First Time Cruisers Guide
The first time to take a cruise has never been better. Over 7 million People set sail every year. Travelers are excited by today’s innovative cruise vessels and value-oriented seagoing vacations. Cruising is the most affordable and convenient way to see the world. There's simply no better way to stretch your vacation dollar. The ships themselves are amazing and the onboard service is outstanding!
When you first board your ship, you will be given identification (plastic charge / identification / room key card) that will permit you to get on and off the ship as you wish in port. It also will be used as identification when you sign for charges to your cabin. On most cruises, you are given an account identified by your cabin number that allows you to sign for all charges during the cruise and pay them at the end of the trip. The only costs not prepaid as part of the cruise price are for your drinks, shore excursions and on-board services such as hairdresser, masseuse, manicurist, photographer, ship to shore phone calls, specialty restaurant dining, etc.
The ship will publish a daily calendar of events, usually placed under your cabin door during the night. This sheet will offer you a schedule of social, recreational and entertainment activities that are taking place all day long. Select the activities you wish to participate in or just sit by the pool and watch! The cruise line will also offer organized shore excursions in each port of call. These can range from full-day sightseeing tours to an afternoon snorkel and beach barbecue. You usually get a listing of these excursions and their prices with your cruise tickets so you can budget for them before you leave.
All staterooms include beds convertible from two twins to a queen-size configuration. A bathroom with a shower (sometimes a tub as well), a toilet and washbasin are also included. Closets, desk area with television (and usually a refrigerator) are also in the room. The choices are either inside (no window and least expensive), oceanview with a window, verandah which includes a balcony and suites of various sizes.
Discovering New Worlds During Shore Excursions
Whenever your ship stops at an exciting port of call, you have three options: stay on board, explore by yourself or take a ship excursion. But once you glimpse out your porthole and see the tropical island, feel the vibrations of the bustling cities and sense the intoxication of the exotic countries, staying on board will quickly dissolve as an option.
Ship-sponsored shore excursions are valuable if you want to visit the attractions far from the pier, have easy access to historic monuments, forts, and castles and simply learn about the country. They also provide the best ways to experience a metropolitan city port like Barcelona or Rome, and the safest way to visit a third-world country where language and customs may prove too daunting a barrier.
However, if all you want to do is walk around a city or town, shop or go to a beach, then grab a map, secure your money and hike it on your own. Wandering a port on your own can be a great way to get away from the crowd and immerse yourself in a new culture, but it can also be challenging.
Hints to New Cruisers:
- Bring along some single dollar bills for the luggage handlers at the pier.
- Fill out all the cards in your documents (such as island immigration forms, etc.) before leaving home.
- Check your dining room seating assignment as soon as you receive it. If there is an error, proceed to the Maître’d immediately.
- Make scheduling hair appointments, spa appointments etc. one of your first priorities as soon as you board.
- Caribbean Cruises: Book your cabin on the Port side of the ship. This usually gives you a scenic view of the Islands.
What’s Free and What Costs Money?
The price of your ticket will include your cabin, on-board entertainment and food. Other items to consider when budgeting your trip include:
› Taxes, surcharges, and fees, including airport fees, handling fees, departure taxes and port charges. You should verify which fees and port taxes are included in your cruise rate.
› Alcoholic beverages, bottled water and occasionally soft drinks. Some ships offer "soda packages" that feature unlimited sodas during the cruise for about $15-$20.
› Cost of reaching the ship, airline tickets not booked as part of the package, shuttle service or in-port parking fees, if not included.
› Cost of staying at port before or after the cruise, such as hotel, transportation and meals.
› Shopping purchases made both on and off the ship.
› On board extras, such as gambling, spas, massages and ship-to-shore calls.
› Tipping.
Most cruise lines use a billing system for your convenience. They will take an imprint of your credit card and set up a tab for the cruise, presenting you with the total bill at the end. Keep all the little receipts you sign to verify the tab’s total.
