What I wish I’d known before I went on a Royal Caribbean cruise
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 10 มิ.ย. 2024
- Calista started cruising with Royal Caribbean last year, and shared the top things she wishes she knew before stepping foot onboard.
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I absolutely can't relate to thinking that a 7 day cruise is too long. I recently took my first ever cruise on Harmony of the Seas and could have stayed there for a month easily. 😂
My 7 days went so fast I was depressed
7 days is my max.
I love cruising but after 4-5 days I start feeling like I am loosing my freedom - everything is so scheduled- I despise mornings - I do love it but can’t wait to get off the ship and be free again!
@@katcalico9142I think of it as being a captive audience. The cruise line does all they can to separate you from your money
THIS!!
7 days on Wonder and she got bored? Girl, cruising might not be for you. I couldn't even imagine getting bored on Wonder ever!
No kidding!
I got bored by day 6 on the Wonder. But that was mainly because I'm an introvert and the weather was bad 6 out of 7 days (eliminating many of the activities I wanted to do, and forcing everyone & everything indoors). My balcony getaway was a lifesaver, though!
When you're motion sick it can be a long week even when you're having fun.
I’ve found that cruise ships are made for people who know how to entertain themselves. I took my aunt on a celebrity cruise for the New Year/her birthday and she was bored by day 3. She killed my enjoyment because I then had to spend the rest of the cruise helping her find things to do, which is crazy. I’ve learned to cruise alone as a result lol.
As far as budgeting for onboard expenses the best advice I can give is to not buy the drink package & instead take that money & put cash on your room card, especially if you are in a situation where one person drinks & another doesn’t.
A lot of people don’t realize that you can add cash to your room card so instead of paying for that drink package use the same amount in cash (or whatever you think you’ll drink) as sort of your own onboard credit. The biggest benefit is you’re likely to have money left over that you can get back unlike if you buy the drink package.
I had no idea you could do that. Thanks!
This is a good choice,especially if the cruise has 4 ports & you will get off the ship.
there is no need for any drink package unless you cant live without alcohol. drinks are free in windjammer
I'm taking my first cruise in July 2024 and this is wonderful because the person that I'm cruising with doesn't drink. Quick question: I've heard that you can use the drink package on coco cay, will this trick work there as well or will I have to pay with physical cash and/or card on coco cay?
Bring a big coffee cup with a lid. When I went on my cruise I had a little cup of tea, and when I was walking back to my table the tea spilled all over me and the floor, so bring an insulated coffee or tea cup with a lid that locks on, and you can use it for any drinks you want, juices, water, liquor, etc. Remember, the ship sways, and the little coffee cups are terrible for walking around with. I used to bring snacks to the room all the time, I never brought any with me, and if you're going to a hot place, you're going to be in light clothes or a bathing suit all the time during the day, at night it does get chilly, so bring something warm to wear at night, and bring sunscreen, and a pair of sneakers, especially if you're going to walk a lot or go hiking, or do any kind of sports. Bring lots of nausea medication, just in case, and take it before you get on the ship, and keep taking if you get sea sick. If you're on a budget, you can just eat all the free food, they have lots of different foods to keep you full, you don't have to pay for anything if you don't want to.
I would say bringing hydration packets and medicine (tylenol, advil, etc.) for any pains you might occur.
The front of the ship is my favorite place. It’s quiet.
I can’t imagine wasting calories on Pringles when there are fresh pastries and drinks to be had
I learned the hard way the importance of researching not just a cruise line but the specific ship you cruise on. I hadn't realized that many of the things I'd seen in advertisements wouldn't be on my older ship. Now I'm far more aware of what is included on my ship so I can choose the cruise experience I'm looking for.
That's very true my first RCI cruise was on the Anthem of the Seas, after that the Jewel was nice but not as much fun.
My first cruise was in 1997. It was my honeymoon and I was 23 years old. Back then formal night was a lot of tuxes and gowns. I knew nothing. I wish there was something like this back then.
I just got back of my trip aboard wonder of the seas. It was magnificent. She is a beautiful ship.
After getting off a 4 day cruise. It was way too short. Going back to 7 nights next time
Yes. The first day is used up getting on board and unpacked. The last day is particularly taken up with packing up and getting ready to get off the next morning. 7 days are my preferred although I would like to do a longer one.
one thing I wish I knew: get the drink package.
Thank you Matt and Calista!
Glad I watched this video, I hope I don't forget these tips. My cruise is in July and I just liked over the activities and shows on my cruise and yeah I'll definitely need to bring more clothes and long sleeves 🙃
7 days is not to long. I am looking forward to 20 days in October.
