First Cruise in 26 Years

[spike]

I have taken a similar cruise to the Canal twice, very interesting. Just remember to cover all your skin while sitting on the deck. Sun poisoning is very common. Happened to me, even with sunscreen on and I have my own tanning bed. I got the top of my feet burned. When I arrived home my daughter whom is in the medical field told me to go to the doctor immediately. My doctor thought it was funny and told me how he got toasted in Africa.

But anyhow I use sanitizer after I read the menu and often during the day. I carry the packets and use them frequently. Do not drink tap water on ship.

Also medication for sea sickness is free usually at the pursers office, take medication before you feel sick, lay flat on a bed, and order bland food in bed. Apples and salt crackers are great.

Two years ago while cruising around Australia the Norwegian Dream had glass blown out from waves over the ship. I have been on ships that rocked so much you could hardly walk down the halls without sliding your hand down the walls, for stabilization.

I don't mean to scare you, but just be prepared, even the coast of Florida can get ruff. I remember one time the band was sick, and they are on board for months.

Also in Mexico renting the Jeeps and racing around the beach is a blast.

Enjoy your trip

[LIPhotoMan]

No one mentioned the best preventative for sea sickness - SeaBands.
They are acupressure devices - elastic bands worn on the wrist that create pressure at te point to cure nausea - also used for the nausea of pregnancy.

I've been on many many cruises - some in extrememly rough seas. On my first cruise we went right through a ful fledged hurricane. All the other ships turned around, but the crazy captain of the SS Norway went through it. Most of the crew was ill. The decks were pretty empty, but we noticed that most of us who were not ill were wearing SeaBands.
Another cruise I was OK & not needing them, but met someone who was quite green & not handling the sea very well. Gave her my Sea Bands, and by the evening she could not stop thanking me for saving her cruise.

Off next week on a fairly small ship - Regent Voyager - for Belize, Chichen Itza, Cozumel, Roatan, Santo Tomas. Can't Wait.

[mickeyd]

DW and I are planning a cruise in July to Alaska for 2 weeks. I just found out that the citizens of Alaska think so much of all of the cruisers that they have approved a $50/head Cruise passenger tax that is effective 1/1/07. Evidently they have not grasped the concept that tourists with large sums of spendable cash is in itself, a rather easy way to finance many citizens throughout the long winters.

But the good people of Alaska want more...

[Patrick]

Gotta keep out the non-marijuana-smoking riff-raff!

[paradiseken]

Hi Folks!
DW and I are back from our "First Cruise in 26 Years". What a blast! Weather was perfect and the waves mild. Didn't need any medication for sea-sickness. The Coral Princess had decent stablizers and rocked very little, except for us . We visited Cozumel Mexico, Grand Cayman, Limon Costa Rica, Panama Canal and Old Panama City, Cristobel and Ocho Rio Jamaica during our 10-day cruise. All the shore tours were exceptional, expecially the Sloth Preserve in Costa Rica. We also liked climbing Dunn's Falls in Ocho Rio except that the rubber shoes I rented for the climb were so tight that it felt like my big toes were being pushed out the back of my heels. We did notice that most natives at the ports-of-call wanted to quickly relieve us of our money. We were careful and only bought things that will eventually sell in a yard sale. Actually, jewelry was a good deal and I bought DW a nice ring an earrings. Got tired of going into jewelry stores though. Not too many stores carried guy stuff. Did buy a few Cuban cigars and smuggled them back into the states. Haven't tried them yet. One funny story in Grand Cayman. We took a tour with a local to Hell and back (yes, Hell is an actual place...I'll post pictures later). One elderly lady with a walker was with us. We were in a minivan and she had difficulty getting into and out of the van. We helped her, but noticed she was having more and more difficulty as the tour progressed. Well, it seems our lady with the walker was nipping wine at each stop. She went through about four small bottles of wine by the end of the tour. God bless her. She had fun.

Thanks to all on this board for your advice. One final note to all thinking of going on a cruise. Stay away from folks with walkers and STAY OUT OF THE BINGO PARLOR!!! Those old coots take it seriously.

[Rich_by_the_Bay]

Pictures! We want pictures!

Sounds like a great cruise. Got me thinking maybe it's about time for one.