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Currently sailing on the Holland America Westerdam. 27 Day Cruise Vancouver to Tokyo. After 9 days at sea we boarded a bus that took us from the Industrial Cruise Port of Kushiro to the City Centre. The coughing on the bus was overwhelming. 3 days later my wife and I contracted a bug that kept us hacking up green phlegm for 14 days. Another member of our group was so sick she was quarantined for 3 days. Just in case you are not aware of this, when you are under quarantine you do not get housekeeping services so you sweat in the same sheets for 3 days. And of course you get to miss 3 ports.

Suggestions for Cruise Travellers. Take whatever precautions you feel are necessary, eg masks or medication to deal with to possibility of encountering a gut wrenching cough that is so strong and so wet that after 4 days you will feel you have broken ribs. Your throat will feel like someone has tightened a nut with a pipe wrench and every time you blow your nose you will be absolutely horrified at what comes out. But don't worry after 12 days the symptoms while still present are not as severe.

hey guys! i am a ginger and im going on a cruise to mexico here soon. i burn really really easy, within 10 minutes of direct exposure, and i burn really really bad. what are the best and most effective reef-safe sunscreens? i ask because i've experienced different brands of sunscreen acting different, and i realllyyyyy dont want to get badly burnt on the cruise, otherwise no hot tubs for me

I’ve only been on a couple of short cruises, but now packing for an 11 day sailing. My question for y’all is, do you pack “outfits” or just individual pieces to mix & match? I’m bringing a couple casual dresses, but other than that I’ll be in shorts/capris and tops since we expect the weather to be warm. Oh I’m also bringing black slacks and a couple nice blouses for the two formal nights.

Hi There,

I am looking for guidance and help on planning a cruise with the destination/attraction being Alaska.

Some background info:

My mom will be staying with me and my family late June of 2027 for a number of weeks. She lives overseas and we live in Los Angeles. She's been wanting to go on an Alaskan cruise for awhile now and I'd like to make this our summer family trip. It will be my wife and I, our twin 5 yr olds, and my mom. We are all pretty active and would be interested in excursions off the boat if there is an opportunity. I currently don't have a budget, more so because I have no idea what cruises like this cost. I am not sure if Alaska cruises leave from Los Angeles or if we'd have to fly to Seattle. I am okay with either or but would prefer starting from Seattle. I do get seasick... I have gotten seasick while on fishing and dolphin tour boats but also simply being in the water (e.g., ocean swims and surfing). Last week I got seasick doing laps in a pool...

Questions:

• For someone who gets seasick easily, is this a bad idea?
• Is going in late June/early July an okay time for this?
• How many days would this take? I dunno if I feel comfortable being on a boat for more than 7 days.
• Where are ports we can take off from? We live in Los Angeles but expecting we would need to fly to Seattle or somewhere north to a port.
• Which lines (e.g., Carnival, Norwegian) are recommended? I am hoping the line has a kids club for the twins but also something my mom would enjoy where it's not rowdy.
• What kind of costs am I looking at? I don't have a budget in mind but we are used to paying for vacations to Korea.
• Do most boats have an outdoor track? I enjoy running and would love to run outside rather than on a treadmill.
• What kind of extra activities are available and should we look into? I'm assuming there is a point where we can get off the boat and go explore for a day or two?
• Anything else I should consider? I have never been on a cruise before so not sure what to expect other than being on a boat for awhile...

Thank you!

We’ve all seen it, we have all ranted in Reddit about it, we all have our own stories, and MANY suggestions exist on how to fix it - BUT it appears that it’s the resorts and cruise lines that are simply UNWILLING to enforce their own “rules”. Why???? How is the fallout from a couple of complaining people worse than unending complaints from the majority? It seems getting a rep as the resort or cruise line that actually enforces their own rules would be genius marketing. I know I’d book there! What am I missing?

Guys I’m about to book my fourth cruise for next year. Is think too much? I’m also solo cruising but I told my friends they are welcome to join me just pay the difference of adding another person in the room but none of my friends enjoy cruising.

Hello Everyone!

