It’s a shame to lay out 0 – ,500 on a dreamy cruise vacation only to encounter unnecessary mishaps and inconveniences. So, in an endeavor to minimize the likelihood of a bump in the road to your exquisite vacation, here are some tasteless potholes that you can avoid.
Mistake #1: Not manufacture Your Luggage Distinctive. At the end of your cruise, your luggage will be settled in a huge room with Thousands of pieces of luggage, probably in some designated area based on the color of a luggage tag in case,granted by the ship. No matter how well-known you think you are with your own luggage, it’s astounding how well your bags will blend in with the mass of cargo surrounding them. Having a quick, easy way to identify your luggage will be a major relief, especially if it gets misplaced.
Gourmet Food Price
But, that isn’t the main hypothesize to make your luggage stand out. You will be entering this cavernous room with a couple thousand other people, some of whom stayed up all night partying. They are going to be impatient to get their bag and get out and there is a fairly good opportunity that their vision isn’t so good. If your bag looks like their bag, it could be a goner. And, if a stranger does take your luggage it could be hours, even days, before you get it back.
Do something durable and noticeable to your luggage so that it not only is recognizable to you, but also let’s bleary-eyed fellow travelers know that your bag is not their bag. Put stickers on it, paint a day-glo streak nearby it, sew a teddy bear onto the outside… Just make sure it stands out.
Mistake #2: Not Researching Shore Excursions Beforehand. It should come as no surprise that cruise line advertising folks have the quality to delineate each and every shore excursion as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Of course, no cruise is faultless without shore excursions and many of them are positively astounding chances to do things you would never do otherwise. But, be smart here. It’s okay to get hoodwinked into mental that palm trees do sway all day long and that sand feels like silk under your feet. But, it’s a whole ‘nother thing to be seeing send to that perfect, serene afternoon on a remote beach only to find out you have 500 friends, some with young kids, crowding nearby you and bumping into your beach chair while vendors hawk all from coconut shells to t-shirts.
Before you commit, read some reviews, talk to the cruise ship shore excursion folks, ask fellow passengers, do some thinking. Most cruise ships have a “No Refund” procedure on shore excursions, but don’t be afraid to ask for one if your sense is truly unacceptable. great still, find out what you’re getting before you go. Many (if not most) shore excursions are just great and you’ll be happy you went. But cover your stump and you’ll be glad you did.
Mistake #3: Runaway Bar Tabs. Unless you specifically choose a box that includes it, your bar tab is Not included in the “all inclusive” part of your cruise. Adding to the bite is the ubiquitous 15% gratuity that gets added to every buy you make on board a ship.
I could suggest that you drink less, but that’s just plain dumb! You’re on a cruise! So, pay attention to how much you drink. Those cute small umbrellas drinks that come in a remarkable canary-yellow cup will cost you about twice what a basic cocktail costs. Cruise ship booze is already costly enough; you don’t need to help them out by spending more for a cup that you’ll stash in a closet when you get home.
Cruise ships have a procedure against bringing alcohol on board, but the procedure is very loosely enforced if you don’t flaunt it. In other words, don’t strap a cope onto a case of Budweiser and check it as baggage or load up your carry-on bag with bottles of Wild Turkey. Discreetly packed airline bottles of booze or cans of beer will probably go unnoticed. Don’t try to sponsor a frat party, but you can assuredly help yourself out a bit.
You are allowed to bring your own wine on board if you plan to drink it at dinner, though you are expensed a “corking fee”. And, you can also bring a small stash of non-alcoholic beverages (soda, water, etc) with no problem. You should assuredly bring some water, especially if you’re cruising in warm climates.
Mistake #4: Ignoring the Fury of the Sun Gods. Sun Burn treatments are the fourth most favorite hypothesize that population on cruises visit the ship’s infirmary. (The first three are: 1) bumps and bruises, 2) indigestion, 3) seasickness). Once you’re burned, there isn’t much anyone can do for you except try to alleviate the pain. (My favorite medicine for that is something called “Traumeel”. You can’t find it in the drugstore, but most health food places will have it.)
If you’re cruising in the winter months (Nov – Feb), you don’t have as big a problem. Even when you are in the sub-tropics, and even though your skin probably hasn’t seen sun for some months, the sun is hitting you at an angle and that makes all the difference. You still need to be careful, but you have more leeway.
In the spring and summer months, when the sun is overhead, you can get burned in as small as an hour, especially in the afternoon hours. Some silly population forgo the sunscreen because they want to make sure they get a tan. Not a good idea. Start your sunbathing session with at least 15 Spf (30 if you haven’t been in the sun, with extra security on your lips). As you get closer to your end time, use less Spf. Even with a good sun blocker, your friends and co-workers will still know that you’ve been out in the sun.
