11 expert Cruising Tips
Cruising is such a great thing to do. Shoot, what's not to love about it? All that fabulous free time fun, getting taken care of by all those people, going to cool places. Damn skippy!
11 expert Cruising Tips
11 expert Cruising Tips
11 expert Cruising Tips
11 expert Cruising Tips
One of the things I really like about cruising is telling citizen neat stuff to make their cruising taste better. Now, I know, it's pretty hard to improve on something that is so intrinsically great to begin with, but, I do what I can. And, it's not a bad lifestyle (giggle).
So, here's other installment of my life's work - sharing the fun and delight of cruising to the Caribbean. In this instance, I'm sharing a few tips about how to plane the process of cruising, and get a bit more bang for your buck. In the interest of space and the amount of time you have to read online articles, I've only included 11 cruising tips here. The criteria used for which tips to present in this narrative were 1) how easy the data was to justify in a few short paragraphs; 2) how useful it is to someone who doesn't know much about the art and science of cruising; and, 3) tips that pay off (you'll know what I mean after you've used these little jewels on board a ship).
Tip #1:Take Care Of Your Cabin Steward.
One of your best friends on the cruise will be the someone that picks up your dirty clothes, hangs up your wet towels, straightens up you messy vanity and turns down your bed every night - your Cabin Steward He, or she, will do an exquisite job of development up your cabin twice a day, and sometimes more often if needed. This is the someone who will also handle any special requests you have, like if you need an extra pillow. I make it a point to get to know my steward and on the very first day, make sure I tip him (or her) an extra . Yes, I know the daily gratuity that gets added to my catalogue does cover the cabin staff, but, make no mistake. These guys, who do an exquisite job anyway, can add a nice extra dimension to your journey. For example, I like to keep my ice buckets full and sometimes I even dedicate my sink or a cooler to retention our beer, which a happy Cabin Steward will keep covered in ice for all day long.
My generosity is always understood and rewarded. I've been delighted to find extra towels, robes, chocolate hors d'oeuvres and even a bottle of wine. One other point, my popular way to enumerate with my steward (if I don't bump into him/her in the hallway) is to place a Post-It note on the mirror over the vanity. It always works.
Tip #2: Copies Are A Good Thing
Make copies of all the prominent travel documents that you take (driver's license, passport, prestige card, etc.) and keep them in a safe place on your someone while you are traveling and in your cabin once you get on board. If whatever happens, you will have all data you need, and the purser's office will be best able to help you.
While you're at it, print out the cruise info you expect to use the most (such as directions, phone numbers, etc), on a colored piece of paper. That way it stands out from the various other pieces of paper you'll have in your cruise documents.
Tip #3: Electricity Is A really Good Thing.
Each cabin has only one electrical outlet, which is settled right next to the desk/vanity.
And it has only two plugs. If you're like us and you want to use your computer, payment your camera, listen to music and use a hair dryer while someone is taking a shower... Well, you get the picture. Bring a power strip or surge protector. You may also find it useful to being an 8-ft postponement cord, that way, you have electricity in any place you want it in the cabin.
Tip #4: prepare Your Stomach.
For about a week before leaving, eat at least one serving of yogurt every day, or take acidophilus supplements. It helps to build up the good bacteria that your digestive track needs to deal with any little bugs or impurities that you pick up. Some of the best food you'll find will be in small local establishments, or even roadside venues. The chow is really good in these places, and really spiced. But, the sanitation requirements in the Caribbean are not the same as in the Us. Also, the normal diet for locals is dissimilar than what you may be used to. Your stomach may not be used to it all. The yogurt is an easy and effective way to build up your digestive equilibrium and immunity.
Tip #5: Freshen Your Luggage
If your travel time to the ship is more than 24 hours, put fabric softener sheets in the middle of your garments to keep everything in your suite case smelling fresh. This is particularly nice with garments or accessories that are not ordinarily laundered, such as sweaters or jackets. You may want to cut one in half and place each half in your shoes. You'll be even more appreciative on your return home, since your luggage will be packed with soiled clothes, some of which may even be damp.
Tip #6: Bring Bungee Cords
Bungee cords are one of the most useful items you can take and for reasons other than you might first think. They are easy to pack, take up virtually no room at all, and can even be useful in retention your bags lashed together as you maneuver onto the ship.
