Great Cruise Tips
The art of cruising takes years of practice to master, bu t below are some great tips to help
make your next cruise perfect.
1. If you are traveling with a large group, friends or family, consider bringing along walkie-talkies to keep everyone connected without cell phone roaming charges.
2. Most cruise lines charge for soft drinks, beer, wine and cocktails, but if you stick to juice, iced tea and water, you can drink for free.
3. Try taping a balloon to your cabin door, that way your cabin door will stand out in the long hallway.
4. Did you know that if you book onboard, some cruise lines Princess Cruises among them, you save money on the cruise as much as $175.00, get a ship board credit for the future cruise, and you can make sure your agent gets the credit.
5. Check deck plans online to confirm your cabin isn't beneath a well traveled area. Many ships have a Lido deck buffet, where diners eat poolside. When they drag around chairs, it can make some noise that may disturb your sleep.
6. To avoid the last minute rush, ask for a printout of your bill the day before disembarking. If there are any discrepencies, you can resolve them early and then relax on your last day at sea.
7. Book early especially if you are planning a trip on a popular route, you won't find many last minute discounts. Booking 6-9 months in advance can, in most cases, get you the best rates.
8. Hire an agent, a cruise is a wise moment to call in the experts. Agents can offer you advice on cabin selections, as well as offer discounted fares, onboard credit, wine with dinner and other goodies.
9. Pack the Homework. Prices often flucuate based on kids' availablity. Spring break, for example, is a popular and pricey time of year, in the last week of August when most kids are returning to school there are lots of bargains out there.
10. Stick with the same cruise line most have programs that reward you with special pricing for past guest, and other perks like pillow gifts and cocktail parties.
11. Don't miss your cruise. Fly into the port city a day or two before the cruise sails, this helps keep you fresh, relaxed and you don't have to worry about missing the boat due to flight delays or cancellations.
12. Skip the spa on sea days, instead book on the port days, that is when the spa offers discounts.
13. Have breakfast in bed the night before an early morning excursion, order room service. You won't get stuck in a long buffet line and risk missing your departure. The best part? room service is free.
14. Avoid motion sickness try a green apple, ginger or oranges, my favorite is Sea-Bands ( bracelets that apply pressure to the inside of the wrist) the are surprisingly effective and cost very little, they can be bought at Wal-Mart or most pharmacies.
15. Bring along a power strip, most cabins have only one outlet, which is not enough if you have a laptop, ipod or hair dryer.