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With everything seemingly so perfect on the ship, it can be easy to think that ports of call are perfect as well. To be fair, ports you visit will be pretty safe, especially in the tourist areas. Venture outside of these spots, however, and it’s just like any other place. There are good parts of town and places where you don’t want to venture.
When your foot hits that boarding ramp, switch off your phone
Most cruise lines allow 1 bottle of wine per adult and we usually take advantage of this for having a bottle in the room to sit on the balcony in the evenings with. A vacation in the Caribbean might not require much besides your swimsuit, but you may need something cozy and lightweight for warmth during those breezy nights onboard. There are also other restaurants like the buffet that you can visit on that evening if you don’t want to get dressed up.
Cruise Tips for First-Timers, According to Seasoned Cruisers - Business Insider
Cruise Tips for First-Timers, According to Seasoned Cruisers.
Posted: Fri, 01 Mar 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Best Cruise Line for Foodie First Timers: Silversea
Every cruise line has a specified dress code for evenings (daywear is always casual), which can change daily. Traditionally, there's formal, which means a tuxedo or dark suit for men, and an evening gown or cocktail dress for women (although we're finding that fewer people dress to the nines these days). Whether you can fit clothing for an entire cruise itinerary into one carry-on bag is a source of fierce debate. But it's absolutely possible and, until airlines stop losing luggage, may be your safest bet to making sure you have clothing for the duration of your cruise. Check out our tips on packing before you try to cram your life into a small suitcase.
Best Disney cruise for first-time cruising families
So, if there is any issue it is best to wait at guest services and get it resolved before the cruise is over. It’s also a good idea to pay attention to the travel time to and from the excursion too and if it involves a boat ride or long bus ride to get there. Your muster station is usuallly listed on your sail card and you must check in to your station number area for the safety briefing.
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It's a good idea to join one of these; you'll get to know the ship and a bit about how it functions. This will allow you to navigate from pool to cabin to restaurant to theater via other venues with ease during your cruise holiday. It’s likely you’ll visit several countries — with several different currencies — within just a few days. The good news is you don’t have to think about converting currencies at each port. The ports you visit thrive on tourism and make things easy for tourists.
Drink in Port to Save Cash Versus on the Ship
Potential thieves would love to get their hands on your passport. And even if you just misplace it, losing a passport is a major ordeal. That’s why we like to put our passport in our cabin safe and carry a photocopy of the ID page with us in port or just use a driver’s license. If you have a pair of cheap flip-flops that you like wearing around the pool, then it’s time to upgrade.
Spacious and beautifully appointed, the staterooms on your cruise from Southampton are the perfect place to unwind after a day of adventure. From inner staterooms with real-time virtual balconies to stunning suites packed with perks, your accommodations will exceed expectations. From the high-flying North Star® capsule to top-notch dining and elevated accommodations, it’s time for an altitude adjustment. You also can usually request seconds of any food you enjoyed, and if an appetizer strikes your fancy, order an entree-size portion. Crowds are drastically reduced onboard when everyone is out on tour. If you can’t bear to miss a destination, consider a morning onboard and an afternoon off the ship.
Get it cleared up before and you won’t have anything to worry about. Most of us are used to air travel, where you are charged sky-high fees for checking in baggage. Keep this in mind and double-check the itemized receipt before you sign as there is often another line for write-in tips. Unless the service was simply above and beyond, there is no reason to give a second tip on your drink. Book directly with the cruise line to cut out the middleman in case there is an issue with your reservation. If you don’t know what cruise line you want to sail, then an aggregator like Expedia can search multiple lines at once.
Traveling, especially cruising, can come with unexpected challenges. There might be situations where you need to cancel your cruise in advance due to sudden illness. You might need emergency medical attention if you fall ill during the cruise.
The great part about booking and excursion with the ship (not an outside company) is that the ship will not leave you at port if the tour is running late. There are also tour organizers outside of the cruise line that you can book, but make sure the timing works out and read reviews before you book. On embarkation day (the day you board the ship) there will be a Mandatory safety drill that you and your group will have to attend. Make sure to check out all of the dining options for the ship that you choose. Many cruise companies offer specials and discounts for early bookings or family vacations, so check their websites for details. You can also sign up for alerts on cruise-booking sites like Travelocity Cruises and Cruise Critic Homepage to discover when new offers become available.
If you only follow one piece of advice in this story, it should be this one. It is the only way to ensure you won't miss your ship — something that happens to cruisers more often than you would think. One other thing to note is that even after this gratuity is applied, your receipt that you sign will have a line for an additional tip. You aren’t obligated to give more, but if you’re happy with your service, it’s there to show your appreciation. This extra charge normally runs 18-20% (rates vary by cruise line) and is automatically applied.
You will be given (or choose) a time to get off of the ship and when your group, floor, etc. is called you can make your way to the waiting area. Having the larger bags picked up the night before just saves you from having to lug so many bags off the ship. I just thought I’d mention it because I was unsure on our first cruise and some examples would have helped with planning. We were surprised the first time we sailed on RCL Harmony of the Seas that we had to book everything in advance!
If you’re going somewhere with warm weather, pack apparel that feels comfortable and is lightweight as well as multi-functional. It happens easily when people are having too much fun at the port bars and lose track of time. If you book your excursion through the cruise line they will deliver an envelope to your stateroom with the tickets or information about what time and where to meet on the day of the excursion. It’s a great idea to unpack and organize on the first day of the cruise after dinner when the luggage has arrived. “Your time” dining is also an option on most ships so you can eat whenever you are ready instead of rushing to make your set time.
To ensure you squeeze every drop of enjoyment from your voyage, let’s focus on maximizing your cruise moments through these first time cruise tips. When choosing a room on your first cruise, you might want to stay away from those near elevators and just above nightclubs and other late-night venues. Cabins just below the pool deck and near the anchor also can be problematic as well as cabins near casinos. A good travel agent will quiz you about your particular interests, travel style and preferences and steer you to the perfect cruise line, ship, itinerary and cabin for you. The agent also can help you if something goes wrong just before, during or after your voyage. Some phone companies have cruise-specific plans you can buy in advance of a voyage.
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