I've only been on two cruises. I don't do excursions as I prefer to wander around in port towns, I don't do shows as I prefer to just relax, maybe have a drink, and go to the smoking area and make new friends. If I'm honest, I'm there to just relax instead of schedule all of my time. As a teacher, my real-world life is mostly following schedules so not having to makes it more relaxing to me. I guess if I had to do one thing different (it's two actually) I would say don't go on Thanksgiving, the food was horrible, and don't use elevators on Anthem as I ended up getting trapped in one after it broke down. Hoping for better luck on Odyssey next February.
I can stay on a cruise for the next 75 years
I’ve been on 8 cruises 6 with Royal never have I dined a specialty restaurant and I have never brought or needed snacks! Plenty of food included w your fare!
Having the drink package is great, especially for perfect day. I took advantage of coffees and bottled water as well. Spent one day at playmakers watching football and it was nice to not worry about that bill.
One of the things we noticed on our Royal Caribbean cruise was that whatever was the featured dinner entre in the dining room was available the next day in the buffet. Has anyone else spotted this?.
Just came off Monday. If it was in the Wind Jammer …. it was in the MDR… no better quality either, just better presentation.
I think if you're going to leave a show in the middle of it, the least you can do is be as unobtrusive as possible. If you're not sure if you like the show it's better to sit on the aisle so you don't have to climb over a bunch of people and disrupt their enjoyment of the show while you leave.
I agree and that is how I do it. However, do realize that there are people that have medical conditions that are not predictable and may need to leave unexpectedly. Comedians can be quite triggering (and often not even that funny) if they get into certain topics - I mean the Norwegian comedian that was rating women’s bodies - no one should ever have to sit through that “just to be polite” - we are not prisoners to bad entertainment
Yep. More snackies! Max out on allowed preferred sodas and water if no beverage package. (Hint. Be KIND to your cabin steward and hint at dehydration and you will probably see at least a couple of new water bottles in your cooler every day.) Entertainment: Yes, never be shy about leaving but do it as politely as you can. My entire family did this. The show was far too provocative for our taste. Best prices on souvenirs will be the last night or day of your Cruise. Be warned that standard T-shirt sizes may be long gone by then. Shore excursions: The ports can be Swamped with people. Always be kind with the locals. It can really go a long way. Smiles are always free. Best times to use the pool or saunas are always port days. Early. Lastly, have fun but as with all things in public life, be aware of what's going on around you. Always safety first.
You should start a series on the channel where you read online reviews from different royal carribean cruises. I think that might be interesting.
I cruise about three times a year and always want to stay on the ship longer. We loved Wonder of the Seas, cruised on her twice last year. I usually do a seven night or longer cruise and almost always Oasis class. Love the big ships. We will be on Icon in July and I can’t wait. I’m taking my first four night cruise on Mariner in April and actually worried I will be disappointed because of ship size and cruise length. My “wish I would have known” on my first cruise 24 years ago was not bringing over the counter medications along. As for wardrobe, I always receive a hard time from my family for the extra outfits I bring, but it makes me happy to have multiple outfits a day and not rewearing anything. Also, must have my Dyson hairdryer lol. You do you!
We are old time cruisers. We are going on Wonder the end of April. This will be number 77. We did our first 5 night on Mariner in Feb. We had a great time because we were with family that we had not seen for 5 years. We did not like the ship.
We love the Oasis Class and this ship was missing a lot. That goodness we did not book back to back.
Hi Calista I'll be on Wonder to Seas in about 3 weeks.
I wish I had asked for a paper cruise compass daily. I found the app hard to navigate. I had heard some vloggers say to ask for it, but thought we’d be fine without it. Hindsight! We missed so much. 7 days was so short!
Snacks? stock up with some cookies or fruits or desserts from the buffet and bring that back to the room with you. Packing and clothes is always a bit of a difficult one all depending on preference as to how much you care about your attire. The cruise lines are far more 'casual' now about what you wear on theme nights compared to the old days.
When i went on my 1st cruise, i didn't know the main dining was included, it was so fancy, i thought it was a charge 😂
Oh wow 😂.
Can you eat as many times as you want in a day there?
I agree about the food! Unless included in a package or loyalty upgrade we refuse to pay extra for food, period.
I agree about the snacks. On my last cruise, I found a couple of times where I just wanted a chocolate bar, and though I did find it on board, it was awfully expensive.
