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Accommodation
Activities
Airport
Bookings
Food
Health
Hygiene
Money
Packing
Photos
Safety
Tips for accomodation:
| Always bring something to mark you cabin door from outside (like some ribbon or sign) to help you find it when you are coming back tired from shore excursion or late at night. It really helps. |
| Attend the lifeboat drill and try to pay attention to the information given. |
| Cabins near ship's laundry, engine room, generators, galley or clubs may have noise problems |
| Complete the immigration/embarkation and the onboard credit card application forms before you register at the check in desk. |
| Don't be a deck chair hog. It's inconsiderate to put towels and personal belongings on poolside lounge chairs to "save" them unless you are actually in the pool. |
| Don't miss the morning sun in your inside cabin. Before you retire for the night, leave the television tuned to the channel with the "view from the bridge" and you'll awaken with a "window" on the outside world. |
| Don't panic if your luggage is not in your cabin when you arrive. Sometimes it takes a few hours for luggage to be distributed. |
| For families with small children, a cabin with a veranda might not be the best choice. Children are incredibly quick and accidents can happen, even on balconies with solid barriers beneath the railing. |
| Give relatives and friends ship's phone number, for the case of emergency. |
| If you are prone to motion (sea) sickness, the best cabin location for you is on a lower deck in the middle of the ship. |
| If you have disability, make sure that ship can accommodate your needs. |
| If you have specific request about dining room table, visit dining room as soon as possible after boarding. |
| If you pick an outside cabin, you may want to check to make sure your view of the sea isn't obstructed by a lifeboat. |
| If you plan to use email, make sure to have web-mail account like Hotmail, Yahoo... |
| If you smoke, consider cabin with balcony where you can smoke. |
| If you want a good cabin book your cruise as early as possible |
| Inside cabins, which do not provide an ocean view, are cheaper. |
| Inspect your cabin and report any problem immediately. |
| Leaving your balcony door open may turn the air condition in your cabin off. |
| Note the phone number of the ship's hospital for the case of emergency |
| Personal 2-way radios are a great way to keep track of cruise companions, but set the volume low so you don't disturb your fellow passengers. |
| Take few minutes to learn emergency ways from your cabin just in case. |
Tips for activities:
| After booking your cruise, search the web and learn about places you are about to visit. Your travel experience will be way better. |
| Book you onshore excursion by yourself when its possible |
| Carefully plan your onshore excursions to make sure you wont miss the ship's departure from the port. Always have few extra hours to spare. |
| During a shore excursion, always have ID with you. |
| Have a family portrait taken to preserve the memory, on evening when wearing formal attire. |
| Have binoculars with you to use it outside as well in the museums , etc... |
| If you enjoy nightlife activities on the ship, it's good idea to have an afternoon nap. It's possible that you will be more tired that you think. |
| If you like specific sport or other activity always find out is that available on ship before book the cruise. |
| If you plan to scuba diving, consider becoming certified before cruise. That will save you time and money. |
| If you want to use email onboard, make sure that internet-cafe is available on ship |
| If you wearing your ship ID on visible badge while onshore, bear in mind that it makes easier for shop keepers and thieves to target you. |
| If you wish to celebrate birthday, anniversary or business meeting onboard find out what packaged amenities are available. |
| Make spa and salon appointments as soon as you can so you won't be disappointed. Prime appointment times fill up fast! |
| Print cards with your name, address, phone number, & email address to share with new friends (like business cards). |
| Research your cruise on internet months in advance, to plan excursions. |
| Take along an insulated mug with a lid. Fill it at the beverage station in the buffet area and your drinks will stay hot or cold and you won't have to worry about spills. |
| When going outside for shore excursion trip make sure to to negotiate all fares and fees up front. |
Tips for airport:
| Airline carry-on restrictions are being updated continuously. Check with your airline before packing and be aware that purses often "count" as a carry-on item! |
