Learn to move as if you had always lived first
Jesús García, chief editor of ** Cruceroaddicto ,** knows about this for a while and moves like a perfect gentleman on the Titanic every time he boards. However, he admits that the first time you get on a cruise, everything seems weird: "The word that best defines the sensation of your first hours on board (even more enhanced if it is your first) is that of astonishment. You can't help but be amazed at everything your eyes see in that microcosm of what a cruise ship is . Everything is fascinating and different from what you can expect. From the décor to how the crew interacts with you everywhere on the ship, everything dazzle ", he recalls.
"A great excitement and perhaps a feeling of controlled chaos you breathe in those first hours on board. Travelers who arrive and wait, others who see themselves as veterans and they know where to find the open restaurant , people visiting the spa and the common areas... However, the most wonderful thing, especially when you first get on that ship, is when you make the first exploration tour trying to discover every corner of what will be your home in the coming days. You will be able to detect those embarking on their first cruise, as they carry the deck plan at the same time as they try to photograph everything ", comments the expert.
As if that were not enough, this friendly cruise passenger gives you, along with his team, five tips for the first day in the form of things not to forget to do: "Check your cabin, meet your cabin attendant , confirm your dining room and restaurant table shift, check when the emergency drill is, and participate in the raffles held in the stores, the spa, the Internet center...".
To recognize the ship has been said!
The first is necessary to verify that everything works as it should : "You must review that you have the suitable pillows, toiletries...etc. You can also check on the desk the Daily Program (Daily Program of the Ship), the drink pack offers and Internet, and the booklet with all the excursions available. Check that the ventilation and air conditioning system It's working fine," he lists.
Getting to know your assistant is worth it, because "he will be able to solve any incident that occurs during the cruise ", explains García. And confirming your dining room shift comes with extra points: "It's one of the most important cruiser tricks if you want to dine in the dining rooms with an assigned table", comments the author solemnly. "Depending on boarding and you settle in the cabin, you must go to the entrance of the main restaurant l, where you can find the boss of the place. There you will be able to confirm the shift that has been assigned to you (you will need the table number that you can find in your cabin), and you will be able to see with which other people you will share meals. You can request to change to a table of two, or to one in which speak your same language which can make the cruise more fun. By the way here you can specify if you have any special requirement for food ", completes the sea professional.
And what about the raffles ? (We take it for granted that you are going to comply with the drills, because you are all wonderfully respectful people with the law and careful with their own existence ) . "Although not many cruise passengers know it, it is common on most ships to presentation of all services on the first day of shipment. It is a good habit to walk around the spa, the Internet Center, the excursion area, etc., because They make a raffle among those who come to see them. Since not many people know this, chances of winning are high And it's a way to get, with a bit of luck, free Internet minutes, treatments at the spa, at the beauty salon...".
this secret has left us perplexed and gleefully rejoiced , but the one to come has astonished us even more: "Those who are debuting on cruise ships often find that they think that the cocktails offered by the waiters on the deck are free , of welcoming. Then they discover that they have bought a special cocktail for 10 dollars", this posh cruise passenger illustrates us... who, however, also happened to him the first time!
Don't pretend to be one of theirs and leave that cocktail on the tray before it's too late!
OTHER WAYS TO MESS IT UP YOU CAN AVOID
There are other hazing that can be expensive, such as bring drinks to the boat only for them to be requisitioned -attentive to the regulations of each shipping company-. Also, if you manage to board with them and ask them to uncork, for example, a wine in the restaurant, they might charge you to do it. And speaking of restaurants: make sure you which ones are free , because normally, not only is the buffet, although many believe it is.
On the other hand, "if you're a person who tends to drink when you're traveling, whether it's soft drinks or alcoholic beverages, you should consider contract any of the beverage packages that shipping companies sell. With this you can fully enjoy the cruise from the first moment avoiding having to count the expense in coca colas or beers, for example", they explain to us from Cruceroaddicto. Ah! Other things that you cannot upload are candles and irons , and in general, anything that can set the place on fire. Makes sense, doesn't it? Check the company rules to take all these requirements into account.