Also, I’d recommend bringing a variety of OTC medicines. *Something* bit me on a shore excursion, and I was absolutely dying for hydrocortisone to offset the itch! 😂😂😂
I loved Oasis if the Seas and 7 days wasnt long enough! I definitely didn't know I'd be sea sick! We had to get Dramamine on deck. Ive never had that feeling before. We are definitely packing it for our next cruise. I agree to pack more clothes this time too!
Yesssss there aren’t enough snacks 😂 when I brought our 1,3yr olds (at the time) on Freedom I think half a suitcase was just their snacks!
I got sick on my first cruise, too! I cruise fine now, but my first one was no bueno.
My first ever cruise was in 2005 on Carnival. I went with a group and was very naive about gratuities, formal nights and bringing my own shampoo. I bought a dress on the ship for formal night but wished I had looked into more than just the excursions I was going on. I cruise Royal Caribbean now and always get the refreshment package, bring my own shampoo and do a little bit of everything regarding the dining, entertainment and always book excursions through the RC excursions. I also bring enough cash for tipping, souvenirs just in case they don't take CC's. The ship provides a card that you use for everything on the ship so just the method to pay covering those expenses is needed. I always prepay gratuities now and also get insurance from Alliance and RC for the unexpected (although I have not needed it yet knock on wood). Cruises are great vacations and everyone places different priorities on different things - main thing is to enjoy your vacation.
Allianz travel insurance has been very affordable. Also travel guard - always good to have this covered as you don't want to be stuck in a foreign country in their hospital with no way to get home or pay the bill. Also - I always travel with a passport as this is needed to get home as well if you are leaving from a foreign country. Also makes embarkation and debarkation very easy.
Matt, is it true Royal Caribbean is naming a ship after you? The Matthew of the Seas?
Haha
@@RoyalCaribbeanBlog
Hi Matt, I will be taking my first royal Caribbean cruise don’t have an exact date yet, but I am very excited love the videos, I will be doing my own videos as well!!
We also went on our first ever cruise with the Chicago music group in January I watch so many videos and researched as well felt I was very prepared I agree with the dress casual is fine I over packed as well and I did walk out of the comedy show I didn’t care for the gross humor of the second comedian ! And it was on wonder of the seas we LOVED the ship and already planned another next march on oasis !!
Excelencia vacaciones Royal Carribean crucero 🚢 de excelencia
Thanks
Sounds like Calista is in wrong business if 7 days cruising is too long on Oasis class ships :)
Snacks are very important. Some chips or Cheeze-It. I can always find sweet or chocolate but that savory, crunchy snack is a must. If u don't eat it, I leave it for the room attendant as long as it is unopened.
Sincei cruise on a budject, I d do the drink package. Did the non-alcohol one once and it was a waste of money. I was drinking stuff just to try and not waste my money.
Take stuff you have to buy from a pharmacy at home. Like cold meds, visine, tooth repair kit, etc. It’s hard to find this stuff when on a cruise if you end up needing them.
Yes, agree with this advice! Make sure you pack a tooth repair kit because I didn’t. During the sail away party my tooth broke! I will always take one with me.
Last summer only trip available was on NCL 10 days . Started to get anxiety about it , too long. Turned out good, but got a ( thought head cold) 2 days before going home, turned to be COVID!!
7 days seems like the perfect length for a cruise, not too short or too long. Also, going on a giant ship for your first cruise isn't the best idea. It can be really overwhelming. Lastly, on some RC cruises, you can pay a little more for a mid-ship cabin. That is definitely worth it.
I am going on my first cruise in two days. Yes, it's o RC.
Research the drink cost. Even at the cost of a cocktail & a draft beer a day its still far cheaper than the drink package.
Seven is short for me and too long for my adult daughter so I get it. I totally agree with the packing of your favorite snack foods, paid $200 for two Hershey bars and an ice cream on an island once. A week without a candy bar was beyond my ability apparently.😊
One thing we found that using the walkie talkies ended up interfering with staff and other guests so sometimes wasn't ideal.
Taking several hundred dollars in small bills for tipping extra and for in port purchases is a good idea.
7 days is to long ???? No way !! Never enough ! Sounds like she doesn’t LOVE cruising.
I agree! 7 days on a cruise ship totally flies by for me!
This content is great…
One thing I wish I knew was that if I spilled the drink I paid handsomely for, there would be no free replacement. Seeing that double bill for a drink that ended up on the floor really stung! I am left wondering, though, whether Calista sailed solo or with a friend. I assume the latter but I wonder if her guest had a similar experience.
Really disagree about the specialty / mdr food being the same. Most basic example; shrimp cocktail in MDR vs. chops grill. They are much bigger in chops grill. I'm not saying MDR is bad, but it's not at the same level.
