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The last thing you want is to look like a lobster on the second day of a week-long cruise. Your bill will typically include a gratuity automatically. Keep this in mind and double-check the itemized receipt before you sign as there is often another line for write-in tips. Unless the service was simply above and beyond, there is no reason to give a second tip on your drink. There’s nothing worse than being in an unfamiliar, dark cabin and having to get up in the middle of the night to use the restroom.
Portable Back Up Battery Charge and Data
Once your cruise ship sets sail, set your phone to airplane mode. You can always turn on just the Wi-Fi if you wish to access the ship’s internet. Before booking your voyage, it’s important to research the different cruise lines and ships available.
How To Choose The Right Cruise For First-Time Cruisers
On these nights, plenty of people dress up, while others just put on a pair of nice pants and a button-down shirt. Just keep it a step above poolside casual (so no shorts or t-shirts) and you’ll be just fine. If you’ve been tempted by the drink packages, do the math before you buy it. Drink packages seem like good deals, but the rules can make them quite pricey. For instance, many cruise lines force each person in a cabin to buy the package if any passenger buys it.
Cobranded Cards
I boarded my first European cruise. How different is it from a USA cruise? - Cruise Blog
I boarded my first European cruise. How different is it from a USA cruise?.
Posted: Wed, 21 Jun 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
First-time cruisers will quickly learn that cruise ship pool decks never have enough lounge chairs in the ideal locations near the pool, whether you’re seeking sun or shade. Most ships offer casual dining options every night, either at the buffet or in a shorts-friendly eatery. On larger cruise ships that offer many different shows or activities you have to book a reservation in advance. You’ll then line up to go into the port and go through security where they check your passport/birth certificate and boarding paperwork. You then go through the bag check which is similar to airports.
Understand Service Charges on Your Cruise Ship to Avoid Tipping Double on Alcohol
But if you want to simply wear a nice shirt/pants (men) or a nice blouse (women), then that’s perfectly acceptable and won’t be out of place. Try not to Schedule a Flight Home Before NoonEach year millions of cruise passengers fly into port cities to start their cruise. Instead, always be back to the ship half an hour before the all-board time. This gives you a little extra cushion should something come up, but also ensures you should be back well before the ship departs and you turn into a YouTube viral video. Cabins are close together and there is only a small wall separating each balcony. As well, glass railings can actually reflect the view of one balcony to another.
Some regular staterooms also sleep up to 5 people (it varies by line), but that would be really tight for adults (in our opinion). You may not be in the room except for sleeping, but trying to get ready in the tiny cruise ship bathrooms would be a nightmare for us. Even when you’ve got your cities set, there is still the matter of the port terminal. Many ships can dock at a single port, and it can be challenging to direct your taxi to drive around until you spot your ship.
You avoid long waits at the elevators and work off all that dessert you’re eating throughout the day. We’re so used to depending on our phones we forget that once you’re out to sea (literally), you’re not in communication with land-based cell towers. It’s hard to lock in your first-pick reservations when you and your 4,000 shipmates have only one week to see, do, and eat everything onboard. As for gratuities, those can be paid in advance through the hub app, while fine dining gratuities are paid onboard.
While cabin attendants can’t do everything, start with your steward if you have a question about your cabin or a request. They will try their best to make your cabin a comfortable home away from home. Newbies are tempted to dry their bikinis and trunks on the balcony, but this can lead to your swimwear diving into the ocean or getting blasted with salty sea spray. Instead, look for a little protrusion on your shower wall. For every port you visit, indulge in a local culinary treat or tour.
Upgrade to a pair that has a nice rubberized sole with plenty of tread. Most of us are used to air travel, where you are charged sky-high fees for checking in baggage. The cruise line might sell it as a private balcony, but there isn’t a whole lot of privacy.
Cruise ship payouts on blackjack are 6-to-5 (3-2 to is standard in most casinos). That increases the houses take by an immediate 1.4%. On most cruises, you’re best odds of winning are actually at the cruise ship bingo.
If you don’t end up liking it, then there’s no big loss since the dining room food is included. Considering that soft drinks are about $2-3 each on a cruise, that can save you a nice chunk of change. When you get on a ship there is no shortage of places to spend money. That’s why we suggest passengers take advantage of any chance they have to save. If you only follow one piece of advice in this story, it should be this one. It is the only way to ensure you won't miss your ship — something that happens to cruisers more often than you would think.
It's also so you have some time to recover from jet lag. European cruises, in particular, can be port-intensive, with lots of touring, so you want to be refreshed and ready to hit the ground running right after the cruise begins. Bring a backpack carry-on – Remember how we discussed BYOB in number 3? You are going to have to carry that on with you and not put it on your checked luggage. Checked luggage may take quite some time to arrive to your stateroom. Purchase an international cell package before leaving – My husband had a whopping cell phone bill after our last 8-nighter.
It can feel a little “wrong” the first time, but when you are done with dinner you simply get up and walk out.
Hurricanes, other storms and an array of other factors can mean that one or more ports on your cruise could change. If you think that bottle of tequila you just bought in Cozumel will make for a fun evening, think again. Just like on embarkation day, you can’t bring on bottles of booze from ports. Anything bought in port will be held on the ship and delivered back to your stateroom the night before you leave. When you go through check-in, you’ll receive the key to your room. (Check-in online ahead of time? It may be in a sealed envelope at your cabin door.) This “key” is actually like a credit card that you’ll slide into your cabin door to unlock it.
After all, each of them started out with a first cruise. You’ll always feel comfortable on a Carnival cruise where you can relax, and even take some insider notes to share with others. All of your onboard expenses are charged to your own Sail & Sign Card.
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