| Check and confirm your airline reservations 24 hours prior to departure. |
| If you are booking airfare for your cruise, it's always good idea to plan arriving a day ahead. |
| If you book cruise only, you are responsible for getting to ship from the airport. |
| If you carry on your laptop computer, you may be asked to "boot it up" at security both at the airport and at pier check-in. |
| Items confiscated by airport security will not be returned to you. If you're uncertain whether something will pass the security test, pack it in your checked luggage. |
Tips for bookings:
| Big ships in size 1200-3000 are often considered as destinations in themselves. They offer endless possibilities in entertainment and facilities. |
| For a more intimate cruise with personalized service, choose smaller ship that accommodates up to 500 passengers. |
| If cruising single, consider participating in "guaranteed share rate", which is program that finds you roommate of the same sex. This will save you money. |
| If you cruising alone, expect to pay a "single's supplement", that can be anywhere from 10-100% of the per person rate. |
| If you have kids, find out about children's facilities before booking. |
| If your cruise was less than satisfactory, inform the cruise representative immediately. For valid complaints you may receive discount for the next cruise. |
| One way to reduce the expenses is to choose repositioning voyage, which is when ship move from one region to another between seasons. |
| Ships in size 500-1200 passengers offer good choice of company and more activity than small ones. |
Read all your travel doucumentation upon arrival. If you notice any mistake act immediately to resolve problems. Later will be much more difficult. |
Tips for food:
| Notify the cruise line of any special dietary restrictions when booking your cruise and follow up on the arrangements a couple months before embarking. |
| Notify the cruise ship of any special dietary restrictions or requests as early as possible. |
Tips for health:
| Be cerful with onshore food. Some food and beverages in certain destinations may be off limits. |
| Before booking, you may want to check your ship's Vessel Sanitation Program of Center for Disease Control and Prevention report card to know results of last sanitary inspection. |
| Check the countries you travel to for immunizations they may have. |
| Don't forget to pack and USE your sunscreen. |
| Dramimine is good to prevent seasickness, but may induce sleepiness. |
| If you buy bottled water make sure it's sealed. |
| If you feel seasickness while on the ship, the ship's doctor can give you something for a nominal charge. |
| If you have a specific medical condition, ask your family doctor to write up your brief medical history, which you will take with you and provide if necessary |
| Pack and wear a hat to protect your scalp, ears, and face from sun damage and premature aging. Excessive sun exposure contributes to wrinkles and dark spots. |
| Tap water on your ship is perfectly safe to drink; purchasing bottled water is only necessary if you prefer the taste. |
| To prevent seasickness get some Dramimine or Bonnine in your local pharmacy store. |
Tips for hygiene:
| Germicidal hand cleaner is a must have for adventure excursions where water might be at a premium. |
| If you are snorkeler take your own mask and snorkel with you so you know it's disinfect properly |
| If you have a child in diapers or pullups, always bring more than you think you'll need. |
| With limited/expensive laundry facilities on ships, it's convenient to bring along a pack of disposable bibs for mealtimes, available at grocery stores. They keep baby's clothes cleaner and stain free. |
Tips for money:
| Check prices before leaving home to insure you don't overpay for electronics and jewelry at "duty-free" shops. |
| Check the balance of your on board account before the end of your cruise. Straighten out any discrepancies immediately. |
| Do not bring large amount of cash with you. Have travelers cheques or credit cards instead. |
| Early advanced bookings often offer saving money trough discounts. |
| Have a supply of one-dollar bills handy for tipping airport skycaps and porters at the pier. |
| If you have left foreign money after you leave that country you may use it as crew tips. They can use it next time they are there. |
| Set aside gratuity money and keep it in your room safe. |
| When traveling into various countries, have extra currency from that country up front. If you exchange in country's exchange office you will probable get lower exchange rate. |
