Do: book excursions through the cruise line.
Cruise ships offer all kinds of excursions on port days, but book early because they can fill up. Also, because the cruise lines deal with these businesses during every stop they can normally be found to be reputable.
Hint: While booking an excursion yourself might save you a couple of dollars the potential to have problems increases drastically.
Don’t: miss the ship!
Imagine making it to the dock and seeing your cruise ship out to sea already. This can happen, as cruise ships will not wait for all passengers to get back on board. They are under a tight schedule and the time they say they are going to leave is the time they leave.
Hint: Don’t try to be the last one onboard. Give yourself plenty of time to get back to the ship. If you do miss the boat make sure that you have some identification other than just your ship I.D. with you and make sure you take a credit card, in case you need to buy an airline ticket to catch the ship.
Do: check with the local agent if you do miss the ship.
Cruise lines have local agents at all ports to help out with all sorts of details. If you miss the ship the first thing to do is to check in with one of them.
Hint: DON’T MISS THE SHIP!!!
Don’t: think there won’t be things to do onboard the ship on port days.
Just because most of the passengers are off the ship doesn’t mean the fun onboard stops. Daily activities are planned for everyday onboard, even port days. There is always something to do even if it’s just relaxing.
Hint: Port days are good days to explore areas of the ship that are normally crowded.
Do: take advantage of “in port” discounts in the spa.
Most cruise lines will offer a two tier pricing system in their spa. When in port there will be discounts simply because most people are off the ship.
Hint: Book early especially if there is a port day that you will be remaining on the ship. Often the spa can book up even on these days, especially if the weather is bad.
Don’t: expect to find the casino open when the ship is in port.
Per local or maritime laws the casinos are not permitted to be open when in port, even the slot machines will be shut down.
Hint: While the ATM onboard may charge you various fees, an advance in the casino is normally free of fees and can be taken in cash.
Entries (RSS)