Does anyone know what it's like on a cruise ship?.?

Answer 1

I have been on more than a dozen cruises and can tell you.

First of all the terms "cabin" and "stateroom" mean the same thing; the cruise industry prefers stateroom. The standard cabin that most people get (inside/outside/balcony) are generally between 175 and 200 Square feet, about the size of a 9 by 12 ft home bedroom (balconies are about 45 to 55 sq ft). Suites and penthouses can be between 350 and 1300 square feet. Each cabin has a two beds which can be made into a queen, a bathroom with a shower stall, a closet and some drawer space, a TV and telephone, a safe for valuables, and a life jacket for each passenger. Some cabins that are built to accommodate 3 or 4 people will have a pull down bed and/or a sofa bed. Its been my experience that Princess and Royal Caribbean have the best ship and cabin decor (also some of the best food.)

WHAT’S A CRUISE LIKE

Cruises are one of THE best vacations you can take. Once you are on ship the staff caters to you, its whatever you want. There is something to do all day every day. When you arrive at the port to check in you (each passenger) will receive a key card which will serve as your room key, charge card for anything you buy on ship (i.e.,drinks, souvenir) and its also your pass to get on and off ship in each port. When you first board the ship the security personnel will have you insert your key card into a scanner and then will take a photo of you that is included in the magnetic strip on the card. Each time you get off ship you will need this key card and many times also a photo ID (passport or driver's license). This card allows them to keep an accurate track of all passengers entering and/or leaving the ship. Infants and small children may be required to wear an ID bracelet (like in the hospital) in lieu of carry a card.

Each day of your cruise you will receive in your cabin a "newsletter" listing the time, place and particulars of everything happening for you on ship. There are generally activities like demonstrations of ice carvings, napkin folding and towel folding, and cooking demonstrations. Some ships may offer a galley (kitchen) tour or a tour of the bridge. There may be organized games and other activities around the pools. In the evenings there are generally shows, one show for those with an early dinner seating and another (same show) for those who eat late. There is always food available. Usually there is a place in ship where you can go get something. Or, you can always just pick up the phone in your cabin and order from the room service menu (food is free). If you want, you can order breakfast room service.

All ships have a casino with slots and table games. Ships have movie theaters, generally small but nice, and you can also see movies in your room. They have ATM’s and a purser’s desk where you can cash a check or exchange currency if you need to. There is a tour and activities desk so you can schedule land tours and activities.

Ships have free morning exercise programs, stretching and walking, etc, and on some you can pay for other things like Spinning. All cruise ships have gyms so you can go workout, usually any time from 6:00 AM to late at night. There is usually a walking/running track on one of the decks also. Some ships leave the gym open all night. They call the gyms Spa because they do promote getting pampered with things like wraps and massages with aroma therapy. They will also generally have a beauty salon to do hair and nails.

There are always pools. Some ships have more than one and the newer ships generally have an indoor pool as well as outdoor ones and all of these have hot tubs. There is generally a basketball court on the top deck, a place for scuffle board, and a mini-golf course. The newer Royal Caribbean ships have a rock climbing wall and the newest one has a pool for water surfing.

There are places on ships to play cards and board games, and the cards and games are provided. If you want to just sit and read, there’s a library where you can bring your books or select one from the shelf. Ships have internet cafes and some offer WIFI if you bring your prefer to use your computer in your cabin (some ships offer notebooks for rent). There are cocktail lounges that feature a variety of music. Some have a piano bar with jazz. There is usually a disco that starts after 10:00 PM each night and last until everyone leave. On certain days ships will have special activities like a chocolate lovers buffet, or a midnight deck party .

I suggest that you go to the web site for the cruise lines and look at the cabin prices, port stops, the features for the ships and select a cruise that will do what you want to do. Then you may want to talk to an agent and see if they can find what you want. Finally, decide whether you want to book your self or have an agent do it for you.

WILL YOU GET SEA SICK ??

Some people worry about getting sea sick, but the ships being used these days have automated stabilizers which minimize the rocking. The larger ships cut through the water so easy that you don’t even feel like you are moving. When there is bad weather the cruise lines will steer around and away from it, sometimes changing the order of port stops. Also, the ships generally move overnight and dock in the mornings so you don’t feel much movement. Consequently, your chances of getting sea sick are minimal. There is generally less motion than on an airplane. If you do get sick, all ships have a doctor and they will dispense sea sick medicines. If you are prone to motion sickness, just get pills or a patch from your own doctor before you go, or go to a boating store and get a sea sickness bracelet.

OTHER CRUISE TIPS

The shorter cruises are 4 or 5 days, and the normal ones are either 7 to 14 days or more. If you are not sure whether you will like cruising, go on a short one first.

