4.Pack Light
Do not go overboard in the clothing department. Most times, travelers pack almost everything they own when packing for a trip, so avoid making this mistake. No one cares if you wear the same outfit twice. Travel light, pack enough washable and quick-drying outfits and clothes for your voyage. Make sure you toss in a sweater even on warm-weather cruises; ships tend to get chilly quickly. Pack a couple of pairs of shoes — one regular/walking shoes, a dressier pair for the dining room/shows, and finally a pair of flip-flops for the warm-weather cruises.
Most cruises also have formal nights where most passengers put on the glitz, but there is no need to dress in diamonds and tux. Women can easily get by with a cocktail dress or a dressy pantsuit, whereas men can always opt for a jacket and a tie. If you, however, want to avoid dressing up, you might want to hit the buffet, or this might be the perfect time to order in-room service. Most ships come with free self-service laundry rooms with iron as well as fee-based laundry services. The charge varies according to the item. During sea days, laundries are the busiest; washing before breakfast or late in the night will help you avoid the crowd. If you aren’t attending an offshore excursion, midday during port is also a great time to do your laundry.
Also, make sure to pack a dual-voltage extension cord. Cabins usually only have a handful of electrical outlets, which aren’t always accessible. A simple multi-plug is everything you would need to charge all your devices.
5.Be Early
Try and arrive at least one day early at the departure point. This way, you do not have to worry about delayed flights or missing the boat. Once a ship starts the boarding process, its restaurants and other facilities become fully operational. You can leave your luggage with the porters and carry a small bag with all you might require to get by for a few hours. Before the ship leaves the port, you can accustom yourself to the ship’s layout, eat lunch, if you have a swimsuit and sunscreen packed in your carry-on bag, you can also lounge by the pool until called for “muster.”
“Muster” is a mandatory procedure to be followed by every ship before it starts to sail. “Muster” is an emergency drill procedure where each passenger gets emergency directions and guidelines. Every passenger is also accounted for with an orange life jacket for emergency use. Do not skip this procedure, and you best believe you do not want to be the person pegged over the loudspeaker.
6.Manage Your Money
Unless you have paid an all-inclusive fee, be prepared to shell out money during the cruise. Apart from the main dining room and buffet, you will pay for restaurants, wifi, shore excursions, and spa treatments. Even though you have registered a credit card at the beginning of your journey, it is best to carry a bundle of fives and tens for small purchases or tips.
Conclusion
There you go, six tips that you should know before you get onboard a cruise ship. It is always best to read a few helpful tips and tricks before going on a first-ever trip or vacation. Cruises can be fun and inexpensive if you do all the proper research beforehand.
