Thanks! Hi Matt Just wanted to you how i enjoy your tips and tricks for a terrific cruise. I try to listen to your live videos. (I’ll be in the background). I think my next cruise will be with celebrity although royal Caribbean is my first love. One of these cruises i hope to meet you and your family. You sound like fine people i would like to be around. I wish you the safest in all your cruising adventures and smooth sailing.
Oh man, we watched a Carnival ship across from us prepping to leave, and the people out on their balconies just booing all the pier runners... bunch of savages 😅
We will also do this sometimes if we are out enjoying things and don't feel like getting back to our room to rush to pack and get the bag out in the hall the night before.
I haven't don any, but have traveled with some who did. Mom who was a very experienced cruiser, was tired and not thinking the last night of the cruise and forgot to leave out a top to wear. 😂 Thank goodness my sister-in-law had a spare t-shirt.
Cruising with my cousins stresses me they will book a cruise and not research the ship or any of the destinations I have to know everything I can about where im going what there is to do how’s the ship and where everything is and what there is to do on the ship I always do heavy research before every vacation especially about what I need to
The biggest mistake is taking kids on a cruise (or any long range trip). Take them to grandmas. The people in the room next to you will appreciate it! Nobody appreciates noise missles......
Don't book your departure flight until after 1pm. Was on the MSC Seascape Dec 24'. Was suppose to be in Port by 530am/6. Emergency in the port caused us not to get in until 10:15. Missed my 11:45 flight. Had never happened in the 29 cruises I've taken. Lesson learned!
What time can I check into my cruise? Website says 12:00 midnight EST 45 days prior to cruise. Miami is on EST but when I look on my app it says ship time currently an hour ahead. Is it 12am EST or 12am ship time?
I've always been polite to the crew. Waving at each one, being polite and courteous. Asking how they are doing. It kind of surprises me that by the 2nd day, everyone, and I MEAN EVERY crew member on that ship knows my name. From the waiters, to the pool cleaners at night. They all recognize and know my name.
We had a missed port in Auckland New Zealand because a tender/lifeboat didnt want to come back onboard (I think it preferred to stay in NZ) something to do with the davit so we were majorly delayed instead of 6pm it was like 1am.. so yeh sadly missed Auckland which was disapointing. but yeh exaclty that it happens
Last September I would connect to wifi when I was in port. Once I forgot to put my phone back in airplane mode. Luckily my phone carrier text me a heads up but it still ran me $15 and that was just a couple hours!
My wife’s and I first cruise on our 10 year anniversary! We got an inside stateroom! I hated it! Every other cruise we got a beautiful balcony! It’s romantic! It’s bigger !
If you are running late and can't get to the breakfast locations, the main coffee shop is usually open and often has pastries, etc. available on disembarkation day.
Yes. I just got back from a Mediterranean cruise. The ship docked at 7am. They wanted us out of our cabins by 8am , so the staff could clean the cabins before the next passengers boarded. But they didn’t want us to disembark before 11am. So we had 3 hours (between 8am and 11am) to sit down in the buffet and stuff our faces. 😊
36 to 24 hours before embarking on your cruise, make sure to double or triple up on vitamin C and other immunity boosters. It is no fun coming down with an illness while on a cruise or right after your cruise.
Not forgetting clothes but did pack all of our 7 year old daughter’s shoes. Had to have her walk to luggage barefoot. Never will do that again. Triple check that now.
One time we were late for docking so missed my flight. By chance I flew economy that time and sat in the airport for 6 hours. Once a couple checking in ahead of me brought the wrong paperwork, the had brought their papers for the previous cruise. This is before online checkin and smart phones so they were not allowed to board.
One time when we were on Harmony of the seas, we found our luggage outside of other peoples rooms. Does this happen to anybody else or was this a one time mistake? It has us nervous to do it again.
I'm going on my very first cruise with RC. My ship is Jewel of the Seas. What can you tell me about Roatan Honduras and Georgetown Grand Cayman so far as docking/port. Do I have to take a small boat or can I walk from the ship?
I do not have a birth certificate, but a US government issued Certificate of Birth Abroad (born in a foregin country, but on American soil) that is the original and does have a stamp. Would this be sufficient?
