Thread: Panicked first timer

Okay I just realized that we are leaving in less than 20 days and I really have no idea what I have gotten us into. We are cruising on the Liberty. I just finished the cruise documents and made character breakfast reservations. Should I be making reservations for the shows now or wait? Also does anyone know what ages the shows are suitible for? We are travelling with 7 of our children ranging from 14 years to 16 months. We are not big pop drinkers but we do drink a lot of water, do they have that availible or will we have to order the evian water? Anyone have any experience that they would like to impart on my about this specific ship? Thank you.

The ship water is quite good, the biggest reason for going with bottled water is for the convenience of carrying it. (You can always get a bottle and keep refilling it from the tap in the bathroom).

One thing you should really consider is the kids' programs on the ship. They are excellent and will give you some time away from them. The programs are almost 100% free. Only problem is the 16 month old. There is a nursery program but that is a chargeable item. The RCL program starts at 2, if I remember correctly.

Most of the shows are G or PG at the extreme. The kids might like the big production shows but might not like the comics. Jugglers are always fun!

Don't have experience with RCL but I have been on their upscale sister line Celebrity several times.

We were on the Liberty at Thanksgiving with our daughter, son-in-law and 2 grandsons. You don't have to make show reservations in advance unless you want to. Royal is great about letting you know which shows are not appropriate for children, otherwise you can be comfortable taking them to any show. Lemonade, Ice and Hot Tea, Coffee and sometimes Fruit Punch are all free all the time. The water on the ship if filtered and is safe to drink but they do sell bottled water. The Liberty is a great ship with a nice sports area, a great Adventure Ocean kid's program, lots of pools and plenty to do. Enjoy your cruise!

The ship actually produces it own drinking water and it is quite good. We refill water bottles all the time onboard. We also drink a lot of ice tea, it is always available.

Neal is correct about RCL having a great kids program. You may not see much of some of the kids.

Take a deep breath and relax! Royal Caribbean will take good care of you and your children with onboard activities for all ages, good food and entertainment.
Advice for newbies...don't try to do everything available or you will wear yourself out...save some things for next time.

You are traveling with your family and lots of good memories will be made. Speaking of memories, do have a family picture taken of all of you so that you have a lasting reminder of the good times. There will be lots of photo ops, so be on the lookout for them around the ship and check your daily newsletter for announcements about them.

Enjoy your first cruise and do tell us about it after you get back home and caught up on all the laundry! (that's the hardest part of getting home from a cruise...the mountain of dirty clothes )

Thank you for all your knowledge. I'm started to get more excited than anxious.

Great advice from everyone!

When you first board, I would recommend going and checking out the kids clubs, they usually have sort of an open house tour type of thing where they explain everything and get the kids signed up.

Milk is also always free and there is juice also in the mornings. I bring refiillable water bottles with us.

Being it's your first cruise, you may also want to bring along something for motion sickness just in case. I know I have one child that gets it and one that does not. So it's good to be prepared.

Everyone here always has great information to help answer all your questions, so you definitely came to the right place.

But when I see a title involving 'panic', it stresses how very important it is to use a reputable agent. They would have been very willing to help guide you through the process and answer all of your questions. Because when planning a cruise, there should be no panic and no hassle.

Booking a cruise directly with the cruise line or an online site does not gain anything. Basically, everyone sells the same cruise for the same price, so it boils down to service. And CLIA (the Cruise Lines International Association) that we all belong to, stated that more than 95% of the time when you're dealing with the cruise line or an online site that you're talking to someone who; 1) works in a call center, 2) has worked there less than 6 months, and 3) has never even seen a ship, let alone been on a cruise or to any of the ports. So they're really unable to help other than take your money.

But if you don't have an agent, then CLF is the next best thing because the people here are more than willing to help in any way they can.

Pete

Originally Posted by ScrapperJen

Great advice from everyone!

When you first board, I would recommend going and checking out the kids clubs, they usually have sort of an open house tour type of thing where they explain everything and get the kids signed up.

Milk is also always free and there is juice also in the mornings. I bring refiillable water bottles with us.

Being it's your first cruise, you may also want to bring along something for motion sickness just in case. I know I have one child that gets it and one that does not. So it's good to be prepared.

There is FREE seasickness medicine for adults at guest relations. It is non-drowsy and works very well. If you think you are going to be seasick, it is not a bad idea to start taking it before you leave port (I do)

Originally Posted by ScrapperJen

Great advice from everyone!

When you first board, I would recommend going and checking out the kids clubs, they usually have sort of an open house tour type of thing where they explain everything and get the kids signed up.

Milk is also always free and there is juice also in the mornings. I bring refiillable water bottles with us.

Being it's your first cruise, you may also want to bring along something for motion sickness just in case. I know I have one child that gets it and one that does not. So it's good to be prepared.

No kids but I have taken pictures of the kid's area on the Celebrity ships. If you want to get some idea what the kids are in for, just ask and I will post the pictures.