Travel Cruise Tips
Cruising become more and more popular these years because of easy, relax and "all-inclusive" vacation experience.
These are our tips for you to enjoy the experience:
1. Know your cruise line:
Like many other industries, cruise lines target their cruise ship experience to certain markets.
Five basic categories are the ultra-luxury market, the upscale mass market, the middle of the road mass market, the bargain/smaller lines, specialized Lines.
Three popular cruise lines for the middle of the road mass market are Royal Caribbean, Princess and Carnival.
Royal Caribbean's newer ships are spectacular, great service, and their food vendor rivals some of the ultra-luxury ships.
Princess is also very good with outstanding food.
Carnival has a party ship reputation and target the younger market where the food and ship decor are pretty ordinary. But the price is usually cheaper than Royal Caribbean and Princess.
Explore the Cruise Lines:
2. Get the cruise line brochures:
Pay attention to the text description and pictures to get perspective on the line's basic philosophy, like what kind of passengers they target.
Ship deck cabin category and location is another thing you need to study as well after you decide.
Get the cruise line brochure NOW
3. Know more your cruise ship:
Different cruiser has different interests, like budget, destination, port of call, food, entertainment etc.
Use internet resource to know more about the cruise ship you select. Read other cruiser's review as a reference for their service.
Know your cruise ship NOW
4. When to Cruise:
Match your preferred destination to the dates you can travel.
The Caribbean is busy year-round but more popular in winter and summer could be a hurricane season.
Of course peak season, school vacation time and holiday the price will go high. If you want to find good deal, avoid these time and try Off-peak times.
Best deal could be found Fall time after Labor day, between Thanksgiving and Christmas, and Superbowl weekend.
5. Book Early or Late:
You generally get the best deals by booking either well in advance of your sailing date or at the last minute.
Reserving space three to six months prior to departure provides "early-bird" savings of 15 to 50 percent and also locks in the cabin category of your choice
Last minute deal will be found within a week or two of sailing date on a ship's unsold cabins. But be aware you may not get the cabin category you want. Also if you need to fly to the port, it may be difficult to get an inexpensive flight.
Book your cruise NOW
6. Seek Out a Cruise Specialist:
Booking a cruise is a relatively complicated purchase decision, for example, distinguishing between cabin categories, determining which cabins are adjacent to noisy areas of the ship, reserving dining room seating, requesting a special diet, etc.
7. When you booking.
You need to pay attention to the cancellation policy. If there are some uncertain about your trip, especially when you plan to travel with young kids, you may think about the cancellation insurance option.
If you plan to fly to the port and continue your vacation after your cruising, you need to book the flight and lodging at right time.
8. First time cruiser.
Try a quickie cruise first when it comes to choosing an itinerary, first-time cruisers should consider booking a short cruise of three, four or five days to "test the waters" and get the feel of the cruise experience.
Nowadays, sea sickness is not an issue because of the larger ships with several stabilizers. Do not need over concern. You always can get an over the counter product from your pharmacist before you leave, like Bonnine or Dramimine.
9. Beware of added charges.
While cruise lines tout their "all-inclusive pricing", experienced cruisers are aware that there are many opportunities to spend money while at sea that are not covered by the cruise fare.
Known as "onboard revenue", these additional expenses encompass everything from everyday tips, casinos, soda drink and alcoholic beverages, photos snapped by the ship's ubiquitous photographers. Others include onboard shopping or a dining at a specialty restaurants.
Perhaps the largest additional cost are escorted shore excursions offered in every port of call. Passengers seeking to conserve funds can explore on their own and/or arrange their own excursion; those who prefer this approach should find out what sites are within walking distance of the ship as well as the cost of hiring a cab, taking a local bus or renting a car.
10. Once you decide to travel please follow these tips:
a. Ensure that your passport or visa does not expire during the course of your cruise.
b. Make sure you have a multi entry visa for the country where you embark the ship especially if after the cruise you will be disembarking at the same port. Cruise companies are not liable for any visa problems you may have and you may be refused boarding the ship in case your papers are not in order.
c. When packing to go on a cruise, read the recommended dress section-this will help you to pack right. On a seven-night cruise normally one would need two formal outfits and on a shorter cruise one formal dress will do.
d. Pack your valuables in your hand baggage and preferably deposit jewellery and other valuables with the Purser or if you have a safe in your cabin, use it. Most cruise companies do not take any responsibility for lost items, if not deposited with the Purser's Desk.
e. When going on a cruise, remember to pack one set of clothes, as also any items of value in your hand luggage as your checked baggage may be delivered to your cabin much after you have boarded the ship.
f. Please make sure you check in and board at least two hours before the scheduled sailing time. If you don't show up within the stipulated time, be aware that the cruise company can cancel your booking and no refund will be made to you.
g. At the time of check in, you are normally handed a cruise card that serves as identification as well as a credit card for the duration of the cruise. Get the card activated as soon as you board the ship. This can be done at the Purser's desk. No cash transactions are carried out on board cruise ships.
h. There are normally two meal sittings on board ships. Make your preference known at the time of reservation. It will be difficult to change the timing once on board.
i. If you have special diet requests, do let them know at the time of booking to ensure you get what you want.
j. Make sure you book your shore excursions as soon as you board, as these get filled up easily.
k. If you have a special occasion, like an anniversary coming up while you are on the cruise inform the travel agent at the time of booking. With advance notice, most cruise companies can normally arrange for you to have that little "extra" of having a champagne breakfast or hamper in your room! All of course for an extra charge.
l. Usually the night before you disembark, you are requested to pack your bags and leave them outside your cabin. Do ensure that you keep one hand baggage with your essentials and a change for the next day with you.
m. Tipping: The 'done thing' varies but usually cruise lines recommend the amount of tip for the staff. If you are satisfied with the service, follow the tipping guidelines provided by the cruise company.
