subject: Ten Useful Tips on Cruising [print this page] Ten Useful Tips on Cruising Ten Useful Tips on Cruising
Cruising is a lot of fun but that first one (or two) can be a bit intimidating. Here are some tips to help you have smooth sailing on that first cruising experience.
Cruising Tip #1 - Show appreciation for your Cabin Steward
The person that takes care of you and your cabin during your cruising experience is your cabin steward. Your gratuity is automatically added to your cruising account but it never hurts to be extra generous and do it on the first day of cruising. You are going to be very well taken care of but by doing this you will surely be awarded a bit if extra attention during your cruising experience.
Cruising Tip #2 - It's always a good idea to make copies of all important documents. (This applies to any kind of trip you are taking, not just cruising.)
Make copies of all your important documents such as passport, drivers license, credit cards,cruising itinerary, etc. Keep them in a folder and put them in a safe place. Of course, make sure you put any orginal documents in the safe provided in your cabin while cruising.
Cruising Tip #3 - Make the most of your electricity.
Each cabin will have only one electrical outlet (with 2 plugs). It is located at the desk or vanity. With all the gadgets we carry with us that will need charging it's a good idea to have a surge protector or power strip with you. How nice to be able to be able to use your hair dryer, listen to music and charge your camera all at the same time. An 8 foot extension cord could come in hany also if you would like to sit in bed and have power to your lap top.
Cruising Tip #4 - Get your stomach ready
For several days before departure eat at least one serving of yogurt each day. This will help build up good bacteria to help your digestive system take care of any impurities you might encounter while cruising. While in port you will be able to have some terrific food that authentically seasoned. The Caribbean's sanitation codes are not the same as you are use to at home and the food is not what your stomach is used to no matter how great it tastes at the moment. Eating yogurt ahead of time will help build up your digestive immunity and balance.
Cruising Tip #5 - Keep your luggage fresh (this is also good for any time you travel)
Place a couple of fabric softener sheets in your suitcase to keep your clothes smelling fresh. It really helps since you will be mixing soiled (and sometimes damp) with everything you have in your suitcase.
Cruising Tip #6 - Take some bungee cords with you
You will find bungee cords very useful to have with you. They take up very little room in your luggage and will make life easier while cruising. Your cabin will be small and hanging space is at a premium. You may have a couple of hooks but a hook typically holds only one or two items at a time. That one hook will hold two or three bungee cords. You can also create additional hooks to hang things from by hanging one end of the bungee cord from any suitable place like a lamp, etc.
You might also be able to create a clothesline for your damp bathing suits. Some bathrooms provide you with this but not all. Oh, and let's not forget the days you are cruising and you are enjoying life on the deck. You can strap your items to your chair so that those gusts of wind ton't take your towel, hat or cover-up overboard never to be seen again.
Cruising Tip #7 - Take additional hangers
In most cases you will not have enough hangers in your cabin to accommodate all your special hang-up clothes. The best kind to take with you are INFLATABLE hangers (check out Amazon.com). They take up almost no space, are not hard to inflate and will hold all of your clothing garments.
Cruising Tip #8 - Be informed about your insurance coverage (both medical and auto) before you leave home
Find out before cruising what your insurance pays for and what you will need from the ship or port in way of documentation to file a claim if you need to. Once you leave the place of treatment your chances are zilch that you can obtain records later. You might also want to consider buying additional insurance coverage from your travel agent for your cruising vacation. At times it really is better to "be safe than sorry".
Cruising Tip #9 - Have a can of air freshener with you
You will be in close quarters and any unpleasant odor can be magnified so being able freshen your air might make for more pleasant cruising while you are in your cabin.
Cruising Tip #10 - Use a Porter when you leave the cruise terminal.
Not only will this make your life easier especially if you have several bags to deal with, but porters have special desks at customs that they use. That means you escape the long line at customs. This alone makes it worth the tip you will pay to the porter.
I hope you have picked up some tips for cruising that will make your first (or next) cruising vacation stress free.
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