Grab the sun tan and the kids as it is time to take a cruise. Cruises are wonderful vacation trips that allow you to visit far off ports while enjoying all the amenities on board a luxury liner. Some cruise trips are tailored for guests, such as musical-themed voyages or children’s character-themed cruise lines. So you have abundant choices when you want to go on a cruise that everyone will enjoy.
As you get your clothes packed and your camera ready, use these 5 cruising tips to make the sea trip more enjoyable. You’ll be able to take advantage of the amenities without breaking your budget on the extras that you don’t want.
1: Book at the Right Time of Year
Looking for a better time of the year to go on a cruise with the kids while saving money? Then you will want to avoid spring break and look for the time of year when kids are going back to school. There are more deals at the end of August and the beginning of September. So planning a cruise during those months will lead to better bargains. Also, while last-minute online deals for popular cruises are great, sometimes you can get even better deals when booking months in advance as you can lock in some lower rates.
2: Get Spa Treatments Early
Spa treatments and saunas can get pricey on cruise ships. If you want to look your best while on the trip, then get a treatment at home before the trip as you can save a lot of money. If you do plan to indulge in the sauna or get a pedicure, sign up early and get spa passes so you can get the appointment at the time you want it. Also, you may get discounts (and some alone time) when you go for spa treatments while at port since most people will disembark to go on guided tours of the destination city.
3: Know What Isn’t Included in the Cruise Fare
There will always be those little extra amenities that can break your budget. Bottled water, soda, cocktails, beer, and wine always costs extra. While it might be nice to indulge now and again, you really have to watch your spending for these items. Also, going online to tell people about your cruise trip will also cost you. If you just have to log on to check your social media sites, look for free Wi-Fi spots when the cruise ship is at port and access the Internet then. You’ll be able to keep your extra charges down to a comfortable spending level.
4: Get to Know the Ship
You book the large stateroom by using your Royal Holiday membership points to have the best stay during your entire cruise. Yet, you can’t remember which door leads to it down the long hallway. Large cruise ships can become a virtual maze when you are trying to find the gym, spa, or even your booked cabin. Take the time to go over the deck plan to figure out which stairways to take to get to the places you want to go. Some people will even tape things to their doors, such as balloons, to figure out which room is theirs. It is also important to walk the ship to find the emergency exits as well as to locate the ship’s doctor.
It can also be a hassle when you get separated from the other members of your group. Bring along walkie-talkies so you won’t get extra roaming charges on your cell phone while you can find out where everyone is located. If traveling with kids, designate a meet-up spot and time before everyone disappears on their own separate adventures on board. Then you can all meet up at that location to enjoy family time together.
5: Pack an Alarm Clock and Double-Check the Safe when Leaving
Leaving the ship on the last day can be a real headache. Most cruise ships require people to leave at exactly 9am. Unless you are an early riser, you may sleep though the checkout time and find yourself missing the plane trip home. Since there are no alarm clocks in the cabin, pack your own or set the alarm on your smartphone to give yourself plenty of extra time.
Also, when you are in a rush to leave, you may forget something important, such as jewelry or a credit card in the safe. Make a mental note to check the room for items before leaving, set a reminder on your smartphone, or simply tape a note to the door the night before to remind yourself to retrieve the items out of the safe.
Everyone should take a cruise at least once in their life. Make the trip easier on yourself and your family by using the above tips and taking advantage of vacation membership programs. You will find that the trip is even more enjoyable than you had originally dreamed it could be as you will quickly book another cruise.
