Who has been on a cruise????
Replies
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OMG so many great responses! Thank you guys so much for all the wonderful information! I'm leaving Port Canaveral. I will be on the Disney fantasy. We have some really great excursions booked. I can't wait to go parasailing with my 8 year old daughter and swim with the dolphins with my kids! My parents are also going and my mom, daughter, and me are going to do the 5K on Castaway Cay! My husband wants to fish and my dad is happy just downing a few dozen beers or so on the beach. LOL!
I definitely plan on working out and already have an appointment with a personal trainer at 6:30am on two of the mornings. The fitness center is gorgeous and I can't wait to get my butt in there first thing and get my workout over with so I don't feel so guilty indulging in some delicious food and beverage. I also want to try out the running track! That sound amazing!
Thanks again everyone for all the helpful tips! Oh, and thanks fleetzz for the tip about the prescription meds for motion sickness! My daughter gets motion sickness horribly so this is a good thing to know about asking her pedi for some meds.
Some things to add:
*If motion sickness might be an issue definitely see your pediatricians before you leave. We were on the Fantasy last year and our friend's child needed to see the doctor. It was $150 billed to their stateroom just for the initial visit plus the cost of meds. Disney wouldn't bill their insurance for it.
*Not all the rooms have 2 bathroom areas.
*You may not get as long in Castaway Cay as indicated. We only had 4 hours there because of a medical issue that required the ship to stop in Nassau. According to the crew this happens at least once a month.
*You really don't have to dress up for formal and semi formal nights. Disney has relaxed their dress code a lot recently. We did enjoy getting our pictures in dress clothes but if I went again, I would opt to not have to pack the extra clothes.
*Make sure your understand the tips that will be billed to your room. I'm thinking they were about $100 per person but I could be wrong about that.
*if they are having a pirate party do plan on taking some dress up items. We got bandanas,beads and patches at a dollar store.
*Make sure you get enough sleep, even if it means skipping a show. So many people are exhausted and cranky by the time the ship gets to Castaway Cay.
*Get to the Port Canaveral as early as you can and register the kids in for their activities. They will get a special electronic wristband. Our kids had a lot of fun before the ship got crowded.
*Go to some of the adult only areas and clubs. It is great to get away from all the kid noise for a while.
*Take the art of the cruise ship tour. You'll learn a lot about the ship and its construction.0 -
OMG so many great responses! Thank you guys so much for all the wonderful information! I'm leaving Port Canaveral. I will be on the Disney fantasy. We have some really great excursions booked. I can't wait to go parasailing with my 8 year old daughter and swim with the dolphins with my kids! My parents are also going and my mom, daughter, and me are going to do the 5K on Castaway Cay! My husband wants to fish and my dad is happy just downing a few dozen beers or so on the beach. LOL!
I definitely plan on working out and already have an appointment with a personal trainer at 6:30am on two of the mornings. The fitness center is gorgeous and I can't wait to get my butt in there first thing and get my workout over with so I don't feel so guilty indulging in some delicious food and beverage. I also want to try out the running track! That sound amazing!
Thanks again everyone for all the helpful tips! Oh, and thanks fleetzz for the tip about the prescription meds for motion sickness! My daughter gets motion sickness horribly so this is a good thing to know about asking her pedi for some meds.
Some things to add:
*If motion sickness might be an issue definitely see your pediatricians before you leave. We were on the Fantasy last year and our friend's child needed to see the doctor. It was $150 billed to their stateroom just for the initial visit plus the cost of meds. Disney wouldn't bill their insurance for it.
*Not all the rooms have 2 bathroom areas.
*You may not get as long in Castaway Cay as indicated. We only had 4 hours there because of a medical issue that required the ship to stop in Nassau. According to the crew this happens at least once a month.
*You really don't have to dress up for formal and semi formal nights. Disney has relaxed their dress code a lot recently. We did enjoy getting our pictures in dress clothes but if I went again, I would opt to not have to pack the extra clothes.
*Make sure your understand the tips that will be billed to your room. I'm thinking they were about $100 per person but I could be wrong about that.
