Cruise Questions

[Betsy]

We went on a cruise about a year and a half ago - my 1st one - and I was worried about getting sea sick too! But it was GREAT!! We went on a larger Royal Carribean one and it wasn't bad at all! We bought a "pop card" for soda - it was $20 and we just had to show it when we wanted a non-alcoholic drink. We paid for all the alcohol but it wasn't really too much$$$! Have fun!

[JUSTUSTWO]

Cruises are the BEST. We try to go on one every year & prefer it over any other type of traveling. For the sea sickness most people use Dramamine. You can get the pills or you can get the patch. I've never gotten sea sick but hear that Dramamine does work.

Also, I think cabin's that are mid-ship as opposed to in the front or back are the best. If you're towards the front or back that's where you're most likely to feel alot of moving. We also try to avoid staying on lower decks.

You can also add the soda option to your package which will then allow you to have unlimited sodas. And smuggling your own alcohol is the best way to go!

[JennyK]

If you get sea sick, the best thing to take is Ginger.. anything with ginger. I took a cruise around Hawaii and those Pacific waves got the best of me. I was told to find ginger candy and boy did it help!!! I was amazed! Thank god bc the Dramamine was knocking me out every night earlier than I wanted lol

 

Also, drink smuggling is the way to go. If you can get a cruise that offers the soda package, definitely get it. Then if you get a bottle or 2 or rum in a duty free in your first port of call, you can have mixed drinks every night without paying for it.

[TA Dina]

Well cruises are one of my specialties so here's my 2 cents....

 

As far as seasickness, everyone is different. I can list 10 clients that insist the front of the ship moves more, 10 that will say the back, 10 that will say the middle up high, and 10 will swear the first deck moves too much. In other words, everyone is different. I've stayed front, back, up, down and can't tell the difference. Personally like others said, I think the stabalizers in the newer ships keep everything pretty evened out. Some of the older ships (not necessarily smaller) I've felt some rocking on. But not enough to bother me. But in the dining room once on a newer Royal Caribbean ship I did get very sick out of the blue (mid ship, deck 6, go figure). But popped some dramamine and all was ok. Many of my clients also swear by ginger and the patches. They work wonders. So don't let seasickness scare you off.

 

As for alcohol, I always ask my clients how much they drink. Seriously, think about it, will you drink 10 beers at the pool and then 5 drinks at dinner and the show at night? Or will you have some wine with dinner and 2 at the casino at night? For what you'll pay at an all inclusive versus what you'll pay for what you actually drink on a ship, you could come out saving money. Or at most breaking even. I have some friends that definately get their money's worth out of an AI, and for me, I'm better off if I pay as I go (or drink). Again, don't let the non-all-inclusive scare you off. With the great prices on cruise fares these days, you just might come out ahead.

 

And there's always a 'drink of the day' or buckets o' beer at the pool, so you can save some money that way too.

 

And well, I'm a travel agent, so I won't comment on smuggling alcohol on board. *wink* But my friend who had his $40 bottle of vodka taken from him before boarding, he might tell you not to bother. I don't smuggle, but if it's a special occasion, I will order a bottle for my cabin directly from the cruise line. And that usually lasts me all week. And I know I'll get it and noone will take it from me at the pier ;0)

 

And last I checked, all the major lines do not include soda/pop. They will offer soda cards on your day of embarkation that you can purchase for the trip. But again, do the math. How much soda do you drink? A can at dinner averages about $1.75 ea, so if you drink one a day, over 7 days, is it worth it to pay $30 for a card? Again I pay as I go, so I'm not sure what the cards actually cost (they'll vary by cruiseline), but I only bought one once and at the end of the cruise realized I got ripped off, so I haven't bought one since.

 

Cruises are definately a good value and are a lot of fun. If I can help you with more questions, just Pm me.

 

TA Dina

[michaelwachniak]

I worked on cruise ships for 2 years so hopefully I can help (or at least throw in my 2 cents)!

 

I worked with Princess Cruises, and I know that you have to buy all drinks except for water... having said that, you can buy a Coke Card for $20 (i think) and they put a sticker on your cruise card. This gives you unlimited sodas at any of the bars.

 

Now for the seasick part: I have been on the largest and smallest ships in the fleet. It really doesnt matter that much on size. (it does but it doesnt). Basically, even the largest ship can wobble from time to time. The best thing to do if you feel a little sick is to go outside and look at the horizon. dont focus on one point, but relax your eyes and just stare ahead. And to prevent (or decrease chances of) seasickness, I have been witness to the following things working wonders: green apples, ginger (ginger ale being the best), and chewing on ice... no idea how the ice worked, but it really did. If all else fails, go the Gravol route.

 

hope this helps!

[TATrisha]

I've been on some Carnival cruises (love them!). I don't drink, so they are actually a very good deal for me.

As far as smuggling alcohol the only way my group has had success is by filling a scope bottle! Since scope has alcohol in it anyways, nobody notices. We've even gone as far as dying booze green

Soda cards work lovely if you do end up smuggling in. well, for our groups members it did.

As far as sea sickness I think it also depends on the time of year that you go. We went in january once and it was as if the whole boat had the ear patch on. In May we went and nobody did. The waters were smoother.

What ports are you thinking of going to?

[IrieBride08]

I love the Carnival cruises too! I found that the included drinks (juices, water, punch, etc.) were sufficient for me. I never missed soda or felt I needed to buy one while on the cruise. (But I'm not a big soda drinker.) Now the alcohol, we definitely used our pre-paid drink passes!