Plan Your First Cruise
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Having an interior cabin is a cheaper way to get on your first sailing without breaking the bank. Scroll around a little, and you may never pay cash for a flight to a cruise ship again. In addition, travel agents often can you extra onboard credit and other perks that you might not be able to get by booking directly with a line. If you don't sign up for activities in advance, a backup strategy is to do so just after you board a vessel. That said, whether you need to race to sign up for activities at the start of a voyage depends a lot on which ship you are on.
I cruised to Europe with a first-timer. Here's why she might not cruise again. - Cruise Blog
I cruised to Europe with a first-timer. Here's why she might not cruise again..
Posted: Wed, 15 Nov 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Pack swimsuits in your carry-on.
For instance, on a 7-day cruise you might have three or four ports of call. But each stop is usually only about eight hours long. In other words, the vast majority of your time is spent on the ship. In addition to all of those, the staff puts on activities throughout the day.
Disembarkation at the End of Your Trip
You'll also want to check the weather in several ports on your trip. Just because you're cruising the Caribbean doesn't mean you'll have the same weather from one island to the next. Same goes for cruises to Alaska, the Baltics and other destinations around the world. The departure times for port days aren’t suggestions. You should be back on board by that time and not a moment later.
Lessons learned after taking my first cruise - Royal Caribbean Blog
Lessons learned after taking my first cruise.
Posted: Sat, 30 Sep 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Understand Service Charges on Your Cruise Ship to Avoid Tipping Double on Alcohol
That’s why it’s a good idea to head to port if you want to get your money’s worth. Most of the party bars near the cruise terminals will have drink specials designed to get you in the door. It’s often much cheaper than drinking at a ship’s bar. From portable fans to laptop and tablet chargers to nightlights to curling irons, the need for outlets in a cruise cabin is always increasing.
Yes, You Can Bring (Some) Alcohol on Board
Rest assured that your fellow passengers will, too. Cruises are a special place for expression, and being at sea brings out a person’s passion and creativity. It’s a reminder that, in the grand tapestry of life, our stories are interwoven by shared experiences and moments.
We’ll walk you through the whole process, from researching different cruise lines, what you should pack (and leave at home), and fun things you can experience during your trip. It’s tempting to drop your bags in your stateroom and rush off to the pool, to dining, or to join one of the many activities offered on embarkation day. However, one of the best cruise tips for first-timers is get your bearings on board first. So you’re packed and ready to take your first cruise. But when you’re just learning the ropes of an at-sea vacation, it can be difficult to know just what to expect once you step foot on deck.
Be sure to ask if a gratuity already has been included before adding another 15% or 20% to the total. I am, of course, too cool to ever put a key card lanyard around my neck, which means I lose my card once or twice on every trip. My cruise team colleague Ashley Kosciolek also escews landyard-wearing on ships, but that didn't stop her from writing this wonderful guide to the coolest cruise lanyards around. Longtime cruisers know how exciting and yet relaxing a cruise can be. World-class entertainment, scrumptious dining options and adventure activities are just steps away from your stateroom.
First-Time Cruiser? How To Book A Cruise Vacation Like A Pro
We love to look at the next day’s newsletter schedule after returning to the stateroom each night to see what we are interested in doing the next day. They will make sure your bags are properly tagged (with the printed tags provided at online check-in) and take them away until they show up at your stateroom later in the day. Take a small first-aid kit containing essential medicines such as pain relievers, anti-diarrheal tablets, Benedryl (for those with allergies), and motion sickness medication. If you have to purchase these in the ship gift shop they are usually more expensive.
Pack smart
If you don’t feel like going anywhere, these spots offer something to do off the ship. These could include fitness classes, access to adult-only sun decks, corkage fees and gratuities. Make sure you know what your base fare includes before you book. On any cruise that isn't all-inclusive (and some that are), you're likely to spend a fair bit of money during your holiday. Extras might include your bar bill, spa treatments, any excursions booked onboard, anything you buy in the shops and specialty restaurant fees.
Being outside your home environment, and especially having the unique experience of being out at sea, has the delightful effect of literally and figuratively broadening your horizons. Barriers are broken and defenses are let down, and suddenly you are having a heart-to-heart with someone who becomes your new best friend. Whether you are traveling with one partner or your entire extended family, it is a great idea to agree on one spot where you meet up before shared activities or major meals. Toss a couple of hook magnets into your bag to use as additional wardrobe hooks in your cabin, since the doors are metal.
The action of the waves causes the ship to pitch up and down the most at the end of the ship, with the middle acting as the fulcrum on a see-saw. There’s no guarantee you won’t feel the motion, but it should be better than getting a room toward the front or back of the ship. While we're on the topic of sundries, don't forget extra batteries for your camera if you are bringing one. I have a small "go bag" of over-the-counter medicines that I throw into my suitcase for every cruise that contains everything from cold medicine to seasickness pills.
Just like on land, the specialty restaurants can vary from Asian to Mexican to Italian, and of course, the ever popular steakhouse. If you’ve never taken a cruise before, don’t worry. Every year cruise lines around the world welcome millions of new passengers. That means you won’t be alone on the ship in being a first-timer, and the staff will always be happy to help with any questions you have.
In nearly every port, you can find a taxi (or more likely a shared service) for a price. Additionally, if your flight to the ship gets canceled, you could miss the vessel’s departure. These scenarios are potential risks for cruisers, making travel insurance a practical consideration. No one wants homework on vacation, but all the cruise pros know that the information you need can be found in the cruise ship’s daily newsletter. Plus, some lines, such as Carnival, offer discounts or freebies to encourage first-night reservations at their extra-fee dining venues. You can fund your cruise card with cash to ensure no one can go overboard at the casino without heading down to the front desk to put down more cash.
We always pose a “question of the day” on the board to encourage other guests to interact with us. It’s fun to read all of the responses at the end of the day. The cruise companies are wise to this and offer beverage packages. You pay a fixed price for sodas or beer or wine or mixed cocktails and you know your costs for the trip.
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