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In addition, travel agents often can you extra onboard credit and other perks that you might not be able to get by booking directly with a line. Often, independent tours will be much more intimate than the tours offered directly through cruise lines. They might go to the same sites but in a small van instead of a big motorcoach. You might have just six or eight other people on a tour with you instead of nearly 40. If your group is big enough, you might even be able to book a private tour with an independent tour operator. In addition to extra toiletries, cruising regulars often bring Clorox wipes or something similar to wipe down surfaces in their cabin upon arrival (and to bring along on shore excursions).
Don’t Worry About Changing Money in Port
In other cases, you might have to arrange ground transportation or fly to the next port and meet the ship, almost certainly at your own expense if you've booked your flights independently of the cruise line. It’s easy to get lost when trying to understand tipping policies if it’s your first time on a cruise. Most big-ship lines -- Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian and others -- automatically add a service charge onto bar bills. Unless the service was spectacular, there's no need to add another tip on top.
Be Prepared for Hundreds in Port Fees and Gratuities
After your trip you won’t remember the money you spent, but you won’t forget the experience you had. On the ship the games are the same, but the payouts are usually worse. For example, on most ships blackjack pays 6-to-5 instead of the usual 3-to-2.
Everything to Know Before Booking Your First Cruise
Some lines will let you sign up for shows, tours and other activities (including meals at specialty restaurants) in advance of sailing using online portals. If you want to be sure that you get a seat for a specific show on a specific night, or a specific tour or restaurant reservation time, it's a good idea to do this. It's not uncommon with some ships to find that some shows, tours and restaurant reservation times book up in advance. And cruise lines have included gratuities with your cruise fare or charged daily to your account, so they are taken care of automatically. That means when you eat in the free restaurants on the ship like the buffet and the main dining room, there’s no bill to pay or tip to leave. No matter what you choose, when you book your cruise you will have an arrival time.
Add to that gratuities, which run about $15 per person, per day. Combined, these fees can add considerably to the cost of your cruise. The rule of thumb is that cruises are most expensive when school is out. That’s because more people are able to take trips, driving up demand.
A gratuity of $16 per person per day (in a stateroom) and $18.50 per person per day (in a suite) will be added to your account. In addition, an 18% gratuity is automatically be added to all purchased beverages, mini bar items and spa and salon services. Lines can form at popular buffets or restaurants at meal times, and when it’s time to go ashore (or disembark after the cruise), you’ll be one of many waiting in line.
Yes, There’s a Hair Dryer in Your Cabin
This trend is amplified because travelers usually have only one day at each destination. As a result, time is of the essence to visit the most important sights without wasting it at tourist traps. Cruise lines are often important economic engines for destinations. You may find yourself dealing with tourist traps, such as shops by the port, and beginner tours organized by the cruise line.
Interior Cabins Are Fine For First Time Cruisers
For a full A-Z list of cruise ships, take a look at globalcruiseship.com . Book your boarding time online as soon as you’re able to before your cruise. You’ve paid for that first day on your ship, so aiming at the earliest boarding time means you can maximize your vacation time. The ship is up and running on embarkation day, with the pool deck in full swing.
Taking the Stairs Is Faster If Traveling Only a Few Decks
While each ship has slight variations among its dining lineup, the one constant is the quality of the food, as it is inspired by the regions that the ships visit, including the line’s home country of Italy. Suites in The Retreat, which are sold as an all-inclusive package, includes meals in Luminae (the suite-class private dining room), Wi-Fi, drinks and gratuities. There are adult-only areas on all ships including deck cabanas, indoor pools and extensive spa facilities. Seabourn tops the luxury cruises category for first-time cruisers with an almost 1-to-1 ratio of crew members to guests. The line’s fleet of all-suite ships incorporate luxurious pampering into every aspect of the cruise, from décor to complementary premium spirits and wines throughout the voyage.
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At least, this is the case for the bigger cruise ships that account for the majority of all cruise travel. Silversea ships are all-suite with butler service and capacities that range from 100 guests to just over 700. Though each ship is distinct, the fleet consists of a mix of expedition-class vessels and “classic” ships, but even the expedition ships are designed around making every trip both exciting and luxurious. The food onboard Silversea’s fleet stands out among even the line’s luxury class competitors.
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For all of this, you pay one price far in advance of when you travel. You thus know what it's all going to cost you – and have already paid it off – long before you leave your home for the ship. They'll often get to know your favorite drink or dessert and have it ready to go before you even say something. This is the case even with some upscale and luxury lines, though they sometimes put fewer people on a single motorcoach for tours. Sure, you will have some flexibility in what you can do on any given day of a cruise. But the broad outline of your trip is pre-planned and set in stone.
Holland America, an elegant midsize line, has traditionally drawn a more mature crowd by emphasizing the classic cruising experience over partying. For mature singles in particular, Holland America ships feature a choice of solo cabins. There are alternative dining options for a charge, as well as a complimentary buffet. In the top class of Queens Grill Suites, complimentary mini bars are stocked with soft drinks and two bottles of wine or spirits. None of that means children aren’t welcome; they simply aren’t the line’s primary market.
One thing to note is that many ports of call have welcome areas right at the end of the dock. This often includes shops, restaurants, and spots to book excursions if you haven’t already. If you don’t feel like going anywhere, these spots offer something to do off the ship.
The Hamburg-America Line, was the first to send his transatlantic ships out on long southern cruises during the worst of the winter season of the North Atlantic. Then be sure to contact your cruise line as soon as possible and let them know about the delay. Cruise lines offer a toll-free emergency number to call on the day of travel, so make sure you have it on hand. If your flight is delayed, let airline personnel know immediately that you're a cruise passenger scheduled to set sail that day so they can try to accommodate you on another flight.
Specialty (extra charge) restaurants offer up more intimate dining, with smaller venues and usually need reservations. Just like on land, the specialty restaurants can vary from Asian to Mexican to Italian, and of course, the ever popular steakhouse. During the trip your cabin will be serviced by the room steward. Each day they will make up the room and deliver things like the daily schedule.
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