Having been on several cruises, I agree with all of the above. This time around, I am traveling with

When we recently posted our suggestions on Five Things Not to Do on Your First Cruise , we were assuming our well-traveled readers would chime in and you did, in a big way. From which cabins not to book to which spa treatments to avoid, we've culled through your tips and picked out more than a dozen other things that first-time cruisers should san diego beach hotel pet avoid. Then again, anyone heading onto the high seas whether veteran or newbie would be wise to get clued in on these cruising bugaboos.
Don t pick the wrong cruise or cabin. "For first-time cruisers, san diego beach hotel pet it is important that you match your personal preferences to a cruise line that best fits your personality or that best fits what you are looking for this specific vacation," comments Steven P. That being said, be wary of creating too high a precedent. "Don t book a suite as your first cruise san diego beach hotel pet cabin. You will be forever spoiled and NOT ever want to book anything else!" said Ali. (See our Tips for Choosing a Cabin .)
Don t pick the wrong person to travel with. Said Holly K: "Don't take the wrong person along. An anti-social misfit alcoholic is not going to be a fun cruise companion." She s not alone with this thought. "Unfortunately my first pleasure cruise was with a stick-in-the-mud ex-girlfriend (we were dating at the time) who had been on several cruises previously," said Bob Rauchfleisch, noting that all she wanted to do was lounge in the cabin.
Don t take packing lightly. "One if my tips is, don't pack your passport in your luggage or you will not be let onboard until they find your luggage among thousands of luggage," said Janet Ortega. In a similar vein, Sue suggests, "I have found that always having a backpack to go on excursions with is the best thing…Everything, including a light rain coat, is always at hand." (Check out our Top 10 Cruise Packing Tips .)
Don t neglect the staff. "We have taken many cruises over the years and we always bring candy with us to give to the staff. It is amazing this little act of kindness brings a smile to their faces," said Woodenduck.
Don t spend your money on things you don t need. "Do limit your purchases of Caribbean-style clothing. It is easy to get caught up in the ambience, but I promise that once you get back home you won't wear it like you thought you would. Ask me how I know…" commented Sandy B.
Don t forget san diego beach hotel pet to save room for souvenirs. Splurging is one thing, but you'll most certainly want to bring home a few mementos, so make sure you have room in your luggage. "Pack a collapsible extra bag for all the stuff you will bring home even though you swore you weren't getting anything!" suggests Eilean.
Don t use the elevators if you can avoid them. Waiting for the elevator could easily take you five minutes each way. "You waste a lot of time waiting, and there are many who really need to use it," warns Jan Brandvold. Plus, taking the stairs could help you keep off the extra pounds Gail Guilliams mentioned in her tip. (For more ways to stay slim at sea, check out Cruise Critic s 10 tips .)
Don t get your teeth whitened. "Do not go for the teeth whitening, no matter how cheap it is. We made the mistake san diego beach hotel pet of doing it on our first day and our gums were so sore for a couple days, we couldn't enjoy the food," said Tonya.
Don t forget to pack your chill pills. "Don't complain! You are on an incredible ship, eating incredible food, having your bed made several times a day and people from around the world are AWAY from their FAMILIES to serve us, the cruise passenger guests," insists Scott Lara. Remember that even when things go wrong, you can still have fun if you take it all in stride.
Don't forget the obvious. This one's a no-brainer. "Join the Roll Call for your cruise! You will get to make friends with fellow passengers in advance. You get to meet these friends san diego beach hotel pet at a Meet and Mingle event on the first sea day," suggests B moreCruiser. (Find out about Cruise Critic s famous Roll Calls .)
Try, try, try not to lose your temper at the animals in the buffet. They are starving to death and will push you out of the way to get a crust of bread. They have not eaten in their entire lives so they are desperate. Try to show consideration for these, poor, starving animals.
FRANK that is too funny!!! But it s so true. I have seen some people at the buffet who do act like they have just woken up from a 10 yr coma and want to fit as much on their plate as they possibly can. Ever see Fun with Dick Jane when they go to the buffet. . . . . ?
I do have a question someone mentioned above that they give candy to the crew members as a little thank you. Is there anything else you can give them besides candy money (which a cash tip is the most preferred gift )?
