Cruise Vacation

Congratulations for planning a cruise since you are in for the trip of a lifetime. But it is important to plan your first cruise up to the minutest detail for making the trip memorable. And it has to be done much ahead of your joining the ship.

The first consideration when you are planning your first cruise is obviously where to go and which cruise plan to select. There are so many destinations to select from such as the Caribbean, Bahamas, the Scandinavian countries, Mediterranean and Alaskan cruises and even those that cross the Atlantic that it can become confusing. Then there are cruise specials that are announced from time to time – you may want to check them out as well when you are vacation planning.

But that is not all. You will have to know a lot more about your cruise holiday, particularly what to expect on the cruise ships, particularly when you are trying to board them. Take for example, the necessity of keeping ID cards handy since you will have to provide ID for each member of your family at the time of embarkation and any deviation from the set rule will disqualify the person from entering into the ship. Also significant is the use of credit cards or cash deposits prior to embarkation. This is a very usual practice since most cruise liners are cashless. Money is also needed for payment of gratuity that goes around $10 per person per day or $70 per week. So, for a family of four, this comes to $280 per week.

Packing for a cruising holiday is of no less importance. First time cruisers may carry some extra hangers and clothespins to keep the curtains tightly shut on sunny days. Check in advance if the power outlet provides the usual 110 volt AC or 220 volt DC that is popular with some Mediterranean countries. You may pack your electric razor and a spare nightlight if the power outlet suits them. Also, carry a water-tight zip-loc bag for keeping your passport and other relevant travel documents. Carry sunscreens and UV protected sunglasses and an extension chord for using electrical appliances. Carry diapers, baby food and children’s medications if your infant child happens to be a cruiser, too. Pack snorkeling equipments or golf-kit only if you feel that the ship’s rental policies are rather stiff. A hair drier may form the last item in your packing list. Planning your cruise should include all of these.

Since most cruise lines offer facilities for shore tours, it may be preferable to book the tours beforehand since the popular ones are usually sold out early. But some of them may come with your cruise vacation plan itself. Check with the cruise line’s website to see if online booking is available with them or phone them up and do the booking over the phone. In order to save cost, people often arrange shore visits on their own, but first time cruise passengers are advised not to take the risk. There have been instances when passengers were left stranded in an alien island as they had failed to reach the ship in time. Of course, one could also book the tours onboard through the ship’s shore excursion desk, provided they are available for the day.

Yet another advice for the first time cruise passenger urges them to grab some lunch in the ship’s buffet restaurant as soon as they embark and explore the ship to get thoroughly aware of the vessel. Incidentally, the first time cruise passenger may also check with the cruise line’s policies that control the quantity of alcohol one is allowed. Usually a bottle or two of Champaign or wine is permitted to be carried by each passenger embarking the boat.

Planning your first cruise may also include one’s familiarity with foreign currency. While US dollars are well accepted in most Caribbean countries, Euro money is more popular in most European cities. Asian countries of course have their own currency systems. However, the ship’s front office usually provides currency exchange services up to certain limits. Such services are also often brought onboard once the ship docks at the port. First time cruisers carrying international Debit Cards can also obtain foreign currency from ATMs located at different port of calls if they care to visit any of the nearest ATMs. Some amount of local currency becomes helpful while paying for taxi fares or buying cut flowers for decorating the cabin. Though it is a regular practice with some Asian countries to provide unauthorized local currency against US dollars   at a slightly higher rate, this should never be encouraged for national interest.

Cruising can be a great fun provided you are planning a cruise correctly. So do some research before you are going on that cruise vacation.