3day cruise ? for a 1st timer

[1st timer]

I am trying to plan a quick, inexpensive getaway this month for my husband and myself. Planning on 3day cruise on RCI to Bahamas. Trying to keep costs down so I'll book an inside cabin. Is it worth saving some money and booking the guaranteed inside cabin rate? What might I end up with? Also, what is the cost for excursions in port? is it easier to tip when booking the trip? Do they allow you to bring beverages onboard? Any other 1st timer tips?? Thanks for any help. This can get pretty overwhelming!

[vafatboy]

We have done the inside cabin deal before. On the Bahamas cruise we don't really car what cabin we get. We spend most of out time out having fun. As for excursions, most are 100.00 or so. Skip the blackbeard cay beach day, not worth the money. The beach day at Atlantis was really nice. We stayed longer and just took a cab back to the ship. If you are going to do excursions, be sure to book the late seating for dinner, or plan on eating in the buffet. We do not tip ahead of time. If our waiters, or cabin guy are not good, we may want to tip less. Usually we tip more for good service. As for beverages, it depends on what you are wanting to bring. Soda's and non-adult beverages can be brought on with no problems. My wife has to have her Diet Dr. Pepper. The RCI ships only have coke products. As for liquor, they say you cannot bring it. However, if you put a bottle (plastic) in you luggage, you should be fine. I brought a couple last week on our trip. The cabin guy brought us extra ice, and even washed my glasses each day.

As for tips, bring a power strip. There is only one or two outlets in the room. We usally bring a thermal cups with lids for coffee. It can be fun trying to walk around with sloshing coffee. I like to bring a few zip lock bags to store cookies from the buffet in my room for late night snacks.

Skip the shopping lecture on the ship. They will try to stear you to stores that give them kickbacks while in port. In Nassau, skip all the stores right off the ship. The stores on Paradise Island (Atlantis) have the same stuff.

If the do the Quest game, be sure to attend. It is really funny.

Have fun, these cruises are a blast. We have done three out of Port Canaveral. Trying Miami in December

vafatboy@aol.com

[Karen Knowlton]

It depends on the cruise line and the "guarantee" level. Carnival's lowest inside category, for example, has bunk beds, but doesn't have beds that can be pushed together. The guarantee means you will get whatever is available in at least the category you booked in, but could be upgraded to a higher category if any are available - probably based on how far ahead you book the cruise.

I agree with vafatboy that for the 3-day cruises it probably doesn't matter which cabin you get. However, keep in mind that the inside cabins will be dark unless the lights are turned on. That means you won't be able to tell what time of day or night it is, or what the weather is outside, unless you turn on the cabin TV and watch the ship's cruise channel. If the seas are rough, which is less likely on the shorter Bahamas runs unless you are having stormy weather, I find it helpful to be able to see the horizon, which of course you can't do from an inside cabin.

If you think that having a window could make the difference whether you or your husband will enjoy the cruise, then go for an outside cabin. Otherwise, go ahead & book the inside.

[Roscoe]

We had an inside cabin and it was dark, but we also slept better on ship than we do at home. There are a lot of good suggestions on this website for what to pack. Don't pack more than you need, storage space is limited in the bathroom and bedroom area. Most of the RC excursions can be booked when you get to port for less than what RC charges. But if you have your heart set on a specific excursion and don't want to miss it, then book in advance. You can go to the island websites and see what activities are availalbe before you leave so you have an idea of what there is to do on each of the islands. CocoCay is owned by RC so there is no website. RC has a link for what to pack on their website too.

Insides are a good deal. Honestly, the only time you are in your cabin is when you sleep, shower, and change. The only reason you may want to go with an oceanview is if you have a tendency of getting seasick since watching the water will settle you down. But since you are going to the Bahamas you should have no problem with sea sickness. In most ports you can find a better deal by booking excursions on your own rather than through the cruise line. You simply have to plan ahead and do your homework. A bundle of money can be saved this way. As for bringing beverages onboard, it is allowed and a good idea. Before you board get a taxi and go to a local grocery store. Pick up any water, soda, wine, or snacks. Limit the alchohol though as some lines are picky. A glass of wine can run 5 or 6 dollars a glass. Also pack light as you will not be gone for very long. Then just enjoy the cruise. Have a great trip.

[Samdel]

Hi,
I am so glad for you taking your first cruise!
Our first was wonderful and we have cruised 9 times more since 1998. I believe I have some good advice for first-timers.
First word is RELAX AND ENJOY! The ship is so much fun, and I tell everyone don't sweat the small stuff! Like someone said before, do some homework on the internet, view several message boards, especially on ports which will be great for choosing the right excursion for you.
Arrive at the port a little early to avoid so many crowds, and once onboard, go to buffet and grab a bite. Then, explore the ship which will make finding your dining room, exercise room, etc easier later on, plus you can enjoy the beauty of the ship before others arrive.
On a 3 day cruise, you don't really have a lot of time in port, so I would suggest chosing something that allows you to make the most of your time. The downtown area of Nassau is very interesting, as is the Atlantis Hotel. But the shops at the Atlantis are VERY EXPENSIVE, as they are specialty shops. Nice jewelry, souveniers, are readily available downtown for very reasonable prices.
When you debark in Nassau and pass through the welcome area, there will be multitudes of taxis, all clamoring for your business. Barter with them, because you can get a nice tour of the city sites with info, and a trip to Paradise Island for about $25 PP. Specify for him to leave you at the Atlantis if you want and you can take the cheaper water taxi back or a regular taxi for about $4.00 pp. The Atlantis is a beautiful hotel with great photo opps, the casino is wonderful, even if you just walk through. All the shops are inside the hotel, and you must see the underground aquarium, of which part of is free and for $25 you can go through the "Dig" which is a self-guided tour of their idea of what the forgotten city of atlantis was like with even more fish, sharks, clear tunnel under water.
Please remember these are just suggestions, but if we had known this on our first cruise, we would have done more and enjoyed ot better, as we spent most of our time trying to find out what to do next, which if we had researched more and just relaxed, the best could have been better!!!
I hope this helps and ask if you have questions. Happy sailing Bon Voyage!