Agreed!!
What I wish I knew before taking a cruise on Wonder of the Seas
Due to work and some bad timing it had been years since our last cruise where we raved about the food, shows and overall experience.
Food quality has been greatly reduced so they can push over priced dishes in the specialty restaurants. The steak dish is what you get at a cheap diner at best. The bacon is paper thin, has a weird flavour and is either falling apart or just a strange texture. Royal should rename the Moussaka dish, it's not even close to a Moussaka has 1 thin layer of Eggplant on the top that was served so dried that you couldn't cut it to properly eat the dish. The food issues go on and on. The Beef bourguignon was decent. The Beef tenderloin looked like 2 slices of beef you would put on a beef sandwich. And even then, I'd probably load a simple beef sandwich with more beef than that.
The flow rider setup is ridiculous, they qualify you for different levels of riding, boogie board, to stand up, and if you are good at both you get put in a group that has times just for that group. If you are moved from boogie to stand up, you can only have 2 attempts at stand up and you're not allowed to try again until another session (which could be the next day). I don't believe you can get in as much time riding as you were able to with the prior method.
The new show format is interesting, when they work. The premier show Intense lost all power after waiting in the most uncomfortable seating possible for 45 minutes. Stuff happens, that's fine. They eventually came out and told us it was rescheduled. So we had to choose between this show and a different show on the rescheduled night, and would not have an opportunity to see both as planned. Again, that's ok. Stuff happens. We chose Intense, the show's power died again (twice this time) but they were able to finish even though 1/3 of the audience walked out.
The l.e.d. light show, The Effectors. The cool led part lasts about 3 minutes. The rest of the show is embarrassingly bad, as noted by the lack of crowd enthusiasm after scene cuts or when songs end. I haven't witnessed so many people leaving a show as we did with the effectors. If this show played at a local grade school or was labelled as a kids show specifically, I would be ok with that. I would have skipped it, it has a real kids show feeling to it.
The staff are amazing!!!! The ship is very nice.
Going back to the meals. One night I paid the $19.99 to get the Filet Mignon that's served in specialty restaurant Chops. What you received wasn't worth the $19.99.
Anyway, we actually had almost booked this vacation and a next (4 months from now) at the same time. I'm glad we didn't, I think it's time to try another brand. I just got back from this one, I will give it some time before I decide.
Thinking a 7 days cruise is too long 😳 😂 i am just the opposite. Anything less than a week wont be enough, i love longer cruises
Always pack a full change of clothes an extra underwear in a carryon. If your luggage goes missing there is not much available onboard. I was just on the Wonder, seven nights is too short. I always bring at least $20 in ones for tips and larger bills got tipping the room steward and bartenders because I get free drinks. I don’t eat in the MDR.
I just wish i read the receipts prior to giving additional tip. Not realizing tips are mandatory/charged when purchasing a drink on board.
Yes! I tipped a spa massage generously then realized they had already tipped her generously for me!
My visa was rejected 20 days before joining and now when I asked my hiring partner, he said that RCL will send the new LOE and after that I will get the visa appointment. ...now I wanted to ask whether the new LOE will be issued before the joining date
My wife will be taking our first cruise on Harmony of the Seas. I've heard that both my wife and I can each take a bottle of wine. Should we carry those bottles in our carry-on or checked baggage?
Hello do you know if Royal Caribbean independence of the seas is canceling Labadee for sailing April 4-8 out of Miami?
They have suspended visits to Labadee for the next seven days and will reevaluate and extend the suspension as needed. They say they are going to give people a 3 day advance notice if their specific cruise is going to be impacted. Looks like it all depends on what happens in Haiti in the next couple of weeks. I would presume that things won't change much in that amount of time though. Currently the plan is to replace Labadee with a stop in Turks & Caicos, the Bahamas, or an extra sea day.
I can't say I would want to get cash on the ship the exchange rates are not good nor the ATM fees.
We take snack towers for the babies and get snacks from the buffet to take to the room
Im a notorious over packer. My last 7 day cruise, i had an excursion in every port. I had 5 excursions and i brought an outfit for each day and night.
No regrets bringing all those clothes and i wore each and every one of them.
I can understand being bored on a 7 day cruise. I felt the same during my trip. I did so much thst i could crammed that all by the 5th day.
But i did enjoy the sea day and the MDR.
Can you update from a GTY after book? Want to make sure we don’t get front of the ship
After being assigned a room, if there's an open cabin of the same category, you can move to that.
