Take Advantage of Drink Policies to Bring Things On Just bring some smaller bills for your port days and you’ll be all set. The ports you visit thrive on tourism and make things easy for tourists.
The good news is you don’t have to think about converting currencies at each port. Headed to the Caribbean? It’s likely you’ll visit several countries - with several different currencies - within just a few days. Those with birth certificates still wait in line to be checked by an officer. Snap a photo and you’re on your way home. These days many ports use facial recognition matched with your passport for entering the country. Not only does it come in handy should you need to leave the ship early due to an emergency, but it can also save you time. If you don’t have a passport, you can still leave the country and don’t have to go through the hassle and expense of obtaining one.Įven so, it’s much smarter to sail with a passport. One nice thing about cruises is that many trips allow you to sail with only a birth certificate and photo ID (if they begin and end in the same port). Passports Are Better Than Birth Certificates That means you’ll just be hanging outside the terminal until allowed inside. Sure, you might be able to board early, but there’s also the likelihood that you’ll be asked to wait until your designated time. What you don’t want to do is try to show up before your boarding time. Spreading out passengers helps to keep any person from having to wait too long. When boarding is open, many people try to get there as early as possible, leading to long lines to get on the ship. Cruise lines designate a boarding time to avoid having everyone arrive at the port all at once. When you prepare for your cruise, you’ll either be assigned a boarding window or you get to choose one. There aren’t highly intrusive screening measures in place (at least yet). You’ll step through a metal detector and your bags will go on an x-ray machine. Thankfully, cruise security is much more like flying used to be. Who isn’t turned off by the intrusive security at airports these days? From having to empty water bottles, to taking off shoes, to raising your hands and being scanned by a machine, it’s awful. There Are No Body-Scanners Like at the Airport Having the fresh air - and the million-dollar views - from your balcony is worth the extra cost if you want to pay a little more for your trip. This is especially the case if you’re the sort of person who likes to take your time getting ready in the morning while sipping on a cup of coffee or just having your own private space to take in the view. But if you do decide to spring for a balcony room, it’s well worth it. Having an interior cabin is a cheaper way to get on your first sailing without breaking the bank.Īs we just said, interior cabins are great for first-time cruisers who are usually out around the ship the entire trip. As a first-time cruiser, it’s doubtful you’ll be spending much time in your room anyway. Balconies are great, but there are some big advantages for interior cabins. Wondering if you should get an interior cabin or a balcony room? Don’t sweat it. Interior Cabins Are Fine For First Time Cruisers Just be sure to keep a close hold on your card! 2. This is so much more convenient than having to carry around dollars. The only time you’ll use cash is when you are off the ship in port. No matter if you’re buying a drink or a souvenir on one of the ships, you’ll use this card to pay. It’s also linked to your shipboard account, and you’ll use your room key just like a credit card to charge items to your account. (Check-in online ahead of time? It may be in a sealed envelope at your cabin door.) This “key” is actually like a credit card that you’ll slide into your cabin door to unlock it. When you go through check-in, you’ll receive the key to your room. Don’t Worry About Cash on Board Everything Is Paid Through Your Room Key Should you make a purchase, we receive a small percentage of the sale at no extra cost to you. Note: This article contains links to Amazon that are affiliate links.
CRUISE WATCHER HOW TO
That’s why we’ve taken the time to round up a boatload of tips - 57 to be exact - that will help you know better about what to expect come cruise day.įrom the basic details of cruising to how to save some cash - and much more - we’ve got everything you need to be confident and enjoy your trip the second you reach the port. Taking your first cruise? The only thing that can match the excitement of an upcoming vacation is the overwhelmed feeling that comes with trying to navigate and plan for your first trip.įrom embarkation on cruise day to dining to shore excursions, everything you do on a cruise is just a little different than any other vacation you’ve ever been on.
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