5 mistakes to avoid on a cruise
Cruising is the fastest going travel sector in the world. If you haven’t been there’s never been a better time to get out on the water. But there are a few rookie mistakes that you don’t want to make.
Don’t pick the wrong cabin
Sure, the interior cabin is going to be the cheapest but it also means you’re spending a week or so without a window. For your first time out, it’s worth the extra money to have an ocean view or a balcony where you can get some of that fresh sea breeze. You also don’t want to be stuck in a cabin that’s directly below the nightclub or above the crew quarters when they start their day at 5am. First timers are also more likely to be seasick, so choose a cabin close to the centre of the ship to minimise the movement of the ocean. Study the deck plan carefully or, better yet, get an experienced cruise travel agent to help you pick out the perfect stateroom.
Don’t overdo it
Yes, all that food really is included in your fare. But that doesn’t mean you have to go nuts on the first day and eat everything on the buffet. Many people think they are sea sick or, worse, have contracted a bug on board when in fact they’ve just eaten more heavy, rich food in a day than they normally would in a week. Same goes for the alcohol. A few cocktails by the pool is fine but you don’t want to spend a day in your cabin with a deathly hangover.
Don’t skip the extras
Your fare will cover all the basics onboard, like the main restaurants and basic activities, but it’s worth splashing out a little extra cash to experience some of the other facilities onboard. Each ship will have a few specialty restaurants where, for $15-30 a head, you can dine on great gourmet cuisine for a fraction of what it would cost you on land. On some ships you can even dine at the signature restaurant of a celebrity chef, like Jamie Oliver on Royal Caribbean, Curtis Stone on Princess or Nobu on Crystal Cruises. To get into the holiday mode, book yourself a spa treatment or an afternoon in the thermal suite, making use of the sauna, hydrotherapy pools and private relaxation deck.
Don’t miss the ports
Modern megaliners are so packed with entertainment and gadgets that you could stay onboard the whole time, but don’t miss exploring the ports. Plan ahead and attend the port talks or lectures the night before you arrive – this will give you a good idea of what to expect, find out the logistics of getting into town and learn about the excursions. You are always welcome to visit the ports on your own, but check out the shore excursions for activities like diving, snorkelling, ATV rides, village visits or scenic flights. You can book these through the cruise line or a third party operator on the shore.
Don’t be too cool
A lot of activities onboard cruise ships are a bit, well, cheesy. With all the trivia, bingo, karaoke and dancing it can feel a bit like an RSA club on the water. But trust us, these activities are actually really fun. You might not want to participate in the “world’s sexiest man” competition by the pool, but they are pretty enjoyable to watch. Forget trying to look sophisticated, relax and join in the laughs. There’s a great community attitude on the ship so these activities are also a great chance to make new friends.