Stuff You Wish You Knew Before Your 1st Cruise - Page 5

by **biertroll** » Sun Jul 05, 2015 7:56 am

I think it's time for this thread again

Although we may need to update it for the new ship (no more Majesty)

by **SpaceSlug** » Sun Jul 05, 2015 8:05 am

Too lazy to see if someone said this already but if all you have is a backpack and carry-on (meaning no luggage to check on planes) you can just keep it with you until you get to your room. This might be a known fact. But what I did not know on my first cruise is the leaving process.

Your cruise welcome packet includes a time slot in which you should leave the boat. These slots are then announced as your time comes. But this is to coordinate you getting off the boat and your checked huge luggage spinning around for you on the belt. If you have only a carry-on you can just leave as soon as you get up. It might frowned upon but we had a plane to catch last time and so we got up, got our carry-ons and left. We had no big luggage to find. Ignore those slips of paper you put on your luggage. Just leave carrying your small luggage.

Might be helpful for those who pack light and can find earlier flights home.

by **Nocturnalbunny** » Sun Jul 05, 2015 7:36 pm

Don't get so drunk the first night that you are sick and miss half the bands on the second day. I already love this line up. Hope I can make it again this year. Also, have more money then you think you'll need. Not that I ran out of money, but you can never have enough money... Also, if you go onto the shore don't just decide to wander around, have a plan especially in Jamaica, you will get hit up everywhere you go. Have a plan and stick to it. Best advice I can give.

by **Jotunheimr** » Sun Jul 05, 2015 7:44 pm

Nocturnalbunny wrote:Don't get so drunk the first night that you are sick and miss half the bands on the second day.

I didn't get sick but I passed out near the pool deck on the first night and missed Korpiklaani and Alestorm, and I only remember a little bit of the Apocalyptica show. Woke up the next day with a huge gash on my leg

by **Pellaz** » Mon Jul 06, 2015 1:05 am

Jotunheimr wrote:
Nocturnalbunny wrote:Don't get so drunk the first night that you are sick and miss half the bands on the second day.

I didn't get sick but I passed out near the pool deck on the first night and missed Korpiklaani and Alestorm,

Well, if you're gonna get drunk and miss bands, THOSE two bands are the ones who would most understand the need.

Advice:

Pace yourself and know your limits. It'll be a long, grueling series of days if you like even a third of the bands on the bill...especially if they're scheduled at 4:30 am.
Arrive at least the day before the cruise departs...it's too nerve-wracking to fly in the same day, knowing that the slightest problem with weather, aircraft, etc. could cost you the entire cruise.
If you're more of a soda drinker than an "adult beverage" person, DO get the soft-drink package from Royal. You'll thank yourself later. (Sadly, there are no self-serve machines on the Indy, like there weren't on Liberty, but UNlike dear old Majesty, which DID have them.)
Expect it to take at least an hour debarking on the last day. Port Everglades (FLL) is TERRIBLE when it comes to this.

by **liser** » Mon Jul 06, 2015 6:20 am

If you buy duty free it is supposed to be delivered to your room but that may not happen. We had to go pick ours up. I know some people didn't know this and lost their duty free.

by **SpaceSlug** » Mon Jul 06, 2015 3:49 pm

Wish I knew to wear a watch. There are only a few clocks and a watch helps you judge when you need to bail at one show to catch another. I didn't want to carry my phone around so on my 2nd cruise I bought the most basic of watches for the cruise. Can't say enough how much happier I was with a watch.

by **Bob** » Mon Jul 06, 2015 4:30 pm

One thing to be aware of is the Quad, Superior Balcony D1 room on this cruise. Last year I booked this type of room and I was traveling alone. I was last to make it on the ship, so the 2 queens had been taken. Which left the convertible sofa bed for two for me. I didn't realize it at time of booking. This converts to a bed for 2 people, you can't split it. Fortunately, our 4th cabin mate was a no-show. Else I would have been sharing a bed with another dude. LOL

by **klons** » Mon Jul 06, 2015 5:08 pm

Bob wrote:One thing to be aware of is the Quad, Superior Balcony D1 room on this cruise. Last year I booked this type of room and I was traveling alone. I was last to make it on the ship, so the 2 queens had been taken. Which left the convertible sofa bed for two for me. I didn't realize it at time of booking. This converts to a bed for 2 people, you can't split it. Fortunately, our 4th cabin mate was a no-show. Else I would have been sharing a bed with another dude. LOL

This happened to my group too (other than the no show). We bitched and moaned until they gave us one of the spare rooms

by **spooky** » Mon Jul 06, 2015 5:14 pm

SpaceSlug wrote:Wish I knew to wear a watch. There are only a few clocks and a watch helps you judge when you need to bail at one show to catch another. I didn't want to carry my phone around so on my 2nd cruise I bought the most basic of watches for the cruise. Can't say enough how much happier I was with a watch.

i was kind of thinking the same thing....don't know how much i will want to carry a purse around with me, or a phone for that matter. good idea with the watch!

by **Jephi** » Mon Jul 06, 2015 5:45 pm

GregoryOfTheNorth wrote:One of the things that has worked for me year after year is to bring a lanyard.

