The 13 best cruise tips the pros use all the time

Table Of Content

• Charleston Cruise Port: Terminal, Overview and What to Do
• Extra pillows
• You don’t have to book your excursions through Royal Caribbean
• Order essentials ahead of time, like binoculars and motion-sickness remedies
• (Surprising) Things Not Allowed on a Cruise Ship
• What to Pack for an Alaska Cruise: Full List
• Cruise News Update: Royal Caribbean Cancels, Carnival Policy, NCL

It’s not uncommon to see admission to the waterpark starting around $150 per person, with overwater cabanas sometimes costing upwards of $4,000 or $5,000. With CocoCay located about 140 miles from Miami, it’s a quick and convenient destination, which helps reduce the company’s fuel consumption and costs. Additionally, Royal Caribbean recently completed the island’s adult-only Hideaway Beach expansion, bringing the island’s capacity to 13,000 passengers per day.

Charleston Cruise Port: Terminal, Overview and What to Do

Cruise ships are on ship time not local time, so pay attention to when you need to be back. Some people take a wristwatch to set to cruise time in case to avoid confusion. This is the hub for all the information on your cruise and what is available like port times, excursions, activities etc. Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A.

Extra pillows

None of it will go overboard until it is run through this treatment plant. This advanced treatment system has been rated above the US federal standard for purified water. All wastewater—including your poop and shower water—goes into a water-treatment system onboard. Clogged plumbing is a common problem on cruises, and it's why crew members and signage repeatedly remind guests about what they can't flush, such as feminine hygiene items, tissues, or wipes. There are good reasons as to why Royal Caribbean (and most other cruise lines) uses such scratchy, thin tissue.

You don’t have to book your excursions through Royal Caribbean

On embarkation day, your steward will ask whether you want them to visit in the morning or evening. The idea is to offer short cruises on its newest hardware so that anyone who is considering a short cruise as their first sailing will see a clear delineation between what options are out there. If you really don’t want to rely on the cruise ship’s toilet paper, but also don’t want to throw away wipes and tissues in the trash, you could also try a bidet. Some guests have even reported that they had their personal rolls of toilet paper confiscated as they were boarding on embarkation day. A cruise can be the best type of vacation for picky eaters.There are numerous choices and varieties of food on board. The buffets often have signage pointing to gluten-free or nut-free selections.

Order essentials ahead of time, like binoculars and motion-sickness remedies

That being said, one common mistake I see cruisers making while planning a Caribbean cruise is planning a beach day in every port. With dozens of diverse ports, sunny weather, and picture-perfect beaches, a Caribbean cruise offers everything you could ever need in a tropical getaway. In addition, the cruise line offers a number of add-on tours, giving guests a chance to stay at the cruise line's wilderness lodges and explore the natural beauty and wildlife of the region.

Even the most knowledgeable cruisers will advise you to use a travel agent. Doing this ahead of time will ensure that once you board the ship, your vacation will be as hassle free as possible. Booking in advance is particularly important if the itinerary is offered seasonally -- think Alaska or Europe -- or over a major holiday, like Christmas or New Year's Eve.

Finding Serenity: The Most Relaxing Cruise Destinations

With a couple thousand people moving throughout the ship, the elevators can get crowded, especially during meal times or port days. Even if you're able to squeeze on, it's likely that the elevator will make multiple stops; it is not going to take you straight to your destination. Booking a cruise is more complex than a roundtrip flight or, for example, choosing a hotel in New York City, where you'll be finding dining and entertainment throughout the city. They have expertise in which cruise line, ship, and itinerary will be the best fit for your travel needs. From picking the right ship, researching each port of call, and making travel arrangements, there's so much to consider when it comes to planning a cruise. Gang Waze offers a huge selection of cruise excursions, hotels and insurance as well as blog posts to help you plan your cruise.

Is a spring break cruise with Carnival too crazy? I went onboard to find out - Cruise Blog

Is a spring break cruise with Carnival too crazy? I went onboard to find out.

Posted: Mon, 11 Mar 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]

This includes pirate activity and even drones to attack ships in the area. The app is completely free to use, even if you do not purchase Royal Caribbean WiFi. It’s an indispensable tool throughout your cruise, from finding out what dining venues are open to seeing the dress theme for the night.

When you meet your cabin steward, simply ask them if you’re able to get fresh ice each day. Whenever you return to your cabin, you’ll be greeted with a full bucket of ice. They'll provide an extra layer of comfort during your sailing to ensure that you're getting a good night's rest. By letting your attendant know that you’ll need extra towels, they'll refresh any used towels and make sure that you have an ample supply whenever they service your cabin.

Let’s say, however, you’re traveling with someone who prefers to sleep in what seems like the freezing cold, whereas you prefer a comfortable setting of around 72°. Rather than try and cram some into your suitcase or purchase foldable hangers from the internet, your cabin steward will bring you more if there aren’t enough in your closet. Unlike sister brand Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean staterooms don’t come equipped with bathrobes. Before making a decision, consider things like when you expect to wake up, what activities you want to attend, and when you plan on heading to breakfast. Even though your steward will refresh your towels daily, you may require more, especially if you’re cruising with more than one person in your room.

Have a look at the cruise line’s suggested packing list along with prohibited items. Not required on all cruises, but if your taxi gets a flat tire and you miss the port departure, it is tough to fly home without one. The last thing you want to do is put your entire vacation in jeopardy to save some money on a hotel room. The major downfall of this is that nothing is guaranteed, so make sure you're content with the stateroom that you initially booked.

In the excitement of booking your next cruise, it’s easy to miss some details and not realize the important parts until later. The onboard credit varies depending on the length of the sailing and the type of stateroom you choose. In the excitement of experiencing your current cruise and planning your next one, it’s easy to overlook some important potential pitfalls. To figure out if this request can be accommodated or not, ask your stateroom attendant. Sometimes, it cannot be done right away, and you’ll be told that you have to wait until after the ship has set sail.

Between the excitement of exploring a new destination, the hot temperatures, and a few too many cocktails, I find myself dehydrated way more often than I should. Disembarking in port will help lessen the chance of feeling stir crazy on the ship, and you can still return to the ship early in the day to enjoy the ship’s amenities with far fewer crowds. Unfortunately, I can’t say the same about the Caribbean, and whenever I "wing it" in a Caribbean cruise port, I almost always end up disappointed.

Most of the time, everyone sticks to the prepaid and recommended amount that is charged each day. If you receive excellent service elsewhere, it’s not uncommon to tip cash at the end of the cruise to the workers you want to recognize individually. Each day of your cruise, you’ll be charged a gratuity rate on a per person basis depending on your stateroom. Most of the time, you can expect this to be around $15 - $20 a day, per person.