Never cruised before

[rick2071]

We have never been on a cruise and every time we fly I get sick, so we decided to try a cruise. What would you suggest 3,5 or 7 day travel. What are some of the pitfalls?

[Fredman]

Eating too much good food

[karostay]

Corona Virus

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

We have never been on a cruise and every time we fly I get sick, so we decided to try a cruise. What would you suggest 3,5 or 7 day travel. What are some of the pitfalls?

I suggest a 5-day. Three days usually means you spend the entire time on board. With a 5 day you get land excursions for two days, usually, where you can debark for several hours each day and sight-see, or enjoy a beach, or go shopping. Some have "swim with the stingrays" excursions (and similar) which are awesome for the water-adventure crowd. One year we sailed to Jamaica and during our land time we took a banana plantation tour. Another year we sailed to Tulum, Mexico and spent the day at the ruins soaking up the history and the sun.

For motion sickness, there are now ear magnets that reduce or completely eliminate that. My mother in law was queasy her first day, bought the magnets at one of the ship's stores as recommended by her doctor, and she was fine the entire rest of the trip and had a wonderful time.

More recommendations: bring your cell phone and keep it charged, so you can take lots of pictures. You'll save a fortune on professional photos on board (the ship photography crew is everywhere).

Do -not- get suckered into buying any of those "limited edition serigraphs" at the art auction. They aren't worth what you pay for, and they charge $50 for ground shipping even if you get one of them for only $5. You don't find this out until after you've already been awarded the bid and they ask you for shipping info.

DO explore the ship, as much of it as possible. If you prefer to spend most of your time "adulting" then usually the bow (front) of the ship has a 21-or-older-only area, with small soaking pools and jacuzzis and hammocks and a bar, where adults can lounge around and relax without a bunch of toddlers running around.

If you want to hang with the grandkids, it's the stern-end (back) of midships, where you might even find a bumper-car area, playground, family pool and kiddie pool, and lots of music and games.

There are also cruises with ships designed specifically with families and kids in mind (Carnival and Celebrity have some), with day-camps so the adults can spend time with each other for several hours every day, and the kids can have lots of activities.

Another DO: get the best stateroom you can afford. The only people who say "it doesn't matter, you never spend time in your room anyway" are people who get lower inside cabins with no windows. If you can get a room with a balcony, that does -not- have a limited view, get it. Doesn't have to be an owner's suite, and most balcony rooms are affordable these days.

Another DON'T: don't get the booze package. In order to get your money's worth, you have to have around 5 booze drinks every single day, per person per room. That is a LOT of booze.

A DO: do buy a 6-pack of water to be brought to your stateroom, when you make your reservation. It'll be cheaper than buying it once you're on board and the tap water on cruise ships doesn't taste good.

Another DO: bring 1 bottle of wine, per person, on board if you drink wine. You're allowed, and most rooms have mini-refrigerators these days, so you can have a glass every evening before dinner if you're into it, without paying $12 per glass.

A DO: if the ship comes to port and you're able to debark during the trip - then do so. Even if you'd been to the same place for 10 cruises in a row, it's just really nice to get off the ship and walk around.

A DO: bring your passport. Even if you're only going somewhere within the USA, it's good to carry it around with you. This leads me to another DO:

Have a SECURE spot to carry your passport and bring it with you if you debark the ship, again - even if you're just going to another part of the USA. You probably won't ever need to show it to anyone but it's one of those "just in case" situations given the current political climate.

A DO: do bring comfortable walking shoes, preferably slip-resistant, and use them whenever you leave the carpeted safety of the inner ship. Deck shoes, yes. 3-inch-heels around the the outside deck, no.

DO: splurge at least once on their high-end restaurant, which is never included in the "anytime, anywhere" dining plan.

DO: enjoy breakfast every single day, but remember to not overeat in the morning. It's VERY easy to do when you can have all the bagels and lox and bacon and biscuits and pancakes and pastries and eggs and grits you can eat. Balance your need for indulgence with your need to be physically capable of movement all day long, and save dessert for after dinner.

DO: enjoy shopping on board but do a little research in advance. If you like alcoholic beverages, find out how much they cost near us at the Villages first. When you get on board, compare costs with what they have at their duty-free shop. There are definitely some amazing deals but some of them aren't good enough for the extra time you spend receiving your purchase at the end of the trip.

Finally - we end where we begin: take LOTS of pictures! If you choose the wifi package you can upload them to the cloud, and not have to worry about maxing the memory on your device. You can weed out the ones you don't like when you get home. You will not be able to access your data plan on the ship and on most ships, wifi is not free, or particularly fast.

