant, Waitstaff in the MDR, and a few Bartenders. By doing this, Ive made friends on multiple continents, who I still talk to semi regularly. My brother-in-law even sends Christmas Cards to a Bartender from the Philippines(or Philly, as he called it...lol) we met on our first cruise 10 years ago.