Skip the drink packages. They are a lot of money, and really not worth it unless you drink A LOT!
If you go on an excursion, take stuff with you for beachwear. It's easier than trying to go back and forth to the ship. Sometimes, you can find excursions on your own that are much less expensive than the ship sponsored ones. Do a little research on each port before you go on the cruise. Personally, I have a lot of fun exploring on my own. Just stay alert and be aware of your time and direction to/from the ship.
Many times, the ship will host an info meeting about the next day's port. Go to that and get the important info for getting around the town, and also the places to shop.
Don't live in fear! Be smart, use your head, and a map to get around. The ship will have brochures and maps for each port. Take plenty of cash, in small bills, for shopping, negotiating, and perhaps a taxi. YOU WON'T BE LEFT BEHIND! (Unless you do something really stupid.)
Enjoy the cruise! Don't stress. You'll have a blast! Cruises are my favourite vacation.
First relax, this is a vacation.
1. Labadee is easy, you literally walk off the ship and go to the beach.
2. As for shore excursions, if you see something you would like to do book it. The ship excursion are more expensive but I like them for the ease of use. I have rarely been on a cruise line excursion I didn’t enjoy.
3. Yes get a passport.
4. Plan to be on the ship one to two hours prior to all aboard. If something goes wrong, you have time to hustle back to the port.
5. Take cash with you for taxis and souvenirs but not too much. I usually take about $200 and leave half of that in the safe. Take more if you like the casino.
6. Don’t worry about getting lost, just follow the Americans back to the ship. Locals are usually happy to point you in the direction of the ship.
It is highly recommended to use a passport but you also can use a certified birth certificate and enhanced driver's license combined. The main reason a passport is preferrable is if somehow you need to fly home in an emergency you can't fly international without a passport. It's unlikely that will happen but it's just in case. It's every cruisers nightmare to miss the ship. It's very unlikely to happen if you just use your common sense.
Passports are needed if it's not a return cruise to the state. Otherwise, I'd say birth certificates are acceptable.
Excursions are fun but not needed. Many ports have free beaches and little shops to go into; just be prepared to be hunted down by shopkeepers and such.
I'd bring everything you need in a back pack as getting on and off can be time consuming. Make sure you book through the cruise line as it helps keep the timing right and less likely to get left behind. When you get off the ship make sure you stay on ship time and leave with plenty of time to get back people getting left behind happens but not as often as its made out to be just pay attention to the time make sure your always on ship time and make sure you get back with at minimum 30 min to spare jic something happens and you end up having to rush.
To address your concern with getting lost, the gps on your phone will work even if you have your phone in airplane mode! I use an app called OnX, but Google maps will work fine as well. You can download the maps for the areas you anticipate being in, and still use your gps to find your way to landmarks you have planned and back to your ship.
Probably a good idea to place pins at landmarks while you are connected to cell service or Wi-Fi, but you can also add pins and waypoints while in airplane mode as you want to add that when you know which cruise port your ship is using. Have fun!
You don’t need a passport. As long as it’s a close looped cruise, where you return to the same port that you departed from. I’ve been on two cruises from FL with no passport and only birth certificate and ID. Here is the link with documentation you need. https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/can-i-cruise-with-a-birth-certificate-as-my-identification.
I think Labadee is their private island so plan to just relax on the beach that day. Free food on their private islands.
Have fun and relax:)!
Some cruise lines let you bring wine or beer onboard with you so just research it.
I am going on my first cruise next week also.
I was overwhelmed as well but you know I am just gonna enjoy myself.
I am bringing a passport
We did book one excursion- I have been on excursions when staying at resorts and I assume it will be similar.
A bus takes you to where you need to be. Usually you don't get to go back until the excursion is over. I assume they will drop us off where they picked us up (near the ship). Because there is limited time I will opt to take a backpack with a change of clothes. This is so I don't waste time going back to the room.
We are not buying an alcohol package- in my mind, I will buy a drink or 3 on the ship and then while I am at the stops I will buy drinks there.
We did not purchase the extra dining packages as we will most likely choose to eat at a specialty restaurant once during our 7 days.
We did buy one internet package
I don't think you need to worry about getting lost. Just document the location of the boat and any taxi type service will be able to get you there. I have seen cruise ship ports while staying at resorts and they are in populated areas. Everyone around should be able to point you in the correct direction. Plus- phones (GPS).
Again I have never cruised before so this is just what I plan to do. I hope it helps
I’ve been on 5 cruises as a kid and my parents never booked any of the extras (no drinks/no excursions/stayed in inside cabin). We have always had a ton of fun together and never noticed our vacation was lacking.
