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Topic: first time cruiser

Suzie249
First Class Passenger
Member # 1825

posted 02-28-2001 10:47 PM

I just boarded recently.My husband & I are going on the monarch RCCL on march 25.Any advice would be appreciated. What are your thoughts on the different tours/excursions? We are staying in san juan the day before the cruise, we we're thinking of doing the EL YUNQUE rainforest. Also, I need advice on what tours to take at the other ports. WE will be going to ST.Thomas, St. Martin,Barbados, St. Lucia, & antigua.I am also very concerned about sea sickness Does anybody know the best remedy?

Posts: 15 | From: buffalo,ny,u.s.a. | Registered: Feb 2001 | IP: Logged

sympatico
First Class Passenger
Member # 797

posted 03-01-2001 08:33 AM

For seasickness try Bonamine (Meclizine) - now I have noticed a lot of posters spell it Bonine, so may be the name in the US. Don't worry about seasickness - the ships are very large and you should be Ok. I can remember being on the ferry from Buffalo to Crystal Beach when I was a teenager and being "green". This was all I remembered before my first cruise and yet I was fine on it. Taken many more cruises since then. Just take my Bonamine and I am OK.

Posts: 3305 | From: Toronto, Ont. Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 03-01-2001 09:52 AM

If sea sickness really becomes a problem (which is unlikely) and the tablets don't work, the Doc on ships can give you a wonder 'jab' which I'm told works like magic!

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

Italian Cruiser
First Class Passenger
Member # 1684

posted 03-01-2001 10:47 AM

In St.Thomas take a tour that combine Magens Bay(a wonderful beach for snorkeling)and Paradise point Where you can have a wonderful panoramic view on Charlotte Amalie.If you love nature don't miss the excursion to the nearby island of St.John.In Barbados the most interesting tours explore the Harrison Cave and the british plantations.Also Bridgetown is a very nice city with wonderful shops.In St.Lucia choose a sea and land tour to Soufriere and the Pitons.you'll stop at one of the most fascinating beaches that I have ever seen.In St.Marteen take the semi submarine to explore the unforgettable coral reef.The best prices for shopping are in Philipsburg.Marigot as the French say is tree chic but very expansive.In Antigua explore the fascinating Nelson Dockyard.You can also choose from 365 beaches.Have a wonderful cruise!

Posts: 887 | From: Orvieto (Italy) | Registered: Nov 2000 | IP: Logged

RuthPerk
First Class Passenger
Member # 1609

posted 03-01-2001 12:35 PM

quote:
Originally posted by sympatico:
For seasickness try Bonamine (Meclizine) - now I have noticed a lot of posters spell it Bonine, so may be the name in the US.

It is Bonine here in the US. It is also called Dramamine 2. I would check for it at Wal-mart - they should have a generic brand that would be cheaper!

Have a great cruise!

Posts: 329 | From: Victor, NY, USA | Registered: Sep 2000 | IP: Logged

cncservo
First Class Passenger
Member # 532

posted 03-01-2001 12:40 PM

Suzie249:
Hi! Two weeks ago we were on the Explorer of the Seas The first 24 hours the seas only reached 3 to 5 feet which did not bother me at all. The next day or so the seas were 7 to 12 feet this did bother me especially in a large open area such as the dinning room. During the entertaintment segment myself and two people seted next to me were holding their heads from the motion. I used the motion sickness tablets II purchased from a CVS pharmacy, they are over the counter and work great. Its kind of strange that I can ride a small boat banging and hammering on the waters as long as its in the open but coop me up inside and I've had it. Large ships do react with the waves. My wife could not feel the motion of the ship while others were sick from it. To be safe take some medication just in case your the sensitive type. It will save your cruise

Posts: 170 | Registered: May 99 | IP: Logged

soon2cruise
First Class Passenger
Member # 1827

posted 03-01-2001 01:07 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Suzie249:
I just boarded recently.My husband & I are going on the monarch RCCL on march 25.Any advice would be appreciated. What are your thoughts on the different tours/excursions? We are staying in san juan the day before the cruise, we we're thinking of doing the EL YUNQUE rainforest. Also, I need advice on what tours to take at the other ports. WE will be going to ST.Thomas, St. Martin,Barbados, St. Lucia, & antigua.I am also very concerned about sea sickness Does anybody know the best remedy?

Welcome aboard suzie249! I'm new here myself. My husband and I are going to be on the Vision of the Seas on March 23rd. (My first cruise, his second.) I'm about to die with anticipation. How are you surviving it? Maybe we can wave at each other as our ships pass in the night.

Posts: 41 | From: Maryland, USA | Registered: Feb 2001 | IP: Logged

sympatico
First Class Passenger
Member # 797

posted 03-01-2001 03:22 PM

RuthPerk - I was noticing that everyone was writing Bonine, so I purposely checked when I was in the pharmacy and the box read Bonamine, then I check my prescription bottle - same thing...Bonamine. It is probably because of 2 different manufacturers.. one in the US & One in Canada - it's all Meclizine.

