The sea! Somehow, we all have a strange connection with it! There is something about the sea that pulls us towards it. A cruise ship is a journey that gives us every opportunity to enjoy the sea. You can see the sea from every possible angle, every possible light, and sometimes in a storm. How amazing is that? Let’s not forget the facilities you where you will enjoy the cruise luxuries as well. Are you planning to go on a cruise ship vacation? Congratulations and well wishes on your journey. Now let’s jump to the dos and don’ts you must remember for a better experience on this beautiful vacation.
Double-check all the paperwork from A to Z
Pre-covid life was kind of easier, at least it’s true in the case of traveling. There are so many procedures you must follow to safely travel. So you have to make sure you follow all the rules and keep the paperwork ready. The staff from the cruise company will send you the pre-cruise reminders. There will be reminders to download and print your vaccine cards. In many cases you may also have to test negative for covid and keep the result with yourself for the journey. The reminder will mention everything you need from QR codes to IDs to electronic receipts and your documents. Gather everything with yourself and keep those close to you. You must be able to show the cruise line staff all the documents immediately for making things easy.
When travelling by ship you will be provided with a check in time. Try to arrive before the sailing time so that you aren’t late for the check in process. That will save you from falling into unnecessary troubles. If you are old school like me, try to print everything as a backup. Some people don’t like to accept electronic receipts. Some countries aren’t very good at receiving electronic receipts. So keep these things in mind.
Don’t be too early at the pier
Some of us have the habit of arriving too early everywhere. It’s better than being late everywhere. You don’t miss anything ever. But this time try not to arrive way too early on the journey. The checkpoint is way too strict post-pandemic. Everyone gets checked for a long time. You will have to stand in the sun for a long time. So why even try to arrive early? Go to the place just on time. They already gave a check in time that’s earlier than the time ship starts sailing. Arrive at the time you have been instructed to arrive.
Handover the big suitcase to the porters
It’s a big hassle to travel with big suitcases. With a big family, you may have more than two. As soon as you reach the port handover all the big suitcases to the porters. They will bring it to your cabin safe and sound. The dock workers are the ones who do all these things related to carrying and all. They expect a little tip for doing so. Be generous if you can. Because they are making your journey easier by carrying your stuff. Otherwise, you would be the one to carry these things to the cabin. Which is not fun to do for sure.
Keep a useful carryon bag
Don’t we all love to carry a lightweight bag? But some people love to stuff everything in their bags. Which type of person are you? If you are the latter one then it’s good for you. Your cruise journey will be amazing with a useful carry-on bag. Because your big suitcase will be in your cabin. When you reach the cruise ship you don’t want to go all the way to the cabin just to get some stuff. You would want to enjoy as much as you can in the entertaining public places of the ship.
If you are in a sunny place and start your journey from there keep a hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses. Some water will also help in this situation. Because waiting in line for a long time calls for a lot of water. On the other hand, if you are from a colder country keep all the things you need for fighting cold weather. In both locations keep bathing suits, some shorts, and flip-flops. Why wait for the suitcase when you have a handbag! A travel handbag should be spacious. And keep everything within hand’s reach.
Respect the fact that you will face security
When you decided that you will go on a cruise journey on that day you decided to obey the rules of the cruise company. So, respect that and don’t make a scene to stand in a security line.
Different countries have different rules on banned items that aren’t seen as problematic in other countries. So be sure to know about banned things. Don’t try to sneak in any banned items. Some people even try to sneak in some cooked food or snacks which is banned on cruises. Carrying banned items may get you in trouble which can even lead to missing the vacation.
There will be an x-ray machine security checkpoint to check what you took. So don’t feel like you can deceive them. The setup of security is the same as in the airport. You will be putting all your belongings onto the screening belt. Then you will walk through a metal detector. Don’t wear bulky jewelry if you don’t want to go through the pain of taking it off and wearing it again. Wearing comfortable clothing on the journey brings the most comfort and allows you to enjoy your check in and departure more.
Freshen up for pictures
You may need to take a ride from your place to the port. And any journey is tiring no matter how long it takes. So freshen up after that ride. You can touch up your makeup as well. Because the real fun begins at the embarkation pier. There are photographers at the terminal and a great spot to take the picture as well. Don’t lose the opportunity to make memories of your vacation. You don’t want to look dead tired there. So touch up your makeup after freshening up. If you are there after a long journey, try to eat something and start the fun journey. Some shipboard photographers will take your picture with the ship’s name and the beautiful atmosphere. Or just take your picture and have fun while doing it.
