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While it’s extremely convenient, you’ll pay for that convenience. Instead, look for off-port parking that can be as much as 50% cheaper. With these deals, you pay a bit extra, but then you get more included in your fare (such as Princess Plus). This can include Internet access, drink packages, your onboard daily gratuity, and other perks. What’s often the case is that the price for the upgrade is significantly less than what you’d pay for these items individually.
Pre-book dining, drinks and internet packages
Cruise ships offer shore excursions, essentially tours that take place in each port. Many cruisers assume they can't bring their own drinks on board a ship. But Royal Caribbean is one line that allows passengers to bring their own drinks on ships — albeit in small amounts.
Request extra hangers
Of course the shore excursion desk staff are super helpful, and will often give you a map and some tips and recommendations. Anything can happen, especially if you’re flying into your cruise port. Always plan to arrive at least one day before your cruise for peace of mind, plus you can visit your embarkation port city and extend your vacation. Travel agents often have extra perks that they can give you when you book with them. When using a travel agent, whether local or online, make sure that they have experience and specialize in selling cruises. While you can eat small pieces of ginger, and this may be given out on some cruise lines, it’s easier to pack ginger candies and bring them onto your cruise.
Barbados Cruise Port: Getting Around, What's Nearby and Guide - Cruise Hive
Barbados Cruise Port: Getting Around, What's Nearby and Guide.
Posted: Sat, 20 Apr 2024 13:46:20 GMT [source]
Cruise Tips That Will Help Make Your Trip Even Better, According to Experts
If something goes wrong when you're away from the ship, you'll want to get in contact with the cruise line right away. Many passengers don't know about this secret spot for watching sailaways, found on Radiance-class, Voyager-class and Freedom-class vessels. Royal Caribbean usually allows passengers to walk out onto these helipads around the time that a ship is departing. Specifically, you'll currently pay $3.49 to send out a T-shirt for washing and folding on a Royal Caribbean ship, or $4.99 for a long-sleeve shirt. Getting shorts washed and folded will set you back $4.49. The line's ships also will wash an entire load of your laundry (whatever you can fit into a bag) for a flat fee of $34.99, sometimes less when they run onboard specials.
Don’t Expect to Drink the Alcohol Bought in Port
That means when you eat in the free restaurants on the ship like the buffet and the main dining room, there’s no bill to pay or tip to leave. If you’re driving in, look for a hotel that offers a cruise parking special. As an incentive to attract guests, many hotels (especially in smaller port cities like Galveston) offer free parking if you stay a night with them. It’s an easy way to save a bundle, but only if you planned to stay the night anyway.
Book off-season for the best deal
If you’ve been tempted by the drink packages, do the math before you buy it. Drink packages seem like good deals, but the rules can make them quite pricey. For instance, many cruise lines force each person in a cabin to buy the package if any passenger buys it. As well, you have to buy the package for the entire cruise.
Download your favorite shows ahead of time (so that you can watch without internet access) and catch up on your programs. Purchase your card and if you win, you can walk away with cash. It’s not unusual to see people pocket hundreds or even thousands of bucks playing the game on the ship.
Cruise stateroom bathrooms are small and so are the cabins, so bathroom smells might be more obvious than you’d like. Many cruisers bring Poo-Pourri bathroom spray as part of their cruise essentials packing list. Most of us take photographs and videos, but thinking of other ways you could document your vacation is one of the best cruise tips to help you remember your vacation. You could pack a sketch pad and pencils and give drawing a try—nobody will judge if you can only manage a stick figure.
Ultimate Guide to Cruising on the Disney Magic - AllEars.Net
Ultimate Guide to Cruising on the Disney Magic.
Posted: Fri, 19 Apr 2024 20:00:05 GMT [source]
They cook, they clean and you enjoy all the deliciousness. Who can turn down three-course meals and all night pizza and dessert buffets? One thing that I have found that helps burn off some of those “vacation calories” is to opt to take the stairs instead of taking the elevator. You get a good cardio workout a few times a day throughout the duration of your cruise experience. Also, cruise stairwells tend to have a unique piece of artwork hung on each landing. It’s a good workout and a great way to get to know the ship.
Although you won’t choose a specific cabin, a guarantee cabin is usually the best priced cabin in the cabin type. Often the price will be discounted by $100 or more per person, and you’re guaranteed that category or higher. If you don’t plan to use the internet while on a cruise, but still want people to reach you just in case, let them know they can still send a message. Many people report receiving text messages, even when in airplane mode.
Grab lunch in a quiet spot, sit by the pool and order a drink of the day. If you’re headed for a warm-weather destination, a balcony cabin is great for sun-worshippers -- and probably useless for those who prefer to stay away from the heat of the day. If you haven't booked your cruise yet, it's worth checking out our complete guide to choosing a cruise ship room. Water is safe to drink on the ship, however many people like to have refillable water bottles to keep hydrated throughout the day. This is especially important when leaving the ship on cruise port days and excursions. Find out info on specific cruise ports by reading reviews on Cruise Critic and other review sites and consider joining facebook groups and roll calls for your sailing.
Save time and add convenience by printing your cruise luggage tags and placing them in these plastic luggage tag holders. If you are bringing big bottles, like sunblock, double wrap them in plastic. In other words, you can get your photo taken by a professional photographer and only have to pay if you actually decide that you want the pic. If you decide you don’t like it, then there is nothing out of pocket. It’s nothing big — maybe a t-shirt and a gift certificate to the gift shop — but it’s the best way to get something for free while on your cruise.
They don't just apply when you're on your Royal Caribbean ship. They also work when you're on land at Royal Caribbean's private island in the Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay. To make the most of your time, book an organized tour and let someone else get you to the destination's top attractions and back in a timely manner.
Upgrade to a pair that has a nice rubberized sole with plenty of tread. Your bill will typically include a gratuity automatically. Keep this in mind and double-check the itemized receipt before you sign as there is often another line for write-in tips. Unless the service was simply above and beyond, there is no reason to give a second tip on your drink. Book directly with the cruise line to cut out the middleman in case there is an issue with your reservation.
Don’t be surprised if you crank down the air but don’t feel much relief. It’s macabre, but if you’re on a larger ship, then it likely has a morgue on board. Cruise ships are carrying thousands of people 365 days a year.
Case in point is if it’s in the early morning hours and a group of people are coming back from the bar on the ship (we’ve personally had it happen!). If you can, look for a cabin that sits on the upper decks of the ship. No, it’s not because higher decks offer great views (although that’s a great perk!). Shhh… don’t tell anyone, but you can actually debark the cruise ship when you want when your trip ends.
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