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Research, Research, Research!
Even if you are using a travel agent (and we highly recommend that you do), you should still do a lot of research and review reading before and after booking your cruise.
Before booking your cruise, learn about the ports of call and amenities on the ship. Read reviews of the cruise line and of the specific ship. Look at pictures of the different stateroom types and the pluses and minuses of each. Go back to your travel agent with questions or concerns. Find out the specifics of the cancellation policy and decide whether or not to purchase travel insurance
After you've booked, find articles and blogs with hints and tips about your ship. Start investigating shore excursions (your travel agent can and should help you with this as well). Continue reading reviews and online forums. Pay attention to emails from the cruise line with information about your upcoming cruise.
This might seem like a lot of extra work but in addition to helping you get the most for your money, it's a really fun way to build excitement about you upcoming vacation! If you would rather skip the researching and just do the reading, a good travel agent should be able to accommodate that request and give you all the information you need to make the most of your cruise (we do this all the time for our clients!).
Consider the Drink Package and Specialty Dining
It is usually cheaper to buy the drink package or specialty dining options prior to the cruise. All cruise lines offer these options and the information is readily available online.
In considering the drink package take into account how much you drink vs. the cost. We've found the average "break even" number to be 6-7 drinks a day. Understand that drink packages are not just limited to alcoholic beverages, they also often include specialty coffees, smoothies/non-alcoholic daiquiris, soda, and the all important bottled water. Also take into account how many sea days there will be vs. how many port days, as you'll have less importunity to use the package on port days (you'll be off exploring the local culture!). Also be aware that in most cases if one adult in the room buys the package, all adults in the room have to buy it and there is no sharing of drinks allowed.
If you do buy the drink package, there are a few things to be aware of. Depending on the cruise line, while in a US port the drinks are included in the package price but sales tax is not, so you might have a small balance on those first few drinks. Packages vary by ship and cruise line, but you are usually able to get upgraded liquors in your mixed drinks. The bartenders will be happy to tell you the best liquor you can get with your package, all you have to do is ask. This is also a great time to try new liquors; shots are also available to you. We usually find one of the more upscale bars (either in the lobby or the casino) and visit during a quiet time to pick the bartenders brain about alcohol and try new things. We find that if they are not busy they are happy to chat! When you purchase the beverage package, or any drink without the package, gratuities are usually added automatically. You do not need to tip extra unless you want to for excellent service. Even with the drink package you will still receive a slip to sign; we recommend writing the word "zero" for the balance if you are not giving an extra tip. It's rare, but a slip left blank can have a tip added by the bar staff after you sign.
Specialty dining is another option to consider before your cruise. With your cruise fare you will have a host of dining options available to you, from the buffet to the dining room for dinner to snack options available all day and night, but you also have the option to purchase specialty dining if you so chose. These restaurants are upscale and offer food options not available elsewhere. These can be pre-booked and we recommend doing your research beforehand to determine if they are worth the cost.
Flying in? Arrive the Day Before
You can take an early morning flight and roll the dice, but if your flight is delayed or cancelled the ship will not wait for you. If you miss your sailing you will have the option of meeting the ship at it's first port and continuing on from there, but the cost of that travel is out of your pocket and the cruise line will not reimburse you for time lost on the cruise.
We recommend flying in the day before and spending the night in a nearby hotel. This is something else that your travel agent can help you with, usually finding a hotel that provides airport transportation and/or transportation to the cruise port the next morning. Being there bright and early will also help you to....
Make the Most of Your First Day
The day you board the ship is considered the first day of your cruise. Since you've paid for it, why not make the most of it? In order to do this you'll want to board as early as possible and know what to bring on board.
The time you can board the ship is determined before your cruise, when you check-in online (usually about a month out from your cruise). You'll want to check-in online as soon as possible since the time slots are first come, first serve and you won't be the only one wanting to get the party started. We set a reminder in our calendar to check-in on the first day we can and usually get an 11am boarding appointment. In some cases we've been on the ship as early as 11:20am!
