going on my first cruise

[4444]

i am going on my first cruise at the end of the month. i am leaving on the 24 of january. i am going on the ms. Oosterdam. does anybody have any advice for me? if anybody has been on the ship, what food should i expect on the menu? anything would help.

thanks so much :wink:

[DaCruzNut]

HI, "4444"

and

TO OUR FAMILY!

As far as "advise," for your first cruise, the best advise I can give you, after many, many, cruises, is to relax, take things as they come, and don't worry about what "you don't know."

Just about everything you need to know about cruises, you learn on your first cruise!

You've taken a good first step; ask people who have been there before and who are anxious to share the information with you. This is one of the right places!

Advise?

Read the brochure, carefully. It is really packed with a ton of information. The same for your cruise documents ("docs"), when they arrive.

Go to the cruise line's web site and explore the entire content. Go over the deck plans for your ship, and get acquainted with the layout. Look at all the pretty pictures.

Check out the available Shore Excursions. That will save you the time of doing it once your on the ship. It also gives you time to decide which, if any, you might be interested in. Always check the brochure, onboard, for additions and changes, as the web site may not be up-to-date, or 100% accurate.

Surf around. Use your search engine for "reviews cruise ships," "photos cruise ships," or, whatever.

Not only will these steps give you valuable information, they are a lot of fun and part of the building up the anticipation for the cruise, itself.

What I try to do, when I sail on a ship that is new to me, is to arrive as early (and hungry) as the ship allows. I check-out my cabin and drop off the carry-on.

Then, off to the Bon Voyage Buffet. Gotta' check out the food.

After lunch, I walk off the calories with a tour of the ship. I start at the uppermost deck, and work my way down... I always have a copy of the Ship Deck Plan (available at the Purser's Desk, or often found in your cabin) with me. It's, lso, a good "photo-op,' to get pictures of the ship without a lot of people blocking the view, and while it's still sparkling clear.

Next, back to the cabin, to change into a bathing suit. That's always in the carry-on! Up to the pool deck to sit on a lounge, sip a frozen thingee, listen to the island band and 'people watch.'

Somewhere about 3:45 pm, just before they close the buffet, a quick snack. After all, I always have late seating, at 8:30-ish. That still means 4 1/2 hours with no food.

Oh, well, good time for a short nap. After all, I'll be in the Casino until the wee hours, or my money runs out, whichever comes first.

You will get a daily program of the next days activities, in your cabin, every night.

Read it! It is chock-full of info you will need! I always carry a copy with me. It will help you plan your next day's activities. Again; take things as they come.

Unless there's something you REALLY want to do, "plan" on doing those things that interest you, but don't feel compelled to attend. If your sitting by the pool, having a great time, and Trivia time comes, you don't have to go to the game....

I'll leave all the rest for the others. I'm sure you'll get ome great hints. But, remember: It's your cruise. Enjoy it the way you want to. After all, you'll, probably, never see any of the other thousands of 'nameless faces' again.

[Shari2]

Hi 4444:

Welcome aboard!! I haven't been on Holland America, yet, but there is a great website, www.cruiseclues.com that has menus for some of the ships. I didn't see the Oosterdam, but Volendam and Veendam were there, and they are probably very similar. Have a great cruise!

[KeithnRita]

You have picked our favorite cruise line for your first cruise. Although we haven't been on that ship, we have cruised five other '"dam" ships. The food and service should be outstanding. HAL still works under the tip-less society, however, there is scuttlebutt that is changing. They may now be adding 15% to their drink prices.

Just read all your cruise "docs" as others have mentioned and you will get a lot of your questions answered. If you have specific questions, don't be shy, just ask away.

p.s. - Warning, after you complete your first cruise you may become cruisecrazy and want to book another. That's okay and very normal!