Mariner 7/27/08-1st Cruise Advice

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els689

Guest
My DH and I are traveling with another couple. We're all first time cruisers and are really excited. If you could give one or two invaluable pieces of advice to a newbie that would help make the trip easier, more fun, etc. what would it be? What do you wish you knew the first time you cruised OR the first time you cruised on the Mariner of the Seas?



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iufan6928

Guest
Don't go to all the dinners, they are nice but skip a couple of them, there is so much to do and see. Johnny Rockets is Awesome!!! Don't take every piece of clothing you own. You can use a few outfits more than once. You are almost always changing. We went on the Mariner in Oct, it was our second cruise. The ship is Awesome and the crew is amazing. Oh and make sure you pay attention to the cruise tracker ( the daily newspaper). Have an awesome time. My wife and I will be on the Explorer of the seas at the same time on a 9 night to Canada for our 15th Anniversary. You will be so addicted after the first one.
 
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els689

Guest
Thanks! I appreciate your thoughts and tips. Johnny Rockets sounds fun, so I'm glad it's someplace we'll want to visit while on board.
 
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oriolesfan22

Guest
Also, be sure to spend a night at Chops. You may even want to do this as a couple, and let the other couple know that you'd like a romantic dinner alone, just the two of you. Sometimes that's a nice change when traveling with others. Also, we always pack a can of air freshener, since the cabin can be stuffy, and sometimes the bathroom needs refreshing, if you know what I mean! We also pack large plastic cups or travel coffee mugs, so that you can fill up in the informal dining area and walk around the ship, or lay by the pool. The cups that they provide are very small. And finally, if you don't already have one, purchase a small travel alarm clock. There are no clocks in the cabin, and sometimes you just want to know what time it is in the middle of the night!
 
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els689

Guest
I'm going to add these to my lists. (I'm an obsessive planner. LOL) Thanks so much!!!!
 
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StudMuffin

Guest
Good afternoon Sara,

You couldn't have picked a better ship for your first cruise. If you have never seen her up close, you will be amazed!

As for advice...

1. Go with a good attitude, cruise brochures cost millions, written by those who have probably never stepped foot on a cruise ship, and suggest absolute perfection! There will be lines, some food you may not like, shows may not all be to your liking, and maybe the dining room is running behind on certain nights. The point is you certainly don't get perfection at home and everything won't be as perfect as the brochure might suggest. Your on vacation...a cruise at that! Go with a good attitude, don't get caught up in the little things, and everything else will take care of itself.

[size=x-large]Have a great cruise![/size]
 
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els689

Guest
Thanks StudMuffin. Good advice.
The pick of ships was totally random on our part. Our friends have a time share and they traded it in on a cruise. The time frame that my friend's DH was able to take off from work dictated when which then dictated what boat. We knew we wanted the Caribbean, so the Mariner fit our time frame. It looks like a great ship.
 
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StudMuffin

Guest
Sara,

Unfortunately, cruising is truly an addiction. Rest assured after this cruise, you will beg, borrow, and steal to keep going on future cruises :D
 
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gottacruz

Guest
Hi,
i started cruising in 1982, and this next cruise, sept 13, 08 will be my 21 cruise, to alaska, on serenade of the seas. Mostly i've cruised on rccl, starting with song of norway, then song of america, nordic prince, sun viking, viking serenade, legend and splendor, rhapsody, vision of the seas, most of the cruises have been in the caribbean, mexico and alaska. You can and do get addicted to cruises. I've cruised three times when i was unemployed, but hey, what the heck, its a cruise.
 
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