Step 1: Get your SeaPass card. This is your key to your cabin and your credit card to buy booze and merch. It is your most valuable item during the cruise.
Step 2: Have the front-desk staff punch a small hole in your SeaPass card with a hole-punch.
Step 3: Hang your SeaPass card on your lanyard.
Step 4: Hang your lanyard around your neck. If it is windy, tuck it in your shirt.

Voilà - never go pocket-hunting for your most critical item onbroad.

Credit to my good friend and three time co-passenger, Marcus G. who showed me this trick on the maiden voyage of 2011.

The lanyard is a good idea. Before the last cruise I bought a wristband with a zipper pouch to keep my SeaPass card in. No more "OH SHIT WHERE IS MY SEAPASS" moments!

I also agree that a watch is a necessity in order to keep up with the set times.

by **Tono_Fyr** » Mon Jul 06, 2015 5:56 pm

Bring a sleeping bag, sleep on the balcony (if you book a balcony room). Falling asleep listening to bands from the pool deck and waking up to the rising sun over the ocean is a pretty phenomenal experience.

Also, camelbaks are your friend when you make port.

by **Jotunheimr** » Mon Jul 06, 2015 5:59 pm

Tono_Fyr wrote:Bring a sleeping bag, sleep on the balcony (if you book a balcony room). Falling asleep listening to bands from the pool deck and waking up to the rising sun over the ocean is a pretty phenomenal experience.

Also, camelbaks are your friend when you make port.

Anyone want to let me crash on their balcony?

by **Pellaz** » Mon Jul 06, 2015 6:26 pm

Jephi wrote:The lanyard is a good idea. Before the last cruise I bought a wristband with a zipper pouch to keep my SeaPass card in. No more "OH SHIT WHERE IS MY SEAPASS" moments!

Note that if you forget to bring a lanyard, the casino folks will usually give you a retractable or 'coily' lanyard if they think you're going to use it in their slot-machines. They might also have them at Guest Services.

I also agree that a watch is a necessity in order to keep up with the set times.

by **spooky** » Mon Jul 06, 2015 8:00 pm

you guys are giving great advise, and i thank you for it! all things to keep into consideration for a first timer!

by **MonicaMM** » Mon Jul 06, 2015 8:07 pm

I also agree that a watch is a necessity in order to keep up with the set times.

by **Bob** » Tue Jul 07, 2015 2:26 pm

Bring your own condoms.

Last year our room mate was asking us if he could borrow some. Really? You didn't think to bring some along, just in case?

by **Phoenix** » Tue Jul 07, 2015 2:51 pm

Bob wrote:Bring your own condoms.

Last year our room mate was asking us if he could borrow some. Really? You didn't think to bring some along, just in case?

I don't think I'd ever let someone BORROW a condom. I don't want it back...

by **mooyagi** » Tue Jul 07, 2015 3:07 pm

Phoenix wrote:
Bob wrote:Bring your own condoms.

Last year our room mate was asking us if he could borrow some. Really? You didn't think to bring some along, just in case?

I don't think I'd ever let someone BORROW a condom. I don't want it back...

It's fine. Just turn them inside out.

by **Kindmetal** » Tue Jul 07, 2015 3:37 pm

Seriously guys, the drinking.

I fancy myself a heavy weight and I drink alot... alot. However, I had nothing but straight liquor for the first three days. No food, no beer, and very little water. I missed my favorite bands and was constantly lost. I talked to a bunch of drunks who were in the same "boat" as me.

I mean if you want... if you really want to find yourself in a group of drunks trying to find their way around with you... cursing, womanizing, arguing about the difference between blackened death metal vs. Deathened black metal, and just plain being lost without purpose then go ahead.

by **Jotunheimr** » Tue Jul 07, 2015 3:52 pm

Kindmetal wrote:Seriously guys, the drinking.

I fancy myself a heavy weight and I drink alot... alot. However, I had nothing but straight liquor for the first three days. No food, no beer, and very little water. I missed my favorite bands and was constantly lost. I talked to a bunch of drunks who were in the same "boat" as me.

I mean if you want... if you really want to find yourself in a group of drunks trying to find their way around with you... cursing, womanizing, arguing about the difference between blackened death metal vs. Deathened black metal, and just plain being lost without purpose then go ahead.

