28 first time cruise tips that really work 2024
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Many cruise ships have a specialty ice cream shop onboard, which is not included. However, it might surprise you to know that most cruise lines actually make their own delicious ice cream, gelato and sorbet to use in the main dining room for desserts. Many cruisers assume they can't bring their own drinks on board a ship.
Your ship will not always pull right up into the port
Carnival Cruise Line makes a dining change, asks customers to tip - TheStreet
Carnival Cruise Line makes a dining change, asks customers to tip.
Posted: Tue, 12 Mar 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
But booking tours through the line isn't your only option, and it's not always the best option. Like many cruise lines these days, Royal Caribbean often offers its best pricing for any given cruise at the moment the sailing opens for booking. Then, as the cruise starts filling up, the line will slowly raise prices for the remaining inventory of cabins. Some of the biggest cruise ship horror stories you'll find on the internet are tales of cruising newbies who racked up thousands of dollars in cellphone charges while on ships. This can happen when you leave your phone turned on and, say, watch videos on the internet. However, if you plan to enjoy that specialty meal on embarkation day itself, you will find that most of the posh restaurants on the cruise ship are much less crowded.
Planning to drink on board? Look for an all you can drink package
Cruise cabins are small but they make good use of the space they do have. Case in point is that cruise cabin beds are normally raised up with space underneath them. When you check-in online ahead of the cruise, you’ll normally be asked how you want the bed configured.
Always read the daily itineraries.
The staff doesn’t check what deck your cabin is on, and they simply want passengers off the ship so that they can get ready for the next group. Each day the bar will have a different drink of the day special. But just because they highlight it doesn’t mean it’s a deal. Often the cruise lines just call it the “drink of the day” to draw attention to an option to get you to buy it, but don’t cut the price.
A drink package can save you money and hassle when you’re sailing, so if you're looking to really get into vacation mode it pays to buy a drink package before setting foot on the ship. You’ll likely save money, as cruise lines often discount those packages ahead of time. Everything you'll need on a cruise -- food, fun and cabins -- is neatly arranged in apps, maps on the ships and daily programming flyers delivered to your room. And while cruise lines are more than eager to market their shore excursions to you, they don't always do the best job of telling you exactly what to see or do in ports of call. If you want to get a good buzz going, check out the bars and restaurants in the area.
Make sure you get the best deal by looking at the overall value. Unfortunately losing a piece of luggage can happen when flying. Even though it likely will be found and sent to you in a day or two, you won’t want to be stuck without clothing and your necessities. You can either leave it on shore as you swim or risk it getting soaked in the water. It’s cheap, compact, and keeps all your stuff safe and sound. If you want to hang out with a younger crowd, then the time of year you sail is the biggest factor as to who you will sail with.
It’s also a good way to get the kids to drink something other than soda while on their vacation. Be sure to use your card every time you play to get your spending tracked so that the cruise lines know how good of a customer you are. One thing you might not think to bring is a small portable fan for your cabin room. There isn’t much airflow in the cabins, so if you are the type that always need a breeze to be comfy, then you’ll hate sitting still in the room. As well, we like the white noise that a fan provides to drown out sounds like people talking in the hall while we are trying to sleep. Yes, credit cards are accepted, especially in the more touristy areas of port cities.
Perspective I took the Margaritaville cruise. It's like basic economy at sea. - The Washington Post
Perspective I took the Margaritaville cruise. It's like basic economy at sea..
Posted: Thu, 01 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Pack a Small Fan For Your Cabin
If you show up to board right when the boarding window opens, you can expect to do a lot of waiting. There is always a mad rush to board the ship right as it opens — even with assigned boarding times — which leads to long lines. That’s why when you board the ship, you should either turn your phone completely off or turn it on airplane mode to where it doesn’t use up data (but can still connect to wi-fi).
It’s the simplest way to make sure there are no big surprises when you get your next phone bill. Of course, in exchange you won’t get the wild new things like waterslides and ten swimming pools. But if you’re the sort of person who simply wants to be out on the water, you can save hundreds of dollars by sailing on an older ship. If you’re the sort of person who likes a deal, look at sailing on an older ship.
If you’re going somewhere with warm weather, pack apparel that feels comfortable and is lightweight as well as multi-functional. Your muster station is usuallly listed on your sail card and you must check in to your station number area for the safety briefing. Make sure to check out all of the dining options for the ship that you choose.
However, many medical items are available for free through the customer concierge, so save those medical trips for illnesses or injuries that really require a doctor’s attention. Yes, buffets are fantastic because they offer a wide variety of popular foods, and it’s all-you-can-eat around the clock. But if you’re only eating at the buffets, you’re missing some of the best food on the cruise! The restaurants are designed to give you a full dining experience and offer regional or specialty cuisines that can’t be found on the buffet.
This is especially important when leaving the ship on cruise port days and excursions. Booking a cruise while you’re on a cruise is often a great way to save money and get extra on board credits. Sometimes, you can make an open booking, which is great of you aren’t 100% sure which cruise you’d like to so next.
Cruise companies provide a handy list of the shore excursions on offer in advance of the cruise, and it is a good idea to book up the ones that appeal to you in advance of your vacation. Of all the cruise tips for first-timers, this advice is crucial to making sure you’re actually able to board your cruise. Always make sure to read the fine print of your cruise ticket that details ship departure and arrival ports. If your pre-cruise preparations don’t leave much time to read up on the destinations along your itinerary, there is an easy way to prepare to enjoy the best they offer. Plan to attend the onboard destination seminars which are typically given the day before arriving to the port. If you’ve booked your sailing more than a few months ahead, make use of that advanced preparation time by setting up a fun cruise chat with your travel partners.
Call as soon as you book and speak to a customer service agent. They can update you on food options and also make a note on your account to notify the crew. Considering that a non-alcoholic drink can cost $3-4 bucks each on a cruise ship (plus gratuity!) you can save a big chunk of change by bringing your own. The vast majority of cruise lines don’t let you bring on beer or hard liquor and there is no way around it. Nearly all of them, however, will let you bring on bottles of champagne or wine.
Or maybe you want to snag a snack for later from the buffet? Remember, the more you pack, the more you have to carry with you, and the more space it takes up in your cabin. These tips and secrets will have you packing like a pro in no time. If you want to make sure you get a deal, you can buy the package. Then, if the price drops, you can refund your purchase and then rebuy at the lower price. For example, Carnival charges $23 per person one-way to get you from the Miami airport to the Port of Miami — a 10-mile ride.
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