For anyone here who is contemplating doing this wonderful cruise/Festival, and has never done a cruise before, may I give some advice?
First, all passenger ships are equipped with stabalizers to minimize rolling/pitching (the side-to-side, or bow to stern tossing during heavy weather). However, no ship is completely immune from rough seas. If one thinks he/she may be inclinded to mal-de-mar (seasickness), for most Dramamine (when taken according to directions) is enough. But for some, the trandserm patch is necessary. I love being on ships and have done enough cruises/transatlantic crossings and, despite that, I get seasick when I shower or stir my coffee too fast. The transderm patch works wonders and I've never had a bout of mal-de-mar every time I've used it. It's available only through prescription. But it works; trust me, it works. When I did my Bermuda cruise, the water was pristine and glass-like but that doesn't insure that the DS cruise will be. I'm just warning you.
Second, when you book a cruise, virtually everything is paid for, from cabin to food to many beverages, but not all. It is customary to tip, from your cabin steward to your dining room steward to the bartenders. To make it now easier, tips are automatically included on your shipboard bill. Until the turn of this century, envelopes were left in your cabin to pay it by cash. To make it easier, after 2000, the tips were automatically placed on your shipboard extra bill. The thing is, tipping is still a volunatery thing. If you feel you were not catered to properly, you can contest it and it will be removed. But that is rare. Most service is perfect, and the hardworking crew members deserve the tips. Unless you had a really bad experience, just allow for the add-on tipping. Also, things not covered by your ticket include purchases in the shopping center, alcoholic drinks and soda (coffee, tea, fruit juices and milk are usually covered). You'll pay extra for that. You use your "room key" like a credit card, as shipboard added expenses are "cashless" and you need a credit card that you register, so be careful. It's easy to "pay" for extra things when you're not paying upfront and you might be shocked when you get your onboard bill the day before you dock.
In Bermuda, unless you really want to, don't buy island tours. You really don't need to. You can do most of it by yourself, such as visiting the local fort and museum, for a much cheaper price. There is a dolphin experience that you purchase onboard, but it's pricey (I'm talking like several hundred dollars), but if you want to get in the water and play with dolphins, it would be worth it. How many times do you get to do something like that? But touring the forts and museums, do that yourself.
Bermuda can be pricey (for obvious reasons), including in restaurants, cafes, etc. But do allow yourself to splurge. Have yourself a lunch in a local eatery. You only live once. But if you need to pinch pennies, go back onboard the ship and eat until you explode as all meals (unless there's an extra-tarrif grill room) are included to your stomach's content.
Take in the Island life. Walk through the towns (especially Hamilton and St. George). Visit the shops. Pick up a few things. Do check out the cafes. Sit al fresco at one and sip some coffee or chocolate. it's lovely. When I was in Bermuda on my cruise, every morning I would cardiowalk way into the countryside, miles away. I would talk to the residents.
And don't forget to attend any DS activities, whether on board or on shore.
I'm so happy they're having a DS cruise festival. I only wish I could attend. Really, really think about it. You'll love it. And don't forget to pack some formal clothing for the few formal nights on the ship. That would require suit-and-tie for men (tux's are preferred, but suit-and-tie are very much allowed) and evening gowns or classy cocktail dresses for women. That's a must. It may sound inconvenient, but it's fun. Every once in awhile, it's fun to get all gussied up.
Oh, and don't forget to play the last night of bingo. If no one, throughout the cruise, didn't get a "black-out," it's thrown open to everyone. The one who wins gets thousands of dollars (it's based upon how many people purchased bingo cards throughout the cruise). On my Bermuda cruise, the one before I went to the '03 Brooklyn DS Fest, the last night bingo blackout was worth - are you ready for this? - $25,000. It isn't always like that (most are around $5,000), but some little old lady won. I was two numbers away. The theater was packed with virtually every passenger, standing room only.
Okay, my DS brothers and sisters, start saving for that cruise. And if you win the blackout bingo, remember me or else I'll get Petofi's hand to mess with you.
Gerard
