Hi,

Any tips for a newb crusing? I google first time cruises but wanted some specific tips for our particular ship and destination.

Some background:

-My girlfriend and I (both 31 y.o.)
-May 23rd depart coming back May 26 Majesty of the sea, Miami, coco/little stirrup cay, Nassau, Miami
-Room-Superior Oceanview Stateroom
-Dining-Seating 6:30 table size 7-10 people (not sure why? but i like eating at big tables not sure if it means its just us two in a big table or we get seated with others?)

Some of the things we enjoy when we are at Chicago- that i believe are relevant for cruise are:
-Gambling
-Water Parks
-Shopping
-Buffets
-Beaches

in no particular order

Although i'm sure many people enjoy them we are not fond of broadway musicals, shows etc. We also are not heavy drinkers. We get quite tipsy at 1 drink a piece (allergic)

any cool excursions? must see/do's?
Also we booked on cruise.com they said call closer to time of cruise to get in some sort of group for $50 onboard credit? Anyone know what that means?

Thanks!

Yes, you will likely be seated with others at the large table. And it will be the same group every night. It's a chance to make friends and so forth.

Feel free to order whatever items you want from the menu, even if it amounts to four appetizers and three desserts. It's all included in your fare. You like lobster? Order 17 of them. Okay, maybe not 17.

Since you're going to a private island, use that as your "beach day" for SSS (sun, sand, snorkeling), rather than Nassau. Find something else to do at Nassau, rather than another day at a beach.

Don't worry about anything. You'll have a great time.

Large table means you will be seated with other people. It is very possible though that once you get onboard that you will be seated at a smaller table - sometimes that's just how it works out. If you aren't comfortable with your tablemates the first night, speak to the maitre'd about getting another table - this is entirely acceptable and is their job. I've never had to do this but many people aren't aware that they can ask for a change which can put a damper on your vacation if you don't hit it off. Also, you are not required to eat in the dining room every evening. If you are too tired, want to eat somewhere else, etc don't feel like you must go to the dining room anyways just because you have a set table (note you should still tip for all nights even if you don't go to the dining room).

As to the onboard credit, you need to speak to your travel agency Cruise.com as the OBC would be coming from them and would be dependent on what their guidelines/policies are.


As to the ship, be aware that this is Royal Caribbean's oldest and smallest ship. While it is a great weekend getaway cruise, you won't have all the bells and whistles you see in the ads for cruises these days. You'll still have a fabulous time but don't be disappointed because it doesn't have the ice skating rink or zipline you see in the ads on tv.

You don't have to drink to have fun onboard. Be aware that sodas do cost money onboard, but you can buy them at any bar. If you drink a lot of sodas, it will probably be worth it to get the soda package. Otherwise you'll have to pay by the soda - I think it's still $2.25 per can plus 15% tip (automatically put on the bill). The bars also sell juices and you can also just order plain water. The Windjammer buffet will have ice tea and lemonade at no charge when it is open.

If you are in to adult fun, look in the Compass (daily schedule) for the game show The Quest. It's an absolutely fun adult scavenger hunt like game show (takes place in one room). At least a few of the bars will have different musicians playing in the evenings if you like live entertainment. The good part about cruising is you usually have lots of choices/options but you are free to participate as much (or as little) as you like. Also, if you go to an event, but decide it's not your thing feel free to leave at any time.

Since you like gambling, you might consider taking the water taxi to Paradise Island and going to the casino at Atlantis when you are in Nassau.

CocoCay is a private island, beach day. RCCL will provide a bbq on the beach that day for lunch. Everything will be charged like you are on the ship - drinks, snorkeling, parasailing, etc. No need to book anything in advance for this day.

thanks great advice.

We will probably go with the unlimited soda option each pp at 6.50 seems to me like its worth it.

http://media.royalcaribbean.com/cont...e_packages.pdf

I'll actually probably change the dining option tonight to a 2 person table. Less complicated that way plus we don't like eating with others. Just not our thing.

I'm particularly interested with the casino on board. When we are in the Bahamas i want to enjoy it without the gambling. That being said is the casino on the ship 24/7? Is it usually packed?

You might consider booking a shore excursion to the Atlantis Waterpark. It's something my wife and I enjoy. It can be rather pricey booking through the cruise line. If you get a day room at the Comfort Inn on Paradise Island, you'll have waterpark access, and it can be cheaper than booking the excursion to Atlantis through the ship. Atlantis includes a large casino too.

As others have noted, Majesty of the Seas is Royal Caribbean's oldest ship, but that doesn't mean you won't enjoy yourself. We've always enjoyed our Majesty cruises, and love a Miami sail away.

The casino on the ship isn't open 24/7. Usually mid morning to sometime between midnight and 1am (really depends on the cruise though - if people are gambling it will usually stay open). Also the casinos are usually closed while in port but I think Nassau is an exception. It definitely won't be open when you first board the ship.

Ten years ago (on RCCL), Mrs. Swede and I were seated at a 10-person table on the first night of our first cruise ever. The problem was, we could've been any of the other 8 people's great-grandchildren! After dinner, we asked the Maitre'd to move us. The next night, we were seated with three other couples and two singles of varying ages. To this day, we are still friends with two of the couples.

Granted, finding friends on a four-day cruise is probably less of a priority than a seven-day cruise. But, then again, you never know. You should also try one (or both) of the specialty restaurants.

Soda package: there is a thread on here that links to an article about breaking even on them. Basically, for each soda package you order, you will need to drink 4-5 sodas per day. On our first cruise, I barely broke even. On subsequent cruises, I simply did without soda and was perfectly fine.

The casino is usually closed when in port. Even the Bahamas - I remember as we gamble whenever casino is open. Definitely go and check out Atlantis. Personally I would see if I could upgrade at a small cost to a Junior Suite which is the next category up from Superior Oceanview. If the cost isn't very high it would give you more room and a balcony is soooo nice.

Superior Ocean View - avg. sq. feet is 157

Junior Suite - avg sq. feet is 255 + 60 for the balcony.

JMHO!

it said suite/deluxe rooms n/a..i wouldnt mind paying for but it was unavailable when i booked.

do the cruiselines have a bank of rooms that are not advertised?

ive also changed the dining option that we be seated in a table of two.

i probably wont be booking with cruise.com again. there's no real advantage to speak of and i kind of got douped into thinking that i would get onboard credit. more and more it seems less likely as the csr i spoke to yesterday was quite rude.

can anyone recommend the Aquaventure Water Park at Atlantis Paradise Island or Marine Habitat at Atlantis?

I dont know if anyone has been to cancun but I loved Xel-ha. My gf hasnt been there but I'm sure she would enjoy.

Rationale?

The dining room staff are also the ones working in the other dining rooms at breakfast and lunch (they also rotate through the buffet at night every few cruises) so by tipping your dining room waitstaff it's showing your appreciation to all the dining staff that serve you at all meals.

so what are prepaid gratuities?

I'm not a cheap tipper by any means but would like to know.

I assume this is going over and beyond if i received exceptional service?

I've done the Aquaventure Waterpark at Atlantis three times. It's a good time, and I will go again. Since it looks like you are on the 3-night cruise, you are only in Nassau from 8 to 5. Keep that in mind as to whether you will have time to truly enjoy the park and get the full value of the excursion fee.

I wonder if the officers of the Concordia would have behaved more professionally if they had been tipped...

Don't over-think it. Have fun.

It sounds like you already have a plan, but in Nassau you might also consider a walking tour of the town and then lunch in one of the restaurants at Arawak Cay.