That's why I brought my liquor to karaoke night, so I can share it with everyone and not drink it all myself!

by **DavidWinter** » Tue Jul 07, 2015 8:46 pm

Prepare your body for the cruise!!! you'll start falling asleep while standing because of lack of sleep!
next year ill make sure to get some rest after we embark on the short span between just entering the ship and the musper drill...

Also, be early for the merchandise line... cant stress this enough, I arrived at 7AM and waited in line like 3 hours...

by **Yasminemus** » Wed Jul 08, 2015 5:31 pm

DavidWinter wrote:Prepare your body for the cruise!!! you'll start falling asleep while standing because of lack of sleep!
next year ill make sure to get some rest after we embark on the short span between just entering the ship and the musper drill...

Also, be early for the merchandise line... cant stress this enough, I arrived at 7AM and waited in line like 3 hours...

What's with the merch line? can you not just buy merch at any time? or will it just always be busy :/

by **Pellaz** » Wed Jul 08, 2015 8:41 pm

Yasminemus wrote:
DavidWinter wrote:Prepare your body for the cruise!!! you'll start falling asleep while standing because of lack of sleep!
next year ill make sure to get some rest after we embark on the short span between just entering the ship and the musper drill...

Also, be early for the merchandise line... cant stress this enough, I arrived at 7AM and waited in line like 3 hours...

What's with the merch line? can you not just buy merch at any time? or will it just always be busy :/

You can buy merch any time the merch area (3rd level of the main dining room) is open...but the lines will be amazingly long for most of the first day of sales (first full day of the cruise). "Long" here means 3 hours or more. I waited about 50 minutes myself...and that was later on the second day.

I understand WHY the process takes a while (60 bands, 2 merch items per band = 120 items available, plus 70K merch) and there are no easy ways around it aside from adding a lot more people and a few more P.O.S. locations. Plan on a painfully long wait, especially if you want 70K-exclusive offerings from bands, because those go quickly.

Also note that, like all shipboard purchases, merch sales are charged to your onbroad sign-and-sail card, so plan accordingly.

by **DavidWinter** » Thu Jul 09, 2015 12:26 am

Pellaz wrote:You can buy merch any time the merch area (3rd level of the main dining room) is open...but the lines will be amazingly long for most of the first day of sales (first full day of the cruise). "Long" here means 3 hours or more. I waited about 50 minutes myself...and that was later on the second day.

Also note that, like all shipboard purchases, merch sales are charged to your onbroad sign-and-sail card, so plan accordingly.

Also it is important to note that some stuff runs out quickly so you have to buy on the first days... You don't have to worry about 70k stuff but some of the cooler band tees are gone like 4 hours after the sales begin

by **Mark** » Thu Jul 09, 2015 2:10 am

DavidWinter wrote:
Pellaz wrote:You can buy merch any time the merch area (3rd level of the main dining room) is open...but the lines will be amazingly long for most of the first day of sales (first full day of the cruise). "Long" here means 3 hours or more. I waited about 50 minutes myself...and that was later on the second day.

Also note that, like all shipboard purchases, merch sales are charged to your onbroad sign-and-sail card, so plan accordingly.

Also it is important to note that some stuff runs out quickly so you have to buy on the first days... You don't have to worry about 70k stuff but some of the cooler band tees are gone like 4 hours after the sales begin

That's why I settle for the 70k stuff - I want to enjoy the cruise and I really don't enjoy standing in line for hours

by **slayergeek** » Thu Jul 09, 2015 7:13 am

MonicaMM wrote:I also agree that a watch is a necessity in order to keep up with the set times.

No question about it. That hadn't occurred to me because I already wear a watch all the time (yeah, I'm old...and kinda old-fashioned), but scheduling is everything on 70K and people were asking me what the time was a LOT last year.

by **BringTheShred** » Thu Jul 09, 2015 1:31 pm

Tono_Fyr wrote:Bring a sleeping bag, sleep on the balcony (if you book a balcony room). Falling asleep listening to bands from the pool deck and waking up to the rising sun over the ocean is a pretty phenomenal experience.

Also, camelbaks are your friend when you make port.

I read about your balcony experience earlier. That sounds incredible lol.

by **BringTheShred** » Thu Jul 09, 2015 1:33 pm

mooyagi wrote:
Phoenix wrote:
Bob wrote:Bring your own condoms.

Last year our room mate was asking us if he could borrow some. Really? You didn't think to bring some along, just in case?

I don't think I'd ever let someone BORROW a condom. I don't want it back...

It's fine. Just turn them inside out.

