Cruise 101

I got the opportunity to travel aboard the Carnival Splendor to the Caribbeans!

So with the year ending pretty soon, everybody is probably making plans for a vacation next year. Going on a cruise is a very popular way to not only save money, but you get to see a variety of places without spending money on food or a hotel.

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However, there are some important tips as a first time cruiser that I wish someone would have told me. These tips will not only help you save money, but it insures that you will have an awesome vacation. So here it goes

1. Cruising At The Right Time

Whatever you do, please do your research so that you can insure that nothing disrupts your trip. Between the month of June to November DO NOT GO ON A CRUISE during this time because its hurricane season. I wish someone would have told me that all the ports we were going to, would be in their rainy season. If you want to go on the beach, get some sun and really enjoy yourself...the best time to plan a cruise would probably be around December to May. You would be taking a really big risk going on a cruise during hurricane season.

2. Get Travel Insurance

Please buy travel insurance so that you can have peace of mind. If you decide that you wanted to go on a cruise, you can get a refund of your money if : they happen to change the port itinerary, lose your luggage, or cancel one of the ports during your time on the cruise. Nationwide Insurance is by far one of the best travel insurance and for $49, you will not regret it.

3. Fill Out The Online Information Before Your Departure

Filling out the online information not only saves you a lot of time but you get a chance to pick the time you want to go to dinner, pay for your transportation to the port and sign up for fun excursions you might want to do at the ports.

4. Bring Some Dramamine

Any type of sea sickness medicine or pain killers you think you may need, get it before you go on the cruise. The medicine on the cruise is so expensive and you don't want to spend extra money, if you don't need to. I took my Dramamine every night before dinner because that is when I felt the ship moving the most.

5. Location, Location, Location

The location of your room on the cruise is crucial because the higher your room is, the more you feel from the movement of the boat. My sister and I made sure that we got a room on deck 2, in the middle of the boat and away from the casino or nightclub to avoid any noise.

6. Arrive The Day Before You Depart

If your cruise ship is not leaving at 8 pm at night then you should definitely consider getting to your departing port the day before. Especially if you are taking a flight because it takes a lot of time to get everyone settled into there rooms. Trust if you are not there on time, you WILL NOT BOARD THE SHIP. (You've been warned! Plan accordingly...)

7. Get an Internet Plan

If your the type of person that loves to be on social media, check their email, use the app "Whatsapp" and keep an eye on their bank account, then getting the internet package is a good option for you. I love to check my bank account to keep a track of my money and whatsapp was a good way to communicate with my family.

8. Spending Money

Before you go on your cruise have a good amount of money set aside. The ATM machine on the cruise is going to charge you almost $3.00 to get money out plus your bank is going to charge you another ATM fee. That is a waste of money, so make sure you have enough money set aside for spending at the ports.

9. Wrinkle Free Clothes

Bring clothes that doesn't get too wrinkle because their are no irons in the room. You would have to wait in a long line to iron your clothes and that takes up a lot of time. I recommend that on the first day of the cruise, you can always iron the majority of your clothes so that you would be set for the week.

10. Laundry

Washers and dryers are on the ship but you have pay to use the machines as well as the laundry detergent or fabric softeners. These things are expensive on the cruise, so to save money, pack some laundry detergent pods and fabric softeners to clean your clothes.

11. Sign and Sail Card

When you get to the cruise ship you will be given a Sign and Sail Card that is attached to your bank account. DO NOT LOSE THIS CARD, this card is used to get into your room,to be given to the waiters when you go to the restaurants and to purchase everything on the cruise. As matter of fact, get a lanyard so that you don't have to purchase one on the cruise. There is a folio number on your card that the cruise ship employees will always ask you for, so always keep your card near. Even when you go off the ship to the ports and come back on, they will ask to see this card.

12. What's Free, What's Not

Don't assume anything, always ask questions no matter what. Specialty restaurants,alcoholic drinks, soda, coffee, some of the room service food and excursions are not free. As a matter of fact, I suggest that you bring small cans of whatever beverage you desire on the cruise, that way you can save more money! Never assume that anything is free because once they start asking you for your folio number......you know what time it is.

13. Seminars

Don't waste your time going to them. They promise you all these things you can win and I was under the impression that I was getting a coupon book for free. However, they ended up charging me $25 for the book, so please ask questions !!! If your not willing to invest any money in what they are selling, just walk away from it.

14. Dining Options

Whatever time you are assigned to be at dinner, please be on time because everyone has a set time to eat their dinner. In addition to this, the first time me and my sister went to dinner on the cruise we were surprise to learn the we would be sharing a table with other people. I love meeting new people but we didn't feel like being sociable all the time. So don't be afraid to request private seating for the full time your there because its your vacation. You have the right to choose to be entertained or entertain other people.

15. Gratuity\Tips

The cruise will give you the impression that you have to pay the gratuity amount they tell you to pay but honestly you don't have to. You can go to the guest services on your second day and cancel your gratuity. I love to tip people when they work hard but I don't like the idea of someone telling me the amount they want me to tip. As far as Im concerned, I would rather give the cruise ship employees their money in there hands, that way I know they received it. How do I know whether or not these employees would even get the majority of there tips from the company. Its something to think about but use your own discretion.

This pretty much sums up the majority of the issues that I faced as a first time cruiser. I learned so much and God placed angels in my path to drop some knowledge on how to be a smart cruiser. I was so excited to share what I learned and hopefully this can help you be smart if you decide to take a cruise for your next vacation.

Well, until next time, bon voyage!!

#Cruise #Carnival #DosandDonts #budget #Caribbeans