When you cruise agian what would you do different?

[texaspepper]

When you cruise again what would you do different?
* Pack different?
* Plan different?
* Pick a different stateroom?
* Pick a different dinning room time?
* Choose a different sailing itinerary?
* Spend less on ?????
* Spend less on photos?
* Drink less?
* Eat less?
* Book a cruise longer than the last one?
* Do more or less in port excursions?
* Stay on board the ship at some ports?

Add your own comments on what you would do more or less. Cruising is fun but everyone has their own do and don't do ideas.

[Magnolia Blossom]

Not a thing. This was our 36th cruise, so we're got it down pretty well. But I will say in regards to our last cruise, Baltics on the Sun, I would not stay in London but rather Canterbury or Dover. We were with a group however and most had never been to London so we did the London thing.

Things I always do before/on a cruise
Research, research, research - I only like surprises at Christmas - many a cruise complaint would have been avoided if the cruiser had read their contract, knew where they were going and that when they arrived people may not accept USDs.

Pack light. DH and I can do a 14 day cruise with just our carry on luggage. Not only is checked luggage getting expensive nowadays, the time it takes to pack and unpack reduces your fun time onboard. Using the ship laundry is still cheaper than what some airlines charge for luggage.

Prepare an emergency pack with items such as band aids, safety pins, a needle and thread, antibiotic ointment, benadryl, etc.

If you are taking several guidebooks - just copy the pages you need and leave the heavy books at home.

Talk to the cruise consultant onboard. See if the cruiseline has any itineraries they're "testing" with just one sailing next year. Sometimes these are very interesting and you might miss them on the websites.

Enroll in the repeaters program of the cruiseline, youwill get some useful information and some perks.

You don't have to take a wad of small bills for tips on board or shoreside activities - use the casino to change large bills.

Unless photography is really your "thing", don't live your visit through a viewfinder (let flaming begin). Buy postcards of the most memorable sites - often times they come in a pack of a dozen or so. They will be much better shots than you are gonna get and you can relax rather than stressing over missing that great shot.

If you travel with friends, make sure your styes are suitable. Over the years we have travelled with good friends and my credo has become "you don't really know people until you've travelled with them". People who must photograph everything, look in every single store, disect the menu, etc. can really muddle your day. Plan to do your own thing during the day and have a wonderful cocktail and dinner together.

I have more - but that's probably more than you expected already.

[johnthed0g]

Vary the cruise line you use, we did 4 in 12 months with P&O & it was all a bit too "samey" menu/entertainment, even on different ships.

[Lakers Fan]

I will be more active as opposed to doing the total relaxation option on past cruises

[texaspepper]

Originally Posted by Magnolia Blossom

Not a thing. This was our 36th cruise, so we're got it down pretty well. But I will say in regards to our last cruise, Baltics on the Sun, I would not stay in London but rather Canterbury or Dover. We were with a group however and most had never been to London so we did the London thing.

Things I always do before/on a cruise
Research, research, research - I only like surprises at Christmas - many a cruise complaint would have been avoided if the cruiser had read their contract, knew where they were going and that when they arrived people may not accept USDs.

Pack light. DH and I can do a 14 day cruise with just our carry on luggage. Not only is checked luggage getting expensive nowadays, the time it takes to pack and unpack reduces your fun time onboard. Using the ship laundry is still cheaper than what some airlines charge for luggage.

Prepare an emergency pack with items such as band aids, safety pins, a needle and thread, antibiotic ointment, benadryl, etc.

If you are taking several guidebooks - just copy the pages you need and leave the heavy books at home.

Talk to the cruise consultant onboard. See if the cruiseline has any itineraries they're "testing" with just one sailing next year. Sometimes these are very interesting and you might miss them on the websites.

Enroll in the repeaters program of the cruiseline, youwill get some useful information and some perks.

You don't have to take a wad of small bills for tips on board or shoreside activities - use the casino to change large bills.

Unless photography is really your "thing", don't live your visit through a viewfinder (let flaming begin). Buy postcards of the most memorable sites - often times they come in a pack of a dozen or so. They will be much better shots than you are gonna get and you can relax rather than stressing over missing that great shot.

If you travel with friends, make sure your styes are suitable. Over the years we have travelled with good friends and my credo has become "you don't really know people until you've travelled with them". People who must photograph everything, look in every single store, disect the menu, etc. can really muddle your day. Plan to do your own thing during the day and have a wonderful cocktail and dinner together.

I have more - but that's probably more than you expected already.

Some good insights MB. . .nothing speaks better than experience and with 36 behind you you have the experience. Agree with traveling with others. . .you get to know them.

[texaspepper]

Originally Posted by johnthed0g

Vary the cruise line you use, we did 4 in 12 months with P&O & it was all a bit too "samey" menu/entertainment, even on different ships.

Living in Texas we have one port to sail and that port is Galveston, TX. Carnival is there year round with two ship; Conquest doing 7 days and Ecstasy doing 3 and 4 days.

In Nov 2011 Carnival is moving the Conquest to New Orleans and putting the Carnival Magic in Galveston year round and also the CCL Triumph. Royal Caribbean is moving Voyager of the Seas to New Orleans from Dec - April each year and also moving the RCL Mariner of the Seas from Los Angeles, CA to Galveston in 2011 to sail Dec - April each year. So we have so new options in Texas.

BTW. . .I sailed P&O on the Canberra back in 1969 on a one way 16 day sailing from Los Angeles, CA to Auckland, New Zealand. She was a beautiful ship.

[nmnita]

We have our routine down pertty pat after 25 plus cruises, but it took awhile. Things we changed from the first few: 1-we bring about 1/2 as many clothes: 2-we do most of our own tours. 3-we try to control the food intake. 4-we don't think it is necesary to stay up til 1am: 5-we always arrive at least one day in advance of the cruise.

The one thing we have never changed: we still plan on having a wonderful vacation and we do.

Nita;-)