Not sure if this will let you see it but this is our ship going under a bridge, on one of our cruises in 2015. Browser no longer supported (https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipM31U36sutukWVa27gNI2bjdhwBGY27VNi1fJLE)

[Carla B]

We have never been on a cruise and every time we fly I get sick, so we decided to try a cruise. What would you suggest 3,5 or 7 day travel. What are some of the pitfalls?

"They," the public address system on the ship, and notices in the restrooms will remind passengers over and over to wash their hands to avoid spreading disease. Good warning to heed.

I also avoid booking an inside room but find ocean view rooms just fine. My husband is one of those who says "you don't spend much time in the room, so what does it matter?" It matters. It's nice to be able to see out. And I imagine if you asked those on board the "Diamond Princess" quarantined in their inside cabins right now, they would say it matters a whole lot.

Generally, cabins on lower decks and in the middle of the ship are more stable in a seaway, if you are at all prone to seasickness.

Be choosy in booking expeditions off the ship. These costs can quickly add up.

Enjoy the food, the service, and your fellow passengers. No cooking or cleaning for a whole week!

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

"They," the public address system on the ship, and notices in the restrooms will remind passengers over and over to wash their hands to avoid spreading disease.

I also avoid booking an inside room but find ocean view rooms just fine. My husband is one of those who says "you don't spend much time in the room, so what does it matter?" It matters. It's nice to be able to see out. And I imagine if you asked those on board the "Diamond Princess" quarantined in their inside cabins right now, they would say it matters a whole lot.

Generally, cabins on lower decks and in the middle of the ship are more stable in a seaway, if you are at all prone to seasickness.

Be choosy in booking expeditions off the ship. These costs can quickly add up.

Enjoy the food, the service, and your fellow passengers. No cooking or cleaning for a whole week!

Actually I had responded to this, in error, and acknowledged the error a few posts down-thread. Unfortunately, this one post of mine is what some posters have chosen to focus on instead of anything else in the thread, so I just deleted everything I said.

[Two Bills]

Google.

Which part of cruise ship is most stable?
Lower Decks
In addition to picking a midship stateroom, which are usually spread out across several levels, it's also a good idea to opt for one that's below the water level. This is because this part of the ship, its lowest and most central area, is the most stable during rough sea conditions.

[Two Bills]

Google.

What deck level is best on a cruise ship?
The lower and more central you are in a ship, the less roll and sway you will feel. Even if you choose a balconied stateroom, choose the lowest level and the most midship one you can find. The higher decks and cabins at the very front (forward) or back (aft) of the ship will rock and roll the most.

[graciegirl]

We must be the only couple who do not like cruises.

I don't like all that gambling, rocking, water, weird stuff to eat, no golf courses, did I say all that water, (where you see in your mind a ship upside down with the lights on under water) shiver, bunches of people in small places, water, other people who drink too much and all that yucky germy disease that seems to breed in all of their pipes and surfaces. (What's up with that???)

Nope. I do not care for any more thank you.

If we all liked the same thing they would only sell vanilla ice cream.

[biker1]

That is not correct. The cabins most centrally located and lower on the boat will experience the least motion.

Actually rooms on the upper decks are the most stable. Just like the movements on a metronome or the hands of a clock - the part closest to the point of reaction (the boat IN the water) will show the most significant impact of movement and the part furthest away (the boat above the waterline) will show the least significant impact of movement.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Oh you're right! It -is- the lower decks. I was going by experience - might've been psychological. We had an upper balcony room, and visited friends who were staying a few decks lower. It was raining, not a bad storm or anything but the ship was definitely rocking a bit. We felt it much more down under than we did above. Might've been because there were no windows - just movement. It's the same for me when I used to take the subway in Boston - if I was near a window and could look out of the car, it was easier to keep my balance (I always stood) than if I was in the middle of the car surrounded by people and couldn't see the windows at all.

[bobthegolfer]

I would definitely suggest you book your cruise on a New Ship. They have the least motion, you won't have to worry about motion sickness. We cruise with Princess and always Book on the newest ship they have. Also, a Balcony room is a must. Its worth the extra cash! Give yourself a chance to experience what a new ship has to offer before deciding if you like cruising! The older ships are cheaper, but the newer ones have great stabilizers! I agree with other posters advising you not to buy the drink package. I also agree that a 5 day cruise might be a good test. Hope you enjoy your new adventure!

[tophcfa]

You never really know how long your cruise will be, just ask the nearly four thousand people trapped on the quarantined cruise ship right now off the coast of Japan.

