First Time Cruise - Royal Caribbean

[Deleted User]

We are hoping to go on a cruise for the first time and would really appreciate any of your tips and advice please. We are not likely to ever have a holiday like this again and are looking with interest at Royal Caribbean 8 night Eastern Caribbean cruise on The Freedom of the Seas - with extra time in Miami at the end of the cruise before flying home.

We have looked on line although any information of your experiences will be very much appreciated, thank you.

Crimson

FBaby

Can you give more detail? What you age range, going as a couple, family with kids? More interested in activity on board, or visits off shores, into luxurious dining, or more fitness, interested in meeting new people, or stay in your own company.

There are sites that are just about cruising where you can spend hours going over threads that will tell you all there is about cruising, probably even a thread for your specific cruise date.

Caz3121

cruisecritic is a good cruise resource site...there are specific forums for the different lines and boards for destinations

[Deleted User]

Thank you for replying FBaby. We are two single ladies cruising for the first time - my friend is retiring and this is a special celebration holiday - almost certainly a 'one off.' We definitely enjoy meeting new people although, by most standards, we aren't 'life in the fast lane' people. We are enthusiastic about the prospect of enjoying this new experience.

Because it is going to be such a special experience for us we are looking forward to exploring the ship, meeting new people and, although definitely not 'foodies' we'll enjoy having lovely meals made for us - with no washing up afterwards! (Oh and I've bought a 'new' swimsuit - about time! - saving up for the cruise so economised by shopping on eBay)

We are so looking forward to the shore excursions although we don't know what is likely to be available yet. Although not extravagant we do enjoy a bit of shopping on holiday - especially in new places.

At the end of the cruise we have about five days in Miami - that also should be quite an experience for us.

Any tips or information will be really welcome, thank you.

Crimson

[Deleted User]

Thanks Caz3121 - I didn't know about Cruise Critic. I'll 'Google' and see if I can find anyone who has been on a similar Eastern Caribbean cruise - with time in Miami afterwards. I really appreciate your suggestion.

Crimson

Finishrich

Some of the excursions sold onboard can be very expensive for what they are and quite often it's possible to do the same thing yourself for a fraction of the cost if you're happy to go it alone. Eg to get to Rome from the port of Civitavecchia the Cruise Co will charge $70-90 per person but if you do it yourself you can get the train for little more than 10 Euros (4 years ago). It was similar in Naples, the cruise co charged $99 to get you to the island of Capri, we walked off the ship along to the little ticket office bought tickets for the hydro foil and it was around 25 euros pp. And we were on the same hydro foil as the other cruise passengers. It can take a bit of research but easily doable.


I haven't cruised the Caribbean yet! If you post which ports you're visiting that would probably help.


Tom's Port guides could be worth a look too:
http://www.tomsportguides.com/port-guides.html

Andypandyboy

Definitely check out cruise critic, they have "roll calls" for each sailing and people post that they are on that sailing and agree to share trips. It is a great way to have ready made "friends" and keep costs down. They also usually organise a get together the first day on board and it is a chance to get to know new people. It is alo a mine of information on ports/hotels/pre and post cruises activities and shopping etc.

We have saved a fortune joining up with others from the roll call for tailor made trips. You just agree to go and pay onboard or direct to the driver that another roll caller has organised. Much cheaper and less hectic than trips organised by the ship.

You can also choose which type of dining you want; traditional - where you are seated at the same table with the same people, at the same time every night, or anytime, where you choose when and where to eat and whether you just want a table for your own party.

We love Royal Caribbean, the service is usually very good indeed and the staff friendly.

If you have any other questions just ask, we are doing the Caribbean from Fort Lauderdale next July on RCI Allure. So I am in full planning mode now!

travellerboy

Freedom sails out of Fort Lauderdale, why not spend your extra time there, it is definitely cheaper and equal to anything Miami has to offer.
Without a car you will be very limited.
We use the Tri-Rail between Fort Lauderdale and Miami as it is significantly cheaper to use than any other transport unlike the UK.

BarryBlue

We have been on many cruises and my advice would be to do plenty of research before you book anything. Different cruise lines have very different markets and you need to get the right one. RCI, for instance, target families, their ships are quite Americanised and rather full-on. That might or might not be your idea of a wonderful cruise.

We did a Caribbean cruise earlier this year with P&O on Azura. It is a big ship and they aim their product at a primarily British market. That suits us as the food and entertainment are rather different when aimed at an American audience. So do your research.

Once decided, shop around for the best price. You can play the companies against each other for the best deal. As suggested by someone else, book trips online before you go, you get better value and tend to be in smaller groups too. You waste an awful lot of time loading and unloading a 50-seater several times a day.

All ships and cruise lines have their different ways and quirks. Talk to other people on the ship, especially at mealtimes. They will often be experienced cruisers with tips to pass on. That's the way it works on ships, you will find.

One last word of warning! Once you've done one cruise you will be hooked. You will want to see other places like the Fjords, the Baltic or the Med. Don't worry, there are lots of good deals out there. Cruising is excellent value for money as there are plenty of ships that need filling 365 days a year. Have a great time!

Neil49

Drinks and tips are also very expensive on RCI. Details can be found on Cruise Critic and also on Cruise.co.uk which has a comprehensive forum site as well.

As Barry Blue has mentioned above, RCI is very Americanised and 7 day cruises can sometimes turn into a big partying and drinking session. Personally I wouldn't go on one of their cruises from Florida for that very reason.

We also went on Azura around the Caribbean and had a very good time. They are 14 day cruises rather than 7 but you fly direct to Barbados and get straight onto the ship.

Do your research before booking, but once you go on one you will be hooked.

[Deleted User]

Thank you for all this great information - and the links. Plenty of homework to do and my enthusiasm for the cruise is building!

Deleted_User