My sister has the same. It's fine, assuming the people checking you in understand what it is. I'd suggest a passport though, to be safe. Also, because if you lose that bad boy it is an absolute NIGHTMARE to get a new one! If you haven't already, take your certificate to the local county and have it registered. That way if you do lose it you can go down to county records and get a certified replacement. Otherwise it takes months to get a new one from the original place you were born, and you may not be able to without already having a passport. My mom had to order my sister's because she didn't have enough proof of identity to order her own. If our parents were deceased I have no idea how she'd have ever gotten a new certificate. Also, expensive! Cost almost $200 which included "rush" shipping, which took 3 months instead of 6.
I will never book my flight the same day as my cruise. I was unaware of this and I flew into Rome the same day. Thank godWe made it, but I will never be that stressed again
My Dad sometimes like planning things to the minute , not a cruise my Mum was charged 50 pounds for roaming fees whilst we were in Turkey but the company put a block on her phone, we forgot to put it in airplane mode.
I was on Navigator of the Seas this last August and I loved it! The food was great and the shows were fantastic... I'm going on Navigator again in September to the Mexican Riviera, I can't wait...
You don’t have to but depending on what time you get on board you will be responsible for it until your cabin is ready which on normal cruises may not be available until 3 or 4 pm sometimes.. normally closer to 1-3.
@ As I said, it really depends. All of my cruises have been with RC flights and have been less than 3 hours of a flight time, generally on a chartered flight.
Well, we went on Wonder, Oasis, and Quantum of seas yes there were lots of kids, but the only place they were was in every hottub on the ship. Other than that, we didn't see them much. Bigger ships are nice because you don't feel so closed in.
We like the big ships and we don't have kids. We avoided the Boardwalk/Beachside in the daytime and went to the adult pools when we didn't want to be around kids. But we don't mind kids overall, so it wasn't a big deal for us. It didn't feel like too many kids. It felt like a nice cross section of all ages.
The birth certificate has to be a certified copy with seal or original, I nor my husband have our original birth certificates, does anyone over 50 ???😢
Mine is a certified copy. That’s what was given to me by my parents and it’s always worked. If you don’t have yours, you can get one from the county you were born in.
Last September I would connect to wifi when I was in port. Once I forgot to put my phone back in airplane mode. Luckily my phone carrier text me a heads up but it still ran me $15 and that was just a couple hours!
Thanks! Hi Matt Just wanted to you how i enjoy your tips and tricks for a terrific cruise. I try to listen to your live videos. (I’ll be in the background). I think my next cruise will be with celebrity although royal Caribbean is my first love. One of these cruises i hope to meet you and your family. You sound like fine people i would like to be around. I wish you the safest in all your cruising adventures and smooth sailing.
Mistake 14.b. Not getting a balcony room so you can watch the pier runners being late missing the ship.
😂
You can watch them from the deck
My wife and I love watching those runners ! There’s always people who don’t pay attention to when there supposed to be back to the ship!
😂😂😂😂😂
Oh man, we watched a Carnival ship across from us prepping to leave, and the people out on their balconies just booing all the pier runners... bunch of savages 😅
Take your own bags off the ship if you are able. It's faster and you have no risk of RCI losing your bags during disembarkation.
We will also do this sometimes if we are out enjoying things and don't feel like getting back to our room to rush to pack and get the bag out in the hall the night before.
Yeah, we always walk right off the ship with our bags instead waiting at baggage
My wife and I are just about to book our 35 this anniversary for next year on the oasis! Our first time on this ship
4:26 that lady on the bottom right was digging for gold!😆
I haven't don any, but have traveled with some who did. Mom who was a very experienced cruiser, was tired and not thinking the last night of the cruise and forgot to leave out a top to wear. 😂 Thank goodness my sister-in-law had a spare t-shirt.
Harmony in 10 days! Cannot wait!
Same
Harmony n Feb 2nd... Can't wait
Always checking my invoice while on the ship. So easy in the app. Save some $$ from fixing incorrect charges!
Heck yea!
@ now if we could only eliminate the casino charges…
Terrific Advise, Matt !! 🚢🚢
Cruising with my cousins stresses me they will book a cruise and not research the ship or any of the destinations I have to know everything I can about where im going what there is to do how’s the ship and where everything is and what there is to do on the ship I always do heavy research before every vacation especially about what I need to
The biggest mistake is taking kids on a cruise (or any long range trip). Take them to grandmas. The people in the room next to you will appreciate it!
Nobody appreciates noise missles......
