One of the most exciting features of a cruise vacation is the extensive variety of activities available on and off board. While you want to make the most out of your cruise, it is important to do it wisely. Here are seven “cruise hacks” that will help you enjoy your time, spend it wisely, and not miss out on any of the amenities that make cruising so much fun.
Get to the Port the Day or Night Before Departure
Do not assume that your flight will be on time for you to go catch your boat. Instead, fly in the day before your ship departs, and make an outing out of it. You will be less stressed about “missing the boat” and more pumped to get your vacation started.
Make a Wish List
There is so much to see and do in a cruise vacation that, in the attempt to take over everything, you may end up anxious and over-stimulated. Make a list of what you really want to do primarily, that is, more than anything else. You will be shocked to find out that perhaps you are not that interested in hitting the casino every night, or dance till you fall off. Stick to that primary list and the extras will come by default. It does not fail!
Take Control of Your Meals!
Although most cruise lines still assign meal times to passengers by putting them together in groups, you do not have to surrender yourself to eat at a huge table with total strangers. You can order room service and have a private dinner in your balcony overlooking the ocean. You can also eat at the bars, or in many other locations inside the ship, not just the dining room. The eating opportunities at cruise ships are always present. Missing or forfeiting your assigned dinnertime does not mean you will not eat. Believe it. You will have many chances to make up for any missed eating time.
Don’t Believe the Hype
You will notice that everyone will want to leave the ship at the same time to look around the different landing ports. Often, there are shuttles that can take you around the destinations at different times of the day. You can choose a time to go visit inland, or not go at all. Think about it: Sometimes you will stop in two different places that will look pretty much the same. Why not spend the day enjoying the unique amenities inside the ship? Go straight to the pools! Those are pretty crowded in a typical day at sea. Enjoy them with less people while everyone else is out there shopping.
Enjoy the packages!
Cruise ships offer superb packages for Spa services. One of those days when everyone is “out” inland, indulge in a way that you may ever experience back home. The trained Spa professionals who work in cruise liners are experts in the pampering arts. Enjoy one session while you can!
Pack Up the Meds
Better to have and not need, than need and not have. Make a list of needed medications including those that are prescribed and those that are made for first aid. These latter ones treat vacation-sabotaging conditions such as allergies, motion sickness, diarrhea, stomach acid, the common cold, and excess gas. Not the most glamorous items on your list, but might as well have them.
Know Your Limits
A word of advice: If you cannot tolerate too much food or alcohol in a typical day, a cruise vacation will not make any difference. Indulge as much as you should, not as much as you “can”. Making yourself ill due to excess alcohol or food consumption will ruin your vacation. Even though cruise liners have infirmaries on board surely this is not the place where you want to spend your valuable time. Enjoy your time, meet new friends and make the best out of your time at sea.
Dance Away
Maybe you will have many cruise vacations in your life. Maybe you will only have one. Regardless, treat your adventure as a once-in-a-lifetime event. Let loose a litte. This is your chance to let go of everyday issues for a bit. If you do not typically dance, do it in the cruise. If you are shy, a cruise is the perfect place to meet new people without having to make lifelong connections. Get over yourself and take a breather. You paid for it, so you might as well enjoy every moment.
