Current Events > Leaving on a cruise tomorrow. Anyone have suggestions?

(+) Yeah! (+)

Going to Alaska

So far I have -

• Casual Clothes
• Shoes and hiking boots
• Money
• Passport
• Hygiene stuff
• Camera
• Backpack
• Sun screen
• Bug spray
• Fanny pack
• Meds

I don't have any really fancy clothes, so I don't get to go to the fancy dinner the one night

If you want soda or bottled water while on the cruise you're probably going to have to pay for that but most cruise lines will let you bring a limited amount on the cruise with you.

Do not attempt to drink the ocean.

I just got back from a Royal Caribbean cruise two weeks ago. It looks like you have it covered. I brought a few extra hundred dollars cash that was my gambling money. Once I lost it I was done with the casino.

Make sure you get the cruise ship app ahead of time and start planning out what events on board you want to do.

Bring a flamethrower.

Everyone forgets the flamethrower when they go on a cruise.

SE Alaska has precipitation nearly every day, so a light rain jacket is always a good idea to bring.

Do not attempt to eat the ship.

kelemvor posted...

I just got back from a Royal Caribbean cruise two weeks ago. It looks like you have it covered. I brought a few extra hundred dollars cash that was my gambling money. Once I lost it I was done with the casino.

Make sure you get the cruise ship app ahead of time and start planning out what events on board you want to do.

I have a little over $1,000 in cash right now. I've let me bank know that I'll be up there as well so they don't freeze my card. I do have the app, but I'm not sure where to sign up for events that are off-ship

Crimson_Corsair posted...

SE Alaska has precipitation nearly every day, so a light rain jacket is always a good idea to bring.

Yep, I have two light jackets. Thank you since I didn't mention them. I have a hoodie as well

Bad_Mojo posted...

I don't get to go to the fancy dinner the one night

not missing out on much.

it's a bad thing anyway to me.

Will they check for my edibles?

I have done the Alaska cruise twice. It is great. My main suggestion echos what someone said above-bring stuff that stands up to rain. You are going to spend a lot of time on deck watching scenery go by, and you dont want to be wet and cold!

Also, if you have the funds and inclination, a lot of the excursions offered by these cruises are really great. And Alaska ports are not always as easy to find fun stuff to do on your own as some other cruise destinations. I have had a couple of fishing trips and a hang out with sled dogs from those trips that I will never forget.

Have a great time TC!!!!!!

Bad_Mojo posted...

Will they check for my edibles?

They didn't find mine. Royal Caribbean only cares if you try to sneak booze and that's all they were looking for on the baggage scanner.

Oh, we went with another couple and I brought a deck of cards to keep in my pocket. We played spades in one of the lounges during cruise days a few times. The staterooms are so small you won't ever want to just hang out in them.

Book excursions as soon as possible; they tend to sell out fast.

kelemvor posted...

They didn't find mine. Royal Caribbean only cares if you try to sneak booze and that's all they were looking for on the baggage scanner.

Oh, we went with another couple and I brought a deck of cards to keep in my pocket. We played spades in one of the lounges during cruise days a few times. The staterooms are so small you won't ever want to just hang out in them.

I'm bringing my cribbage board, a deck of cards, and Dungeon Mayhem. Thought about bringing some D&D books, but I don't want the extra weight

Ive been on two cruises and they were awesome. I didnt pack especially heavy and, aside from a book or two, relied on the cruise for my entertainment. Clothes, phone/charger, and medicine/hygiene stuff is really all that matters much. We smuggled rum onboard and managed to not get caught. Oh and probably sunscreen.

Sunglasses

That "land of the midnight Sun" line about Alaska isn't them being cute.

I dont think most cruises enforce the dress code so you can probably eat in the dining room if you want to.

My advice: dont hit the pier. Oh wait, thats advice for the captain.

My family went on an Alaska cruise at the end of June. We had great weather (except Juneau), especially Glacier Bay. But yes, we hit the pier in San Francisco when we returned. (It was on the national news! We were famous!)

If your itinerary includes Glacier Bay (or Tracy Arm, I suppose), get up early if necessary to see it. Its worth it.

Theres good hiking in Skagway and Ketchikan. No need for an expensive excursion if you just like to walk. Also good museums.

What is your itinerary?

Post pics of the fanny pack

GranQroppoop posted...

Sunglasses

That "land of the midnight Sun" line about Alaska isn't them being cute.

Got bug spray too

Friends,

swimsuit.. maybe your tough. wide brimed had with a chin strap.
sun glasses.

you did not list a way to take pictures, also break up your stuff,

IN case they loose your bag.... nothing like needing daily pills, and they can not
find your bag.

Good luck. smiles.. lots and LOTS of smiles!!!!!!

I try to keep little bills for tips. so bring ones, and 5's....

cancel your plans while you still have time

Imodium or Pepto-Bismol or generic.
Those boats tend to get utterly infested with norovirus.

I would recommend watching Youtube videos on the subject from people who have gone on tons of cruises and their entire life revolves around cruising. There are thousands of them on Youtube.

Probably look more for the videos giving up actual helpful information rather than the ones that are just like family videos.

be bold, flirt and invite people to your cabin to keep talking

Do not make out on the deck. You may be distracting crew members from spotting potential threats like an iceberg.

