First Cruise: April 2024

[SFBayBoomer]

Originally Posted by kab0906

For Cozumel, I booked a ruins tour which includes a lunch and a tour of a tequila distillery.

Which ruins tour? Regardless, take and use (beforehand) mosquito repellant. And wear long pants (regardless of how hot it is).

[kab0906]

Originally Posted by SFBayBoomer

Which ruins tour? Regardless, take and use (beforehand) mosquito repellant. And wear long pants (regardless of how hot it is).

The Goddess Ixchel.

Full report coming as soon as I get my land legs back, 12+ hours of sleep, and wash a mountain of laundry.

[kab0906]

Ok, time to reflect.

The Summit is a smaller ship. Less to do on it than some ships that have water slides and zip lines. Maybe one day we'll try a larger cruise ship. I did find myself a bit bored on sea days - part of that was this was a convention cruise for hubby so sea days he was busy and I was on my own.

Learned a few things about port days - ship run excursions aren't that good - or these weren't. Or maybe I picked bad ones. I know that when I visit some place new I like seeing historical places and museums, eating local food, and resting at places like beaches or parks. We had very little of that.

Mental memo: "factory" = "shop". Even the distillery tours were fake - which annoyed me because you go on the bourbon trail in Kentucky you visit real distilleries. Highly recommended if you like that sort of thing.

The ship itself was nice. Our room was decent, everything was pretty clean, and there were employees everywhere who were friendly and happy to help. The shows were the highlight of the trip - really good. The food was mediocre at best. Most of it was bland. Edible, but not memorable. The drinks, however, were generous pours. If you like drinking you won't be sad.

[LargeKingCat]

Originally Posted by kab0906

Hello all,

I'm taking my first every cruise in April 2024. We cruise out of Miami, head to Nassau, then to Cozumel. We are on a celebrity cruise. This was all organized by someone else, as this is a 'working' cruise for hubby (and I get to tag along).

5 days: Sea, Nassau, sea, Cozumel, sea ending back to port.

We chose a room with a balcony, concierge class stateroom. Meals, wifi, drinks and tips included.

Looking for general tips - especially packing, what to avoid taking, best things to do on ship (I will be on my own on sea days, as hubby has conferences those days), what not to waste time doing. Just, how to make the most of this short trip.

I won't be bothering with pools, as I live in FL and have my own pool so sharing with 2,000+ other people doesn't appeal. I'm also not a gambler and find casinos to be sad, dreary places. All the 'spa' stuff is way over priced, so skipping that too.

We are going to COzumel from Tampa later this month

My old lady took a week off from work, found a cheap Carnival cruise, so OFF we are going !

AS a guy I can do a 4 night cruise with a small suitcase

First, meds contact lenses (disposable) undies socks

I pack a spring suit with a tie and belt. I pack one pair of Linen pants and one pair of Khakis

I pack sleep clothes, 2 tshirts , 1 polo shirt, two nice button shirts I wear shorts and a Shirt onto the cruise.

I can mix and match for dinner

I also live in Florida so I do not take a swimsuit. In fact I am told I am high risk for skin cancer so I do not even go to the pool

I might take one pair of workout clothes

I take two pairs of shoes ... good walking shoes and dress shoes

As for personal items the cruise provides Shampoo and soap. I take sunscreen, lotion and personal items like deodorant and cologne

And two hats

That is it for 5 days 4 nights

Many people take one Tshirt, buy a souvenir Tshirt in port and wear it on the cruise

The laundry in the ship is ExPen$ive Just rinse and reuse clothes...there is a string in your bathroom to hang them up Bring two clothespins to use.

Which brings to my next tip

Buy an inexpensive (Harbor freight tools) Clip with a magnet on it or four.... Your cabin is made of metal, and you put these

Bring a small flashlight The rooms can be dark at night and do not come with nightlights


Prepay your tips. IF you want to drink, bring a few $5 bills Give one to the bartender /server on the first two days when you order a drink After that you WILL get your drink ahead of others and made EXACTLY as you like it Always works for me. IF you sign the receipt and leave an extra tip, then ALL the drink staff have to share that....but if you give a $5 bill to your bartender, he or she gets to keep that. And these people work hard for less than minimum wage

I do not spend more than $10 in the casino

But fun free entertainment includes Karaoke, especially late after everyone has been drinking. I once got drunk and tried to sing Del Shannon's "Runaway" my kids laugh about that to this day

Visit the clubs at night I am especially fond of the Latin jazz bands They hire some talent on the ships

And finally, have fun Cruising is an ideal and fun experience Just sit back and let it be. Your fellow cruisers are ALL there to have fun Have fun with them. I have met people on cruises with whom I still correspond to this day.
I have met so many fun people on cruises, just relax and have the best time you can imagine
And the cruise will be even better than that.....