[This message has been edited by sympatico (edited 03-01-2001).]

Posts: 3305 | From: Toronto, Ont. Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

RuthPerk
First Class Passenger
Member # 1609

posted 03-01-2001 04:05 PM

quote:
Originally posted by sympatico:
RuthPerk - I was noticing that everyone was writing Bonine, so I purposely checked when I was in the pharmacy and the box read Bonamine, then I check my prescription bottle - same thing...Bonamine. It is probably because of 2 different manufacturers.. one in the US & One in Canada - it's all Meclizine.
[This message has been edited by sympatico (edited 03-01-2001).]

Sympatico,

Don't you love how the same medication has a different name in the US and Canada???? My husband is a pharmacist and was interested in an allergy medicine one of our tablemates was taking. He had never heard of the name (it's Canadian name), so she brought the bottle to dinner and showed it to him. The generic name is Cetirizine (the brand name on her bottle was Reactine) - we know it as Zyrtec in the US. Gotta love it!

Posts: 329 | From: Victor, NY, USA | Registered: Sep 2000 | IP: Logged

Suzie249
First Class Passenger
Member # 1825

posted 03-01-2001 05:22 PM

Thanks everyone for your advice,really appreciate it

Posts: 15 | From: buffalo,ny,u.s.a. | Registered: Feb 2001 | IP: Logged

Suzie249
First Class Passenger
Member # 1825

posted 03-01-2001 05:26 PM

soon2cruise,
that's great that we will both be on the ocean the same time. I can't tell you how excited I am.It's all I could think about. what ports will you be going to?

Posts: 15 | From: buffalo,ny,u.s.a. | Registered: Feb 2001 | IP: Logged

cruisin's peachy
First Class Passenger
Member # 1817

posted 03-02-2001 09:05 AM

Hello Suzie - just boarded myself. I will be doing my first cruise on March 31. Can't wait - driving my poor husband crazy!!!!!
We are lucky as we will be going with a bunch of cruising vets who will no doubt act as guides for us (my in-laws :eek

. We will be going to St.Thomas, St.Croix and Antigua, like yourself.
St. Thomas - we will be going to Coralworld, an ocean observatory. The web site is www.coralworldvi.com. You can print a coupon on this site.
I have yet to decide what else I will be doing on the islands, but anyhting I decide on doing will surely beat staying at home and shovelling snow!!
One more note - been advised not to purchase the boats excursions - take a cab and get there on your own steam.The cabbie will come back for you at a specified time, so I am told. Enjoy your trip!! I know I will!

Posts: 25 | From: Ontario, Canada | Registered: Feb 2001 | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 03-02-2001 10:12 AM

Hey, did anyone explain to those of you that have just boarded, that there is a price for CruiseTalk advice?

The deal is that you have to come back here after your cruises and tell us all how they went.

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

soon2cruise
First Class Passenger
Member # 1827

posted 03-02-2001 11:23 AM

Hey suzie249 and particiaq, seems like we definitely have one thing in common besides being new to cruising.....our husbands will be happy once we're actually ON the ship so that we can stop talking ABOUT the ship! Hahahahahaha. Good to know I'm not the only one driving my husband insane. Patriciaq, sounds like you've done your research and are all set. You're lucky enough to be going with some vets. Let me know how that all works out. I'm looking forward to reading both of you guys' reviews. We just have to compare notes!

Posts: 41 | From: Maryland, USA | Registered: Feb 2001 | IP: Logged

Marcia
First Class Passenger
Member # 1198

posted 03-03-2001 02:20 PM

In San Juan, El Yunque is a great tour, also if you have time, take a taxi up to El Moro - and then tour the fort and walk down hill from there. You can see the San Juan Gate, the Cathederal, and much of the "old district" and you wind up in the shopping area. Have a wonderful time, we loved it so much we have now cruised about 15 times.

Posts: 101 | From: Hamilton, Oh. U.S.A. | Registered: Mar 2000 | IP: Logged

trailhiker
First Class Passenger
Member # 1674

posted 03-03-2001 06:08 PM

Suzie we will be getting off the ship the day you are getting on. I promise to leave it ship shape for you! Bon Voyage!

Posts: 46 | From: North Conway, NH 03860 USA | Registered: Nov 2000 | IP: Logged

trailhiker
First Class Passenger
Member # 1674

posted 03-03-2001 06:11 PM

OOPS!!! Sorry, wrong ship! I have the Vision of the Seas on my mind! The Monarch is a fabulous ship as well. We've been on her twice. You will love your cruise. Bon Voyage.

Posts: 46 | From: North Conway, NH 03860 USA | Registered: Nov 2000 | IP: Logged

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