When you arrive at the port, you will be approached by a porter who can take all of your luggage so you don't have to carry it on with you. As long as you've got luggage tags on all your bags (these are available online to print out, or will be sent from your travel agent) you can hand everything off and walk on luggage free. Be sure to keep a small bag with passports and anything else you'll need until your luggage is delivered to your room (usually before dinner). In addition to our passports we usually take our wallets, bathing suits, flip flops, sunblock, cell phones, and any medications required. We've found that tipping the porter seems to somehow get our bags delivered faster.
We know that once you board it's tempting to start exploring every part of the ship, but you have the entire cruise to do that! If you board early it will be one of the few times that you have your choice of the best lounge chairs by the pool or the shady daybed in the adult area. It might be the only time you are the only person in the pool or the hot tub, so you may as well take advantage of it. Your stateroom won't be ready until the early afternoon (usually 1pm) and the crew is busy with luggage delivery in the halls and on the elevators, so staying out of those areas is a good idea anyway.
Oftentimes there are spa tours and information sessions you can attend when you first board, but if you've done your research you probably won't need them. Also, most information sessions are recorded and then played back on the ship's TV channel so you can always watch later if you're so inclined. And those spa sales will still be available later in the cruise, we promise!
One last note, you'll want to switch your phone to airplane mode shortly after you board to avoid roaming and out of country charges. You can connect your phone to the ship's WiFi for free in order to use the cruise line's app throughout the cruise. This is actually one of our favorite first day rituals; we grab a drink, find a great spot to sit, make any final calls or texts and then toast to turning on airplane mode and unplugging for the rest of our vacation!
Use the Cruise Line's App or the Daily Cruise Planner
There is a lot to do on a cruise, from trivia to hairy chest contests to activities for the kids! While you don't need to stress yourself out over all the options, you also don't want to miss anything. In the app or on the printed version available daily throughout the ship you will find a run down of all the activities going on. Be sure to keep an eye on this information in order to find all the fun that awaits you at sea and in port. As we mentioned, the app is free to use (even if you don't buy the WiFi package) and on some cruise lines it even lets you communicate with other guests. This is especially great when traveling with kids!
Beyond the Buffet - Explore All Dining Options
The buffet is a much loved and often visited part of any cruise. From a quick breakfast to a late night snack, the buffet offers a little bit of everything. As convenient as the buffet may be, we implore you to explore beyond it!
Dinner in the dining room is included every evening. Here you will receive excellent service from a waitstaff team as you are served a three-course meal with many different options to chose from. Some cruise lines also offer some waitstaff led entertainment in the evenings, which can be a really memorable experience. During your cruise there will be one or two formal nights, you definitely want to eat in the dining room on those nights! You can also elect to have breakfast or lunch in the dining room as well.
Most ships also offer food at other venues throughout the ship. Check online for a listing of sandwich shops, specialty coffee shops that offer complimentary pastries, pizza places and various other eating options. We scope this out before our cruise and make a point to visit as many different eateries as we can.
Check Out The Adult Only Area
The adult only area is a child-free oasis that usually includes upgraded outdoor furniture (think cushioned rattan loungers and days beds), dedicated bars (and sometimes buffets), pools and hot tubs. These are a great escape on the ship, usually quieter and more relaxed than other areas. These little slices of paradise sometimes have events in the evening as well.
We love spending time in the adult only area and can't image anyone who wouldn't!
Gratuities
The days of handing the headwaiter and room steward an envelope with a cash tip on the last night of the cruise are largely over. Gratuities are added per person, per night to your ship card (called different things on different cruise lines, this card serves as your room key card and credit card during the cruise). These gratuities are split between your evening waitstaff and room stewards. As mentioned earlier, gratuities are added to drinks as you order them or paid upfront when you purchase the drink package. We tend to find a bar we like and frequent it, meaning we see one or two bartenders on a daily basis. At the end of the cruise we usually end up giving these staff an extra tip, but this is of course totally optional.
If you'd like to do something else to acknowledge the staff you've found helpful during your cruise, jot down their names and a few reminders of their excellent service. After your cruise you'll be sent a survey and have the option to let the cruise line know staff that were particularly wonderful during your cruise. Shouting these staff out by name helps them professionally, from getting another work contract to working better shifts. If you forget this hint don't worry, they will probably remind you during your cruise!
Most Important
Work hard, but always play harder! Enjoy your vacation and your time with family and friends - you deserve it!
If you find yourself in need of a travel agent - reach out to us, we'd love to help!
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