Nokra Posted January 2, 2019 Share Posted January 2, 2019 My parents are celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary and they wanted to celebrate with the whole family on a cruise, so everyone (parents, me, two sisters, and one sister's husband) is going to the Bahamas on Friday. To be honest I never expected to go on a cruise until I was in my 60s or later but since it's what they wanted to do, of course I'm game for hanging out in the Caribbean in January (average temps of 76 F) rather than Idaho (average temp of 30 F ). Anyway, we'll be going to the Bahamas, St. Thomas (US Virgin Islands) and St. Martin (Netherlands/France) over the course of a week. We'll be going on Princess, launching from Ft. Lauderdale, FL. We stop at all of the above destinations for a day (with a day at sea in between each port of call) and have little excursions (touring the islands and snorkeling, mostly) before returning to Florida. The closer it gets the more excited I am about it, but also a bit nervous since I have no idea what to expect. Have any of you ever been on a cruise? If so, what was your experience? Were there any essential items you forgot and wish you had packed? Or things that you found indispensable? Any general recommendations for being on a cruise (things to avoid, definitely do, etc.)? Any Princess-specific recommendations? Thanks all! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason Posted January 2, 2019 Share Posted January 2, 2019 Nokra gonna get laid, because of the implication. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gamer.tv Posted January 2, 2019 Share Posted January 2, 2019 They're being marketed at a younger crowd these days and so long as you don't become seasick (even then, on the size of ship it's quite hard) they're great value for money. Depending on the package as well, most food and drink is cheap, the entertainment is decent and then you have the fun of waking up in a new location every few days. I don't know whether it would be my first choice every time for travel (namely as it can be very dictated) but if someone offered, I'd be more than happy to go. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnny Posted January 2, 2019 Share Posted January 2, 2019 They’re fun as long as you’re willing to try the different stuff they have available. Unless you’re one of those people that just likes to lay around the entire vacation, which you can also do. The elitists on this board will probably tell you they’re awful. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keyser_Soze Posted January 2, 2019 Share Posted January 2, 2019 Livestream yourself playing shuffleboard with some old people 🥌 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slug Posted January 2, 2019 Share Posted January 2, 2019 Cruises are fun as hell. I've been on several. There's tons of shit to do on the boat. Lots of food options, bars, etc. Shows. Games, events. Or you can just relax with a book or something in your room (this is me). Also at each port (don't forget your passport) you can get off the boat and do stuff. There's almost always a touristy shopping area, plus opportunities to pay for excursions out onto the islands/countries you're in. Some of them can be more expensive than others, but when are you ever going to have the chance to go SCUBA diving in the Caribbean or ATV riding through an island jungle again? You should make it a point to do at least one excursion that sounds fun to you. Tip: rethink your "normal" daily schedule. Cruise boats can get really crowded. If you go to breakfast, lunch, dinner, etc. at a "normal" time the restaurants and buffets are going to super crowded and annoying. Consider going to breakfast earlier than you would normally, or lunch later. Meals are much more relaxing when you don't have to deal with throngs of families with their kids in your ear. Tip #2: Drinking can get expensive on board if you're a drinker and don't have the all inclusive drink package deal. You aren't allowed to bring you own booze on to the boat. Get around this by washing out a large mouthwash bottle and filling it with the not-clear liquor of your choice! Never really forgot anything that I wish I'd had. Definitely bring something to relax with; a book, your DS/Switch/other portable game system, etc. Even if you hit every show and join in every event, there will probably be at least a few hours during the week that you'll want to just sit back and relax for a bit. Most importantly just have fun and don't be afraid to say "yes" to doing fun shit you don't normally do. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pikachu Posted January 2, 2019 Share Posted January 2, 2019 If you get motion sickness, then you definitely need to bring some Drammamine or the equivalent. And yes, don't forget the passport as Slug said. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keyser_Soze Posted January 2, 2019 Share Posted January 2, 2019 I don’t think forgetting a passport will be a problem for @Nokra 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercury33 Posted January 2, 2019 Share Posted January 2, 2019 I’ve been on one and it was a blast. One of the best vacations I’ve ever been on. Been meaning to on another just haven’t had the time. And yeah they’re being marketed to a much younger crowd now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commissar SFLUFAN Posted January 2, 2019 Share Posted January 2, 2019 No, because I'm absolutely petrified of being in an open ocean out of sight of land. (Note: this does not apply to being on a transocean flight). 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloodporne Posted January 2, 2019 Share Posted January 2, 2019 4 minutes ago, SFLUFAN said: No, because I'm absolutely petrified of being in an open ocean out of sight of land. (Note: this does not apply to being on a transocean flight). This, 100%. I've read so much Lovecraft on top of it, yikes. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slug Posted January 2, 2019 Share Posted January 2, 2019 35 minutes ago, Bloodporne said: This, 100%. I've read so much Lovecraft on top of it, yikes. Sittin' out on the deck at night. Reading Dagon. You hear an odd noise. Looking out over the waves you think you see...something. No, couldn't be. Way out here? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloodporne Posted January 2, 2019 Share Posted January 2, 2019 3 minutes ago, Slug said: Sittin' out on the deck at night. Reading Dagon. You hear an odd noise. Looking out over the waves you think you see...something. No, couldn't be. Way out here? The Horror at Martin's Beach did it man. Fuck you Howie. Naming your cat the N-word is one thing but ruining sunny beach days...that's harsh. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperSpreader Posted January 2, 2019 Share Posted January 2, 2019 They're for people who want to travel without leaving the strip mall. You'll have a great time experiencing another country from afar. You'll really indulge yourself in the local cuisine of native buffet. The music will magically transport you to the local Guido club. Oh what fun. Oh what adventure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Firewithin Posted January 2, 2019 Share Posted January 2, 2019 yes. the Jungle Cruise at Disneyland Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commissar SFLUFAN Posted January 2, 2019 Share Posted January 2, 2019 Part of my fear of cruises comes from my father's stories of being in a convoy crossing the Atlantic from Canada to the UK during WWII and being subjected to German U-boat attacks. His description of the sheer terror and helplessness he felt as ships would be torpedoed around him and wondering if they would be next pretty much scarred me for life when it comes to being on a deep ocean-going ship. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperSpreader Posted January 2, 2019 Share Posted January 2, 2019 Watch out for pirates. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloodporne Posted January 2, 2019 Share Posted January 2, 2019 1 hour ago, SFLUFAN said: Part of my fear of cruises comes from my father's stories of being in a convoy crossing the Atlantic from Canada to the UK during WWII and being subjected to German U-boat attacks. His description of the sheer terror and helplessness he felt as ships would be torpedoed around him and wondering if they would be next pretty much scarred me for life when it comes to being on a deep ocean-going ship. My great grandmother's brother was in the Kriegsmarine and served on U-boats back then actually and always found the stories of this equally horrific. Now hopefully he wasn't stationed near here or this might get awkward. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commissar SFLUFAN Posted January 2, 2019 Share Posted January 2, 2019 4 minutes ago, Bloodporne said: My great grandmother's brother was in the Kriegsmarine and served on U-boats back then actually and always found the stories of this equally horrific. Now hopefully he wasn't stationed near here or this might get awkward. My father has no issues with those who served in the Kriegsmarine on the U-boats because he knew that their existences were equally as terrifying when being depth-charged by the destroyers escorting the convoys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paperclyp Posted January 2, 2019 Share Posted January 2, 2019 I went on one with my family. I tend to get motion sick pretty easily and I was worried about that, but we had really smooth water. The food was really good. The wait staff was really interesting to talk to as well, people from all over the world, but they seemed really overworked and possibly taken advantage of? Not sure. It was a fun time, but felt so totally like a privileged thing to do that I was a little uneasy about the whole experience. We went to some island in the Carribean and they clearly brought in fake sand and shit with the locals running around selling you sugary drinks, but if you walk like half a mile you see what the beaches actually look like + the types of houses the people there live in. Just made me a little uncomfortable. Plus aren't they really bad for the environment? I dunno, have fun lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloodporne Posted January 2, 2019 Share Posted January 2, 2019 44 minutes ago, SFLUFAN said: My father has no issues with those who served in the Kriegsmarine on the U-boats because he knew that their existences were equally as terrifying when being depth-charged by the destroyers escorting the convoys. I've had many long talks about my family and WWII etc. with the surviving members, it's always been very interesting and enlightening. I was also heavily raised by my great-grandmother actually so this was a big part of my upbringing. My "awkward" comment was half in jest. I have yet to hear from someone involved in most conflicts like that that doesn't understand that aspect especially having to to be in action. Interesting tidbit though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Triage Posted January 2, 2019 Share Posted January 2, 2019 I have never been on a cruise but I want to @Emblazon has been on few before us time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gamer.tv Posted January 3, 2019 Share Posted January 3, 2019 On 1/2/2019 at 8:08 AM, johnny said: They’re fun as long as you’re willing to try the different stuff they have available. Unless you’re one of those people that just likes to lay around the entire vacation, which you can also do. The elitists on this board will probably tell you they’re awful. I could really go for a 5 day holiday to somewhere pleasantly warm and spend my time lying about reading and then either going on long walks, bike rides or runs and then eating all the food I can fit in my fat fucking face. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keyser_Soze Posted January 3, 2019 Share Posted January 3, 2019 Does a harbor cruise for Grad Night count as a cruise? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boyle5150 Posted January 3, 2019 Share Posted January 3, 2019 On 1/2/2019 at 10:36 AM, SFLUFAN said: Part of my fear of cruises comes from my father's stories of being in a convoy crossing the Atlantic from Canada to the UK during WWII and being subjected to German U-boat attacks. His description of the sheer terror and helplessness he felt as ships would be torpedoed around him and wondering if they would be next pretty much scarred me for life when it comes to being on a deep ocean-going ship. seems logical Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 4, 2019 Share Posted January 4, 2019 Cruises are great. Relaxing and usually a solid value. Have fun. A couple of tips: all the excursions that the cruise line offers can be done cheaper through local vendors at the ports themselves. Sometimes 50 or 60% less. The evening sit down meals are all you can eat too, so if there are two entree options that look good, order both and see which one you like more Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ALIEN-gunner Posted January 8, 2019 Share Posted January 8, 2019 Yes, I've been cursed many times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EternallDarkness Posted January 9, 2019 Share Posted January 9, 2019 been on 6 or 7, they are great for getting away from everything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.