What is some important things to know about cruises?
June 17, 2009 by Cruise Tips
Filed under More Cruises Answers
Can you answer Haley B’s question about Cruises?:
Hi.
Hi.
I am going on a cruise with my family on December of 09′ to the caribbean. I am very exciting because I am 16 and can’t wait. We are going with a lot of my aunt’s husbands friends, especially with this one boy, but that’s another story.
I was wondering if you could tell me anything and everything about cruises?
Like,
How late you are allowed to walk around the ship
What time you get up in the morning
How long you stay on the locations you are going
Cruises Feedback: You may walk around the ship all night/morning if you’d like! You can wake up whenever according to what you have planned for the day. You stay in the locations you go to depending on the time the ship docks there and departs again. They’re a lot of fun! Enjoy your vacation and happy new year!
Cruises Feedback: Depends on the cruise lines. I was on a Princess Cruise Lines to Alaska. Was on the cruise for 2 weeks. Was in the ports for a couple of hours each. There was no set time for you to get out of bed or go to bed. You could walk around the ship anytime that you wanted.You did have a special time for special dining or you had to eat out on the serve your self buffet.
Cruises Feedback: Many of your questions depend on which cruiseline, the number of days, and the locations the ship is going to. So, here’s a pretty general idea of what you can expect. You can (and should) check the cruise website for more detailed information as well as check the itinerary for your particular cruise.
You usually get a card that is like your “bank” card which is what you pay for all the things on the cruise with. Make sure that you have enough on the card to cover your cruise expenses (which shouldn’t be too much since you are under age) like drinks, gambling, internet use, etc. “Beverages” are free, but that usually doesn’t include alcohol or soda. Also, be sure to have money left over on the card for the various tips to the staff (waiters, maids, etc.) It’s not “mandatory” but it is pretty much expected. Tips are PER DAY that you are on the cruise. Remember, these people leave their families for 6-9 months at a time to pamper your spoiled butt.
For dinner, you are usually encouraged to dress in “semi-formal” attire. You don’t have to wear a prom dress, but you definitely shouldn’t show up in jeans and sneakers. There is usually a “Captain’s Dinner” which is fancier than the rest of the dinners. So when you’re packing your bikini, booty shorts and flip flops, be sure to throw in some nice skirts or dress pants.
Most cruise ships have a casino and some sort of dance club that are open pretty late. However, since you are under 21 (hell, you’re under 18) you may have a curfew while on ship unless accompanied by an adult (they sometimes even require the adult to be 25+)
When you reach the port of wherever you’re going (usually early mornings) the captain, or another crew member will make an announcement. They may announce it the evening before at dinner what time you should be arriving. They don’t “wake you up” so, you’re free to get up whenever you feel like it. But remember, you didn’t pay that much money to sleep in your state room the whole time. In order to get your money’s worth, it’s best to wake up early so you can do as much exploring as you can, since you will most likely only be there for one day (which isn’t even a full day, since the ship is likely to leave port in the evening for the next destination.)
Have fun.
Cruises Feedback:
Cruises Feedback: Which Country do you live in?
I ask this because you may be able to get hold of a book called “Ocean Cruising & Cruise Ships” from a library. It is a Berlitz travel book, written by Douglas Ward who is reckoned to be the World’s foremost authority on anything to do with cruising.
In his book he does chapters on every cruise line and every cruise ship afloat. Tells you exactly what to expect on each and what to do on board. It’s quite a large travel book, running into some 650 pages, and like you ask, will tell you anything and everything.
You can also look at a web site called Cruisecritic (I think) where people give their own views about cruises they have been on - I’m sure you’ll track it down with a bit of browsing.
Cruises Feedback: Youre on a vacation so basicly you can be up as late as you want and sleep all day. But cruise ships visit ports normaly from 10 to 18 or so so if you want to participate in any shore excursions youd like to be up fairly early. Also your cabin steward would like to do your cabin some time around lunch.
Normaly cruise ships stay one day at between 10 to 18 (roughly) but it warry videly and your parents/relatives should be able to provide you with the itenary or at least info about what ship and route youre going on (if theyre have booked yet).
Youll find loads of activitets and youll also find that most cruise ships have theyre own teens club for your age with activitets targeted at youre age. Theyre youll find loads of friends and fun things to do.
When youre parents know what cruise line and ship you go on you can find loads of info about everything on youre cruise lines web page (home page). Youll find info about shore excursions (pre book them because theyre could be sold out when you hit your ship), deck plan for every ship, info about teen clubs and resturants and more! Good luck with your cruise! Johan.
Cruises Feedback: Dont go on one.
Cruises Feedback: They are NOT safe.