I guarantee you adults make more noise in neighboring cabins than kids
i despise people that treat cruise staff poorly
Don't book your departure flight until after 1pm. Was on the MSC Seascape Dec 24'. Was suppose to be in Port by 530am/6. Emergency in the port caused us not to get in until 10:15. Missed my 11:45 flight. Had never happened in the 29 cruises I've taken. Lesson learned!
What time can I check into my cruise? Website says 12:00 midnight EST 45 days prior to cruise. Miami is on EST but when I look on my app it says ship time currently an hour ahead. Is it 12am EST or 12am ship time?
Good advice
I've always been polite to the crew. Waving at each one, being polite and courteous. Asking how they are doing. It kind of surprises me that by the 2nd day, everyone, and I MEAN EVERY crew member on that ship knows my name. From the waiters, to the pool cleaners at night. They all recognize and know my name.
How ghastly!
I prefer the crew to leave me alone.
We had a missed port in Auckland New Zealand because a tender/lifeboat didnt want to come back onboard (I think it preferred to stay in NZ) something to do with the davit so we were majorly delayed instead of 6pm it was like 1am.. so yeh sadly missed Auckland which was disapointing. but yeh exaclty that it happens
Last September I would connect to wifi when I was in port. Once I forgot to put my phone back in airplane mode. Luckily my phone carrier text me a heads up but it still ran me $15 and that was just a couple hours!
Mistake #19… when keepin it real goes wrong. 😂
Omg this helped so much!!
My wife’s and I first cruise on our 10 year anniversary! We got an inside stateroom! I hated it! Every other cruise we got a beautiful balcony! It’s romantic! It’s bigger !
Silly question. Before leaving the ship at the end of the cruise. Can you get breakfast?
Yes
Yes, that’s about all you can get everything else will be closed
If you are running late and can't get to the breakfast locations, the main coffee shop is usually open and often has pastries, etc. available on disembarkation day.
@@robtooley4002 This is my first cruise in 18 years. I am not finding a portable fan for the cabin, can you get one from the cabin steward?
Yes. I just got back from a Mediterranean cruise. The ship docked at 7am. They wanted us out of our cabins by 8am , so the staff could clean the cabins before the next passengers boarded. But they didn’t want us to disembark before 11am. So we had 3 hours (between 8am and 11am) to sit down in the buffet and stuff our faces. 😊
We take precautions and luckily haven't haven't had issues.
On Wonder in 2 weeks WOOHOO
Wonder is trash.
We enjoyed Wonder quite a bit! Different people have different tastes. We thought it was fantastic. Enjoy your trip!
36 to 24 hours before embarking on your cruise, make sure to double or triple up on vitamin C and other immunity boosters.
It is no fun coming down with an illness while on a cruise or right after your cruise.
Watch out for pre paid specialty restaurants billing you after it was pre paid for!
Not forgetting clothes but did pack all of our 7 year old daughter’s shoes. Had to have her walk to luggage barefoot. Never will do that again. Triple check that now.
One time we were late for docking so missed my flight. By chance I flew economy that time and sat in the airport for 6 hours. Once a couple checking in ahead of me brought the wrong paperwork, the had brought their papers for the previous cruise. This is before online checkin and smart phones so they were not allowed to board.
One time when we were on Harmony of the seas, we found our luggage outside of other peoples rooms. Does this happen to anybody else or was this a one time mistake? It has us nervous to do it again.
I'm going on my very first cruise with RC. My ship is Jewel of the Seas. What can you tell me about Roatan Honduras and Georgetown Grand Cayman so far as docking/port. Do I have to take a small boat or can I walk from the ship?
If I recall, Grand Cayman is a tender port (the port provides boats to take you to and from the ship) and Roatan has a dock so no tender is used.
Hello Sir, you always mention the biggest mistake is not using a travel agent. Do you have one you recommend? Thank you in advance 😊
I do not have a birth certificate, but a US government issued Certificate of Birth Abroad (born in a foregin country, but on American soil) that is the original and does have a stamp. Would this be sufficient?
It should.
I would call royal Caribbean to confirm. Better safe than sorry
You don’t need a birth certificate at all.
But you DO need a passport.
My sister has the same. It's fine, assuming the people checking you in understand what it is. I'd suggest a passport though, to be safe.
Also, because if you lose that bad boy it is an absolute NIGHTMARE to get a new one!
