Recently I’ve spent a lot of time answering questions/giving advice to some first time cruisers. It’s one of the more enjoyable parts of my job, watching people getting more and more excited about their first cruise but it had occurred to me that your first cruise can be a scary prospect; hundreds of miles from home, possibly even hundreds of mile from land. It’s with this in mind that I’ve combed the internet looking for advice for first time cruisers and have put this guide together. If you have any other useful tips or advice please add them below.......
• Take a coach - One of the reasons for taking a cruise is to avoid the hassles of driving/flying. If you live fairly close to the port, your cruise company may provide a coach service free of charge/for a small supplement.
• Your Luggage - When you get off the coach/taxi/car, gather your luggage into one place and a porter will take it to the ship. Don't leave your luggage until you're sure a porter has it under his care. BE SURE to count how many suitcases you're bringing so you can keep track. When the cruise is over and you gather up your luggage at the dock - be sure to stay with it. Don't lose sight of it until you see your luggage loaded. This is very important: On the last night of the cruise when you place your luggage outside your door, ALWAYS use a zip lock, not only for the main section but also for the side pockets. The reason is because while your luggage is outside your door, it's available to the general public to rifle through it/ hides something in it. This rarely happens but it's best to be safe.
• Don't pack too much - Remember you're not moving out; it's just a cruise! Use good luggage because your suitcase could end up on the bottom of a big stack of heavy luggage. While loading or unloading the ship, time is of the essence. I remember once seeing the workers throwing the luggage and stacking an elevator from floor to ceiling. Don’t forget that coming home you're going to need extra room in your luggage for all those souvenirs. Also if you're driving to the port, rather than flying there’s no limit on the luggage that you load on the ship, you’re only constricted by what you can fit in your room.
• Shoes - Be sure to wear comfortable shoes for walking around sightseeing and make sure they have non-slip soles. The ship's deck is often wet from being washed down. Don’t forget to pack the nice ones for formal nights though – See Below.
• Formal Nights - Some people don't like to dress up, but it is usually just for the main dining room, so if this isn’t your thing use this night to use one of the other restaurants.
• Photographs - Something that goes along with dress up night is a formal portrait. They cost a little more than you may want to spend but it's a lot cheaper than a portrait studio at home. It's also a great chance to get a family portrait if everyone's there.
• This tip is real important - The last night of the cruise you have to pack your bags and place them outside your cabin door to be picked up. Don't forget to leave something unpacked to wear home! If you don’t have fun wearing your PJ’s or birthday suit down to the luggage hold.
• The ship's "Credit Card" - You don't need to carry around money on the ship. Everything you buy like souvenirs, soft drinks, mixed drinks or even photographs are charged to your Ship Credit Card. When you first board the ship you can go to the Pursers Desk and give cash as a deposit for your card or give them a credit card number. If you give a credit card number or even a check card it can usually be done while checking in even before you board. If you decide to give a cash deposit and have no access to any additional funds, it would be a good idea to ask the Pursers Desk not to allow your account to be overcharged.
• Seasickness - If you get seasick it will ruin your cruise. Unless you're absolutely sure you don't get seasick be sure to take something to prevent it just in case. You have several options. A doctor can give you a prescription for a patch that will last the whole cruise. If you don't like taking medicine you can buy wristbands that are supposed to prevent seasickness through pressure points on your wrist. Something else that doesn't involve drugs is to drink Ginger tea, or eat ginger crystals. It's not only supposed to prevent seasickness but is also supposed to help your food digest. It's available at most good health shops. But don’t worry most cruise ships are so big these days, they have giant stabilisers on the side for choppy weather, a lot of people wouldn’t even realise they’re moving.
• Sun Block - A bad sunburn can ruin your cruise. Be liberal with your suntan lotion because the sun on the water in the tropics is extra hot. Sunglasses and sandals are essential l to look like a real tourist; knotted hanky on head is optional.
• Use The Safe - If your room steward were to be caught stealing, he or she would be sent home immediately, so usually just about anything you leave out is safe. On the other hand, why tempt them? Cabins on most ships have a safe for you to use free of charge.
• Going Ashore - At some ports the Ship will drop anchor right at the dock. At those ports you can come and go as you please all day long. At the other ports the ship drops anchor in the bay and you have to take a small boat called a "Tender" to shore. Since everyone can't ride on the tender at once, sometimes the ship hands out tender tickets to go ashore. If you are in a big hurry to get ashore be sure to get your tender tickets as soon as they begin handing them out. That will insure a ride on the first tender. If the ship is stopping at a private island it is imperative to get there first if you want your pick of the best spots on the beach. For the rest of the day the tender normally goes back and forth every thirty minutes or so.
• Don't Be Left Behind! - This tip is very important. If the ship says it is going to leave at a certain time… it leaves at that time with or without you! Be sure to return to the ship at least an hour before it is scheduled to leave.
• Shore Excursions - If you plan on purchasing a shore excursion from the ship you need to go to the shore excursion desk and buy your ticket before it sells out as they are sold on a first come first serve basis. Some cruise lines even let you book excursions online before you sail – Useful if there is something particular you wish to do.
• Cameras - Surely you won't forget your camera but this friendly reminder can't hurt. Don’t forget if your camera takes film rather than being digital, it’ll cost you a fortune to buy onboard – stock up before you go.
• The Last Morning - Try not to be too upset if the service you receive is not as prompt on the last morning as it was for the rest of the cruise. The reason first of all is that they have already received their tips the evening before. The main reason is that since they work so hard during the week without many breaks they sometimes slow down on the last morning because they know another group of passengers will be boarding soon and demanding their full attention.
• Drinks - If you buy Alcohol while off the ship at one of the ports most cruise lines take it from you as you get back on and store it until the last day of the cruise.
• This Tip Is Extremely Important - Every cruise ship that leaves port must have a lifeboat drill and everybody has to participate. When you first get on board and find your room you need to make sure there are life jackets in your room. Place them where you can quickly get to them and then look at the back of your room door for instructions as to where your gathering place or "muster station" is located. Next look at the daily schedule to find out the exact time of the lifeboat drill so you can return to your room a few minutes ahead of time to put on your life jacket. You'll look like a real dork but its information that could save your life. Don't try to hide in your room to avoid it because they take a roll call!
• Research Your Port Of Calls - The planning and anticipation of your vacation can enhance the whole vacation experience. One thing you can do is get to know as much as possible about the ports of call you'll be visiting. Get to know in advance which landmarks or attractions you don't want to miss. This will help you decide which excursions you may or may not want to purchase. In fact I have a series of blogs going at the moment called Destination Information to help with this very problem, check it out and see if any of your ports are there; feel free to email me to post information about a particular port you’re interested in if you can’t find it there already.
• Hurricanes - Are you worried about hurricanes? If you are - don't be; because as long as a hurricane isn't hitting the port you're supposed to leave from you'll be fine. The ship has the ability to know exactly where any bad weather is and how to avoid it. The worst that could happen is the ship may visit islands it hadn't originally planned. Instead of basking in the sun at Saint Thomas you may be basking in the sun in Mexico or Jamaica. Again see my blog that has already covered this here.
• Beauty Shop Appointments - If all you ladies plan on having their hair done for a formal night, (never a problem for me), be sure to make the appointment as soon as possible. The same goes for making an appointment for getting a therapeutic massage at some point during the cruise. Book early to avoid disappointment.
• Have Fun – It’s a holiday
And again if you've found this guide useful, or your an experienced cruiser please feel free to add any other 'top tips' you may have, they all help.
Happy Cruising
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