Cruises Feedback: It depends on the ship but I believe some ships have a curfew if you are under 18. I believe Royal Caribbean’s was 11pm or midnight.
You can get up whenever you want on a cruise! However its best to check your itinerary. You may pull into ports early in the morning (7am) and leave the port in the afternoon (4-5pm) so if you sleep in too long you may miss a port.
There is far too much to tell you in a little Yahoo Answers post. Check out Cruise Critic and you can read reviews about the particular ship and itinerary you will be on. They even have bulletin boards so you can chat with people that will be on the same cruise as you and find out tips for ports of call you will be going to.
You’ll have a great time! Have fun!
Cruises Feedback: On a caribbean cruise and I’m 16 years old , traveling with my mom and dad or whatever, you go by there rules first of all, cuz the ship doesn’t really control or care what you do or what time you do it. The main thing to know is that EVERYTHING is already paid for and yours for the asking..I mean Food, food, and more food is there and available for you..Pizza 24 hours a day. If I’m 16 and everything is paid for and it’s 11 or 12 at night, I’m going to call room service and order me a pizza to be delivered to my door..If I don’t like something on my plate, just send it back and try again..There will be plenty of things to do and keep you happily entertained believe me. My Caribbean cruise was to Grand Turk, Half moon Cay, and Nassua. I loved it..I know I would have also loved it at 16..Have a great trip!! Learn to snorkel..
Cruises Feedback: I took the liberty of copying and pasting a list someone compiled on cruisecritic.com:
If you don’t like what is offered on the main menu, you can ask the waiter for either a steak or grilled chicken.
Any pasta item on the main menu CAN be ordered as an appetizer. Just ask.
Post cards, foreign postage stamps and playing cards are available at the pursars desk.
Get a FREE lanyard at the Casino. Pursars desk will punch a whole in it for you.
24 hour pizza place also serves Calzones and Caesar salads. If you want a special topping and they have it they will make you that pizza.
Go to tea-time they have different snacks and its a nice place to relax
Ask the steward if you forget something ie toothpaste…they often have samples
Bring baggies of assorted sizes. For saving snacks for excursions and wet clothes.
Take the tour of the galley
They have an early and late night seating as well as captains party…take advantage of both for double free drinks.
Bring on own bottles of water, and soda and save $$$
Bring a reusable cup with lid…less trips to get a drink
Ask for your drink in a plastic cup (not the fancy one ) saves $$$
You may be able to eat free lunch at the places they charge for dinner
Orange juice is available at the same place all day they just remove the label
You may get a free facial if you call the spa and ask to be a volunteer.
Tie a bright ribbon/scarf to your luggage for easy spotting. Also can work on cabin door
When the regular hot tub is too full, use the spa one.
Use of the sauna/steam room is free
Use the spa shower if multiple people need to shower at same time
Ask for children’s dessert menu (banana splits)
Bring Duct tape
Bring a highlighter
Bring post it notes
Sit close at the port talks sometimes they toss out free stuff
You can ask for extra pillow chocolates
Bring an extension cord/power strip
Early and extra tips for stewards = more perks for you
You can order free drinks from the bar in the room at Captains dinner as opposed to those on the tray.
Bring travel hooks to hang stuff in your room
Bring a few paper funnels to make filling the water bottle easier.
Bring towels from home to avoid fearing losing one
Take a hand towel with you to the beach it will help remove sand and is handy for lots of other things too
Baby powder helps remove sand
Use a magnet to trick the balcony door into thinking its closed to keep the air on
Most ships have a secret door…find it
You can also print cards to take with you on the layout of the ship…simply use a word document…format in normal 8pt bold: Times New Roman: 8pt and divide into for equal columns.
Self disembarkation is FASTER
It is possible to ‘smuggle’ alcohol on board
Make sure to stock up on “snacks” before debarkation. The wait can be pretty long and everything is closed during this time. Except for the coffee shop which takes cash
Cards become demagnetized don’t use your credit card for the room safe
If the safe will not open call the desk they will send someone to open it
If you get sea sick you can go to the Pursers desk and ask for pills. They are free there
Use your telephone for leaving each other messages in the cabins
Did you know you can call Carnival’s Bon voyage department and pre-order alcohol to be delivered to your cabin? You can order bottles of hard liquor so that you can make your own drinks. You can’t order online. You must call to set this up. It is a little pricey but worth it and cheaper than buying by the drink.
Do walk the entire ship on your first day
You can also ask your Room Steward for the book that is in your cabin
Bring a night light/ alarm clock
Bring water shoes
The ship uses two types of toilet paper. Both are made by the same company. The sandpaper they call “envision” you will not want to subject your bottom to for 8 days. Ask your room steward to make sure that your stateroom is stocked with the “preference” paper instead.
Bring a sweater the dining room can be cold.