To save some money, consider driving to the port; Miami, Ft Lauderdale, N.O., Houston, LA, NJ. Most ports have plentiful and safe parking (I have driven many times to Miami and Ft Lauderdale) at both places that costs about $12 a day. Driving can save money over the cruise line "add-in" for airfare. We generally drive most of the way on one day from NC and stop about an hour or two from the port for the night. Then we continue the short trip the next day to the port. Most ships start boarding between noon and 1:00 PM. If you are a cruise club member you generally get to go on first, or early.

Join the cruise club so that the cruise line will send you their specials and so that you can get discounts on future cruises with them. The discount will typically be $50 to $100 per person. If you will be celebrating a honeymoon, anniversary, or birthday during the cruise, be sure to tell them, they will do special stuff for that.

Most 7-day cruises have two formal nights when you can wear your best stuff and get pictures taken, and maybe meet the ship’s Captain. Cruise lines charge a lot for the photos they take so take your own photos around the ship when you get the chance, especially on the formal nights. Ask other passengers to take photos for you, they generally are very willing.

Review the listing of tours offered on your cruise and decide whether you want to pay for a tour or go on your own. On most Caribbean islands you can get a taxi or tour in port for much less than the cruise ship tours. HOWEVER, the one big advantage of going on ship sponsored tours is THE SHIP WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU if your ship sponsored tour is late getting back to the ship. If you will be in a port for 12 to 16 hours you are probably safe to go on your own for most anything. But if you are only there for six to eight hours you may want to stay close to the ship or go on the ship tours.

I suggest that you visit a few of the web sites below and look at the features of some of the ships.

Answer 2

It is so much fun! I love cruising. I am going on the Carnival Conquest in four weeks. I have been on two Royal Caribbean and one Princess cruise. I liked Royal Caribbean the best so far. I always book my cruises through cruisebrothers.com- they seem to always have the best prices. Go! You won't regret it!

As for what it is like: Some days you wake up and you are in port. There are all kinds of activities to do on shore, and there are activities to do on the ship. You don't have to get off of the ship if you don't want to. The ship is fun on port days because everyone gets off.

There is food 24/7. There are activities practically 24/7. Karaoke, pool contests, bingo, movies, the spa, the casino, the disco, bars, behing the scenes tours, port shopping seminars, wine tastings, jewelry sales, art auctions, midnight chocolate buffets, formal nights, etc, etc.

Everything is included except cokes, alcoholic drinks, spa treatments, etc. There are ways to save money on the alcohol though. You can usually bring wine on board, buy a bottle of liquor onboard and a soda card and you can make mixed drinks.

The food quality is excellent. Not like an all inclusive resort where you just get by, like really good food.

Just do it once and you will be hooked! I know a lot of people don't want to go because they feel like it is going to be all old people or they are going to feel trapped. It is not small at all. There is plenty to do. Too much if you ask me!

I hope this helps!

Answer 3

cruises are great, just got off the ship for cruise num 6 last week. You can pretty much set your own agenda onboard. If you are real active, you can always find something going on in one of the bars, the casino or by the main pool. Also there are alot of scheduled activities as well. If you ar just into chilling out, you can also take a book and a chair and lay out near the pool or a quiet spot in the back of the ship and just hang. You can also eat almost 24/7 and of course there are all kinds of activities in the ports.

Answer 4

It is the most enjoyable vacation you will ever take. It is also one of the most economical vacations to take, as everything is included except drinks and shoer excursions. Oh, yes, and gambling if you are into that, and the ship has a casino. My wife and I went on our first cruise together in January of 2004, and we will be going on our 6th this December, if that tells you how much we love cruising.

The one thing you do want to remember is if you have not been on a ship before, try getting an ocean view cabin, on a lower deck mid-ship. That will have the least amount of rocking.

Answer 5

This is a very general and open ended questions. It's hard to answer. There are people that can live on cruise ships and others can only handle a week. You never have time in the stateroom due to the activites. These range from physical activites, dining, shows, casinos, dancing and port stuff.

Answer 6

Yes, it is awesome. I used to go and gamble on a cruise ship all the time,Sea Escape out of Ft. Lauderdale. They have great food, usually a cool nightclub and of the course the view of the ocean is awesome.

Answer 7

It's awesome. I freaked out during my carribbean cruise. With all the 5 star facilities available on board, you feel like a queen. You get to mingle with different people and not to mention the Casino......I HAD A GR8 TIME!!!! GO FOR IT !!!!

Answer 8

A cruise is a great way to travel and see exotic ports.
They provide all of your meals, 24 hr. complimentary room service, hot tubs, pools, activities, Vegas style shows, casinos, and, of course, awesome shore excursions.
Dollar for dollar, it is comparable to, or cheaper than, many land tours.

Answer 9

I love cruises !
Been on many and I think Royal Caribbean is the best !

Answer 10

It's great. A little sea sick but no biggie. Like a hangover without the headache. Only lasts 1st day at sea. Otherwise it's da bomb!!