This well-prepared team has even more warnings that will be very useful to you: "Many cruise passengers decide to choose inside cabins because of the price and as an excuse they say " it's only for sleeping ”. Well, not only are you going to sleep in the cabin, surely during the entire cruise you will be a long time in it , therefore it is necessary that it be a cozy and comfortable place to spend your vacation. These cabins are generally much smaller and have no windows or balconies, so if you suffer from any lockdown phobia, you will feel uncomfortable. We recommend you inform you well about the types of cabins available before booking". They also don't advise you to skimp on **health insurance**, you never know.
You want to be comfortable, right?
On the other hand, where you can save is in the trips , doing them with a company other than the shipping company: "If you choose this option you must make sure that that the company is serious, because if you don't get back to the cruise ship on time, it will leave without you," they warn. And what happens then? " A person from the shipping company will stay with you at the port with your personal documents but without your luggage, and will try to get you to the next cruise destination, either by land or air; yes indeed, everything will be up to you "Glup. Either way, it's best hire them as soon as possible , whether they are from the ship itself or not, as some have limited places or offer few outings in Spanish. The same goes for children: if there are clubs for them, sign them up for their favorite activities on the first day!
Finally, some advice from the wise: switch off the mobile phone. And not just because you're on vacation: "If you use your mobile on the high seas, you'll be connecting by satellite , with much higher rates than usual; if you really need to be in touch, it will be much better for you hire an internet package on board ".
Turn off your mobile and enjoy life on the high seas
BEFORE GETTING ON THE CRUISE
But wait, maybe we're going too fast. There you are, at home, **overwhelmed as always with your suitcase,** and we're telling you what awaits you once you're on board. But if still you haven't even arrived ! Okay, okay, we'll take care of this part too, but while don't forget to put a label on the suitcase with all your data, those of the boat and even the cabin number, then the tears come.
Now yes: here are the things that, according to our Cruiseadicto mates, you cannot forget: "It's a good idea carry a driver's license or any other valid government photo ID in addition to a passport. Do not forget leave a copy with a relative and bring a copy of the ones you are going to use on boarding. Remember that the documents, once you are on board, the shipping company retains them to speed up the stamping carried out by immigration people in the ports of the countries that the ship visits", they explain.
To save time and queues, do the check-in online. If it is not possible and it can only be done at the port, have the documentation at hand that they gave you at the travel agency, the passport or identity document, go to the corresponding line -according to the shipping company- and present yourself at the counter.
Do not forget the folder with your documents!
eye with the card : it is not worth just putting it in the wallet: "Notify the bank in advance: warn that you will use it on a cruise and check your available line of credit. Do not forget to inform and list in the issuing bank the destinations you will visit with your cruise so that it works correctly and without inconvenience in them. The latter is essential when you travel by ship, because it happens that one day you are in a country, go on an excursion or buy a gift or souvenir with your credit card and the next day you are in another country and make other consumptions. Card security systems detect Consumption made in different countries in short periods and close in time, so block the use of it until making contact with the holder and certifying that the expenses were incurred by him", they illustrate us from Cruceroadicto. Think like a high-flying thief and you will be right!
And what happens if you don't have a card? "They will require you one deposit per person or family whose amount will depend on each shipping company. Ask before traveling which one it is to avoid bad times. If you spend all the money , they will require you to deposit more during the voyage by leaving a note in your cabin", they comment.
We end as we began, talking about the suitcase. Bonus track goes: " Take all valuables with you such as medicine, jewelry, money, computers and anything that breaks, in the carry-on baggage In addition, he also wears a pair of comfortable shoes and a change of clothes, bathing suit or coat for the afternoon you come on board. Bags usually arrive a couple of hours later that you board, so having your belongings at hand is extremely useful", these beasts of the sea tell us. Now, we do not leave anything: you are ready to enjoy and Get along on a cruise as if you were born on it. First of all, class and existential elegance.
We trust you, sailor!