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The trip is only about 15 minutes and an Uber costs about $25 for the trip. In other words, a roundtrip on the cruise shuttle would cost $184 for a family of four, but only around $50 with Uber or Lyft. Now, this doesn’t go for specialty restaurants that are a fee. If you eat there you’re expected to sign the bill, and the gratuity is tacked onto the price.
Guarantee cabin
Put your phone on airplane mode before your cruise leaves the shore. If you’re driving in, look for a hotel that offers a cruise parking special. As an incentive to attract guests, many hotels (especially in smaller port cities like Galveston) offer free parking if you stay a night with them.
Early debarkation doesn’t always save a lot of time (but it certainly can sometimes!)
A cruise vacation tip, trick, or hack is a nugget of insider knowledge or a clever strategy that savvy travelers share to enhance the overall cruise experience. These insights can range from practical packing advice and money-saving tactics to navigating cruise line policies, maximizing onboard amenities, and optimizing shore excursions. Whether for first-time cruisers or seasoned travelers, these tips and tricks are valuable tools for elevating the cruise experience. News stories always hype up the biggest, newest cruise ships, and the cruise lines charge a pretty penny for sailings on these ships.
Treat yourself to a daytime meal in the main dining room
Do keep in mind this is not usually the same merchandise from the regular ship stores and boutiques. This means that you can decorate your cruise cabin door with magnets if you like, and also create extra storage space by bringing along magnetic hooks and clips. To find out more, you can check the options with your cruise line or travel agent. You may however, be able to book at get a beverage package as a “perk” or buy a soda, coffee or alcoholic beverage package. Norwegian Cruise Line has the popular “free at sea” promotion, which might be a good option for you.
Is Wi-Fi available on the ship?
It’s easy to get lost when trying to understand tipping policies if it’s your first time on a cruise. Most big-ship lines -- Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian and others -- automatically add a service charge onto bar bills. Unless the service was spectacular, there's no need to add another tip on top. If this is your first cruise, you will want to know that you can't have one person in your party sign up for a package and provide drinks for the rest. If there are two adults sharing a cabin, you’ll both need to purchase the same package. Travel logistics aside, though, cruise ship rooms (and even cruise ship bathrooms) aren't known for having tons of floor space or storage space.
Visiting a cruise line’s private island? Don't make these 11 mistakes - The Points Guy
Visiting a cruise line’s private island? Don't make these 11 mistakes.
Posted: Wed, 03 Apr 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Get free room service
On a side note, always return to the ship well before the “all aboard” time. On the cruise, you’ll see bingo contests being held all the time. And while it’s not as exciting as the pool’s belly-flop competition, it is a fun way to spend an hour or two. Wondering about private areas of the ship where you could get some sun… without worrying about tan lines?
Flashback: Cruise Bar Menus From 10 Years Ago Show How Much Prices Have Soared
The best price you’ll get is by purchasing an internet package in your cruise planner online before your cruise. Cruise ship internet just isn’t like on land, so you can expect it to be slower and more expensive on a cruise. However cruise lines have made great strides, and it’s significantly better now than only a few years ago. Many ladies avoid overpacking by planning out their outfits for each night of the cruise.
Travel luggage scale
To reach the helipad on these ships, head to the promenade deck (the deck where there is an outside walking area) and walk toward the front of the ship until you reach the helipad area. While we're on the topic of sundries, don't forget extra batteries or memory cards for your camera if you are bringing one. We recommend always cruising with a small "go bag" of over-the-counter medicines in your suitcase that contains cold medicine, seasickness pills and the like.
Pre-book dining, drinks and internet packages
It’s an easy way to save a bundle, but only if you planned to stay the night anyway. It’s typically not worth it to stay just to get free parking. Who isn’t turned off by the intrusive security at airports these days? From having to empty water bottles, to taking off shoes, to raising your hands and being scanned by a machine, it’s awful. Thankfully, cruise security is much more like flying used to be.
For example, if you’re cruising in the Caribbean or the U.S. East Coast, make sure you know all about hurricane season. That means finding your cabin can be hard, especially on the first couple of days of the cruise when you are still figuring your way around. Your cabin is a secure spot, but there’s no reason to get lax. While you’re out at the pool you might leave your money, passport, or phone behind. Instead of just leaving them out in the open, be sure you use the calbin safe.
Remember, specifics can vary widely based on the cruise line and ship, so always consult your chosen cruise’s official guidelines or customer service for detailed answers. Some cruise lines include gratuities in the overall fare, while others add them daily to your onboard account. You’re always free to adjust these amounts based on the service you receive. Now that the shoreline’s a distant memory and you’re surrounded by the vast, mesmerizing expanse of the sea, it’s time to truly dive into the cruise life. While purchasing these tours through the cruise line means everything will be handled for you, costs can be steep.
Take it to heart, or you may end up missing your ship — something that happens to cruisers more often than you might think. If you don't sign up for shows in advance, a backup strategy is to do so just after you board a vessel. Alternatively, you can wait in a standby line at onboard theaters on show nights. If some people with reservations don't show up (something that happens often), the gatekeepers will let people without reservations in on a first-come, first-served basis.
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