Cruising can be stressful for some people but for most its, a time to climb on board, unpack and let the cruise line do all the work. There is no better feeling than getting into your stateroom (after a nice lunch) and unpacking your suitcase, and enjoying a nice clean room ready for the week of adventure. The thing I tell my friends most about why I like cruises is once you board and unpack you can just enjoy your vacation. While you are sleeping you are being transported from port to port like magic. The thought of driving around, using a GPS, and dealing with traffic is left back on land. On a cruise, you can truly relax and enjoy a variety of different activities and different cultures through the many countries you will visit at each port.
Here are some of my favorite tips to help ensure you have a great time:
Book your shore excursions quickly! If you don't do this ahead of time, make sure to get it done the first day. These excursions fill up quickly.
Unpack your bags and settle in! With the rooms being smaller than a hotel, make sure to unpack and tuck your suitcase under the bed or in closet. You want to ensure you have everything organized and there is plenty of room to get around inside the room. (What to pack for your cruise vacation)
Get a drink plan and save money! Depending on how much you drink (alcohol or soda) look ahead and see if this will be the right choice for your group. Otherwise plan on drinking lemonade, tea, water which are complimentary. (Tip: Bring flavor packets for your water to mix things up)
Bring a power strip for all of your charges. Usually, there are limited plugs in the room.
Find the adult only pool, lounge area! Depending on your cruise line, research the adult only areas. Far less crowded than the main pool or hot tub.
The main room dining is unlimited: order multiple apps, entrees, etc. ask for the entrée as an app…try everything! This is your chance to try a variety of foods without worrying about the bill...super fun!
Skip the breakfast buffet and lines in the morning and go to the main dining room for better breakfast options. You can avoid the long lines and chaos of the buffet.
Buckets of beer are cheaper than buying individual bottles, I also chose to buy souvenir cup for cheaper refills plus you can take the fun glass home!
Did you know? You can request different bedding for mattress toppers, different linens, or different pillows.
Tip: You can shower in the Spa. Many cruises have better toiletries and bigger stalls there in this area. You might as well hit the gym for a minute to burn off those extra calories from the midnight pizza buffet.
Plan a daily budget so you are not surprised by the bill or set limits for each day. This is a must to avoid sticker shock at the end of the cruise.
If you are looking to save some money, get an inside cabin. Think about it, you will only be there to sleep and shower. This leaves you more money for shore excursions. This is my personal preference depending on the cruise and my goals. I will say the rooms with balconies are very nice too :)
Stargazing at night. When you are out on the open seas find the darkest area on the ship (Usually way in the back) and look at the stars. You will be amazed by the number of stars you can see. If you would rather get up early, sunsets over the horizon are great too!
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