[2newyorkers]

Orange Blossom Baby gave excellent advise. I also think a five day cruise would be the best. If you are the type that enjoys a little more quiet than excitement I would try Celebrity or Princess. If you love partying try Carnival or Royal Caribbean and a larger ship. If you chose one of the larger ships do not forget to make your reservations for the shows and such as soon as available. Get a travel agent. They are very helpful.

[EdFNJ]

Just my personal opinion and MANY disagree with me but I wouldn't take a cruise if it was given to me for free. I'd rather be sick in the air for 6 hours than sick on a boat for 6 days. Also, everyone I have spoken with always says: "It was WONDERFUL except for that ONE BAD DAY." I have no desire to experience "that one bad day." I'm a landlubber ! Get me somewhere as fast as you can! :D

[John_W]

We did our first cruise August of 2018. I chose Royal Caribbean out of Tampa. It's just over a 90 minute drive and I parked across the street for $7 a day and walked to the terminal. I did reserve the spot online in advance and it was a covered elevated garage. Going out of Tampa you'll have smaller ships because they have to go under the Sunshine Skyway Bridge across Tampa Bay. I think our ship was 880' long and most cruises from Tampa stay in the western Caribbean and are just 4 or 5 days. I felt it was a good starting point. I believe we had 2200 passengers and a crew of about a 1,000.

I always heard so much about Cozumel and I like Key West, so our Cruise was Key West, Havana, Cozumel and back to Tampa, five days total. We had a room with a window, but no balcony. With all fees and taxes it was about a $1,000 for two people. We didn't have Passports, so those we got at the post office on 301 in Summerfield. Make an appointment on thier website, that was about $300 for two of them with photos.

I enjoyed the cruise, but it's not something I'm looking forward to going again. I really enjoyed Key West the most and hanging out at Sloppy Joe's. If I were to do something gain, I would just drive to Key West or go to Naples and take the hydroplane boat ride over to Key West.

If you do drink, get the liquor package, about $350 for two people. I spent about $400 extra just having a few beers and my wife a couple of wines everyday out by the pool. We could had just about as much as we wanted for less with the package.

[JoMar]

I suggest you visit and join CruiseCritic.com. You will find a wealth of information on your ship, ratings by people who have cruised on it, meet up groups that will be sailing with you, optional tour operators and more. We have about 25 cruises under our belt (I know, we are rookies) but never cruise without doing the research on Cruise Critic. I'm also one that disagrees with Ed, I'm retired so get me somewhere the slowest possible way. :) I also recommend a balcony, nothing like sitting on the balcony and having breakfast and enjoying the solitude of watching the ocean go by.

[Carla B]

Oh you're right! It -is- the lower decks. I was going by experience - might've been psychological. We had an upper balcony room, and visited friends who were staying a few decks lower. It was raining, not a bad storm or anything but the ship was definitely rocking a bit. We felt it much more down under than we did above. Might've been because there were no windows - just movement. It's the same for me when I used to take the subway in Boston - if I was near a window and could look out of the car, it was easier to keep my balance (I always stood) than if I was in the middle of the car surrounded by people and couldn't see the windows at all.

We spent seven years living aboard, cruising on our own 40' sailboat. I know from looking at the mast swaying which level is better, and that is lower!

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Just my personal opinion and MANY disagree with me but I wouldn't take a cruise if it was given to me for free. I'd rather be sick in the air for 6 hours than sick on a boat for 6 days. Also, everyone I have spoken with always says: "It was WONDERFUL except for that ONE BAD DAY." I have no desire to experience "that one bad day." I'm a landlubber ! Get me somewhere as fast as you can! :D

There's lots of people who will agree with you, so you're definitely not alone!

I was terrified of the idea of going on a cruise, when hubby said we needed to do this for our honeymoon. The notion of not being able to see land anywhere - very anxiety-producing.

I'm glad I relented and decided to challenge my own phobia. As for getting somewhere as fast as you can - with cruising, the ship itself is the main destination. The places the ship sails to are side-trips.

When you're on a ship, you are already in the "somewhere" you wanted to get as fast as you can.

[Spoiler]

Lots of good tips on this thread.

Mrs Spoiler and I have been on a few cruises over the years as well.

We always have enjoyed a mid-ship room away from the elevators (noisy)) and a few levels down from the top (noisy). Also the bigger the ship we were on, it seemed to be the smoothest ride. If someone does get an ocean view room, just be sure its not on the level that is looking out at the lifeboats or out at the walking track, as both would obstruct your view a bit.

If you can see springing for a few extra bucks, you would certainly enjoy a balcony room a little more. Its really not that much more and certainly worth it.

If you want to be cold, go cruise on the Pacific, if you don't want to be cold, the Caribbean may be better for you.

