What you should know for your first cruise!

1. Tipping is complicated on cruise ships. Read the cruiseline's specific recommendations for your stateroom attendant, waiter and assistant waiter. Definitely take care of them if you feel they did a good job. Give them extra for going above and beyond. Tipping the head waiter and others is entirely at your discretion. And if you use the children's programs, I recommend a tip for the counselors even though it is optional.
2. Your room is usually ready and the luggage is delivered typically sometime between noon and 3 pm. But just in case you don't have access or your luggage is delayed, be sure to carry on anything you need for that afternoon such as medications, a swimsuit, etc.
3. Ship time may differ from local time so make sure you know the difference if you have excursions planned in port and so you don't miss the ship.
4. If you plan to use many AC-powered devices in your stateroom, bring a multiple outlet plug or power strip because there aren't many places to plug things in!
5. If you are large person and find it difficult to show in the microscopic showers in your stateroom, consider using the more spacious facilities in the spa or gym.
6. Staterooms don't have alarm clocks so bring one if you need it!
7. Your luggage will usually stow nicely under one or both beds
8. On some ships, the stateroom coffee table adjusts up and down!
9. Excursions, and specialty restaurant and spa reservations can usually be reserved on-line prior to boarding.
10. Private companies and tour operators in general offer tours and excursions that are better in quality, more flexible, just as reliable, and far cheaper than the ship tours!
11. On some lines like RCI, motion sickness medicines like meclizine (aka bonine) are complimentary at Guest Relations.
12. You pay for alcoholic beverages and sodas, but the coffee, tea, lemonade and milk are free. Carnival and RCI charge for espresso and cappuccinos but they are complimentary at dinner on HAL.
13. Order as much as you want in the main dining room--you're not limited to one appetizer or one entree!
14. In the main dining room, you can order or ask for things that aren't even on the menu!
15. You pay to eat at the specialty restaurants and there is no unlimited ordering there.
16. Room service is free but remember to tip!