First cruise? You’re going to love it — and the Rise & Vibe Cruise is a great one to start with. Here are honest answers to the questions first-time cruisers ask most.
Will I feel the ship moving? Will I get seasick?
Wonder of the Seas is one of the largest, most stable cruise ships ever built, and Bahamas waters are generally calm — many guests forget they’re on a ship at all. If you’re prone to motion sickness, bring Dramamine/Bonine or sea bands just in case; Guest Services also has remedies onboard.
Will my cell phone work? Will I get a huge bill?
Put your phone in airplane mode as soon as we sail. At sea, phones connect to a satellite network ("Cellular at Sea") that charges very expensive roaming rates. In airplane mode you can still use the Royal Caribbean app free on ship Wi-Fi — and if you buy a VOOM internet package, you can text, browse, and video call normally. In Nassau, your phone may connect to Bahamian networks — check your carrier’s international plan or stay in airplane mode.
How do I pay for things onboard?
The ship is cashless — everything charges to your SeaPass card, which links to the credit card you added at check-in. See SeaPass Card & Spending Money Onboard.
How does dining work?
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included every day at the Main Dining Room, Windjammer buffet, and the casual spots (pizza, tacos, café — see What’s Included). You chose your dining time when you registered: 5:00 PM, 7:30 PM, or My Time Dining. If you picked 5:00 or 7:30, you’ll be seated together with our Frequense group at that time each night. If you picked My Time Dining, you are responsible for making your own dining reservations — book them in the Cruise Planner before sailing or in the Royal Caribbean app onboard. Specialty restaurants cost extra and should be booked ahead.
What should I do first when I board?
- Grab lunch (Windjammer or El Loco Fresh).
- Complete the muster drill in the app + at your station (required before sailaway).
- Reserve any shows you didn’t already book — reservations opened October 1, and remaining seats go fast on day one. (Sold-out show? There’s a standby line at the venue, and The Attic — location subject to change — can help with reservations onboard.)
- Explore! The ship has 8 "neighborhoods" — Central Park and the Boardwalk are must-sees.
- Be on a top deck for sailaway at 3:30 PM.
Can I get off the ship in ports?
Yes! Bring your SeaPass card and a photo ID in Nassau (just the SeaPass at CocoCay). Be back onboard at least an hour before departure.
Is there anything for kids?
Lots — Adventure Ocean (the complimentary kids’ program), Splashaway Bay aqua park, the carousel, mini golf, ice skating, and the pools. Kids’ SeaPass cards can have spending disabled.
What are gratuities and do I have to pay them?
Royal Caribbean automatically charges $18.50 per person, per day to your onboard account for housekeeping and dining staff ($21.00 for Grand Suites and above). This is standard on all cruises — budget for it.
What happens on the last morning?
The ship arrives in Miami very early on November 6. You’ll either carry your own bags off early ("Self-Assist," first off the ship) or put tagged luggage outside your door the night before and claim it in the terminal after breakfast. Most guests are off the ship by mid-morning — book return flights out of MIA no earlier than about 11:30 AM.
What if I have more questions?
Check the other articles in this section, ask in the Rise & Vibe Cruise Facebook group, or email support@frequense.com.
Comments
0 comments
Please sign in to leave a comment.