Cary177

Hi guys, yes, we should have marched back up to Deck 12 with spa goodies in hand and requested a refund. That would have been the smart, adult, take-action plan. But we didn't, we ended up keeping everything, we all had a pretty good laugh around the dinner table that night with the rest of our family (actually, they had the biggest laugh). Inexperience, also a bit of feeling like idiots, kept us from doing what we should have done. The credit card statement won't be quite so funny, and seriously, there is nothing funny about it. I have concluded that this was our very first cruise, we made TONS of mistakes, and we will be ready the next time, wiser, ready for what's coming, able to say no a little better. But, more importantly, we'll be able to sit back, relax and know that the cruise, the sea, the sound of waves as we sail through the night, the lushness of the islands we visit, are the reasons we're doing this stuff at all.

Hi again everyone, we've been home for a few days from our first cruise, and had a couple more thoughts to share! First of all, I love this site and enjoy the friendly people on it! Just wanted to share a little informaton regarding the ship's spa (massages, body wraps, facials, etc) which I had planned on indulging in from the day we booked our cruise: The actual massage is a bit more expensive that what you pay on 'land.' For me, in my area (Ocala, FL) a 2 hour massage is usually between $100 and $120. Onboard, the fee (I'm sure it varies ship to ship, cruise to cruise) is between $120-$200 for fifty (50) minutes! Okay, bad enough, but I figured, what the heck and both my husband and I scheduled our massages. What was booked as fifty minutes actually turned out to be forty minutes, with a ten minute sales pitch/presentation of all the items used during your massage that you MUST have to take home to keep your body detoxified, de-cellulited, firmed up, smoothed-out and toned. Now, here's where I wasn't paying attention, hence my post to you. While all of these wonderful products were laid out on the table while I sat still wrapped in sheets, I was asked how many of each I wanted, that it was necessary to buy at least one of each, and figuring to myself, 'well, they can't be that expensive, not any more than I pay at the mall....,' I said okay to the bath granuals, energizing capsules, detox/cellulite oils, muscle ache soaks.... etc. etc. Not knowing prices, I got dressed and met my massuse out in the lobby, where she was totalling up my bill, and applying the amount to my sea-pass card. Feeling refreshed and renewed, she handed me my bag of goodies, I signed the slip (without my glasses, couldn't read the total, barely able to find the line for signature... it's sad) and boarded the elevator to my deck. Sitting on the bed, with glasses on, I looked at the bill. $813.00. I couldn't believe my eyes. $813.00 for bath granuals and skin oil? Oh my God what was my husband, due any moment, going to say as he threw me overboard? I threw the bag under the bed, put the bill in my backpack just as my husband came through the door. I was going to tell him at dinner, after a couple glasses of wine, that I had gone a tad over the edge at the spa, and that the stuff I bought would last 10 years, and I'd never have to buy another skin cream for the rest of my life. Fortunately, he appeared with a bag from the spa... a bag filled with muscle-ache bath soaks and manly-type body oils for manly-skin. Since he signed the bill without his glasses, the total was unknown to him until we both looked at it... $520.00. Insane, isn't it. Our own faults, true. I even went to the product's website (www.elemis.com) to make sure they were indeed so incredibly pricey, that it wasn't the ship or the spa adding their mark up. Elemis is indeed a UK company with insane prices, but professing their products the best you can use. New cruisers, be aware that you can be wrapped up in luxury and forget all about being realistic and frugal and SANE while onboard. Make sure you know what you are buying and ASK what things cost! This in no way took away from the wonderfulness of the cruise, the beauty of the ship, the pampering of the waitstaff and stateroom attendants. Just remember that it's important to keep a lid on 'accessories' while in the middle of the ocean.

Hi everyone, we are home from our RC Navigator Of The Seas cruise which took us to Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Labadee (Haiti) and Nassau. The cabin was nice, and included a balcony. The staff was friendly and many times we felt like we were the only ones they worked for, it was that personal! The ship was stunningly beautiful, and so big I found myself getting lost right up until the day we sailed home. However, I must say, I was taken aback by the poverty of the locals on the islands, especially Jamaica, where we had elected to take a bicycle tour into the country, and saw first hand how some people lived and how desperately they begged us to buy their hand made goods. Here we were having a midnight buffet with Bahama Mamas flowing after mingling with the local people living in shacks with dirt floors. I understand it is their way of life, it's how they live, etc. etc. We visited a community school where the children sat on benches in classrooms with no doors in the 100 degree heat, all happy and noisy and wearing uniforms. School is not free, the parents must pay for their children to attend! We take so much for granted in our lives, we don't realize how fortunate we are. Also, we were not aware of all the 'tipping' required, we were even given a printed, recommended schedule as to who to tip and how much. That in itself ran into hundreds. We were not aware that the initial cruise payment was only the beginning! Not to mention the $6 drinks! Anyway, it's good to be home, the cruise was an education on many levels.

Thank you for your reassuring words! Such a kind group of people! I was thinking, as I read through the replies to my worried post, 'if these are the kind of people who go on cruises, I have nothing to worry about!' Thank you so much! I feel better! A few more questions, forgive me for sounding like such an idiot, but... .Clothing... do I need to take formal? What is the 'group photo?' .Stops at ports: Do we always need to be signed up for something, or can we veg and walk and look at the landscape/peoplescape? .Meals: are they at particular times or can we come when we feel like it? .Seasickness: I was seasick once in my life, and at that time, I wanted to hang my head over the side of the sailboat and wait for a shark to come. It would have been better than feeling so awful. Do many guests get seasick? .How is the food .How are the cabins? We've got an ocean view with balcony, but I think all the rooms offer the same. .What goes on at the end of the cruise, more paperwork and waiting? Thanks for your input! I'm looking forward to this trip now, instead of dreading it!

Hi All, I am brand new to this site as well as to taking a cruise; we are departing Miami on 10 December for a Western Caribbean cruise aboard Navigator Of The Seas. Having never been on a cruise ship, and actually not every really interested in doing so, I must admit that I am leary of the crowds, and if indeed it is any sort of vacation. My husband is beside himself with enthusiasm and assures me it will be incredible fun, but he has never been aboard a 'floating hotel' either! I would appreciate any feedback, information, suggestions, warnings. I look forward to reading your knowledgeble thoughts!