*if they are having a pirate party do plan on taking some dress up items. We got bandanas,beads and patches at a dollar store.
*Make sure you get enough sleep, even if it means skipping a show. So many people are exhausted and cranky by the time the ship gets to Castaway Cay.
*Get to the Port Canaveral as early as you can and register the kids in for their activities. They will get a special electronic wristband. Our kids had a lot of fun before the ship got crowded.
*Go to some of the adult only areas and clubs. It is great to get away from all the kid noise for a while.
*Take the art of the cruise ship tour. You'll learn a lot about the ship and its construction.
WOW...thanks so much!0 -
All good tips.
I would add that you want to make sure that when you disembark you bring all your required ID and passports as required. And to make sure you're on time for any shore excursions because they do leave without you if you're late. Got all the way to the gangplank and realized my husband left his wallet in our stateroom and we ran like hell through the boat to get back to our room, get his wallet so he could get back on the boat, and get back off the boat and ran to where our snorkeling excursion was leaving from to see that the group had left 3-4 minutes before we got there. Bye bye $100. That was a bummer.
Also, the towel animals are frickin awesome. Take pictures of them. :bigsmile:0 -
I just got back from one! Didn't gain a pound and got to horseback ride on the beach (as seen in my profile pick)
I worked out 5 out of 8 days...Mostly body weight stuff (I don't think getting on a stinking elliptical machine does much for ya).
I ate smoked salmon for breakfast, salads for lunch (hot dog without bun if the the buffet was closed), and chose the healthy options a few nights for dinner but splurged a few nights as well. Wine every night but no beer and only 3 cocktails the whole trip.
Was so happy I came back tan and the same weight as before I left!0 -
I went on a cruise last year on Holland America. It was really fun and I enjoyed all the excursions. I'd recommend at least looking into the excursions, but possibly not all of them as it gets expensive. But I'd definitely do the ones that get you doing things that aren't usually available to you.
Bring a camera
Holland America had a great on board medical clinic. I lost my my prescription meds for anti-nausea and I was really freaking out because I tale them for massive stomach issues that have nothing to do with being on a boat. Basically if I don't take them I can't eat. They were totally able to refill them! I thought I'd have get some less strong OTC meds and muddle through, but they refilled my prescription! All this is because so many say get meds before going if you never been on a boat, but they probably can prescribe them on the boat if you need them and didn't think you would beforehand.
I was bored on at sea days on Holland America. Maybe this is because Holland America caters to an older crowd or because I'm crazy and need to be constantly stimulated. If you have kids, you may want to plan for this though.
As for food, it is everywhere! You are constantly exposed. Since I'm so finicky, I didn't have a problem over eating, but my husband did. Know this ahead of time and have a plan. Maybe you use the on board gym everyday or know you have to work hard when you get back. There's healthy food choices too, so you could eat properly, but it's hard when there's cake everywhere and you have the vacation mentality. You probably won't have Internet service to log your food, so take a note pad if you want to keep track. They will have Internet in an intern cafe on the boat, but your phone won't be receiving and the price will be high.
All that said, I was actually hungry, so if you have an extremely picky child, you may want to plan for that.
Drinks are not included. I thought this meant alcoholic drinks, but it included sodas too. BTW it's easy to go overboard on the alcohol, which is more useless calories. Carnival cruises even has some sort of wrist band for free or lesser priced refills, but that was a weekend cruise. Holland America didn't have that and it could have been because it was a longer trip. Or because they don't call them selves the party ship. I suspect a 7 day cruise with Disney won't have that either, but it's still easy to go overboard.
Bring a swimsuit!
Have fun!0 -
We did a Disney cruise a couple years ago. It was a ton of fun. I love cruises because they include everything! It might be hard to not get tempted by all of the food they offer. Walk around the ship a lot and do every activity you can. It'll help balance out the food. I actually lost a lb on my last cruise because we were so active!0
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I've been on 4. My best advice is to not cram everything in. Give yourself some down time. You don't have to do everything. Also, there is food literally 24 hours a day. Last year I gained 2 pounds on a 7 day cruise. I didn't worry too much about what I ate other than trying to get more fruit in than normal (the fruit is to die for!). I tried to offset the food by taking only the steps. And those two pounds came off within two weeks of returning home.
