Preparing to take a cruise: I have questions!
April 1, 2014 in Inspiration
Okay, People, I need your help!
In July, we’re taking a cruise as a family.
I know, we don’t exactly seem like cruising people, do we? We’re more of the boots and a backpack, hammock and a dusty truck, tent sleeping, chicken bus and train hopping, get there the hard way sorts of people, don’t we? Perhaps we are, which is why I need your help!
Ten years ago we committed to going on this cruise with chosen family, to celebrate a 25th anniversary. We agreed that it would be a lovely big family holiday, and “last hurrah” before the teenagers start leaving the nest. It seemed a great way to meet in the middle, do something that will be fun for everyone and see something new.
I always imagined myself taking a Caribbean cruise and island hopping, if I did one at all. Snorkeling in crystal clear water, drinking from coconuts on the beach and basking in the warm. Instead, we’re taking a cruise to Alaska, the one remaining state I’ve not set foot in. I can’t wait to see the glaciers from the ocean side, but I suspect there will be no swimming in the ice blue water!
Cruising is a new concept for us: fancy dinners (I’m buying up evening wear at resale shops at the moment!) endless food buffets and entertainment on the Lido deck. I’m not sure I’ll know what to do with myself in that sort of travel! I have independent adventure travel with a tribe down to a science, but this cruising thing has left me feeling quite out of my depth. I don’t know what to expect, what to pack, or if we’ll even like it!!
So here are the challenges, and perhaps some of you, who have traveled this way before, can help me.
- Time. I need to get everything organized for the cruise (end of July) before mid-May when we all disperse for six weeks of solo adventures: Hannah is backpacking in Europe with her friend. Gabe is interning at a farm. Elisha has a job in the mid-west. The big boys are going sailing for a month with Gramps. Tony and Ez are camping out at an off the grid cabin in Canada May-July. We will reconvene only one week before the cruise. This makes logistics challenging.
- Clothing. WHAT do I need to pack for a one week Alaska cruise? We are the family of three outfits each and nothing too fancy.
- Laundry. Can I do laundry on board or do I need to pack for a whole week?
- Activities. What will there be available to do for the teens? There must be stuff, right?
- Health. I’m worried about the germ factor. Seriously. I’m worried. Should I be? How do we not get sick with thousands of our closest friends?
- Connectivity. Will there be any? Or should we just plan to be right off the grid for that week?
- Tips. I’ve never done this before. Do you have any tips or tricks that a newbie (like me) won’t know about?
Have you taken a cruise? Did you like it? I need some words of wisdom and encouragement here, people!
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I didn’t read the other comments so I may be redundant. We did 2 weeks in Alaska last July one on a cruise ship, so from first hand experience:
1. Time: don’t stress it will work out, it always does.
2. We pack very light. Formal nights are optional these days, and we don’t do it.
3. Laundry: The ship will do it, but it is hideously expensive, so I wash by hand, and bring a clothing line. Really, my cabin has a line every day, and we just live with it. But, Alaska is cool, so you don’t sweat, so you may be able to rewear.
4. We have been on NCL, MSC, Carnival and Princess – all have loads of teen activities. Never a dull moment. Mostly they just hangout, make friends, and avoid the organized stuff, but hang out with their new friends.
5. These days there are anti bacterial dispensers all over the ships. I wouldn’t worry. they even have someone to spray hands leading into the buffets. –
6. There is expensive internet, but ways around it. I have never paid.
7. I have tips for each Alaska port in my blog, including free internet when I found it.
We are pros, we love cruising. We all have a blast and its generally a cheap way to travel if you do it right – although, Alaska is expensive no matter how you cut it. Have you done your pitch letters, I can tell you where I was successful if you want.
Paula… ahahaha…. that’s so funny… it almost DOES seem like an April Fool’s joke for us, doesn’t it?? but no, we’re really going!!
Rhonda… I’ll be in touch about the excursions and your contacts! Thanks for the reassurance, and I’ll pack my clothesline!
Marg… thank you for that… I’m quite looking forward to the time off line. 🙂
My grandparents took my sister and i on a 5 day cruise to alaska when i graduated high school! It was a great experience.
1. there never is enough. but don’t stress. things fall into place 🙂
2.three outfits each will do you just fine if that is what you’re used to. We ate in the formal dining room quite a bit and wore prom dresses, i’m sure not everyone was THAT dressed up. And you may be able to skip the formal dining completely, somthing to look into.