Another important point is that when they say what time they are leaving a port... make sure you are on the ship, as they will leave you.. ... :)
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[billethkid]

Over 150 days cruising over the years...at least once per year....many years twice....we like 7-10 day cruises.

Neither one of us can recall a "bad day".

The complete get away....no security concerns....do/participate as little or as much as you choose.

Like most things to each his own.

Just take what everybody has to say, pro and con.
Then go and judge for yourself......relax and have a good time.

One point about excursions we suggest you partake in those that are supported and sold by the cruise line.....the excursions assure you to be back to the ship on time....and the ship will not leave without you.

[Pinball wizard]

Actually rooms on the upper decks are the most stable. Just like the movements on a metronome or the hands of a clock - the part closest to the point of reaction (the boat IN the water) will show the most significant impact of movement and the part furthest away (the boat above the waterline) will show the least significant impact of movement.

Sorry, not true... From cruise critic:

"The lower and more central you are in a ship, the less roll and sway you will feel. Even if you choose a balconied stateroom, choose the lowest level and the most midship one you can find. The higher decks and cabins at the very front (forward) or back (aft) of the ship will rock and roll the most."

[Nucky]

I alway's tease the people back where we did live before that we Live On A Cruise Ship. It's just on land.

If it was for free and you picked us up in the Coolest Limo I would DECLINE the trip. No phobias just a wise old man!

My vacations from here on out are scheduled to be somewhere we can drive or be driven to with the Grandchildren. I know the statistic are against driving being the safest way to go. We had considered Cuba (Not Really) but I had faith something would gum up the works about going there and it did.

You got a whole lot of good info here and that website should help you a whole lot good luck which ever way you decide. Let us know how you do with your decision.

[Mmarr]

Get your feet wet with 5.. then move up..

[Westie Man]

Get a room towards the bottom center and you're room will have less motion.

[GoodGuysAir]

You never really know how long your cruise will be, just ask the nearly four thousand people trapped on the quarantined cruise ship right now off the coast of Japan.

There are over 300 cruise ships. 2 currently have problems. Don't worry.

take a seven day cruise. Everyone I have personally have known has taken shorter than 7 wished they had listened and took the 7 day cruise. Also older ships are used for shorter cruises. If you go on a 3 or 5 day cruise I would love to be there on your last night asking "don't you wish you had just a couple more days".

My choice for boarding is to wait until the last hour to board just because I hate to wait in lines.
If you arrive early you have long lines but once you finally get on board you will have a few more hours to look around, eat and explore the ship.

I personally like the inside cabins to save money and use for sightseeing. Although I have stayed in balcony maybe 6 times and inside maybe 12 times. What are you going to do in the room? If you are like most you will sleep, shower, get dressed and spend the rest of the day enjoying the other activities on the ship. Maybe you are going on the cruise to spend the days on a 25-30 sq. ft. area looking at the water, but I don't think so. I have trouble justify the extra 300 to 500 for maybe 1/2 hour a day to sit in a chair in a private 8 foot wide space then the ship is full of areas with recliners with a much better views. That's like a extra $100 for each days morning coffee. No thanks. If you stay in a inside be aware it will be completely dark when the lights are off.

[CFrance]

Actually rooms on the upper decks are the most stable. Just like the movements on a metronome or the hands of a clock - the part closest to the point of reaction (the boat IN the water) will show the most significant impact of movement and the part furthest away (the boat above the waterline) will show the least significant impact of movement.
You have that flipped around, according to my Maine Maritime Academy graduate and 25-year-long sea-experienced son.


The top of the ship will sway much more than the bottom of the boat.


Although he doesn't agree with the term "stable." But I'm not going to get into that with him as I would be up for another two hours, and it's 11:00 pm here in Australia.

[Bay Kid]

Haiti is a great stop on Royal Caribbean. They own their own private beach. Great visit all day.

[Gmb727]

If motion sickness is an issue, make sure it is a newer ship that is equipped with stabilizers. I would also suggest a larger ship. We were on the Allure of the Seas, hardly rocked even in 12-14 foot waves. Amazing.

[UHH47]

Google.

Which part of cruise ship is most stable?
Lower Decks
In addition to picking a midship stateroom, which are usually spread out across several levels, it's also a good idea to opt for one that's below the water level. This is because this part of the ship, its lowest and most central area, is the most stable during rough sea conditions.
From the 38 cruises that I have taken, I never saw a category of cabins that are below water level.

[karostay]

We must be the only couple who do not like cruises.