Tips for packing:
| A mesh laundry bag that allows damp clothing to dry out is ideal for gathering soiled garments during a cruise. |
| A nylon tote bag that folds compactly into its own pocket can be used as a beach bag during your cruise and as an extra carry-on for your return home with fragile souvenirs. |
| Bring your own travel alarm clock; most staterooms do not have them. |
| Do not pack your passport, visas, driver's license, travel documents in your luggage. Keep them in the purse, jacket or backpack. |
| Don't bother packing beach towels, they will be provided for your use on board the cruise ship as well as when going ashore. |
| Even in warm destinations, you may to have sweater due to powerful air conditions that is on cruise ships |
| Find out is tux-rental available on your ship. If yes, you don't need to pack it. |
| Folding or inflatable travel hangers are useful if you need to dry out hand laundry or a bathing suit in your cabin. |
| If you plan on working out, pack some gym clothes. |
| If you plan to use more than one electrical appliance at once, bring your extension cord. |
| If you travel with spouse, do a cross-packing. Each put some clothes in other's bag. So if anyone bag is lost, they will have something to wear from other bag. |
| Keep track of your boarding pass, on board charge/key card, as well as a picture ID to take ashore by slipping them into a bi-fold business card style carrying case. Cases with a "suede" finish are less likely to fall out of your pocket. |
| Pack a pad of Post-It notes to leave messages for your cabin steward, family, and shipboard friends. |
| Pack anything that can leak in zipper top plastic storage bags. |
| Pack toiletries, clothing, and other items in clear zipper top bags for faster security examination of your carry-on at the airport and pier. This method makes it easier to repack if your bag is emptied and searched. |
| Put a card with your name and address on your inside your luggage, as well on the outside. |
| Set aside a few moments every day to pack up your used clothing and spend the last afternoon of your cruise doing fun things while your fellow passengers are packing to go home. |
| Take along a hanging shoe organizer for the closet. It extends your storage space for small items and keeps your shoes off the floor. |
| Toss a few empty plastic bags into your suitcase. You may need them later to pack dirty or damp clothes. |
| Tuck fabric softener sheets between garments as you pack to keep clothing fresh during travels. |
| When cruising on cold weather destinations, make sure to have some sweaters, raincoats, hats and gloves. |
| Wrinkles are caused by under-packing (clothes shift) and over-packing (which squishes clothes). Avoid wrinkles by packing light and tight. |
Tips for photos:
| Always have an extra pair of batteries for your camera. |
| Don't pack photo film in checked luggage as new airport screening equipment could ruin it. Put it in your carry-on instead. |
| If you use digital camera, always have plenty of memory cards with you. Cruise ship's photographers can provide all services but often they are quite expensive. |
Tips for safety:
| An endlessly ringing phone is a hint that you aren't home. Before leaving the house, either turn off the telephone ringers or set the answer phone to answer at two rings. |
| Be aware of suspicious behaviors in the ship just like in the big city. If you feel trouble notify Purser's office immediately. |
| Be careful with alcoholic drinks. Avoid heavy drinking it will only get you in the trouble and spoil your vacation. |
| Before cruise consider purchasing travel insurance. |
| Don't weight yourself down with a heavy hand bag or backpack and become a target for purse snatchers or pickpockets. |
| For minor emergencies, pack a first aid "kit" with antiseptic cream & bandages in your carry-on. |
| Keep your cash and valuables in the ship's safe. |
| Make two copies of your passport, driver's license, and credit cards before leaving home. Leave one set of copies at home and the other have always with you. |
| Pack a small flashlight to find your way around in the dark or in an emergency. |
| Put a rubber band around your wallet to inhibit pickpockets. |
| Watch the gambling. Crooks cruise too. If you win, ask for an escort and put money in ship's safe. |
| When it's possible, store your valuables in the ship purser's safe rather than the one in your cabin. |
| When selecting sunglasses, the most important considerations are the amount of UV light that is blocked by the lenses and a proper fit. |
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