Tips for First-Time Cruiser Vacationers
If you’ve never taken a cruise before but are considering it, you’re bound to have a lot of questions on everything from booking your trip to paying for services while on board. These tips should shed some light on how you can plan a great cruise vacation with plenty to do, and maybe even save some money and time along the way.
Booking a Cruise. While most people seem to think you have to hire a travel agent to book a cruise, nothing could be farther from the truth! These days you can easily make reservations for all kinds of cruises right over the internet, or use an online travel service to help you compare prices and get cruise vacation package deals to get the best values. You can also use these services to do research on which cruise is for you. There are tons of options, some centered on singles travel, family vacations or adult travel, and there are lots of theme-based cruises out there as well. Check out everything through the internet with convenience and ease!
What to Pack Packing for a cruise depends on the kind of cruise you’re taking. If you’re leaving from a cold location and heading towards a warm one, chances are you should bring clothes for all kinds of weather. Definitely bring rain gear as well. Even though you may think you can spend most of a rainy day indoors, you may not want to. Most rooms will have the amenities you’d expect form a hotel, soap, shampoo, towels, etc. It may be a good idea to bring an alarm clock. Instead of using the ship’s laundry services, which can be expensive, bring change and use coin operated Laundromats when in port. This will save you some cash.
What does the price include? Generally the price of a cruise includes room, food through the main dining options, and a limited number of drinks. This also includes a wide range of free activities, such as use of the pool, gym or shows and other live entertainment. Lots of cruises offer a wide variety of other onboard entertainment you may have to pay for. Look into prices. Some cruises offer free alcoholic drinks, while others may require you to pay for everything.
Am I expected to tip? Some cruise lines forbid tipping, while others include a daily gratuity in the pricing of your cruise. Read the fine print and ask before you board to be prepared for sure.
