Thread: Never cruised before - help.

We are a family of 3, dd is 8, and we have never cruised before. We also aren't big on dressing up. What options do we have for casual dinning? I heard that NCL can be informal, however, there destinations are very limit this fall for Eastern Caribbean.

We are looking at cruising in Sept or Oct. Is this a bad idea because of weather? The price is right. Minimal room would be outside - balcony.

I was looking at RCCL - Mariner of the Seas Eastern Caribbean. I can handle dockers and some nice shirts for dinner, but I don't want to pack any suits. Can we skip the formal dinners and still feel comfortable getting a meal somewhere?

Also, what are the seating arrangements? I see that there is an option for small table 4-6. Would we most likely be eating with another family in the main dinning rooms?

I've done a lot of research but don't feel comfortable making the ressie yet. There is a special offer right now from RCCL for the next 7 days.

Thanks for any help you can offer me.

JM

Hi Welcome to CLF!! Absolutely, if you don't want to dress up, you can be casual all week in the buffet, the specialty restaurants on board also go by the dress code for dinner. There are two formal nights and you can eat in the Buffet for those, and you dockers and nice shirt are great for the other nights!! I always sail in Oct. lower prices, weather is awesome, but get insurance that covers flights, ship, and hotel just in case, prices are very reasonable!! Any other questions, don't hesitate to ask!!

Cruising has become much more casual than it was in years past.

They will quite often seat families together when they can.

Hi JM, glad that you found us.

Cruising really is a lot less formal than days past. Your dockers would be just fine for any night in the dining room. For the 2 formal nights on a week-long cruise, if you do not want to dress, you can go to the buffett or one of the 4 specialty restaraunts onboard. A couple of them have a dress code, but slacks and a nice shirt would be fine. No need for a suit or tux if you don't want it! Also, Johnny Rockets is a 50's style café and casual dress is perfect. And don't forget 24 hour room service is included with your cruise, so if all else fails you can dine in.
That said, if you really want to dine in the dining room on formal night, please don't stress it. Yes there are a few people in this world that take formal events very seriously, but IMHO, you are on vacation and should enjoy yourself. DH has worn a button-down shirt and tie before without the jacket and I have seen less on other passengers.

When booking your cruise, you can request dining arrangements. If you prefer to dine alone this most likely can be done; if you don't mind dining with another family, you may find that it was a delight. I have met many wonderful people in the dining room for breakfast and lunch, where tables are arranged on "community basis" seating people as they come in at tables of 12.

Cruising is a joy and I hope that you fall in love with it right away. The Mariner is a good ship to start out on, there is lots to offer and has something for everyone. Also, I have not cruised with Carnival yet but I understand that they are a little more casual cruising experience. They are a very large line with lots of itineraries.

Please ask if you have any more questions, we are all cruise lovers here and here to help!

Hi JM! Welcome to CLF!

Everyone is very friendly here so PLEASE join right in with your comments and questions!

You would probably also enjoy checking the Royal Caribbean Section here on CLF! Lots on good info if you're thinking of taking Mariner of the Seas!

Thanks for the info everyone. More questions about Mariner.

Are seating assignments only for the 3 main dinning rooms?

Is there a deck or side of preference for a balcony stateroom?

Should I prepay the gratuities? Will they still be expecting a cash tip as well?

Considering my time of travel, should I fly down on a Saturday for a Sunday departure? If so, which Orlando hotel should I stay at? I'm a Disney Vet but a Cruise rook.

Should I pay $180 for RCCL transfers? Seems I could probably book a round trip limo for that price.

Should I book directly thru RCCL or Liberty travel. Which travel ins to take?

Sorry so many question. Thanks!

Really great questions. I especially wish that I had asked the transfer question myself on our last cruise, could have saved a lot of time and money!

Seating assignments just for the main dining room. In the specialty restaraunt you will be seated when you arrive wherever room is available. (It is recommended that you make reservations if you wish to dine in Portofinos or Chops)

The side that you want your balcony on will depend on your itinerary. I have not been on the Western Caribbean route yet, so I do not know the ports. It has been my experience in the past that the captain will try to vary the way the ship is sitting in port. One day he may dock portside and the next day starboard, to keep things interesting for cabins on both sides of the ship.

If you prepay gratuities, you will not be expected to pay additional tips unless you desire. The only exception to this would be tips that you wish to leave your bartender. Gratuity is added to all bartabs but you can pay additional if you wish.
Bar service is not included in the pre-pay service. Of course, when you make any purchases on the ship, including drinks, you pay using your seapass card and can always add a tip to your ticket at that time. Gratuities are a personal preference and can be done many ways. Some people pre-pay, some people will pay at the end of the week using envelopes provided by the cruiseline. We have always paid in cash at the end of the cruise, though I like to leave an extra $20 for my room steward at the begining of the week. This usually gets us extra nice service throughout the week

For flights, it depends on where you are flying from and what time your ship leaves port. If you are departing at 11pm flying in the same day should be safe. If it's leaving at 5pm and you are flying in from the west coast, it might be smart to fly in the night before. I tend to fly in the day before but that is because we are on the west coat. Keep in mind that if you make your travel arrangements through the cruiseline, they will guarantee that you will make it to the ship and will even hold the ship for you. This will not happen if you book your flights on your own, so it's a good idea to play it safe, lest there be flight delays or cancellations.

Transfers- please do not pay for the ship transfer! It has been my experience, and the same for others, that this is a waste of time and money. For less money you can get a cab and will probably arrive quicker. With ship transfers they will wait to fill the bus before heading to the ship or airport and this could take a long time. We did the transfer on our last cruise and waiting 45 minutes outside the ship before the bus left for LAX.
HOWEVER, if the ship offers to transfer your luggage from the ship I would do it. For $25 RCCL will pick up your luggage on the last day of your cruise, take it to the airport and check it through to your final destination. As an added perk they will print your boarding passes so when you get to the airport, you can skip the check-in process completelly. No waiting in line, go straight through security to your terminal!

Finally, if you have an option of booking your cruise through a travel agent, this is worth it to you and is actually recommended by the cruise line. The agent will make all of your arrangements and will fill out your paperwork. The are also very informed, so they can answer any questions that you have.

I always suggest flying in a day early just to relieve stress, nice to board rested and not frazzeled. Especially diring hurricane season. Twice my ship has left port early!! You can book a hotel that has a free shuttle to the port, The one I would use sailing the Mariner is La Quinta, I use La Quinta in every port!!

La Quinta Inn Cocoa Beach, Florida Hotel

Remember the trip to port canaveral from Orlando is a long one, you should check prices between the two!! A good TA can get you good prices, and the transfer takes you to the ship not a hotel!! A TA can also get you good insurance for the entire trip!! I would not use an on line agency, they cannot give you prices for everything you need!! If you have problems you may not get the same agent that you talked to before!! Better with a personal TA that you have all the time!!

If a TA charges the same as RCCL, how do they get paid?

This is for 7 day eastern from port Canaveral in Sept. Air from Philly was $710 for 3 of us. Balcony stateroom was about $1950 with taxes. Junior suite was $2800

If I fly in a day early, can I still use RCCL xfers? Sue, how would I get to the hotel in Cocoa Beach?

Can I add my excursions anytime? I was reading on here that it's best to take a taxi to Magan's Bay instead of the excursion because you can get more time. I have to check that out more in the port thread.

I think I have til Saturday to book at the discounted rate.

Thanks for all the answers!