I don't like all that gambling, rocking, water, weird stuff to eat, no golf courses, did I say all that water, (where you see in your mind a ship upside down with the lights on under water) shiver, bunches of people in small places, water, other people who drink too much and all that yucky germy disease that seems to breed in all of their pipes and surfaces. (What's up with that???)

Nope. I do not care for any more thank you.

If we all liked the same thing they would only sell vanilla ice cream.

Ice cream would be chocolate :ho:

[Aloha1]

As a veteran of more than 30 cruises around the world, here's my take:

- Ignore the nay sayers. Try it, you might like it!

- Go for a 7 day cruise as the incremental cost over a 5 day cruise is small. You will have more time to experience all the nuances of cruising.

- Get on board as soon as you can on Embarkation Day. You paid for that day so go enjoy it. Have lunch, take a dip in the pool, wander around the ship, etc.

- If you have enjoyed your cruise consider booking a future cruise while on board. Most lines offer discounted fares to on board passengers for a future booking. You can always cancel.

[Pdesensi]

Start with 3 day cruise. Book above 7 floor. I love a balcony. Do not get inside room. I love cruising.

[UHH47]

With 38 cruises behind us and 3 cruises in 2020, with the shortest cruise of 12 days.
We like the smaller ships, less then a thousand passengers, all inclusive (Azamara, Oceana, Silver Seas). If you like a carnival, then go for the mega size ships and get charged extra for everything except water and plain coffee, and all those activities like rock wall climbing, wave surfing, go cart track are not free or inexpensive. Cocktails and specialty coffees are$$.
No one can tell you what cruise ship to go on, unless they know what your likes are and what your budget is.
We love CRUISING.

[TheWarriors]

I suggest a 5-day. Three days usually means you spend the entire time on board. With a 5 day you get land excursions for two days, usually, where you can debark for several hours each day and sight-see, or enjoy a beach, or go shopping. Some have "swim with the stingrays" excursions (and similar) which are awesome for the water-adventure crowd. One year we sailed to Jamaica and during our land time we took a banana plantation tour. Another year we sailed to Tulum, Mexico and spent the day at the ruins soaking up the history and the sun.

For motion sickness, there are now ear magnets that reduce or completely eliminate that. My mother in law was queasy her first day, bought the magnets at one of the ship's stores as recommended by her doctor, and she was fine the entire rest of the trip and had a wonderful time.

More recommendations: bring your cell phone and keep it charged, so you can take lots of pictures. You'll save a fortune on professional photos on board (the ship photography crew is everywhere).

Do -not- get suckered into buying any of those "limited edition serigraphs" at the art auction. They aren't worth what you pay for, and they charge $50 for ground shipping even if you get one of them for only $5. You don't find this out until after you've already been awarded the bid and they ask you for shipping info.

DO explore the ship, as much of it as possible. If you prefer to spend most of your time "adulting" then usually the bow (front) of the ship has a 21-or-older-only area, with small soaking pools and jacuzzis and hammocks and a bar, where adults can lounge around and relax without a bunch of toddlers running around.

If you want to hang with the grandkids, it's the stern-end (back) of midships, where you might even find a bumper-car area, playground, family pool and kiddie pool, and lots of music and games.

There are also cruises with ships designed specifically with families and kids in mind (Carnival and Celebrity have some), with day-camps so the adults can spend time with each other for several hours every day, and the kids can have lots of activities.

Another DO: get the best stateroom you can afford. The only people who say "it doesn't matter, you never spend time in your room anyway" are people who get lower inside cabins with no windows. If you can get a room with a balcony, that does -not- have a limited view, get it. Doesn't have to be an owner's suite, and most balcony rooms are affordable these days.

Another DON'T: don't get the booze package. In order to get your money's worth, you have to have around 5 booze drinks every single day, per person per room. That is a LOT of booze.

A DO: do buy a 6-pack of water to be brought to your stateroom, when you make your reservation. It'll be cheaper than buying it once you're on board and the tap water on cruise ships doesn't taste good.

Another DO: bring 1 bottle of wine, per person, on board if you drink wine. You're allowed, and most rooms have mini-refrigerators these days, so you can have a glass every evening before dinner if you're into it, without paying $12 per glass.

A DO: if the ship comes to port and you're able to debark during the trip - then do so. Even if you'd been to the same place for 10 cruises in a row, it's just really nice to get off the ship and walk around.

A DO: bring your passport. Even if you're only going somewhere within the USA, it's good to carry it around with you. This leads me to another DO:

Have a SECURE spot to carry your passport and bring it with you if you debark the ship, again - even if you're just going to another part of the USA. You probably won't ever need to show it to anyone but it's one of those "just in case" situations given the current political climate.