Hats are a serious plus if you are in sunburn territory. Most population don’t put sunscreen on their heads, and so the part of your body that is getting the most direct rays for the longest period of time remains unprotected. Visors don’t protect your skull; you need some type of covering.
Mistake #5: No First Aid Kit. As previously noted, there are some reasons that passengers end up wasting time (and sometimes money) visiting the infirmary. You may not be able to avoid all mishaps, but you can get ready for the lesser blunders. By the way, all of this applies duplicate if you’re traveling with kids!
Bumps and Bruises. The biggest hypothesize population visit the ship’s physician probably has something to do with mixing booze, glossy surfaces, metal railings and the rolling appeal of the ship. For most of your injuries, the right size band-aid and a good analgesic crème will do the trick. A straightforward travel or camping first-aid kit will have what you need.
Indigestion. One of the drawbacks of having such constant passage to all that astounding rich food that cruise ships are noted for is that population eat it. And eat it. And eat some more. Unless you are a definite disciplinarian, you can expect to consume about two or three times your normal food quantity in an median day. Add to that the steady consumption of alcohol that is a hallmark of cruising and voila! Indigestion. Take along some Alka Seltzer, some Pepto Bismol and sum type of antacid tablet, like Tums or Rolaids. All of these are available in tablet form. Some ships market will have some of this, but not always and if you need it in the middle of the night you’re out of luck.
Seasickness. The best medicine is prevention. After you get it, well… Yuck! Check out the various forms of Dramamine that are now available, including pills and patches. The directions will tell you how much lead time before you hit the waves you need to get the maximum effect. You can also get acupressure wrist bands that work positively well with some people.
One of the best treatments I’ve ever seen for treating seasickness once it hits you is Coke and soda crackers – lots of both. Some population say that 7-Up works also, but I think there is something in the caffeine in Coke that helps the whole process. If you are feeling sick, your cabin is the worst place to be unless the weather topside is positively bad. Being able to get fresh air and see the horizon helps to trigger the brain sensors that calm seasickness.
Headaches. We all know that booze can make your head scream for mercy, but so can sun and lots of new food. If you’re not used to heavy carbs in your diet and you scarf up lots of pastries, ice creams or gourmet desserts, your body can trigger the same symptoms it does when detoxing from too much alcohol. And, if you sense bumps, cuts or sunburn a pain reliever is a good thing. Have a contribute of different types of pain reliever. Depending on the hypothesize for your pain, aspirin may not work as well as Tylenol or Ibuprofen in a given circumstance. (Do I need to remind you to read the label and effect the directions?)
Mistake #6: What? No Camera? A photograph positively Is Worth A Thousand Words. It’s hard to imagine, but some population will positively take the trip of their dreams and not take a camera. Or, they’ll take a camera, but they won’t keep it with them. Don’t do that. If you have a digital camera, use it, use it, use it. If you don’t have a digital camera, spring for about three or four disposable ones. And be sure to take you camera to the Life Boat Drill. You’ll know why when you get there.
A side bar to this camera thing is the Photo-ops that you have all over the ship. There will be dozens of them on your cruise – when you’re boarding, when you’re dining, when you’re getting off the ship, at the pool – at times it will seem like some one is taking your photograph every time you turn around. You are, of course, free to decline. But I suggest that you give it a shot. Yes, these photos can be goofy, even cheesy, but they can also be a lot of fun. Plus, you just might end up with the best shot of the cruise. Some of the settings are outright elegant, rivaling what you would find at a studio. It’s a great way to get a nice formal photograph for your living room or to send to your family, and there’s no sitting fee!
Mistake #7: Buying From road Vendors. Where ever you go on your cruise, once you step ashore you will be approached (accosted?) by local folks trying to sell you something. I’m not talking about the shops and makeshift kiosks you may find, I’m talking about the guys selling Cuban cigars out of their trunks, or pirated Cds out of a cardboard box.
Your best bet, unless you’ve been there and positively know the score, is to just say No. Regardless of how spellbinding the offer, just say No. Most of the products are very low quality and you have no way to check it out before you buy. I know of population who bought Cd cases with no Cds inside, watches that didn’t work, Cuban cigars purchased in the local drugstore, “handmade” jewelry that came out of bubble gum machines, the list is endless. And this applies Sixteen Fold if some local guy tries to sell you some pot.
In most ports of call frequented by American-based vessels, this road traffic is positively illegal. You probably won’t get into trouble, but why risk it? Save your money for the honest locals and their small shops that are going to sell you watches that do work, they just fall apart in a few weeks.
