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Things No One Tells You About Cruising

Things No One Tells You About Cruising

Tags: DIY & Life Hacks Inspriation
Last updated by The FiftyUp Team on

Sailing the high seas is the easiest holiday for a lot of us, but here are secrets and tips that could make your cruise even more fun and relaxing!

Embarking
Arrive at your embarkation port a day early. This allows you to avoid any last minute stress caused by potential delays and allows you to adjust to a new time zone or allows you time to sightsee.

Everyone wants to be on board first, so arrive a little later when embarking to avoid the rush to be first.

Packing
Traveling with a companion? Pack half & half carry on. This tip will cover both of you if your luggage is delayed en route to the ship and include anything you may need immediately like medicine, swimsuits, sunscreen, etc.

If you’re on a lengthy cruise, unpack as soon as you have access to your stateroom. Your suitcase can be stored under your bed for the length of your cruise.

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Eating & Drinking
Stop by the specialty restaurants that pique your interest and make reservations on your first day aboard.

Water on cruise ships is okay to drink but it’s heavily chlorinated so it’s smarter to grab a big bottle from the bar or on board store and keep it on the bed side table.

If you’re eating at the breakfast buffet, try to sit in the same section every day as waiters tend to work the same areas and are more than likely to remember preferences and could have yours on hand.

If you don’t finish that bottle of wine at lunch or dinner, it doesn’t have to go to waste. The waiters can store it overnight for you for the next time you are there.

Get Interactive
Most state room televisions are interactive. You can order room service, check spending, see the daily schedule and track the ship’s position.

Take advantages of the free lessons and complimentary actives ike rock climbing, cooking classes, wine tasting, etc.

Sign up for behind the scenes tour of the ship and indulge yourself at a chef’s table experience which is often worth its price and sometimes includes a galley visit.

Activities on port days are less crowded because most passengers are out exploring.

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Checking Out
Avoid the lines and any issues that arise by visiting reception and getting a copy of your account. It’ll be easier than dealing with it in the hours before disembarkation when everyone else is there.

Are you a cruise regular? What’s your tip on an easy cruise?

Originally posted on .

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Brian
Brian from NSW commented:

Why don't cruise lines charge duty free prices when outside territorial waters - in the past they used to. 

Robert
Robert from NSW commented:

Currency on board? Always find out when you book, what is the on board currency. If it is $A no worries. If it is $US I can guarantee the ship will have the worst conversion rate possible so the best bet is to take a thousand or two in cash with you because, no matter how bad the rate in Australia, by paying almost all your bill in $US cash the night before you disembark you WILL come out ahead. For back to back cruises, pay at the end of each cruise. For long cruises, start buying a bit of the required foreign currency every week or so once you have booked as that spreads the exchange rate so you get the best average (unless you see a sudden favourable spike in your buy rate). 

Robert
Robert from NSW replied to Robert:

Also, check whether there are surcharges for certain types of card transactions. My recollection is hat P&O charge for credit but not for debit cards. Often, using savings is cheaper also. Finally if you really like to travel outside Australia, investigate "no fee" cards such as the 28Degree MasterCard. My bank, St George, automatically charges 3% on any foreign transaction so, obviously, I try to NOT use that bank. 

Vicki
Vicki from NSW replied to Robert:

We load up our qantas or Travelex cash card in $US and pay at end of cruise. Can convert any surplus on our return home. 

Vicki
Vicki from NSW replied to Vicki:

Cash cards are debit cards. 

John
John from QLD commented:

Not sure what you mean? Water on cruise ships is okay to drink but it’s heavily coordinated 

Colin
Colin from NSW commented:

Always be careful of heavily coordinated water..its hard to swallow.. "Water on cruise ships is okay to drink but it’s heavily coordinated " 

Brian
Brian from NSW replied to Colin:

Yes.... always ask for UNcoordinated water. Helps with c cikness as well. 

Brian
Brian from NSW commented:

Sea sick ??. Yes it's everywhere. Thousands hanging over the railings the whole trip ! Best not risk it...... That way there's plenty of cabins available for the rest of us. 

Brian
Brian from NSW replied to Brian:

You've heard about people jumping overboard ?.... Sea Sickness... Yes they throw themselves off then swim away... Anything to get off !! 

Someone
Someone from QLD commented:

Best time to change dinner time choice, get a better deal on drinks packages or have gratuities removed is when you first board the cruise ships. These staff are usually in the meet and greet area as their services are not too busy on embarkation. Pay your bill before you go to bed on last night and you can then easily depart without any problems and no big queues. 

Ian
Ian from VIC commented:

My tip is to check with the cruise line about tipping. On our cruise we hadn't checked it. We were charged $11 per day per person for tipping - but were still encouraged to tip our cabin boy and other staff. I believe this charge can be dropped and you just tip who you feel has given you the best service. Our waiter was fantastic so I would have tipped him. However I also heard that many of the crew never see any of the tipping money. I would prefer to just give to the ones who have been most helpful. 

Robert
Robert from NSW replied to Ian:

Yep, best practice is, on the first or second day, check whether gratuities are being charged to your account(s). If so, cancel all but one and tell them you prefer to pay your money to those who provide good service. But remember, in theory (so I've been told, but who knows), the one you pay also goes to folk you don't see like engine room and public area cleaners and all the other support staff you hardly notice. 

Robert
Robert from NSW replied to Robert:

Of course you all know the difference between an Australian and a Kayak? Australians don't tip? 

Peter
Peter from NSW commented:

As soon as you get on board, go to the Front Desk and ask for a form to vary the "Gratuity" (where they add US$X to each person's bill per day). Alter the rip-off to what you like including zero! 

Geraldine
Geraldine from QLD commented:

“complimentary actives” ?? Looks like you need a proof reader. 

Geraldine
Geraldine from QLD commented:

Water is heavily chlorinated, not “coordinated” ! 

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