Don t BE SHY! ~ You are on a cruise Do the limbo ~ try karaoke ~ enter the contest ! HAVE FUN! After my last cruise a few of my travel companions regretting not being more like me. You may never see these people again or Maybe you will
So true about the cabins! We stayed in ocean view first, then balcony, then a suite, then my hubby booked a cheapie cruise in an inside cabin and I couldn t stand it! Now when he suggests san diego beach hotel pet a cheap cruise san diego beach hotel pet with an inside cabin, I say I d rather wait until we can afford the balcony! Sounds horrible, but sitting and relaxing on the balcony after an excursion day is just too great. Also agree with the comment on \chill pill\. There are annoying people everywhere, try to ignore them, or walk away. No sense in getting your stress san diego beach hotel pet level up dealing with them. If you let them, they will ruin your experience. Just don t let them!
I always leave a few dollars for the room steward every morning. Be sure to leave a note that it is for them. Room stewards who are normally attentive get very attentive once they see you are leaving an extra tip each day. I even slip them a 5 or 10 on my first meeting with them. This is a relatively small expense and can make a big difference in the quality of the service you receive. Remember, your room steward is frequently your primary contact on the ship,
Don t feel like you have to take an expensive excursion to enjoy your time in port. Some of my best memories are of hanging out at the beach away from all the tourists where the locals frequent, exploring a city on my own and soaking up the culture, and buying fresh fruit, bread and cheese for a picnic san diego beach hotel pet lunch. Be a little adventurous san diego beach hotel pet and try something san diego beach hotel pet new. The whole point of visiting a different country is to learn and appreciate other cultures. Plan wisely and get back in time so you don t miss the boat!
Melissa so true isn t it? We were contemplating san diego beach hotel pet a 14 day back to back cruise, san diego beach hotel pet and opted for a 7 day in a balcony since the only way we could afford a b2b was an inside cabin hmmmm 14 days without fresh air, or only 7 days with a balcony pathetic but true this never would have been a problem san diego beach hotel pet before we d stayed in a balcony room
Yes, do join in the fun. The first night of our first cruise, my wife volunteered us for an on-stage couples contest. The audience thought we should have won from that point on the entire ship knew Mary and Larry.
Having been on several cruises, I agree with all of the above. This time around, I am traveling with cancer. The cruise line is bringing a wheelchair down to the entrance. Be sure to request this special if you are traveling with an elderly or handicapped person.
Don t bring infants or toddlers. Cruise lines aren t equipped to provide for anyone under three. It might be a legal liability thing, or it might simply be that too many parents have too many demands, so the cruise lines just give up and assume the parents will accept full responsibility for their kids food and entertainment. That s a tough thing to do in general, let alone on a boat with no access to regular stores.
Candy is a great idea to give the crew members. I bring little cards and a few colored markers to draw little cartoons to leave in the room for the room steward . The last day my cartoon will show how much fun we had and will thank him for all he did
Loving all the advice! One thing I have learned is space is tight in the cabins, I love collapsable luggage. There are four of us so every bit counts, I like the wheeled duffle bags. Stuff them inside each other and save lots of extra room under the bed for shoppoing finds at port.
Don t take all new clothes and shoes! The second you step off the ship it just screams TOURIST You also don t want to be breaking in new shoes on a cruise. Look at the locals, they dress in their comfortable shoes and regular clothes. You should, too. Also, do some research and skip the excursions if you can. Our first cruise we took excursions in nearly every port, even the ones on the bus where you only get off for a 5 minute photo op. What a waste. Now, we know where to catch the bus, tram or metro, download a map, decide what we want to see and go. We ve been doing that for 4 years, since our 2 daughters were 7 and have never had a problem, all over Europe and the Med. Learn please, thank you, how much? and where s the bathroom in the language of the country you are visiting. We also learn please and thank you from the different staff we encounter on the ship and always use it when we see them. One last thing, san diego beach hotel pet Pack enough clothes for half your trip and do laundry midway through! I guarantee no one notices if you already wore that blouse to dinner!
My husband and I have been cruising at least once a year since 1998, All of the tips I ve read so far are right on the money. san diego beach hotel pet Here are a few I value *I know a few people on several different islands so I will go off alone with them .but if you don t, DO NOT .the cruise ship will not wait for you if you re late, some of the people who run these private tours are not professional and some are criminal. *Try different cruise lines. We started off with Carnival, san diego beach hotel pet then RCCL, Princess, and now we are Celebrity loyalists. san diego beach hotel pet They were all fun. *Inside cabins have thier own appeal ..if you like napping san diego beach hotel pet in the afternoon it s pitch black. The