New Cruisers
Mar 21, 2009 | 9:51 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 2
New Cruisers
We are first time cruisers, with a few questions.
We are on the BAHAMA CELEBRATION for a 3 day cruise from Fort Lauderdale.
So, what are the first things to do...Restaurant reservations, Lounges ?
Do we make these arrangements as soon as we get on the ship?
Since we live here in Fort Lauderdale should we get to the port early?
Daniel
We are on the BAHAMA CELEBRATION for a 3 day cruise from Fort Lauderdale.
So, what are the first things to do...Restaurant reservations, Lounges ?
Do we make these arrangements as soon as we get on the ship?
Since we live here in Fort Lauderdale should we get to the port early?
Daniel
Mar 21, 2009 | 9:52 pm
#3
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: BWI
Programs: SPG Plat
Posts: 151
I strongly recommend that you check out www.cruisecritic.com
They are to cruises what Flyertalk is to, well, pretty much everything else.
Ztras
They are to cruises what Flyertalk is to, well, pretty much everything else.
Ztras
Mar 22, 2009 | 6:45 am
#4
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: AA GLD (1MM), DL GLD, Marriott Plat, RCL D+, X Elite
Posts: 3,229
Plus 1 to what Ztras said. I searched the Cruise Critic boards. You'll need to look under the Imperial Majesty boards to find anything on the MS Bahamas Celebration.
Let us know how your cruise goes. Keep in mind that this ship is newly fitted for cruising, so there may be some first time glitches. Don't let it spoil your impression of cruising if you can. I think its the best vacation value around. But that's just me.
Let us know how your cruise goes. Keep in mind that this ship is newly fitted for cruising, so there may be some first time glitches. Don't let it spoil your impression of cruising if you can. I think its the best vacation value around. But that's just me.
Mar 22, 2009 | 7:23 am
#5
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 527
We always get to the ships early and go to the buffet for a nice lunch. Gives you tons of time and then you can explore the ship as well. With only a 3 day (sorry that sounds bad but it IS short for me) cruise you'll want all the time you can get. I know nothing about the cruise line you are using so I'd suggest you follow the other suggestions re cruisecritic. I go there no matter which line I'm cruising as there are alot of good tips re ports as well as the ships themselves.
Mar 22, 2009 | 9:07 am
#6
In Memoriam
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Easton, CT, USA
Programs: ua prem exec, Former hilton diamond
Posts: 31,801
Welcome to Flyertalk.
The first thing to do is to relax and take a step back. Remember they are there to do things for you, so don't worry too much about it.
Start by looking over the dining options on the website. Try as best as you can, where you plan to dine each night. It could be the same dining room all the time, you may want the fancy pay extra room one night and the buffet the next night. Also try to estimate about what time you want to eat.
When you get on board, visit the main dining room and check to see if your prefered choices are available. If it's not, don't worry about it, be flexible. Though it probably will.
Look over the shore excursions online. Narrow down your choices, and visit the shore excursion desk or however else they reserve them (check your documentation when it comes you may be able to reserve in ahead) and pick the ones you want just in case they sell out.
I don't know about this cruise line, but some of them let you handle pretty much everything (all the paperwork for checkin, the shore reservations, etc) online before you even leave home, so you don't have to worry about any of it.
When you get to the port, and it really doesn't matter what time you get there, you will check in. Look over your documents to make sure everything is correct. Go onboard, find your cabin if they are available. One reason not to be the first person on board is often the cabins are not ready, so you have to just hang out for hours carrying your carry ons, but since you are driving up that probably won't be an issue. Walk around and get a feel for the ship, and just find a place to kick back and relax.
Most cruise lines don't need lounge reservations, you just show up, but again you can ask when you get on board.
The first thing to do is to relax and take a step back. Remember they are there to do things for you, so don't worry too much about it.
Start by looking over the dining options on the website. Try as best as you can, where you plan to dine each night. It could be the same dining room all the time, you may want the fancy pay extra room one night and the buffet the next night. Also try to estimate about what time you want to eat.
When you get on board, visit the main dining room and check to see if your prefered choices are available. If it's not, don't worry about it, be flexible. Though it probably will.
Look over the shore excursions online. Narrow down your choices, and visit the shore excursion desk or however else they reserve them (check your documentation when it comes you may be able to reserve in ahead) and pick the ones you want just in case they sell out.
I don't know about this cruise line, but some of them let you handle pretty much everything (all the paperwork for checkin, the shore reservations, etc) online before you even leave home, so you don't have to worry about any of it.
When you get to the port, and it really doesn't matter what time you get there, you will check in. Look over your documents to make sure everything is correct. Go onboard, find your cabin if they are available. One reason not to be the first person on board is often the cabins are not ready, so you have to just hang out for hours carrying your carry ons, but since you are driving up that probably won't be an issue. Walk around and get a feel for the ship, and just find a place to kick back and relax.
Most cruise lines don't need lounge reservations, you just show up, but again you can ask when you get on board.