Take along an insulated mug with a lid. Fill it at the beverage station in the buffet area—your drinks will stay hot or cold and you won’t have to worry about spills. Most bartenders will fill it with ice and water or a soft drink. With a straw ...
Posted Monday, March 30th 2009 at 7:01PM
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Don’t be a deck chair hog. It’s inconsiderate to put towels and personal belongings on poolside lounge chairs to “save” them unless you are actually in the pool. ...
Posted Monday, March 30th 2009 at 7:00PM
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If you are prone to motion (sea) sickness, the best cabin location for you is on a lower deck in the middle of the ship (midway between the bow and the stern). Pitch, roll, and yaw—the movements made by a ship—will be less noticeable in that area ...
Posted Monday, March 30th 2009 at 6:32PM
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Print cards with your name, address, phone number, & email address to share with new friends. Stiff, business card-style paper can be purchased at nearly any office supply store & having your cards handy sure beats hunting for pens & scribbling on s ...
Posted Monday, March 30th 2009 at 6:30PM
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Pack a pad of Post-It notes to leave messages for your cabin steward, family, and shipboard friends. ...
Posted Monday, March 30th 2009 at 6:27PM
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Keep track of your boarding pass, on board charge/key card, as well as a picture ID to take ashore by slipping them into a bi-fold business card style carrying case. Cases with a "suede" finish are less likely to fall out of your pocket. ...
Posted Monday, March 30th 2009 at 6:26PM
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Tap water on your ship is perfectly safe to drink; purchasing bottled water is only necessary if you prefer the taste. ...
Posted Monday, March 30th 2009 at 6:25PM
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Toss a few empty plastic bags into your suitcase. You may need them later to pack dirty or damp clothes, whether you decide to use the laundry facilities or not. ...
Posted Monday, March 30th 2009 at 6:24PM
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Pack and WEAR a hat to protect your scalp, ears, and face from sun damage and premature aging. Excessive sun exposure contributes to wrinkles and dark spots. ...
Posted Monday, March 30th 2009 at 6:22PM
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Don't bother packing beach towels, they will be provided for your use on board the cruise ship as well as when going ashore. ...
Posted Monday, March 30th 2009 at 6:20PM
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At the end of the cruise, you will receive a bill for signed items. If extra charges appear, ask to see all the charge slips and get a copy of a modified bill. ...
Posted Monday, March 30th 2009 at 6:17PM
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You're never obligated to take an organized shore excursion. To explore a city more in depth or see something not included on an organized excursion, consider exploring on your own.
If you explore on your own, keep an eye on your watch. If you mis ...
Posted Monday, March 30th 2009 at 6:16PM
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Remember to budget for shore excursion expenses. Excursion prices can vary greatly depending on your port of call, cruise line and activity.
You're never obligated to take an organized shore excursion. To explore a city more in depth or see someth ...
Posted Monday, March 30th 2009 at 6:14PM
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Got your eye on that something special in the onboard mall? Resist the urge to buy until the last day of the cruise. Many items inevitably go "on sale". ...
Posted Monday, March 30th 2009 at 6:13PM
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At first, you may wish to carry the deck plan with you. Take a walk and familiarize yourself with the layout of the ship, and learn how to reach your cabin from the main stairways. ...
Posted Monday, March 30th 2009 at 6:12PM
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Sign up for spa services, sporting events, salon appointments and other activities as early as possible.
Shore excursions can book up fast. If you haven't booked them before you depart, think about doing so as soon as possible after boarding. ...
Posted Monday, March 30th 2009 at 6:12PM
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It's never wise to leave valuables out in the open in your cabin. Lock them in your luggage or see if the ship has a safe. ...
Posted Monday, March 30th 2009 at 6:11PM
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Cruise lines vary in how gratuities are handled. A few cruise lines include tipping in the total cruise price or have a “no tipping” policy, and will inform you. Others will automatically charge your tip daily to your onboard account (you can usu ...
Posted Monday, March 30th 2009 at 6:07PM
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Many ships sell an "unlimited soft drink" cup for kids. If you're traveling with young ones, this can be a wise investment and save you some significant cash. ...
Posted Monday, March 30th 2009 at 6:07PM
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Two-way walkie-talkies are a great way for family members to keep in touch while onboard the ship. If you don't have your own, many ships rent them for the duration of the voyage. ...
Posted Monday, March 30th 2009 at 6:07PM
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