3.we didn’t do any laundry and didn’t have any problems. it’s usually nice and cool. you’ve done sink washing i assume in case you’re desperate.
4. we got a little bored on the cruise after the 4th day. we weren’t very proactive looking for things back then. we spent a lot of time just exploring the ship and walking around. there were other teens on the ship. but there’s usually shows, games, sporting activities.
5. we didn’t get sick. i wasn’t even worried about it back then. now a days i would be because i’ve transitioned to a germ aphobe. take some immune boosting herbs and wash hands. you’ll be fine.
6. we were internet free those days. it’s a nice disconnect time.
7. tips….i was young then and didn’t appreciate it or get as much from it. it was a nice time though. deep breaths and enjoy 🙂
I’ve got nothing.
LOL. Just kidding,
Clothing-You won’t have to have formal wear if you don’t want to but you will want to wear a skirt and guys should wear at least a collared shirt or you may feel uncomfortable. There are usually only a few nights devoted to formal wear anyway. I kind of enjoy those nights since in life we rarely have the opportunity to do this anymore. It may be yet another educational experience for the children: Dressing up, learning what fork, spoon,plate to use in which order. Proper table etiquette.
Laundry-As Rhonda said the ship will do anything you need to have laundered but it is very expensive. A good use of ship’s laundry services is to press a dress shirt or dress. It’s not too expensive and saves you aggravation.
Many newer ships have laundry facilities on board, such as Disney Cruise Line. There is one on every other floor which is very convenient. You should check your ship’s travel info just to see what it available.
Teens-There are always teen activities centers and cafes, hangouts, sometimes rock climbing walls and wave pools. There will be plenty for the kids to do onboard. They should check the daily printed navigator that your ship’s steward will leave in your cabin to see what’s available for that day and the following day’s events. If they see something they want to do they should sign up right away otherwise the activity may fill up and they won’t get in.
Health-As Rhonda stated there are many ship’s crew members available for constant cleaning of banisters, railings, counter surfaces, etc. In addition staff is always present at the entrance of each dining facility to make sure everyone gets hand cleaner as they go in. No one is allowed on board with a fever (they have body temp monitors believe it or not, at check in) and if you have a cough or diarrhea you may not board. Anyone observed with an illness is supposed to report (or be reported) to the sick bay. They will either be required to stay in their cabin under quarantine or if a flu is suspected taken off ship and flown home.They are VERY serious about this.
Connectivity-I would plan on being off line as it is extremely expensive and unreliable to get online. Phones should be off or you will get big fat roaming charges (check your phone company on their policy). You can be online if you want. They will give you the fees but they add up super fast. For me on a regular one week cruise, just checking in to my business and answering a bride or two back in an email my costs are generally about $300.00. Horrible.
Tips-Remember you will need to tip everyone. Your wine steward, your wait staff, your cabin steward (they truly deserve a big tip). Your ship’s itinerary will help you with the proper amounts. you do this on the last day/night.
I know that wasn’t what you were asking but I thought I’d throw that in just in case you didn’t know.
So tips…when stopping at a town ask the crew where THEY like to eat or go and then go there. Don’t go to the regular touristy places. You will hate them. Unless it’s a National Forest or something like that.
If you don’t want to go to your formal dining room there are usually casual options without reservations. Most of the time they are serving a similar food and there is no dress code, formality.
Make sure you bring your bathing suits and also very warm clothes. Alaska cruising out on deck is amazingly beautiful but freezing cold even in summer. There should be a closed in area for swimming. There was on the Celebrity ship we cruised to Alaska. Watching the glaciers roll by while sitting in a warm wave pool surrounded by tropical foliage was fantastic.
Explore the ship. It will be an amazement in itself. Take advantage of the spa area, at least for one day. It’s worth every penny. Room service is free. You can get anything on the room service menu during the times they serve it for nothing but the tip. Just check the menu to make sure on your ship.
Relax and have fun! The best part of cruising is the no packing/unpacking at each stop. You wake up in the morning and you are in a new and exciting place. Every vacation is what you make it. Take the time to find the quiet spots on board (ask a crew member) and soak up the serenity.
My daughter just spent several months on a european cruise line as a performer. She took one formal outfit, a cocktail dress, smart pants and several tops (she had a uniform for daytime and costumes for dancing). She re-wore as you can imagine! You’ll do really well with less! She had no wifi as staff, (too expensive) so she found internet cafes in ports. Have fun, it will be another adventure for all of you! Looking forward to talking this week!
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