Tips for Your Cruise
When people found out I was going on a cruise, those who had been before told me, "Oh, it's so relaxing!" It is. But be prepared; there are a lot of people on the boat. If you're looking for a chance to get away and enjoy the peace and quiet of solitude, I'd recommend doing something else.
If you like a festive atmosphere, great food, great service, and destinations in paradise all at a fairly reasonable price, cruising is probably perfect for you.
Here's a few other things that might help you make the most out of your cruising vacation:
Plan excursions: Unless you really enjoy hanging out on the boat or shopping, you have to go on excursions. Excursions are activity packages that you can buy on the boat or in port. In my opinion, they are what will make your vacation truly memorable.
Take advantage of the opportunity to see the exotic sites or do something you can't do at home. When else will you get a chance to go scuba diving on a tropical reef or ride a horse along the perfect beaches of the Caribbean? Money is always a factor and some excursions can get pretty expensive. But there are many to choose from that won't make you break the bank.
If you go to St. Thomas, I highly recommend the Ultimate Island Adventure. This is the excursion my family and I went on and had a fabulous time. The cost is around $50 per person (a very cheap excursion compared to others) and it is worth every dollar. It includes a guided island tour, a stop at Magen's Bay, and a visit to Blackbeard's Castle where you can partake in bottomless self-serve rum punch (although it's definitely more punch than rum).
Go with a group: I'm sure a cruise would be fun on your own or with a partner, but I think going with a group of family or friends really adds to the experience. Cruise lines try to cater to group vacations and can usually get your cabins close to each other if you book well enough in advance.
The main thing to remember if you go as a group is that you want to make sure you tell your booking agent who is in your party so they can coordinate your dinner times and seat you at the same table. Believe me, when you're enjoying all-you-can-eat lobster tails or filet mignon, it's nice to be able share the experience with everyone else.
Go to the shows: This is really up to you, but I recommend going to all the shows on the ship. They're included in the price of your ticket so you might as well take advantage of them. Most of the comedians will have you rolling in your seat. The musical performances are also very entertaining.
However, I will say that even the "family-friendly" shows (at least on Carnival) tend to push the PG-13 rating. While it's nothing you won't see on basic cable television, parents who don't want their kids to see girls dancing in thong leotards or hear flatulence humor might want to take the family to the Lido deck.
Be prepared to haggle: The ports are full of shops and market vendors. Whether it's a souvenir mug, a hand-carved figurine, a bottle of rum, or a diamond ring, there's a lot of stuff you can spend your money on. Everything is negotiable. If you can't get somebody to come down on the price, go next door. Chances are you'll find what you're looking for and a seller who's willing to bargain.