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i read many reviews of first time cruisers and am so surprised at how clueless they are about what happens on cruises. They spend a lot of money yet don't take the trouble to find out what to expect. Then they are dismayed and shocked at what they didn't expect.
What advice would you offer to newbies about to take their first cruise?
My advice for first time cruisers. Read this site, read other sites, do your research on-line. then go and find your travel agent. Explain what you expect. Then let them do their job.
Research is key.
Like in any large crowd of people, there are always a few who will piss you off. Ignore them, move away from them. Don't let rude ignorant people ruin your day. They're not worth it! There are no set rules to cruising and if you embrace the experience with wonder and awe, you will find the experience to be awesome. Cabins vary, food varies but hopefully you are going for more than sleeping and eating. Breathe in that ocean air, explore the world you are sailing to and relax!
Thanks for the insight DebbieVi! I am going for friends and fun!!! I won't be sweating the small stuff trust me! :) I can even stand to loose a few pounds to if the foods not that great, so be it. LOL I know how to go with the flow and I plan on just rolling with the tide! :)
Happy Cruising!!!
To realise its a cruise ship not their living room. Be respectful of others and have your children or teens if they bring them behave.
I haven't cruised yet (19 days lol sorry I can't stop counting down), and I wouldn't think of doing this, BUT people that DO this would piss me off. lol I hope I don't run into any chair hogs on my cruise. 
Like in any large crowd of people, there are always a few who will piss you off. Ignore them, move away from them. Don't let rude ignorant people ruin your day. They're not worth it! There are no set rules to cruising and if you embrace the experience with wonder and awe, you will find the experience to be awesome. Cabins vary, food varies but hopefully you are going for more than sleeping and eating. Breathe in that ocean air, explore the world you are sailing to and relax!
ASK ... Ask your steward, ask the deck crew, ask the staff, ask anyone who works for the cruise line if you are needing a question answered or help finding something. They should be more than helpful guiding you in the right direction. READ ... Read the daily newsletter they put in your cabin, read the literature regarding the ports. Watch the info on the tv.
Ignore the rude; embrace the friendly ...Just enjoy yourself
Don't be a chair hog by saving them with towels, books etc. A great way to piss people off. Don't do it!
I haven't cruised yet (19 days lol sorry I can't stop counting down), and I wouldn't think of doing this, BUT people that DO this would piss me off. lol I hope I don't run into any chair hogs on my cruise.
Don't be a chair hog by saving them with towels, books etc. A great way to piss people off. Don't do it!
Don't be a chair hog by saving them with towels, books etc. A great way to piss people off. Don't do it!
I've been on 6 Princess Cruises in the past 9 months on 4 different Princess ships. They ALL required that you bring your life jacket to your Muster Station because at the end of the spiel, they have you try it on. They scan your cruise card in at each Muster station and will come seek you out if you do not attend. (Learned that first hand haha)
Safety has become a huge issue on cruises and it really is a good thing when you think about it. Actually putting on the life jacket and being familiar with where the inflation tool, whistle, etc is good need-to-know info.
Also, you need to walk to the muster station - no elevators - which can mean several flights of stairs. If you can't do that in a non-emergency, you certainly couldn't manage it in an emergency.
Found the muster drill and instructions to be invaluable from the first time a I cruised. On Princess bringing the life jackets with you is required. Not so on the NCL Dawn.
So different strokes.
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