But don't worry about your eating. Just jump back into your healthy eating when you get back.
And most of all, HAVE FUN! Cruises are my favorite vacation ever. No worrying about cooking or cleaning or doing laundry. Literally everything is done for you.0 -
I LOVE to cruise!
You're going to have a good time (or like some be sea sick the whole time - I hope not)
You're going to eat.... a LOT (or at least be tempted) They have a HUGE selection so chose the healthy options - but don't be afraid to splurge - it's vacation - enjoy it!
You're also going to walk... a LOT (the ships are HUGE and you want to check out all the ports you stop in)
Plan at least one excursion - you can thank me later
Use the gym if you want - or not if you don't
Swim every day - it burns tons of calories and is fun
Be on time!
Bring required documents.
Pack light - you don't need 50 bags/suit cases - you'll be half naked the whole trip anyways
Bring multiple swim suites.
Don't forget a nice outfit - one of my favorite nights is formal night!
Be nice to everyone - especially the staff (this should be a no brainer but...) They make the trip more awesome if you're nice/friendly with them
Don't drink water in ports - just don't - trust me on this one!
Get your doc to prescribe some antibiotics (traveler's diarrhea) before you leave - in case you drink the water (ice!)
Consider immunizations
Rest often - you can thank me later
Use the amenities that are free with your cruise - all of them LOL < JK but you should know what comes with your room/booking
Enjoy yourself! Have fun!
Edited for typo0 -
Yes, Mediterranean cruise and 5 years in the navy. Does that count? If you get in rough waters, eat crackers, or you will get sea sick.0
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Actually going on a cruise tomorrow!
This is my 5th - here's my $0.02 -
- if you are going on one of the Big Name cruises, you won't need the Dramamine - (Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Celebrity, etc) - these ships are so huge they are basically little cities on the water)!
- check out the gyms on board - they have EVERYTHING and they are awesome!
- bring an empty water bottle - fill it up so you get lots of water daily and don't fill up on booze or sugary drinks
- if you're a 'morning person' like me, get up early and do laps around the top-most-deck - a lot of the ships have built-in tracks - a beautiful and invigorating way to wake up!
- as far as food goes - there certainly is PLENTY; my little 'rule' is - if I have dessert, I can't have a drink at night.......so I gotta pick one or the other!
Have a great time - pack your work-out gear so you won't have any excuses!0 -
Never been on a cruise. The last vacation I had was when I was 21. I'm now 53. Life gets in the way.:ohwell:0
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Been on a few cruises. But, unfortunately, none of the advice I could give you would be much help. All of them have been on very small ships like this one as I tend to avoid crowds like the plague!
this for me. Windjammer barefoot is defunct but I hear some ships are still sailing...one might even be off the coast of Italy. home-cooked comfort food, quirky beautiful islands... I figure I'll go big ship once my knees are totally blown .. been on the fantasy once for 4 days.. it was enough for me.0 -
Actually, this is "Star Clippers". They do the Caribbean and Panama in the Winter and then the Mediterranean in the Summer.
this for me. Windjammer barefoot is defunct but I hear some ships are still sailing...one might even be off the coast of Italy. home-cooked comfort food, quirky beautiful islands... I figure I'll go big ship once my knees are totally blown .. been on the fantasy once for 4 days.. it was enough for me.Been on a few cruises. But, unfortunately, none of the advice I could give you would be much help. All of them have been on very small ships like this one as I tend to avoid crowds like the plague!0 -
Regarding food:
*Eat a good breakfast on the days you go into port. You may not find any place that you want to eat while you're on a port adventure. On St. Martin's people came back to the ship in droves for lunch because of how dirty so many of the restaurants where. If you do want to eat some place local, ask the crew for advice. They will know which places are ok.
*Foreign ports will have rules about what food you can take off the ship and often you won't hear them until your group gathers for the port adventure. Definitely don't try to take any fruit with you for a snack.
*Many of the ship's restaurants are open for lunch each day and the costs are included. So if you like the Enchanted Garden, go as often as you want.
