Help

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andie7842

Guest
Alright everyone here is your chance to help a family of first timers. we are going on the CP leaving on 8/31. Two sons 19, 14 and the wife and I. now is the chance for every one to give a little piece of advice. It may be the little somthing extra to pack, or go and get reservations as soon as possible. Let me know so we do not forget anything and to ensure that this is the vacation that the boys will never forget. Have a little fun with it, all advice is welcomed. Remember the more the merrier.
 
C

Cruise cutie

Guest
=welcome to cruise @ddicts..pull up a deck chair and join the :dizzy group..:grin.."nice to meet you"..I LOVE =love Princess cruise lines..never ever had a bad anything on my 4 sailings..;)....hope you know you are gonna be overrun with kids..since you have yours they will be sure to have a blast...:grin...Guess you get ":free" tickets for Movies at SEA screening..BUT you have to sign up for them..go to pursers desk real SOON after boarding to inquire...bring LOTS of suncreen..apply in room 20 minutes before you go out,then reapply after in Water / every couple hours....Go to cruise divas list in home page for packing advice....cruise diva.com...she is the BEST!!!..take underwater cameras,beach feet for the beaches,you can buy soda pop cards on board for unlimited fountain soda..can soda is expensive..you may hand carry on to ship ..soda,wine,champagne..all other booze is "sneaking..=dunno if you want to double bag bubble wrap it and risk..ice and fridge in rooms..fresh fruit upon request..ask room steward..robes for around cabin..also on request,,can pre-book excursions on Princess,,go to Princess.com and pick ahead..tickets on bed when you get on ship..bring at least 50 $1.00 bills for porters,excursion people,luggage porters,etc for tips,if you want you can have a special balcony dinner with the missus..VERY nice I've read..can see cruise specialist if adore trip to pre-book another cruise with extra goodies thrown in..Be VERY careful about walking alone in the Islands..use common sense..Take a good attitude,smile,say hello to folks and you guys are going to have a blast..Post lot's of questions..go way down the Princess forum,Caribbean forum and Know before you go forum ..lot's of good information..post on Main Community board for FAST response from all cruisers..take care./...:)..Joanne
 
B

Beryl

Guest
My best advice is.....don't try to do it all! Take some time to just relax and enjoy!!!

This seems like a good time to post the Ten Commandments for Cruisers that we received many years ago while on a Princess cruise. :grin


The Ten Commandments for Cruisers


1. Thou shalt not expect to find things as thou has left them at home for thou hath left home to find things different.

2. Thou shalt not take anything too seriously, for a carefree mind is the beginning of an excellent cruise.

3. Thou shalt not let other passengers get on thy nerves, for thou art paying good money to enjoy thyself.

4. Thou shalt not forget that thou dost represent thy country at all times.

5. Thou shalt not worrieth...for he-ith or she-ith who worrieth hath no pleasure and few things are ever fatal.

6. Thou shalt remember to lift thy feet when going into thy bathroom so thou dost not break thy toes.

7. Thou shalt not flush whilst seated.

8. Thou shalt remember, whilst in Rome, do as the Romans do and use helpfulness and friendliness at all times.

9, Thou shalt remember thy cruise card...for a passenger without a cruise card is a passenger waving to the ship from the dock.

10. Thou shalt remember that thou art a guest in every land: and he-ith or she-ith who treateth their host with respect shall be treated as an honoured guest.
 
E

Einstein

Guest
Below is a Interesting Thread from the Community Board that might be of interst to you. :thumb


<http://www.cruise-addicts.com/forums/read.php?f=1&i=656952&t=656952&v=f>


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Post Edited (06-23-04 21:22)
 
L

lininak

Guest
On the first cruise we took we booked our excursions through the cruise line. Since that time, I do the homework - read the boards here and on cruisecritic.com and cruisemates.com , search the internet, etc. - then book our own tours. We have been able to see much more, go on our own itineraries; avoid the crowds of busloads of cruisers; and save money. If the CP is Carib. Princess and not Coral Princess - you might want to know that all areas of Orient Beach (St. Martin) may have nudity (if it's the Coral Princess - we don't get many nude sunbathers on our Alaskan beaches-lol) -- not sure quite how memorable you want this trip to be for your boys!! We love cruising with Princess and hope you will too!
 