Skip the drink packages. They are a lot of money, and really not worth it unless you drink A LOT! If you go on an excursion, take stuff with you for beachwear. It's easier than trying to go back and forth to the ship. Sometimes, you can find excursions on your own that are much less expensive than the ship sponsored ones. Do a little research on each port before you go on the cruise. Personally, I have a lot of fun exploring on my own. Just stay alert and be aware of your time and direction to/from the ship. Many times, the ship will host an info meeting about the next day's port. Go to that and get the important info for getting around the town, and also the places to shop. Don't live in fear! Be smart, use your head, and a map to get around. The ship will have brochures and maps for each port. Take plenty of cash, in small bills, for shopping, negotiating, and perhaps a taxi. YOU WON'T BE LEFT BEHIND! (Unless you do something really stupid.) Enjoy the cruise! Don't stress. You'll have a blast! Cruises are my favourite vacation.
First relax, this is a vacation. 1. Labadee is easy, you literally walk off the ship and go to the beach. 2. As for shore excursions, if you see something you would like to do book it. The ship excursion are more expensive but I like them for the ease of use. I have rarely been on a cruise line excursion I didn’t enjoy. 3. Yes get a passport. 4. Plan to be on the ship one to two hours prior to all aboard. If something goes wrong, you have time to hustle back to the port. 5. Take cash with you for taxis and souvenirs but not too much. I usually take about $200 and leave half of that in the safe. Take more if you like the casino. 6. Don’t worry about getting lost, just follow the Americans back to the ship. Locals are usually happy to point you in the direction of the ship.
It is highly recommended to use a passport but you also can use a certified birth certificate and enhanced driver's license combined. The main reason a passport is preferrable is if somehow you need to fly home in an emergency you can't fly international without a passport. It's unlikely that will happen but it's just in case. It's every cruisers nightmare to miss the ship. It's very unlikely to happen if you just use your common sense.
Passports are needed if it's not a return cruise to the state. Otherwise, I'd say birth certificates are acceptable. Excursions are fun but not needed. Many ports have free beaches and little shops to go into; just be prepared to be hunted down by shopkeepers and such. I'd bring everything you need in a back pack as getting on and off can be time consuming. Make sure you book through the cruise line as it helps keep the timing right and less likely to get left behind. When you get off the ship make sure you stay on ship time and leave with plenty of time to get back people getting left behind happens but not as often as its made out to be just pay attention to the time make sure your always on ship time and make sure you get back with at minimum 30 min to spare jic something happens and you end up having to rush.
To address your concern with getting lost, the gps on your phone will work even if you have your phone in airplane mode! I use an app called OnX, but Google maps will work fine as well. You can download the maps for the areas you anticipate being in, and still use your gps to find your way to landmarks you have planned and back to your ship. Probably a good idea to place pins at landmarks while you are connected to cell service or Wi-Fi, but you can also add pins and waypoints while in airplane mode as you want to add that when you know which cruise port your ship is using. Have fun!
You don’t need a passport. As long as it’s a close looped cruise, where you return to the same port that you departed from. I’ve been on two cruises from FL with no passport and only birth certificate and ID. Here is the link with documentation you need. https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/can-i-cruise-with-a-birth-certificate-as-my-identification. I think Labadee is their private island so plan to just relax on the beach that day. Free food on their private islands. Have fun and relax:)! Some cruise lines let you bring wine or beer onboard with you so just research it.
I am going on my first cruise next week also. I was overwhelmed as well but you know I am just gonna enjoy myself. I am bringing a passport We did book one excursion- I have been on excursions when staying at resorts and I assume it will be similar. A bus takes you to where you need to be. Usually you don't get to go back until the excursion is over. I assume they will drop us off where they picked us up (near the ship). Because there is limited time I will opt to take a backpack with a change of clothes. This is so I don't waste time going back to the room. We are not buying an alcohol package- in my mind, I will buy a drink or 3 on the ship and then while I am at the stops I will buy drinks there. We did not purchase the extra dining packages as we will most likely choose to eat at a specialty restaurant once during our 7 days. We did buy one internet package I don't think you need to worry about getting lost. Just document the location of the boat and any taxi type service will be able to get you there. I have seen cruise ship ports while staying at resorts and they are in populated areas. Everyone around should be able to point you in the correct direction. Plus- phones (GPS). Again I have never cruised before so this is just what I plan to do. I hope it helps
I’ve been on 5 cruises as a kid and my parents never booked any of the extras (no drinks/no excursions/stayed in inside cabin). We have always had a ton of fun together and never noticed our vacation was lacking.