Mistake #8: mental You’ll Save Money “In Town”. One of the charming aspects of cruising is the ritual of visiting the local markets and shops. This is truly a fun sense and you can find all manner of unique and special items, but you probably won’t find any real bargains. There are bargains to be found, but you positively need to know what you’re seeing for and what it’s worth in the Us. Don’t be cynical about it. It’s all part of the experience. Somehow, buying a wooden giraffe in Grand Turk is great than buying the same wooden giraffe at Pier 1 Imports, even if you pay a small more. Go figure.
You positively can save money when you buy liquor or tobacco products, but it might not be as good a deal as it first seems. Most ports have what are called “duty free” shops which means that there was no “duty” (i.e. Import tariffs) paid on the products and so they are economy to sell in that country. The same applies to diamonds and other fine jewelry. The challenge is knowing what an item is positively worth. Just because these guys saved on the import fees doesn’t mean they’re passing the rescue on to you. Also keep in mind that you are supposed to voice to Us customs any purchases you make in a foreign country. Duty Free in Nassau doesn’t mean it’s duty free when you come back to the Us. There are unavoidable exemptions for personal items, but if you shell out some big bucks, you might lose the rescue when you pay the Us import fees.
So, don’t be a miser. Spend freely. Do some Christmas shopping. Spread your money nearby the local economy and have fun doing it. Just remember, these guys are in the firm of selling stuff to foreign tourists. They know where the money is arrival from and they know how to keep as much of it as they can.
Mistake #9: Sticking nearby The Port. Yes, ships are safe in the harbor, but that’s not what ships are built for. Most ports of call, especially when the call is for a day or less, are set up to contribute the ships passengers with a particular experience. They achieve this by manufacture their ports as visitor-friendly as possible. The sense of Mexico that you get right covering the port in Cozumel is decidedly different than the sense of Mexico on the other side of the island. nearby the port, all manner of firm are set up to appeal to a particular comfort-zone and a particular economy.
But, often, just a few miles from the port, you can have a fully different experience. If you travel to Grand Turk, for example, you can spend a delightful afternoon at the resort-like environment of Margaritaville. The beach is well-maintained, though a bit crowded. There is a huge beautiful pool with lots of palm trees and man-made waterfalls. A beer will cost you about and a burger will be about .
But a short taxi ride to the old downtown area will take you to a much more authentic location. At least for the time being. You can perambulate crowded, dusty streets; see skinny dogs shuffling straight through garbage cans and have a local beer and piece of fried chicken for about .75 at one of the local pubs. Sure, the pub would never pass an American food inspection and you may have to do without air conditioning. But the sense can be wonderful. You won’t get that sense staying close to the port.
Of course, you want to be safe and you want to be able to get back to your ship before it sales, so keep all that in mind. But, there is a whole universe of color, sound, smells and population that don’t ever get to the port and it’s worth the issue to find it.
Mistake #10: Not preparing For the Journey Home. Sooner or later (it will seem much too soon), your cruise will come to an end and you’ll have to return to the land of manufacture your own bed and cooking your own food. The journey home is often an irritating necessity and something to feel as speedily as possible. But, if you rush back into the reality you left behind, it’s kind of like a diver arrival to the covering too quick after a deep dive. Your mind and body will resist.
If possible, do something fun on the way home. Stay an extra night in a hotel or visit a landmark or even a theme park. At the very least, stop at a nice bistro for a slow lunch or dinner. A quiet picnic (even with fast food) at a rest area can be a perfectly delightful way to transition home.
Here’s a couple of things to do to make your return less stressful and hurried.
o If you’re driving, fill up with gas before you go to the port. Make sure that, when you leave, you don’t have to stop until you want to.
o When you have breakfast on your last morning, take some pastries with you, or even make yourself an egg sandwich. If you belief to bring a thermos with you, fill up on coffee or juice for the ride home.
o Leave some bottles of water in your car. Many bus companies will allow you to leave some personal items on the bus when you get to the port, so contain some water and a pillow.
o Find out what the weather is back home. I once stood shivering in 40 degree weather covering the airport in a pair of shorts and an aloha shirt. Hey, it was 85 degrees when I left Puerto Rico that morning!
o Take the next day off. If you are returning to port on a weekend, good. If not, program the time off before you leave. Or call in sick. You’ll be Soooooooo glad you did.
A Final Suggestion.
Keep up with all of the information documents you got on the cruise – daily ships newsletter, shore excursion price list, etc. When you get home, file all this in a briefcase and then use if for reference material for yourself or man else the next time a cruise is planned. And before your forget, write down all the things you wish you’d belief of and that you wish you had known. Make a faultless list and stash it with the other cruise information you brought back.
Happy Cruising!
Ten Mistakes When Taking A Cruise
