What to expect on a cruise?
If you are a first time cruiser, you might be anxious about what you will find aboard the vessel. Will there be fitness facilities? What activities are there for the children? Who do I turn to if I have a problem with one of the personnel? Although cruise lines vary, they have certain things in common.

Arriving
As you arrive on board, someone, usually the chief purser, hotel director or cruise director, are there to direct you to your cabin. Your cabin attendant may have left a small greeting card in your cabin, telling you his/her name. Your attendant (also known as the room steward) will appear shortly to introduce himself and offer his services. Your steward is your link to the rest of the ship, providing information about meal times, laundry, ice, extra glasses for parties. The steward also cleans your cabin and can arrange for breakfast in bed, and small services upon request. Any problems with any personnel should be discussed with the chief purser, concierge or hotel director - depending on the cruise line you travel with.

Activities
Aboard ship, activities can be found for just about anyone. There is music, square dancing, cooking demonstrations, art auctions, lectures, or lounging by the pool with a good book from the ship's library. Religious services are performed as well. The cruise director can help you find the activities for you while the deck steward or pool attendants help you set up a chaise or get a proper towel for swimming. (Although most vessels have fitness facilities for those who don't want to break up their normal exercise routine, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line's Majesty of the Seas and Monarch of the Seas have 12,000 square feet of fitness and spa facilities!)

Making Time For You
Make your appointments for the beauty and barber shops, massage or sauna early. The operations have excellent reputations and charge less than at home. Pedicure and manicure treatments are usually available. Remember the price of such pampering is not included in the cruise fare.

In Port
When the ship is in port you are free to explore, make sure that you do not forget your cruise card, or key card as this will identify you disembarking and returning to the ship. You can book shore excursions onboard or explore on your own. If you explore on your own make sure that you are back onboard before the ship leaves, as the vessel will only wait for a late ships arrangement, such as a tour or car booked onboard.

Games of Chance
For the gamblers, there is everything from just slot machines to full casinos, complete with "bunny club" type croupiers. You can play roulette and blackjack, and the casinos are open twelve to fourteen hours a day. Some ships use films in one of the lounges for horse race betting.