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11/6/2020 3:42:56 PM Link 0 comments | Add comment

Cruising 101

11/24/2019 9:16:21 AM Link 0 comments | Add comment

Taking a cruise is a great choice for a vacation if you don’t want to worry about where to stay or what to eat.  Where else can you get a vacation which includes, your room, food (oh the food), entertainment, exciting locations and fun?  If you play your cards right and if your travel agent is savvy enough, you can actually get a vacation which includes all of this for around $100 a day.  Sometimes for even less.  However, that is not the norm.  Always inform your travel agent of what your budget is and what type of room you prefer and they will get you the best rate for your budget and/or requirements. 

Things to do before you leave

A passport is highly recommended.  Check the expiration on your passport.  An expired passport will keep you from boarding the ship.  If you do not have a passport, make sure that you have and bring your state issued birth certificate and a state issued photo ID. (Drivers License).

Buy sunblock.  It is very expensive on the ship as well as most ports of call.  It may be the middle of winter where you live, but if you are cruising and traveling to or through the Caribbean, you will most certainly need it.

Download any app that the cruise line may use.  This comes in handy when on board and you want to know what activities are going on.  These apps also usually show the ships map and other useful information. You can even purchase certain items that you may need through the app.

Have your travel agent arrange for some bottled water to be delivered  to your room before your arrival.  Most cruise lines now allow you to purchase bottled water and will deliver it to your room on the first day of the cruise.  Cruise lines no longer allow you to bring water on with you.  Some of the rules will differ, so check with your travel agent as to how much, if any, you can bring.

Check with your cell phone carrier to see if you can use your phone in any of the countries that you may be visiting.  Some of the roaming charges can be extraordinary.   Most carriers now offer an international plan for a small per day fee.

Take a photo of where you park or drop a pin using your cell phones map app so you will be able to find your car when the cruise is over.

Recommended items to pack

Bring a power strip.  There are minimal outlets in your state room.  There is usually only one in the room and sometimes one in the bathroom.

Bring extra clothes hangers.  There are never enough in your room either.

Get some small bills.  You will probably need some for tipping the porters at the port as well and ensuring you can buy souvenirs while at ports of call.  Some of the smaller shops will not be able to break a $20 or larger. 

Some people even recommend to bring some command hooks to put on the wall to hang your towels, bathing suits, etc. on.  This is not a bad idea, but make sure that you remove it and all signs of the tape fully when you return to port.

Prohibited items

Please remember to not bring or attempt to bring aboard weapons, illegal drugs, or substances.  Some other items that are not allowed are spirits for personal consumption and irons.  Irons, as well as other items that may heat up are not allowed  because of the risk off fire.  Rest assured, most cruise lines will have a laundry room that has irons available for use.  Be prepared to wait at times, especially if the evenings attire is more formal.  All cruise lines offer a laundry service if you need something cleaned and pressed also. 

As far as bringing on alcohol, there are several different options and requirements from each cruise line.  Once again, check with your travel agent to ensure that the cruise line you are using allows you to bring on your favorite bottle of wine or to purchase a bottle of spirits.

If you are a wine drinker, most cruise lines will allow a passenger to bring aboard one bottle of wine.  So, if you have a special wine that you just cannot live without, bring it on with you..

If you would like to bring some hard alcohol, think again.  Nearly every cruise line prohibits its passengers to bring alcohol on board for consumption.  Some have started to offer a pre-purchase option.  This means that you can buy a bottle of spirits from the cruise line and they will deliver it to your state room on the first day of the cruise.

All cruise lines now offer a drink package.  Check with your travel agent if this is something you may want to purchase.

Just remember that a good travel agent will know the rules for each cruise line and what you can and cannot bring on board.

Ports of call

It is advisable to spend a little time doing some research on the ports that you are going to visit.  The ships are also a good source of information as to what some of the best shopping is at every port of call.  Remember that they have stopped at these ports over and over again.  Always check with your travel agent regarding the safety of the ports also.  Generally, the ports are going to be safe, but don’t venture out unless you are certain about the safety of the area. 

Each port will offer shore excursions.  These extras are wide ranging and can be selected based on specific interests of the passenger.  Shore excursions can be booked on board, or through your travel agent ahead of the trip.  If you do decide to book through a local or on a website, check with the guide or booking agency to ensure that they know what time the ship departs.

Dining

Each cruise line will accommodate its passengers with a sit down dinner in the dining room.  Some will ask to choose a dining schedule time, while others offer a flexible dining schedule. 

Nearly all cruise lines also offer a specialty dining option while on board.  All of these specialty restaurants will require an additional charge.

If you prefer to forgo the formality of a set dining schedule or just don’t want to be sat and waited on in the dining room, you can still enjoy some great food on any ship.  They all have a plethora of walk up dining options.

All cruise lines offer a room service option.  Some of the menu items are limited on some cruise lines.  Take a few minutes to look over the menu when you get into your stateroom to see if it is something you will use.

Entertainment

Each ship has a daily schedule of events that will occur either on the ship or while at the port. 

Some of these include Broadway type shows, to game shows with audience participation.  There are also entertainers, usually musicians, placed throughout the ship at scheduled locations and times.   Most ships have also chosen to hire comedians that will put on shows throughout the cruise.

Always check the ships schedule or the mobile app to see what may be happening during your vacation.

Disembarkation

Your last day on the ship is usually organized so that groups of passengers are allowed to leave at specific times.  This helps to alleviate the crowds at the luggage collection area.

You do have the option of taking your own luggage off with you.  I would recommend this option if you have an early flight that you need to catch or just do not want to wait for your luggage to be delivered to the collection area.

Most of all, remember to enjoy yourself and have a great time.  Take advantage of all the amenities that the ship offers.  You are sure to have a blast, or simply take the time to unwind a relax.  It is all up to you.