Cruise Travel - What You Should Know Before You Take a Cruise - Wolters World
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Date: 2022-02-04
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Comments and reviews: 10
011angelfire
Cant stress enough these two points: get to the ship on time, and show up to the muster.
First, A ship will NOT wait for you to get back if youre late, so make sure you are back well in advance of the departure time. If it leaves at 5: 00 ship time, that means it leaves at 5: 00 ship time whether you are on it or not. If you miss the ship, youll have to arrange your own transportation to the next port of call at your own expense. You really dont want to be in this situation, so keep track of time.
Also, if you have a boat, you know that as boats get bigger, the costs increase exponentially. For example, if a 15-foot boat costs $2, 000, that doesnt mean a 30 foot boat will cost $4, 000. The same concept is true for huge ships, just on a bigger scale. Think of how big a pier needs to be to accommodate the Oasis of the Seas or the Queen Mary. Docking fees for these ships range in the thousands of dollars for every minute the ship is in port, so thats another reason that the cruise line really isnt inclined to wait for you if youre late. The captain MAY delay pulling out if theres a significant number of people that didnt make it back. But thats a courtesy, and its 100% their call.
Second, the muster drill is required. Safety is more important than literally anything on a ship. Its not the cruise lines rule, its maritime law so if you dont like it, take it up with the Coast Guard. If you intentionally skip this drill, know that the people in your section are standing there waiting for you before they can start. Also know that since the muster is required, if you skipped it, then captain can, should, and most likely will, kick you off the ship. Show up and pay attention to the crew, so in the event of an emergency, youll know what to do and where to go.
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Cant stress enough these two points: get to the ship on time, and show up to the muster.
First, A ship will NOT wait for you to get back if youre late, so make sure you are back well in advance of the departure time. If it leaves at 5: 00 ship time, that means it leaves at 5: 00 ship time whether you are on it or not. If you miss the ship, youll have to arrange your own transportation to the next port of call at your own expense. You really dont want to be in this situation, so keep track of time.
Also, if you have a boat, you know that as boats get bigger, the costs increase exponentially. For example, if a 15-foot boat costs $2, 000, that doesnt mean a 30 foot boat will cost $4, 000. The same concept is true for huge ships, just on a bigger scale. Think of how big a pier needs to be to accommodate the Oasis of the Seas or the Queen Mary. Docking fees for these ships range in the thousands of dollars for every minute the ship is in port, so thats another reason that the cruise line really isnt inclined to wait for you if youre late. The captain MAY delay pulling out if theres a significant number of people that didnt make it back. But thats a courtesy, and its 100% their call.
Second, the muster drill is required. Safety is more important than literally anything on a ship. Its not the cruise lines rule, its maritime law so if you dont like it, take it up with the Coast Guard. If you intentionally skip this drill, know that the people in your section are standing there waiting for you before they can start. Also know that since the muster is required, if you skipped it, then captain can, should, and most likely will, kick you off the ship. Show up and pay attention to the crew, so in the event of an emergency, youll know what to do and where to go.
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Jacquelyn
When considering itineraries, look at the number of sea days. Some cruises spend half of their days out on the ocean and others are in port every day.
Personally, I love lots of sea days. I would love to go on a repositioning cruise between the US and Europe. If you don't like sea days don't take one of those.
If you are prone to severe motion sickness a trans Atlantic crossing on the Queen Mary might not be the best fit. She sails the North Atlantic route which is notorious for rough seas. She is also a true ocean liner and built to handle rough weather.
Most of the mega ships are floating resorts so they generally use the Southern routes across the Atlantic which are much calmer.
Be aware of Hurricane Season when booking Carribean cruises. If ones appears during your cruise the Captain will avoid it. You may miss ports of call or experience rough seas. This does not entitle you to refunds or extra perks. Remember that each ship handles differently. What's safe for one ship is not necessarily safe for another. Also, tides count. Tides differ at different times of the month or year in a particular place. Just because you see several large ships in a port doesn't mean it's safe for your ship to anchor or dock right then.
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When considering itineraries, look at the number of sea days. Some cruises spend half of their days out on the ocean and others are in port every day.
Personally, I love lots of sea days. I would love to go on a repositioning cruise between the US and Europe. If you don't like sea days don't take one of those.
If you are prone to severe motion sickness a trans Atlantic crossing on the Queen Mary might not be the best fit. She sails the North Atlantic route which is notorious for rough seas. She is also a true ocean liner and built to handle rough weather.
Most of the mega ships are floating resorts so they generally use the Southern routes across the Atlantic which are much calmer.
Be aware of Hurricane Season when booking Carribean cruises. If ones appears during your cruise the Captain will avoid it. You may miss ports of call or experience rough seas. This does not entitle you to refunds or extra perks. Remember that each ship handles differently. What's safe for one ship is not necessarily safe for another. Also, tides count. Tides differ at different times of the month or year in a particular place. Just because you see several large ships in a port doesn't mean it's safe for your ship to anchor or dock right then.
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Designgirl2009
As soon as you get to your cabin, make you sure you wipe down the doors, handles, phone, tables. people do get sick on these big cruises. Make sure you don't forget your door card (which acts as your credit card while onboard the ship, and needed to exit and re-enter the ship for I. D. purposes. If you do lock yourself out, like Ive done, you will need to flag down any of the cleaning staff who in turn will have to find your room manager, and if he can't be found, they'll call one of the other staff wearing the white suits. captain suits you know. last day, last minute. not too good. but they do have a key to every room.
