my sisters and i are planning a caribbean cruise. anything i need to know? tips/suggestions?

Depending on if you are going on a Western or Eastern Caribbean and what time of year you are planning on going, will determine how to pack, also what length of cruise you are planning.

Most cruise lines have at least 1 formal night for the 3-6 day cruises, and 2 formal nights on the 7-10 day cruises. Of course whether you participate in this is strictly optional. You cannot wear shorts, t-shirts, tank tops and flip flops in the main dining rooms at night, but you can wear them during the day. There is always a buffet set up in place of going to the dining room.

I find that everyone always over packs, I have been on 16 cruises and I still find that I do not ever wear everything I carry with me.

The nights that are not formal in the dining room, sun dresses, capris, or dress slacks and a nice blouse is fine. Only pack one or two pairs of slacks or capris, and mix and match tops.

Bring extra bathing suits if you are planning on spending a lot of time around the pool. Day dress is usually swim suits, cover-ups, shorts, t-shirts etc. Just make sure you pack enough underwear...if you going on a 5 night, take more then 5 pairs..(speaking from experience, sure missed the boat on that one the first time out..lol).

Dont just hook up with any shore excursion, the ones on the ship are more expensive, but at least if you do not make it back to the ship in time the ship will wait for you. If you book your own at the ports, and they dont get you back to the ship in time then you are on your own to get to the next port. There is nothing wrong with booking your own, but if this is your first cruise and its only 3 ladies, I would stay with the shps tours first time you go. If you book another cruise for later, and you feel more comfortable, then go to outside vendors. Of course you do not even have to book an excursion, you can just get off the ship and roam around and do your own shopping. Each day before you arrive at a port there will be a port talk that will be announced, go to it and learn everything you can about that port, they give recommended places to shop, eat, also about getting a taxi and so forth, its very informative. The will also give you a map of the port area so you can find your way around if you decide to go it on your own.

The previous poster mentioned carrying off fruit at the ports, this is not a good idea, just like we cannot carry fruit off the ship in the USA when we return, its a danger of carrying diseases into that country. You can bring cereal, or other snack items, but depending on where you are going, enjoy the local cusine. Try something different.

Bases on how many nights you are traveling, your gratuities are usually added to your ship board account. You can figure at minimum $10.00 per day per person...so if you are on a 5 night cruise you would each pay $50.00 in tips. This sounds like a lot, but in reality it is not, when you see the level of service you receive from you cabin steward, your waiter and asst waiter, you will be more then happy to pay this. You will not have to lift a finger the entire time you are on the cruise. (in fact you will want to bring your cabin steward home with you in your suitcase)

If you book through a travel agent, make sure you find one that is certified in cruises. Ask lots of questions, you dont want to be put on any ship, it could ruin the entire cruise for you if you are not qualified to the correct cruise. Your agent will also be able to give you some great tips.

Have a wonderful time, I know once you go you will be hooked!

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Dont take the cruise tours are to $$$$, better on the islands take the one they have their. Have a bottle of water and every morning filled it (so you dont have to buy bottles for 2 and 3 more dollars). Have a great breakfast and take some fruits or corn flakes with you (so if you feel hungry , could eat something) . Dont go with a lot of clothes, could buy a tshirt in an island and put it in the other. Go with an extra luggage to put the things you buy. ENJOY IT. you would like to repeat.

go to cruiseclues.com

or cruisecritic.com

both of these websites have great things to share about cruising for the first time.

I have been on many cruises and here's what I suggest.

- If you can plan to fly to the departure port a day early so that you do not have to worry about missed flights and connections. If you are changing time zones it will give your body time to adjust and you time to rest from the long trip.

-If your cruise included many connections, flying, train and bus, buy travel insurance and get it from an independent supplier, not the cruise line.

-Join the cruise club so that the cruise line will send you their specials and so that you can get discounts on future cruises with them. The discount will typically be $50 to $100 per person. If you will be celebrating a honeymoon, anniversary, or birthday during the cruise, be sure to tell them, they will do special stuff for that.

- Cruise lines charge a lot for the photos they take so take your own photos around the ship when you get the chance, especially on the formal nights. Ask other passengers to take photos for you, they generally are very willing.

-Review the listing of tours offered on your cruise and decide whether you want to pay for a tour or go on your own. On most Caribbean islands you can get a taxi or tour in port for much less than the cruise ship tours. HOWEVER, the one big advantage of going on ship sponsored tours is THE SHIP WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU if your ship sponsored tour is late getting back to the ship. If you will be in a port for 12 to 16 hours you are probably safe to go on your own for most anything. But if you are only there for six to eight hours you may want to stay close to the ship or go on the ship tours.

- Take a 6-pack of water and/or soft drinks in your carry on for your cabin. Do NOT try to take alcoholic on board, especially in your carry on; they will confiscate it.

- take a thermal cup or mug with a lid for cold drinks when you are around the pool, most plastic glasses on cruise ships are small.

-always take soft sided luggage as it stores better under the beds.

- Take a small carry-on bag for the last night of the cruise. On the last evening you will be required to put your luggage outside your cabin by about 2:00 AM so that they can start taking it down to the lower deck for offloading the next morning. So you will need a small bag for your toiletries and and your clothes that you sleep in.

- There is generally a room service menu that you can order from 24/7 and that food is free but you should tip the delivery person a couple dollars.

- The hidden costs on a cruise are your tab after the cruise for drinks (alcoholic and sodas), tours, and gratuities. Many ships now add the recommended gratuity to your on board tab. The gratuity is about $10 to $12 per day per person. You can give more if you want. Tours can add hundreds to your final bill, depending upon how many stop the ship makes and what you want to do. So study the tours carefully; some places you may want to just go on your own. and be aware that the drinks can add up.

- One way to save money on drinks is to order them in a plain glass rather than the souvenir ones; they cost about $1.00 to $1.50 more in the souvenir glass.

The dress on ship is casual all day until 6:00PM. So take swim wear, shorts, sandals, beach shoes, your snorkel equipment if you have it, sun glasses and sun screen, lotions, a cap or big hat for the sun, a book if you are a reader, your music player, sneakers and clothes to workout in if you like to use the gym, your camera, and other personal toiletries.

After 6:00 PM they request that you wear "sports casual" attire. That's attire that you would expect a person to wear in a business office, shirt with a collar, slacks, skirt, blouse, etc. You can still wear shorts and swim wear in the pools and spas but not in public areas like dining rooms and restaurants, show rooms, bars, casino, etc.

Most 7-day cruises have two formal nights when you can wear your best stuff and get pictures taken, and maybe meet the ship’s Captain. The formal nights are REQUESTED not required attire. But most people do dress up in a tux for men and a long dress (any color) for women. Some men just wear a suit and tie and some women wear a nice dress but not a gown. You will not be denied access to the dining room or anything else if you choose not to dress up. (we usually take off the formal stuff after dinner and pictures anyway).

Go to the best cruise website on the 'Net.....

www.cruisecritic.com

What I would suggest is this site for your actual cruise booking:

http://www.travade.com/

Click on cruise packages and compare the different cruises. They have some of the best deals around.