Cruise Vacations Tips

Here are a few cruise tips for first time cruisers. You can have a wonderful cruise vacation if you apply these cruise tips to your cruise vacation. Avoid the headaches and ensure you have a fun, rewarding stress-free cruise vacation.

1. Packing Tips for First Time Cruise Vacationers

Include all your medications, a first aid kit, and sea sickness medications in your carry on bag to have on hand when you (or if) you need them. It is advisable to take only one credit card with you--you really only need one. Leave the rest at home. Pack with comfort in mind--casual clothes mostly (and don't forget your swimsuit). Your ship may also offer one or two formal nights so you should include at least one or two outfits for evening wear.

2. Essential Documents for Cruisers

You will need to take your passport so that you can visit the different ports your cruise itinaray includes. You may also need to have different visas, depending on the ports your ship stops at (check with your travel agent if you are not sure if a visa is needed). You also need your pre-boarding pass, which you should receive and complete to boarding the ship. A good tip for first time cruisers is to take along a photocopy of your passport and to leave copies of your passport, airline tickets, and credit card information with a friend or family member at home.

3. Choosing Your Shipboard Cabin

One of the best choices for cabins is always an outside cabin. Especially if you suffer from claustrophobia, it is wise to avoid an interior room as these have no windows and the room sizes are smaller. If you think you may get seasick easily then you should choose a lower cabin near the center of the ship because there is less rocking motion of the ship.

4. Airline Connections for Your Cruise

If at all possible, schedule your flight for a day earlier than your ship leaves. If that is not possible, you should schedule your flight to your embarking destination at least four hours before the ship leaves. You should arrive at your embarkation area at least two hours before the ship is due to depart. And when booking your return flight, avoid booking it before 2:00 p.m. to give yourself ample time to catch the plane home.

5. Cruising Embarkation Tips

NEVER place your documentation (Passport, visas, etc.) in your checked baggage. You will need it for check in. Your checked luggage will be transferred to the ship and placed outside your room. Remember that this sometimes takes a few hours. You can use the time to wander around and get to know the ship.

6. Essential Debarkation Tips

The night before your cruise ends, you will be supplied with custom forms left in your room for you to fill out, as well as color-coded tags. Pack your bags on the last night of your cruise and leave them outside your door. You will be called the next morning according to your color coded luggage tags. Remember to keep your carry-on luggage with you (with your medications and travel documents. You should also settle all your accounts before leaving the ship. This includes any expenses you put on your account (for liquor, drinks or other purchases).

The above are just a few tips for you to follow to make your cruise an enjoyable one. One last tip --> Most drinks on cruise ships are not included and you have to pay extra for them. These drinks are usually put on your tab and you must pay for them at the end of your cruise vacation. Remember when ordering that this tab can add up to quite a hefty bill if you are not careful. Be aware of this when you are drinking aboard ship.

Follow these tips and enjoy your cruise vacation!

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