Cruise Travel Tips: How to Pack, Getting the Lowest Rates and Advice for Couples on Your Next Cruise
Aside from choosing a licensed, insured provider of cruises (such as CruiseMagic) here are some cruise tips to help both cruise newbies and seasoned cruisers get the most out of your next vacation. We’ve put together some highlights from seasoned cruisers to help you on your way!
Packing and Preparation for Your Cruise
1. Don’t bother packing beach towels. They will be provided for your use on board the cruise ship as well as when going ashore.
2. Have a supply of one-dollar bills handy for tipping airport skycaps and porters at the pier.
3. Don’t pack photo film in checked luggage as airport screening equipment could ruin it. Put it in your carry-on instead.
4. Notify the cruise line of any special dietary restrictions when booking your cruise and follow up on the arrangements a couple months before embarking.
~ Courtesy, CruiseDiva.com
Getting the Lowest Rate
There are two big ways to save on your next cruise: Take advantage of Early-Saver discounts or grab a great last-minute cruise deal from cruise operators such as Carnival Cruise Lines, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian and others. So you can get great discount cruises for either booking early or at the last minute. It’s a “win-win!” So you can look for last-minute discounts on cabins that the cruise lines are looking to fill shortly before departure. It sounds like a lot of work, but really the 2 options are ideal.
For example, if you know you’ll have cash and time next fall, lock in a low rate now. Carnival has been know to offer a 110% Guarantees on Early-Saver rates. However, let’s say you are looking for more of a spur-of-the-moment trip. Cruise lines offer many affordable 3, 4 and 5-day tours that are perfect for those types of getaways. And, at as low as $50 to $100 per night per person including amenities, are cheaper than your average low-budget hotel.
~ CruiseMagic Editors
Cruise Tips for Couples
“It’s 9:30. Going to breakfast—Garden Café. Don’t forget ship’s tour at 10— meeting at Reception desk.”
I once left that note in our stateroom on the Grand Princess.
It’s one example of the sea-going modus operandi my wife and I have developed so that we can find each other and coordinate our activities on a large cruise ship. Life on the high seas is a world away from what it is at home. Day-to-day routines are so different that many cruisers have established procedures so that they can more easily relax and enjoy themselves on board.
1. Unpack together.
Perhaps the most common phrases heard in a cabin begins: “Hey, where’s my …?” If the two of you unpacked at the same time, there’s at least a chance the other party will have an idea where to look for that elusive tie clip or cummerbund. Another tip: If your empty suitcases get in the way, you can usually hide them out of sight under the bed.
2. On-deck navigation. Learn the layout of the ship soon after unpacking. If a ship tour is offered, take it immediately. If not, ask the reception desk for a deck plan. Take it in hand to find the bars, restaurants, night clubs, shops, swimming pools, theater, card room, library, spa, gym, etc., and the best stairways and elevators to reach them
3. Be friendly—and expect others to be, too. Half the fun on a cruise is meeting people. You’ll soon find plenty in common besides the weather. Start by talking about the shows, the ports, the waiters, the stewards, the fitness coach or the captain, and the next thing you know, you’ll be comparing pictures of your family.
4. Read the daily bulletin … daily. Large cruise ships today may deliver two regular publications a day to your cabin. One is the ship’s newspaper or an abbreviated newspaper flyer printed from the Internet. The other is the newsletter that gives meal times, show descriptions, the evening dress code, and pertinent information on events and programs you might otherwise miss. (These notices are also usually carried on the shipboard TV.)
~ Excerpted from “A Cruise Veteran’s 12 Tips for Cruising Couples,” PeterGreenberg.com
Regardless of where you choose to go, we’re here to help. With CruiseMagic, you either get a real, live person to give you a customized cruise quote or you can book online. Happy Cruising!
