I have never been on a cruise before and I'm a bit anxious about what to expect.

1) Do they provide all meals at no extra cost? What if we can't get off the ship due to illness? Will the kitchen be open?

2) How will I get to a beach to just hang out? Do I have to arrange that myself?

3) Do all bathrooms have tubs? I have a child and need a tub.

4) Does it take a long time to get on and off the ship each time we get to a new port of call?

5) How do I tip? Does the same person clean the room, wait on table, etc. for my family? Do I tip at the end of the trip? How much?

6) In december in the Caribbean, will the waters be rough? If they can't dock at one port due to bad weather, do they just go to the next one?

Anything I should be aware of? Regarding travelling with a child?

Thank you so much in advance!

Whew! Here goes:
1. Yes, all meals are free except if you choose a speciality restaurant which some llines have. Then there is a surcharge of around $15.00- 20.00 pp.
Yes, there is food anytime you wish and room service is free.
2. Look at the excursions provided by the ship to see if you would like them. If you just want to laze on a beach there will be cabbies and private tour operators as you disembark. No sweat. Figuratively of course.
3. Not sure but most, I think are equipped with showers only. Call the specific cruise co. to be sure.
4. Not usually.
5. Now most cruises charge a flat rate of $10.00 pp per day and that is added to your bill. You can add extra if you wish. I usually get envelopes from the pursors desk toward the end of the cruise to give $$ for the waiters, stewards, etc.
6. The waters should be fine. No worries. Just relax and enjoy your 1st cruise. I'll bet it won't be your last! Cheers, Larry

This is a joke, right? Especially nos. 1 & 2?

3) Usually only the more expensive mini suites and suites have full baths.

Thank you so much for helpful answers!

BTW, RE: #1, I didn't know if they expected everyone to get off the ship at each port of call and not have same services available while people are off the ship. Sounds like they do.

RE: #2, I didn't know if the cruise has a special relationship with a particular hotel so the guests can use their beach and a bus to pick up/drop off.

check here too, tons of info!
http://boards.cruisecritic.com/

RE #1: Lots of people don't get off the ship - especially those who have cruised many times and have seen what they want to see at a particular port. Meal service and room service are open and there will be movies or trivia games or activities, and the pools are open, but the casino will not be open and the ship's shops will be closed when in port also.

Re #3 On HAL Ryndam, the outside cabins we stayed in (not expensive suites) had tubs, the inside ones had only showers. Check w/ travel agent or cruise line.

If you have a limited budget I would suggest that you get an inside room....you are almost never in it - basically just for dropping into bed, totally exhausted from so much fun! Most cruise ships have food somewhere all the time. Do breakfast in bed at least a time or two! If you like to get cleaned up and a couple nights even dressed up fancy, then choose an early seating (because of your child) and enjoy being treated like royalty. If you want to stay in swimming suits, you can get burgers, pizza, etc. around the pool, etc. You don't have to let them kow you won't be dining in the dinging room any time you chose not to, but it is a neat experience. You will recieve an itinerary from the cruise line so you will know if there are special "theme" nights. If so, go for it!! We had 2 "formal" nights where some were decked out in full eveing gowns, tuxes, etc., while others just wore just very nice business/Sunday attire. Then we have had Western Night, and wore denium and cowboy hats, Italian night, wearing colors of the Italian flag, and even toga night, with the ship providing the sheets/togas. About 80% participated in these special nights by dressing the part, the rest just came in and ate. boring!
If you get sick, there is a ship doctor available. If you or your child get motion sick there are a variety of products to avoid this. I have used a little patch that I put on my neck that has some med that absorb into your skin, I have also taken Bonine (like Dramamine, but doesn't make you drousy) and my daughter and grandkids use a drop of med. behind their ears that they found in the pharmacy.
Once the cruise ship is docked you will walk off and be assaulted/yelled at by many drivers of every kind of transportation offering to take you where ever you want to go. You might talk to your fellow cruisers before disembarking to see what their past experiences have been regarding the best beach and best way to get to it.
It did not take us long to disembark. It is very interesting to go outside and watch as the pilot boat comes along side to bring the local harbor pilot on board. There are many exciting adventures for your child to experience and this is one of them.

The only cruise line that I know of that does not have tipping is the Silverseas line. They include it in their cost believe me!! But they are magnificant. But, for the rest of us travellers who take other lines, they have envelopes all ready for you to put you time in at the end of the cruise. You will be reminded at one of the shows near the end of the trip or in the daily letter that is slid under your door. At the last dinner you tip your waiter,wine steward, etc., by handing them an envelope with your tip included and you and they get all gushy and part as best friends. The tip for your room steward is left in the room or handed to them. They are usually invisible during the cruise, but you know they have been around because your room is kept in tip top shape, but they seem to appear at the end, just at tip time - as expected.

December is no longer hurricane season and so the trip should be nice. Believe me, they look out for their own safety as well as yours and will do the right thing. Yes, sometimes you might find you get to go to a port that was not on the schedule, but look at it as an adventure and it will be OK. There are lots of wonderful kids programs on the ship, so let your child and yourself go and have a great time!!