Welcome back for Part 2 of What You Should Know Before A Cruise.
PART 1 gave pointers on how to book your living quarters aboard the ship -- with confidence. Now PART 2 will share tips on packing and other preparations leading up to embarkation along with getting the best out of your cruise.
Without further ado, let's hop right into Tip #2, as a continuation of Part 1.
Tip #2 - Pack Accordingly
- pack a reusable bottle & if you are a straw person, bring your own reusable straw
- Virgin Voyages is a plastic bottle-free cruise line, in efforts to protect the ocean. I learned this from being parched after a gym session. Arriving to the cruise unaware and unprepared led me to spending over $50 on a reusable bottle and reusable straw.
Tip # 3 - Stay Ready to Celebrate the Cruise Line's 'Special Night'
- if traveling on Virgin Voyages, don’t forget to pack some red for scarlet night - basically boat-wide mini-celebrations all over and the boat is lit up with red lights everywhere
- If traveling any other cruise line, research if they host a special event/night (for example, the Captain's Dinner on Carnival cruises
Tip #4 - Stay on Top of Your Emails, Leading Up to Your Cruise
- Make dinner reservations in advance
- Read your emails to stay on top of when you can start making dinner reservations and booking boat events and activities, as well as booking on shore activities and excursions
- The sooner you're able to do so, the better -- get first dibs on sure-to-sell-out shows and activities
Tip #5 - Be on time—Old People Stick to Schedules
- Be on time
- My boyfriend and I missed a shore excursion in Costa Maya, MX because we were 10 mins late. The shore activity was learning to make salsa as well as learn to dance salsa.
- Unfamiliar with cruises, we didn't think being on time was a big deal as we usually create our own itineraries and go with the flow. Big mistake. And after later reading over the excursion information, it asked for everyone to arrive 20 minutes early... oops.
Which leads to our next and final 2 tips...
Tip #6 - Unexpected Weather Can Change your Entire Itinerary
Important to Keep In Mind:
- Unexpected weather can change your entire itinerary—including, booked shore excursions & getting off the boat all together
- The cruise was initially booked for Cozumel on day 3 then Bimini, Bahamas for Day 4. Neither of the 2 happened. Hurricane Nichole had other plans. Since she lingered around the Bahamas and Florida, Virgin Voyages, along with several other cruise lines made executive decisions to reroute. We ended up in Costa Maya, MX and Key West, FL - as the alternatives.
Tip #7 - Keep the Vacation Going
- Don't get caught up in your feelings if, for example, the ship reroutes. It's ok to be disappointed but try your best to shake it off and keep it moving. Don't ruin your holiday because of things you cannot change. Also, no arguing on vacation. Table it for home.
What are your experiences on a cruise? Anything to add? Comment below, I'd love to hear from you.
Click here for Part 1.
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