A DO: do bring comfortable walking shoes, preferably slip-resistant, and use them whenever you leave the carpeted safety of the inner ship. Deck shoes, yes. 3-inch-heels around the the outside deck, no.

DO: splurge at least once on their high-end restaurant, which is never included in the "anytime, anywhere" dining plan.

DO: enjoy breakfast every single day, but remember to not overeat in the morning. It's VERY easy to do when you can have all the bagels and lox and bacon and biscuits and pancakes and pastries and eggs and grits you can eat. Balance your need for indulgence with your need to be physically capable of movement all day long, and save dessert for after dinner.

DO: enjoy shopping on board but do a little research in advance. If you like alcoholic beverages, find out how much they cost near us at the Villages first. When you get on board, compare costs with what they have at their duty-free shop. There are definitely some amazing deals but some of them aren't good enough for the extra time you spend receiving your purchase at the end of the trip.

Finally - we end where we begin: take LOTS of pictures! If you choose the wifi package you can upload them to the cloud, and not have to worry about maxing the memory on your device. You can weed out the ones you don't like when you get home. You will not be able to access your data plan on the ship and on most ships, wifi is not free, or particularly fast.

Not sure if this will let you see it but this is our ship going under a bridge, on one of our cruises in 2015. Browser no longer supported (https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipM31U36sutukWVa27gNI2bjdhwBGY27VNi1fJLE)
...given the current political climate that exists today.

Wow, TDS even in a cruise review, lol.

[Dlbonivich]

If you get sick on a plane you might get sick on big boats. People who do mot have motion sickness think it is from the waves, it is not it from the forward motion. I had acupuncture treatments before I left and wore a prescription ear patch and did pretty good. Have fun.

[OhioBuckeye]

We have never been on a cruise and every time we fly I get sick, so we decided to try a cruise. What would you suggest 3,5 or 7 day travel. What are some of the pitfalls?

I never got sick flying, but only been on one cruise. 3 days , 4 nights, & 2 days on that I felt sick, but never got sick, & both times it was when I got up in morning. Eat a little bit when ever you can & that works. Eat even if you don’t feel like it, keep food in you stomach or you could just get some over the counter sea sickness patches. That’s what my wife used & she never felt sick.

[davem4616]

well, you've certainly received some great advice. my thoughts because of you being prone to sea sickness is to make sure that the ship will be sailing in calm waters....stay away from the Atlantic itself and consider the Adriatic or hugging the northern Med coastline where the seas are usually calm (albeit you'll have a long flight over to Rome or Athens). Give consideration to how many people you want to be 'onboard' with. The larger ships with 3-4K passengers can feel like Time's Square at times....we prefer Windstar, as they have no more than 325 passengers and you usually anchor in ports that the huge ships can't get into.

[Adorrable1]

Use Bonine otc med. The motion sickness has to do with the inner ear. Start with a 3 day, that's what I did. Don't get an outside cabin. Way too much motion. You want an inside cabin in the middle of the ship. Also get a prescription for a scopolomine patch. Take it from one who knows and heed my warning or you're in for a long week.

[waverly51]

As far as I’m concerned there are no pitfalls. My husband and I have been on 28 cruises and we love it. It really doesn’t matter how many days you take but if you’re skeptical, I would try a three day first. Carnival and Norwegian are two of our favorites. Happy sailing.

[aallbrand]

I would not advise cruising with the current state of the Virus in the news. A cruise ship is a terrible place to avoid Flues and viruses . I would wait until things settle down.

[juscause]

Start with 3 day cruise. Book above 7 floor. I love a balcony. Do not get inside room. I love cruising.
Five sentences. I agree with only the fifth.

[Brondrisek]

Go with a 3 day to decide if it’s for you. Then your not “stuck” for a week.
I don’t like a big ship that dumps 5000 people either, find something smaller so you can enjoy the ship.
I’m sure you will love it.
Pitfalls are overeating and bad weather.

[RMguy]

Seriously?

[John41]

If you get sick flying you are probably susceptible to motion sickness and a short cruise to the Bahamas will be good. Definitely get a balcony midship on decks 7,8 or 9. Talk to your doctor about meds you can take. Try to get a newer ship. Cruise Critic will give you specs on almost all ships. Don’t use the hot tubs and wash you hands frequently. Bring a passport and get trip insurance for medical.

[RDhot]

Wrong. More motion forward and higher.

[RDhot]

You will hate the disoriented feeling of an inside cabin.

[manaboutown]

Take plenty of sunscreen and use it religiously, particularly on your face. When I was cruising frequently over a few years time my face aged considerably from the sun as the rays come not only directly from the sun but from reflection off the water.

