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  Category: Articles » Travel & Leisure » Article
 

Been There, Done That - Cruising Tips From Seasoned Travelers




By Kirsten Hawkins

If you are cruising for the first time – congratulations! You are in for a unique, worthwhile experience. As a newbie, though, you probably have questions about some of the do's and don'ts of traveling aboard a cruise ship. Luckily, there are many die-hard cruisers who are happy to share some tips to make your first time more rewarding.

Before You Leave Home:

Have a friend or neighbour take in your mail daily. Accumulating mail is a big sign to thieves and other troublemakers that no one is home. You could also have your mail held at the post office until you return.

Set your lights on timers so that it appears someone is home to deter troublemakers. Tell your neighborhood community patrol to make a few extra passes by your home while you are away.

Preprint labels and stamps if you plan to mail postcards out while you are on your cruise. This saves some time and you won't have to lug around an awkward address book.

Money Matters:

Stock up on traveler's checks since they are replaceable if lost or stolen. To expedite the replacements should your traveler's checks be lost or stolen, write down the serial numbers and put them in a safe and separate place. That way, it makes the bank's job a little easier and speed up the process for your replacements.

Keep a handy supply of small denominational bills, usually one's and five's. Tipping is appreciated for porters and stewards at both the airport and docking pier of the ship. This is especially important in foreign countries. Horror stories abound about stolen or "lost" bags that never make it to the ship. Sometimes, you have got to grease their palms with cash. It's a small price to pay for having your clothing and toiletries aboard for your cruise.

To avoid long lines at the end of your cruise, check out your ending invoice on your account. Check for any errors and resolve them as soon as possible. There is no sense adding the stress of standing in line to pay your final tab after you just had a relaxing vacation.

Take a few rubber bands with you to wrap around your wallet. The rubber will "grab" onto your clothing. This makes it very difficult for a pickpocket to part with your wallet without you feeling it.

Kid Stuff:

If you are traveling with babies or toddlers, paper throwaway bibs are perfect for protecting your child from stains and messes at meal times, thus prolonging the wear of their clothing.

Bring a collapsible stroller for your young child. The cruise ship is a happening place and before long you will hear the strains of "I'm tired! Carry me!" This is exhausting to parents. With a stroller, you can just pop your kid inside and roll on.

Pack a few portable, self contained snacks for your child like peanut butter or cheese crackers. These will come in handy and are much cheaper than buying some once you are cruising or at port.

Odds and Ends:

Throw inside your suitcase a few of those annoying plastic shopping bags that you usually get from the grocery store. These are handy for storing dirty clothing.

If you have an inside cabin, take a nightlight with you. Darkness is not fun when you are in a strange room. No sense running into walls or stubbing your toe if you can avoid it. Little maglight keychain flash lights are handy too.

Bring a little first aid kits for those minor emergencies. Wet wipes are handy too for those instance were a sink isn't handy.

There are literally hundreds of cruise tips that can save the sanity of newbie travelers. Think of those little shortcuts or ideas that you use at home. Decide if they are adaptable to the cruise ship. The less you have to worry about, the more relaxed you will be after your cruise.
 
 
About the Author
Kirsten Hawkins is a cruise and travel expert specializing in discount cruises and travel. Visit http://www.luxury-cruise-deals.com/ for more information on how to cruise the world for little or no money.

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  Some other articles by Kirsten Hawkins
What Is A Repositioning Cruise?
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The Cruise For You
You may have heard stories from friends about their disappointing cruise experience because their kids were bored. Or your recently married cousin's ...

The Allure Of An Alaskan Cruise
Humpback whales. Sailing fjords. Gazing at glaciers. These are some of the reasons people name when asked why they are booking an Alaskan cruise. The allure of Alaska is the mystery ...

Take Two On Cruise Travel Tips
Pay attention to the advice from frequent cruise travelers. They have seen it all and have the stories to tell. Using their guidance can make things a bit easier for an inexperienced cruiser. After all, no ...

Taking A Cruise: Make It A Family Affair
This past year, more than one million youngsters under the age of 18 years old sailed on Cruise Lines International Association ships. Young people make up a large portion ...

Taking A Cruise: Getting Out Of The Lower Deck Cabins
Taking a cruise for the first time can be one of the most exciting ventures you may take upon yourself. Cruises are a ...

  
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