In general, Royal allows you pay more to upgrade, if there's still rooms available and even past final payment date.
i,m going on first cruse nect march cant wiat
2:45 he needs this new shoe powder I use. Now my shoes smell like bumble gum 😁
Bring reusable water bottles. You can be in Zumba with no access to water.
Hi
I didn’t know that on the older ships there were few restaurant choices and there is not food available at all times, aside from a snack bar with roast beef sandwiches and cream of broccoli soup 🤢
This seems more like a list for first time younger adults
And just getting off the enchanment a few days ago
Even being a smaller ship 7 days was too short! I do agree with more clothing would be our #1 thing but as someone who flew to the home port, you can only pack so much. 😅
Do cruise ships provide motion sickness pills readily available and for free?
No they do not. Guest services will have them but at a cost. Bring your own
Cruise ships are not responsible for your onboard medications.
I don't know how many bathing suits she owns, but I can't imagine needing more than 2 - pne to wear while the other is drying. Maybe a third if she swims twice a day and it takes longer to dry. She sounds like a diva if she can't wear a bathing suit twice within a 7-day period.
Souvenirs on my first cruise Freedom of the Seas they didn't accept cash. I had to use my Seapass card.
You can't buy anything on ship with physical cash except give tips and use casino.
If she saw the same comedians I saw on the Wonder, I can understand her regret of not leaving before the end. They were painfully bad. 😬
I will do my best to make it through any musical/theatre/dance/ice skating type of show, even if I don’t like it. Comedians/Magicians/Jugglers - if I am not enjoying the experience, I am leaving and don’t care who is annoyed by it. 🤷🏻♀️
I'm working hard, so that in 30 years, if I'm still alive, I'll live on a ship until I leave!! Focus and Goal! But if you could give me a discount in 20 years I'm embarking on eternity!!
270 days until Adventure of the Seas going to Haiti 🇭🇹. Hope I don’t get kidnapped
That's the least of your worries. They gone steal ya kidney & do voodoo on you.
@@DaHuntersTrophy I figured. Will you come and save me ?
Oh, don't put that out into the universe!
@@sandrawhite8295 i’m not putting it out there i’m just taking concern. Check the news you see all the violence and hostility in Haiti. I’m sure the ports area maybe safe.
We just left Labadee on Independence of the seas. It was fine. We had a lot of fun and there was no evidence of any issues. In fact, after going there, I prefer Labadee of Perfect day at cococay
Leaving a show….i get your point, however, if you think you the show may not be something you’ll love then don’t sit front and center…sit to the back of the theater, and near the aisle. It’s rude to leave during the performance, rude to the cast and to other passengers as you interrupt their view/step on toes/stick your rear in their face.
I'm just gonna say criusing is not for her!!!!! I could be on a ship for 2 months without getting bored!!!!
Earplugs. The music is often too loud, and so are some cabins when you're a light sleeper.
And often there are noisy games going on in public areas where you may like to doze off.
I still prefer to take my own luggage on the ship. Even though I have special perks for it.
I am allergic to latex and latex balloons I have to stay away from the area until the next day when they are gone I wish they didn’t do the balloons drop
I'm sorry but the MDR food was horrid this last week on the Harmony. Cold and tasted like it was a frozen dinner before it was microwave. We got sick of having our very excellent servers take our orders back so stopped complaining. The specialty restaurants are over priced but the food is better. You'll get better on land for the same price, though, so it's not really a compliment. Royal Caribbean has completely bottomed out when it comes to food. I feel bad for their staff who have to take the brunt for their corner cutting.
I dont think cruising is the way forward for your new writer 😅
I don’t think cruising is for her lol
Avoid the "college spring break" crowd when traveling with families 😮 vulgar language, lack of clothing and very disruptive to our experience. We had some of our door decorations stolen and vandalized. Just be sure to consider when and where you are going on your cruise.
Unbased
Can’t relate at all
She sounds like she is spoiled and should give her job to someone who would enjoy it
11:50 LIES!
Hmmm maybe she is not a cruiser. Sorry!!
don't eat the pizza
Why 😮
7 days too long? Lmao. Shut it off then.
At times, Royal Caribbean does a promotion, where kids sail free. Steer clear of these sailings, they are truly a nightmare. A bunch of entitled parents sailing with a bunch of ill mannered children. Horrible!
Just say no, for now. Anyone reading this knows it’s a miserable experience with air travel, transportation and the onboard crowds of Neanderthals. Oh, and wildly expensive now. We’ve done over 20 cruises and the last few have been not so much fun.
Great Video.