We just got back from our first cruise (3/29 Western) and we wanted to thank the members of this board for the great advice we read in the months before our cruise. In particular, thanks for the following pieces of advice:
-- fly in the night before the cruise
-- use Priceline to book a hotel near the airport for that 1st night
-- arrive at the Port early on Sat. to get pick of Palo's ressies
-- store suitcases under bed in stateroom (lift bed frame)
-- pack swim suits, sunscreen, pool shoes, etc. in day bag
-- bring an around the neck plastic id holder for KTTW card (available at Walmart and $ stores)
-- bring lots of singles for easy tipping
-- how to tip when dining at Palo's (we would have been clueless)
-- over the door shoe organizer (our new travelling companion!)
-- secret sundeck on deck 7
-- cheese tray from room service
-- bring empty water bottles and refill with ice and water on ship
-- bring a soft sided cooler and plastic bags to pack room service sandwiches, chips, cookies and ice for excursions
-- clothes pins to hang wet clothes and bathing suits
-- don't overpack
-- air freshener
-- highlighter to highlight activities in the daily navigators
-- don't wait until the end of the cruise to charge gratuities at guest services (lines get very long)
Now, here's some advice we would like to offer:
-- if you fly in the night before and stay at a hotel near the airport (other than the Hyatt), take a limo rather than DCL bus (limo picks you up at your hotel v. going back to the airport to get the DCL bus).
-- we stayed in a Cat. 8 room and did not miss the verandah
-- if you don't like to rush in the late afternoon, choose the 8:30 dinner seating and have a 4:00 snack at Scoops to hold you over (ice cream or fresh fruit) - we liked having that extra time to get ready (6:30 show v. 6:00 dinner seating)
-- if you have a responsible 8 years or older child in the Lab, give them permission to sign themselves in and out (Lab pages you with a message when they are ready to leave - we felt very comfortable having our daughter walk around the ship by herself)
-- have a back-up excursion or two planned for each port in case your original excursions are cancelled (we were on the 3/29 cruise -- enough said)
-- if you have a favorite pre-dinner/pre-show drink, bring a bottle on board in your carry-on
-- if you plan on doing water excursions, bring a waterproof, around the neck id/money holder (we purchased an "Otter" at a dive shop near home)
-- when making Palo ressies, consider the show for that evening and plan either an early or late Palo ressie so you have the option of seeing the show that night as well
-- ladies - consider bringing two pantsuits, one for formal night and one for semi-formal night - bring along an additonal matching top for each pant - and you have your evening attire for 4 nights right there.
-- purchase disposable, water-proof cameras at home ($10 each v. $20 each on the ship and at the ports)
-- if you enjoy having a bottle of wine with dinner, consider ordering one of the wine packages to save $ (7 bottles for you to consume anywhere on the ship or to take with you when you leave if there are any leftover - view wine list first to make sure you like the selections)
-- if you are into relaxing in a quiet, romantic lounge, Sessions is for you
-- keep reading this message board, it is invaluable
Thanks everyone!
-- fly in the night before the cruise
-- use Priceline to book a hotel near the airport for that 1st night
-- arrive at the Port early on Sat. to get pick of Palo's ressies
-- store suitcases under bed in stateroom (lift bed frame)
-- pack swim suits, sunscreen, pool shoes, etc. in day bag
-- bring an around the neck plastic id holder for KTTW card (available at Walmart and $ stores)
-- bring lots of singles for easy tipping
-- how to tip when dining at Palo's (we would have been clueless)
-- over the door shoe organizer (our new travelling companion!)
-- secret sundeck on deck 7
-- cheese tray from room service
-- bring empty water bottles and refill with ice and water on ship
-- bring a soft sided cooler and plastic bags to pack room service sandwiches, chips, cookies and ice for excursions
-- clothes pins to hang wet clothes and bathing suits
-- don't overpack
-- air freshener
-- highlighter to highlight activities in the daily navigators
-- don't wait until the end of the cruise to charge gratuities at guest services (lines get very long)
Now, here's some advice we would like to offer:
-- if you fly in the night before and stay at a hotel near the airport (other than the Hyatt), take a limo rather than DCL bus (limo picks you up at your hotel v. going back to the airport to get the DCL bus).
-- we stayed in a Cat. 8 room and did not miss the verandah
-- if you don't like to rush in the late afternoon, choose the 8:30 dinner seating and have a 4:00 snack at Scoops to hold you over (ice cream or fresh fruit) - we liked having that extra time to get ready (6:30 show v. 6:00 dinner seating)
-- if you have a responsible 8 years or older child in the Lab, give them permission to sign themselves in and out (Lab pages you with a message when they are ready to leave - we felt very comfortable having our daughter walk around the ship by herself)
-- have a back-up excursion or two planned for each port in case your original excursions are cancelled (we were on the 3/29 cruise -- enough said)
-- if you have a favorite pre-dinner/pre-show drink, bring a bottle on board in your carry-on
-- if you plan on doing water excursions, bring a waterproof, around the neck id/money holder (we purchased an "Otter" at a dive shop near home)
-- when making Palo ressies, consider the show for that evening and plan either an early or late Palo ressie so you have the option of seeing the show that night as well
-- ladies - consider bringing two pantsuits, one for formal night and one for semi-formal night - bring along an additonal matching top for each pant - and you have your evening attire for 4 nights right there.
-- purchase disposable, water-proof cameras at home ($10 each v. $20 each on the ship and at the ports)
-- if you enjoy having a bottle of wine with dinner, consider ordering one of the wine packages to save $ (7 bottles for you to consume anywhere on the ship or to take with you when you leave if there are any leftover - view wine list first to make sure you like the selections)
-- if you are into relaxing in a quiet, romantic lounge, Sessions is for you
-- keep reading this message board, it is invaluable
Thanks everyone!
