HOT
Tips
The
Archive of Weekly Cruise Travel Tips ~
Check
in often for new tips or to find the ones you may have missed.
~
Don't forget to pack and USE your sunscreen. Why take the chance of a
nasty sunburn ruining a great cruise vacation? Protect your skin from
injury and aging. Excessive sun exposure contributes to wrinkles.
~
Check the balance of your on board account before the end of your
cruise. Straighten out any discrepancies immediately and avoid a long
line at the Purser's Desk that last morning after your final bill
arrives.
~ Don't you look gorgeous in your
formal attire? Have a family portrait taken to preserve the memory.
There's no obligation to purchase any photos you don't care for.
~ Set aside gratuity money and keep
it in your room safe. Many cruisers compute the
"recommended" amounts in advance and get cash in the proper
denominations before leaving home. If your ship automatically charges
gratuities to your onboard account, you may adjust the amounts
according to the level of service you receive.
~ Make spa and salon appointments as
soon as you can so you won't be disappointed--prime appointment times
fill up fast!
~
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.
~ Most ships’ cabins have only one
or two electrical outlets located near the desk/vanity table (not
counting the shaver-only outlet in the bathroom).
A short extension cord allows you to use more than one
electrical appliance at once and gives you a bit more flexibility to
move around, particularly if you’re using a laptop computer.
~ 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 (midway between the bow and the stern). Pitch,
roll, and yaw—the movements made by a ship—will be less noticeable
in that area.
~ 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.
Remember to turn the sound off.
~Take
along an insulated mug with a lid.
Fill it at the beverage station in the buffet area—your
drinks will stay hot or cold and you won’t have to worry about
spills. Most
bartenders will fill it with ice and water or a soft drink.
With a straw, your ice won’t melt instantly while lounging at
the pool. Better still, mugs
are great souvenirs—buy one that sports your ship’s name from the
gift shop.
~Pack
a small flashlight to find your way around in the dark or in an
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.
~
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.
~ Take
along a hanging shoe organizer for the closet.
It extends your storage space for small items and keeps your
shoes off the floor.
~ Germicidal hand cleaner is a must
have for adventure excursions where water might be at a premium.
~ A
mesh laundry bag that allows damp clothing to dry out is ideal for
gathering soiled garments during a cruise.
~
Pack
anything that can leak in zipper top plastic storage bags.
~
A nightlight is handy, especially for passengers in inside cabins.
