First time cruiser here!

[angelsis]

Hello all! Just want to introduce myself. DH and I will be going on our first cruise ever in December 2007. I have learned so much already just from reading the forums. Just about every question I had has been answered. I'm sure as it gets closer, I'll have a few more 'tho!

12/3/07 RCCL Navigator of the Seas, 5 nights

 

[Jim]

Just be sure you understand one thing. When you get back, there is no cure, no medical treatment, no 12 step program available. You will be an addict.
Sit back, enjoy, and book your next cruise!!!

There are other boards out there, you can ask any question, but you will find lots of opinions. On C@A you will get mostly facts, mixed in with personal observations, so anything you want to know....just drop these fine folks a note

 

[angelsis]

Thanks!

thanks Jim. I appreciate the advice! I think I am already an addict!

 

[connie seabee]

Eileen, this may very well be your first cruise, but I guaranty it won't be the last.

By the way, we absolutely loved the Navigator OTS. Have Fun!

 

[cruisebuddy]

I don't know, Jim. I'm not sure you were stern enough. It's an untreatable illness, and the only known cure is, yes, another cruize. I've suffered for years. It seemed very innocent at first. Actually, it's my wife's fault. She is the one who forced me to go on a cruize. She had already been, and had I known that she suffered from this illness when we met, I may have been better prepared. The first cruize seemed innocent enough, but 12 cruizes later, yes, I am an ADDICT!!!

Angelsis, it IS an addictshun, hence the website's name. Be prepared. First, you start looking at more cruize brochures. The travell agency office that you have walked by a thousand times is now on your list of places to stop each week. You begin to learn more about the different cruize lines, you begin memorizing the ships' names. It gets to a point where you even learn the different classes that the ships are in, what year they were built, and even what year they may have been refurbished. Some addicts have been known to be able to recite the itineraries that each ship sails. But the worst is yet to come...

You feel that one was fine and you start to entertain taking another. Aftwerwards, you start figuring out how you can do two, maybe three a year! People at work come to you to ask about cheap rates for cruizes. You find that you cruize for the shipp instead of the itinerary! You meet up with the same staff members on different cruizes... AND THEY REMEMBER YOUR NAME!!! AHHhhhhhhh!!!!

It truly is an addictshun, angelsis. One that I wouldn't trade for anything. My wife and I sail on Princess next month, have a December 2008 cruize already booked, and are talking about what cruize we will go on in the Spring, just to fill up some of our vacation time. Our relatives hate us becaue we live in SW Florida, two hours away from Ft. Lauderdale and Miami, and can jump on a ship with a moment's notice.

Sorry for the dramatics, but can anyone tell that I am a righter? I'm having fun with you Angelsis. Welcome to the world of cruizing. There is no vacashun on earth that is worth a cruize, dollar for dollar! <sorry for the misspellings, but I did it on purpose>

As for the Navigator, we have sailed her and truly enjoyed it.

 

[angelsis]

Quick question - dining

You all crack me up=docdance. But I believe every word! My DH thinks I'm nuts because almost every day I learn something new about crusin' or I discover a great tip. But he'll thank me when we're under way and I'm a step ahead of other first timers - thanks to everyone here!

I have a question - may be silly, but I'm just not sure I understand.
We have late seating for main dining. But what about breakfast? Is it also served in the main dining room? and if so, is it open seating or same as table assignment for the evening? Or is breakfast "buffet" style?

Appreciate any input...and thanks:angel

 

[Gayle V]

Hello Angelsis, Welcome to Cruise Addicts and to the world of cruising.

About breakfast: Yes they serve breakfast in the main dining room, but no, seating is not assigned. If your ship has more than one dining room it may even be in a different dining room than the one you usually use. Check the daily "Compass", it will tell you the hours and location.

The meal will be served at the table. There are often some really special selections on the dining room breakfast menu, so it's nice to take the time to eat there at least once in a while.

There is also the buffet up on the lido deck if you don't feel like having the dining room experience, or perhaps are in more of a hurry. That's what hubby and I ususally do, as we are late risers.

Another option of course is room service, but selections are kind of limited.

(BTW, It is possible that some ships do have assigned breakfast seating, but after fifteen cruises, five on Royal Caribbean, I've not seen it yet.)

And about that addiction thing, it is oh so true. When we went on our first cruise we thought it was going to be a once in a lifetime experience, that we had to do. Just the once. :lol

 

[angelsis]

Thanks for the info on breakfast Gayle. I feel so much better knowing a bit about what to expect. I love new experiences, but a little insight is always welcome

:angel

 

[cruisebuddy]

Keep the questions coming. I think us veterans sometimes take for granted the many things we have learned having sailed so much.