Also, I gained weight on literally every cruise as the food was so tempting looking and tasty. Although I used the onboard gyms and walked the promenade decks I still gained weight. I learned to diet before and after cruises.

Although I love cruising it has been said cruising is for the newly wed, the nearly dead and the overfed. From my experiences I concur.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Take plenty of sunscreen and use it religiously, particularly on your face. When I was cruising frequently over a few years time my face aged considerably from the sun as the rays come not only directly from the sun but from reflection off the water.

Also, I gained weight on literally every cruise as the food was so tempting looking and tasty. Although I used the onboard gyms and walked the promenade decks I still gained weight. I learned to diet before and after cruises.

Although I love cruising it has been said cruising is for the newly wed, the nearly dead and the overfed. From my experiences I concur.

Use sunscreen generously on your EARS and the back of your neck even if you wear long sleeves and wear a brimmed hat!

I have taken several cruises and I think I gained a pound on one of them, and lost weight on the others. How? I didn't pig out at every meal PLUS every snack PLUS every free tasting. I had a little of this, a little of that, and absolutely - extra bacon at breakfast because - bacon. I also only had usually 1-2 drinks per day instead of the 4-6 beers most drinkers drink on these things. And my drinks always have fruit juices or milk in them, so there were some nutrients mixed in with the booze.

I also walked around 5 times more than I usually do, just around the decks, plus on the shore excursions. I also danced around 20 minutes every night (combining every song that I actually danced to).

[ffresh]

Sorry, not true... From cruise critic:

"The lower and more central you are in a ship, the less roll and sway you will feel. Even if you choose a balconied stateroom, choose the lowest level and the most midship one you can find. The higher decks and cabins at the very front (forward) or back (aft) of the ship will rock and roll the most."

Correct - not to belabor the point but any vessel or aircraft will rotate around its axes (plural of axis), located at or near the center of gravity (C.O.G.). The lateral axis, or pitch axis is an imaginary line running horizontally across the ship and through the center of gravity. A pitch motion is an up-or-down movement of the bow and stern around this lateral axis. Movement around the longitudinal axis (front to back) is "roll", like a chicken on a bbq pit. Movement around the vertical axis is termed yaw and is a right/left motion. All of these motions are minimized by being located as close to the C.O.G and where all three axes converge as possible. For example, in an airplane, the "best ride" is in an aisle seat over the wings.

FredF

[rmd2]

We have never been on a cruise and every time we fly I get sick, so we decided to try a cruise. What would you suggest 3,5 or 7 day travel. What are some of the pitfalls?

I would suggest a 1 hour boat trip on the ocean. You can go on the fishing boats for that amount of time. If you cannot take the movement of the ocean (which I cannot) you will be begging them to take off the boat in 20 minutes. I know the small boats are less stable than the big ships but people can and do get sick with either. I went on a cruise on a large ship and had to fly back to the US from one of the island stops. I still had motion sickness for 3 days later.

[Spoiler]

Use sunscreen generously on your EARS and the back of your neck even if you wear long sleeves and wear a brimmed hat!

I have taken several cruises and I think I gained a pound on one of them, and lost weight on the others. How? I didn't pig out at every meal PLUS every snack PLUS every free tasting. I had a little of this, a little of that, and absolutely - extra bacon at breakfast because - bacon. ...

My cruise exactly.... extra bacon... :ho:

[NavyVet]

As a person with a history of motion sickness, I always hated flying, but could also get nauseated in cars, buses, trains, etc. Sea sickness was the worst, from riverboats, lakes, glass bottom boats, whale watch tours, sailing, up to the largest cruise ships. Caribbean cruises I was anywhere from queasy to miserable. Wrist bands and ear patches did not work. Alaska inside passage with balcony cabin was the best, very smooth. Last cruise I took I ended up with MdDS; 8 weeks of severe vertigo after getting off a 5 day out of Tampa. No more boating for me.
Mal de debarquement - Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mal_de_debarquement)
If you still want to try it, go for the following:
Less stormy time of year on the open seas.
Larger ships more stable.
Mid ship cabin, lower levels. Don't look at the horizon.
Upon arrival, see the maitre d' to request the most forward table possible. Dining rooms are usually located at the tail end where there is the most motion and you could be too nauseous to eat.
Bring dramamine/meclizine.
Try a 3 day for your first time. It's one thing to be trapped on a flight for 3 - 6 hours. 5- 7 days on a moving ship can be agony.
Some people love cruising, but it's just not for everyone. Not fun and a waste of good money if all you can do is sit quietly or lie down and not walk around coz you feel sick. If you get queasy trying to read or look at a map in a moving vehicle, that might help you make your decision. Good luck!

