by ♥ Christine aka stine1 ♥
Member since:
April 3, 2011

Any advice for "cruise newbies"?

May 10, 2011 05:12 AM UTC (Updated: October 31, 2012 03:14 AM UTC)
views: 0 | 5 people recommend this | comments: 42

Yeah, I almost convinced my hubby that we simply have to go on a cruise as the next huge vacation in 2012/2013.
I have even found a great cruise line with a perfect route in the Caribbean (German AIDA ships).

Before digging deeper into this kind of vacation, we both thought that going on a cruise does mean the following:
- seniors everywhere, no place for "younger" peole (in their 20s and 30s)
- you are "caged" on the ship: your daily routine is eating, pool and party with the few younger people (as we are NOT party lovers, that would be nothing for us)


But it is different lol
Ok, there are cruise lines specialized on the elderly audience and I would not expect younger people on a trip to Iceland... but you are anything else than caged! In every harbour, adventure awaits you with a whole bunch of different tours to book, e.g. Maya pyramids in Mexico, rum factory on Jamaica, swimming with dolphines and sting rays... climbing water falls in the jungle... Woohoo! cheering



So, now that I have convinced hubby for about 99%, I'd like to collect some newbie tipps and hints. We have never been on a cruise before and I HATE to be blissfully ignorant. I am rather the "planner". The roundtrip in the USA was a great opportunity for me to plan when we are where and why angel

Ok, any advice what to (not) do or bring? Thanks in advance!

Comments: 42

Tropica G. May 10, 2011, 6:47am UTC
I've never been on a cruise before, but I sure would love to go on one.
♥ Christine aka stine1 ♥ May 10, 2011, 6:49am UTC
I am so excited....
DIANE D. May 10, 2011, 8:15am UTC
no, but so happy for you!
♥ Christine aka stine1 ♥ May 10, 2011, 8:22am UTC
Thank you :-)
Nora D. May 10, 2011, 11:10am UTC
Yes, yes, we have been on two cruises.......they are fabulous.....but, for the first few times, go through a travel agent, as they know all the "deals" and they can get you the best prices, etc........heavens sakes, NO, cruises are NOT just for "old people," and they are not confining.
We went on Royal Caribbean (it is fabulous), and they had stuff going on 24/7, I kid you not........anything from ice skating, to movie theatres, to cassinos, to wall climbing for the kids, and oh yeah, exercise rooms, spas, you name it, they GOT it! We never did get to see/do half of the activities on board....and food, oh my gosh, TONS of it........they have formal dining rooms, buffets, and the smaller restaurants.....oh, and they do have several bars and mini malls on board as well.
If you've got more questions, let me know! I have photos posted of our cruise to Jamaica and Haiti a year and a half ago.....check 'em out!
♥ Christine aka stine1 ♥ May 11, 2011, 2:23am UTC
Oh,. I will check out your phtos. Thank you so much.

In Germany, it is less expensive to book it directly at the cruise line and we will do it.
I also considered using an American cruise line as the Euro/Dollar is still a great bargain for us, but unfortunately, hubby does not know enough English to follow the English speaking guides on the trips. AND you have to book the flight yourself and if you arrive late, it is your fault. The ship won't wait...
So we decided to NOT safe maybe $100 per person for those two things.

Hopping now over to your photos :-)
♥ Christine aka stine1 ♥ May 11, 2011, 2:39am UTC
Oh, and American cruise lines are specialized on doing 7 day trips, right?
We will ahve two weeks :-)
Nora D. May 11, 2011, 9:54am UTC
Oh heavens, no, not just the 7-day cruises.....you can get cruises anywhere from about 3 days up to a month or so long!!!!! You can get them tailor/custome made to exactly what YOU want!!!! We've been on two cruises and hoping to do another, maybe at the end of the year, but I still feel very "leery" about trying to plan one on my own.....would rather use a travel agent, as they know all the bargains and deals and, I think, can get us the best prices around! Anyhow, good luck.
Where are you thinking of going, or do you have any idea yet?
♥ Christine aka stine1 ♥ May 11, 2011, 10:03am UTC
I have an idea yet:



We will definitely book it online at the cruise line as the German travel agents are more expensive.
Nora D. May 11, 2011, 10:42am UTC
Wow, that sounds like a really great cruise! We've never been able to take really long ones because of either the kid being in school or else hubby's job/work!
♥ Christine aka stine1 ♥ May 12, 2011, 1:31am UTC
Yeah, this will be the probably last "huge" vacation before I can celebrate my first mother's day ;-)
George Shaw May 10, 2011, 11:29am UTC
Yes, relax and enjoy it. Don't think that you have to do everything, but be open to doing the different shows and outings. Also, did I mention, relax.
♥ Christine aka stine1 ♥ May 11, 2011, 2:39am UTC
Haha, thanks :-)
Dennis Gilman May 10, 2011, 12:29pm UTC
To do the one that includes Jamaica, I advise it only for fun lovers. Ocho Rios is one of our most fun tourist destinations. The Parish that it is located in is so gorgeous that Christopher Columbus fell in love with it the very first time he saw it and requested Jamaica as his family estate.

