Are You Planning for a Cruise Trip
Cruise experience is different from a road or rail or air travel. It’s rather an adventure . Especially if you are a first timer you need to be careful and keep in mind a few things . Cruises are mostly expensive and somewhat tiring also . Still it gives a unique pleasure and adventurous experience . Ships cruise in rivers , seas and oceans , sometimes not very far from the coast and can offer an opportunity to enjoy nature's beauty .
1 . Plan in advance - You need to carefully plan and decide the trip before you book . Decide the places where you want to visit and get the quotes from a couple of agents / cruise companies who cover those ports . You need a cabin , food and fun for a price you pay .They are in their apps and maps and for passengers some services are delivered in their rooms , but usually it costs extra . Cruises usually seduce you for shore excursions offered by them but these might not cover the best sightseeing places and best price besides offering limited time . You can book in advance your own from the agents on ports of call keeping in mind duration of stay there .
Check the prior weather reports of the places you are going , although sudden weather changes can’t be ruled out these days due to climate change . If you are a frequent drinker , you should book in advance the ship's drink package which is usually cheaper .
You should book your cabin / suit which suits your budget and needs e.g. inside cabins without any windows isn’t good but surely they are cheaper . Some like balcony cabins while some might avoid it due to gust of winds and hot or cold temperature .
2 . Cruises are rarely all inclusive - Though cruise companies say all inclusive while booking they aren’t so practical . Things or services like special meals , wifi and tips etc. are extra . Onboard drink bills usually add service charges , it’s better not to tip again .
The Internet is slow and expensive .
3 . Embarkation day is tiring - On The day one goes on ship , before boarding you might have traveled a long journey before reaching the boarding port going through lots of formalities and must be tired . Normally on the Embarkation day cruises offer buffets . Buffets are crowded , so before going into the dining room, have an idea of dining hours and try to reach early. Normally early birds get better stuff .
4 . Don’t Hurry to disembark - As an airplane lands you have seen passengers standing and grabbing their handbags / backpacks , so is in ships also . As the ship calls into the port passengers lineup in the gangway with their handbags / backpacks , cameras etc. This is not needed unless you are hurrying for your own pre booked shore excursions .
5 . Better have a look at Daily Planner - Normally cruises drop a daily planner paper in your cabin in advance or inform you electronically or in their apps . Follow this planner , it includes daily programmes on the ship like dances , special entertainment shows , parties etc. This can inform you in advance if there is any last minute change in shore / onboard programme due to weather etc.
6 . Group Booking is good - If you are sailing with more friends or relatives , look for a group package . It’s always cheap and usually they offer a free complimentary room also .
7 . There is no Dentist on ship - Though there is a general doctor on cruise ships you won’t find a dentist . If you have a serious dental issue , get it resolved before you sail.
8 . Canceling a trip - Normally you won’t get full amount on canceling a cruise . Read their canceling policy before booking .
9 . Gratuities - Even though handling gratuities and tipping is not a big deal ,you should know it as it affects your budget for vacation. You can read some articles on tipping on cruises . Many cruise liners will tack an automatic gratuity amount into the bill for extra free drinks , restaurant meals , spa etc. . This amount may vary from 15% to 20% of the bill. You may have to pay extra for room services or you might tip to your favorite bartender .Extra gratuity charges may be shocking for first timers on international cruisers . So read before booking if you are prepaying gratuity charges .
10 . Mind BYOB policy - BYOB ( bring your alcohol onboard ) - Regular drinkers may like to carry their own wine . Many cruise liners permit it . But you have to drink in privacy in your cabin . If you drink it in the dining room or bar it will cost you .
11 . Not for kids - Some cruise liners don’t allow kids in some areas . They are meant for adults only. Poolside area is favorite and may be crowded , to avoid it ocean liners sometimes discourage children in that area .
12 . Earlybirds - Sometimes there are special food areas like Sushi bar areas . There
you may encounter a rush . The sooner you make it better off you will be .
13 . Germs can spread easily - Germs can spread easily on ships as hundreds or thousands of people are confined in a small area . There are many hightouch spots and a common swimming pool which might cause sickness . Better to carry some of your own immune boosting drugs . Unfortunately if you catch contagious disease you will be isolated and your holidays are marred .
14 . Crews like to party - Crew have their own bar where they get cheap drinks. They like to party there while off duty . You may or mayn’t be invited to join .
15 . Customer isn’t always right - As a passenger you are a valued customer . You are midst hundreds or thousands of people and strangers from different cultures , countries speaking different languages . If you get into ugly physical altercation or threaten anyone in anger , the captain has power to disembark you at the next port .
Some ships have marshals who can lock you in a room if you misbehave or create an unruly scene .
16 . Better to have an Insurance policy - Nobody likes to fall sick in alien land / onboard . In case of an emergency your travel comprehensive insurance policy will cover most expenses. But read their terms and conditions .
17. Free Deals - For experts like artists of international repute , magicians , who can entertain passengers or even deliver lectures on special subjects of common interest you can enjoy some free deals like cheap rooms or even free rooms .
18 . Seasickness - Seasickness is very common for first timers on ocean liners . Due to rolling and pitching of ships on sea waves you get nausea or can even vomit . This is felt more on rough seas and in rough weathers It can take a couple of days to adjust . One of the old rules on seasickness is to stare at the horizon . Some say green apples and crackers can also help . You can carry your own medicines for nausea . Your onboard doctor can help you a lot .
19 . Doors may not lock - Due to any emergency most doors can’t be locked from inside or you are advised not to lock . Still there is provision to secure them so that nobody can just enter in .
20 . Maybe Bodies onboard - Death isn’t predictable. Unfortunately if someone passes away onboard there is a morgue on ship where bodies can be stored or might be already there . You should keep away from that room .
21 . Some cruises are very costly - A ship passing through the Panama canal or Swage canal has to pay heavy fees before they can pass these canals. Such trips may cost more .
22 . Mind your luggages - It’s always better to carry a minimum amount of luggage when traveling , this rule applies to cruises also . If you want to enjoy it , carry the minimum stuff necessary for a trip . Unless you book a suit or bigger cabin , standard rooms have limited space available for you .
Don’t dos -
Don’t use a power cable with a surge protector in your room - there may not be enough space to plugin . Many liners prohibit it and security may not allow it .
No flame device - Don’t carry any candle or lighter or alike devices which can produce flames .
Don’t flush extra items - While using your toilet you can use items provided in the toilet . No other stuff like women's hygiene products . Cruise plumbing system is very delicate and they use suction to remove waste .
Don’t leave the balcony door open - If you have a balcony room don’t leave the door open . It creates a powerful wind tunnel and it can overload the AC .
Never sit or bend on the railing - Besides risk of falling off in the sea , you might be banned from the cruise line .
Don’t take ship’s items when disembarking - Though some items like slippers are for you ( still better check ) other items like umbrellas , plush robes, beach towels , hair dryers etc. shouldn't be taken off . You might have to pay heavily .
Don’t make your room noisy - Though the cabins are somewhat sound proof , high volume TV or louder music systems can be noisy enough to disturb your neighboring cabin on either side .
Think before using minibars - Cabins have mini fridges and minibars stacked with drinks . While some may be complementary , for most You have to pay extra if you use such items over there .
Don’t use tapes - Don’t use duct or other tapes on the walls of your room for fixing anything .
Don’t hang wet clothes on the balcony - Otherwise they might be blown off due to gusty winds . Even liners will remind you not to do it . There is a drying line in the bathroom . You can use the hair dryer , which is normally provided , to quicken drying .
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