Pause when entering the ship
When you enter the ship pause for some time and see all the things on the ship. Ships are filled with beautiful artworks from around the world. You will be amazed seeing everything and still, it won’t be finished. There are high ceilings and chandeliers all around. The eyes just cannot take so many lights twinkling so beautifully. Just enter the place and stand in awe knowing that this will be your home for the next week! You don’t even have a choice other than just admiring the beauty of the ship. Because the cabins usually aren’t ready to hand over to you by the time you reach the ship. It takes some time to clean everything and tidy up the space. So take your time on the ship. You can even start having fun in the pool if you aren’t too tired. Or enjoy a snack or a meal if you are hungry. If you don’t want that then find a comfortable space to hang around with your carry-on bag. You can also explore the ship to discover what are the things that can keep you entertained for the next week.
Don’t forget about safety
With all the fun in mind have you forgotten that you will float in the sea? The sea is beautiful but it is so cruel at the same time. Yeah sounds crazy right? The next week when you step onto the ship you will float in the sea. So read all you can about the safety instructions. When you enter your cabin, you will see all the instructions on the back of your door. Thoroughly read all the instructions and memorize everything so that you can use those things if you are actually in danger. If there is a shipboard emergency, you will get all the help to fight that through the danger. You will also need to attend your muster drill to learn where your muster station is. The muster drill is a government requirement all passengers need to do before the ship can sail. You will find your Life jacket in your closet. Have kids with you? Try to find a baby lifejacket that fits your baby. If it doesn’t then find the cabin steward to will guide you on what to do. Hope there is no emergency and you don’t even need all these things. But it’s better to be safe than sorry.
School your children about safety
I know kids don’t listen to serious things. But you must tell them time and time again about safety. When the time comes and they see the danger they will listen to you. So let them get away with some eye-rolling but tell them they have to listen to the safety protocols no matter what. When you reach the ship there will be a safety briefing. Listen to it carefully and tell the children to listen as well. Some cruise lines now have the children’s safety video in the form of a cartoon to keep the child’s interest. Now that covid is here you will have to maintain social distancing. The crowd should not be big whenever something is going on. The TV of the cabin will have a video that covers everything from fire to cyclone. What to do in that situation everything is in there. Don’t skip watching this video because you will be questioned for not watching the video. The smart tv will record if you have watched it or not. So make sure you and your children watched the video and know what to do in danger. Also, while it is good to teach your children not to talk to strangers they should also be told to listen to and obey a ship cruise member in the case of an emergency. If you are away from your child when an emergency happens it is the ship’s crew who will save your child’s life.
Sign up the kids to the kids’ camp
Don’t tell me that you don’t enjoy some free time from your kids. You can enjoy that on the cruise too. Your kids will have an amazing time as well. How is that possible? Just sign them up for the kids’ program. The staff of the cruise will show them all the fun places to play and explore. They will be safe there. And at that time you can explore the ship. Isn’t it amazing that when you see the sea from the ship there will not be a piece of land that can be seen! It’s a little mixed feeling, to be honest. You can enjoy the positive part of it and have a good time.
Go to the spa and fitness center
You are on a vacation and not going to the spa? That’s not okay at all. Make time for yourself to pamper yourself. Take the spa treatments to have a relaxed time and get the tiredness of the whole year out from your body. You have earned the vacation and the spa. So enjoy it while it lasts.
Not trying to make you feel guilty about all the food you will have on the vacation. But perhaps a visit to the gym will help you feel better about what you are eating. Here you can work out on your own, or with the help of a personal trainer or fitness class coach. Only if you want you should go to the gym. It will give you more energy to enjoy your cruise to the fullest. If you don’t want to go to the gym it’s okay as well.
Seasickness tablets
Last but not least take your sea sickness tablet. Take the tablet sometime before starting the journey. The tablet needs time to kick in. If you don’t have any sea sickness still keep some tablets with you. Bad weather can lead to a mad sea which can give you sea sickness due to the bigger waves. It’s better to be safe. Also, keep your alcohol consumption in check. You don’t want everything going around you that will make you sick. And then your vacation will go to waste.
Final thoughts:
A big part of traveling goes to the check in process and all that’s involved with that. It’s annoying sometimes but it’s hundred percent necessary for your safety of you and your loved ones. So co-operate in these things even if you don’t enjoy these at all. Be a rule-abiding citizen and you will have fewer troubles on the way. Try to follow all the dos and don’ts mentioned here. Missing some things may destroy your whole vacation. So be careful. We hope you have an amazing vacation ahead and enjoy your time to the fullest.
Oh, and one last thought. To make your trip as enjoyable as it can be allow the team at Travel N Relax to help plan your vacation. We are cruise ship experts and can make your trip amazing by providing you with other cruise tips. Don’t miss out! Contact us to plan and book your next cruise!