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As soon as you get to your cabin, make you sure you wipe down the doors, handles, phone, tables. people do get sick on these big cruises. Make sure you don't forget your door card (which acts as your credit card while onboard the ship, and needed to exit and re-enter the ship for I. D. purposes. If you do lock yourself out, like Ive done, you will need to flag down any of the cleaning staff who in turn will have to find your room manager, and if he can't be found, they'll call one of the other staff wearing the white suits. captain suits you know. last day, last minute. not too good. but they do have a key to every room.
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Sbsp54
Adding onto packing /suitcase- I'd say if you can, take a carry-on suitcase instead. This way you don't have to wait on your suitcase. Also, it's a good way to have your luggage on you and prevent your suitcase from being misplaced. Now this won't always be the case but I had two different friends come across issues with their luggage. One never got their luggage until after the cruise when she was back in her home and she had to wear her boyfriends clothes the entire time during the cruise. And the other friend had her luggage misplaced but eventually got her things after a couple of days.
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Adding onto packing /suitcase- I'd say if you can, take a carry-on suitcase instead. This way you don't have to wait on your suitcase. Also, it's a good way to have your luggage on you and prevent your suitcase from being misplaced. Now this won't always be the case but I had two different friends come across issues with their luggage. One never got their luggage until after the cruise when she was back in her home and she had to wear her boyfriends clothes the entire time during the cruise. And the other friend had her luggage misplaced but eventually got her things after a couple of days.
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stargoop
Cola syrup (as in coca cola) is another seasick remedy. Personally as one who loves to cruise but could get seasick in a bathtub (seriously I can't even read a text in the car) I have tried everything, separately and all together, but only one remedy has ever worked. The time that I was in rough Caribbean waters that had most of the passengers running for their cabins I got drunk, or at least a little tipsy. This will relax you and turn down your body's balance response so much so that you unconsciously go-with-the-flow (or roll) like a seasoned sailor.
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Cola syrup (as in coca cola) is another seasick remedy. Personally as one who loves to cruise but could get seasick in a bathtub (seriously I can't even read a text in the car) I have tried everything, separately and all together, but only one remedy has ever worked. The time that I was in rough Caribbean waters that had most of the passengers running for their cabins I got drunk, or at least a little tipsy. This will relax you and turn down your body's balance response so much so that you unconsciously go-with-the-flow (or roll) like a seasoned sailor.
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LythaWausW
Thank you. I've been toying with the idea in my head since despising long haul flights back to Seattle from Germany. I'm preoccupied with Costa Concordia and Titanic. But your video, especially the parts with you standing in your room with the water behind you, showed me it's just like a Washington state ferry ride in Seattle. I mean, I hope. I can swim, but I cannot swim out of a sunken cabin in pitch black. Maybe the balcony thing is the answer. Thank you for the info, I had no idea. Except of course to tip, duh.
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Thank you. I've been toying with the idea in my head since despising long haul flights back to Seattle from Germany. I'm preoccupied with Costa Concordia and Titanic. But your video, especially the parts with you standing in your room with the water behind you, showed me it's just like a Washington state ferry ride in Seattle. I mean, I hope. I can swim, but I cannot swim out of a sunken cabin in pitch black. Maybe the balcony thing is the answer. Thank you for the info, I had no idea. Except of course to tip, duh.
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JR
I would also recommend getting an interior room: they're much lower in price and yes, they don't have any ocean view but honestly, you're not in your cabin for very long because you're always out doing things. So getting an interior cabin is much more economical. No, you cannot bring vodka in a water bottle to try to pass it off. Security won't let it happen at home port. And they have drug-sniffing dogs, so don't even bother trying.
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I would also recommend getting an interior room: they're much lower in price and yes, they don't have any ocean view but honestly, you're not in your cabin for very long because you're always out doing things. So getting an interior cabin is much more economical. No, you cannot bring vodka in a water bottle to try to pass it off. Security won't let it happen at home port. And they have drug-sniffing dogs, so don't even bother trying.
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Off
Great job on the video. I'm glad you let people know about the outlets. When my wife and I dove with the great white sharks in Guadalupe Mexico, the boat was really strict on using the outlets. You had to be in your room while your stuff was charging. They would unplug anything you left charging. You had to plan well when you would charge so that you didn't miss any of the shark action.
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Great job on the video. I'm glad you let people know about the outlets. When my wife and I dove with the great white sharks in Guadalupe Mexico, the boat was really strict on using the outlets. You had to be in your room while your stuff was charging. They would unplug anything you left charging. You had to plan well when you would charge so that you didn't miss any of the shark action.
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Jacquelyn
Motion sickness avoidance: eat ginger, never let your stomach get completely empty but don't over stuff yourself either, don't drink a lot of alcohol at once, don't look straight down the hull of the ship at churning water, and go out on deck in the fresh air and look out at the horizon. Some swear by the wrist bands.
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Motion sickness avoidance: eat ginger, never let your stomach get completely empty but don't over stuff yourself either, don't drink a lot of alcohol at once, don't look straight down the hull of the ship at churning water, and go out on deck in the fresh air and look out at the horizon. Some swear by the wrist bands.
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matt18m18
My tip is that the ship isn't the only source for shore excursions. I went fishing from a kayak in Ketchikan, Alaska, and had more success than the people who went salmon fishing or bald eagle spotting. Mark's first tip is correct, but you have other options besides what the ship offers. Get back on time!
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My tip is that the ship isn't the only source for shore excursions. I went fishing from a kayak in Ketchikan, Alaska, and had more success than the people who went salmon fishing or bald eagle spotting. Mark's first tip is correct, but you have other options besides what the ship offers. Get back on time!
reply
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