Bring a lanyard for your card that you use to pay for drinks and everything. You can buy them on the boat too. Its way better than taking it in and out of your pocket every time you're trying to pay for stuff.

VampireCoyote posted...

be bold, flirt and invite people to your cabin to keep talking

Don't forget to decorate your door with a pineapple magnet.

I'm kind of jealous though. I've only been on one cruise and I really want to do an Alaskan cruise at some point, but I live on the East Coast. It's just harder to travel so far and plan with work and daycare since Alaskan crusies are usually at least 7 days.

I think our next cruise is going to be with Virgin Voyages. They are a newer cruise line with 4 ships, but they sail out of Miami and are more tailored for the "Millennial" crowd. No kids are allowed, and they have stuff like all night pool parties and shit.

If they have laser tag or vr games on board, play/do them.

I'm going on a cruise in two weeks.

Wash your hands a lot. Cruises are known to harbor illnesses. Especially Norovirus.

Arcanine2009 posted...

I'm going on a cruise in two weeks.

Wash your hands a lot. Cruises are known to harbor illnesses. Especially Norovirus.

Questionmarktarius posted...

Imodium or Pepto-Bismol or generic.
Those boats tend to get utterly infested with norovirus.

Maybe I'm biased because I just got back from one and had the most fun on a vactation in my entire life, but I think the risk is overblown. Cruise ships *have* to report any kind of outbreak, then it makes the headline news for some reason. If a resort/school/workplace anywhere else in the world has norovirus, it often goes unreported or no one cares.

The stigma is bad enough that all the cruise ship companies have tons of sanitary procedures. The buffet line on my ship had a mandatory hand washing station you had to pass through, complete with a silly "enforcer" staff member who dressed up in crazy costumes and sang weird songs about hand washing.

kelemvor posted...

Maybe I'm biased because I just got back from one and had the most fun on a vactation in my entire life, but I think the risk is overblown. Cruise ships *have* to report any kind of outbreak, then it makes the headline news for some reason. If a resort/school/workplace anywhere else in the world has norovirus, it often goes unreported or no one cares.

The stigma is bad enough that all the cruise ship companies have tons of sanitary procedures. The buffet line on my ship had a mandatory hand washing station you had to pass through, complete with a silly "enforcer" staff member who dressed up in crazy costumes and sang weird songs about hand washing.

I'm not telling TC not to go on a cruise. I'm going on a cruise myself in 2 weeks.

Whether it gets reported or not, doesn't matter. The reports could happen after a given booking is over. It's just best to be careful, regardless. You're mostly inside a ship that might not have the best ventilation, and humans are disgusting. I'm honestly surprised how many people I see don't wash their hands after using the bathroom. Either a 1 or a 2. Especially after they touched their privates. Arceus forbid they make food for you.

It's great that your ship had those in place. Most hand washing procedures are usually for employees (in the states at least), but I'm glad its being enforced.

It's too late now but you should've got a covid booster 6 weeks ago.

BewmHedshot posted...

It's too late now but you should've got a covid booster 6 weeks ago.

Fuck, I probably should have too.

I'm gonna wear a mask straight there.

BewmHedshot posted...

It's too late now but you should've got a covid booster 6 weeks ago.

Covid? What's this covid you speak of?

You do not have enough meds. However many you think you need, it's not enough for what's going to happen to you there.

oh and bring a diary or something so you can document the Find Out phase

If you get drunk don't go outside and fall over the railing.

Thanks, everyone

Im all up to date with the COVID stuff. Had to for work

Last bump

Bad_Mojo posted...

Going to Alaska

https://youtu.be/OCR6DTbcpik

Have fun. Is this your first time to Alaska?

Zikten posted...

Have fun. Is this your first time to Alaska?

No. I got really depressed one night and just booked a flight to Fairbanks and stayed there for two days. It was during a Summer and it was crazy to see the sun out at like 1am

Having fun so far. I dont really know what to do, tbh. Ive walked all around the boat, looked at the art gallery, got some food. Boat is still docked, waiting for like 400 more people on board to do their safety video watching

First stop is in Ketchikan, but I dont think well be there until Tuesday. Got a balcony so I can ocean watch. Got a bunch of edibles. Brought some cards to play, so hopefully some one will want to.

Bad_Mojo posted...

Having fun so far. I dont really know what to do, tbh. Ive walked all around the boat, looked at the art gallery, got some food. Boat is still docked, waiting for like 400 more people on board to do their safety video watching

First stop is in Ketchikan, but I dont think well be there until Tuesday. Got a balcony so I can ocean watch. Got a bunch of edibles. Brought some cards to play, so hopefully some one will want to.

I just remember on the first day out to sea my group all took some of my edibles and wondered around the ship. It was so much fun.

We also did the scavanger hunt, which is more fun than you would think. Go to the comedy shows and figure skating. Some people just like to chill on the pool deck with a good book. You shouldn't be bored but you have to sometimes make an effort to find things to do, especially on the cruise days when you aren't in port.

So far Ive been to a stand up show, mini golf, slot tournament, and off course food. Going to a singles Meetup thing in about an hour, and then to a Rock Opera.