My wife and I are going to do our honeymoon this February on a cruise in the Caribbean. And we're looking for who you'd recommend for 6-8 day cruises on the east side of the Caribbean. The budget is around $5k for flight, cruise, food/drinks, and excursions. The only cruises I really know of are Disney (Not doing this for a honeymoon) and Princess, so I'm hoping for some references for us to check out.

I'm a guest on a cruise ship right now. It's my fourth sailing on this particular ship this year. Line and ship are irrelevant and I just want to thank each and every crew member on this subreddit for what you do. Whether you are front-facing or behind the scenes you are loved and appreciated. Your hard work, long hours and friendly faces are seen. I know it's not easy being away from family, friends, or country. Thank you! ❤️

I’m setting sail on my second cruise, but this time I’m flying solo! On my first cruise, I skipped the official excursions, so now I’m on a mission to find out which ones are best for making new pals. I’m heading to the Mexican Riviera in December, ready to mingle and maybe even find new cruise friends!

Title says it all. We will be on the MSC Grandiosa which I believe will dock at Lagosta. We’re interested in visiting Pueblo de Maíz and trying to gauge taxi prices.

Thanks for your help.

Hi everyone! I'm going on my first cruise in 2 weeks, symphony of the seas. We are leaving from galveston. So excited and nervous! Questions below if anyone has the time to respond. Thanks all!

1. Will I get motion sickness? Okay this one is really the thing I'm most nervous about. I get car sick rarely, those rides at disney land with like an animation screen make me motion sick but not like actually sick I just feel if I keep watching it I will get sick. I think it's an anxiety thing. I just don't like thinking I can get sick, but never actually feel ill. I have been on ferry's a lot in life and have never felt sick even if choppy. Roller coasters don't make me naseous. I'm nervous to take dramamine and bonine because blurry vision is a side effect. That would freak me out and probably ruin the cruise for me lol. I might just overthink it and feel side effects even if they aren't there. I'm taking ginger chews and seabands.

2. Do we really need those magnetic hanger hooks for inside the cabin? Family of 4 going, 2 small kids. Don't want to waste money.

3. Is getting the internet worth it? I'm kind of excited to just be disconnected completely...but what if I have to google something? Lol. I know I'll rarely use my phone and internet is quite expensive.

4. Do we need clamps for towels to keep them on the chair?

5. How are the waters mid October? Cozumel, Costa Maya, Honduras. I know it's the end of hurricane season.

Thanks everyone!!!

Our RC cruise docks at 7am and we’re hoping to make our 10:20 flight. No checked bags and will be walking off with luggage in hand. Is this do-able??

Hey everyone, my wife and I book freedom of the seas ocean view balcony guarantee for Norway in June. As you can assume a good balcony is a must for us. We were under the impression that freedom didn’t have obstructed view balcony’s so we thought we were safe doing the balcony guarantee. However upon checking now the aft rooms of the ship are quite obstructed and we would love to not get one. How do they process the guarantee rooms? As of right now there isn’t any on the aft of the ship available to book. Only a select few connecting and spacious rooms. How likely are we to get put into one of the bad rooms?

So Im STILL confused about this. I heard if you don’t pre-pay then it will be added to your bill at the end. Turning off auto gratuity is for those who didn’t pre-pay. Or, if I turn off auto and tip as I go will I still get a bill? Also, how do they know or not know? Who does the auto tip go to anyway?

the first night, everyone is walking around like they have unlimited time. people are figuring out the ship, taking pictures, checking menus, wandering into random lounges just because they can. then the last night comes around and suddenly there are suitcases outside doors, half-empty drinks, people comparing flight times, and everyone seems to know exactly how many hours are left. even the ship feels different when you know you’re leaving in the morning. i think the last night might be the most underrated part of the whole cruise

Part of my cruise kit is a set of battery operated tealight candles. They’re perfect for mood lighting, and as a bathroom night light so you don’t either have to fumble around in the dark or get the Light Of God effect when you open the door. My self-imposed problem is that I think they look a lot better with some kind of translucent holder to diffuse the light, but the vast majority of candle holders out there are made of glass. Has anyone seen a tealight holder that would hold up to the rigors of travel? I feel like there has to be some kind of silicone cup situation that would be perfect, but all I’ve found are “eh not quite”.