G

gaa

Guest
I just returned from the CP and posted my review. You will have a great time! In terms of suggestions, I will focus on cruising with teens---we didn't do it this time, but have in the past:

Bring (or buy on board) one of those thingees that go around your neck for your cruise card---have the purser's desk punch a hole in it when you all get onboard. That way it is less likely to be left behind, and you don't have to worry if you are going to the pool and don't have a pocket to put your card in.

If your kids drink soda, the "coke card" is a good deal...a flat rate paid up front gets you a sticker for their cruise cards that will entitle them to all the soft drinks they can drink, including dinner. Soda costs from a bar can really add up, otherwise.

If you have the chance, and the inclination, feel free to carry a six pack or two of bottled water onboard. It is allowed by the cruiseline, and it is expensive to buy onboard. You will see the cruise line selling chilled bottled water everywhere you look now, not just when you are getting off the ship in board. I was really surprised how much they were pushing the sales of bottled water in the Horizon Court and Cafe Caribe.

Be prepared to give your teens more slack than you might at home. Depending on your teens, they may meet you for dinners, but most parents traveling with teens on cruise ships do not eat 3 meals a day with them....we really enjoyed going into port with our daughter and her friend, and dinner each night was a must, but during sea days they pretty much got up when they wanted, and found their own place by the pool or wherever they wanted to be during the day. Don't expect the 14 year old to want to hang out at the teen club. In our experience, most teens go the first night or maybe two, and then just meet up with the other teens they have met, rather than regularly attending the organized activities---although on our recent cruise we did see two young teenage girls actually doing a scavenger hunt on the second sea day.

Our one very firm rule: we did not allow them to go into anyone else's room....or bring anyone to their room (the teens had their own room, which I highly recommend if they are responsible, and if your finances allow it).

If you go to St. Maarten with them, do the America's Cup. They will have a blast.

Make them pose for pictures at least one of the nights, even if they balk. They (and you) will be glad you have them to look back at.

Make them use the safe in the room for their vaulables on sea days....cash can't be used onboard, except for tipping for room service, and their is no reason to carry a wallet with them on sea days.

Remind them if they order from room service to tip. This does not occur to many teens, who think it is included.

Hope these suggestions are helpful.
 
B

bluefish

Guest
do a Discover Scuba, you AND your boys will never forget the experience.

You can either go thru the ship which is easiest but more expensive or make your own arrangements, which cost less but require you to do some research.
 
N

Natalia

Guest
Congratulations on your upcoming first cruise! I just love Princess. Took my boys 2 years ago on their first (Grand Princess) and they had a fantastic time. I didnt read all of the advice above so I apologize for any repeat information.... Dont over pack, you wont need as much as all the packing lists would have you to believe, although those lists are a great help in preparation for your first cruise. Enjoy every minute, it truly is a vacation of a lifetime... (but lets hope you get to take many more). If you feel comfortable doing so, do some research here and online and do your tours on your own. Im not sure what your itinerary is, but many times you can save money and have a better experience if you get away from the crowds of ship tours. Im not real familiar with the newer Princess ships, but on other ships it was always good to arrive a few minutes early for shows as they fill fast, and some sightlines are bad if you end up with the "left over" seats. If you will need to tender into port, get your tender tickets as early as possible to maximize your time ashore. If you have inside cabins, take a nightlight, its really dark in there! Your first flush of the toilet is an experience!! Dont panic... you'll see what I mean (make sure you are standing, not sitting - otherwise you just may be sucked away and lost forever :grin). If you are going to Grand Cayman, swim with the stingrays! For those like me who arent familiar with your particular itinerary, let us know where you are going so we can better help you. =welcome to cruising and to Cruise @ddicts.... I hope you have a wonderful vacation with your family!! If you have questions, be sure to ask.
 


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