Cruising

[rach912]

My partner and I are going on a cruise to the caribbean in October. We have never been on one before and wanted some advice from any others who are regular cruise go-ers on what/how much to take. What should you wear on the formal/non-formal nights and any other handy tips for the trip.

Thanks to anyone who can help!

[dannydingbat]

Which cruise line? Only they are different as to what they do and what they want, age group etc.

[rach912]

It is P&O Arcadia

thanks

[dot.hawkes]

oh you lucky thing!!!!!!!! If you dock in St John's Antigua, as u walk from the dock there is a heinekken bar on your right which is excellent, and on your left, above the perfume duty free shop, there is a place called The Adult Playpen, we bought some ace boots there, the guy is from liverpool, nip up and tell him claire's mum says hi!!!!!!!!! She chats on msn to him lol!
Watch out for the Whales lol

[sddsddean]

Loads of info here http://www.cruisecritic.com/ Browse the site for all aspects.
My tips from memories of my first cruise.
1) You do not have to do anything, just do what you want.
2) When you board, you will not get your cases until about 7pm or later, so take a small case with you as hand luggage with a change of clothes/swimwear or whatever. Assume you will not get your cases until 10pm!
3) Formal nights. I just wear a suit, not a DJ and my wife normally wears a skirt and blouse. If you have more than one formal night, you just need a different blouse for a 'new' look. Smart casual is one step down from formal. Most blokes wear a jacket, some wear a tie (I don't). Ladies just dress 'smartly'. Casual nights, blokes just need trousers and shirt, ladies almost anything!
4) Assuming you are on a big table(6+) you will meet friends no problem. If however you do not get on, speak a different language etc, do not hesitate to talk to the maitre d' who will put you on another table no problem.
5) (and most important) ENJOY YOURSELF!!!!!

[loopy lass]

don't forget that in the caribbean you are much nearer to the equator so make sure your sun lotion is higher than you would normally have, we used factor 30 (i don't burn) and could have done with one a little higher.

[handygran]

If you like getting dressed up for dinner take evening dresses for formal nights and just smart clothes for informal. We have been on 8 cruises now and we all enjoy dressing for dinner it is part of our holiday.

[dannydingbat]

I have been on 27 cruises altogether, but only 1 with P and O. Most have been to the Caribbean. I see this cruise is from Southampton and finsishes in Barbados so you will have lots of sea days at the start. This is quite good for getting to know the ship and activities, of which there will be many , but can be a bit boring if you expect it all to be exciting. The most sea days I have done at once is 5 from LA to Hawaii and I was nearly stir crazy by the time I got off. So, from the daily programme, plan your day in advance and don't rush your way through it. Go to the lectures or sit on the deck and read, learn line dancing or join the trivia activities. Talk to your fellow passengers, it will be amazing the people you will meet. When I am sat at dinner with some new people, I break the ice by asking everyone to tell their claim to fame. I have met a Hollywood Director, Larry Grayson's chauffeur and someone who was at Mrs Thatchers wedding in this way. Useful advice was given earlier about changing tables if you don't get on with your fellow diners. The Maitre'd is always happy to help out anything to do with passengers and their dining, whether it is allergies or special requirements. Also. if you get a good waiter, he will get to know your likes and dislikes and recommend dishes accordingly. He can advise you on how to dress the next day and you can ask for tomorrow's menus to plan your dining options. For example, if there is a late night deck buffet, you might want a sandwich late afternoon and skip dinner to accommodate it. There are also special lunch buffets (seafood, Mexican, etc) you might want to take so planning ahead is very important. If there is a show you want to see and look likely to miss because you wiill not have finished dinner, tell your waiter and he will hurry up your service.

[dannydingbat]

Continued

Don't be afraid to ask for two main courses or several of anything. These boys are very happy to bring you what you want and for you to be pleased with what they do.

Although I like to wear a dinner jacket on formal nights, a suit and tie for him is fine. These things are less formal these days. However, I have found that, on some ships, passengers will not be able to take part in some of the entertainments (Called onto stage for competitions, etc).unless they are dressed in accordance with the receommended dress code of the day.

If free champagne is on offer, turn up and grab as much as you can early on because it disappears very quickly (Art Auctions, Captain's party, etc). Forget British reserve, go for it.

Now the ports. First advice, do not book the trips for sale on board. They are usually overpriced and you can do the same thing yourself on sure for a fraction of the price. Example - Mount Gay Rum Factory in Barbados. Ship charged �30 each. I did it in a taxi for �13 for three poeple ($6 entry each plus $6 taxi.)

Antigue has 365 beaches. Taxi drivers can hassle you to take their car to the best one. Ignore them. Go for a walk up town, have a beer or coffee and then choose one to take you. Its cheap and they will come back and get you at a pre arranged time. If he is a sports fan, the test cricket ground is worth a visit and is at the top of town through the churchyard. The groundsmen are very nice. Nelson's dockyard is moderately interesting.

Tortola in the British Virgin Islands has two good beaches. I prefer Cane Garden rather than Brewers Bay as there are more facilities and it is calmer but both are on the other side of the island so you will need a taxi. There are few shops in Tortola but local crafts are usually available near the dock.

[dannydingbat]

Continued

St Maarten/Sint Martin is two islands in one, being half-Dutch, half-French. Philipsburg is the capital and has one good shopping street. It is set up for Yanks so you can haggle for good prices on anything. You can get a bus to the French part which is quieter and has better shops. Another tip here. If you want to know about any port of call and what is worth seeing. ask the people who work in the ships gift/perfume shops. They know where the buses go from and what is not worth going to.

Dominica has no beaches as such, it is a micro climate with a rain forest in the centre. I didn't find much to see here. If you dock in the part where they set up a market on the dock, see if you can nick some apples from on board as they love them on Dominica and can't grow them. Useful currency.

St Lucia is at its best if you get a taxi driver to take you to one of the big hotels to use their private beaches. They do not have the local beach traders on them (they can be very annoying)

Not sure if you will be able to see much in Barbados on the way home. It's my favourite island. If you have time there, get the blue buses rather than the yellow ones. You can take any bus and get off anywhere on the route for 50p. And all the beaches are public.

Hope this helps.

[rach912]

Thanks so much dannydingbat for your good advice!! I really appreciate it and you have given us lots to think about!

[jno]

don't forget to make a mental note to save money for tips at the end, otherwise the amount can come as a bit of a shock. Danny's right about excursions, you'll almost always be able to do them much cheaper locally, just walk onto the dock and whistle. (He's also right about asking the people in the gift shops; I don't know why they always know best, but they seem to.)

I think they're actually building a new cricket ground in Antigua for the world cup; not sure that it's going on schedule. In St Lucia the Pitons are quite a spectacular sight, and the nearby thermally active area. Quite enjoyed the trip to the waterfalls in Dominica.

[dannydingbat]

Oh yes, forgot the Pitons. Worth getting up early to see us pass by underneath them.

I thought the new cricket ground being built was in St Kitts? Have to check that out.

On the subject of tips, if you have an on board credit given to you with your booking, P&O will not let you use this for paying tips. At least they didn't when I was on the Aurora. Whatever happens you will love it. Nobody ever cruises just once.

[auntiebertie]

Rach192 - only one advise site to give - Cruise Critic..Cruise Critic..Cruise critic!!!

Fantastic site - here is the link to P&O questions
http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.ph p?f=38
Then if you click http://boards.cruisecritic.com/index.php you will get options to see quesions and answers on the Caribbean [scroll down a bit]