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With a morgue on board they can keep the body in good condition until reaching a port. Cruise ships are usually laid out with a center promenade area that includes indoor things like the casino, a center bar, restaurants, and shopping. Then there is the pool deck area that’s located at the top of the ship. These two areas are where passengers spend the most time outside the cabin. Many cruise lines — including Carnival and Royal Caribbean — allow you to bring on non-alcoholic beverages. So if you can’t live without your Diet Coke or want to have some Gatorade for the kids, bring it with you.
Go to Speciality Restaurants the first day
This list varies from relatively small tips to make your cruise a little more comfortable all the way to big secrets that the cruise lines don’t like to talk about. And while experienced cruisers may know some of the things on this list, you can rest assured everyone reading will learn at least a few helpful hints. Whether it’s your first sailing or your 50th, there are always new cruise tips to learn for when you take your trip. That’s why we’ve rounded up a staggering 107 of the best cruise tips, secrets and freebies for you to enjoy. Some cruisers also swear by bringing magnets to ships to affix dinner invitations, excursion tickets and other important papers to their cabin walls. Walls on ships often are made with metal (even if they look like wood, thanks to faux wood veneers) and will hold a magnet.
Read over prohibited items
Save yourself from walking into furniture and stubbing your toe by packing a simple plug-in nightlight. It’s especially helpful if you’re in an interior cabin where there are no windows to provide outside illumination. Just know that cruise itineraries can change for any number of reasons. Whether it be an issue with the ship, weather, or even riots in port (yes, this has happened).
Don’t Hang Things to Dry on the Balcony
There’s no pressure to do everything as a group, though, and the joy of a cruise ship is that it’s safe for all ages. 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.
But booking tours through your line isn't the only option, and it's not always the best option. Connect your credit card to your onboard account to make shipboard charges for everything from beverages and specialty dining bookings to shore excursions and spa treatments. Having your account set up beforehand also eliminates having to revisit the Guest Relations desk at the end of your voyage to settle the balance. Cruise ships offer shore excursions, essentially tours that take place in each port. Like many cruise lines, Royal Caribbean will offer you a bonus if you book a cruise while on a ship.
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Convenient Port Canaveral “Park & Cruise” Hotels
If you arrive and the beds aren’t how you wanted, don’t worry. It doesn’t mean you’ll have to sleep in the same bed as your friend or sleep apart from your spouse. Simply ask the room steward and they can put the beds how you want them.
If you do have to go to ask something about a reservation or your account, try to time your visit to off hours (the desk is open 24 hours a day). Times like just before dinner can see long lines, when you’d rather be out enjoying yourself. Early in the morning (before 8 a.m.) and late at night (after 11 p.m.) are the best times to see the shortest lines. We all know drinking is part of cruise culture, but the cost can soar quickly. That’s why it’s a good idea to head to port if you want to get your money’s worth. Most of the party bars near the cruise terminals will have drink specials designed to get you in the door.
Tipping Extra for Great Service Onboard
There’s no real cut-off on what is a considered a boat, versus a ship — other than ships are known as large ocean-going vessels. There’s no doubt that the size and scale of any cruise ship you sail will definitely put them firmly in the “ship” category. If you’re worried about sounds traveling through the walls, you should be. To be clear, the walls are not paper thin, so you won’t hear the cabin next to you watching a TV at a normal volume. But if you are the type that makes a lot of noise (ahem… enjoying your vacation with your partner, perhaps?), then you should try to keep it down. You’ll also be able to hear people in the halls through the door.
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. If you plan to buy them anyway, a package is likely worth the money. It’s not always the case, but sometimes you’ll run into discounts around the ship if you buy when the ship is in port. For instance, maybe it’s a spa session that has a slight discount if you book a service while the ship is docked.
Finally, with high daily prices, you usually have to drink 7-10 drinks each and every day you are on the cruise to come out ahead. Not only does it come in handy should you need to leave the ship early due to an emergency, but it can also save you time. These days many ports use facial recognition matched with your passport for entering the country. Those with birth certificates sometimes still wait in line to be checked by an officer. When you go through check-in, you’ll receive the key to your room.
And even if you just misplace it, losing a passport is a major ordeal. That’s why we like to put our passport in our cabin safe and carry a photocopy of the ID page with us in port or just use a driver’s license. 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.
With fewer people on the ship, prices can be cut to entice demand. We’ve heard way too many horror stories of cruise passengers forgetting to turn off their phone’s data and then coming home to huge bills for international roaming. I have a small "go bag" of over-the-counter medicines that I throw into my suitcase for every cruise that contains everything from cold medicine to seasickness pills. If you only follow one piece of advice in this story, it should be this one.
Cruise lines know you're a captive audience and price their shipboard stores accordingly. Be sure to pack anything you think you might need for these first hours of your cruise in your carry-on bag. Carnival adds an 18% service charge to your bill whenever you order a drink at a bar or pay for a meal at an extra-charge restaurant. The doors are sometimes locked at night or in high winds, so try again later if you can't get through. Purchase a Wi-Fi plan, and you can text, browse the internet and post to social media.
I love Sanna’s cruise reviews which provide a view into Vegan dining, as well as provide other helpful dietary and allergy information. In addition to her blog you can also follow her Facebook page. As well, if you forget anything from water shoes to cold medicine, wait until the ship gets into port. These items are for sale on the ship, but they are extremely expensive (we’ve seen cold medicine for nearly $18 a bottle).
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