Cruise Travel Tips That Can Make All The Difference
Cruises are a different kind of vacation. Youre never in the drivers seat, you dont need to map out the trip and you never have to prepare a meal, wash a dish or make a bed. Its like being at a first-class hotel thats transported to different ports of call almost daily.
If youve never been on a cruise, there are some tips for making the most of your big sea adventure:
Picking a cruise line
Start by determining where you want to go. Your choices are tropical tours to the islands, snowy views of Alaskan glaciers, historical tours of Mexican ruins, cruises down European waterways, international ports of call or short jaunts around the shores of the United States.
Your choice also depends on who is going with you on the cruise. If its your honeymoon, you probably do not want a family cruise. If you like to gamble, look for one with an onboard casino. If this is a family trip for multiple generations, look for one with activities for all.
Size of the ship
If you thrive in crowds, look for a big cruise ship. You will be surrounded by thousands of people. Its like a floating city that offers the joys of people-watching, but can also mean long lines when everyone is getting off the ship. On the plus side, the larger the ship, the more varied the activities. The cruise lines know they have to offer entertainment for all ages, so they may offer camp-type activities for kids, classes for the older folks and entertainment for everyone. On a large ship you can expect Las Vegas-type acts in the lounges in the evening.
But if the thought of crowds of people is daunting, then look for a smaller ship. The lines wont be as long, but you may pay more for that solitude.
What to pack
Your packing list will depend, of course, on where you are headed. If youre taking an Alaskan cruise, youll want winter-weather clothing. But you also will want to pack your bathing suit for the onboard activities. If youre headed for the tropics, you can skip the parka, but you might want to bring a sweater or two for evening strolls on the deck when the wind can take over.
No matter where youre going, you need to pack for daytime and evening activities. Most ships have a few dressy occasions. Whether its dinner at the captains table or a nightclub party, youll want to lose the capris and Bermuda shorts for partywear.
Its very important that you pack the appropriate identification. You most likely will need a passport for foreign ports of call. If thats the case, be sure you leave a good photocopy of it back home so it can be faxed or e-mailed to the ship in case you lose your ID while on vacation.
Cash, credit or travelers checks
Its a good idea to have some of each. You can exchange your dollars for the local currency upon docking at a port of call, but be sure you are not carrying around huge amounts of cash. That is asking for trouble. Instead, take travelers checks, which can be replaced if they are lost or stolen. (Keep a record of the check numbers someplace separate from your wallet.) And its a good idea to have a major credit card for emergencies. (Before you leave for your vacation, call the company and let them know your itinerary. Otherwise, the company may put a stop on the card, thinking it has been stolen.)
Your medicine cabinet
There will be a doctor aboard the ship if you get sick, but you need take care of yourself by bringing your daily medications. It is smart to also bring along extra medication and store it in a different bag or in your purse. That way, if the airlines lose your luggage, you have your extra stash in another bag. It could save you scrambling to get your prescriptions refilled at a foreign pharmacy.
Travel insurance
It is always smart to look into travel insurance for any major trip. It costs relatively little and can save your vacation. The insurance covers costs incurred when something goes wrong on your trip. If your luggage is lost or even delayed for a day, it can reimburse the cost of clothing you had to buy. If you get critically ill, it can cover the cost of getting you to a major hospital. If a hurricane interrupts your trip, insurance can cover part, or all, of the cost of your trip. Cruise lines do not always reimburse travelers when the problem is beyond their control. So for a few dollars, travel insurance or cruise insurance can give you peace of mind.
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