Tips For A Successful Cruise Experience

A first cruise can be the vacation of a lifetime. But it can be a disaster if you don’t plan ahead. Courtesy of AAA, here are some tips to ensure that your first cruise is a happy and memorable experience.

Before booking passage on a ship, first ask yourself why you want to take a cruise. If it’s for romance – a honeymoon, an anniversary or a just a getaway for the two of you  -- you’ll have different requirements than if it’s for solo adventure or for socializing with friends, your kids or other family members. A travel agent can help you find a cruise that suits your needs.

Chances are you’ll have a smorgasbord of choices. Some cruise ships are floating cities that are more than 1,000 feet long and hold thousands of passengers while smaller vessels such as river boats and sailing yachts offer a more intimate environment. In general, the larger the ship, the more amenities, activities and entertainment you’ll find on board.

Choosing a destination is just as important as choosing a ship. Many first-time cruisers select an itinerary that includes multiple port visits and organized shore excursions, but keep in mind that such activities can substantially increase the price of your cruise. In Alaska, shore excursions feature helicopter rides, kayaking, and even dog-sledding. In the Caribbean, they often feature water activities such as swimming and snorkeling. In Europe, you can visit churches, museums and other historical landmarks.

More experienced cruisers often prefer extended times at sea so they can enjoy the ship’s amenities and meet new people on board.

Whether you choose a big or small ship, it’s important to get the right cabin. Basically, there are four different types:

• Inside, no window.
• Outside, window or porthole with a view to the outside.
• Balcony, a verandah allows you to step outside without going up to a public deck.
• Suite: mini, junior, superior, deluxe, grand, owner's, or penthouse. The suites are larger in size and have upgraded amenities with some even providing butler service.

Staying Healthy Aboard a Cruise Ship

If you tend to get seasick, you’ll feel less roll and sway if you choose a cabin in the lower and more central areas of the ship. You’ll notice less noise if you choose a cabin on a deck that has cabins above and below it, and one that’s as far away as possible from an elevator or stairs.

If you’re on a large ship, chances are seasickness won’t be a problem. Most ships are equipped with stabilizers to reduce roll and sway, and the most popular cruises sail some of the world’s calmest waters. To prevent seasickness, many passengers wear knitted, elasticized Sea-Bands around their wrists. These drug-free devices have a plastic stud that applies pressure to an acupressure point on each wrist and don’t cause any side effects. Over-the-counter medications for seasickness include Bonine and Dramamine. If you’ve gotten seasick before, ask your doctor about the Transderm patch.

Many first-time cruisers have heard horror stories of passengers who ate their way from stem to stern and came home packing an extra 10 pounds. Today’s cruise lines recognize this concern, and are more likely than their predecessors to offer healthy fare at mealtimes and specialty themes at night (such as chocolate) instead of a midnight buffet featuring mounds of food. They’re also more likely to offer fully-equipped fitness centers with aerobic machines such as treadmills and elliptical trainers and plenty of weight-training equipment. One cruise line even has a basketball court.

In recent years, outbreaks of norovirus on board cruise ships have emerged as a big concern. This stomach bug – which can cause vomiting and diarrhea – spreads easily in contained environments such as ships. To keep yourself healthy, frequently wash your hands and use hand sanitizers found in dining areas and near the ship’s gangway. If someone vomits, immediately leave the area because some of these bugs can even spread through the air.

If you do get sick, contact the ship’s doctor.

Quiz: Rate Your Cruise Smarts

1. An “all-inclusive” cruise covers which of the following:
   • Soda.
   • Alcoholic beverages.
   • Specialty snacks.
   • Tips.
   • None of the above.
2. You’re most likely to get a last-minute deal if:
   • You have inflexible travel dates.
   • You have a specific itinerary.
   • You only want a balcony cabin.
   • You want to travel during peak season.
   • You’re not picky about the cruise line or itinerary.
3. Fall is the least expensive time to cruise because:
   • A higher volume of cruises means lower prices.
   • Cruise lines offer more boring cruises in the fall.
   • The most experienced crews are on vacation and have been replaced with cheaper help.
   • It’s too cold to cruise.
   • It’s shoulder season for travel in Alaska, the Caribbean, and Europe.
4. Which strategy helps minimize onboard expenses?
   • Check your onboard account each day.
   • A daily budget.
   • Planning shore excursions in advance.
   • Taking advantage of onboard specials for tropical drinks, jewelry purchases, spa treatments, etc.
   • All of the above.
5. Which strategy helps minimize expenses on port days?
   • Booking only ship-sponsored shore excursions.
   • Eating in local restaurants instead of aboard ship.
   • Using traveler’s checks to pay for all purchases.
   • Hiring a private guide for the day.
   • Seeing the port on your own with the help of a guidebook.
6. You’ll find the best deals if you want to sail to:
   • Europe in July.
   • The Caribbean in October.
   • Alaska in August.
   • South America in January.
   • Hawaii over Christmas.

Answers

1. None of the above. A better term for “all-inclusive” would be “meals included.” To avoid a nasty credit-card bill at the end of the cruise, create a daily budget and pay your bill each day.
2. You’re not picky about the cruise line or itinerary. If you maintain maximum flexibility, you’ll have more last-minute options.
3. It’s shoulder season for travel in Alaska, the Caribbean, and Europe. Factors that drive down cruise prices in the fall include: colder weather, the start of the school year, hurricane season in the Caribbean and the end of the Alaska cruise season in late September.
4. All of the above.
5. Seeing the port on your own with the help of a guidebook.
6. The Caribbean in October. Cruise lines offer lower prices because it’s shoulder-season and hurricane season in the Caribbean. The other destinations/ times are all during peak season when most people want to travel.

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