As far as food, what is free on board & what isn't?  Will it be extremely obvious?  What time should we get to port to board?  Will we be able to board early & if so how early?  What time should we expect to disembark?  We will be having someone pick us up to bring us home (live about 1 1/2 hours from the dock) so what time should we tell them to be there?  What one thing is an absolute must pack?  Is my nervous energy going to go away anytime soon?  Does anyone have suggestions for calming down & looking forward to the cruise instead of worrying about making sure we have everything & freaking out about every detail of my wardrobe? 

You should check out ( www.seauonboard.com ) it will answer your questions. It has a bunch of info on there for people new to cruising

I have only been on one cruise so I can't answer ALL of your questions, but I can share my experience with these things!!

The food on board pretty much is all free. If you go to one of the restaurants or want like a desert at the casino that's not free. The free stuff is obvious. They have huge buffet tables with food during certain hours and you go down the buffet and just get what you want. The pizza, deli, hamburger/hot dogs all that is free also.

 Not sure about the boarding process, I would say as long as your there before the ship leaves your good. I have read some people there 10:30-11am. When I went we got there at about 12 and the line was super long. I heard also if you get there later the process is faster. Not positive though.

When we arrived back to the port our ship was good about timing. We woke up at 8 home. Getting off the ship was a very easy process also. Sad, but easy. I would say its better to tell them to come a couple hours after because you can stay on the boat till later to be the last to get off if needed.

 The cruise is just like a regular vacation. Make sure you take all your regular stuff an your swim suit.

Don't freak out about your wardrobe-you'll probably end up wearing a lot of the same thing and none of some!

 Cruises are absolutely awesome, but as every vacation is stressful before you get there, when you take your first step onto that boat it will be like a fantasy from heaven! It's AWESOME!

Heather- if you're like me, you won't relax until you get on the ship, your luggage is in your cabin and you have your first DOD (drink of the day) in your hand as you listen to the steel band on the Lido deck!

But try to breathe deeply, relax and write everything down- then check your list just before you go and you'll be fine.

As for the time to board, it depends on the port and your departure time, but I've boarded at Tampa and Port Canaveral, and was able to get onboard by 11:30 so we could have lunch on the ship. You won't be able to get into your cabin til about 1:30. Your luggage will arrive at some point after that, so make sure you have the essentials in your carry-on (including your bathing suit).

h-e-a-t-h-e-r:

As far as food, what is free on board & what isn't?  Will it be extremely obvious? 

All food is free, except the supper club, and not all ships have a supper club.  The specialty coffee and dessert shop is also not free however, you get free dessert at all your meals.  Soda is not free, nor is any drinks, but ice tea, lemonade, and some juices are free. 

 What time should we get to port to board?  Will we be able to board early & if so how early? 

We always try to arrive about 1 hour before the embarking time on your paperwork.  (around 11:00).  Once the ship is cleared, they begin the boarding process.  There will always be a "peak" time when everyone seems to arrive at the same time, but I have never encountered it and never took more than 30 minutes from the car boarding.  I was in Port Carnival, Miami, and NYC.  

What time should we expect to disembark?  We will be having someone pick us up to bring us home (live about 1 1/2 hours from the dock) so what time should we tell them to be there? 

If you are not in a rush, than plan on taking your time, eat breakfast, and have your ride arrive about 1 1/2 hours after your debarkation time at the ealiest.  Your will be assigned a number and when you number is called, or "after" your number is called, you can leave.  So if you have a smaller number, and you did not eat breakfast yet, than eat, and then leave....

 

What one thing is an absolute must pack? 

Money for booze.  An extension cord for charging your camera, and phone, and ipod, etc. Never enough outlets.  Don't overpack. 

Is my nervous energy going to go away anytime soon?  Does anyone have suggestions for calming down & looking forward to the cruise instead of worrying about making sure we have everything & freaking out about every detail of my wardrobe? 

All you need to bring, is your ID, passport, or birth certificate, and paperwork.  Everything else that you forget, will be minor.

Heather,

The only food you will pay extra for is the specialty cakes and the supper club if you go.  The cost of that is 30.00, very good highly recommend it if you have one available.

I would suggest you get to the pier around 11:30 or so.  That will give you time to eat lunch on the Lido deck and have a drink.

Disembark is fairly early, I have always been off the ship by 9 or 9:30.  What port are you going out of?  Your ride could stop and have a coffee while waiting for you perhaps.

Must pack, power strip for the cabin.  There is only 1 outlet.  Must pack bathing suit and suntan lotion.