But here's the really cool part. One thing you'll find when you get to your cabin is that there are never sufficient places to hang things - like a shirt, or hat, or camera case. Most cabins have two or three hooks and that's about it. While a hook is only big sufficient to hold one hat or other similar item, it is big sufficient to hold two or three bungee cords. What's more, there are lots of places through out the cabin that can accommodate one end of a bungee cord but would never work as a hanging place, such as a lamp or the edge of your mirror. Just hang the bungee cord from any favorable place and - voila! - you have a hook that is sturdy sufficient to hold whatever you've got.
They also make a great clothesline. Some bathrooms have a retractable clothes line in the shower, but not all. Your bungee cord can be strung over the occasion of your shower, or in the middle of a couple of towel bars. Be creative, you'll find any places that work.
And finally, one of the main irritations of being up on the deck when the ship is underway (as is the case with Sea Days) is the 20 knot winds that you have to deal with. When you get up from your seat to hit the bar or take a break, It's not unusual at all to see a pool towel or shirt or hat go sailing over the edge of the ship. If you have a bungee cord with you, you can really strap everything to your chair.
Tip #7: Bring Extra Clothes Hangers
There are often not sufficient clothes hangers in your cabin, and those that are there can be a pain in the butt to use. They're ordinarily the kind that has a little peg which slips into a metal ring which is permanently attached to the clothes bar in the closet. So be sure to pack sufficient extras to handle all of your prominent hang-up clothes, so you have sufficient and you don't have to mess around with the ones in the closet.
And speaking of clothes hangers, you can buy Inflatable clothes hangers (that's right, inflatable coat hangers. Who'da thunk it?) from Amazon.com (click the "Apparel" tag" on the website). They take up no space at all, are totally easy to inflate and are sturdy sufficient to hold shirts and coats. They are also great for eliminating those pesky bulges that you get on the shoulders of your shirts. You might need to get a couple of sets so you can keep one set for traveling and use the other in your home closet.
Tip #8: Check With Your insurance business (auto and medical)
If something happens and you are required to get any kind of medical rehabilitation while you are cruising, there is a really good occasion that you will have to pay for the rehabilitation and get reimbursed later. So, find out before you go if your health insurance will pay for such treatments, and what kind of documentation you'll need to file a claim with your company. This is one of those times where you may want to query into travel insurance, especially if you are traveling with a health that elevates the risk (such as older travelers, pregnancy, or some other pre-existing condition). Get very clear data from your business about the documentation you need from the ship or port, because once you leave where the rehabilitation is delivered, there is virtually no occasion you will ever get medical records sent to you without hiring an attorney. If you have a pre-existing condition, you'll get best rehabilitation if you contribute the medical staff with your medical history.
In the same vein, check your coverage with your auto insurance company. You may find that you don't need any supplementary coverage, which can save you a lot if you conclude to rent a car or scooter. Keep in mind, however, many rental associates require you to make good on any damages when you return the vehicle, so if you are using your personal insurance you will have to pay for the damages and get reimbursed. That little fact is one of the major incentives the rental associates use to sell you the insurance. Unfortunately, even though they are blood-suckers for trying to manipulate you, it is often less hassle to go ahead and buy the local insurance. But, get a expert conception from your agent.
Tip #9: A Can Of Air Freshener
Especially if you are traveling on one of the older ships, it's a really good idea to pack a can of your popular air freshener. I prefer the types that kill odors as opposed to those that just scent the air (i.e., Lysol, because it not only deodorizes the room if needed but also sanitizes surfaces). In the small confines of a thorough cabin, any unpleasant odor can be stifling and the room ventilation law can take a while work.
Tip #10: Stay Out Of The Steam Baths.
Yes, we know, there isn't whatever quite like the soothing and cleansing feeling of a steam bath to relax you or rid you of the after effects of a late night partying. Even so, we Never use collective steam baths. This isn't a knock on any singular cruise line, it's a knock on collective steam baths. A steam room is the absolute exquisite environment for all kinds of airborne germs and bacteria - hot, moist, subdued lighting. Oh yeah, exquisite for that little cold bug or other mischievous virus that gets sneezed out of people. Stay Away From Steam Baths!
Tip # 11: Use Porters When You Leave The Terminal.
There are two really good reasons to use porters.
Alrighty, gang. That's all you get here. Check out my resource box for how to get more tips if you're interested.
See ya in the Caribbean. Aaaaaarghh!!
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