Many first time cruisers do not receive a lot of “insider tips”, due to booking direct at the cruise line or online by themselves. A lot is missed by booking this way !
Though today, I asked some of my FB friend, to share insight, as to, “What NOT to be late for, while on a cruise”, I have a few tips of my own. Though you’re on vacation, and want to relax, with all you choose to do, there are times you don’t want to be late.
Here’s 10 that came to my mind immediately:
• Getting back to the ship, when in port. If the ship says, be back onboard by 5pm, then I like to be back by 4pm. So much can happen that could cause your delay, if you wait till the last minute. Such as traffic ! The ship will leave you ! Many cruisers, watch from on deck, all the many folks who are literally running back to the ship, to make it on time. Why add such stress to your vacation !
• As a past guest to many cruise lines, when invited to a past guest party, I like to be early ! I prefer to show up 15 minutes early, so that I am at the beginning of the line. This way, I’m not spending most of the event, outside of the event, in the line !
• Getting onboard, embarkation day, I like to be early. I want to be one of the first onboard. One of the first to get upstairs to enjoy lunch on the lido deck, before so many get onboard. Prime time that most folks show up is 1-2pm. The cruise lines usually announce, that you can board by 1pm, however, many cruise lines open the doors way before this. I like to arrive to the ship between 11-11:30am.
• Many shows onboard are a hit, and often sitting space is taken up quickly. And some activities are in smaller lounges. For this reason, I often show up 15 minutes prior to the show. Some shows are standing room only, and being late, could cause you not to get a seat.
• Signing up for the Spa. Unless waiting for specials the spa may offer during the week, or on port days, if you want your time in the Spa, you need to sign up early. Like the first day you board, just after lunch.
• Signing up for tours. If I’m planning to buy tours from the ship, I order my tours, prior to boarding. However, if I have yet to order, I order the first day. Only if I want to hear more about the tour, do I go to the “tour lecture” and then sign up right away. Many tours sell out quick ! Especially boat rides, helicopter rides, and the such. They may not be available once you get onboard !
• If you want a lounge chair by the pool, many folks are outside, just after breakfast. Folks are not to save seats for others, however, they do ! Also, pool games are fun to watch, and you want a good seat !
• Store sales onboard often draw large crowds. These too, are events to show up early ! Cruisers love to shop !
• Midnight buffets. Though the cruise lines do not have many of these anymore, when they do, it draws a crowd. Especially the chocolate or desert buffets. I usually show up 15 minutes early or I wait till closer to when it’s over. The problem with waiting till closer to over is, you may miss many of the great picture taking opportunities and much of the food may be gone.
• Packing upon returning home. Sometime I pack everything I have already used, the day before the last day of the cruise. Then after breakfast, on the last day, a little more. Then right after dinner on the last night, I finish up. Folks who wait till bedtime, on the last night, to do all their packing, miss out on being with friends or the last show. Many people think it will only take minutes to pack. For some reason, it doesn’t always seem to go back in as quickly as you think. Adding stress to your last night, and taking a chance of not remembering to leave something out, like your shoes, is not fun. I’ve seen it happen !
Notice, I did not add dinner to my list. Unless Norwegian Cruise Line, I choose 2nd dining. I do not come early and get in the line. Why should I ? I have a seat ! The first night, I usually come down about 7 minutes past time that they open the door. On the first night, everyone is taken to their seat. This takes time. I want the majority of the folks, already in the dining room when I arrive. And the rest of the week, I show up 3-5 minutes after the doors open, so again, I am giving time for the line to get inside. Of course, do not be 15 min's late or they can deny you entry ! Another tip: If you're going on vacation with folks who tend to be late, choose a "set dining". Then it is up to them to show up on time and not making you late !
The whole purpose of discovering tips such as these, is to NOT make the same mistakes that many of us have already gone through. With all the tips I provide my cruisers, they tell me when they return, that I was on their vacation, as they remembered my many tips, I hoped would help.
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