The look of horror that just crossed my face...

by **mike314** » Fri Aug 14, 2015 7:28 am

One thing I'd like to say is Don't Over Pack! Last year I brought WAY too much clothing. I really only needed 2 pairs of shorts, a few Tshirts, one pair of jeans, and a hoodie. I spent pretty much every waking hour in some kind of hot tub or pool (when not watching a band) and never really needed too much. It's casual throughout the ship, they provide you with shampoo and soap, and there's towels everywhere. No need to bring the whole wardrobe. Plus by the end you'll probably have a bunch of new shirts and souvenirs anyway. So travel light

by **Kingslayer** » Mon Aug 17, 2015 3:29 pm

I'm currently reading up on booze and luggage. Apparently of they deem your bag(s) "too big", they'll put them through some kind of scanner; otherwise they can let you bring shit with you as carry-on. So I'm wondering what kind of bag size would be alright. I'm also seriously considering using Rum Runner flasks, and the consensus seems to be that they're pretty much foolproof, but I want to make sure I'm not missing anything

by **klons** » Mon Aug 17, 2015 4:09 pm

Kingslayer wrote:Apparently of they deem your bag(s) "too big", they'll put them through some kind of scanner; otherwise they can let you bring shit with you as carry-on. So I'm wondering what kind of bag size would be alright.

Bag size depends on security, as far as I'm concerned. Walked on no questions asked my first year, forced to get out of line (was at the entrance) and check it the second (same bag).

by **Phoenix** » Tue Aug 18, 2015 7:09 am

Kingslayer wrote:I'm currently reading up on booze and luggage. Apparently of they deem your bag(s) "too big", they'll put them through some kind of scanner; otherwise they can let you bring shit with you as carry-on. So I'm wondering what kind of bag size would be alright. I'm also seriously considering using Rum Runner flasks, and the consensus seems to be that they're pretty much foolproof, but I want to make sure I'm not missing anything

Don't bring wine bottles even though the thing says you can, they hold it until you get back. OR, bring wine to hide the fact that you have rum runners. Someone also said "I don't have liquids in my bag" when asked, opened his bag and had water bottles on top. He just said "oh shit, sorry man I forgot" and they stopped checking his bag. Tricks!

by **Jotunheimr** » Tue Aug 18, 2015 5:27 pm

Phoenix wrote:
Kingslayer wrote:I'm currently reading up on booze and luggage. Apparently of they deem your bag(s) "too big", they'll put them through some kind of scanner; otherwise they can let you bring shit with you as carry-on. So I'm wondering what kind of bag size would be alright. I'm also seriously considering using Rum Runner flasks, and the consensus seems to be that they're pretty much foolproof, but I want to make sure I'm not missing anything

Don't bring wine bottles even though the thing says you can, they hold it until you get back. OR, bring wine to hide the fact that you have rum runners. Someone also said "I don't have liquids in my bag" when asked, opened his bag and had water bottles on top. He just said "oh shit, sorry man I forgot" and they stopped checking his bag. Tricks!

I had 5 rum runners and no bottles in my luggage last time and I was fine. They only check the bag if something gets flagged by the scanner. Rum runners are invisible to the scanner, but bottles of any kind of not.

by **Memnoch** » Tue Aug 18, 2015 11:34 pm

Rum runners aren't invisible to the scanners and you can be caught with them. I know a couple of people who had their rum runners confiscated. Same with boxed wines.
This year I forgot I had a bottle of salmiakki and one of minttu in my bag and no-one noticed them (brought my bag onbroad as a carry-on). I myself found the bottles after the cruise. Dammit.

by **Jotunheimr** » Tue Aug 18, 2015 11:51 pm

Memnoch wrote:Rum runners aren't invisible to the scanners and you can be caught with them. I know a couple of people who had their rum runners confiscated.

Thanks for the info. Last thing I want is to get somebody in trouble.

by **liser** » Wed Aug 19, 2015 6:29 am

When you say scanners this is the process with security for carrying your bags onto the boat yourself? Like I said we had no problem checking our bags in, just curious about carrying them on ourselves.
It sounds like worst case scenario you just have them confiscated, so no real reason not to try it?

Website · by **jodionline** » Wed Aug 19, 2015 6:51 am

Perhaps I misunderstood this here, but we pay a lot of money for the ship, and as a European we must also pay the flight.

$ 100 more is that so hard if you see the whole money?

by **klons** » Wed Aug 19, 2015 7:59 am

liser wrote:When you say scanners this is the process with security for carrying your bags onto the boat yourself? Like I said we had no problem checking our bags in, just curious about carrying them on ourselves.
It sounds like worst case scenario you just have them confiscated, so no real reason not to try it?

Your bags get scanned whether you check them or carry on.

by **liser** » Wed Aug 19, 2015 8:38 am

So you're just as likely to caught (or not) either way. Good to know. Thanks!

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