AGENDA: SEPTEMBER 9, 2023. ZOOM MEETING FOR FIRST-TIME CRUISERS
BEFORE THE CRUISE
Don't overpack
Use this strategy when packing for a cruise: Make a pile of all the clothes you think you'll need on a cruise,and then take away half of them. You won't need them. Most cruising these days is casual, and you really only need a few outfits to rotate through a voyage.
Bring extra toiletries
You'll be able to find sunscreen, aspirin and Band-Aids on a cruise ship. But it'll cost you. Cruise lines know you're a captive audience and price their shipboard stores accordingly. Create a small "go bag" of over-the-counter medicines to throw into your suitcase for every cruise that contains everything from cold medicine to seasickness pills.
You may consider bringing these five other items, too, in addition to extra toiletries.
Cruising regulars often bring:
• Clorox wipes or something similar to wipe down surfaces in their cabin upon arrival (and to bring along on shore excursions).
• Room freshener
• A foldable shoe rack (which you hang in the cabin bathroom to store toiletries)
• A lanyard (to hold your cabin key card)
• Magnets to affix dinner invitations, excursion tickets and other important papers to their cabin walls. Walls on ships often are made with metal (even if they look like wood, thanks to faux-wood veneers) and will hold a magnet.
CPAP Machines
Traveling lightly on a cruise while bringing a CPAP machine requires careful planning and organization. Here are some steps to help you achieve that: Let your travel agent know you will be bringing a CPAP machine and that you will need distilled water.This must be done prior to boarding the ship. Make sure to carry your prescription and any necessary accessories.
ARRIVING AT SHIP
Your online registration will show you your assigned boarding time
The ship sails at 4:00 p.m. and if you bring carry-on with you, it has to stay with you until you can go to your state room. You might want to tour the ship and see where everything is located.
Before you even get on board, you'll likely be greeted by porters who will whisk away your luggage. It will be delivered to your room later in the day. This is a great convenience, as there's no need to haul your bags through the entire check-in progress. Please have a small tip of $5 to $10 ready to pay them for their service.
But it also means you might not have access to your luggage for many hours on your first day on-board. Be sure to pack anything you think you might need for these first hours of your cruise in your carry-on bag. Some people just bring their carry-on luggage with them. Be sure to pack your valuables and medications along with anything you need the first day in your carry-on (especially your boarding documents). It can take up until departure time for some bags to be delivered to your stateroom.
Skip the buffet on your first day on board
There's nothing more crowded than a cruise ship buffet on embarkation day. Everybody boarding tries to find it first after boarding. The Ocean View Restaurant and the Mast Restaurant are also open and will have much less of a crowd. You might consider getting something to eat there instead.
Don't feel like you have to do it all
It's OK if you miss a few things. You don't have to do it all. In fact, you should force yourself to try to not do it all. Remember, you're on vacation. Relax. Take some downtime. Sit on your balcony and stare out at the ocean for a couple of hours.
RESEARCH/ PREPARATION DETAILS
• Drink package and internet
• On-board credits (what is included, what is not)
• On-board location for at-sea gatherings
This information will be given later. This location will be used for group gatherings and instruction. For example:
o First at-sea day: Discuss excursions, mission experiences
o Second at-sea day: Sunday instruction, educator presentations
o Third at-sea day: Sunday instruction, educator presentations
o Fourth at-sea day: Information on future trips, educator presentations
Research ports in advance
Note: We will not be discussing excursions on this call, but when at sea we will brief you on details and answer your questions.
There are some types of vacations — a beach trip, for instance — where you don't have to do much advanced research. You just sort of show up. Most cruises aren't this way — at least if you want to get the most out of them. At the heart of most cruises are port calls that, in many cases, are very short — often just a few hours. You want to have a plan for what to do in these ports or you'll miss out on a big part of the cruising experience.
Join a Facebook group for your line
Another great place to get ideas for what to do in ports and on ships — and what to bring on a cruise, for that matter — are the many private Facebook groups dedicated to particular lines.
You may want to sign up for the Celebrity Equinox November 11,2023 group on FaceBook. Tina is the administrator and will grant you permission. This is not associated with our travel agent nor Celebrity. Some of the answers may not be accurate, but it is a forum where people share experiences, answer each other's questions, and meet new friends.
Always carry the ship's contact information with you
Take a photo of the ship’s emergency contact information and keep it on your phone. If you need to reach the ship, you will have ready access to it.
Keep your phone in airplane mode
Some of the biggest cruise ship horror stories you'll find on the internet are tales of cruising newbies who racked up thousands of dollars in cell phone charges while on ships. This can happen when you leave your phone turned on and you watch videos on the internet. The best advice is to put your phone in airplane mode the moment you board the ship and never switch it back. Then turn on the phone’s Wi-Fi, purchase the Wi-Fi package, and do all of your calling, texting, and internet surfing using Wi-Fi.
Download the cruise app (Celebrity X)
The apps vary in what they offer, but many will show you a daily list of activities and all of the things that you have reserved. Many apps will let you make restaurant reservations and book shore excursions and other activities. A few apps will let you order drinks and other items to wherever you happen to be. The best part: The apps will work on board even if you don't pay for a Wi-Fi package.
Make sure you have WHATSAPP.
If you have questions for us or want to meet up with other members of the group, this is a great tool.
Get the Emergency Drill Out of the Way
Each person must watch a brief video in their room and present themselves in person to a designated staff member to ensure they are aware of emergency procedures. Do this immediately upon arrival. Celebrity says you can actually watch this online once you register and complete the drill before you board. Then all you have to do is go to the muster station to check in.
Extension Cords & Chargers
There are often only one or two outlets in your Stateroom, yet you need to charge phones, laptops, ipads, and CPAP machines. You may bring a “cruise approved” surge protector to facilitate that need. You can purchase them on Amazon. They are small and the TSA people will not confiscate them.
Here is the description of the one we purchased:
• “5ft Power Strip with USB Ports, Unidapt Cruise Essentials, Non Surge Protector for Travel Cruise Ship Home & Office, 3 Spaced AC Outlets with 5 USB 1 USB C, Extension Cord Plug Adapter, ETL Listed.”
It costs $15 on Amazon and any brand will suffice. Voltage and plugs on the Cruise Ship are US standard.
Summary of Key Points to Remember
• To use a CPAP machine, a request must be made to the ship for distilled water thru Travel Agent before sailing (order extension cord to go with it).
• Bring a cruise approved surge protector to give you more flexibility in charging your devices.
• Check in is from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (Departure is at 4 p.m.) You have an assigned boarding time on your documents.
• Access to State Room is at 2:30 p.m. (could be a bit earlier)
• Carry on Luggage can be kept with you but not dropped off at State Room
• Buffet is open once you board but it is less crowded if you go to Ocean View Cafe or Mast Grill (these are not extra charge restaurants).
• Transportation to the Airport at the end of the Cruise is under $20 to Ft. Lauderdale and about $30 to Miami. You can arrange this at the front desk.
• On-Board Credit can be used for excursions (except those arranged for our group by Celebrity), spa, specialty restaurants, and upgrading premium wifi or the drink package.
• Safety (Muster) drill can be done online before boarding at the time of registration, but you still need to go to your muster station to check in.
• Covid Records are not required for this sailing.
• Check-in Opens on September 27.
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