Cruising Tips?
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We're going on a caribbean cruise in mid-April, and I'm looking for any tips, advice, etc. We've never been on one before but so excited
Sammycb also recommend the sickness bands you can get, like these www.ebay.co.uk/itm/174098752730?media=COPY&mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=UP5SrqkfTLa&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=6zd2pQf9SRa&var&widget_ver=artemis
Have a lovely time! Hubby looking at cruises but not keen on boats lol.
Second travel sickness tablets, a friend of mine cruises and takes them with her just incase.
I’m sure you’ll have a wonderful time. Instead of going on ships arranged tours look on cruise critic and go with others who book a minibus or taxi, you’ll save sooo much money. Take ibuprofen and Imodium with you, just in case.
Pjran I never go on the arranged as they are overpriced. But be sure to get back in time otherwise they will leave you behind. If on an organised trip, they will wait you if you are delayed.
You will love it! Have been on several over the years. Prefer to wake to a new place/country every morning than the same routine. There are great, shows, food and lots of things to do. Take what you would on an ordinary holiday. Personally I have never needed sea sickness pills but my son and DIL suffered on their first cruise as it was Christmas and a bit of rough weather.
You will have a great time, I have only gone on a Mediterranean one and it was fab. You can't take an iron on board, so pack clothes that don't crease. The cruise line normally include a dress code. Some cruises you need more evening clothes than others. Take a lanyard to put you key card in, we had a drinks package so it made things easier.
My other half has a fear of boats, I'd love to go on a cruise, she won't have not of it lol have a great time
martinlufc5637 I'm with your other half, l could never go on a cruise, the fear of being surrounded by water and not being able to see land or see the bottom of the ocean is absolutely terrifying, even when abroad l would go swimming in the pool but not the sea, just the enormous size of a cruise liner puts the fear in me.
Pinkspirit yes that's her fear and it sinking ect.. she is the same, she never goes in the sea
I have been on seven cruises in the last two years. Three of them to the Caribbean. Can I ask which cruise line you are going with? If it’s P&O I can probably answer all your questions.
Sammycb Never been with them. I agree with the comment about meditation. I have a special bag that I carry everywhere with me that contains all different kind, lozenges are a good one as the air conditioner can affect your throat. On P&O all the plug sockets are British, but I do take a multi plug extension that comes in really handy. I take a pegless travel clothes line. I have a small fan that attaches to my phone as it can get warm in the restaurants. I take Robinson mini concentrate juice. P&O provide body wash and shampoo. I take a shower pouf/ mesh so it lathers up better. If you ask your cabin steward they may give you conditioner, body lotion and fresh milk for free. They do on P&O. I also take a quick drying microfibre fold up towel for the days off the ship. Easily fits in a small bag. I always pack my pop up tent if I know I’m going to beaches. Easy to pack and when I carry it I can add things I need to the tent bag. It means I can sit on beaches away from the crowds and have shade, privacy and keep my stuff of the sand. Hope some of these ideas help you and have a wonderful trip.
eyeballkerry thank you so so much for all these tips/ideas. I have passed these onto our friends who are also coming with us, and they were so grateful to. 4 weeks and 3 days to go
Sammycb It seems a long way off but all of a sudden it will be time to depart. I imagine you are doing a fly cruise. What I like about about P&O and I’m sure other companies do the same, you drop your suitcase off at the airport check in and never see it again until it’s delivered outside your cabin. This also means when you get off the plane you get directly onto a coach and avoid going through the airport and go straight to the ship. I would advise you pack a few essentials, tooth brush, toothpaste, hairbrush etc in your hand luggage as you never know what time your case will turn up. Sometimes you go to dinner before your case has arrived.
Great! Bring all the little things you think you can buy there (like headache/diarrhoea tablets!) - prices will likely be much higher and you may not be able to get what you want. Enjoy
Just rememberEd a very important one. Buy Caribbean dollars not US dollars the exchange rate is so different.
Can I ask what ports you are going to visit? What are you hoping to see and do. Let me know and I can recommend some places to visit.
eyeballkerry Hi, we're going to Aruba, Great Stirup Cay, La Romana, St Thomas, San Juan, Willemstad, Oranjestad
The only one I have been to is La Romana. We did our thing and got a taxi with some people with met and went to a very small quiet beach. The ship docks in and there is a large swimming, bars and shops as soon as you step off. If you go on bus tour these have police escort with them with guns. Although we went in a taxi on our own we did safe. Never been to Aruba but if it’s anything like Bonaire and Curacao, all owned by the Dutch, there are very clean and safe.
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