Going on my first cruise... Any tips/suggestions

[SoCalFisher]

since you are going on your first cruise I would do one of the excursions offered by the ship, BUT if your looking to save money you could do a private tour (look for tour operators by taxi area in ports) depeding on what you want to do in port you could save some money BUT the ship WILL NOT wait for you like they do if you are on a ship sponsered excursions..so if you do something on your own to save money make sure you make it back on time

This kid knows his stuff, although "tour operators near taxi areas" can be Very shady. I agree spend a few extra bucks, since this is your first, and book through the ship for any and all excursions. On your next though, there will be another cruise you'll like it that much, do some research on cruise forums. I did this on my second and third and found the same excursions for far less using local travel(buses, taxis, and small boat), and away from the crowds...well..well worth it.

[Brock Landers]

Where do the servers come from that live on cruise ships like 10 months at a time? You would think they make good coin with the tipping, ETC.

[geebert74]

Very nice... I figure this is the kids big vacation for awhile... The next one will be just the wife and I... I was looking into doing a Alaskan cruise... They looks wonderful!

[BobHarvey]

Lose 5-10 pounds because you'll gain them back on the cruise.

[bobbyfk]

Where do the servers come from that live on cruise ships like 10 months at a time? You would think they make good coin with the tipping, ETC.

they make about $50-60 a month BEFORE tips..most of them are Filipino and Indonesia..or other overseas countries

read this:

http://www.cruisejunkie.com/ot.html

[bobbyfk]

there will be another cruise you'll like it that much, do some research on cruise forums.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/ is THE BEST out there

[bobbyfk]

No kidding.. Thats a sweet deal... I think I need a job like that...

Is there usually a decent show every night? Comedy/music etc.?

Vegas style shows nightly..comedy/music, guest talent show..etc..

[Extra Innings]

See...told you BobbyFk was a certified cruise critic....and you all thought I was full of shit

[SoCalFisher]

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/ is THE BEST out there

Yep thats the one. Check it out, must read before you go.

[Shonner]

Don't gamble on our trip, period!

[QuantumLeap]

Anyone done anything interesting in Nassau at night? I went there on a cruise with my family and they rolled up the sidewalks after dark.

So the ship has the guest talent show that night. Who in the fuk wants to listen to amateurs sing? So I watched one of the free movies in the cabin that night. Real fun.

Next time I'm going on a Club Med type thing where you don't spend 3 days on the ocean with nothing to do.

[clarkd32]

good thread... wife and i are thinking about taking our first cruise this summer... thanks for the message board links.

[bobbyfk]

you don't spend 3 days on the ocean with nothing to do.

cruise lines have SO MUCH stuff you can do. Trivia, pool deck games, shuffleboard, some ships even have a rock climbing wall, basketball court, mini golf, casino, GREAT shows and dont forget the round the clock food..plus most ships have a library with some books, internet cafes,art auctions with FREE champagne, disco at night ...how could you possibly say there's nothing to do?

[kickenchicken]

dont have a flat tire