10 Things To Know Before Going On A Cruise Vacation
The Titanic may have been the shiniest pearl of the sea during its time but it is heavily overshadowed by the grand cruise ships that roam the oceans today. Nowadays, some of the largest cruise ships around the world measure up to 362 metres and boast an incredible weight of about a 100,000 tons, making them moving mechanical islands that rule the seas when it comes to memorable ways of vacationing.
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Many people dream of taking cruise vacations but hesitate because of lack of knowledge and doubts, missing out on wonderful opportunities to visit exotic ports and get that perfect sea tan while having loads of fun on the ship with a variety of entertainment choices from lively disco nights to pleasant spa experiences.
So, here is our list of things to know before going on a cruise vacation to help our readers along the way to finally make that cruise dream into reality.
Find the best deals
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The best way to find great deals on a cruise you want to go on is to subscribe to their newsletter. These don’t only help you get acquainted with the lifestyle aboard and the kind of experiences to look forward to, they contain the latest vacation deals and holiday packages that the cruise companies offer.
Look out for last minute upgrades
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Also, once you’ve booked your package, keep an eye out for last minute vacation deals. Many cruise companies offer last minute deals at a fraction of the original price to fill in vacancies. Make sure to check with both your travel agency and the cruise lines. Think of it as a more fun version of being bumped up to the business class on a flight!
Plan ahead
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The first thing you’ll notice on a cruise is the crowd. As we said before, a ship is like a mechanical island with the equivalent of a small town worth of sea of people aboard. This creates a heavy demand for the activities and services provided.
Thus, it is best to book your activities during the dock days before boarding the ship. This will save you from the disappointment of being left out of desirable experiences and the fuss of trying to book at the last moment.
Take the all inclusive plan
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Nowadays, most cruise ships include the option for all inclusive plans in their vacation packages. Having an all inclusive vacation package saves you the trouble of paying for every meal and drink and worrying about your expenses. These plans may look costly at first but in comparison to spending on every meal and drink everyday for the duration of your vacation, they almost always come up saving you money.
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Go for WiFi
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By the end of 2016, most cruise ships started providing WiFi services to their passengers. At sea, using WiFi is way more economical than using your mobile data on roaming. To avoid racked up bills it is better to use your data only on dock days when you’re off the ship.
Ways to avoid getting seasick
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If you’re worried about seasickness coming in the way of your vacationing you should try to get a cabin on a higher level. Being on a higher level reduces your chances of getting seasick. Also, if you prefer to have a window in your cabin, you should make sure to check if your cabin has one while booking your trip because not all cabins on the ship have windows. Availability of a window may also depend on the price range of your plan.
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Other ways to avoid queasiness on board is packing dried pieces of ginger or ginger candies with you as eating them can help alleviate nausea and seasickness.
Follow the dress code
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Most cruise ships adhere to strict dress codes during meal times. Passengers are not allowed to wear casual clothing articles like jeans, shorts, t-shirts, flip flops, etc. During formal occasions, male passengers can wear button up shirts and pants and female passengers can attend in dresses.
Keep a day bag handy
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It is always good to have a day bag ready with you with all your essentials like IDs, medications, sunscreens, bathing suit and camera in it. This comes in handy when you’re getting your baggage checked during boarding or when you’re going ashore.
You’ll need your ID to go ashore
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You should keep all your necessary documents like passport and your cruise ID card with you when visiting destinations on shore. Leaving a cruise ship along with thousands of other excited passengers is a tardy task in itself. Make sure you are fully prepared!
Fun ahoy!
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Being on a cruise ship for weeks may seem dull to some people but once you start on your voyage you’ll come to be amazed by the variety of delightful entertainment options available on board. Cruise ships are filled to the bridge with exciting experiences of all kinds from pool-side competitions to parties to enjoying sea themed activities or simply catching a movie at sea on in the on board cinema!