Your nervous energy is fine, it will go away.  I must warn you though cruising is addicting and you will want to plan your next trip before you are off the ship.

As far as your wardrobe, don't sweat the small stuff.  You will see it all on a ship.  And I mean it ALL.  Be comfortable!!

Heather--get your suitcase packed about 2 days prior to departure; THEN, take out half of your clothes and leave them at home. I've been on 5 cruises now, and I ALWAYS take too many clothes--no one will notice or care if you wear something more than once. You are on a floating resort--relax, and take less clothes. Any grooming essential that you forget can be bought in the ship store. The whole idea is to ....RELAX!

I have to laugh at your message. I felt the same way on my first cruise. Your nervous energy will go away about the 2nd day of the cruise. Before that you are just TOOOOO excited.  On our first cruise my crusin partrner (our hubbies don't want to cruise) took 22 pairs of shoes, 5 pairs of jammies, 4 formal dresses, etc. I just sat there cracking up. It was soooo funny.  Depends on the length of your cruise, 2 formal dresses, matching shoes will be plenty.

Take your bathing suit, shorts, summer tops, flip flops, things like that. Also a sweatshirt or jacket because it can get cool up on deck at nite. I think it was already mentioned to take a power strip with you. The electical outlets are far and few between in your room. Also remember little things like asprin, Visine to get the red out after swimming. They cost a fortune on the ship. Also suntan lotion is a must.

We've gotten to the ship at different times. From noon on is when the lines form and you stand there for about an hour. 11 am was the best time. Checked in, sat for about 15 minutes then we were on the ship. Hope we've all helped you out here without confusing you.

Have A GREAT Trip!!!!!!

Hey there Joe, what do ya know? Just wanted to say hello... Hope all is well with you and the family.. I see the Dream cruise is getting closer for you...

CUJO:

You should check out ( www.seauonboard.com ) it will answer your questions. It has a bunch of info on there for people new to cruising

h-e-a-t-h-e-r:

Does anyone have suggestions for calming down

 Heather. . .take 3 deep breaths.  Sit down and say 3 times.  "I am going to have the cruise of a life time and all is going to go so well."

• Now.  What ship are sailing? 
• What is the lenght of the cruise? 
• What is the port of departure? 
• What is the ports you will visit? 
• Western Caribbean, Eastern Caribbean, Southern Caribbean, Bahamas, or what? 
• What type of a cabin did you book? 
• How many are cruising with you?  
• Are you driving to the port to park? 
• Are you flying to the city and take a transfer to the port?
• What is you credit card number. . .NO, NO just kidding

Give us some details and no doubt some of us have done the same cruise and can give you feedback.  As you can read in my signature, we have cruised a time or two and will be happy to pass on some tips.. .well not like you will pass out on the cruise, but tips of info.

texaspepper:

 Heather. . .take 3 deep breaths.  Sit down and say 3 times.  "I am going to have the cruise of a life time and all is going to go so well."

• Now.  What ship are sailing?    Ecstasy
• What is the lenght of the cruise? 5 days
  
• What is the port of departure? Galveston
• What is the ports you will visit? Scheduled for Progreso, Yucatan & Cozumel (but not sure what Ida will do to that itinerary)
• Western Caribbean, Eastern Caribbean, Southern Caribbean, Bahamas, or what? Wester
• What type of a cabin did you book? Ocean View
  
• How many are cruising with you?  Just me & the love of my life :)  NO KIDS FOR 5 WHOLE DAYSSSSSS  (we have 5 between us)
• Are you driving to the port to park? we are being dropped off the day before & are staying at a hotel with free cruise shuttle service
• Are you flying to the city and take a transfer to the port? no, we live an hour and a half from the port
  
• What is you credit card number. . .NO, NO just kidding  I could give it to you but after all my pre cruise shopping, they would laugh at you for trying to use it!

Give us some details and no doubt some of us have done the same cruise and can give you feedback.  As you can read in my signature, we have cruised a time or two and will be happy to pass on some tips.. .well not like you will pass out on the cruise, but tips of info.

 

Hi Heather

I have read everyones notes and they are on target for your cruise. Dont worry if you dont know, dont worry cause a vacation for a reason. One thing that was not said, put your luggage out in the hall the night before. If not you have to carry it off the ship and that *** when you had to many dod (drink of the day) the night before. You will see alot of people doing it. So enjoy your cruise and keep us posted cause i am excited for you. 

 Hey Mo,

All is fine here in Maryland. I can't wait until I have 7 days to go before sailing.

Have a great cruise Heather