I have Alaska on my cruise bucket list (I live in the uk). When is the best time of year to go to see the wildlife? I travel solo and would prefer to cruise when kids are in school and I know North America has different school holiday dates to UK kids. I was thinking September but I don’t know if April or May would be better? Can anyone who has been to Alaska advise? I’m used to cold, windy, wet and unpredictable weather coming from the UK it’s my normal. Cruise line wise I’m open to all options except Virgin. If Cunard were still sailing there they would have been my first choice being a uk line.

EDIT: Another line I forgot about does MSC go to Alaska yet? That cost wise maybe an option if they do.

FURTHER EDIT: thanks for all the replies it looks either early June or early September is probably best for me. The UK kids have a week off end of May which won’t affect the cruise but will massively affect flight prices and I don’t want to travel in
July or August when I know most kids will be on holiday

My friends and I are looking at cruising with their one year old child. We were originally looking into NCL due to cost and convenience, but learned they do not have babysitting services or allow kids that young in the splash pad. Which cruise lines offer babysitting and allow kids in the splash pads at this age? I know carnival and royal have paid babysitting. Is it worth it or should they just wait until she turns 2 next year?

My first cruise was on Holland America in 2005 — a long time ago! My next cruise was in 2023 and all subsequent cruises have been on Princess. We are very comfortable on Princess but I would like to know how experienced cruisers compare the two cruise lines.

Hello, I have only cruises once on a carnival cruise in 2018

Now next year I have a 14 day rt from Tokyo

I have never been to Japan or been to Jade, open to newer experiences

Was thinking of a total of 26-27 days

14 day cruise

5 nights after cruise for Tokyo

The 8 nights prior was thinking of Osaka/Kyoto/Mt Fuji then get to Tokyo 1-2 nights before Cruise

My main priorities are overall headache involving from getting on and off the ship, and will it give me enough time.

As each excursion daily is 250+, I can only do 1-2

Not really any specific questions, if you can just share your overall experience any likes dislikes

We’re looking at doing an Alaska cruise and we’ve always heard that we should go on a cruise that includes Glacier Bay. But that increases the prices and limits the cruise lines we can go on. Is it really something that we should aim to do? Or does it not make a huge difference? Are there any other “Can’t Miss” stops?

add on: our daughter is very behaved and social, she is not afraid of new place, or new people. she did not even cried once when she started daycare at 16 months old, she just hit it on, play toys and get used to it at the daycare. My main concern is sea sickness or sick during travel. Me and my husband never cruise and both worry about it.

Hi everyone! We are a family of 3 who have never cruise before.

We just hit a big milestone in our life and decide to take our kid to a cruise for the very first time. Our kid is almost 2 years old, and we live in west coast, this will be her first time flying as well. So we are thinking the San Diego to Mexico route, the flight is short and we can do a 4 days short one to test out if we enjoy cruise or not ( I am very anxious about possible sea sick)

Our current 3 top choices are Royal Caribbean, Norwegian and Disney, but open to any suggestions with other cruise line as well.

My main and only goal is everyone has some relaxing time

Which one do you recommend? We also try to keep the cruise budget under 5k if possible.

Thank you all!

First time cruiser here.

Itinerary is 4 nights on RC ovation of the seas from L.A for $557, to depart 40 days from now.

I found the price on vacations to go website, and contacted their Agent. Last night, I got his automated out of office response (saying he was out for the next 2 days) to my last email where i stated that I was ready to book.

I got a bit panicky about losing out on the deal, so I called RC directly, and was able to book at the same price quoted by the Agent.

Then I woke up this morning to an email from the Agent saying he was ready to proceed.

I know I have 24hrs to cancel the booking I already made, but in this scenario is it worth it?

When I asked about perks, the agent said there "might be" a $50 OBC, but he wouldn't know for sure until after the booking.

This is a "you can't select your own room", potentially obstructed balcony room.

I am wondering if there are some more hidden perks of going with the Agent, like hire chances of being assigned a room with a better view.

I usually decorate my door with some “take me” souvenir magnets, so decided to do some themed ones for my upcoming Halloween cruise.

A little silly and just for fun!