25 Things I Learned on my Cruise

1. Arrive early - Find out when the cruise line allows guests onto the ship. As soon as you board, you can start enjoying all of the amenities of the cruise.
2. Book late - the price of our cruise went down $60 per person two weeks after Mike bought the tickets. And they don't do price adjustments. But they do need to fill the ship, so the prices drop as the cruise date gets closer.
   
3. Bring bottled water - They allow most beverages to be carried aboard and the tap water just isn't good. (Thanks for that tip, Mary - you saved us so much $$$) The restaurants have filtered water, but the buffet does not.
   
4. I've heard that you can bring your own wine, but they charge you a $10 cork fee on most ships. Bring your own bottle opener!
5. Cruising around in the middle of the ocean feels like you're on a constantly moving elevator. Even when you're sitting still.
6. Getting drunk doesn't help you regain your balance on a moving vessel. Just ask the girl in high heels we saw attempting to walk down the stairs...
7. It's helpful to take Dramamine before the ship leaves and once daily to prevent motion sickness.
8. Dramamine comes in non-drowsy, but apparently not at Target.
9. Non-drowsy motion sickness medicine on board the ship is extremely expensive.
10. Dramamine + a sleep deprived mom = lots of naps.
11. "Dramamine" is spelled "Drama Mine." Do you think I want the "drama" to be "mine?"
    
12. Most cruise food is amazing, but some is prettier than it tastes. (they are cooking for thousands of people, after all) If it's not delicious, don't waste the calories - move on to something that IS delicious.
    
13. Children whine in every language and in every dialect.
14. Some cultures still don't use deodorant.
    
15. Bring a watch - There are few clocks on board. But don't rely on cell phones to keep accurate time. Even though the ship crosses a time zone, the time on board doesn't change.
16. Read the daily schedule - There is so much to do and see that events are easy to overlook.
17. The dancers in the shows dress skimpier than Vegas showgirls. I guess they have to keep the attention of their male audience somehow, but thongs? Really??? Just because you're wearing panty hose, doesn't mean your butt cheeks are covered from my husband's unsuspecting eyes.
    
18. International calls are expensive, but texts are not. Ask whoever is taking care of the kids to text pictures...it's only a nickle to receive texts and it's incredibly comforting to see how the kids are doing while you're away. (Thanks for the pic, Julie!)
    
19. The boat is smaller than it looks - make friends and be nice. You'll continue seeing the same faces over and over.
20. Even in an empty restaurant, the hostess will often seat you at a four-top table with another couple.
    
21. Shore excursions are much cheaper on shore than through the cruise line.
22. Bring more cash than you think you'll need. Adding a last minute $15 per person excursion to our trip almost made us run out of money for souvenirs.
    
23. It's illegal to take Cuban cigars back into the states, no matter what the locals tell you.
    
24. Bring reading material. The disembarking process can take hours, so having something to do while waiting in the lobby is helpful. (Thanks for the tip, JW!)
    
25. Cruising is a much cheaper way to vacation than it seems. Especially when plane tickets aren't involved!