*You can always find food if you're hungry but on a Disney cruise it isn't in your face 24 hours a day.
*They may try to sell you cases of water and other drinks when you board but we didn't know anyone who drank even half of it. Lots of nonalcoholic drinks are free on the ship.0 -
Actually, this is "Star Clippers". They do the Caribbean and Panama in the Winter and then the Mediterranean in the Summer.
this for me. Windjammer barefoot is defunct but I hear some ships are still sailing...one might even be off the coast of Italy. home-cooked comfort food, quirky beautiful islands... I figure I'll go big ship once my knees are totally blown .. been on the fantasy once for 4 days.. it was enough for me.Been on a few cruises. But, unfortunately, none of the advice I could give you would be much help. All of them have been on very small ships like this one as I tend to avoid crowds like the plague!
WAS IT THE BEST THING EVER? HOW'S THE FOOD? I've been out of st maarten and antigua on the Polynesian and Yankee Clipper.. biggest was about 120 passengers 40 crew if I remember correctly.. perfect size0 -
I can't thank you guys enough for all the great info!
THANKS SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!0 -
OMG so many great responses! Thank you guys so much for all the wonderful information! I'm leaving Port Canaveral. I will be on the Disney fantasy. We have some really great excursions booked. I can't wait to go parasailing with my 8 year old daughter and swim with the dolphins with my kids! My parents are also going and my mom, daughter, and me are going to do the 5K on Castaway Cay! My husband wants to fish and my dad is happy just downing a few dozen beers or so on the beach. LOL!
I definitely plan on working out and already have an appointment with a personal trainer at 6:30am on two of the mornings. The fitness center is gorgeous and I can't wait to get my butt in there first thing and get my workout over with so I don't feel so guilty indulging in some delicious food and beverage. I also want to try out the running track! That sound amazing!
Thanks again everyone for all the helpful tips! Oh, and thanks fleetzz for the tip about the prescription meds for motion sickness! My daughter gets motion sickness horribly so this is a good thing to know about asking her pedi for some meds.
Your daughter will LOVE the parasailing. We've been on a few cruises and are doing a disney cruise later this year. Each time we've been parasailing they let my daughter go twice (at no extra charge) once with me and once with my husband. It's her favorite thing to do!0 -
Forgot to tell you to video record your way in when initially boarding your first day. There's a small surprise you may want to record for keepsake!
A.C.E. Certified Personal Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition0 -
Ive been on 5 cruises, all Carnival. Best vacation ever! Have fun!0
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I'm going on my first cruise in 9 weeks! It's a Disney cruise and I'm beyond excited!
Any tips for me? Would you cruise again? Best and worst parts of your cruise?
Thanks so much!
We did a Disney Cruise before - best trip! It was fantastic and would love to do it again. For us, Disney is the way to go - no drunks, no casinos - just plain relaxing and eating
The excursions are expensive - but the snorkeling with sea turtles was well worth it! The Disney private island was nice as well! The whole trip is lovely. You walk so much on the ship that you don't have to worry too much about gaining weight - I actually lost weight on our cruise.
Whether you have kids or not, Disney is wonderful with their adult sections.
Have fun! Wish I was there with you!0 -
I been on 13 cruises and will be leaving on the 14 on Saturday!!! There is nothing better than a cruise!! It's an awesome vacation where you don't need to think about anything except having fun for 7 days. There will be tons of food. I intend to eat whatever I want and start fresh after. There is no way to count calories on a cruise!! Enjoy!!0
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Never been on a cruise. The last vacation I had was when I was 21. I'm now 53. Life gets in the way.:ohwell:
I would argue that going on a vacation now and again actually IS letting "life" get in the way. :drinker:0 -
Never been on a cruise. The last vacation I had was when I was 21. I'm now 53. Life gets in the way.:ohwell:
I would argue that going on a vacation now and again actually IS letting "life" get in the way. :drinker:
I can't imagine life without a vacation...0 -
I have been on 6 cruises. They by far my favorite vacation ever! so much to do.. although i have never been on a disney cruise, i plan on taking my daughter hopefully next year.. so far my favorite cruise has to be Princess0
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