Tips for planning your cruise vacation
First cruise vacation? Feeling a bit intimidated? Well, don’t be. If you just follow a few simple tips outlined below, all you’ll ever have to worry about is how much of a good time you are about to have. Although some things may vary from one cruise company or ship to another, the general gist of things is the same. So, let’s proceed…
Worried about storms?
Cruise companies are developing their routes with the idea of avoiding the risk of storm situations. Additionally, modern cruise ships are equipped with technology designed to keep the vessel in stable position, these include stabilizers installed across the keel. In the event when the ship starts to tilt sideways, the propellers begin to spin returning the ship back to level position.
Getting on board
Generally you would go through the following steps to board the ship. After arriving at the port you go through baggage drop-off. The boarding tickets come with special self adhesive labels containing the number of your cabin. You stick the labels on your bags and leave them at the drop off point. They are later delivered to the door of your cabin. Then you proceed to the registration with the following: IDs/passports, tickets and completed boarding form.
If necessary, the passport is stamped by a boarder officer and then you get on the ship, which has its own check point. If you have any carry-on luggage, it is passed through an X-ray, and just like at the airport, you go through a metal detector.
Luggage
On cruise ships, the weight and number of bags are limited to reasonable standards, that is, there is no set standard but passengers are expected to not cause an inconvenience to themselves and others because of the amount and weight of their luggage. In any event the decision whether to let somebody on board with a certain amount of luggage is at the discretion of a cruise company. Remember, there might be an additional charge for the excessive weight of the luggage. It is also recommended to insure your luggage. Cruise companies are responsible for the loss of luggage within the relevant international rules and agreements, which means the compensation is limited to a fixed amount. An insurance company gives you an opportunity to insure your luggage for any amount you want. Cruise ships also offer missing luggage service. If your bags are lost by an airline, you would have to contact the corresponding service at the airport first and then also on the cruise ship and they will help you track it.
Late for departure?
A traveler is considered late when they missed the boarding in which case their ticket becomes void and nonrefundable. In case you are running late, you should immediately notify the travel agency or a cruise company and let them know that you will catch up to the ship in the next port of call and then try to fly to the port where the ship is scheduled to be on the next day. Otherwise the administration of the ship reserves the right to use the unoccupied cabin. A passenger may contact the cruise line and ask for help. Assistance to the passengers who are late and missing is not officially a responsibility of a cruise company or agencies, but practice shows that as a rule, passengers are assisted in full, sometimes even financially by being helped with purchasing tickets or providing escorts if the route is particularly difficult. Keep in mind that you will have to pay back all the expenses incurred.
Whenever you leave the ship you must present your boarding card/pass – that way an officer registers your visit with a special device connected to the port police. When you get back you must present the card again and go through a metal detector.
On board
When you board the ship you are issued a special card, which serves as your ID, boarding pass, key to your cabin and even a payment method. For your convenience the payment for all the additional services offered on board is performed in a cashless manner – all your expenses are recorded to your account, which you pay off before leaving the ship on the last day. With your card you can make purchases in on-board stores, buy shore excursions, order alcoholic drinks and cocktails in the bar, pay for salon visits, massage, photographs, laundry and dry cleaning. To open a credit line, you will need to fill out a form where you indicate how you will pay for the expenses: cash, debit or credit card, and give a list of persons whose expenses you are taking. If you want to pay in cash you need to put in a deposit on the first day during registration. It is recommended to keep all your receipts so you can keep track of all your expenses and managed them, and also use them as a proof in case there are any discrepancies at the end. Cash is only required in the casinos. You can exchange currency; also there are ATM available on board if you need cash.
Prices on board
Any ship at sea is a duty free zone. Prices on board, as a rule, are lower than on the shore, and the difference can vary from a few dollars for ordinary goods to several thousand for expensive watches and jewelry. The reason for that is that the ship is considered to be an extra-territorial zone, which means that it does not belong to any state, and therefore the goods are exempt from most taxes, existing on the shore. For the same reason, the stores on board are close while the ship is at a port. For security reasons, all alcohol purchased on board is retained and stored until the end of the cruise.
Food
The meals on almost all cruise ships are organized as follows:
- Main restaurant – breakfast and lunch – open; dinner is usually divided into two time frames to accommodate all travelers
- Breakfast and lunch are served in a buffet style
- Alternative restaurants: in most cases you have to reserve a dinner table in advance (extra small fee)
- Snacks: many ships have round the clock free snack bars where you can eat at any time besides or instead of the usual restaurants
- Midnight buffets: appetizers, fruits, sweets etc
- 24-hour room service. Every cabin has a menu with the choice of regular free, or additional paid meals (you gave to pay a small room service fee)
- Multiple bars are also available
Please keep in mind that most beverages (except water, tea and regular coffee) are not included in the price of the cruise. Also most restaurants have a No Smoking policy.
How to dress
During the day, both on board and on shore during stops, wear the clothes made of light fabric and comfortable shoes. During the time in the open seas it can get cool, so it is recommended to have a light jacket or a sweater. Different cruise companies have different dress code requirements. Some companies are pretty undemanding and casual about it, but luxury cruises usually have a dress code for every activity.
Passengers are usually advised how to dress for every activity offered on board:
- Casual – anything comfortable is fine, but t-shirts, jeans, bathing suits, tank tops and shorts are not permitted during evening hours in restaurants and public places.
- Informal – dresses or pants for women and sport jackets for men are welcome (ties are optional)
- Formal – women wear evening or cocktail dresses and men tuxedos or suits and ties. Depending on the route and the duration of the cruise, there can be one to three evening events requiring a strict dress code.
- There are also themed event for which the guests are encouraged to bring costumes.
Captain’s reception
You are required to dress formally and elegantly for the captain’s reception which happens once during a cruise. It is arranged for the travelers by the captain of the cruise and has an atmosphere of a ball – orchestra plays waltzes with beautifully dressed couples dancing, there are many other activities and you can also take a picture with the captain. By the way, you can rent an evening dress or a suit right on the ship.
Recreation and entertainment
You are welcome to spend your time on board whichever way you like – be active or just relax and sunbathe. Events are being arranged by an international entertainment team and passengers can take part in them at any time. The events schedule is in the daily newsletter which is being delivered to the cabin every morning. It also contains information about the ship, upcoming ports of call and daily program. There are different event being held every evening – concerts, cabaret, dance performances and other shows. You can go to a bar with more quite music (saxophone or piano) or participate in various games. Or you can dance the night away at a night club with a DJ.
Guests on board
Some cruise companies allow you to receive guests on board. If you have a guest they have to present their IDs and you have to sign a special form affirming that these persons art your guests. Al the expenses have to be covered by the passenger. Guests cannot use their credit card as it is not registered by the ship and therefore will not be accepted at bars etc. The guests must leave the ship an hour before its departure. The visits must be arranged in advance during booking or with ship’s personnel on board.
Medical services
There is a therapist and a nurse on each ship and their services are available round the clock during the voyage. Medical office hours are published in the daily newsletter. If you have any special medical condition please mention it when making an appointment. The medical services are paid. You will get a bill which you will need to submit to your insurance company upon returning home.
Other stuff
Many cruise companies offer a range of gifts and souvenirs with the company’s emblems and logos.
If you are planning to celebrate a special occasion during your cruise trip, like anniversary, birthday, honeymoon etc, you are welcome to make special arrangements to celebrate it on board, but – it has to be done at least several weeks before the departure.
The end
First of all the travelers must pack their luggage and, place their registration stickers on it and put it outside the cabin’s door. You collect the bags after you’ve disembarked the ship.
