As a veteran of five cruising holidays (both here and overseas), I’ve learned quite a few tips and tricks worth noting, particularly if you are a first-time cruiser.
The hubster and I had to learn the hard way (ie through experience), but now I’m sharing my best cruise tips and tricks with you (’cause I’m nice like that 😉 ).
Tip 1: Choosing a Cabin
When you book your cruise, you will be asked to choose a cabin. But what should you look for? Is it a pro or a con to be close to the stairs and lifts? Higher up or lower down? In the middle or at the end of the ship?
My top tip – DON’T get a room under the buffet dining area. On our first Mediterranean cruise, the hubster and I were woken early each morning by scraping noises overhead. It took a couple of days for us to work out our room was under the buffet, and that we were being not-so-pleasantly serenaded by the movement of chairs on the floor above …
Tip 2: What if there’s no Window?!
Interior cabins are cheaper, but the disadvantage is that you don’t get any natural daylight. So how do you know that morning has broken?
We learned this tip on our cruise to New Zealand in 2012. Turn on the television in your cabin to the “shipcam” station – ie, the camera showing the view from the bridge -usually the picture is accompanied by elevator music.
All you have to do is mute the volume when you go to sleep at night – because it’s dark outside, the television screen will be dark. But as it gets light, you will have your very own “window on the world” to let you know it’s time to rise and shine!
Tip 3: Room Service for Breakfast
We are sleepy heads and find it very hard to get up and at ’em when on a cruise, even with the lure of a wonderful breakfast waiting for us upstairs.
We found that ordering room service was a lovely way to start the day. Breakfast itself is included, so all you are paying for is the delivery fee – usually only a couple of dollars. Well worth it in our books!
Tip 4: Water Water Everywhere
When you’re on a cruise, it can be very much a case of “water water everywhere, and not a drop to drink” – of cold water anyway. We bought a cheap ($2) plastic jug in port, which we filled with tap water from the bathroom and kept in the bar fridge in our room.
You can get water from the drink stations in all the restaurants, but it is so much more convenient to be able to have cold water in your own room.
Tip 5: Electrical Adapters
Uh-oh! You’re on an overseas cruise and suddenly realise you’ve forgotten to bring an adapter.
We’ve found you can usually hire – or even borrow one for free – from the reception desk, so make sure you ask before you try to buy one!
Tip 6: Shore Excursions
Sure, you can book your shore excursions through the cruise company – but it can be quite pricey. If time at your port of call is tight, you are probably better off sticking with the cruise line (for example, we did this when we docked at Salerno in Italy for only half a day and wanted to squeeze in a trip to Pompeii).
However, if time is not so much of an issue, it’s cheaper with other companies – either book online before you go, or pick one up when you arrive in port.
In some ports (like Port Vila in Vanuatu), you will find a line of taxis waiting. Don’t be afraid to haggle on the price of hiring the taxi for the day – if they won’t agree, try the next one.
I’m dreaming of doing another cruise, perhaps in North America … in the meantime I enjoy remembering our past cruising holidays, and sharing all my best tips, tricks and pics, here on the blog!
If you’ve ever done a cruise, what tip would you like to pass on to first-time cruisers?
Joining up with some of my fave bloggers for:
We adore cruising and because of family circumstances haven’t been able to for 3 years!!! This year though we are cruising from Spain and I can’t wait. I love that you only have to unpack once and you see a variety of places. I agree about the shore tours – we have done shore trips independantly, through cruise critic but as you say if time is tight go with the ships cruise. Some really good and sensible tips here that will certainly make the cruise perfect.
Great tips! As you know I went on my very first cruise in December and I’m keen to go on another one! One additional tip I can think of is to have all possible medicinal needs with you. Go to the doctor beforehand and get all that you could possibly need. Going to the doctor on the ship costs a fortune! #TeamLovinLife
Reading this made me want to go on another cruise ASAP! Can’t believe it’s been five years since my last one – where does time go?! I’d love to do a quick one to Sydney next. Or even Whitsundays 🙂
Very informative and practical guide to cruising! Thanks for sharing.
SSG xxx
I’ve always said that I’ll never go on a cruise because I don’t like the idea of being trapped on a boat with heaps of other people. But my bf’s parents have been on a few and they love them. So maybe I’m just being close minded. I really liked your tips about picking a room and leaving the TV on at night – I never would have thought of those. Thanks! #teamlovinlife
Great tips. I’m really hoping to finally get a cruise under my belt this year. With or without hubby who heads to sea with work and suffers terrible seasickness that he refuses to entertain a cruise for pleasure.
We’ve only done the one & id agree with all of these & add another couple. We avoided the buffet, & tried to eat as close to normally as possible (in the restaurant for brekky & lunch. This means we could splurge a tad at dinner & on cocktails. And we deck walked- lots. Great tip re the cabin choices.
Great tips! We’ve been on one cruise and thankfully had a window and balcony room as I’m claustrophobic and definitely needed to see out!
I’ve been lucky enough to do a European river cruise twice with my mum. LOVED it both times – I find smaller numbers and the friendliness really makes it special for me. My only piece of advice is that you don’t have to do everything on the itinerary. Some of the best memories I have is when when skipped an activity that didn’t interest us and used the time to wander around whatever town we were docked at.
Yes we have learnt from two cruises about selecting a good cabin. We always look at the ships’ floor plan online prior to booking our cabins. We like to have a balcony because we love sitting out here early mornings, early evenings and when the ship comes into port. I don’t think we would ever choose an inside cabin as I need some natural light. Good to know about the water. #TeamLovinLife
Great tips Janet! I love the one about keeping water cool – I used to hate the warm water from the tap, although we did get used to it. Keeping your TV on to wake you in the morning is a brilliant idea – lots of people we met said they hated having alarms because it reminded them of being at work, but if they didn’t then they slept through breakfast quite often!!
A fabulous list of cruising tips Janet. Ocean cruises aren’t really my thing. I may do a river cruise in Europe one day … and I’m sure these tips would be helpful 🙂 #TeamLovinLIfe
So many great tips here Janet. I know nothing about cruising and can’t imagine enjoying it… though you never know.
I remember my bro & SIL going through and making sure they had a cabin that had a little patio or something or other.
And I didn’t realise you could book other options when ashore!
#teamlovinlife
These are great tips! I hope to cruise one of these years soon.
This year we are adventuring in Thailand.
Next year I’m hoping for the Europe.
Maybe a cruise the year after?
#TeamLovinLife
PS That picture of you in front of the ship certainly puts things into perspective
Cruising is on my hit list!
You had me at room service breakfast! Great post, Janet.