Planning to take your vacation on the open seas this year? Good for you. Take some time now to plan, and your cruise could well be the vacation of a lifetime.
It sounds obvious, but a good place to start is figuring out where you want to go. Today, cruises are more than just a spin around the islands – although that’s a great trip too! In the wintertime, you can’t beat a cruise to the Caribbean, but you could also head north to Alaska or even to the Mediterranean with stops in Oslo, Copenhagen, Tallinn and Stockholm. For an exotic trip, set sail for Asia, with stops in Shanghai, Kagoshima or Busan. Or cruise down under, visiting Australia and New Zealand. Just about wherever you want to go, there is a cruise ship heading there.
Cruise lines cater to different clientele – and design cruises around them. For instance, if you’re taking the kids on this trip, a family cruise can be a good idea. Check with your cruise specialist to see what’s available for children and teens to do aboard the ship. You’ll never have to hear your child complain there’s nothing to do on board a cruise ship!
If you’re single, check out the single cruises. They offer activities to accommodate solo travelers who are looking to make new friends. Likewise, there are couple cruises, complete with romantic dinners, couples massages and even fun classes for the twosome. If you’re retirement age, then a mature cruise might be the right speed. Special activities are planned for the young at heart and efforts are made to accommodate those with special medical concerns.
Now that you know where you’re going and what kind of cruise you’re taking, it’s time to start packing. Generally, cruises are casual during the day and dressier in the evening. If the trip calls for formal attire, that means a dark suit for men and a cocktail dress for women. You can also make it an even more special evening by renting a tux on board or bringing a new gown. During the day, let the activities and ports of call dictate your wardrobe. And if you’re not sure about what to bring, ask your travel agent for some tips.
It’s also important to bring along proper identification. At the very least, you’ll need a birth certificate for some international cruises, or a valid passport and a government-issued photo ID. You may also need other travel documents, but your travel consultant can help you with this. And be sure you leave a photocopy of all your documents with someone back home. It will be easier to replace them should you lose them on the trip.
Once you’re on board the ship, take time to enjoy the always sumptuous surroundings and great dining. Food and fine dining are a big part of the cruise experience, so try the many different dining options offered. You’ll find that most ships let you eat from a buffet or a dining room. There are also snacks available around the clock, as well as room service. If you have special dietary concerns, such as low-sodium, low-fat or even vegetarian or kosher diets, be sure you let your cruise specialist know in advance. At dinner time, you’ll find there are multiple seatings, usually a couple of hours apart. Pick the one that works best for your schedule and make a reservation. The cost of your meals and everyday beverages (like coffee, tea and juice) are included, but some drinks, like soda, beer, wine and mixed drinks, are not. But don’t worry about having to carry money with you, as the charges can be billed to your room.
It’s helpful to know what else is included in the price of your stateroom. For instance, snacks, room service, activities and entertainment onboard the ship, are most likely included in the price. But services like babysitting and salon treatments are separate, as are gift shop purchases and casino gambling.
Before the ship docks and you conclude your trip, you’ll want to thank the staff who made your trip so special. Some cruise lines factor in a gratuity to the itemized bill that you will receive with your onboard expenditures. Other times it is not automatically added and the tip is left to your discretion. If that is the case, it is standard to tip the waiter in the dining room, the busboy and cabin steward about $3 a day, per person. You don’t need to tip on a daily basis, but wait until the end of the trip and catch up with them. They will be as grateful as you were for a fabulous vacation.
Barbara Delp is a freelance writer who writes about traveling and cruise vacations.
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