Visitors there leave very reluctantly. Some who came on vacation are still here decades later.
♥ Christine aka stine1 ♥ May 11, 2011, 2:40am UTC
Thanks, that sounds awesome!
Beth J. May 10, 2011, 1:51pm UTC
Comment Fairy

Was Here
♥ Christine aka stine1 ♥ May 11, 2011, 2:40am UTC
Danke :-)
DarkBeauty 73 (Melanie) May 12, 2011, 7:29am UTC
My friends has been on a curse several times with and without the kids and they loved it. I have never been on one myself. good luck
♥ Christine aka stine1 ♥ May 12, 2011, 7:40am UTC
They should do a vampire cruise ;-)
DarkBeauty 73 (Melanie) May 12, 2011, 8:51am UTC
now that would be cool, lol.
Sharla H. May 13, 2011, 10:11am UTC
I have been on 2 cruises. One out of Mexico and the other out of Alaska. You will love it.
♥ Christine aka stine1 ♥ May 13, 2011, 11:47am UTC
Oh yes, we will. Thank you :-)
Angela Yuriko Smith May 14, 2011, 7:15am UTC
Have fun with that! I hope we get to hear all about it here. I've never been on a cruise, but my impression has always been that you are caged up, like you said. Good luck!

:Dandilyon Fluff
♥ Christine aka stine1 ♥ May 14, 2011, 7:33am UTC
Thanks :-)
Debbie W. May 14, 2011, 11:10pm UTC
Have a good time. The closest i ever have been to a cruise was the gambling boat
♥ Christine aka stine1 ♥ May 15, 2011, 6:40am UTC
Thank you :-)
Kasey Klein May 15, 2011, 4:10pm UTC
I do not know.


Thanks for posting to Short Story and More!
♥ Christine aka stine1 ♥ May 16, 2011, 3:55am UTC
Thank you for stopping by :-)
Risa G. May 15, 2011, 7:37pm UTC
I've never been on a cruise so I have no tips for you. Sorry. I hope U go. My sister went on one once, gained 8 lb, but had a great time. Forget which cruise line it was.
♥ Christine aka stine1 ♥ May 16, 2011, 4:24am UTC
Thanks for stopping by :-)
Renita P. Jul 22, 2011, 8:21pm UTC
This comment is to let you know that your content has reached 50 views and has been removed from "Let’s Get To Know Each Other." Thanks for posting.
♥ Christine aka stine1 ♥ Oct 5, 2011, 7:44am UTC
Thank you very much for your comment :-)
R B Jul 22, 2011, 8:57pm UTC
Never been, and after checking an itinerary, have no desire to go.
♥ Christine aka stine1 ♥ Oct 5, 2011, 7:44am UTC
Thank you very much for your comment :-)
Theresa S. Oct 4, 2011, 9:40am UTC
I have never been on a cruise, but have always wondered the same things you speak about. I'm really interested to see some answers from others.
♥ Christine aka stine1 ♥ Oct 5, 2011, 7:44am UTC
Thanks for stopping by :-)
Joy Blessing Oct 5, 2011, 4:10pm UTC
Haven't been in many many years. Good luck though and have a great time.
♥ Christine aka stine1 ♥ Oct 6, 2011, 5:00am UTC
Thanks for stopping by :-)
Beth J. Oct 31, 2012, 5:35pm UTC
Thank you for sharing your post on Helping Out One Another
♥ Christine aka stine1 ♥ Nov 1, 2012, 8:00am UTC
Thanks for stopping by :-)
Jan S. Oct 31, 2012, 8:16pm UTC
My parents used a French cruise line and the meals were formal and food fabulous. The Disney and Carnival lines are more popular for families with children.
If I were planning a cruise, I'd check on the demographics. Those planning a quiet, romantic cruise won't want a lot of kids running around and families won't appreciate being told to quiet down. You are wise to do your homework, Christine!
♥ Christine aka stine1 ♥ Nov 1, 2012, 8:00am UTC
Thank you, Jan. The German AIDA line - which we have chosen - is for the younger generation and families.

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