[manaboutown]

Oh, and I am prone to motion sickness. I have used dramamine which, like an antihistamine, makes me drowsy and scopolamine Scopolamine: Side Effects, Dosages, Treatment, Interactions, Warnings (https://www.rxlist.com/consumer_scopolamine/drugs-condition.htm) patches behind the ear which make me crazy. Sea bands work well for me and of course are not a drug, Sea Band USA (https://www.sea-band.com)

[Troopie]

Definitely go for seven days! With shorter cruises, the cruise ends just when you're starting to relax and get into the "rhythm" of things. Also, I highly recommend doing some research and doing your own shore excursions. Cruise ship excursions tend to be very crowded, leaving you very little time to enjoy. We've always had great luck booking our own...and the private companies that do these excursions are very aware of time constraints and when they need to get you back to board the ship. BTW, we LOVE Royal Caribbean the best!

[MarvM]

Actually you have it totally backwards. I have had to make shipping arrangements for cargo containers and the higher you go on a ship, the more side to side motion will be present. The most stable location on the ship is as low as you can go, and as close to the center of the ship. This is why ice rinks which some ships provide skating entertainment are located on this part of the ship.

[kathyspear]

One point about excursions we suggest you partake in those that are supported and sold by the cruise line.....the excursions assure you to be back to the ship on time....and the ship will not leave without you.

This is not exactly true. If you book a cruise line excursion and your group is late getting back the captain will try to wait for you. If he cannot wait (ships can be charged tens of thousands of dollars in some ports if they don't leave on schedule) the cruise line will arrange and pay for you to meet up with the ship in the next port.

If I am going to be in port for, say, 8 hours and want to do a shore excursion that lasts 7 hours, I would always book with the cruise line. If the excursion is just 3 or 4 hours I am fine with booking with a third party.

The major benefits of third party tours: (1) Usually cost much less and/or include more stops; (2) MUCH smaller group (a mini ban with 12 to 24 passengers versus a bus with 50 or 60).

kathy

[kathyspear]

I suggest you visit and join CruiseCritic.com. You will find a wealth of information on your ship, ratings by people who have cruised on it, meet up groups that will be sailing with you, optional tour operators and more. We have about 25 cruises under our belt (I know, we are rookies) but never cruise without doing the research on Cruise Critic. I'm also one that disagrees with Ed, I'm retired so get me somewhere the slowest possible way. :) I also recommend a balcony, nothing like sitting on the balcony and having breakfast and enjoying the solitude of watching the ocean go by.

Definitely, join Cruise Critic!

I have never sailed in an inside cabin. (I did have a cabin on a Royal Carib ship once that had a window that looked down on the promenade and didn't like it much.) I am fine with OV (ocean view) but hubby much prefers a balcony, as he likes to sit outside at night and listen to music. After reading about Diamond Princess, I will never again sail in a room without a balcony.

k.

[kathyspear]

Start with a 3 day, that's what I did. Don't get an outside cabin. Way too much motion. You want an inside cabin in the middle of the ship. Also get a prescription for a scopolomine patch.

Three day cruises are full of people who want to get away for a long weekend and drink. Not recommended.

My first was 5 days but I should have done 7. You can always fly home from one of the ports if you are miserable (unless you are on a transatlantic cruise which are normally longer than 7 days) but you won't be miserable. Cruising is wonderful.

If you book with a good travel agent they will match you up with a cruise line, ship, and itinerary that suit your interests and your budget. There are many cruise lines but they appeal to different groups.

k.

PS -- Half the people on cruise ships walk around with those patches on their necks and most of them have never been sea sick. They just FEAR that they might be. Those things give you blurred vision and extremely dry mouth. I do not recommend using one unless you have a history of motion issues. Even if you do, this is what I recommend to my clients. Most remedies must be used prior to feeling sick. ReliefBand can be turned on after symptoms appear and it eliminates them. I won't cruise without mine.

ReliefBand: Robot Check (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00PG4NUOS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1)

[rick2071]

Thank you very much for taking the time to post al that information.

[rick2071]

Thank you for the information I really appreciate it.

[rick2071]

Thank for taking the time to provide that information.

[waynehal55]

From the 38 cruises that I have taken, I never saw a category of cabins that are below water level.

That is where the staff sleep.....

[PugMom]

Corona VirusExactly, i agree. are you sure you even want to travel now?

[rjm1cc]

You will probably have not problems but take some sea sick meds with you.You can probably also get at the ships hotel desk.
The lower the cabin and the more toward the center of the ship the less motion.
Again probably no problem. I would go for the week.

[rick2071]

Thank you