If you haven't already, take your certificate to the local county and have it registered. That way if you do lose it you can go down to county records and get a certified replacement. Otherwise it takes months to get a new one from the original place you were born, and you may not be able to without already having a passport. My mom had to order my sister's because she didn't have enough proof of identity to order her own. If our parents were deceased I have no idea how she'd have ever gotten a new certificate. Also, expensive! Cost almost $200 which included "rush" shipping, which took 3 months instead of 6.
Lastly, bring a tooth repair kit. You never know. It's $3. It will hold your tooth together until you get home.
One of the best things I did was not make a short excursion for every port. For us, it made the trip more relaxing.
I will never book my flight the same day as my cruise. I was unaware of this and I flew into Rome the same day. Thank godWe made it, but I will never be that stressed again
What do you suggest for Cozumel? We’ve never been there!
Don’t go…
Tacos in the city Central square and snorkeling, as it is one of the highest rated places.
Paradise Beach
Nachi Cocom. Laid back beach club. 130 people max. No loud music. Very relaxing experience.
thousands spent on a cruise.....you can spend that extra $250 for a hotel room when you fly in the day before...peace of mind
My Dad sometimes like planning things to the minute , not a cruise my Mum was charged 50 pounds for roaming fees whilst we were in Turkey but the company put a block on her phone, we forgot to put it in airplane mode.
Getting on navigator of the seas in April
Can anyone tell me anything about this ship ?
Its a big metal boat that floats.
I was on Navigator of the Seas this last August and I loved it! The food was great and the shows were fantastic... I'm going on Navigator again in September to the Mexican Riviera, I can't wait...
@ thank you so much ! This helps ! I haven’t been on RC older ships , so don’t know what to expect !thank you for the feedback 🙏🏻😊
NCL didn't bat an eye that my two youngest passport expired in Feb with our Christmas Cruise... we drive to New Orleans
Do you have to check your suitcase?
You don’t have to but depending on what time you get on board you will be responsible for it until your cabin is ready which on normal cruises may not be available until 3 or 4 pm sometimes.. normally closer to 1-3.
@@DB-zp9un Seeing people wheel around 1-3 huge suitcase before the cabins are ready because they want to save a few bucks on a porter makes no sense.
Booking One ???
I'm guilty of flying in the day of the cruise.
Michael!
I’ve virtually always flown in on embarkation with RC flights. It really depends on where you’re flying from and to.
Don’t fly in the day of!!!! So very important as Matt said!! 🚢
@ As I said, it really depends. All of my cruises have been with RC flights and have been less than 3 hours of a flight time, generally on a chartered flight.
My wife and I always fly in the night before our cruise! Where more relaxed! No rushing! Or running !
If you cant afford travel insurance.. you cant afford to travel
Are main mistake... always air travel same day...
UP NEXT
matt at 13 minutes and 8 sec's what is that women doing?
Great cruise = avoid RCL giant ships. Too many people and KIDS.
Well, we went on Wonder, Oasis, and Quantum of seas yes there were lots of kids, but the only place they were was in every hottub on the ship. Other than that, we didn't see them much. Bigger ships are nice because you don't feel so closed in.
We like the big ships and we don't have kids. We avoided the Boardwalk/Beachside in the daytime and went to the adult pools when we didn't want to be around kids. But we don't mind kids overall, so it wasn't a big deal for us. It didn't feel like too many kids. It felt like a nice cross section of all ages.
@robtooley4002 yes i totally agree. We did the same thing as you do. We pretty much stay in the adult section too.
Great video and great suggestions. But please speak more slowly and do not mumble. It makes you VERY hard to understand.
I still fly in the same day as my cruise
I never purchase travel insurance
The birth certificate has to be a certified copy with seal or original, I nor my husband have our original birth certificates, does anyone over 50 ???😢
I think he means the official document not a photo copy
Mine is a certified copy. That’s what was given to me by my parents and it’s always worked. If you don’t have yours, you can get one from the county you were born in.
Raised seal
I am 63 and I have mine.
Mine is even apostilled
We always book a room in a the airport the night before!
We are booking our cruise on the oasis because there new ships are too expensive!
Everybody should be back on the ship on time. Listen to what they’re saying before you go back so you don’t have to run just kind of funny.
Last September I would connect to wifi when I was in port. Once I forgot to put my phone back in airplane mode. Luckily my phone carrier text me a heads up but it still ran me $15 and that was just a couple hours!