I've never been on a cruise before....any advice for first time cruisers? I live on the East coast...?

Question

so we would preferebly be leaving from there and doing the Florida/Carribean thing.

Which cruise lines are good, should we get an inside cabin or an outside one with a balconly.....what about tips, etc.? Also I think we are planning on going in September, isn't that hurricane season? What about insurance for that?

Any details and advice you can give me would be very appreciated, thanks!

Answer 1

Go to the Boards at CruiseCritic.com. There is a ton of information on ports, the different cruise lines, how to save $, first-time cruisers, etc, etc. The best advice is to do LOTS of reading/research before you go. And, for your first time, find a good travel agent who knows cruises well. There are also good guidebooks at the library.

A "good" cruise line depends on what you are looking for and would be comfortable with - that's why you need to do a lot of reading.

What type of cabin you want also depends on what you're looking for. Inside cabins will be cheaper, but you have no idea about what time of day it is; the darkness might be great if you're a light sleeper. Some people love balconies, but they're much more expensive and unless you're going to spend a lot of time there, I don't think they're worth it.

September is hurricane season, so delays and changes in ports can easily occur. That might make a difference to you.

You should always get insurance, but not necessarily from the cruise line.

Do your research and you'll have a great time!

Answer 2

I cruise Royal Caribbean every year. I am cheap so I always get an inside cabin but I will pay a little more for what they call a "Promenade Cabin" overlooking the mall. (All of the "Voyager Class" ships have a mall that runs the length of the 5th floor). Inside, Outside, or Balcony just depends on your budget. I would love a balcony but don't really spend enough time in the cabin to justify the additional expense- I'd rather spend it on shore excursions or drinks. Everyone tells you tips are really expensive but I remember them being around $60.00 per person. Yes. September is hurricane season so I would buy the insurance. If you do find yourself motion sick, they give you pills for free at the Guest Relations desk that work very well with minimal side effects. Take them if you start to feel sick but don't take them unless you know you need them (they can make you a little tired). During the day, you'll be plenty comfortable in swimsuits, shorts, and t-shirts. In the evening it's nice to get dressed up for dinner and then wear those clothes to the show, casino, nightclub, or whatever you chose to do later on. Relax, enjoy, and have a great time!

Answer 3

Royal Caribbean is #1. I would not go during hurricane season due to the high likelyhood of having rough seas. You do not want to be stuck in your cabin with sea sickness on your vacation. I would get an inside cabin on a lower floor of the ship so you don't get motion sickness. The cruise line will tell you how much to tip the staff. I would definately get trip insurance no matter on what time of the year you travel. It is well worth it.

Also, try to resist eating the midnight buffets every night, otherwise you will need a wheelchair to be rolled off the ship at the end of the cruise. The meals on board are fantastic so enjoy them but watch out because you will be fighting the battle of the bulge after your cruise is over for months lol

Answer 4

It depends on a lot of different variables(I am Owner of a Travel Agency; as such I answer these questions regularly):

1- What cruise lines are "good" has a lot of different meanings to a lot of different people. Are amenities a big thing to you? Sightseeing? Food preferences? Are you looking for a "party boat"? Something more mature(Grownups over the age of 30 or so?)

2-It is important to distinguish the difference between an "inside cabin" and an "outside cabin w/balcony". An inside cabin is just that--a cabin inside the ship with no ocean view. They're nicely furnished, but a bit smallish; they're your least expensive option. An outside cabin w/a balcony is just that. However, you'd obviously get an ocean view and the cabin size is somewhat larger. But costlier all the same. If it is simply the size of the cabin and cost that you're concerned about, then an inside cabin is your best bet. If the ocean view and cabin size are more important, then the outside cabin w/a balcony is recommended.

3-Tipping is solely at your discretion on most cruise lines. As in restaurants, if you feel service was very good/excellent, then perhaps a tip is warranted. The amount is up to you.

4-Trip insurance is not mandatory but adviseable as it covers cancellation(weather and non-weather related, and any valuables and belongings you take with you on your cruise. Incidentally there are no hurricanes being forecasted for SEPT 2006, according to the NWS.

You may also want to remember that in light of the fact that you want to leave in SEPT 2006, it is adviseable to book ASAP(it will save you money as opposed to booking at the last minute). If you could kindly either call, email me at: [e-mail], or reach me through Yahoo Messenger with your itinerary that you have in mind, we can see what cruises are available in SEPT 2006 that fit your wants and needs, and are cost-friendly.

Answer 5

Once you take a cruise you will be hooked. Its the only way to travel. I have been on 4 cruises and the best was a 7 day Alaskan Cruise starting in Seattle and ending back in Seattle. I also went on 10 day Panama Canal Cruise, 15 day L.A. to Hawaii Cruise and 3 day Ensenada Mexico Cruise. All the Cruises were great but Alaska was the best. I use Princess Cruiselines. There is so much to do on a cruise so you don't spend a lot of time in your room so an inside is ok but personally I lprefer being able to see out the window. We had a balcony on the Panama Canal Cruise, and it was great.

Answer 6

we are from the east coast and have scheduled a cruise with royal caribbean. yes september is hurricane season. cruise insurance is a good idea because if the cruise gets canceled, you get your money back. our trip is for 7 days and we were told that tips are going to be $68.50 per person in the cabin. that will cover room service, waiters, house keeping, etc. the tips can be included in you total cost for the cruise. i am prone to motion sickness so our cabin is on the lowest level , in the center of the ship. this is were you will notice the ships movement the least. inside cabins are the most affordable.

Answer 7

outside, it's deffinelty worth the money, get a stateroom on a higher floor near the middle and you don't even know you are moving. If you get one of those rooms on the lower floors, yoyu can feel the motion, not good if you get seasick easily. september, might still get a few stray hurricanes.. hard to say, it might be better to go later, but i have never been to the carribiean, so hard to say. Make sure you have a good swimsuit (or two) and great flip-flops.

Answer 8

I went on the Carnival Miracle from Tampa. It's a really nice ship. I would definitely recommend it.

Answer 9

bring a lot of money for tips. they tell you who to tip and how much, and it's a lot!!

Answer 10

go to hawaii. pride of aloha! bestest ever!