What to bring on a cruise???

[Sanky]

Hi All,

Any one went on a cuise before? It is going to be our first time.
(with my fiancee & future in laws) I was wondering what to prepare when going on a cruise. Any ideas and MUST BRINGS? We will be boarding the Star Princess first week of December 2005 for 7 days. It will be to the Western Carribeans.

Any suggestions or tips will help.

Thanks,

Sanky

[wanted]

Camera, digital/photo and/or video.

[blizzah]

I'm not sure about Princess, but a set of formal clothes for the formal nights, other then that, a dress shirt or golf shirt would be good for the other days.

And a lot of light clothing and a wind breaker or sweater for the nights.

[philelmo]

swimsuit, beachtowels, money for gambling, nice clothes for dinner and dances

[HighFlyer]

There will be 2 formal and 5 'smart casual' nights. I just came back from a Princess cruise, and they were strict in enforcing the formal dinner dress code in the dining room. On the smart casual nights, anything other than jeans, t-shirts and shorts will be ok. Jeans, shorts are allowed in the dining room during breakfast and lunch.

Tips will automatically be billed to your stateroom at $10USD/day/person.

Beware of the 50lb baggage limit on airlines. I saw many cruise passengers rearranging/repacking their bags at the MIA check-in counters.

[Sanky]

Thanks thanks..It is really appreciated.. Great advices from all of you peeps..

[Cryptic_Soul]

I'm not sure about Princess, but a set of formal clothes for the formal nights, other then that, a dress shirt or golf shirt would be good for the other days.

And a lot of light clothing and a wind breaker or sweater for the nights.

yes there will be formal nights...if i can remember correctly there will be two formal nights where you will have to dress up to be allowed in the dinning room. Also on those nights there will be several stations where you and your family can take "professional" pictures and purchase them a day later.

[pothia]

There will be 2 formal and 5 'smart casual' nights. I just came back from a Princess cruise, and they were strict in enforcing the formal dinner dress code in the dining room. On the smart casual nights, anything other than jeans, t-shirts and shorts will be ok. Jeans, shorts are allowed in the dining room during breakfast and lunch.

Tips will automatically be billed to your stateroom at $10USD/day/person.

Beware of the 50lb baggage limit on airlines. I saw many cruise passengers rearranging/repacking their bags at the MIA check-in counters.

Do I still need to pay tips at dinner then?

And I wonder what other types of pants are there besides formal and jeans. khakis would be the ONLY choice in this case,right?

[rEDSpider]

shrooms in your own canned tomato sauce. not a tin but a jar that has been "canned". Just tell them you have allergies.

[blizzah]

shrooms in your own canned tomato sauce. not a tin but a jar that has been "canned". Just tell them you have allergies.

Huh????

[HighFlyer]

Do I still need to pay tips at dinner then?

No. If your cruiseline doesn't have auto-tipping, then you would need to calculate the tips for the length of the cruise and give it to the waiter(s)/room steward on the last day.

[blizzah]

No. If your cruiseline doesn't have auto-tipping, then you would need to calculate the tips for the length of the cruise and give it to the waiter(s)/room steward on the last day.

A dollar or two is a nice gesture, but you get auto gratuited lol.

You can change it so you pay less of this auto if you really want.

[gman]

Usually, it is more than just a dollar or two. If you are planning to pay a dollar or two, you may as well not tipping at all.

I assume they will dedicate a waiter for your table and serve you whole night and talk to you and what not. I would say a table of 4 should tip at least US$10. A bigger table would be around $20.

[pandaharo]

Bring some OTC motion sickness medicine, it might save your trip.

[trinity]

I am about to go on my first cruise as well in a few weeks. To prepare myself for this, I found a great website. Check out www.cruisecritic.com

All the wonderful tips and great recommendations you will ever find will be all on this site! I have spent hours reading it.

Hope that helps.