I have general cruise questions...help (long)

[Disney-Kim]

We are thinking of taking our first cruise later this year. I hope you all can still help becuase it is not going to be Disney. yes it happens.
Its going to be Royal Caribbean and the ship is Navigator of the Seas. Its an Eastern Carib. cruise. We will stop in Puerto Rico, St Marteen, St Thomas, and Nassau. This is the main reason we are picking this cruise. 4 ports and only 2 days at Sea. that is what appeals to us.
my questions are:

1. mid ship, mid-level is good for least movement? right?
2. will we have to get really dressed up for dinner?
3. does it suck to have to eat at designated times?
4. if there are 4 of us, can we be at the same table? alone?
5. are there plugs in the bathroom? I have read to bring and ext cord
6. are soft drinks free or no?
7. is the casino big enough that you can play if you want or do you have to wait for people to get up (like our local Indian casinos)
8. are all ships smoking? I read that you can't book a NS room??ick
9. will we spend all our time on the boats that take you to shore if your ship can't dock?
10. Are the pools really so crowded you have no where to sit on the Sea days?
most of all...will we feel confined in such a small room and being on a ship?
I think it is a great way to see so many exotic locales. I just wanted to hear your tips to a first time cruiser.
Sorry this was long. Thanks everyone !!!!!!!!!!!1

 

[bratray]

try this link http://boards.cruisecritic.com/
you will probably get more information posting on there as there are a variety of cruise lines

 

[NCRedding]

I can answer some of your questions, but the answers will vary depending upon cruise lines.
1. I have been told that mid-ship is best--I usually sail aft, and have never had any problems.
2. You do not have to get "really" dressed up--just no shorts and no jeans in the dining rooms. There will be a formal and semi-formal night which I always found fun to do.
3. I love having the set dining time--no waiting for a table, always knowing your wait staff. I don't think it sucks at all.
4. You can request a table for four through your travel agent. Check on the first day to see if it is and you may be able to get it changed it not.
5. The only plug in the bathroom is for shavers only. I usually bring an extension court because my blow dryer has a huge plug in that doesn't fit the plug.
6. On RCCL sodas are not free--you can purchase a drink card that allows you to get unlimited sodas throughout the ship.
7. The casino on the Radiance was large enough that I saw no waiting the few times I was in there.
8. I am not sure about smoking rooms on RCCL.
9. We tendered at one port on our trip and it wasn't nearly as bad as I expected nor was it as time consuming as I expected.
10. We were on the Radiance to Alaska--so there was NO crowd at the pools, can't help you with the caribbean.

 

[Disney-Kim]

Are the Disney ships non smoking?
I figured these questions were pretty general for cruises even though we are cruising on another line.

 

[tvguy]

Disney cruise rooms are non-smoking. But clubs allow smoking after 9 pm. And smoking is allowed outside on the deck. There was one ship that was completely non-smoking, can't remember the ship's name or the cruise line, but they abandoned it because too many smokers want to cruise.

Keep asking questions, that is the best way to pick the cruise that best fits what you like. I used this board before we sailed to get opinions, but remember, they are just opinions. What's right for you, may not be right for someone else, or as the ads for cars say "your mileage may vary".

For example, we consider the ship to be the vacation, and ports are secondary, so we pick cruises with the most days at sea.
And for the hair dryers built in the cabin, my daughter has long, very very very thick hair........she found the hair dryers too hot.....others have found them too weak.
And I don't care what brand soda/coffee/ketchup/beer/wine/salad dressing there is on board, others pack their favorite brands with them.

 

[sweet angel]

We're going on the Navigator, eastern itinerary in November! When are you considering going?

 

[Disney-Kim]

We are looking at November too

 

[videogal1]

You might want to check the Boards section of cruisecritic.com for information specific to RCCL, too.

 

[sweet angel]

We are looking at November too

Keep me posted! Maybe we'll be on the same one. We're 11/5

 

[mrsfuzzmo]

I think I can help, as I have cruises 13 times on almost as many lines.

1. The least amount of motion felt on any ship will be LOWEST level, center. If you want to get really specific, lowest level, center of ship, inside cabin.

2. Getting dressed for dinner has really changed in the past 20 years of cruising. It has gotten much more relaxed and casual. Most men wear khakis and button downs/polos/aloha shirts to dinner, most women wear sundresses, alot of capris, or skirts and tops. For formal night, the dress goes from long and sparkly (my fav) and tuxedos, to button downs with a tie or polo and sport coat.

3. Designated times for dinner is great (if you have a time you like). I prefer late, as I like to spend as much time in the ports as possibel. BUT, if you get really yucky tablemates, like we did on DCL, it can suck. I really love getting to know my tablemates and sharing the days stories with them and the waiters every night. It make a cruise special.

4. I would never be seated at a table for 4 alone, though it can be done, if there is one available. Part of the cruise experience is meeting new people and sharing stories of the day (as stated above). From an experienced cruiser, go with the largest table you can get, the more the merrier! (Even if you do not like your tablemates, either you can switch, OR, they make for great stories when you get home!)

5. There has always been a plug in the bathrooms, though may times the larger plugs don't fit. Take a power strip or extension cord.

6. Soft drinks cost. But you can usually buy a soda card.

7. I have never had trouble finding room in a casino. Especially if you go to play during the day while at sea. Sure it can get a little crowded in the evenings, but you should have no problem (nothing like the Indian casinos).

8. I am a non-smoker and have never had any trouble with smoke smell on a ship (including the cabins), except on DCL when they have a "designated" smoking bar and time........HAZY!!!!!! Yuck. Usually the smoking happens outside on the decks. Not much to worry about.

9. Tendering is part of the cruise experience and you can get some great photos of the ship from a tender. Usually the ride only takes 5-15 minutes to get to shore. It is really kind of fun.

10. YES! Pools on such a large ship can get VERY crowded especially on warm days at sea. Just be prepared, go early (though you must stay at your chairs, NO SAVING FOR 3 HOURS......VERY POOR CRUISE ETIQUETTE!!)
Pools are usually less crowded before 10 am and after 2 pm. Me, I like to get there early and stay outside all day. I like to make the most out of my days at sea.

11. I have never felt confined on a ship. I've stayed in a small inside with 3 other women, up to a penthouse suite with my hubby. Never felt confined. Plenty of open air and open spaces. No problems there.

Have a wonderful time. Hope you enjoy your trip!
Mrsfuzzmo